Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF)
(“Orezone” or “Company”) is pleased to report the results of its
Phase II Expansion and Updated Life-of-Mine Feasibility Study
(“2023 Study”) for its 90%-owned Bomboré Gold Mine, located in
central Burkina Faso.
Bomboré achieved commercial production of its
Phase I oxide plant in December 2022, which has operated
successfully above nameplate to produce 76,783oz of gold at an
All-In Sustaining Cost1 (“AISC”) of $1,006/oz sold in H1-2023. The
planned expansion at Bomboré from a processing rate of 5.9 million
tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) to 10.3Mtpa will deliver a significant
increase in gold production at a low incremental capital cost.
Construction of the new standalone 4.4Mtpa hard rock processing
facility will enable Bomboré to produce an average of 209,000oz/yr
at an AISC of $1,121/oz. First gold from the hard rock plant is
scheduled for Q3-2025.
Bomboré 2023 Study Highlights
(at Base Case gold price of $1,750/oz)
-
After-tax NPV5% of $635.9M with rapid payback
-
Mine-life of 11.3 years with gold production totalling 2.11Moz
-
Conventional open pit mining at a low strip ratio of less than
2:1
-
Phase II hard rock plant capital costs of $167.5M
-
Average annual gold production of 231,000oz in the first three full
years after expansion at an AISC of $1,081/oz
Patrick Downey, President and CEO, commented:
“The Bomboré 2023 Expansion and Updated Life-of-Mine feasibility
study marks a major milestone in the growth of Orezone. The updated
study highlights a material step-change in the mine’s future
production profile, while maintaining a low overall cost structure.
Furthermore, based on ongoing drilling results, we see excellent
opportunities to continue to add higher grade resources and
reserves that should enhance the production profile in future
years.
With the continued support of our senior lender,
Coris Bank International, the Company expects to finance the
construction of the hard rock plant using a combination of debt and
free cash flow from current operations.
Following the commissioning of the oxide plant
in December 2022, on-time and under budget, and providing strong
operational results through its first operating year, Orezone
remains well positioned to deliver this next stage of brownfield
growth at Bomboré. The parallel hard rock plant will be constructed
at a modest capital cost as compared to a greenfield project as it
will utilize many of the existing systems and infrastructure
already in place including connection to the national electrical
grid by the end of 2023.
Mining will continue as conventional open pit
with a low overall strip ratio. We will use our operational and
management experience in working with local mining contractors over
the past two years to further enhance optimization in this
area.
We now have firm bids and delivery times for
several long lead pieces of equipment including the SAG mill and we
intend to conclude evaluation and place orders for this equipment
in Q4-2023. Full construction is expected to commence in Q1-2024
subject to financing and board approval.
The Phase II Expansion will create several
hundred new employment opportunities during construction on top of
the 2,400 direct local jobs that currently support existing
operations. Once complete, the expansion will also create further
long-term local employment and promote further investment in
community programs and livelihood restoration projects that aim to
improve the lives of local residents while providing a larger
source of tax and royalty revenue for Burkina Faso.”
Idrissa Nassa, CEO of Coris Bank International,
commented: “We congratulate Orezone on the release of a robust
expansion study, and look forward to maintaining our close
partnership with the Company and supporting the next stage of
growth at Bomboré.”
Lycopodium Minerals Canada Ltd. ("Lycopodium")
of Toronto, Canada was the lead 2023 Study consultant (Process
Engineering and Overall Study Manager), supported by P&E Mining
Consultants Inc. (Mineral Resource Estimates), Knight Piésold Pty
Limited of Perth, Australia (Tailings and Water Management), AMC
Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd. ("AMC") of Vancouver, Canada
(Mineral Reserves and Mining), and Africa Label Group Inc. (Social
& Environmental).
