Osisko Metals Incorporated (the “
Company” or
“
Osisko Metals”) (TSX-V: OM;
OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: 0B51) is pleased to announce an updated
Mineral Resource Estimate (“
MRE”) for the Gaspé
Copper Project, located near Murdochville in the Gaspé Peninsula of
Quebec.
The updated MRE (Table 1) includes
pit-constrained resources comprising 824 million tonnes
grading 0.34% CuEq of Indicated category and 670
million tonnes grading 0.38% CuEq of Inferred category.
This MRE represents a 53% increase in copper-equivalent metal
content over the previously reported Indicated Resource and a
100-fold increase in copper-equivalent metal content in Inferred
Resources (see May 6, 2024 news release and entitled “2024 Copper
Mountain Mineral Resource Estimate”).
At 4.91 billion pounds (2.23 million tonnes) of
contained copper (Table 1), as well as significant
molybdenum (274 million pounds) and silver (46.0 million ounces),
the latest Gaspé Copper in-pit Indicated Resource hosts by far the
largest undeveloped copper-molybdenum deposit in Eastern North
America, exclusive of Inferred resources.
Robert Wares, CEO & Chairman, commented: “We
are very proud to announce this updated resource estimate for Gaspé
Copper. The overall resource has increased dramatically since last
spring’s MRE as a result of new geological modelling and extending
the modelled Whittle pit boundaries towards Needle Mountain to the
south. A minimum 70,000 metre drill program is now planned for
2025, with the objective of converting the bulk of the current
Inferred resource to Indicated category. There is also excellent
potential for converting currently categorized in-pit waste rock to
mineralized material with this drill program, which would further
grow the in-pit resource while reducing the strip ratio. This MRE
represents a much larger resource than was estimated previously,
presenting the potential for a bulk tonnage mining operation with
significantly higher throughput. Given this new resource milestone,
management has elected to defer the PEA, originally slated for
release in Q1 2025, to a later date until additional new drilling
is completed. Ongoing studies will focus on a larger-scale mine
plan and relocation of the mill complex away from the current
site.”
Mr. Wares continued: “We are proud to be leading
the Gaspé Copper project, which is shaping up to be a major
Canadian copper-molybdenum development project located in one of
the world’s safest mining jurisdictions. This important asset has
the potential to become a core component of Québec’s critical
mineral development strategy that aims to provide essential metals
for global decarbonization initiatives.”
Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE)
Base Case at 0.12% Copper Cut-off
Class |
Tonnes |
Cu Eq |
Cu |
Mo |
Ag |
Cu |
Cu |
Mo |
Mo |
Ag |
|
Mt |
% |
% |
% |
g/t |
M lbs |
kt |
M lbs |
kt |
(koz) |
Indicated |
824 |
0.34 |
0.27 |
0.015 |
1.74 |
4,907 |
2,225 |
274 |
124 |
46,027 |
Inferred |
670 |
0.38 |
0.30 |
0.020 |
1.37 |
4,389 |
1,990 |
294 |
133 |
29,493 |
|
- The independent qualified persons
for the MRE, as defined by National Instrument (“NI”) 43-101
guidelines, is Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc.
with contributions from François Le Moal, P.Eng., of G-Mining for
cut-off grade and Pit shell optimization, and Christian Laroche,
P.Eng., from Synectic, for metallurgical parameters. The effective
date of the MRE is November 4, 2024.
- These Mineral Resources are not
mineral reserves as they have no demonstrated economic viability.
No economic evaluation of these Mineral Resources has been
produced. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in
this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient
drilling to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated. However,
it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral
Resources could be upgraded to Indicated category with additional
drilling.
- The Qualified Persons are not aware
of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related,
taxation, socio-political, financial or other relevant issues that
could materially affect the MRE.
- Calculations used metric units
(metres, tonnes). Metal contents in the above table are presented
in percent, pounds or tonnes. Metric tonnages and pounds were
rounded, and any discrepancies in total amounts are due to rounding
errors.
- CIM definitions and guidelines for
Mineral Resource Estimates have been followed. See Cautionary Note
below for copper equivalency (CuEq) values.
This significantly larger resource estimate is
the result of:
- Geological re-interpretation of the mineralized system, whereby
most of the mineralized stratigraphic units above the base of the
C-Zone skarn, including up-dip extensions toward Needle Mountain,
were included in the resource model;
- Extension of the Whittle pit model to the south towards Needle
Mountain, eliminating the possibility of a potential mill complex
on the site of the original Gaspé Copper mill. Two other sites for
the potential mill are now under consideration, and
- Lowering of cut-off grade from 0.15% Cu to 0.12% Cu on the
basis of potentially larger mine throughput and replacement of SAG
mill by HPGR in the grinding circuit.
