Trigon Metals Announces Positive Feasibility for its Kombat Asis West Underground Mine

Rhea-AI Summary

Trigon Metals Inc. announces positive results of feasibility study for Kombat Asis West underground mine in Namibia, showcasing significant mineral reserves, strong financial metrics, and defined project capital requirement. The study highlights a derisked operational and production profile, with projected returns validating the company's efforts and expectations for the Kombat Mine.

Positive

• Positive results of the feasibility study showcasing significant mineral reserves and strong financial metrics.
• Defined project capital requirement and derisked operational and production profile highlighted.
• Projected returns validate the company's efforts and expectations for the Kombat Mine.
• Operating and financial metrics presented in the study show promising figures for Trigon Metals Inc.

Negative

• None.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-V: TM, OTCQB: PNZTF) ("Trigon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the feasibility study undertaken on its Kombat Asis West underground mine in Namibia (the “Feasibility Study”). The Feasibility Study was prepared by SRK Consulting South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“SRK”) in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Figure 1: Location of Kombat Mine (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Feasibility Study incorporates both the currently operational open pit mine at Kombat as well as the restart of the historic Asis West underground mine. Please note that all financial figures in this press release are in United States dollars, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights

• Significant Mineral Reserves and production,
• Strong financial metrics,
• Defined Project Capital requirement, and
• Derisked operational and production profile.

Jed Richardson, Chairman, commented “I am pleased with the efforts of our team and the collaboration with SRK on the completion of the study. The projected returns validate our efforts and expectations for the Kombat Mine. We look forward to even stronger valuations as we develop through the conversion of more of our Indicated Mineral Resources to Reserves, the development of Asis Far West and exploration of the Copper King Extension."

A summary of operating and financial metrics from the Feasibility Study are presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Kombat Mine – Operating and Financial Metrics

Description	Unit	Total/average over LoM	Asis West underground	Open pit
Copper price	USD/lb	4.00
Silver price	USD/oz	25.00
Life of mine	Years	5.8	5.8	2.4
Run of mine	kt	2 385	1 635	750
RoM grade - Copper	%	2.46%	3.16%	0.93%
RoM grade - Silver	g/t	17.5	22.9	5.7
Processing recovery - Copper	%	92%	93%	88%
Processing recovery - Silver	%	85%	86%	76%
Concentrate production	kt	195	171	24
Recovered product - Copper	Mlb	120	106	14
Recovered product - Silver	kg	35 451	32 143	3 308
C1 cash cost/lb	USD/lb	2.19
AISC/lb	USD/lb	2.59
Project capex	USDm	40.6
NPV10% (pre tax) (100%)	USDm	116.0
IRR10%(pre tax)	%	285%
NPV10% (after tax) (100%)	USDm	77.8
IRR10%(after tax)	%	235%

Note
Run of mine excludes 13.0 kt at 0.83% Cu sitting in stockpile.
C1 cost: direct costs, which include costs incurred in mining and processing (labour, power, reagents, materials) plus local G&A, and freight, realization and selling costs, and mineral royalties.
ASIC: All In Sustaining Costs, including sustaining capital.
Certain project capital has already been incurred and this is included in the assessed loss/unredeemed capital reported by Trigon at February 2024.

Kombat Mine Overview

Trigon holds six active mineral licences related to the Kombat mine: the four mining licenses of Asis West, Asis Far West, Asis Ost and Gross Otavi and two exclusive prospecting licenses. The project areas are situated in the Otjozondjupa Region, Grootfontein Magisterial District of the Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia, between the towns of Otavi, 37 km to the west and Grootfontein, 45 km to the east.

Trigon commenced with open pit mining in early 2023, and dewatering of the historic Asis West underground complex (which comprises two vertical shafts, No. 1 shaft and No. 3 shaft, and a decline ramp) in August 2023. In February 2024, Trigon announced the commencement of operational training for the commencement of underground mining.

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserve Estimates

Mineral Resources

The Mineral Resource Statement presented represents the third Mineral Resource evaluation prepared for the Kombat Mine project in accordance with NI 43-101 by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd (an independent consulting company) commissioned by Trigon to undertake this work. The Mineral Resources have been independently reviewed by SRK and reported using updated techno-economic factors.

Mineral Resources are shown in Tables 2 to 4 below. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of any Mineral Reserves that may be derived from them.

Table 2: Open Pit Mineral Resource Statement for Kombat Mine as at 29 February 2024

Area	Mineral Resource Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Density (t/m3)	Grade			Content
				Cu (%)	Pb (%)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (t)	Pb (t)	Ag (kg)
Kombat East	Indicated	2.26	2.79	0.92	0.36	6.01	20 760	8 064	1 593
Kombat Central		0.87	2.78	1.07	0.13	9.32	9 294	1 167	148
Kombat West		0.01	2.98	1.95	4.69	17.43	268	645	10
Total Indicated		3.14	2.79	0.97	0.31	6.98	30 322	9 876	1 751
Gross Otavi	Inferred	0.54	2.85	0.74	2.27	1.15	3 943	12 186	615
Total Inferred		0.54	2.85	0.74	2.27	1.15	3 943	12 186	615h

