O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII)
03 Mining announced positive results from the independent preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”), prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), for its 100% owned Marban project at the Malartic property, in the world-class mining region of Val D’Or in Québec, Canada.
O3 Mining Delivers Positive PEA For Marban Project
Toronto, September 8, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce positive results from the independent preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”), prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), for its 100% owned Marban project at the Malartic property, in the world-class mining region of Val D’Or in Québec, Canada.
With the PEA now complete, O3 Mining will begin working on a pre-feasibility study to advance the Marban project towards production as part of a staged development strategy while continuing its aggressive drilling programs aimed to maximize value creation for shareholders.
03 Mining PEA Highlights*
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Long-term Gold Price of US$1,450/oz
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Exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.74
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After-tax net present value (“NPV”) (discount rate 5%) of $423 million
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After-tax internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 25.2%
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After-tax payback period 4.0 years
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Initial capital of (“CAPEX”) of $256 million including mine preproduction, processing, infrastructure (roads, power line relocation, tailings facility, ancillary buildings, and water management)
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Life of mine (“LOM”) of 15.2 years
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Average LOM strip ratio (W:O) of 5.9:1
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Total production of 60,356 kt of mill feed yielding 1.8 Moz Au
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Average annual gold production of 115,000 oz
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Average gold mill head grade of 1.13 g/t in years 1 to 10 (0.97 g/t for LOM)
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Average recovery of 93.7%
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Measured and indicated mineral resource of 54,151 kt at a 1.10 g/t Au grade
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Cash cost of US$741/oz
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All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) of US$822/oz
Notes
* All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
** Cautionary Statement: The reader is advised that the PEA summarized in this news release is intended to provide only an initial, high-level review of the project potential and design options. The PEA mine plan and economic model include numerous assumptions and the use of inferred mineral resources. Inferred mineral resources are considered to be too speculative to be used in an economic analysis except as allowed for by NI 43-101 for PEA studies. There is no guarantee that inferred mineral resources can be converted to indicated or measured mineral resources, and as such, there is no guarantee the project economics described herein will be achieved.
The O3 Mining team is pleased to present the results of a PEA on its Marban Project, which unequivocally demonstrates the potential of O3 Mining to become a major North American gold producer, with a positive after-tax IRR of 25.2% and an after-tax NPV of C$423 million. The PEA supports an 11,000 tonnes per day open pit project with production spanning 15.2 years with robust economics at a US$1,450/oz gold price, with very attractive cash costs and AISC, low CAPEX and low capital intensity. The first 12 years will target production in excess of 130,000 ounces gold per year peaking at more than 161,000 ounces in Year 9.
Management comments
“Marban has shown potential to become a highly profitable gold mine in one of the most prolific producing regions in Canada, supported with a PEA produced by the Ausenco team, one of the most experienced and reputable engineering firms working on gold projects in Canada.
The Marban Geological team has demonstrated the ability to identify an abundance of gold resources over a very short period.
The ongoing drill program will continue to add to and upgrade resources as we seek to move the project forward towards production.”
Jose Vizquerra, President, and CEO of O3 Mining
Disclosure
The writer owns shares of 03 Mining