Foran Mining Corporation (TSX-V:
FOM) (the
“
Company” or “
Foran”) is pleased
to announce an initial resource for its 100% owned Bigstone deposit
(“
Bigstone” or the “
Deposit”)
located in east-central Saskatchewan (the “
2020 Bigstone
Resource Estimate”). In 2015, Foran drilled one of the
longest intersections ever in the region, which returned a
104.94 metre
(“m”) intercept
grading 2.03% copper. This result is a highlight of the
tenor of mineralization that has been intersected during drilling
to define the Deposit. Bigstone represents the second National
Instrument (“
NI”) 43-101 compliant resource
defined by Foran within the Hanson Lake District and could be an
important contributor to a long-life mining camp that could be
developed in the region. Foran is eagerly anticipating returning to
Bigstone during our 2021 exploration programs to further define and
expand the Deposit. Drill planning is currently underway.
Dan Myerson, Foran’s Executive Chairman
commented, “While we are merely scratching the surface of this
outstanding deposit, we are very excited to be adding Bigstone to
our growing resource base. The Bigstone resource is one of the many
satellite deposits that will serve as additional feed for McIlvenna
Bay as we develop the Hanson Lake District into Canada’s next
mining camp.”
Mr. Myerson continued, “The close proximity of
Bigstone to McIlvenna Bay and the high-grade copper resources
available from the Deposit will have a significant positive impact
on the economics of our camp and further enhance returns for all
stakeholders. Following the outstanding results in 2015, it is very
exciting to anticipate what the upcoming drill program in 2021 will
deliver.”
Highlights include:
-
Indicated
resources estimated at 1.98Mt grading
2.22% Copper Equivalent, which includes: - 1.88%
Copper (“Cu”), 0.92% Zinc (“Zn”), 0.25 g/t Gold (“Au”) and 9.5 g/t
Silver (“Ag”) - Containing 81.9 million pounds (“Mlb”) Cu,
40.2 Mlb Zn, 16,000 ounces (“oz”) Au and 603,000 oz Ag
- Inferred resources estimated
at 1.88Mt grading 2.14% Copper Equivalent, which
includes: - 1.35% Cu, 2.75% Zn, 0.32 g/t Au and
12.0 g/t Ag - Containing 55.9 Mlb Cu, 114.4 Mlb Zn, 19,000 oz
Au and 729,000 oz Ag
- The Deposit
is open, with potential to increase
resources with additional
drilling - A follow up drill program is planned for
summer 2021
The Company engaged Roscoe Postle Associates
Inc. (“RPA”), now part of SLR Consulting Limited
(“SLR”), to complete the first resource estimate
for Bigstone prepared in accordance with CIM (2014) definitions and
standards as incorporated by reference in NI 43-101. The 2020
Bigstone Resource Estimate is summarized in Table 1 and a table of
metal contained within the resource is provided in Table 2. See
below for additional information with respect to Qualified Person,
Estimation Methodology and Parameters.
Table 1. Bigstone
2020 Mineral Resource Estimate (US$65/t
NSR cut-off) 1-6
Zone |
Tonnage(Mt) |
Cu(%) |
Zn(%) |
Au(g/t) |
Ag(g/t) |
CuEq (%) |
|
Massive Sulphide Zone |
0.15 |
0.25 |
9.87 |
0.33 |
16.5 |
2.82 |
Copper Zone |
1.83 |
2.01 |
0.19 |
0.24 |
8.9 |
2.18 |
Total Indicated |
1.98 |
1.88 |
0.92 |
0.25 |
9.5 |
2.22 |
|
Massive Sulphide Zone |
0.42 |
0.25 |
8.43 |
0.36 |
15.9 |
2.42 |
Copper Zone |
1.23 |
1.89 |
0.33 |
0.34 |
11.9 |
2.11 |
Zinc Stringer Zone |
0.24 |
0.50 |
5.29 |
0.17 |
6.0 |
1.79 |
Total Inferred |
1.88 |
1.35 |
2.75 |
0.32 |
12.0 |
2.14 |
1 Effective date November 30, 2020; CIM (2014)
definitions were followed for Mineral Resources; CuEq = copper
equivalent; NSR = Net Smelter Return.2 The mineral resource is
estimated based on 54 diamond drill holes (with 12 wedges) and a
NSR cut-off grade of US$65/t. Metal prices used are US$3.75/lb Cu,
US$1.35/lb Zn, US$1,650/oz Au, and US$21.00/oz Ag. 3Mineral
Resources are constrained using underground mining shapes for
reporting.4 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 issues.5Copper equivalents and NSR values
are based on metallurgical recoveries and smelter terms by zones,
long-term metal prices and off-property costs. Copper in the Copper
Zone is the basis, while contributions from other metals and copper
in other zones are converted based on equivalent net value.