CONFERENCE
CALL AND
WEBCAST
The Company will host a conference call and
webcast to further discuss the Bomboré 2023 Study results. To
participate, please use the following dial-in phone numbers or join
the webcast using the link below:
Webcast
Date: |
Thursday, October 12th |
Time: |
7:00 am Pacific Time (10:00 am Eastern time) |
|
|
Please register for the webcast here: Orezone
2023 Study Conference Call and Webcast
Conference Call
Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: |
1-800-715-9871 |
International callers: |
+646-307-1963 |
Event ID: |
4944136 |
|
|
A copy of the presentation will be available on
the Company’s website.
2023 Study Summary
Table 1 – Summary of 2023 Study Results
(starting Q2-2023)
Description |
Unit |
Value |
Base Case Gold Price |
US$/oz |
1,750 |
Mine Life |
yr |
11.3 |
Total Ore Tonnes Mined |
Mt |
95.7 |
Total Waste Tonnes Mined |
Mt |
187.6 |
Strip Ratio |
Waste:Ore |
1.96 |
Consolidated Mill Throughput |
Mtpa |
10.3 |
Oxide Plant Throughput |
Mtpa |
5.9 |
Hard Rock Plant Throughput |
Mtpa |
4.4 |
LOM Gold Production |
Moz |
2.11 |
LOM Average Gold Production |
oz/yr |
186,000 |
Phase II first 3 years |
oz/yr |
231,000 |
Unit Operating Costs |
$/t processed |
19.60 |
Cash Costs |
$/oz |
1,070 |
LOM AISC |
$/oz |
1,122 |
Phase II first 3 years |
$/oz |
1,081 |
Sustaining capex |
$M |
101.0 |
Growth capex |
$M |
57.7 |
Phase II Hard Rock Expansion capex |
$M |
167.5 |
Pre-tax NPV (5%) |
$M |
844.2 |
After-tax NPV (5%) |
$M |
635.9 |
|
|
|
Note: 9M-2023 based on average gold price of $1,900/oz |
|
Figure 1 – Bomboré 2023 LOM Production
and Cost Profile (starting Q2-2023)
Figure 2 – Bomboré Mine Layout and
Infrastructure
Comparison of 2023 Study to 2019
Feasibility Study
The results of the 2023 Study supersede the 2019
Feasibility Study (“2019 FS”). The 2023 Study incorporates the
following main scope changes from the 2019 FS:
-
Increased Resource Cut-off Grades: The applied
cut-off grades utilized for the primary oxide and fresh rock units
in the 2023 Mineral Resource calculation have increased a
respective 25% and 18% relative to that utilized in the 2019 FS, as
a result of global inflation and realized costs achieved
to-date.
-
Expanded Mineral Reserve Base: Total gold content
of Proven and Probable mineral reserves now stand at 2.4Moz, which
factoring for mine depletion to the end of Q1-2023, marks a 37%
increase relative to the 1.8Moz outlined in the 2019 FS. The
increase in mineral reserves is supported by over 100,000m of
additional drilling.
-
Increased Mill Throughput: The 2019 FS was based
on an initial oxide mill design throughput of 5.2Mtpa, reducing to
3.0Mtpa upon the commissioning of a partially integrated 2.2Mtpa
hard rock mill in Year 3. In contrast, the 2023 Study maintains the
current 5.9Mtpa oxide mill throughput but envisions the
commissioning of an independent and upsized 4.4Mtpa hard rock plant
in Year 3 (2025).Overall, expanded mill throughput of 10.3Mtpa
under the 2023 Study is 98% higher than the 5.2Mtpa throughput
outlined in the 2019 FS.
-
Reduced Hard Rock Leach Time: Additional
metallurgical test work conducted in 2023 confirmed a 24hr leach
time versus the 48hr leach time utilized in the 2019 FS. The faster
leach kinetics contributes to lower capital and operating costs,
and further de-risks project execution as the hard rock
Carbon-in-Leach (“CIL”) circuit will duplicate the existing oxide
CIL circuit.
-
Expanded Production Profile: The expanded mineral
reserve base and increased annual mill throughput have led to
higher LOM and annual gold production. At the full processing rate
of 10.3Mtpa, the 2023 Study outlines an average production profile
of 209,000oz/yr over the first 8 years, a 70% increase relative to
the 123,00oz/yr in the 2019 FS.
MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL
RESERVE
Gold mineralization on the Property is
predominantly hosted in the Bomboré Shear Zone, a major structure
within a 50km long northeast-southwest trending greenstone belt.
The updated mineral resource estimate has an effective date of
March 28, 2023 and was completed by P&E Mining Consultants Inc.
The updated mineral resource is based on a total of 601,795m of
drilling, and excludes material mined up to the effective date, as
well as excluding stockpiles.
Table 2 – Bomboré Mineral Resource
Estimate as of March 28, 2023
|
Measured |
Indicated |
Measured and Indicated |
Inferred |
|
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
|
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Oxide |
16.4 |
0.59 |
312 |
72.9 |
0.56 |
1,311 |
89.3 |
0.57 |
1,623 |
3.3 |
0.57 |
60 |
Hard Rock |
11.1 |
1.09 |
389 |
78.8 |
0.99 |
2,503 |
89.9 |
1.00 |
2,892 |
16.7 |
1.02 |
549 |
Total |
27.5 |
0.79 |
701 |
151.7 |
0.78 |
3,814 |
179.3 |
0.78 |
4,515 |
20.0 |
0.95 |
610 |
|
See the end of news release for associated footnotes for the above
table. |
|
The updated mineral reserve estimate was
completed by AMC with an effective date of March 28, 2023. Orezone
developed new re-blocked mine models for each of the resource block
models accounting for internal dilution and mining recoveries. AMC
applied appropriate modifying factors for conversion of mineral
resources to mineral reserves. Those factors include amongst
others, weathering profiles, operating costs, and pit slope angles.
Cut-off grade determinations for block assignments (ore versus
waste) were based on a gold price of $1,500/oz. Mine planning
included standard procedures of optimization, design and
scheduling.
Table 3 – Bomboré Mineral Reserve
Estimate as of March 28, 2023
|
Proven |
Probable |
Proven & Probable |
|
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
|
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Mt |
Au g/t |
Au koz |
Oxide |
6.2 |
0.62 |
124 |
50.5 |
0.55 |
897 |
56.7 |
0.56 |
1,020 |
Hard Rock |
3.3 |
1.29 |
137 |
35.6 |
1.00 |
1,144 |
38.9 |
1.02 |
1,281 |
Oxide Stockpiles |
- |
- |
- |
7.9 |
0.40 |
102 |
7.9 |
0.40 |
102 |
Total |
9.5 |
0.86 |
261 |
94.0 |
0.71 |
2,143 |
103.5 |
0.72 |
2,403 |
|
See the end of news release for associated footnotes for the above
table. |
|
MINE PLAN AND PRODUCTION
SUMMARY
The 2023 Study is based on an annual ore feed
rate of 10.3Mtpa with delivery of higher-grade ore in the earlier
years. The open pit operation will continue with mining contractors
utilizing backhoe excavators and rear-dump haul trucks. The pit
design is based on 6m benches in oxide ore to be mined in two 3m
flitches with berm widths varied according to the recommended
geotechnical parameters. In hard rock ore, mining will take place
on 3m flitches stacked to 12m in the final pit walls. The oxide
material is soft and free digging with minimal blasting while the
hard rock material will be mined using conventional drill and blast
mining methods. Mining rate will peak at 30Mt per year.
Multiple open pits will be mined over a strike
of 14km which provides flexibility in ore scheduling. The mine plan
was developed to satisfy physical and practical constraints
including consideration for access to new mining areas, a
sustainable production profile, limits on vertical advance rates
and practical use of low-grade ore stockpiling. The high-grade P17S
pits have been prioritized and will be mined from 2025 to 2028. The
LOM strip ratio is 1.96:1 with waste placed either in dumps or used
in tailings facility construction.
Figure 3 – Mining Schedule (starting
Q2-2023)
MINERAL PROCESSING
The Bomboré oxide plant is currently processing
material at a rate of 5.9Mtpa which is 0.7Mtpa above nameplate
design. From the truck dump hopper, the soft oxide and upper
transition ore is introduced into a mineral sizer via an inclined
apron feeder and then fed by conveyor into a single stage 3.2MW
ball mill in closed circuit with hydrocyclones to produce a grind
size of 80% passing 125µm. The CIL leach residence time is 21
hours. Gold recovery is 92% for oxide ore and 89% for upper
transition ore.
