Probe Mines Announces First High-Grade Mineral Resource Estimate
for Borden Gold Project, Ontario
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jun 10, 2014) -
Highlights:
- High-Grade Underground constrained resource at 2.5 grams of
gold per tonne ("g/t Au") cut-off:
- 1.60 million ounces of gold averaging 5.39 g/t Au in the
Indicated Resource category; and
- 0.43 million ounces of gold averaging 4.37 g/t Au in the
Inferred Resource category.
- Open Pit-Constrained resource at 0.5 g/t Au cut-off:
- 2.32 million ounces of gold averaging 1.03 g/t Au in the
Indicated Resource category; and
- 0.01 million ounces of gold averaging 0.80 g/t Au in the
Inferred Resource category.
- New Resource Estimate highlights the significant contribution
of the U/G resource to the project.
Probe Mines Limited (TSX-VENTURE:PRB) ("Probe" or the "Company")
is pleased to announce that the Company has received the Updated
Mineral Resource Estimate for its Borden gold deposit from Snowden
Mining Industry Consultants ("Snowden"), which includes the first
Resource Estimate to contain the High-Grade Underground (U/G)
resource. The High-Grade U/G is estimated to contain a constrained
Indicated Resource of 1.60 million ounces of gold averaging 5.39
g/t Au and an additional constrained Inferred Resource of 0.43
million ounces of gold averaging 4.37 g/t Au, at a 2.5 g/t Au
cut-off grade. In addition, the deposit is estimated to contain an
Open pit-constrained Resource of 2.32 million ounces of gold
averaging 1.03 g/t Au, at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade.
The Updated Resource Estimate is the most significant to date as
it is the first to define a higher-grade U/G resource, in addition
to the near-surface pit-constrained gold mineralization, within the
Borden Gold Deposit. In all aspects, the Borden deposit has shown
significant improvement over previous resource estimates while
still remaining open for future expansion and improvement.
High-Grade Underground
Constrained Resource Estimate
The Updated Resource Estimate was constrained within a
high-grade zone ("HGZ") at a cut-off grade of 2.5 g/t Au. The
cut-off grade selected represents a realistic estimate for any
potential underground mining operations based on the size of the
mineralized zone and possibility of employing bulk-underground
mining methods. An image of the high grade zone-constrained
Resource is available on the Company's website at:
http://www.probemines.com/s/Borden_Lake.asp?ReportID=658146&_Type=Borden-Gold.
The following sensitivity table presents the Resource Estimate
within the high grade zone at different cut-offs.
High-Grade
Underground Constrained Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate
Sensitivity Table 1,2,3,4,5
Cut-Off Au (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Tonnage 1,2 (000's) |
|
Average Au Grade (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Au oz 1,2 (000's) |
3.5 |
|
5,886 |
|
6.80 |
|
1,286 |
3.0 |
|
7,222 |
|
6.14 |
|
1,426 |
2.5 |
|
9,262 |
|
5.39 |
|
1,604 |
2.0 |
|
12,985 |
|
4.48 |
|
1,870 |
High-Grade
Underground Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate
Sensitivity Table 1,2,3,4,5
Cut-Off Au (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Tonnage 1,2 (000's) |
|
Average Au Grade (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Au oz 1,2 (000's) |
3.5 |
|
1,521 |
|
5.79 |
|
283 |
3.0 |
|
2,125 |
|
5.06 |
|
346 |
2.5 |
|
3,034 |
|
4.37 |
|
426 |
2.0 |
|
4,317 |
|
3.73 |
|
518 |
- Tonnes and Au ounces have been rounded to the nearest
thousand
- Figures/numbers for resource tonnes and ounces may not sum due
to rounding
- Cut-off grade was calculated with the following parameters:
- Gold price US$1,300/oz
- Exchange rate US$1.00= CDN$1.11
- Mining cost Cdn$50.00/tonne
- Processing and G&A cost Cdn$22.80/tonne
- Process Recovery 92%
- Variable specific gravity with an average in the mineralized
zone of 2.78
- An over-all grade capping of 100 g/t Au
Open Pit-Constrained
Resource Estimate
The Updated Resource Estimate was constrained within a Whittle
open-pit shell. The Open Pit-Constrained Resource Estimate is
reported at a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Au. An image of the
pit-constrained Resource is available on the Company's website at:
http://www.probemines.com/s/Borden_Lake.asp?ReportID=658146&_Type=Borden-Gold.
It should be noted that, in addition to the re-distribution of
ounces from previous pit-constrained models to the new underground
constrained resource, the parameters chosen for this updated
pit-constrained resource are more conservative than parameters used
in previous updates. This results in a more robust overall mineral
resource with a focus on higher-grade material at the expense of
lower-grade open pit material. Consequently, the pit-constrained
resource now contains fewer ounces.
The following sensitivity table presents the Resource Estimate
for mineralization falling within the Whittle pit shell, assuming a
gold price of US$1,300/oz and a variable metallurgical recovery as
per the press release of June 10th, 2014 (further assumptions noted
at the end of the table).