Potential for resource expansion
Building upon the information released in this
updated MRE, a minimum 70,000 metre drill program is planned to
commence in May 2025 that will aim to 1) convert
Inferred resources to Indicated category by reducing drill spacing
to 100 metres or less within the pit volume, 2)
better define higher-grade (0.5 to 1.5% % Cu) mineralization within
pit boundaries in the B-Zone and C-Zone skarn horizons,
3) extend up-dip, shallower B-Zone and C-Zone
skarn mineralization (near Needle Mountain) beyond current pit
boundaries and 4) test shallower (above 600 m
depth) portions of the high grade (2%-3% Cu) E-Zone skarn for
inclusion into the pit volume.
Implications of larger open pit resource
at Gaspé Copper
The current modelled Whittle pit shell extends
from the current flooded Copper Mountain pit towards the base of
Needle Mountain to the south. Further drilling, geological
modelling and pit optimization will be required to refine pit
boundaries. The Company will evaluate future pit limits and the
possibility of reconfiguring the current layout of the site to
minimize disturbance and ensure the protection and safety of the
residents of Murdochville and the surrounding environment.
General parameters of the updated
Mineral Resource Estimate
This MRE is pit-constrained and includes
stockwork mineralization surrounding the past-producing Copper
Mountain open pit mine as well as disseminated, stratiform
mineralization in both skarn and potassic-altered hornfels
(porcellanite) that extends up-dip from Copper Mountain towards
Needle Mountain to the south.
The MRE uses, amongst other parameters, a
long-term price of US$4.00/lb copper, a lower cut-off of 0.12% Cu
for pit shell modelling and a lower cut-off grade of 0.12% copper
for base case in-pit resource estimation. The resource was
estimated using data from historical drilling completed between the
1950s and 2019 and 42,100 metres of drilling completed by the
Company between 2022 and 2024 (see Appendix for detailed
parameters).
Mineral Resource
Sensitivity
Table 2 shows the resources reported at various
in-pit cut-off grades within a pit shell modelled at a lower cut
off of 0.12% Cu; the base case resource cut-off grade reported
herein is 0.12% copper and is highlighted in bold text:
Table 2: Mineral Resource Estimates at
Variable Cut-Off Grades
Class |
Copper Cut-off(%) |
Tonnage(Mt) |
StripRatio |
Grade |
Copper Metal Resource |
Cu % |
Mo % |
M lbs |
kt |
Indicated |
0.12 |
824 |
1.53 |
0.27 |
0.015 |
4,907 |
2,225 |
Inferred |
0.12 |
670 |
1.53 |
0.30 |
0.020 |
4,389 |
1,990 |
Indicated |
0.15 |
696 |
1.93 |
0.29 |
0.016 |
4,528 |
2,053 |
Inferred |
0.15 |
593 |
1.93 |
0.32 |
0.021 |
4,159 |
1,886 |
Indicated |
0.20 |
510 |
2.84 |
0.34 |
0.019 |
3,811 |
1,728 |
Inferred |
0.20 |
474 |
2.84 |
0.35 |
0.022 |
3,699 |
1,678 |
Indicated |
0.25 |
363 |
4.18 |
0.39 |
0.021 |
3,086 |
1,400 |
Inferred |
0.25 |
367 |
4.18 |
0.39 |
0.024 |
3,175 |
1,440 |
Indicated |
0.30 |
245 |
6.26 |
0.44 |
0.022 |
2,376 |
1,078 |
Inferred |
0.30 |
275 |
6.26 |
0.43 |
0.025 |
2,617 |
1,187 |
Indicated |
0.40 |
120 |
14.31 |
0.54 |
0.025 |
1,428 |
648 |
Inferred |
0.40 |
127 |
14.31 |
0.53 |
0.025 |
1,488 |
675 |
Same footnotes as Table 1 apply to this
table.