The new 4.4Mtpa hard rock plant is designed to
process fresh and lower transition material to achieve a grind size
of 80% passing 75µm. Metallurgical test work conducted in 2023 has
concluded that the optimal grind size is 80% passing 75µm and that
gold recovery is independent of head grade. With oxygen addition, a
24-hour leach time is sufficient. Gold recovery is 86% for lower
transition ore, 95% for P17S ore, 84% for P8P9 fresh ore, and 82%
for all other fresh ore.
The new comminution circuit will include a
primary jaw crusher, a 24-hour crushed ore stockpile, a single
stage 18MW twin pinion SAG mill, hydrocyclones for product size
classification and space for a potential future pebble crusher.
Cyclone overflow will report to trash removal screens and then into
a 29m diameter thickener. The slurry will be thickened to 45%
solids and pumped to the CIL circuit. The new CIL circuit will be
identical to the existing CIL circuit and will include an oxygen
plant. Carbon will be processed in a new 12-tonne carbon elution
circuit and the existing carbon kiln will be utilized for carbon
regeneration. Two new electrowinning cells will be installed and
the existing gold room and refinery will be used to produce gold
doré bars.
Extensive metallurgical test work has been
completed on Bomboré ore to confirm plant design parameters. The
most recent testing of fresh ore characterization and gold recovery
was completed by Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa in Q1-2023.
Comminution test work data has been compiled from a total of 42 Axb
tests and 43 BWi tests and Orway Mineral Consultants have provided
recommendations on the design of the grinding circuit.
Figure 4 – Processing Schedule (starting
Q2-2023)
Figure 5 – Existing 5.9Mtpa Oxide Plant
and New 4.4Mtpa Hard Rock Plant Layout
Figure 6 – 4.4Mtpa Hard Rock Plant
Flowsheet
PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE
The Bomboré Mine benefits from a strong mining
culture and excellent local infrastructure. Burkina Faso also has
an expanding pool of available mining contractors, suppliers, and
skilled labour. In addition, the mine is favourably situated only
85km from the capital city of Ouagadougou, accessed by a 5km
all-weather road connecting to the main sealed highway (RN4) that
runs between the capital and the coast. In addition, construction
of the neighbouring Kiaka Mine is underway and Bomboré is expected
to benefit from synergies including the use of common
contractors.
Resettlement Action Plan
("RAP")
RAP Phases II and III follows the successful
completion of Phase I RAP and involves the construction of three
new resettlement villages (MV3, MV2, and BV2). Phase II is
well-advanced with the construction of MV3 sequenced as the first
village to construct in order to gain access to mining areas that
are currently contemplated in the 2024 mine plan. MV3 is the
largest of the resettlement villages and requires the erection of
over 1,200 private homes and public structures.
A RAP Phase IV is planned to accommodate an
increased footprint to the mining lease and includes the
resettlement of approximately 330 households. This resettlement
will be performed progressively over 2024 through to 2027.
Tailings Storage Facility
The existing tailings storage facility is fully
lined with a pump out decant system. The facility is designed to be
raised in stages over the mine life with downstream embankment
construction techniques using run-of-mine waste rock. The capacity
of the tailings storage facility will be expanded from 70Mt to
128Mt, which is sufficient for the current mineral reserves plus
future potential.
Power Supply
The project to connect Bomboré to Burkina Faso’s
national grid is progressing well and remains on schedule for
completion before the end of 2023. ECG Engineering Pty Ltd. (“ECG”)
is managing the design, construction, and commissioning of the new
high voltage transmission line and dedicated substations, and has
been working closely with SONABEL, Burkina Faso’s state-owned
electricity company, to ensure timely deliverables and adherence to
schedule. ECG is a specialized engineering firm that has
successfully delivered on similar projects in West Africa,
including Burkina Faso. All major equipment and materials have
shipped, and installations are progressing on schedule.