6Numbers may not add due to rounding.
The 2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate is estimated
using long-term metal price projections of US$3.75/lb for copper,
US$1.35/lb for zinc, US$1,650/oz for gold and US$21.00/oz for
silver. The base case uses a US$65/t NSR cut-off using provisions
for metallurgical recoveries, smelter payables, refining costs, and
freight.
See Table 2 below which outlines the contained
metal in the 2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate.
Table 2. Contained Metal (US$65/t
NSR cut-off) 1
Zone |
Resource |
Cu |
Zn |
Au |
Ag |
|
Classification |
Mlb |
Tonnes |
Mlb |
Tonnes |
Koz |
Koz |
Massive Sulphide |
Indicated |
0.8 |
363 |
32.4 |
14,696 |
2 |
79 |
Inferred |
2.3 |
1,043 |
77 |
34,927 |
5 |
211 |
Copper Zone |
Indicated |
81.1 |
36,786 |
7.8 |
3,538 |
14 |
525 |
Inferred |
50.9 |
23,088 |
8.9 |
4,037 |
13 |
470 |
Zinc Stringer |
Indicated |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
- |
Inferred |
2.7 |
1,225 |
28.4 |
12,882 |
1 |
47 |
Total |
Indicated |
81.9 |
37,149 |
40.2 |
18,234 |
16 |
603 |
Inferred |
55.9 |
25,356 |
114.4 |
51,891 |
19 |
729 |
1 See footnotes 1-6 for Table 1
Geology and
Mineralization
The Deposit is hosted by a north trending,
steeply dipping and west facing succession of volcanic and
subvolcanic intrusive rocks and minor sediments. Mineralization at
the Deposit is represented by three zones of mineralization: a
laterally extensive zinc-rich massive sulphide horizon, a
copper-rich feeder zone which underlies the massive sulphide and a
peripheral zinc-rich halo associated with portions of the copper
zone.
The zinc-rich massive sulphide horizon averages
five metres thick and has been defined by drilling over a strike
length of 400m. The massive sulphide mineralization is dominated by
massive to semi-massive pyrrhotite and/or pyrite with abundant red
sphalerite.
The copper zone tends to be located
approximately 20m stratigraphically below the massive sulphide in a
zone of strong chlorite alteration and silicification. The copper
zone occurs as a vertically oriented, flattened cylindrical body
that has been drill tested in part between 100m and 600m below
surface. It is interpreted to be a sub-seafloor replacement body
that represents a feeder zone to the massive sulphide
mineralization. The copper zone mineralization dominantly consists
of chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite +/- magnetite that occurs in a
combination of semi-massive, disseminated and stringer styles.
The zinc stringer zone occurs peripheral to
portions of the copper zone and generally occurs as sphalerite-rich
stringers with lesser pyrrhotite, pyrite and/or chalcopyrite in
bleached and silicified volcanic rocks. The Deposit
has been defined by approximately 22,200m of drilling (54 holes
with 12 wedges) since it was first discovered in 1982 with the
majority of the drilling completed between 1982 and 1984.
Subsequent programs generally focused on large step-outs along
strike and depth. Due to this focus, the absolute limits of the
mineralization have not been fully defined by historic drilling and
as a result, the Deposit remains open for expansion.
Estimation Methodology and
Parameters
Eleven mineralized domains were defined
representing the three zones of mineralization:
- Copper Zone – Three wireframes have
been modelled to approximately 600m below surface, extending
<50m to approximately 200m along strike, with thickness ranging
from less than one metre to greater than 50m, with an average
thickness of 17.7m.
- Zinc Stringer Zone – Seven wireframes
have been modelled with individual strike lengths ranging from 75m
to 200m along strike and 50m to 350m down dip. Thickness ranges
from less than one metre to greater than approximately five metres
thick, with an average thickness of 5.2m.
- Massive Sulphide Zone – Single
wireframe comprising high-grade zinc which stratigraphically
overlays and overlaps the Copper Zone and Zinc Stringer Zone. The
zone is variable in thickness with intersections from less than one
metre to greater than 15m and an average thickness of 5.9m.
The 2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate was based on
a database comprised of 95 drill holes, of which 54 intersected
resource domains. The data was parsed and validated for modelling
in Leapfrog Geo/Edge software with the interpretations constrained
to the geology where necessary. Capping was performed for each
metal by domain and composited to one metre lengths. Resource
domains were used to constrain the grade interpolation, which was
estimated with inverse distance squared using three passes for the
Massive Sulphide Zone, and a single pass for the Copper and Zinc
Stringer Zones. Grades were estimated into a rotated block model
with two metre x two metre x two metre sized blocks, sub blocked to
0.5 metres. The 2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate classification is
based on the drill hole spacing as well as the Qualified Person’s
level of geological knowledge and confidence.
