AUGUSTA GOLD ANNOUNCES FEASIBILITY STUDY RESULTS FOR ITS 100% OWNED, CONSTRUCTION-READY REWARD PROJECT; INITIATES STRATEGIC PROCESS
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G, OTCQB: AUGG) announced results of the Feasibility Study for its 100% owned, construction-ready Reward Project in Nevada. Highlights include:
- Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 370,000 oz gold grading 0.86 g/t
- Conventional open pit, heap leach operation with 7.6-year mine life
- Average annual gold production of 39,000 oz
- All-in Sustaining Cost of $1,328/oz
- Pre-production capital cost of $89.7 million
- At $1,975/oz gold price: After-tax NPV (5%) of $50.6M, IRR of 16.6%
The company has initiated a strategic review process to maximize shareholder value and agreed to extend its loan term to February 2025. The Reward Project has all required permits for construction and could be in production within 12 months of starting full-scale construction.
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G, OTCQB: AUGG) ha annunciato i risultati dello Studio di Fattibilità per il suo Reward Project in Nevada, di proprietà al 100% e pronto per la costruzione. I punti salienti includono:
- Riserve minerarie provate e probabili di 370.000 once d'oro con un grado di 0,86 g/t
- Operazione convenzionale di estrazione a cielo aperto con processo di heap leaching e una vita mineraria di 7,6 anni
- Produzione annua media di oro di 39.000 once
- Costo totale sostenibile di $1.328/oz
- Costo di capitale pre-produzione di $89,7 milioni
- Con un prezzo dell'oro di $1.975/oz: Valore attuale netto post-tasse (5%) di $50,6 milioni, IRR del 16,6%
La società ha avviato un processo di revisione strategica per massimizzare il valore per gli azionisti e ha concordato di estendere il termine del prestito a febbraio 2025. Il Reward Project ha tutti i permessi necessari per la costruzione e potrebbe entrare in produzione entro 12 mesi dall'inizio della costruzione su larga scala.
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G, OTCQB: AUGG) anunció los resultados del Estudio de Viabilidad para su Reward Project en Nevada, de propiedad total y listo para la construcción. Los aspectos más destacados incluyen:
- Reservas minerales probadas y probables de 370,000 onzas de oro con una ley de 0.86 g/t
- Operación convencional a cielo abierto, con lixiviación en montón y una vida útil de la mina de 7.6 años
- Producción promedio anual de oro de 39,000 onzas
- Costo total sostenible de $1,328/oz
- Costo de capital en pre-producción de $89.7 millones
- Con un precio del oro de $1,975/oz: NPV (5%) después de impuestos de $50.6 millones, IRR del 16.6%
La empresa ha iniciado un proceso de revisión estratégica para maximizar el valor para los accionistas y acordó extender el plazo de su préstamo hasta febrero de 2025. El Reward Project tiene todos los permisos necesarios para la construcción y podría estar en producción dentro de los 12 meses posteriores al inicio de la construcción a gran escala.
오구스타 골드 컴퍼니(상장 코드: G, OTCQB: AUGG)는 네바다에 있는 100% 소유의 건설 준비 완료된 리워드 프로젝트에 대한 타당성 조사 결과를 발표했습니다. 주요 내용은 다음과 같습니다:
- 370,000 온스의 금 시험 채굴 및 예상 채굴량, 평균 품위 0.86 g/t
- 7.6년의 광산 수명을 가진 전통적인 오픈 핏 방식의 힙 리치 작업
- 연간 평균 금 생산량 39,000 온스
- 총 유지비용 $1,328/온스
- 생산 전 자본 비용 $89.7 백만
- 금 가격이 $1,975/온스일 경우: 세후 NPV (5%) $50.6M, IRR 16.6%
회사는 주주 가치를 극대화하기 위한 전략적 검토 프로세스를 시작했으며 2025년 2월까지 대출 기간 연장에 동의했습니다. 리워드 프로젝트는 건설에 필요한 모든 허가를 보유하고 있으며 본격적 건설 시작 후 12개월 이내에 생산을 시작할 수 있습니다.