Water Supply
Raw water is currently sourced from the seasonal
Nobsin River and diverted by a weir into an existing 5.2Mm3
off-channel reservoir (“OCR”). A pit in the P8P9 orebody has been
selected for early excavation to serve as a second 1.8Mm3 reservoir
which will store sufficient water for the expanded plant
throughput.
PROJECT ECONOMICS
Operating Costs
The life of mine AISC is estimated at $1,122/oz
using a base case gold price of $1,750/oz and a USD to XOF exchange
rate of 600. Electrical grid power is projected to reduce energy
costs to $0.21/kWh from the current $0.62/kWh which is based on
diesel generation. Contract mining has been selected as the basis
for open pit mining activities, to be managed by the Bomboré
operation team, and costs are based on contractor proposals.
Processing cost estimates are life of mine averages and include
various annual blends of oxide, transition and fresh ores as mill
feed, incorporating the associated reagent consumptions, work
indices, abrasion indices, and power requirements.
Table 4 – Operating Costs Summary (Oxide
& Hard Rock)
Description |
Total Costs ($M) |
$/tonne milled |
$/ounce |
Mining |
840.2 |
8.12 |
398 |
Processing |
945.6 |
9.13 |
448 |
Site G&A |
242.9 |
2.35 |
115 |
Refining and transport |
5.8 |
0.06 |
3 |
Government royalties |
222.3 |
2.15 |
105 |
Total Cash Costs |
2,256.7 |
21.80 |
1,070 |
Sustaining capital |
101.0 |
0.98 |
48 |
Rehabilitation and closure |
19.1 |
0.18 |
9 |
Salvage Value |
(9.9) |
(0.10) |
(5) |
All-in Sustaining Cost |
2,367.0 |
22.87 |
1,122 |
|
|
|
|
Hard Rock Expansion Project Capital
Costs
The capital cost of the Phase II Expansion
Project is estimated at $167.5M. The capital cost estimate was
compiled by Lycopodium and is based on Q3-2023 pricing. The
estimate is deemed to have an accuracy of ±15%.
Table 5 – Hard Rock Plant Expansion
Capital
Description |
Total Costs ($M) |
Process Plant |
81.0 |
Infrastructure |
13.2 |
Construction Indirects |
14.5 |
Owner’s Cost (including EPCM) |
47.7 |
Subtotal |
156.5 |
Contingency |
11.0 |
Total Expansion Capital Costs |
167.5 |
|
|
Sustaining Capital Costs
Sustaining capital costs include ongoing
tailings storage facility raises, haul road extensions, grade
control drills, and mine dewatering and surface water management
equipment.
Closure cost includes the remediation work
required to return the site to meet all conditions of the
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.
Table 6 – Sustaining Capital &
Closure Costs (Oxide & Hard Rock)
Description |
Total Costs ($M) |
Plant |
2.1 |
Infrastructure |
87.0 |
Mining |
8.4 |
General & Administration |
3.6 |
Total Sustaining Capital Costs |
101.0 |
Reclamation and Closure |
19.1 |
Salvage Value |
(9.9) |
Total Sustaining Capital and Closure Costs |
110.3 |
|
|
Growth Capital Costs
Growth capital includes the grid power
connection project that will be completed in Q4-2023, RAP Phases II
& III, that are currently underway and will be completed in
2024, and RAP Phase IV that will be performed progressively over
2024 through to 2027.