Notes:

1. A Mineral Resource is not a Mineral Reserve, and there is no guarantee that all or part of the Mineral Resource will be converted to a Mineral Reserve
2. The Mineral Resources have been depleted with historical mining pit shells and underground voids
3. The Mineral Resources are reported within an optimised pit shell, based on the techno-economic factors disclosed above
4. The Kombat Mineral Resources are reported above a 0.53% Cu cut-off, and the Gross Otavi Mineral Resources above a 0.60% CuEq cut-off
5. Mineral Resources are reported as total Mineral Resources and not attributable to Trigon
6. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of any Mineral Reserves that may be derived from them
7. The Gross Otavi Mineral Resources include geological losses of 15%, depletion for unknown historical development of 1% and reduced by a porosity factor by 7.5%

Table 3: Underground Mineral Resource Statement for Kombat Mine at 29 February 2024

Area	Mineral Resource Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Density (t/m3)	Grade			Content
				Cu (%)	Pb (%)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (t)	Pb (t)	Ag (kg )
Kombat East	Indicated	0.36	2.81	1.44	1.23	9.23	5 219	4 443	3 346
Kombat Central		0.85	2.81	1.55	0.86	12.55	13 173	7 299	10 664
Kombat West		1.18	2.83	1.90	1.30	11.26	22 393	15 319	13 255
Asis West		7.53	2.82	2.38	0.80	18.02	179 213	60 603	135 707
Gap		0.50	2.79	1.89	0.16	9.90	9 529	822	4 990
Total Indicated		10.42	2.82	2.20	2.20	16.11	229 527	88 486	167 962
Kombat East	Inferred	0.00	2.83	1.45	1.79	13.64	0	0	0
Kombat Central		0.01	2.88	2.02	2.74	0.01	187	254	0
Kombat West		0.13	3.68	5.00	10.50	0.08	6 377	13 399	11
Asis West		0.12	2.82	2.49	0.71	13.74	2 946	846	1 628
Gap		0.01	2.79	1.64	0.17	32.79	229	24	458
Asis Far West		1.53	2.79	2.15	0.37	7.99	32 763	5 703	12 196
Total Inferred		1.80	2.84	2.37	1.13	7.96	42 503	20 226	14 293

Notes:

1. A Mineral Resource is not a Mineral Reserve, and there is no guarantee that all or part of the Mineral Resource will be converted to a Mineral Reserve
2. The Mineral Resources have been depleted with historical mining underground voids
3. The Mineral Resources are reported above a 1.2% CuEq cut-off
4. Mineral Resources are reported as total Mineral Resources and not attributable to Trigon
5. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of any Mineral Reserves that may be derived from them
6. No geological losses are applied

Table 4: Total Mineral Resource statement for Kombat Mine as at 29 February 2024

Source	Mineral Resource Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Density (t/m3)	Grade			Content
				Cu (%)	Pb (%)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (t)	Pb (t)	Ag (kg)
Open Pit	Indicated	3.14	2.79	0.97	0.31	6.98	30 322	9 876	1 751
Underground		10.42	2.82	2.20	2.20	16.11	229 527	88 486	167 962
Total Indicated		13.56	2.81	1.92	1.76	14.00	259 849	98 362	169 713
Open Pit	Inferred	0.54	2.85	0.74	2.27	1.15	3 943	12 186	615
Underground		1.80	2.84	2.37	1.13	7.96	42 503	20 226	14 293
Total Inferred		2.33	2.85	1.99	1.39	6.39	46 446	32 412	14 908

Notes:

1. A Mineral Resource is not a Mineral Reserve, and there is no guarantee that all or part of the Mineral Resource will be converted to a Mineral Reserve
2. The Mineral Resources have been depleted with historical mining underground voids
3. The underground Mineral Resources are reported above a 1.2% CuEq cut-off. The Kombat open Pit Mineral Resources (All indicated) are reported above a 0.53% Cu cut-off, and the Gross Otavi open Pit Mineral Resources (All Inferred) above a 0.60% CuEq cut-off
4. Mineral Resources are reported as total Mineral Resources and not attributable to Trigon
5. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of any Mineral Reserves that may be derived from them
6. No geological losses are applied at Kombat. The Gross Otavi Mineral Resources include geological losses of 15%, depletion for unknown historical development of 1% and reduced by a porosity factor by 7.5%

Mineral Reserves

The open pit Mineral Reserves as set out in Table 5 are limited to the Ore Capping open pits, which are situated in the Kombat East and Central areas. The LoM pit has been excluded due to interference with current underground infrastructure. The open pit Mineral Reserve is declared at the RoM stockpile as a reference point.

Table 5: Open Pit Mineral Reserve Statement for Kombat Mine as at 29 February 2024

Area	Mineral Reserve Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Grade		Content
			Cu (%)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (t)	Ag (kg)
Kombat East	Probable	0.75	0.93%	5.7	6 953	4 299
Total Probable		0.75	0.93%	5.7	6 953	4 299

Notes:

1. The Mineral Reserves have been depleted with historical mining pit shells and underground voids.
2. The Mineral Reserves are reported within pit designs and scheduled.
3. The Kombat Mineral Reserves are reported above a 0.56% Cu cut off.
4. Mineral Reserves are reported as total Mineral Reserves and not attributable to Trigon.
5. The Mineral Reserve statement excludes 13.0 kt at 0.83% Cu sitting in stockpile.