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G, OTCQB: AUGG) a annoncé les résultats de l'étude de faisabilité pour son Reward Project au Nevada, entièrement possédé et prêt à être construit. Les faits saillants comprennent:
- Réserves minérales prouvées et probables de 370 000 onces d'or avec une teneur de 0,86 g/t
- Opération classique à ciel ouvert avec lixiviation en tas et une durée de vie de mine de 7,6 ans
- Production annuelle moyenne d'or de 39 000 onces
- Coût total de soutien de 1 328 $/oz
- Coût du capital avant production de 89,7 millions $
- À un prix de l'or de 1 975 $/oz: VAN après impôt (5 %) de 50,6 M$, TRI de 16,6 %
L'entreprise a lancé un processus de révision stratégique pour maximiser la valeur pour les actionnaires et a convenu de prolonger la durée de son prêt jusqu'en février 2025. Le projet Reward a tous les permis nécessaires pour la construction et pourrait entrer en production dans les 12 mois suivant le début de la construction à grande échelle.
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G, OTCQB: AUGG) hat die Ergebnisse der Machbarkeitsstudie für das vollständig im Besitz befindliche, baubereite Reward Project in Nevada bekannt gegeben. Die Highlights umfassen:
- Nachgewiesene und wahrscheinliche Mineralreserven von 370.000 Unzen Gold mit einem Gehalt von 0,86 g/t
- Konventioneller Tagebau mit Heap-Leaching-Betrieb und einer Lebensdauer der Mine von 7,6 Jahren
- Durchschnittliche jährliche Goldproduktion von 39.000 Unzen
- Gesamtstützungs- und Betriebskosten von $1.328/Unze
- Anlauf-Investitionskosten von $89,7 Millionen
- Bei einem Goldpreis von $1.975/Unze: Nachsteuer-NPV (5%) von $50,6 Millionen, IRR von 16,6%
Das Unternehmen hat einen strategischen Überprüfungsprozess eingeleitet, um den Shareholder-Wert zu maximieren und hat zugestimmt, die Laufzeit seines Darlehens bis Februar 2025 zu verlängern. Das Reward Project hat alle erforderlichen Genehmigungen für den Bau und könnte innerhalb von 12 Monaten nach Beginn des vollständigen Baus in Produktion gehen.
- Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 370,000 oz gold at 0.86 g/t grade
- Project is fully permitted and construction-ready
- Potential for production within 12 months of starting construction
- At $2,400/oz gold price, project has $127M NPV and 33.4% IRR
- Strategic location near AngloGold Ashanti's North Bullfrog Project
- Potential synergies with nearby Bullfrog Project (1.2M oz gold resource)
- Loan term extended to February 2025, providing financial flexibility
- Relatively high All-in Sustaining Cost of $1,328/oz
- Low IRR of 16.6% at base case $1,975/oz gold price
- Short 7.6-year mine life
- Modest annual gold production of 39,000 oz on average
- Pre-production capital cost of $89.7 million required
Highlights
- Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 370,000 oz of gold grading 0.025 oz/t gold (0.86 g/t) in a conventional open pit, heap leach operation with a life-of-mine (LOM) strip ratio of 2.37:1
- Project has all required permits in place to commence construction
- The Company's Bullfrog Project is located seven miles to the northwest and hosts Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 1,209,290 oz gold grading 0.53 g/t gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 257,900 oz gold grading 0.48 g/t gold
- Significant synergies from the Reward Project are expected to be realized for the Company's larger Bullfrog project located across the valley
- The Company has also initiated a strategic review process to evaluate alternative opportunities to maximize shareholder return
- The Company has agreed in principle with its lender, Augusta Investments Inc. (the "Lender"), to extend the term of its loan with the Lender through to February 28, 2025
President and CEO Don Taylor commented, "The Reward Project is construction-ready, strategically located and anticipated to be our first development in the district and will help support the development of our larger Bullfrog Project located seven miles away. The Reward Project could be in production within 12 months of commencing full-scale construction, in a rapidly growing and highly prolific district. Our goal is to be a low cost, 150,000 oz Au per annum producer in
The Reward Project is a planned open pit, heap leach operation processing 5,479 tons per day with average annual gold production of 39 koz over the LOM, with a peak of 47 koz. Ore will be crushed to P80 1/4" and placed on the leach pad using conveyors and radial stackers. The initial lift will be agglomerated to ensure pad stability and LOM permeability. Contract mining will be employed at Reward to lower pre-production capital requirements.