Table 7 – Growth Capital
Description |
Total Costs ($M) |
Grid Power |
16.3 |
RAP Phases II & III (underway) |
23.0 |
RAP Phase IV |
18.4 |
Total Growth Capital Costs |
57.7 |
|
|
Economic Analysis
Table 8 – Simplified Financial Model
(Base Case Gold Price of US$1,750/oz, 100% basis)
Description |
9M-2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
2031 |
2032 |
2033 |
2034 |
Oxide |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mill Throughput (Mt) |
4.3 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
1.3 |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
0.78 |
0.74 |
0.71 |
0.53 |
0.46 |
0.45 |
0.47 |
0.44 |
0.51 |
0.47 |
0.49 |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hard Rock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mill Throughput (Mt) |
|
|
1.1 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
2.6 |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
|
|
1.21 |
1.33 |
1.14 |
1.12 |
1.02 |
1.08 |
1.08 |
0.95 |
0.70 |
0.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oxide + Hard Rock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Production (koz) |
98 |
128 |
161 |
257 |
219 |
216 |
201 |
202 |
215 |
194 |
167 |
52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue ($M) |
185.6 |
224.1 |
281.5 |
449.7 |
382.9 |
377.4 |
352.1 |
352.7 |
375.7 |
339.9 |
292.2 |
90.7 |
Operating Costs ($M) |
103.3 |
105.3 |
147.9 |
234.2 |
248.2 |
230.9 |
216.0 |
218.8 |
215.8 |
218.9 |
220.7 |
96.6 |
Sustaining Capital ($M) |
8.0 |
7.0 |
15.9 |
18.0 |
7.7 |
8.8 |
7.5 |
7.7 |
8.4 |
8.9 |
3.1 |
0.0 |
Growth Capital ($M) |
26.7 |
22.8 |
3.6 |
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hard Rock Exp. Capital ($M) |
|
83.6 |
83.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax Cash Flow ($M) |
23.9 |
(21.8) |
11.2 |
214.1 |
136.9 |
147.9 |
120.4 |
122.0 |
160.5 |
114.4 |
94.5 |
10.1 |
After-tax Cash Flow ($M) |
5.4 |
(48.7) |
(18.1) |
168.8 |
114.1 |
122.2 |
97.9 |
100.7 |
132.6 |
98.3 |
92.6 |
10.1 |
|
Note: The cash flow totals do not add as changes in working
capital (including ore stockpiles), closure costs (net of salvage
values), and corporates taxes are not shown in the above
table. |
|
Project Sensitivities
Table 9: After-tax
NPV5% Sensitivity to Gold
Price
Gold Price ($/oz) |
After-tax NPV5% ($M) |
1,550 |
421.8 |
1,650 |
529.4 |
1,750 (Base Case) |
635.9 |
1,850 |
741.0 |
1,950 |
846.0 |
|
HARD ROCK EXPANSION
SCHEDULE
The Phase II Expansion is being managed by the
same team who successfully delivered the Phase I plant on time and
under budget. The overall schedule is 24 months with the critical
path being the delivery and installation of the SAG mill. The
Company expects to place the order for the SAG mill in Q4-2023 with
early works on site expected to commence in Q1-2024.
Figure 7 – Bomboré Projects and Hard
Rock Expansion Schedule
ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Bomboré hosts multiple opportunities to further
expand the mine’s production profile and lower the life of mine
AISC, including:
-
Significant Exploration Upside: To date, the
primary 13km long Bomboré Shear Zone has only been drilled to an
average depth of approximately 200m. Additional drilling at depth
has the potential to materially expand the mine’s mineral resource
and reserve base which is supported by the low overall strip
ratio.In addition to multiple regional targets open to further
delineation, the emerging sub-parallel P17 Trend is a priority
target. To date, this higher-grade zone of mineralization has been
broadly traced over a strike length that exceeds 1.5km, and remains
open along strike and down-plunge. The discovery of additional
higher-grade near-surface ounces along the P17 Trend presents the
opportunity to re-sequence higher margin ounces earlier, further
improving the mine’s robust economics.
-
Reserve Expansion: The 2023 Study is based on a
project scope that focused on margin, rapid payback and an
expansion capex that was financeable. As such, mineral reserves
were calculated using a conservative gold price of $1,500/oz, which
provided the tonnage profile to support a 4.4Mtpa hard rock plant
and 11.3-year mine life. A future opportunity exists to lower the
cut-off grades using a higher gold price to expand mineral
reserves.
-
Phase III Mill Expansion: The current 4.4Mtpa hard
rock plant design allows for the future addition of a ball mill, a
pebble crusher, and an additional CIL tank. The installation of
these components, at a modest additional cost, will allow an
increase to the hard rock plant throughput to 6.0Mtpa.