Appendix - parameters and criteria used
for the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE)
-
General Whittle pit parameters used for the Mineral Resource
Estimate include:
Parameter |
Value |
Unit |
Copper Price |
$4.00 |
US$ per pound |
Molybdenum Price |
$20.00 |
US$ per pound |
Silver Price |
$24.00 |
US$ per ounce |
CAD:USD exchange rate |
1.33 |
|
Discount Rate |
8.0 |
Percent |
Royalty Rate |
1.0 |
Percent |
Cu concentrate transport + loading costs |
$25.00 |
US$ per wmt |
Cu concentrate shipping cost |
$66.25 |
US$ per wmt |
Cu concentrate insurance and other costs |
$9.00 |
US$ per wmt |
Cu concentrate smelter treatment cost |
$82.50 |
US$ per wmt |
Cu concentrate smelter refining cost |
$0.08 |
US$ per pound |
Cu concentrate grade |
25.0 |
Percent |
Mo concentrate grade |
58.0 |
Percent |
Payable Cu |
96.5 |
Percent |
Payable Mo |
98.0 |
Percent |
Payable Ag |
75.0 |
Percent |
In-Pit Mining Cost |
$2.23 |
US$ per tonne mined |
Mill Processing Cost |
$4.25 |
US$ per tonne milled |
General and Administrative Costs |
$1.00 |
US$ per tonne milled |
Overall Pit Slope - Rock |
48 |
Degrees |
Copper Recovery |
92 |
Percent |
Molybdenum Recovery |
70 |
Percent |
Mining loss / Dilution (open pit) |
0 / 0 |
Percent / Percent |
Waste Avg. Specific Gravity |
2.67 |
Tonnes/cubic metre |
Mineralization Specific Gravity (variable) |
Avg. 2.77 |
Tonnes/cubic metre |
-
Resources are presented as undiluted and in situ for an open-pit
scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for
economic extraction. The constraining pit shell was developed using
overall pit slopes of 48 degrees in bedrock and 20 degrees in
overburden. The pit optimization to develop the
resource-constraining pit shells was performed using Geovia Whittle
2022 software.
- The MRE
wireframe was prepared using Leapfrog Edge v.2024.1.1 and is based
on 1946 drill holes and 58,842 samples. The drill hole database
includes recent drilling totalling 67,742 metres in 125 drill holes
(Xstrata 2011-2012, Glencore Canada 2019 and Osisko Metals
2022-2024) and also incorporates historical drill holes totalling
519,435 metres in 1,863 drill holes (Noranda 1998 and earlier).
Drill hole data verification was performed by verifying the
coherence of the information but not its correctness; original logs
and laboratory certificates were only available for 2011, 2012,
2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 drill holes. The cut-off date for the
drill hole database was November 4, 2024.
-
Composites of 5 to 10 metre lengths were created inside the
mineralization volumes. A total of 26,499 composites were
generated. High-grade capping was done on the composited assay
data; composites were capped from 0.80% to 2.40% for Cu, from 0.10
to 0.20% for Mo, and from 3 to 10g/t for Ag in the stockwork zones,
at 1.10% for Cu, 0.12% for Mo, and 5g/t for Ag in the Porphyry, and
from 1.00% to 6.00% for Cu, from 0.01 to 0.50% for Mo, and from 5
to 20g/t for Ag in the skarn zones. A restricted search capping
approach was also applied to the main skarn zone for Molybdenum and
Silver.
-
Pit-constrained Mineral Resources for the base case are reported at
a lower cut-off grade of 0.12 % Cu in sulfide within a conceptual
pit shell based on a 0.12% Cu lower cut-off. The cut-off grades
will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis in light of future
prevailing market conditions and costs.
-
Contained copper in the resource includes sulfide copper only and
soluble copper was ignored. It was assumed for this MRE that only
the copper contained in sulfides could have economical potential.
Therefore, the soluble copper that is present as oxides and
carbonates was removed and significant oxidized zones are all
located in the south-west portion of the deposit. The proportion of
the copper contained as soluble copper relative to sulfides is
correlated to the depth of the mineralization. Therefore, depth
from the original topographic surface was modeled and used to
estimate the percentage of copper that would be contained as
soluble copper within the MRE.
- Specific
gravity values were estimated using data available in the
historical drill holes. Values were interpolated for most of the
mineralized solids and a fixed value was used where the scarcity of
the data did not allow for interpolation; the average value is 2.77
tonnes/cubic metre. Surrounding barren lithologies were assigned
the average specific gravity value from all measured samples.
- The modelled
base case pit shell measures 700 X 2,000 metres and reaches a
maximum depth of approximately 800 metres.
- Grade model
resource estimation was calculated from drill hole data using an
ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation method in a sub-blocked model
using blocks measuring 10m x 10 m x 10 m in size and sub-blocks
down to 1.25 m x 1.25 m x 1.25 m. Blocks were then regularized to
20 m x 20 m x 10 m.