Metallurgical testing by McClelland labs has indicated gold recoveries of approximately
The Reward Project contains 370,000 oz of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at an average grade of 0.025 opt gold (0.86 g/t). The potential for additional reserves has been identified at the bottom of the current reserve pit outline but will require drilling before this opportunity can be quantified further.
Both of the company's Reward and Bullfrog projects are strategically located in the prolific
AGA spent
Augusta Gold's completion of its Reward feasibility study and having obtained all required permits to commence construction at the Reward Project therefore strategically places Augusta Gold on track to becoming the first modern gold producer in the district.
Table 1. Reward Mineral Reserves
Reward Mineral Reserves | |||
k tons | oz Au/ton | k oz Au | |
Proven | 6,052 | 0.027 | 164 |
Probable | 8,999 | 0.023 | 205 |
Proven and Probable | 15,052 | 0.025 | 370 |
Notes: | |
1. | All estimates of Mineral Reserves have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43 - 101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and Item 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("SK 1300") |
2. | Thomas L. |
3. | Mineral Reserves are based on prices of |
4. | Reserves are reported using a 0.008 oz Au per ton cut-off grade |
5. | The Mineral Reserves point of reference is the point where is material is fed into the crusher. |
6. | The effective date of the Mineral Reserves estimate is September 3, 2024. |
7. | Columns may not sum due to rounding. |
Table 2. Reward Feasibility Study Summary
Contained Au, oz | 369,692 |
Annual Au oz (avg payable oz) | 38,563 |
Max Annual Au oz | 46,595 |
Total Au Recovered (oz) | 292,057 |
Payable Ounces | 291,210 |
LOM ore grade (opt Au) | 0.025 |
LOM Tons | 15,051,695 |
Mine Life (years) | 7.6 |
All-in Sustaining Cost per ounce | |
Pre-Production Capital Cost |
1. | All-in Sustaining Cost per ounce is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for a discussion on non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to |
Table 3. Capital Cost Summary
Description | Cost3 (US$M) |
Pre-Production Process Capital | |
Mining Capital | |
Total Initial Capital1 | |
Sustaining Capital – Mine & Process | |
Working Capital & Initial Fills2 |
1. | Numbers are rounded and may not sum perfectly. |
2. | Working capital credited in Years 7 and 8. |
3. | Costs reflect standalone costs of the Reward project with |
Table 4. Life of Mine Operating Cost Summary
Description | LOM Cost (US$/ton ore) |
Mine | |
Process & Support Services | |
Site G & A | |
Total1 |
1. | Numbers are rounded and may not sum perfectly |
Table 5. Sensitivity Assessment for the Reward Project
Au Price ($/oz) USD | After-Tax NPV | After-Tax IRR | Payback (years) |
41.1 % | 1.9 | ||
33.4 % | 2.4 | ||
25.7 % | 3.3 | ||
16.6 % | 5.1 | ||
8.6 % | 6.3 | ||
5.0 % | 6.9 |
1. | Costs reflect standalone costs of the Reward project with |
2. | The feasibility study results use a base case of |
Permitting highlights
The following principal permits and authorizations have been granted for the Reward Project allowing for ground clearing and construction:
- Mine Plan of Operations N-82840, authorized by
U.S. Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (BLM). - Water Pollution Control Permit NEV2007101, issued by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (NDEP-BMRR).
- Mine Reclamation Permit #0300, issued by the NDEP-BMRR.
- Water appropriation permits 76390 and 89658, issued by the Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) for mining, milling, dewatering, and domestic uses.
- Biological Opinion 84320-2008-F-0293, approved by
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). - Class II Air Quality Permit AP1041-2492, issued by NDEP – Bureau of Air Pollution Control (BAPC).