The Mineral Reserves for the underground mining schedule are set out in Table 6 below. The Mineral Reserves are reported at the point where the ore is fed into the processing plant.

Table 6: Kombat Asis West Underground Mineral Reserve as at 29 February 2024

Area	Mineral Reserve Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Grade		Content
			Cu	Ag	Cu	Ag
			(%)	(g/t)	(t)	(kg)
Asis West	Probable	1.64	3.16%	22.8	51 643	37 393
Total Probable		1.64	3.16%	22.8	51 643	37 393

Notes:

1. Applied a dilution factor 0.5 m envelope of ore below cut-off in the stopes.
2. Applied an overbreak of 5% in waste development.
3. Lashing or mucking loss of blasted material in the stopes at 2%.
4. Applied a cut-off of 1.5% Cu ore.
5. The Mineral Reserve estimates are declared at the shaft head.
6. Cu metallurgical recovery applied is 93%.
7. The declaration is according to CIM Standards.

The combined Mineral Reserves for the Kombat mine are set out in Table 7 below.

Table 7: Kombat Combined Mineral Reserve as at 29 February 2024

Area	Mineral Resource Category	Tonnes (Mt)	Grade		Content
			Cu	Ag	Cu	Ag
			(%)	(g/t)	(t)	(kg)
Asis West Underground	Probable	1.64	3.16%	22.8	51 643	37 393
Open pit	Probable	0.75	0.93%	5.7	6 953	4 299
Stockpile	Probable	0.01	0.83%	2.5	108	33
Total	Probable	2.40	2.40%	17.4	58 704	41 726

Open Pit Mining Notes:

1. The Mineral Reserves have been depleted with historical mining pit shells and underground voids.
2. The Mineral Reserves are reported within pit designs and scheduled.
3. The Kombat Mineral Reserves are reported above a 0.56% Cu cut-off.
4. Mineral Reserves are reported as total Mineral Reserves and not attributable to Trigon

Underground Notes:

1. Applied a dilution factor 0.5m envelope of ore below cut-off in the stopes.
2. Applied an overbreak of 5% in waste development.
3. Lashing or mucking loss of blasted material in the stopes at 2%.
4. Applied a cut-off of 1.5% Cu ore.
5. The Mineral Reserve estimates are declared at the point where the ore if fed into the plant.
6. Cu metallurgical recovery applied is 93%.
7. The declaration is according to CIM Standards.
8. Mineral Reserves are reported as total Mineral Reserves and not attributable to Trigon

Qualified Person

The technical information presented in this press release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by [Andrew McDonald CEng MIMMM FSAIMM, SRK Principal Engineer and Competent Valuator, Jaco van Graan, Pr Eng MSAIMM, SRK Associate Partner and Principal Mining Engineer, Mark Wanless Pr.Sci.Nat FGSSA MGASA, SRK Partner and Principal Geologist and Joseph Mainama PrEng MSAIMM, SRK Partner and Principal Mining Engineer] who are Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101.

Trigon Metals Inc.

Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently, the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine. In Morocco, the Company is the holder of the Silver Hill project, a highly prospective copper and silver exploration project.

The complete NI 43-101 technical report associated with the Feasibility Study and updated mineral resources and reserves estimates (the “Technical Report”) will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s issuer profile, as well as the Company’s website at www.trigonmetals.com within 45 calendar days.

Cautionary Notes

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the Kombat Mine, the mineralization of the Kombat Mine, the timing and results of economic studies including the Feasibility Study, the economic viability of the Kombat Mine, mineral resources and mineral reserves estimates, ability to realize on projected economic estimates, timing of receipts of permits and approvals, future exploration and development plans and results and the Company’s future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Non-IFRS measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this press release. The Company believes that these measures provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company’s projects. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304321945/en/

Jed Richardson

+1 647 276 6002

jed.richardson@trigonmetals.com

Website: www.trigonmetals.com

Source: Trigon Metals Inc.

FAQ

What are the ticker symbols for Trigon Metals Inc.?

The ticker symbols for Trigon Metals Inc. are TSX-V: TM and OTCQB: PNZTF.

Where is the Kombat Asis West underground mine located?

The Kombat Asis West underground mine is located in Namibia.

What are some key highlights of the feasibility study for the Kombat Mine?

The feasibility study highlights significant mineral reserves, strong financial metrics, defined project capital requirement, and a derisked operational and production profile.

What are some financial figures mentioned in the press release?

Financial figures mentioned include Project capex of USD 40.6m, NPV10% (pre tax) of USD 116.0m, IRR10% (pre tax) of 285%, NPV10% (after tax) of USD 77.8m, and IRR10% (after tax) of 235%.

What are the mineral resource categories for the Kombat Mine?

The mineral resource categories include Indicated and Inferred resources for both open pit and underground areas of the Kombat Mine.