K92 Mining Inc. (“
K92” or the
“
Company”) (TSX
: KNT;
OTCQX
: KNTNF) is pleased to announce the results
of its Updated Integrated Development Plan (“Updated IDP”) for its
Kainantu Gold Mine Project (the “Kainantu Project”) in Papua New
Guinea. The Updated IDP comprises two scenarios: 1) Kainantu Stage
3 Expansion Definitive Feasibility Study Case (“DFS” or “DFS
Case”); and 2) Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion Preliminary Economic
Assessment Case (“PEA” or “PEA Case”). The results of the Updated
IDP will be set forth in an independent technical report prepared
in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for
Disclosure of Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) within forty-five days
from now.
The Updated IDP supersedes the January 1, 2022
effective date Integrated Development Plan (“2022 IDP”) and has
delivered a significant improvement in economics in both the DFS
Case and the PEA Case, and particularly the PEA Case, driven by the
following key changes:
- A significant increase to the
Mineral Resource estimate at Kora and Judd reported in Q4 2023 (see
December 5, 2023 press release), with Measured and Indicated
Resources increasing by 14% to 2.6 million ounces at 10.0 g/t AuEq
and Inferred Resources increasing by 73% to 4.5 million ounces at
8.5 g/t AuEq. This has extended the mine life for the DFS Case to
2030 from 2028 and the PEA Case to 2037 from 2032 from the 2022
Integrated Development Plan (see September 12, 2022 press
release).
- The new off-take agreement with
Trafigura, commencing January 1, 2026, which has improved metals’
payabilities for deliveries of concentrates, in addition to
amending penalties, treatment and refining charges, and transport
charges, all of which are better than the assumptions used in the
2022 IDP.
- Significant margin expansion
forecasted, as cash costs and all-in sustaining costs in the
Updated IDP have only moderately increased from the 2022 IDP, while
the economic evaluation gold price has increased from $1,600/oz to
$1,900/oz to be closer aligned to recent peer studies and the
current commodity price environment. Cut-off grades were slightly
modified in the Updated IDP to achieve the optimal mine plan, with
the cut-off grade for the PEA Case reduced from 4.5 g/t AuEq in the
2022 IDP to 4.0 g/t AuEq and the cut-off grade for the DFS Case
increasing from 3.0 g/t AuEq in the 2022 IDP to 3.5 g/t AuEq. The
updated IDP has made only limited changes to the mining method and
recovery method from the 2022 IDP, with changes made to improve the
pastefill plant and delivery design.
- Limited forecasted Updated IDP
growth capital cost inflation in a rising commodity price
environment. This has been demonstrated to date from the
construction activities well underway at the Kainantu Gold Mine for
the Stage 3 and 4 Expansions. Importantly, the total growth capital
for the project, remains closely aligned with the Operational
Guidance announced in February 2024 of $210 million (see February
22, 2024 press release), that incorporated design and scope
changes, including improving the expandability of the process plant
and redesigning the pastefill plant to mitigate transport and
delivery risk (trucking filter cake to an underground pastefill
plant – previously involved extensive pumping and piping). Prior to
the January 1, 2024 Updated IDP effective date, $15 million of
expansion growth capital was spent. As at September 30, 2024,
approximately 63% of the total growth capital for the Stage 3 and 4
Expansions has either been spent or committed, and subsequent to
quarter end, following the award of the river crossing construction
contract in October, approximately 68% of total growth capital is
either spent or committed.
- Throughput increase for the PEA
Case to 1.8 mtpa from 1.7 mtpa driven by the Stage 2A Plant design
throughput being upgraded from 500,000 tpa to 600,000 tpa as
demonstrated from recent planted performance.
The Updated IDP, which includes the Kainantu
Stage 3 Expansion DFS Case and the alternative Kainantu Stage 4
Expansion PEA Case, was independently prepared by Entech Pty Ltd of
Perth, Australia (“Entech”); ATC Williams Pty Ltd (“ATC Williams”)
of Brisbane, Australia; WSP Canada Inc. (“WSP”) of Ontario, Canada;
Metallurgical Management Services Pty Ltd (“MMS”) of Perth,
Australia, EMM Consulting Pty Ltd (“EMM”) of Queensland, Australia,
H & S Consultants Pty. Ltd (“H&SC”) of Sydney, Australia,
and; GR Engineering Services Limited (“GR”) of Brisbane, Australia,
with some cost information provided by K92.
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. Mineral Reserves are defined by the Definitive
Feasibility Study and are not predicated on the Preliminary
Economic Assessment in any way.
John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and
Director, stated, “The Updated Integrated Development Plan is a
major milestone for K92, marking a significant improvement to mine
economics by incorporating a larger updated Mineral Resource
estimate, a new off-take agreement with Trafigura, more robust
engineering designs and information from our ongoing construction
activities, along with margin expansion from improved commodity
prices.
This has resulted in the DFS Case NPV5%
increasing from US$586 million at $1,600/oz in the 2022 IDP to, in
the Updated IDP, US$680 million at $1,900/oz, or US$1.2 billion at
near-spot prices of $2,600/oz. The PEA Case saw its NPV5% rise from
US$1.3 billion at $1,600/oz in the 2022 IDP to, in the Updated IDP,
US$2.3 billion at $1,900/oz or US$3.5 billion at near-spot prices
of $2,600/oz gold.
Importantly, the realization of strong cash flow
and the economic benefits of the Updated IDP are expected
near-term. In less than nine months, the commissioning of the Stage
3 Plant Expansion is planned to begin, marking the start of K92’s
transformation into a Tier 1 Mid-Tier Producer. Concurrent with
advancing the Stage 3 and 4 Expansions, we remain very active in
improving upon the outcomes of the study, particularly through
exploration. There are currently 11 drill rigs on site of which 6
are operating underground and 5 on the surface, focused on
upgrading and expanding resources both near-mine and across our
highly prospective gold-copper district.
Later this month, we are excited to host a large
group of analysts and investors on-site to showcase our progress to
date in multiple areas and also the mining-friendly jurisdiction of
Papua New Guinea.”
1 – Kainantu Updated IDP - Definitive
Feasibility Study Case
1.1 - DFS Overview
The DFS evaluates an expansion of mining and
processing to a run-rate throughput of 1.2 mtpa, representing a
100% increase from the Stage 2A Expansion run-rate of 600,000 tpa.
This expansion is referred to as the Stage 3 Expansion and involves
on-site treatment of ore by a new standalone 1.2 mtpa process
plant, utilizing single stage crushing, SAG and ball milling, along
with gravity and flotation recovery.
The DFS and Mineral Reserve statement is derived
from the global Kora and Judd Mineral Resource Estimate (September
12, 2023 effective date), net of post-resource mining depletion
from September 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023, and does not
incorporate post-resource-estimate drilling results.
