K92 Mining Provides Operations Update

Rhea-AI Summary

K92 Mining Inc. announces the temporary suspension of underground operations at the Kainantu Gold Mine due to a non-industrial incident resulting in a deceased employee. Processing operations have resumed after a three-day halt. Preliminary findings suggest a non-industrial suspicious incident. The company is cooperating with authorities for investigations and has filed an appeal regarding the suspension. Updates will be provided as the situation progresses.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K92 Mining Inc. (“K92” or the “Company”) (TSX: KNT; OTCQB: KNTNF) announces that underground operations at the Kainantu Gold Mine have been temporarily suspended after a non-industrial incident occurred on the Company’s mining lease on March 10, 2024, resulting in a deceased employee. Processing operations were temporarily suspended for three days and have resumed processing stockpiles.

Preliminary findings from K92 and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (Police) have concluded that the death is a non-industrial suspicious incident. K92 is working with the relevant Government authorities under the Criminal Code Act and Mining (Safety) Act to support their investigations.

On March 13, 2023, the Mineral Resources Authority (“MRA”) ordered a temporarily suspension of underground operations through issuance of a “Form 29”, pending the completion of action orders in relation to an independent safety audit and the installation of a collision avoidance system. Work on these action orders is underway and were in process by the Company prior to the issuance of the action orders.

Given the non-industrial nature of the incident, procedural, determination and jurisdictional breaches of the Mining (Safety) Act in issuing the Form 29, K92 filed an appeal on March 14, 2023 and expects this to be addressed shortly.

The Company is working to resolve this expeditiously and will be providing an update in due course.

About K92

K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in February 2018 and is in a strong financial position. A maiden resource estimate on the Blue Lake copper-gold porphyry project was completed in August 2022. K92 is operated by a team of mining company professionals with extensive international mine-building and operational experience.

On Behalf of the Company,

John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA, President and Chief Operating Officer at +1-604-416-4445

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (i) the results of the Kainantu Mine Definitive Feasibility Study, and the Kainantu 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment, including the Stage 3 Expansion, a new standalone 1.2 mtpa process plant and supporting infrastructure; (ii) statements regarding the expansion of the mine and development of any of the deposits; (iii) the Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion, operating two standalone process plants, larger surface infrastructure and mining throughputs; and (iv) the potential extended life of the Kainantu Mine.

All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “potential”, “schedule”, “forecast”, “budget”, “estimate”, “intend” or “believe” and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could”, “should” or “might” occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public Health Crises, including the COVID-19 virus; changes in the price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry, including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas in which certain of the Company’s operations are located; failure to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and uncertainties associated with exploration and development; uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into mineral reserves; the Company’s ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities at the Arakompa, Kora, Judd and other projects; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the availability and costs of achieving the Stage 3 Expansion or the Stage 4 Expansion; the ability of the Company to achieve the inputs the price and market for outputs, including gold, silver and copper; failures of information systems or information security threats; political, economic and other risks associated with the Company’s foreign operations; geopolitical events and other uncertainties, such as the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine; compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions, including relationship with the communities in Papua New Guinea and other jurisdictions it operates; other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Estimates of mineral resources are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections, based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves 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, Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from those that are anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

FAQ

Why were underground operations at Kainantu Gold Mine temporarily suspended?

Underground operations were temporarily suspended at Kainantu Gold Mine due to a non-industrial incident resulting in a deceased employee.

What were the findings regarding the incident at Kainantu Gold Mine?

Preliminary findings suggest that the incident leading to the deceased employee was a non-industrial suspicious incident.

What action did the Mineral Resources Authority take regarding the incident at Kainantu Gold Mine?

The Mineral Resources Authority ordered a temporary suspension of underground operations through issuance of a 'Form 29' pending completion of action orders related to safety audit and collision avoidance system installation.

What steps is K92 taking to address the suspension of underground operations at Kainantu Gold Mine?

K92 has filed an appeal regarding the suspension and is working to resolve the situation expeditiously. Updates will be provided as the process unfolds.