-
Hydraulic Stockpile Movement: Internal testing and
studies provide preliminary support for hydraulic transport of low
and medium grade oxide stockpiles. This material could potentially
be pumped to the process plant at significantly lower cost than
conventional truck hauling.
NOTES FOR MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE ON
BOMBORÉ DEPOSIT
- “Oxide” includes Regolith, Oxide
and Transitional Upper units reported at a cut-off of 0.25g/t
Au.
- “Hard Rock” includes Transitional
Lower and Fresh units reported at a cut-off of 0.45g/t Au.
- Mineral resources, which are not
mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The
estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by
environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant
issues.
- Mineral resources were estimated
using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
(CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions
(2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM
Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM
Council.
- The inferred mineral resource in
this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to
an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a
mineral reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the
inferred mineral resource could be upgraded to an indicated mineral
resource with continued exploration.
- Totals may differ due to
rounding.
- Mineral resources are reported
within an optimized pit shell at a gold price of $1,700/troy
oz.
- Mineral resources are inclusive of
mineral reserves, however, exclude ore stockpiles.
- The mineral resource estimates
include oxide grade reduction factors applied by Orezone based on
recent mine to mill reconciliation data.
NOTES FOR MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE ON
BOMBORÉ DEPOSIT
- CIM Definition Standards for
mineral resources and mineral reserves (CIM, 2014) were used for
reporting of mineral reserves.
- Mineral reserves are estimated
using a long-term gold price of $1,500 per troy oz for all mining
areas.
- Mineral reserves are stated in
terms of delivered tonnes and grade before process recovery.
- “Oxide” includes Regolith, Oxide,
and Upper Transition material. Hard Rock includes Lower Transition
and Fresh material.
- Mineral reserves are based on
modified re-blocked mine models with variable internal dilution and
mining recoveries.
- Mineral reserves for Block 1
(Maga), Block 2 (CFU and P8P9), Block 3 (P11), and Block 4 (Siga)
are based on marginal cut-off grades that range from 0.252 to
0.270g/t Au for Oxides, and 0.464 to 0.516g/t Au for Hard
Rock.
- Mineral reserves for mining blocks
Block 5 (P16) and Block 6 (P17S) are based on polygons developed by
Orezone delimiting oxide material averaging above 0.30g/t Au and
fresh rock above 0.50g/t Au.
- The mineral reserve estimates
include oxide grade reduction factors applied by Orezone based on
recent mine to mill reconciliation data.
- Tonnage and grade measurements are
in metric units. Contained Au is reported as troy ounces.
- Processing recovery varies by
weathering unit and location.
- Mineral resources, which are not
mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Mineral reserves are reported
effective March 28, 2023.
- Rounding of some figures might lead
to minor discrepancies in totals.
TECHNICAL
REPORT FILING
The National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report
supporting the Bomboré 2023 Study will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45
days of this news release.
QUALIFIED
PERSONS
The 2023 Study was prepared for Orezone Gold
Corporation by personnel from Lycopodium Mineral Canada Ltd. and
other industry consultants, each of whom is a "qualified person"
within the meaning of NI 43-101 and considered to be "independent"
of the Company under Section 1.5 of NI 43-101. Each Qualified
Person has reviewed and confirmed that the scientific and technical
information in this news release accurately reflects the summaries
or extracts of the NI 43-101 Technical Report for which they are
responsible.
- Lycopodium Mineral Canada Ltd.: Georgi
Doundarov, P. Eng.; and Olav Mejia, P. Eng.
- P&E Mining Consultants Inc.:
Eugene Puritch, P. Eng.; William Stone, Ph.D., P. Geo.; Jarita
Barry, P. Geo.; and Fred Brown, P. Geo.
- AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd.:
David Warren, P. Eng.
- Knight Piésold Pty. Ltd.: David
Morgan, M.Sc., MAusIMM, MIEAust
- Africa Label Group Inc.: Bright Oppong
Afum, Ph.D., M.Sc., P.Eng., MAusIMM(CP)
Pascal Marquis, Geo., Ph.D., SVP; Dale Tweed, P.