Table 1.1: DFS Highlights
US
Dollars unless otherwise stated |
Updated IDP |
Life of Mine (starting January
2024) |
Stage 3 Run-Rate(1)
(2027-2029) |
Production |
|
|
Mine life (years) |
7 years |
|
Total mill feed (000s tonnes) |
6,176 |
3,600 |
Average mill throughput (000s tonnes per annum) |
882 |
1,200 |
|
|
|
Total Metal Production |
|
|
AuEq (000s ounces) |
1,561 |
910 |
Gold (000s ounces) |
1,223 |
666 |
Copper (million lbs) |
126 |
92 |
Silver (000s ounces) |
2,910 |
1,986 |
|
|
|
Peak Annual Production |
|
|
Year |
2027 |
|
AuEq (000s ounces per annum) |
319 |
|
|
|
|
Average Annual Metal Production |
|
|
AuEq (000s ounces per annum) |
223 |
303 |
Gold (000s ounces per annum) |
175 |
222 |
Copper (mlbs per annum) |
18 |
31 |
Silver (000s ounces per annum) |
416 |
662 |
|
|
|
Average Grade |
|
|
AuEq grade (g/t) |
8.5 g/t |
|
Gold grade (g/t) |
6.7 g/t |
|
Copper grade (%) |
1.0% |
|
Silver grade (g/t) |
19 g/t |
|
|
|
|
Average Recovery |
|
|
Gold recovery (%) |
93% |
|
Copper recovery (%) |
94% |
|
Silver recovery (%) |
78% |
|
|
|
|
Costs |
|
|
Mining cost (US$/t ore mined) |
$68.05 |
$57.73 |
Processing cost (US$/t processed) |
$19.44 |
$18.12 |
G&A cost (US$/t processed) |
$37.11 |
$33.38 |
Paste plant cost ($/t processed) |
$10.31 |
$13.32 |
TSF cost ($/t processed) |
$0.64 |
$0.48 |
Transport and Insurance cost ($/t processed) |
$9.85 |
$10.93 |
Total operating cost per tonne processed
(US$/t) |
$145.40 |
$134.56 |
Royalties ($/t processed) |
$10.90 |
$10.93 |
Sustaining capital per tonne processed
(US$/t) |
$54.59 |
$34.47 |
Total cost per tonne processed (US$/t) |
$210.88 |
$179.96 |
|
|
|
Growth capital expenditure ($m) |
$194 |
|
Sustaining capital expenditure ($m) |
$337 |
|
Total capital expenditure with closure costs
($m) |
$541 |
|
|
|
|
Cash cost per ounce AuEq ($/oz)(2) |
$694 |
$646 |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce AuEq ($/oz)(3) |
$920 |
$789 |
Cash cost per ounce gold ($/oz)(2) |
$380 |
$204 |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce gold ($/oz)(3) |
$665 |
$397 |
|
|
|
Base Case Economic Analysis at US$1,900/oz Gold, US$4.50/lb
Copper and US$25.00/oz Silver |
After-tax NPV0% |
$869 million |
|
After-tax NPV5%(4) |
$680 million |
|
|
|
|
Economic Analysis at $2,500/oz Gold, US$4.50/lb Copper and
US$25.00/oz Silver |
After-tax NPV0% |
$1,359 million |
|
After-tax NPV5%(4) |
$1,091 million |
|
|
- Run-rate is calculated based on
2027-2029.
- Cash costs are net of by-product
credits and are inclusive of mining costs, processing costs, site
G&A and refining charges and royalties.
- AISC includes cash costs plus
estimated corporate general and administration costs, sustaining
costs, and accretion.
- Net present value is calculated
utilizing monthly discounting.
1.2 - Kainantu Mineral Reserve
Statement
The Mineral Reserve estimate outlined in the DFS
was prepared by Daniel Donald FAusIMM MSME of Entech, in accordance
with the classification criteria set out in the 2014 CIM Definition
Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves prepared by
the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions. Daniel Donald is
an independent consultant of the Company and is a Qualified Persons
as defined by NI 43-101. The total Mineral Reserve for the Kainantu
Project is shown in Table 1.2. The Mineral Reserve estimate is
based on the Global Kora and Judd Mineral Resource estimate
(September 12, 2023 effective date – refer to Table 1.3), net of
post-resource mining depletion from September 12, 2023 to December
31, 2023, of 183,768 tonnes at 8.1 g/t Au, 0.9 % Cu and 15 g/t
Ag.
Table 1.2 – Kainantu Mineral Reserve
Statement (Effective Date January 1, 2024)
Kora and Judd Deposit Reserve Summary (January/2024) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
Gold |
Silver |
Copper |
Gold Equivalent |
|
mt |
g/t |
moz |
g/t |
moz |
% |
kt |
g/t |
moz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kora
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
2.95 |
7.4 |
0.70 |
19 |
1.9 |
1.1 |
31 |
9.4 |
0.89 |
Probable |
2.52 |
5.7 |
0.46 |
19 |
1.6 |
1.0 |
26 |
7.6 |
0.61 |
Proven & Probable |
5.47 |
6.6 |
1.16 |
19 |
3.4 |
1.1 |
57 |
8.6 |
1.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judd
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
0.24 |
8.3 |
0.06 |
17 |
0.1 |
0.6 |
1 |
9.4 |
0.07 |
Probable |
0.47 |
6.5 |
0.10 |
13 |
0.2 |
0.5 |
2 |
7.5 |
0.11 |
Proven & Probable |
0.71 |
7.1 |
0.16 |
14 |
0.3 |
0.5 |
4 |
8.1 |
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Proven |
3.19 |
7.5 |
0.77 |
19 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
33 |
9.4 |
0.96 |
Total
Probable |
2.99 |
5.8 |
0.56 |
18 |
1.8 |
1.0 |
28 |
7.6 |
0.73 |
Total Proven & Probable |
6.18 |
6.7 |
1.32 |
19 |
3.7 |
1.0 |
61 |
8.5 |
1.69 |
- The long-term metal prices used for
calculating the financial analysis is US$1,900/oz gold, US$4.50/lb
copper, US$25/oz silver.
- Gold Equivalents are calculated as
AuEq = Au g/t + Cu % *1.62406 + Ag g/t*0.01316. Metal payabilities
and recoveries are not incorporated into this formula.
- A minimum mining width of 3.0 m has
been applied for stoping, inclusive of a 1.0 m dilution skin.
- In addition to the 1.0 m dilution
skin, additional dilution of 5% has been added for Avoca mined
stopes and 2.5% for long hole stoping with pastefill. Where a stope
is within 5.0m proximity of the HW or FW of the fault gouge, an
additional 1.0m of dilution was added at a grade averaging 1.42g/t
AuEq. This results in a total average dilution of 27.8%.
- Mining recoveries of 90% have been
applied to Avoca mined stopes, and 95% for long hole stoping with
pastefill.
- A cut-off grade of 3.5 g/t AuEq was
used to define stoping blocks. Stope shapes with uneconomic
development were excluded. The cut-off grade takes into account
site operating costs, G&A costs, sustaining capital costs and
relevant processing and revenue inputs.
- Measured Mineral Resources were
used to report Proven Mineral Reserves.
- Indicated Mineral Resources were
used to report Probable Mineral Reserves.
- Tonnage and grade estimates include
dilution and recovery allowance.