As the polymetallic sulphide mineralization at
Bigstone contains significant copper, zinc, silver, and gold
values, block grade was converted into NSR values ($ per tonne).
The NSR values vary by zone accounting for parameters such as metal
prices and US dollar exchange rate, metallurgical recoveries,
smelter terms and refining charges, and transportation costs. The
2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate was reported within underground
resource mining shapes generated in Deswik Stope Optimizer
software, satisfying continuity criteria, and using an NSR cut-off
value of US$65/t.
Qualified Persons
The 2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate meets the
guidelines as set out in CIM (2014) definitions for Mineral
Resources and the work was completed by RPA. The 2020 Bigstone
Resource Estimate was verified by Ms. Katharine Masun, P.Geo. Ms.
Masun is a Qualified Person as defined in NI43-101 and has
consented to applicable disclosure contained herein regarding the
2020 Bigstone Resource Estimate.
Mr. Roger March, P. Geo., Vice President
Exploration for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical
information in this news release, excluding the 2020 Bigstone
Resource Estimate. Mr. March has reviewed and approved the
technical information in this release.
About Foran Mining
Foran Mining is a zinc-copper exploration and
development company with projects located along the Flin Flon
Greenstone Belt. The McIlvenna Bay Project, Foran’s flagship asset
located within the Hanson Lake District, sits just 65km from Flin
Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone
Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to
Foran’s ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over
225km.
McIlvenna Bay is the largest undeveloped VMS
deposit in the region. This prolific Metallogenic Belt is host to
29 past and present producing mines, including Hudbay Minerals
Inc.’s 777 and Lalor operations. The Company released the results
of the Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) on March 12,
2020. Based on the PFS, the McIlvenna Bay Project is expected to
yield a Base Case pre-tax, 7.5% net present value of $219 million
and an internal rate of return of 23.4%, using assumed zinc,
copper, gold and silver prices of US$1.26/lb, US$2.82/lb,
US$1,312/oz and US$16.30/oz, respectively. The Company filed a NI
43-101 Technical Report for the PFS on the McIlvenna Bay Deposit on
SEDAR on April 28, 2020.
Foran trades on the TSX.V under the symbol
“FOM”.
For Additional Information Please
Contact Foran Mining Corporation:
Dan MyersonExecutive Chairman409 Granville Street, Suite
904Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2ir@foranmining.com |
Roger MarchVice President, Exploration409 Granville Street, Suite
904Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2ir@foranmining.com |
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock
exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has
approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This news release contains "forward-looking
information" (also referred to as "forward looking statements"),
which relate to future events or future performance and reflect
management’s current expectations and assumptions. Often, but not
always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
words such as "plans", "hopes", "expects", "is expected", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or
"believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such
words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s
current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and
information currently available to the Company. All statements,
other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking
statements or information. Forward-looking statements or
information in this news release relate to, among other things: the
PFS and the anticipated capital and operating costs, sustaining
costs, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period,
process capacity, average annual metal production, average process
recoveries, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed PFS
production schedule and metal production profile, anticipated
construction period, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and
grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, social and
environmental impact studies, future financial or operating
performance of the Company, subsidiaries and its projects,
estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, opportunities
for exploration, development and expansion of the McIlvenna Bay
Project, its potential mineralization, the future price of metals,
the realization of mineral reserve estimates, costs and timing of
future exploration, the timing of the development of new deposits,
requirements for additional capital, foreign exchange risk,
government regulation of mining and exploration operations,
environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or
claims, insurance coverage and regulatory matters. In addition,
these statements involve assumptions made with regard to the
Company’s ability to develop the McIlvenna Bay Project and to
achieve the results outlined in the PFS, and the ability to raise
capital to fund construction and development of the McIlvenna Bay
Project.
The Company cautions the reader that
forward-looking statements and information include known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or
information contained in this news release and the Company has made
assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these
factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the projected
and actual effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the factors
relevant to the business of the Corporation, including the effect
on supply chains, labour market, currency and commodity prices and
global and Canadian capital markets, fluctuations in zinc, copper,
gold and silver prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs,
labour, materials, supplies and services (including
transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the
Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); operational risks and
hazards inherent with the business of mining (including
environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents,
equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structure
formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate
insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these
risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits,
licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in
laws, regulations and government practices in Canada, including
environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal
restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation;
increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and
qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title
matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with
Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at
www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be
as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are
cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or
information.
These forward-looking statements are made as of
the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities
regulations, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any
obligation, to update the forward-looking information.
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