Strategic Review and Loan Terms
The Company has also initiated a strategic review process to evaluate opportunities to maximize shareholder return. The strategic alternatives review could include, among other things, a joint venture transaction, a sale of the Company, the Project, or all the assets of the Company, a merger or other business combination, or another form of strategic transaction. The Company has not made any decisions related to any strategic alternatives at this time and there can be no assurance that the strategic review will lead to any transaction or any other change or outcome.
The Company has agreed in principle with its Lender to extend the term of its loan with the Lender through to February 28, 2025. Exact terms will be disclosed in the coming days once finalized and once all requisite approvals have been obtained. The Company is also considering further alternatives with its Lender to manage its existing debt position in a manner that facilitates obtaining construction financing for Reward. These alternatives include, but are not limited to, converting part or all of the Lender's current debt to equity. Other than the decision to extend the term of the loan, the Company has not made any decisions related to alternatives with its Lender at this time and there can be no assurance that this consideration will lead to any transaction or any other change or outcome.
The Company does not intend to provide announcements or updates unless or until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or necessary.
Technical Report and Qualified Persons
The comprehensive feasibility study for the Reward Project was led by Kappes Cassidy & Associates from
The qualified persons are Mark Gorman of Kappes, Cassiday & Associates; Thomas Dyer of RESPEC; Mike Dufresne of APEX Geoscience Ltd.; Timothy D. Scott of Kappes, Cassiday & Associates; Mathew Haley of NewFields; James Cremeens of Knight Piesold Consulting; and Mark Willow of SRK Consulting (
A technical report supporting the results disclosed herein will be published within 45 days. The effective date of the technical report is September 3, 2024. For readers to fully understand the information in this release they should read the technical report in its entirety when it is available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR, including all qualifications, assumptions, exclusions and risks. The technical report is intended to be read as a whole and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the Reward Project and the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the scientific and technical information has been reviewed, approved and verified by the QPs for the technical report. The data was verified using data validation and quality assurance procedures under high industry standards.
QA/QC of Underlying Data
From 2015 to early 2017, CR Reward LLC completed a compilation, audit and update of the drill hole database. Drill hole locations, survey data and readily accessible assay certificates were uploaded into the commercially-available DataShed software package. Assays that did not have assay certificates were retained in an Excel spreadsheet and combined with the DataShed assays for the assay verification. Lithology, alteration, structure, and quartz vein data from selected holes were digitized from geologic paper logs in January 2017. These data were also brought into DataShed. The drill hole database consisting of 348 historical holes was audited, compiled, and verified by CR Reward LLC in 2016 and 2017 based on provided electronic files, for all historical drilling, and assay certificates. CR Reward LLC completed additional drilling in 2017 and 2018 consisting of 3,443 meters in 28 core holes.
The historical gold values at the Project were validated by comparing the historical analytical certificates (and logs) to the digital assay database. All available downhole surveys were digitized and utilized to properly plot analytical data down-hole. Drill hole collar data was verified versus geological logs or survey files with collar elevations checked against a modern lidar survey. Drillholes with questionable data were omitted from the database and were not used to generate the underlying mineral resource estimate. All of the 2017 and 2018 drill hole data provided by CR Reward LLC was verified by the appropriate QPs. The results of the validation program indicate that the sample database is of sufficient accuracy and precision to be used for the generation of the feasibility study results.
Bullfrog Mineral Resource Estimate
Classification | Tonnes | Au grade | Ag grade | Au Contained | Ag Contained | |
Measured | 30.13 | 0.544 | 1.35 | 526.68 | 1,309.13 | |
Indicated | 40.88 | 0.519 | 1.18 | 682.61 | 1,557.49 | |
Measured and Indicated | 71.01 | 0.530 | 1.26 | 1,209.29 | 2,866.62 | |
Inferred | 16.69 | 0.481 | 0.96 | 257.90 | 515.72 |
Notes: |
1. | Oxide estimated Mineral Resources are reported within a pit shell using the Lerch Grossman algorithm, a gold price of |
2. | Sulphide estimated Mineral Resources are reported within a pit shell using the Lerch Grossman algorithm, a gold price of |
3. | Mining costs for mineralized material and waste are |
4. | Processing, general and administration, and refining costs are |
5. | Due to rounding, some columns or rows may not compute as shown. |
6. | Estimated Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry metric tonnes. |
7. | The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. |
8. | The effective date of the Bullfrog mineral resource estimate is December 31, 2021. |
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release related to the Bullfrog Project is based upon the technical report summary, prepared pursuant to S-K 1300, entitled "S-K 1300 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimate, Bullfrog Gold Project,
North Bullfrog
AGA's mineral reserve estimate at North Bullfrog was derived from AGA's Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Report as of December 31, 2023, available on AGA's website at https://www.anglogoldashanti.com/. Per AGA's report, the estimate was based on information signed off by Mrs. TM Flitton, a Qualified Person who is a full-time employee of AGA.