- The Mineral Reserves reported are
not added to Mineral Resources.
1.3 - Kainantu Mineral Resource
Estimate
The Company’s current Mineral Resource estimate
for Kora and Judd (effective date of September 12, 2023) was
completed by H & S Consultants Pty. Ltd. (Table 1.3). The
Irumafimpa deposit was not incorporated into the Updated IDP and
will be reviewed at a later date.
Table 1.3 – Global Kora and Judd Mineral
Resource Estimate, (3.0 g/t AuEq cut-off)
Kora Deposit Resource Summary (September 12/2023) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
Gold |
Silver |
Copper |
Gold Equivalent |
|
mt |
g/t |
moz |
g/t |
moz |
% |
kt |
g/t |
moz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kora
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
3.7 |
8.7 |
1.0 |
21 |
2.5 |
1.2 |
45 |
11.0 |
1.3 |
Indicated |
3.1 |
7.0 |
0.7 |
22 |
2.2 |
1.3 |
41 |
9.4 |
1.0 |
Measured & Indicated |
6.9 |
7.9 |
1.8 |
21 |
4.7 |
1.3 |
86 |
10.2 |
2.3 |
Inferred |
14.3 |
5.6 |
2.6 |
29 |
13.2 |
1.6 |
231 |
8.6 |
3.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judd Deposit Resource Summary (September 12/2023) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
Gold |
Silver |
Copper |
Gold Equivalent |
|
mt |
g/t |
moz |
g/t |
moz |
% |
kt |
g/t |
moz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judd
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
0.4 |
9.1 |
0.12 |
19 |
0.2 |
0.8 |
3 |
10.6 |
0.14 |
Indicated |
0.8 |
6.4 |
0.17 |
16 |
0.4 |
0.7 |
6 |
7.8 |
0.21 |
Measured & Indicated |
1.2 |
7.2 |
0.29 |
17 |
0.7 |
0.8 |
9 |
8.7 |
0.35 |
Inferred |
2.3 |
6.3 |
0.45 |
16 |
1.1 |
0.8 |
17 |
7.7 |
0.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Measured |
4.1 |
8.8 |
1.2 |
20 |
2.7 |
1.2 |
48 |
10.9 |
1.5 |
Total
Indicated |
4.0 |
6.9 |
0.9 |
21 |
2.6 |
1.2 |
47 |
9.1 |
1.2 |
Total Measured & Indicated |
8.1 |
7.8 |
2.0 |
20 |
5.3 |
1.2 |
96 |
10.0 |
2.6 |
Total Inferred |
16.5 |
5.7 |
3.0 |
27 |
14.3 |
1.5 |
248 |
8.5 |
4.5 |
- The Independent and Qualified
Person responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate is Simon Tear,
P.Geo. of H & S Consultants Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia, and
the effective date of the estimate is September 12, 2023.
- Mineral Resources are not Mineral
Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Geological interpretation has
generated a series of narrow, sub-vertical vein structures based on
delineated wireframes on 10 m, 20 m and 25 m spaced
cross sections. The design of the lode wireframes is based on a
combination of logged geology, Au, Cu & Ag assay grades and
locally on a nominal minimum mining width of 5.2 m, all
coupled with geological sense.
- Resources were compiled at 3.0 g/t
gold equivalent cut-off grades for Kora and Judd.
- Density (t/m3) was modelled using
Ordinary Kriging on 2,778 sample measurements. Areas within the
mineral wireframes where no density grades were interpolated had
average default values inserted at appropriate levels.
- Reported tonnage and grade figures
are rounded from raw estimates to reflect the order of accuracy of
the estimate.
- Minor variations may occur during
the addition of rounded numbers.
- Estimations used metric units
(metres, tonnes and g/t).
- Gold equivalents are calculated as AuEq = Au g/t + Cu%*1.6481+
Ag g/t*0.0114. Gold price US$1,700/oz; Silver US$22.5/oz; Copper
US$4.00/lb. Metal payabilities and recoveries are incorporated into
the AuEq formula. Recoveries of 95% for copper and 80% for silver
were used.
1.4 - DFS Mining Operations
K92 engaged Entech to undertake the DFS for the
Kainantu Project, which involved:
- Applying financial and processing
parameters to determine appropriate cut-off grades for stope
design.
- Generating three-dimensional stope
shapes and mining inventory using the Datamine Mineable Shape
Optimiser (MSO) program.
- Creating a development layout to
suit the MSO inventory.
- Geotechnical assessment and
generating the stoping parameters.
- Ventilation design and ventilation
tradeoff studies.
- Mining capital and operating
costings.
The Stage 3 Expansion mine plan considered in
the DFS is designed as an incline access operation with a series of
ore passes for efficient material movement between sublevels and
the twin incline for material transport to surface. The DFS mine
plan initially employs a long hole open stoping mining method
utilizing Avoca and Modified Avoca mining methods, which are
currently employed at the mine. Upon construction of the pastefill
plant, the mining method transitions to long hole open stoping with
pastefill in Q3 2025.
Long hole open stoping has been successfully
executed at both the Kora and Judd deposits, with the first long
hole stope mined in Q1 2020 at Kora, and Q4 2021 at Judd. The Avoca
mining method involves backfilling from the overcut sublevel while
the long hole stope is advanced from the undercut sublevel to limit
the strike length of the open stope. By limiting the strike length
of the open stope, the method is designed to provide sufficient
stability to the stope walls and backs, increasing the ultimate
strike length extracted. The application of cemented pastefill
provides improved geotechnical conditions for less dilution and
higher mining recovery factors, greater operating flexibility
through the ability to mine above and below pastefill and a
reduction in surface tailings storage requirement.
Stopes were identified for the mine plan
contained in the DFS based on the Datamine Mineable Shape Optimizer
(MSO) program at a cut-off grade of 3.5 g/t AuEq. Stope shapes with
uneconomic development access requirements were excluded. Dilution
was estimated based on a 0.5 m dilution skin for both the footwall
and hanging wall using the MSO program for a minimum stope width of
3.0 m. Additional dilution factor of 5% was added for stopes
utilizing Avoca and Modified Avoca and 2.5% for stopes with
pastefill. Where a stope is within 5.0 m proximity of the HW or FW
of the fault gouge, an additional 1.0 m of dilution was added at a
grade averaging 1.42g/t AuEQ. The overall dilution averaged 27.8%.
Mining recovery factors of 90% and 95% were applied for long hole
open stoping with Avoca and long hole open stoping with pastefill,
respectively. The life of mine average head grade is 6.7 g/t Au,
1.0 % Cu and 19 g/t Ag or 8.5 g/t AuEq.
The DFS Case operates at the Stage 2A Expansion
600,000 tpa throughput rate until mid-2025, where the operation
commences ramp up to the Stage 3 Expansion run-rate of 1.2 mtpa in
late Q2 2025. Mining is predominately from the Kora Central Zone
within the Kora deposit and the Judd deposit. See Table 1.6 for a
material movement summary as part of the simplified economic
model.
