Argonaut Gold Inc. ("Argonaut", "Argonaut Gold" or the "Company") (TSX:AR),
announced today that the Company had gold production of 26,690 ounces during the
3rd quarter ended September 30, 2013. This included 22,756 ounces at its 100%
owned El Castillo Mine ("El Castillo") located in Durango, Mexico and 4,234
ounces of gold at its 100% owned La Colorada Mine ("La Colorada") located in
Hermosillo, Mexico.
Argonaut Gold is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a surface and
mining rights exchange agreement with Richmont Mines Inc. ("Richmont")(TSX:RIC).
Pursuant to this agreement, Argonaut Gold will expand land access associated
with its Magino Gold Project by obtaining both surface rights and mining rights
up to 400 meters in depth on certain Richmont claims surrounding the project.
Argonaut Gold will transfer its interest in certain claims to Richmont, to
enable it to expand its exploration potential at its Island Gold Deep project.
The terms of this agreement provide a $2 million payment from Argonaut to
Richmont.
THIRD QUARTER 2013 HIGHLIGHTS:
El Castillo
-- Production of 22,756 gold ounces.
-- 39,120 gold ounces loaded on the pad.
-- West Side Pad 8 construction is ongoing.
-- West Side crusher and overland conveyor project was completed and is
operational.
-- Permits were received for the new south waste dump.
La Colorada
-- Production of 4,234 gold ounces.
-- Production of 31,717 silver ounces.
-- 5,571 gold ounces and 76,692 silver ounces loaded on the pad.
-- La Colorada pit continues to be opened.
-- New crushing circuit installation was completed and is operational.
Magino
-- Mineral rights and land allows expansion of pit limits and further
project development.
THIRD QUARTER 2013 El CASTILLO OPERATING STATISTICS
3 Months Ended September 30 9 Months Ended September 30
2013 2012 % Change 2013 2012 % Change
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Mining (Tonnes
000's)
Total tonnes mined 6,542 6,355 Up 3% 19,424 17,358 Up 12%
Total ore mined 3,406 3,083 Up 11% 9,857 8,640 Up 14%
Heap Leach Pad
(Tonnes 000's)
Tonnes ore direct to
leach pad 1,868 1,811 Up 3% 5,307 5,528 Down 4%
Tonnes crushed 1,539 1,270 Up 21% 4,535 3,273 Up 39%
Production
Gold grade (g/t) 0.36 0.42 Down 15% 0.36 0.40 Down 8%
Gold loaded to leach
pad (oz) 39,120 41,630 Down 6% 115,312 112,133 Up 3%
Gold produced (oz) 22,756 24,575 Down 7% 73,957 61,907 Up 20%
Gold ounces sold 25,840 33,839 Down 24% 72,054 66,286 Up 9%
1 "g/t" is grams per tonne
2 "oz" means troy ounce
Richard Rhoades, Chief Operating Officer of Argonaut Gold, said "Q3 gold
production at El Castillo was impacted by the seasonal monsoon rainfall, while
this impacted quarterly results full year production will meet our guidance.
Permits were received at El Castillo for construction of the new overburden
deposit areas, which will provide a shorter haulage of overburden at the south
end of the pit. Also, the new west side crushing and overland conveying system
was completed in August and is now fully operational. Argonaut anticipates El
Castillo will continue to produce 100,000 ounces a year.
At La Colorada, we continue to open the Gran Central/La Colorada pit and are now
mining ore grade material. The mining contractor is in the process of a planned
expansion of the fleet which will increase tonnage. This should allow for 60,000
tonnes per day to be mined, which will lead to future production growth. By year
end, La Colorada will be operating at approximately a 50-60,000 ounce run rate."