Eng., VP Engineering; and Rob Henderson, P. Eng., VP Technical
Services of Orezone, are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 and have
reviewed and approved other scientific and technical information
contained in this news release for which the independent Qualified
Persons who prepared the NI 43-101 Technical Report are not
responsible. Messrs. Marquis, Tweed, and Henderson are not
independent within the meaning of NI 43-101.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Patrick DowneyPresident and Chief Executive
Officer
Vanessa PickeringManager, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673
0663info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This news release contains certain
“forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information and
forward-looking statements (together, “forward-looking statements”)
are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”,
“project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”,
“potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that
certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should”
occur.
This news release contains forward-looking
statements in respect of the Bomboré Mine and the Phase II
Expansion and Updated Life-of-Mine. These include statements
regarding, among others:
- After-tax NPV5% of $635.9M with
rapid payback
- Mine-life of 11.3 years with gold
production totalling 2.11Moz
- Conventional open pit mining at a
low strip ratio of less than 2:1
- Phase II hard rock plant capital
costs of $167.5M
- Average annual gold production of
231,000oz in the first three full years after expansion at an AISC
of $1,081/oz
- Bomboré 2023 LOM Production and
Cost Profile
- Bomboré Mine Project Layout and
Infrastructure
- Project Economics, including
Operating Costs Summary, Hard Rock Plant Expansion Capital, Growth
Capital, Sustaining Capital, and Closure Costs
- Project Analysis, including the
Simplified Financial Model and Project Sensitivities
- Opportunities to continue to add to
higher grade mineral resources and reserves based on results from
the 2022 drilling program
Furthermore, statements regarding mine plan and
production; mineral processing; project infrastructure; project
economics; initial project capital costs; development and timeline
timetables; and enhancement opportunities are forward-looking
statements.
All such forward-looking statements are based on
certain assumptions and analysis made by management and qualified
persons in light of their experience and perception of historical
trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as
well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe
are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward- looking
information and statements are also based on metal price
assumptions, exchange rate assumptions, cash flow forecasts, and
other assumptions used in the 2023 Study. Readers are cautioned
that actual results may vary from those presented.
In addition, all forward-looking information and
statements are 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
including, but not limited to, use of assumptions that may not
prove to be correct, unexpected changes in laws, rules or
regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the
failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or
labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or
inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of project cost
overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and
equipment breakdowns, political risk (including but not limited the
possibility of one or more coup d’état), unanticipated changes in
key management personnel and general economic, market or business
conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling
programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing
and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of
financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the
Company’s most recent annual information form and management
discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or
statements.
This news release also contains references to
estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves. The estimation
of mineral resources 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,
which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent,
upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences
that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral resource
estimates may require re-estimation based on, among other things:
(i) fluctuations in the price of gold; (ii) results of drilling;
(iii) results of metallurgical testing, process and other studies;
(iv) changes to proposed mine plans; (v) the evaluation of mine
plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the
possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and
licenses.
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are based upon what management of
the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot
assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this news release and are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject
to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date of this news release.
The National Instrument 43-101 technical report
supporting the Bomboré 2023 Study will be filed on SEDAR+ within
the next 45 days of the date of this news release. Reference should
be made to the full text of the technical report for the
assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating thereto.
1 AISC includes operating costs, royalties,
sustaining capital, and closure costs (net of salvage values) but
excludes the costs of the Phase II hard rock plant expansion,
growth capital, and corporate G&A.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6fe2b21-6057-4452-b58e-e646a7e6c52ahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2db95121-1dcc-432e-a4d2-45c25dc9533fhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/78c733c2-7587-46a3-898d-674203f155fahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18653930-b3a0-43e5-95e8-9c322568210bhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd998e3a-d365-4518-b818-378641a14ae9https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2dd162a6-bb89-47eb-b557-7748c8730239https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9dbd9ed7-e3ca-43c7-a060-dfdb41092d24
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