Figure 1.1 – DFS Life of Mine Plan –
Lateral, Vertical Development and Stope Shapes at 3.5 g/t AuEq
cut-off grade (looking West)
1.4 - DFS Mineral Processing, Tailings
and Infrastructure
K92 engaged GR Engineering Services, WSP, and
ATCW to complete and update the DFS Stage 3 Expansion process
plant, pastefill plant, tailing facility and integration of surface
infrastructure design. The DFS involves the construction of a
standalone 1.2 mtpa processing plant and supporting infrastructure.
The new plant is adjacent to the existing process plant, which is
undergoing a Stage 2A Plant Expansion with an upgraded design
throughput of 600,000 tpa (previously 500,000 tpa). The existing
plant will be placed on care and maintenance in Q4 2025 upon the
commissioning and ramp-up of the Stage 3 Expansion Process Plant
commencing in late Q2 2025.
Run-of-mine (ROM) material is trucked ~6 km
from the 800 Portal to the Kainantu process plant, where it is
either stockpiled or direct tipped into the crusher. The 1.2 mtpa
processing plant design flowsheet incorporates a conventional
single stage jaw crusher (200 tph) reporting to a crushed ore
overflow surge bin and dead stockpile which provides 12 hours of
stockpile capacity. The primary crushed ore supplies a SAB milling
circuit (150 tph) that includes an open circuit SAG mill and closed
circuit ball mill. The ball mill product reports to hydrocyclones,
with cyclone overflow reporting to the flotation circuit and the
cyclone underflow stream being split between the gravity circuit,
flash flotation circuit and ball mill for grinding.
The gravity circuit involves one batch
centrifugal concentrator followed by two stages of gravity
separation using shaking tables to upgrade the gravity concentrate,
which is then calcined and smelted to produce gold doré. The
flotation circuit includes flash flotation and conventional
sulphide flotation, followed by thickening and filtering to produce
a gold-copper-silver concentrate. The circuit is based on simple
conventional technology with the flowsheet largely similar but
optimized from the existing Kainantu processing plant. The key
difference between the existing plant and the proposed Stage 3
Expansion process plant is the implementation of a one stage
crushing circuit (vs two stage crushing) and two stages of milling
with a SAG and ball mill (vs one stage of ball milling).
Tailings management upgrades would be part of
the Stage 3 Expansion, through the construction of a pastefill
plant to provide improved underground support and reduce surface
tailings deposition needs. Thickened tailings at the process plant
are designed to be dewatered in filter presses and trucked to the
underground pastefill plant, with the final pastefill product
pumped to stope voids as fill. Remaining thickened tailings report
to the tailings impoundment on the surface. To support the
increased processing capacity, implementation of the pastefill
plant and increased underground mining activity, the standby diesel
generator capacity is expanded.
Papua New Guinea Power Limited (“PNG
Power”) have completed engineering information which has
been used in the DFS and involves an upgrade of the local
electrical grid to facilitate improved availability and
distribution of clean hydroelectricity to the mine. This is
expected to considerably reduce the mine’s Scope 1 and Scope 2
greenhouse gas emission intensity per ounce produced - the amount
of diesel fuel consumed for backup generators. K92 has already
engaged with PNG Power to commence this project and the Company
expects it to have a notable improvement on our greenhouse gas
emission intensity over the next 6 to 12 months. In June 2023, the
Company announces its 2030 greenhouse reduction target, as part of
its ongoing overall sustainability commitments to reduce Scope 1
and Scope 2 emissions by 25% on a business-as-usual basis by 2030
(a 25% reduction against forecast Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by
2030 assuming no mitigation measures are implemented to reduce
carbon emissions). Further information on the GHG target and the
overall approach to sustainability is available in the Company’s
2022 and 2023 Sustainability Reports.
The tailings storage facility
(“TSF”) design was completed by ATC Williams. With
the application of pastefill significantly reducing the amount of
tailings reporting to surface, the current storage facility
approved has sufficient capacity (constructed as staged
development) for the DFS mine plan. The TSF is constructed as a
downstream type, utilizing Australian and International guidelines
and standards.
Figure 1.2 – DFS 1.2 mtpa Process Plant
Flowsheet
1.6 - DFS Capital and Operating
Costs
The initial capital cost estimate in the DFS
includes contingency ranging from 7% to 15% depending on the
capital item, with the major items outlined in Table 1.4. Operating
costs are presented in Table 1.5.
Table 1.4: DFS - Capital Cost
Estimates
US Dollars unless otherwise stated |
|
Process Plant |
$90.3m |
Paste Plant |
$42.5m |
River Crossing |
$14.4m |
Power Station |
$10.3m |
Electrical Infrastructure |
$6.9m |
OHPL |
$1.9m |
Maintenance Facilities |
$3.0m |
Warehouse |
$0.9m |
Owner’s Team, Approvals, Indirects |
$20.1m |
Camp Upgrade |
$4.2m |
Growth Capital |
$194.4m |
|
|
Total Life of Mine Sustaining Capital |
$337.1m |
Totals may differ due to rounding
Table 1.5: DFS - Operating Cost
Estimates (Life of Mine Average)
US Dollars unless otherwise stated |
|
Mining Cost ($/t) |
$68.05 |
Processing Cost ($/t) |
$19.44 |
General & Administrative Cost ($/t) |
$37.11 |
Paste Plant Cost ($/t processed) |
$10.31 |
TSF ($/t processed) |
$0.64 |
Transport and Insurance ($/t processed) |
$9.85 |
Royalties ($/t processed) |
$10.90 |
Total Cost Per Tonne Processed ($/t) |
$156.30 |
Sustaining Capital per Tonne of Processed ($/t) |
$54.59 |
Total Cost Per Tonne Processed ($/t) |
$210.88 |
Totals may differ due to rounding
1.7 DFS – Economic Analysis
Entech prepared a conceptual cashflow and
discounted cashflow derived from the life-of-mine schedule. Tax
calculations for the after-tax cashflow and discounted cashflow
were prepared by K92. A summary of the cashflow analyses is shown
in Table 1.6 and a sensitivity analysis to gold price is shown in
Table 1.7.