Open
Pit-Constrained Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate Sensitivity
Table 6,7,8,9,10
Cut-Off Au (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Tonnage 6,7 (000's) |
|
Average Au Grade (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Au oz 6,7 (000's) |
1.5 |
|
10,647 |
|
1.97 |
|
676 |
1.0 |
|
27,901 |
|
1.50 |
|
1,349 |
0.5 |
|
70,301 |
|
1.03 |
|
2,322 |
Open
Pit-Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate Sensitivity
Table 6,7,8,9,10
Cut-Off Au (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Tonnage 6,7 (000's) |
|
Average Au Grade (g/t) |
|
Cumulative Au oz 6,7 (000's) |
1.5 |
|
16 |
|
1.67 |
|
1 |
1.0 |
|
55 |
|
1.40 |
|
2 |
0.5 |
|
247 |
|
0.80 |
|
6 |
- Tonnes and Au ounces have been rounded to the nearest
thousand
- Figures/numbers for resource tonnes and ounces may not sum due
to rounding
- In the pit optimization, the following parameters were
utilized:
- Gold price US$1,300/oz
- Exchange rate US$1.00= CDN$1.11
- Average Mining cost Cdn$2.20/tonne
- Processing and G&A cost Cdn$17.37/tonne
- Process Recovery: variable
- Pit Slopes 48 degrees
- Variable specific gravity in the mineralized zone with an
average of 2.78
- An over-all grade capping of 100 g/t Au
All resources reported in this updated Resource Estimate are
from mineral claims owned or operated by Probe Mines, which
includes the Joint Venture ("JV") property consisting of three
private patented mineral claims in which Probe is currently earning
a 50% interest. The Updated Resource Estimate does not include any
potential gold resource(s) on claims or property in which Probe
does not hold an interest or has the ability to earn an
interest.
Dr. David Palmer, President of Probe, states "The change in this
deposit since the last Resource Estimate in January 2013 has been
nothing short of remarkable. We are extremely pleased with the
results of the current Resource Estimate as it demonstrates a
better than expected gold resource within the HGZ. We strongly feel
that this deposit now represents a possible stand-alone underground
operation, with the added potential of continued expansion through
further exploration drilling. During 2014 we will be focused on
advancing the project into development starting with the completion
of a PEA before the end of the year".
Yves Dessureault, Probe's COO, comments "The robust nature of
the HGZ definitely suggests that the project is rapidly advancing
towards a development scenario. We would like to maintain the
momentum of the project through 2014 and, in addition to the PEA,
we will be working on more advanced studies to facilitate the
project timeline, including metallurgical, geotechnical, and
environmental programs, as well as community initiatives".
The updated resource estimate, which meets the guidelines for
reporting mineral exploration programs as set out in National
Instrument 43-101, was based on over 224,000 drilled metres and
over 168,000 assayed meters, that tested the gold horizon along
approximately 3,700 metres (m) of strike length and to a vertical
depth of over 650 metres at spacings of between 25 to 100 metres.
The Underground and Open-Pit Constrained Resources were modeled on
5 m x 5 m x 5 m block size. Mineralization of the Borden Gold Zone
is comprised of a volcano-metasedimentary horizon containing a
thick, continuous and consistent zone of gold-bearing disseminated
sulphide mineralization. The deposit still remains open in all
directions.
Mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability
but from the CIM definition must demonstrate reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction. CIM defines Mineral Resource
as:
"A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of
solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in
such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity,
grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics
of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from
specific geological evidence and knowledge, including
sampling."
The estimate of mineral resources may also be materially
affected by other relevant factors or issues. There is no guarantee
that the project will be placed into production. BBA Inc, the lead
consultant for the Borden Gold project, is currently in the process
of completing the NI 43-101 Technical Report for which Snowden is
currently completing their relevant sections which will be filed on
Sedar within 45 days of this release.
The mineral resource estimate was generated using Ordinary
Kriging. The mineralized material was classified into the Indicated
or Inferred mineral resource category on the basis of a combination
of the following factors: (a) confidence in the geological and
mineralization continuity, (b) the position of blocks in relation
to the range of influence as defined by the variography and (c) the
search ellipse ranges.
Yves Dessureault, Ph.D., P.Eng., is the Qualified Person for
Probe Mines. The contents of this news release have been reviewed
and approved by Independent Qualified Persons Walter Allan Dzick,
P.Geo., of Snowden.
About Probe Mines:
Probe Mines Limited is a Canadian precious metals exploration
company whose key asset is the Borden Gold Zone in Ontario, Canada.
As of January 31, 2014, the Company is well-positioned with
approximately $29.4 million in treasury. The Company is actively
exploring a significant new gold resource on its Borden Gold Zone
near Chapleau, Ontario and has 100% interest in the Black Creek
chromite deposit located in Northern Ontario. The Company's shares
trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PRB.
On behalf of Probe Mines Limited,
Dr. David Palmer, President & Chief Executive Officer
Forward-Looking Statements
Neither 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. This News Release includes certain
"forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical
facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements
that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals,
including words to the effect that the Company or management
expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking
statements may be identified by such terms as "believes",
"anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would",
"will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very
nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although
these statements are based on information currently available to
the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results
will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other
factors involved with forward-looking information could cause
actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this
news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's
objectives, goals or future plans, statements regarding exploration
results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral
resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the
commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to,
failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated
mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a
feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the
preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in
obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental,
environmental or other project approvals, political risks,
inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and
other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the
availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes
in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates,
fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of
projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from
estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration
and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company's
public documents filed on SEDAR.
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.
Shares Issued: 76,374,727
Probe Mines LimitedKaren WilloughbyDirector of Corporate
Communications(866) 936-6766info@probemines.comProbe Mines
LimitedPatrick LangloisVice President, Corporate Development(416)
777-6703patrick@probemines.com
Probe Gold (TSXV:PRB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
Probe Gold (TSXV:PRB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024