- The
Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource categories are constrained
to areas where drill spacing is less than 100 metres and 300
metres, respectively, and show reasonable geological and grade
continuity.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Copper
Equivalent Grades
Copper Equivalent grades are expressed for
purposes of simplicity and are calculated taking into account: 1)
metal grades; 2) estimated long-term prices of metals: US$4.00/lb
copper, $20.00/lb molybdenum and US$24/oz silver; 3) estimated
recoveries of 92%, 70% and 70% for Cu, Mo and Ag respectively; and
4) net smelter return value of metals as percentage of the price,
estimated at 86.5%, 90.7% and 75.0% for Cu, Mo and Ag
respectively.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineral
Resources
The mineral resources disclosed in this news
release conform to standards and guidelines in National Instrument
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI
43-101”) and were prepared by independent qualified
persons for purposes of NI 43-101. The above-mentioned mineral
resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated
economic viability. The quantity and grade of the reported Inferred
Mineral Resources are conceptual in nature and are estimated based
on limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological data is
sufficient to imply but not verify geological grade and/or quality
of continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of
confidence relative to a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource and
constitutes an insufficient level of confidence to allow conversion
to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected, but not
guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could
be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with
additional drilling. The technical report prepared in accordance
with NI 43-101, including the mineral resources for the Gaspé
Copper Project contained in this news release, will be delivered
and filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals’ issuer
profile within 45 days of the date of this news release.
Qualified Persons
The Mineral Resource Estimate and other
scientific and technical information in this news release has been
prepared and approved by independent qualified persons for purposes
of NI 43-101: Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc.
with contributions from François Le Moal, P.Eng., of G-Mining for
cut-off grade and Pit Shell optimization and Christian Laroche,
P.Eng., from Synectiq, for metallurgical parameters.
About Osisko Metals
Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian
exploration and development company creating value in the critical
metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company is in
joint venture with Appian Capital Advisory LLP to advance one of
Canada’s largest zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located
in the Northwest Territories, for which current mineral resources
have been calculated for the 2024 MRE (as defined herein). The
project is owned by the joint venture Pine Point Mining Limited.
The current mineral resource estimate consists of 49.5 Mt
at 5.52% ZnEq of Indicated Mineral Resources and 8.3 Mt at 5.64%
ZnEq of Inferred Mineral Resources (in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects; see Osisko Metals’ June 25, 2024, news release entitled
“Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5
million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq”). The Pine
Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake,
Northwest Territories, close to infrastructure, with paved road
access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometers of viable haul
roads.
In addition, and aside from the Pine Point joint
venture, the Company acquired in July 2023, from Glencore Canada
Corporation, a 100% interest in the former Gaspé Copper mine,
located near Murdochville in Québec’s Gaspé Peninsula. The company
is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper
system, which includes this updated mineral resource as well as the
previously released resource comprising Indicated Mineral
Resources of 495 Mt grading 0.37% CuEq and
Inferred Mineral Resources of 6.3 Mt grading 0.37% CuEq
(in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects); see May 6, 2024 news release
entitled “Osisko Metals Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate
at Mines Gaspé - Indicated Resources of 495 Mt at 0.37% CuEq”).
Gaspé Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in
eastern North America, strategically located near existing
infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.
For further information on this news release,
visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:Robert Wares,
Chairman & CEO of Osisko Metals
IncorporatedEmail: info@osiskometals.comwww.osiskometals.com
Follow Osisko Metals on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/osiskometals/,on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/osiskometals/,and on
X at https://twitter.com/osiskometals.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at
the date of this news release. Any statement that involves
predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance
are not statements of historical fact and constitute
forward-looking information. This news release may contain
forward-looking information pertaining to the Pine Point and Gaspé
Copper Projects, including, among other things, the significance of
the results described in this news release (which have not yet been
included in a technical report prepared in accordance with NI
43-101); the parameters used in the MRE presented in this news
release; the planned drill program; the ability of the Company (if
at all) to upgrade the current inferred mineral resources; the
potential for bulk tonnage mining operations (if at all); the
timing for publishing a PEA; the ability of the Company to realize
a larger-scale mine plan and relocate the mill complex; global
decarbonization initiatives; the extension of the Whittle pit
model; the potential for resource expansion (if at all); the
implications of a larger open pit resource; the general parameters
of the updated MRE being variables that are subject to a number of
assumptions and variables beyond the Company’s control; the ability
to identify additional resources and reserves (if any) and exploit
such resources and reserves on an economic basis; the expected high
quality of the metal concentrates; the potential economic impact of
the projects on local communities, including but not limited to the
potential generation of tax revenues and contribution of jobs;;
Gaspé Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in
Eastern North America and Glencore being a Control Person of the
Company.
Forward-looking information is not a guarantee
of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions of management, in light of management’s experience and
perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments,
as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant
and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation,
assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including
drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in
geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital
markets; future spot prices of copper, zinc, lead and molybdenum;
the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the
accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political
and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third
party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable
terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and
capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive
relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking
information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and
opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking
information are set out in the Company’s public disclosure record
on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals’ issuer profile.
Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used
in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release
are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such
information, which only applies as of the date of this news
release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur
in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange,
securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or
disapproved the information contained herein.
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