Table 1.6: DFS - Simplified Financial
Model at US$1,900/oz Au, US$4.50/lb Cu, US$25.00/oz Ag
Year |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mill Throughput (ktpa) |
473 |
800 |
1,001 |
1,200 |
1,200 |
1,200 |
302 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Grade (g/t) |
7.59 |
6.54 |
6.43 |
6.86 |
5.26 |
6.48 |
11.66 |
Copper Grade (%) |
0.60% |
0.55% |
0.62% |
1.11% |
1.48% |
1.10% |
1.07% |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
11.48 |
12.04 |
14.37 |
22.44 |
25.07 |
18.50 |
24.39 |
AuEq Grade (g/t) |
8.72 |
7.59 |
7.63 |
8.95 |
8.00 |
8.52 |
13.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Produced (000s oz) |
107 |
154 |
190 |
245 |
190 |
231 |
106 |
Silver Produced (000s oz) |
136 |
241 |
361 |
675 |
754 |
557 |
185 |
Copper Produced (m lbs) |
5.9 |
9.1 |
12.7 |
27.5 |
37.1 |
27.4 |
6.8 |
AuEq Produced (000s oz) |
122 |
179 |
225 |
319 |
287 |
303 |
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue (US$m)(1) |
$212 |
$310 |
$405 |
$575 |
$507 |
$547 |
$225 |
Total OPEX (US$m)(1) |
$96 |
$130 |
$159 |
$179 |
$172 |
$172 |
$57 |
Growth Capital (US$m) |
$107 |
$87 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sustaining Capital (US$m) |
$82 |
$72 |
$47 |
$56 |
$38 |
$30 |
$13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After-tax CF (US$m) |
($98) |
($14) |
$147 |
$247 |
$219 |
$252 |
$116 |
Cumulative After-tax CF (US$m) |
($98) |
($112) |
$36 |
$283 |
$502 |
$754 |
$869 |
- Net revenue in summary model
excludes the impact of royalty payments and transport costs. These
are included within operating costs.
Figure 1.3 – DFS Material Movement Schedule
Figure 1.4 – DFS Production and All-in
Sustaining Cost (Co-Product) Schedule
Figure 1.5 – DFS Cash Flow Projects at
US$1,900/oz Au (top chart) and US$2,500/oz Au (bottom
chart)
Table 1.7: DFS - After-Tax NPV5%
Sensitivity to Gold Price
Gold Price |
After-Tax NPV5% (US$M) |
$1,600 |
$475 |
$1,900 |
$680 |
$2,200 |
$886 |
$2,500 |
$1,091 |
$2,800 |
$1,296 |
$3,100 |
$1,501 |
2 – Kainantu Updated IDP - Preliminary
Economic Assessment Case
2.1 – PEA Overview
The alternative PEA Case conceptualizes a
multi-expansion plan to an ultimate plant run-rate of 1.8 mtpa,
representing a 200% increase from the upgraded Stage 2A Expansion
run-rate of 600,000 tpa design throughput (previously 500,000 tpa).
The PEA Case involves the construction of a standalone 1.2 mtpa
process plant adjacent to the 600,000 tpa Stage 2A Expansion
process plant. In mid-2025, the Stage 2A Expansion process plant is
idled as the 1.2 mtpa Stage 3 process plant ramps up, with
commissioning of the Stage 3 Expansion process plant commencing in
late Q2 2025. Upon achieving the Stage 3 run-rate throughput in
2027, the Stage 2A Expansion plant is recommissioned in H2 2027,
ramping up to run-rate throughput of 600,000 tpa by year end, for a
combined processing run-rate of 1.8 mtpa at the beginning of
2028.
To support the higher throughput rate, the
underground mining fleet is significantly increased to support
expanded mining operations operating multiple mining fronts
concurrently: Kora Upper, Lower and Central Zones within the Kora
deposit, and the Judd deposit. Site infrastructure is also
expanded, including power, camp facilities and the pastefill plant.
Several capital items, such as the pastefill system, are configured
during the construction of Stage 3 to be amenable to the larger
ultimate Stage 4 Expansion run-rate.
The PEA uses the conclusions of the Company’s
Mineral Resource estimate for Kora and Judd (effective date of
September 12, 2023) and does not incorporate post resource drilling
results. The effective date of the PEA life of mine plan is January
1, 2024; therefore, Kora is net of post-resource mining depletion
from September 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023 of 183,768 tonnes at
8.1 g/t Au, 0.9 % Cu and 15 g/t Ag.
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.
Table 2.1: PEA Highlights
US Dollars unless otherwise stated |
Life of Mine (starting January
2024) |
Stage 4 Run-Rate(1)(2028
- 2034) |
Production |
|
|
Mine life (years) |
14 years |
|
Total mill feed (000s tonnes) |
20,396 |
12,600 |
Average mill throughput (000s tonnes per annum) |
1,457 |
1,800 |
|
|
|
Total Metal Production |
|
|
AuEq (000s ounces) |
4,977 |
2,895 |
Gold (000s ounces) |
3,620 |
2,011 |
Copper (mlbs) |
508 |
332 |
Silver (000s ounces) |
11,799 |
7,399 |
|
|
|
Peak Annual Production |
|
|
Year |
2034 |
|
AuEq (000s ounces per annum) |
485 |
|
|
|
|
Average Annual Metal Production |
|
|
AuEq (000s ounces per annum) |
356 |
414 |
Gold (000s ounces per annum) |
259 |
287 |
Copper (mlbs per annum) |
36 |
47 |
Silver (000s ounces per annum) |
843 |
1,057 |
|
|
|
Average Grade |
|
|
AuEq grade (g/t) |
8.2 g/t |
|
Gold grade (g/t) |
6.0 g/t |
|
Copper grade (%) |
1.2% |
|
Silver grade (g/t) |
23 g/t |
|
|
|
|
Average Recovery |
|
|
Gold recovery (%) |
93% |
|
Copper recovery (%) |
94% |
|
Silver recovery (%) |
78% |
|
|
|
|
Costs |
|
|
Mining cost ($/t ore mined) |
$62.60 |
$58.58 |
Processing cost ($/t processed) |
$18.19 |
$17.65 |
General & Administrative cost ($/t processed) |
$25.45 |
$23.33 |
Paste plant cost ($/t processed) |
$9.16 |
$9.89 |
TSF cost ($/t processed) |
$0.48 |
$0.42 |
Transport and Insurance cost ($/t processed) |
$10.24 |
$10.44 |
Total operating cost per tonne processed
(US$/t) |
$126.12 |
$120.59 |
Royalties ($/t processed) |
$10.75 |
$10.10 |
Sustaining capital per tonne of processed
(US$/t) |
$44.15 |
$35.57 |
Total cost per tonne of processed (US$/t) |
$181.02 |
$166.06 |
|
|
|
Growth capital expenditure ($m) |
$201 |
|
Sustaining capital expenditure ($m) |
$900 |
|
Total capital expenditure with closure costs
($m) |
$1,122 |
|
|
|
|
Cash cost per ounce AuEq ($/oz)(2) |
$633 |
$644 |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce AuEq ($/oz)(3) |
$822 |
$805 |
Cash cost per ounce gold ($/oz)(2) |
$174 |
$108 |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce gold ($/oz)(3) |
$432 |
$338 |
|
|
|
Base Case Economic Analysis at US$1,900/oz Gold, US$4.50/lb
Copper and US$25.00/oz Silver |
After-tax NPV0% |
$3.5 billion |
|
After-tax NPV5%(4) |
$2.3 billion |
|
|
|
|
Economic Analysis at $2,500/oz Gold, US$4.50/lb Copper and
US$25.00/oz Silver |
After-tax NPV0% |
$5.0 billion |
|
After-tax NPV5%(4) |
$3.3 billion |
|
|
- Run-rate calculated based on
2028-2034.
- Cash costs are net of by-product
credits and are inclusive of mining costs, processing costs, site
G&A and refining charges and royalties.
- AISC includes cash costs plus
estimated corporate G&A, sustaining costs and accretion.