THIRD QUARTER 2013 LA COLORADA OPERATING STATISTICS
3 Months Ended September 30 9 Months Ended September 30
2013 2012 % Change 2013 2012 % Change
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Mining (Tonnes
000's)
Total tonnes mined 3,300 2,708 Up 22% 11,798 4,228 Up 179%
Total ore mined 415 924 Down 55% 1,313 2,410 Down 46%
Heap Leach Pad
(Tonnes 000's)
Crushed ore tonnes
to pad 535 848 Down 37% 1,250 2,272 Down 45%
Production
Gold grade (g/t) 0.33 0.43 Down 23% 0.31 0.43 Down 29%
Gold loaded to leach
pad (oz) 5,571 12,276 Down 53% 12,130 31,335 Down 61%
Gold produced (oz) 4,234 6,499 Down 35% 15,527 14,174 Up 10%
Silver produced (oz) 31,717 41,937 Down 24% 121,914 84,915 Up 44%
Gold ounces sold 4,952 8,695 Down 43% 15,935 13,993 Up 14%
Silver ounces sold 50,881 52,861 Down 4% 132,951 62,609 Up 112%
1 "g/t" is grams per tonne
2 "oz" means troy ounce
Pete Dougherty, President and CEO said, "Despite some operational challenges we
remain on target to produce 100,000 ounces at El Castillo and 24,000 ounces at
La Colorada, which will meet our 2013 guidance of 120,000 - 140,000 ounces of
gold. The capital expansion programs at both sites should pay dividends in Q4
and set the standard for 2014 production."
In referencing the recent land acquisition agreement with Richmont, Mr.
Dougherty added "It now allows for future pit expansion and provides additional
exploration upside for the project. Our teams are now looking at the potential
changes the land expansion may have on the project."
Argonaut Gold Q3 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast:
The Q3 financial results call is scheduled to take place on November 12, 2013 at
8:30 am ET. Details for the call in participation are:
Q3 Conference Call Information:
Toll Free (North America): 1-866-223-7781
International: 1-416-340-8018
Webcast: http://www.argonautgold.com/
Q3 Conference Call Replay:
Toll Free Replay Call (North America): 1-905-694-9451
International Replay Call: 1-800-408-3053
Passcode: 7979249
The conference call replay will be available from 10:30 a.m. ET on November 12,
- November 19, 2013.
About Argonaut Gold
Argonaut Gold is a Canadian gold company engaged in exploration, mine
development and production activities. Its primary assets are the production
stage El Castillo Mine in Durango, Mexico, and the La Colorada Mine in Sonora,
Mexico, the advanced exploration stage San Antonio project in Baja California
Sur, Mexico, the advanced exploration stage Magino project in Ontario, Canada
and several exploration stage projects, all of which are located in North
America.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and
"forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws
concerning the proposed transaction and the business, operations and financial
performance and condition of Argonaut Gold Inc. ("Argonaut Gold").
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not
limited to, statements with respect to estimated production and mine life of the
various mineral projects of Argonaut; synergies and financial impact of
completed acquisitions; the benefits of the development potential of the
properties of Argonaut; the future price of gold, copper, and silver; the
estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the realization of mineral reserve
estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of
production; success of exploration activities; and currency exchange rate
fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Argonaut,
certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan,"
"expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will"
occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of
management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of
assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are
based on factors and events that are not within the control of Argonaut and
there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.
Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results
anticipated by such forward-looking statements include changes in market
conditions, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, risks relating to
international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates,
changes in project parameters, the possibility of project cost overruns or
unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining
industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.
Although Argonaut has attempted to identify important factors that could cause
actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions,
events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Argonaut undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change
except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning
mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute
forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the
mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Comparative market information is as of a date prior to the date of this
document.
Qualified Person, Technical Information and Mineral Properties Reports
Preparation of this release was supervised by Thomas Burkhart, Argonaut Gold's
Vice President of Exploration, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
For further information on the Company's properties please see the reports as
listed below on the Company's website or on www.sedar.com:
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El Castillo Mine NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources and
Reserves, Argonaut Gold Inc., El Castillo Mine,
Durango State, Mexico dated November 6, 2010
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La Colorada Mine NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment La
Colorada Project, Sonora, Mexico dated December
30, 2011
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Magino Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource
Estimate on the Magino Gold Project, Ontario,
Toronto, Canada dated October 4, 2012
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Argonaut Gold Inc.
Nichole Cowles
Investor Relations Manager
(775) 284-4422 x 101
nichole.cowles@argonautgold.com
www.argonautgold.com
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