About Augusta Gold
Augusta Gold is an exploration and development company focused on building a long-term business that delivers stakeholder value through developing the Reward and Bullfrog gold projects and pursing accretive M&A opportunities. The Reward and Bullfrog gold projects are located in the prolific Bullfrog mining district approximately 120 miles north-west of
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements and information contained in this new release constitute "forward-looking statements", and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements appear in a number of places in this new release and include statements regarding our intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of our officers and directors, including that significant synergies from the Reward Project are expected to be realized for the Company's larger Bullfrog project located across the valley; Augusta Gold is on track to becoming the first modern gold producer in the district; the Reward Project is construction-ready, strategically located and anticipated to be our first development in the district, and will help support the development of our larger Bullfrog Project located seven miles away; the Reward Project could be in production within 12 months of commencing full-scale construction, in a rapidly growing and highly prolific district; our goal is to be a low cost, 150,000 oz Au per annum producer in
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Reward Project)
In this press release, we have provided information prepared or calculated according to
The non-
We believe that these metrics help investors understand the economics of the Reward Project. We present the non-
AISC and Respective Unit Cost Measure
AISC consists of Cash Costs (as described below), plus sustaining capital costs. The sum of these costs is divided by the corresponding payable gold ounces to determine the per ounce metric stated in this press release above.
Cash Costs consist of Cash Operating Costs (as described below), plus royalties.
Cash Costs and AISC are non-
Cash Operating Costs is a non-
Other costs excluded from Cash Operating Costs, Cash Costs, and AISC include depreciation and amortization, income taxes, government royalties, financing charges, costs related to business combinations, asset acquisitions other than sustaining capital, and asset dispositions.
The following tables demonstrate the calculation of Cash Operating Costs, Cash Costs, AISC, and related AISC unit-cost metric as presented in this press release:
Units | Life of Mine | |
Payable Gold | koz | 291.21 |
Total Operating Costs | US$ millions | $ 329.39 |
Refining & Transportation Charge | US$ millions | $ 0.62 |
Total Operating Costs & Refining & Transportation Charge | US$ millions | $ 330.01 |
Royalty Payable | US$ millions | $ 15.21 |
Total Operating Costs, Refining & Royalties¹ | US$ millions | $ 345.22 |
Cash Cost per ounce¹ | US$/oz | $ 1,185 |
Sustaining Capital and Reclamation & Closure | US$ millions | $ 41.57 |
All-In-Sustaining Costs | US$ millions | $ 386.79 |
AISC per ounce | US$/oz | $ 1,328 |
Units | Life of Mine | |
Payable Gold | koz | 291.21 |
Mining Costs | US$ millions | $ 164.33 |
Processing Costs | US$ millions | $ 121.77 |
Site General and Administrative Costs | US$ millions | $ 43.29 |
Total Operating Costs | US$ millions | $ 329.39 |
Refining & Transportation Charge | US$ millions | $ 0.62 |
Total Operating Costs & Refining & Transportation Charge | US$ millions | $ 330.01 |
Royalty Payable | US$ millions | $ 15.21 |
Total Operating Costs, Refining & Royalties¹ | US$ millions | $ 345.22 |
1. | Cash Cost = Total Operating Costs & Refining & Transportation Charge + Royalty Payable |
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SOURCE Augusta Gold Corp.
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