- Net present value is calculated
utilizing monthly discounting.
2.2 - PEA Mining Operations
The Company engaged Entech to undertake the PEA
Case for the Kainantu Project, which involved:
- Applying financial and processing
parameters to determine cut-off grades for stope design.
- Generating three-dimensional stope
shapes and mining inventory using the Datamine Mineable Shape
Optimizer (MSO) program.
- Creating a conceptual development
layout to suit the MSO inventory.
- Geotechnical assessment and
generating the stoping parameters.
- Ventilation design and ventilation
tradeoff studies.
- Mining capital and operating
costings.
The mine plan considered in the PEA is designed
as an incline access operation with a series of ore passes for
efficient material movement between sublevels and the twin incline
for material transport to surface. Initially, the mine plan employs
a long hole open stoping mining method utilizing Avoca and modified
Avoca, with waste rockfill. This mining method has been
successfully employed at the mine since Q1 2020 at Kora and Q4 2021
at Judd. The mining method will then transition to long hole open
stoping with pastefill in Q2 2025, upon the construction of the
pastefill plant. Cemented pastefill provides improved geotechnical
conditions for less dilution, higher mining recovery factors, and
greater operating flexibility through the ability to mine above and
below pastefill, plus a reduction in surface tailings.
Stopes were identified for the PEA mine plan
based on the MSO program at a cut-off grade of 4.0 g/t AuEq. Stope
shapes with uneconomic development access requirements were
excluded from the assessment. Dilution was estimated based on a 0.5
m dilution skin for both the footwall and hanging wall using the
MSO program for a minimum stope width of 3.0 m. Additional dilution
factor of 5% was added for long hole stoping utilizing Avoca and
Modified Avoca and 2.5% for long hole open stoping with pastefill.
Where a stope is within 5m proximity of the HW or FW of the fault
gouge, an additional 1.0 m of dilution was added at a grade
averaging 1.42 g/t AuEq. The overall dilution averaged 28.5%.
Mining recovery factors of 90% and 95% were applied for long hole
open stoping with Avoca and long hole open stoping with pastefill,
respectively. The life of mine average head grade is 6.0 g/t Au,
1.2% Cu and 23 g/t Ag or 8.2 g/t AuEq.
The mine plan operates at the Stage 2A Expansion
600,000-tpa throughput until mid-2025, with the operation
commencing ramp up to the Stage 3 Expansion run-rate of 1.2 mtpa in
late Q2 2025, sequentially ramping-up to the Stage 4 Expansion
run-rate of 1.8 mtpa at the beginning of 2028. To support the Stage
4 mining rate, multiple mining fronts are mined concurrently: Kora
Central, Kora Upper and Kora Lower within the Kora deposit, and the
Judd deposit. See Table 2.6 for a material movement summary as part
of the simplified economic model.
Figure 2.1 – PEA Life of Mine Plan –
Lateral, Vertical Development and Stope Shapes at 4.0 g/t AuEq
cut-off grade (looking West)
2.4 - PEA Mineral Processing, Tailings
and Infrastructure
K92 engaged GR Engineering Services, WSP, and
ATCW to complete an update to the PEA Stage 4 Expansion process
plant, pastefill plant, tailing facility and integration of surface
infrastructure design. The PEA conceptualizes constructing a new
standalone processing plant for the Stage 3 Expansion adjacent to
the existing Stage 2A Expansion process plant. The existing Stage
2A Expansion process plant operates until mid-2025, where it is
idled as the Stage 3 Expansion ramps-up (starting in late Q2 2025).
The process plants are fed from run-of-mine (ROM) material that is
trucked ~6km from the 800 Portal to the Kainantu process plant,
where it is either stockpiled or direct tipped into the
crusher.
The Stage 3 Expansion process plant design
flowsheet incorporates a conventional comminution circuit,
utilizing a single stage of jaw crushing (200 tph) reporting to a
crushed ore overflow surge bin, followed by a SAB milling circuit
(150 tph) with an open circuit SAG mill and close circuit ball
mill. The ball mill product reports to cyclone classification,
where the cyclone overflow reports to the flotation circuit and the
cyclone underflow stream being split between the gravity circuit,
flash flotation circuit and ball mill for grinding. The gravity
circuit involves one batch centrifugal concentrator followed by two
stages of gravity separation using shaking tables. The upgraded
gravity concentrate is then calcined and smelted to produce gold
doré. The flotation circuit consists of flash flotation and
conventional sulphide flotation, followed by thickening and
filtering to produce a gold-copper-silver concentrate.
Processing performance estimates were based on a
combination of test work and operating results. Over the period,
January 2018 to August 2024, six stages of processing plant
upgrades allowed increased throughput and improved recovery
performance. The plant has operated in its current configuration
(Stage 2A expansion) since June 2023. Metal recovery factors for
the PEA were based on an analysis of processing results from June
2023 until August 2024, plus a consideration of economic factors
associated with metals offtake agreements and concentrate transport
costs.
The PEA incorporates tailings management
upgrades, with underground pastefill commencing in Q3 2025 upon the
completion of construction of the pastefill plant. The delivery of
pastefill involves pumping thickened tailings from the process
plant, then dewatered in filter presses and trucked to the
underground pastefill plant. This is followed by pumping the final
pastefill product into stope voids. Remaining tailings are pumped
to the tailings impoundment as thickened tailings. The significant
increase to processing capacity, mining rates and underground
infrastructure requires additions to the standby diesel generating
capacity on site. The PEA also involves an upgrade to the local
electrical grid to facilitate improved availability and
distribution of clean hydroelectricity to the mine. This upgrade is
expected to materially reduce overall Scope 1 and Scope 2
greenhouse gas emission intensity per ounce produced. In June 2023,
the Company announced its 2030 greenhouse reduction target, as part
of its ongoing overall sustainability commitments to reduce Scope 1
and Scope 2 emissions by 25% on a business-as-usual basis by 2030
(a 25% reduction against forecast Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by
2030 assuming no mitigation measures are implemented to reduce
carbon emissions). Additional information on the GHG target and the
overall approach to sustainability is available in the Company’s
2022 and 2023 Sustainability Reports.
The implementation of pastefill significantly
reduces the amount of tailings reporting to the TSF. The existing
TSF has sufficient tailings capacity until 2029, after which
tailings then report to the new TSF. The development of the new
tailings facility is situated less than 2 km from the existing TSF
with a number of suitable sites identified. The new tailings
facility design has significant capacity beyond the material
movements in the PEA. The existing and proposed new TSF is by
downstream construction methods, suitable for the climate and
geotechnical environment of mine site with Australian and
international guidelines and Standards being met or exceeded. The
TSF design work was completed by ATC Williams.
Figure 2.2 – PEA 1.8 mtpa Process Plant
Flowsheet
2.5 - PEA Capital and Operating
Costs
The growth capital cost estimate includes a
contingency ranging from 7% to 15% and the major items are outlined
in Table 2.4. Operating costs are presented in Table 2.5.
Table 2.4: PEA - Capital Cost
Estimates
US Dollars unless otherwise stated |
|
Process Plant |
$90.3m |
Paste Plant |
$45.0m |
River Crossing |
$14.4m |
Power Station |
$12.3m |
Electrical Infrastructure |
$6.9m |
OHPL |
$1.9m |
Maintenance Facilities |
$3.0m |
Warehouse |
$0.9m |
Owner’s Team, Approvals, Indirects |
$20.1m |
Camp Upgrade |
$6.2m |
Growth Capital |
$200.9m |
|
|
Total Life of Mine Sustaining Capital |
$900.5m |
Totals may differ due to rounding
Table 2.5: PEA - Operating Cost
Estimates (Life of Mine Average)
US Dollars unless otherwise stated |
|
Mining Cost ($/t ore mined) |
$62.60 |
Processing Cost ($/t processed) |
$18.19 |
General & Administrative Cost ($/t processed) |
$25.45 |
Paste Plant Cost ($/t processed) |
$9.16 |
TSF ($/t processed) |
$0.48 |
Transport and Insurance ($/t processed) |
$10.24 |
Royalties ($/t processed) |
$10.75 |
Total Cost Per Tonne Processed ($/t) |
$136.87 |
Sustaining Capital per Tonne of Processed ($/t) |
$44.15 |
Total Cost Per Tonne Processed ($/t) |
$181.02 |
Totals may differ due to rounding
2.6 PEA - Economic Analysis
Entech prepared a conceptual cashflow and
discounted cashflow derived from the life-of-mine schedule. Tax
calculations for the after-tax cashflow and discounted cashflow
were prepared by K92. A summary is shown in Table 2.6 and a
sensitivity analysis to gold price is shown in Table 2.7.
Table 2.6: PEA - Simplified Financial
Model at US$1,900/oz Au, US$4.50/lb Cu, US$25.00/oz Ag
Year |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
2031 |
2032 |
2033 |
2034 |
2035 |
2036 |
2037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mill Throughput (ktpa) |
469 |
802 |
1,059 |
1,440 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
1,742 |
1,566 |
718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Grade (g/t) |
7.45 |
6.34 |
6.12 |
6.55 |
5.98 |
4.58 |
3.59 |
4.77 |
6.59 |
4.73 |
7.29 |
6.03 |
7.53 |
10.08 |
Copper Grade (%) |
0.75 |
0.73 |
0.69 |
0.86 |
1.21 |
1.35 |
1.57 |
1.45 |
1.11 |
1.25 |
0.93 |
1.36 |
1.45 |
1.30 |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
13.93 |
13.91 |
12.89 |
16.04 |
19.76 |
24.87 |
27.90 |
26.54 |
21.20 |
22.31 |
21.35 |
27.65 |
32.09 |
31.48 |
AuEq Grade (g/t) |
8.86 |
7.71 |
7.41 |
8.16 |
8.21 |
7.10 |
6.50 |
7.48 |
8.66 |
7.06 |
9.09 |
8.59 |
10.30 |
12.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Produced (000s oz) |
104 |
150 |
191 |
279 |
321 |
246 |
194 |
256 |
352 |
253 |
390 |
313 |
354 |
218 |
Silver Produced (000s oz) |
164 |
280 |
342 |
579 |
892 |
1,123 |
1,259 |
1,198 |
957 |
1,007 |
964 |
1,208 |
1,260 |
567 |
Copper Produced (m lbs) |
7 |
12 |
15 |
25 |
45 |
51 |
59 |
55 |
41 |
47 |
35 |
49 |
47 |
20 |
AuEq Produced (000s oz) |
123 |
182 |
231 |
347 |
440 |
380 |
350 |
401 |
462 |
377 |
485 |
445 |
482 |
272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue (US$m)(1) |
$214 |
$317 |
$417 |
$628 |
$789 |
$675 |
$610 |
$712 |
$836 |
$674 |
$877 |
$800 |
$868 |
$490 |
Total OPEX (US$m)(1) |
$100 |
$131 |
$168 |
$198 |
$235 |
$233 |
$234 |
$234 |
$237 |
$236 |
$238 |
$231 |
$225 |
$91 |
Growth Capital (US$m) |
$109 |
$91 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sustaining Capital (US$m) |
$76 |
$99 |
$69 |
$83 |
$68 |
$75 |
$70 |
$64 |
$58 |
$50 |
$60 |
$59 |
$53 |
$16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After-tax Net CF (US$m) |
($96) |
($40) |
$130 |
$249 |
$350 |
$264 |
$222 |
$298 |
$388 |
$281 |
$409 |
$359 |
$420 |
$273 |
Cumulative After-tax Net CF (US$m) |
($96) |
($136) |
($6) |
$244 |
$594 |
$858 |
$1,080 |
$1,378 |
$1,766 |
$2,047 |
$2,456 |
$2,815 |
$3,235 |
$3,508 |
- Net revenue in summary model
excludes the impact of royalty payments and transport costs. These
are included within total operating costs.
Figure 2.3 – PEA Material Movement
Schedule
Figure 2.4 – PEA Production and All-in
Sustaining Cost (Co-Product) Schedule
Figure 2.5 – PEA Cash Flow Projects at
US$1,900/oz Au (top chart) and US$2,500/oz Au (bottom
chart)
Table 2.7: PEA - After-Tax NPV5%
Sensitivity to Gold Price
Gold Price |
After-Tax NPV5% (US$M) |
$1,600 |
$1,791 |
$1,900 |
$2,295 |
$2,200 |
$2,798 |
$2,500 |
$3,302 |
$2,800 |
$3,806 |
$3,100 |
$4,309 |
Diamond Drill and Face Sampling
Methodology, Data Verification and QA / QC
Diamond drill holes are first logged to
determine the sampling intervals, which range from a minimum of 0.1
m to generally 1.0 m. The drill core is sawn half core cut along a
reference line, with the remainder of the core returned to the core
tray. Core samples are then placed in numbered calico and plastic
bags, with a numbered sample ticket for dispatch to the assay
laboratory. Samples are separately assayed for gold, copper and
silver. K92’s procedure includes the insertion standards, blanks
and duplicates. Gold assays are by the fire assay method. Copper
and silver assays are by three-acid-digestion method (nitric,
perchloric & hydrochloric mix).
Face channel samples under geological control,
were taken across the full face of both the exposed lode system and
any waste rock, with sample intervals ranging from 0.1 m to 1 m in
width depending on the geologist’s interpretation. Two samples were
taken per interval at waist and knee height and the corresponding
widths recorded. Samples are approximately 3.5 kg in size. Samples
were separately assayed for gold, copper and silver, and the
results averaged out using length weighting and channel orientation
before entry into the database. K92’s procedure includes the
insertion standards, blanks and duplicates for the face sampling.
Gold assays are by the fire assay method. Copper and silver assays
are by three-acid-digestion method (nitric, perchloric &
hydrochloric mix).
K92 maintains an industry-standard analytical
quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and data verification
program to monitor laboratory performance and ensure high quality
assays. Results from this program confirm reliability of the assay
results. All sampling and analytical work for the mine exploration
program is performed by Intertek Testing Services (PNG) LTD, an
independent accredited laboratory that is located on site. External
check assays for QA/QC purposes are performed at SGS Australia Pty
Ltd in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
The analytical QA/QC program is currently
overseen by Andrew Kohler, PGeo, Mine Geology Manager and Mine
Exploration Manager for K92. Andrew Kohler, a qualified person
under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Conference Call and Webcast to Present
Results
K92 will host a conference call and webcast to
present the Updated Kainantu Gold Mine Integrated Development Plan
at 5:30 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
- Listeners may access the conference
call by dialing toll-free to 1-844-763-8274 within North America or
+1-647-484-8814 from international locations.
The conference call will also be broadcast live
(webcast) and may be accessed via the following link:
https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=XJgneEhG
Qualified Person
K92 Mine Chief Geologist, Mr. Andrew Kohler,
P.Geo, a Qualified Person under the meaning of NI 43-101 has
reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.
The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in
conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities
on its projects.
Simon Tear, P.Geo of H & S Consultants Pty
Ltd of Sydney, Australia is a Qualified Person as defined under NI
43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press
release. Mr. Tear is an independent consultant and is responsible
for the 2023 Mineral Resource estimate for Kora and Judd.
Brendan Mulvihill, MAusIMM (CP Met), RPEQ of GR
Engineering Services Limited of Brisbane, Australia is a Qualified
Person as defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the
contents of this press release. Mr. Mulvihill is an independent
consultant and is responsible for the process plant design.
Daniel Donald, B.Eng Hons (Mining) MBA FAusIMM
MSME of Entech Pty Ltd of Perth, Australia is a Qualified Person as
defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents
of this press release. Mr. Donald is an independent mining
consultant and is responsible for mine planning and cost modelling.
Mr. Donald completed a site visit from May 29th to 31st 2024.
Dr. Evan Kirby, of Metallurgical Management
Services Pty Ltd of Perth, Australia is a Qualified Person as
defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents
of this press release. Dr. Kirby is an independent consultant
responsible for minerals processing test work, analysis of plant
operating results and estimating metals recovery factors.
Isaac Ahmed, P.Eng of WSP Canada Inc. of
Ontario, Canada is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101
and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.
Mr. Ahmed is an independent consultant and is responsible for the
pastefill delivery and pastefill plant design.
Ralph Holding, FIEAust, CPEng, IEPNG of ATC
Williams Pty Ltd of Brisbane, Australia is a Qualified Person as
defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents
of this press release. Mr. Holding is an independent consultant and
is responsible for the tailing storage facility design.
Nicholas Currey, MAusIMM of EMM Consulting Pty
Ltd of Queensland, Australia is a Qualified Person as defined under
NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press
release. Mr. Currey is an independent consultant and is responsible
for environmental studies and community impact.
On Behalf of the Company,
John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director
For further information, please contact David
Medilek, P.Eng., CFA at +1-604-416-4445.
About K92
K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of
gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern
Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and
development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the
mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in
February 2018, is in a strong financial position, and is working to
become a Tier 1 mid-tier producer through ongoing plant expansions.
K92 is operated by a team of mining company professionals with
extensive international mine-building and operational
experience.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this press release, we use the terms “cash
costs" and "all-in sustaining costs ". These should be considered
as non-GAAP financial measures as defined in applicable Canadian
securities laws and should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
Cash costs per ounce is a non-GAAP term
typically used by gold mining companies to assess the level of
gross margin available to the Company by subtracting these costs
from the unit price realized during the period. This non-GAAP term
is also used to assess the ability of a mining company to generate
cash flow from operations. Cash costs per ounce includes mining and
processing costs plus applicable royalties, and net of by-product
revenue and net realizable value adjustments. Total cash costs per
ounce is exclusive of exploration costs.
Cash costs per ounce is intended to provide
additional information only and does not have any standardized
meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other mining companies. It should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared
in accordance with IFRS. The measure is not necessarily indicative
of cash flow from operations under IFRS or operating costs
presented under IFRS.
The Company adopted an "all-in sustaining costs
per ounce" non-GAAP performance measure in accordance with the
World Gold Council published in June 2013. The Company believes the
measure more fully defines the total costs associated with
producing gold; however, this performance measure has no
standardized meaning. Accordingly, there may be some variation in
the method of computation of "all-in sustaining costs " as
determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In
this context, "all-in sustaining costs" for the consolidated
Company reflects total mining and processing costs, corporate and
administrative costs, exploration costs, sustaining capital, and
other operating costs.
All-in sustaining costs per gold ounce is
intended to provide additional information only and does not have
any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other mining companies. It should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION: This news release includes certain “forward-looking
statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such
forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (i) the
results of the Kainantu Project DFS, and the Kainantu 2022 PEA,
including the Stage 3 Expansion, a new standalone 1.2 mtpa process
plant and supporting infrastructure; (ii) statements regarding the
expansion of the mine and development of any of the deposits; and
(iii) the Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion, operating two standalone
process plants, larger surface infrastructure and mining
throughputs.
All statements in this news release that address
events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
statements that are not historical facts and are generally,
although not always, identified by words such as “expect”, “plan”,
“anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “potential”, “schedule”,
“forecast”, “budget”, “estimate”, “intend” or “believe” and similar
expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or
conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could”, “should” or “might”
occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements
are made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on
estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public
Health Crises, including the COVID-19 Pandemic; changes in the
price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world
markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of
infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common
shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry,
including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas
in which certain of the Company’s operations are located; failure
to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and
uncertainties associated with exploration and development;
uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including
uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into
mineral reserves; the Company’s ability to carry on current and
future operations, including development and exploration
activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of
such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves
identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates,
projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s
ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts;
the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for
outputs, including gold, silver and copper; inability of the
Company to identify appropriate acquisition targets or complete
desirable acquisitions; failures of information systems or
information security threats; political, economic and other risks
associated with the Company’s foreign operations; geopolitical
events and other uncertainties, such as the conflict in Ukraine;
compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which
the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to
obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the
current and future social, economic and political conditions,
including relationship with the communities in jurisdictions it
operates; other assumptions and factors generally associated with
the mining industry; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors
referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the
heading “Risk Factors”.
Estimates of mineral resources are also
forward-looking statements because they constitute projections,
based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of
minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the
anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral
resources and mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and involves
subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources
that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the
quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made
and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation,
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future
performance, and actual results and future events could materially
differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
actual results to differ materially from those that are
anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by law.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d52c6d1-c4c4-4a77-85c8-76a1ea0d32c4
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5a1bddd-958e-4df6-b113-11cda96fd6f9
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3132eec9-25a6-4651-8506-a7500652aaa7
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5a2207a-e3be-4fbd-ace8-67b5bcfd2b38
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27524311-0084-45ad-a10d-ddd0d8563792
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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/138237ae-5eb4-4c17-99c7-035d7efb13ed
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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7ff1957-1e8b-4431-a3a7-70c44a808de6
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