TORONTO, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Alacer Gold Corp. ("Alacer" or the "Company") [TSX: ASR and ASX: AQG] announces updated Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates for the Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey as a result of the initial outcomes from the ongoing resource reconciliation project.
Highlights
These Mineral Resources and Reserves were estimated in conjunction with the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") evaluating the construction of a sulfide ore processing facility for the Çöpler Gold Mine. Alacer released a separate announcement today regarding this DFS.
Rod Antal, Alacer's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Çöpler's substantial Mineral Resources and Reserves form the foundation of this world-class mine. The oxide component of Çöpler's Probable Mineral Reserve now totals 1.12 million ounces with a 34% increase in the oxide reserve grade to 1.32g/t gold. This increased grade provides a valuable uplift to our current heap leach operation which is forecast to provide positive operating cash flows until at least 2019.
"The sulfide component of Çöpler's Probable Mineral Reserve has increased to 2.72 million ounces with a 14% increase in the sulfide reserve grade to 2.67g/t gold with less tonnes being mined. As a result of the higher grade, the initial production profile for the sulfide project has greatly improved.
"The new resource model utilizes the empirical data from the last four years of mining the Çöpler orebody and improved understanding of the geology. The results have provided a resource model that better reflects what we have actually mined to date and an improved estimate of the ore tonnes and grade from the Çöpler pits in the future. This reconciliation work is ongoing and further work is underway to meet the requirements to transfer a portion of Mineral Resources from Indicated into the Measured category.
"As detailed in the separate announcement today, the positive DFS outcomes have demonstrated the economic benefits flowing from these increased Mineral Resources and Reserves."
Resource Reconciliation Study
Work commenced on the Study in early 2014 to determine the factors contributing to the positive gold reconciliations for sulfide ore. As previously announced, sulfide ore stockpiled as at March 31, 2014 totaled 2.0 million tonnes at 4.89 g/t, containing 314,900 ounces of gold. This sulfide ore has demonstrated a 48% positive reconciliation on a contained ounce basis, comprising lower than expected tonnage and higher than expected gold grade as compared to the 2013 resource block models.
The scope of the Study included auditing the exploration database, revising the resource estimation methodology, reviewing the production database, developing an understanding of the supporting data quality, and completing a validation drilling program. AMEC was engaged as an external consultant to provide support for and an independent endorsement of the updated resource model.
Work completed to date has resulted in changing Çöpler's resource model to a more appropriate method for the Çöpler orebody. Probability Assigned Constrained Kriging ("PACK") was selected as the most relevant modeling method because it allows the model to be calibrated to historical mining results. Previously the Company utilized Ordinary Kriging which was smoothing the high-grade portions of the orebody.
The PACK model more closely tracks variability within the deposit. The PACK model restricts grade smearing which is common in Ordinary Kriging, thus providing better definition of high-grade zones and un-mineralized areas internal to the orebody. This approach better represents the previously mined grades and provides a more accurate prediction of material volumes.
While there is high confidence that the updated Mineral Resource estimates accurately represent the Çöpler deposit, there remains an opportunity to improve our understanding of the mineralization and thereby better representing the deposit in the resource model. Efforts are ongoing with the Study to further improve the reliability of data and impacts from geology. For this reason, Mineral Resources are reported herein as "Indicated". Additional work is being conducted to potentially reclassify some or all of the Indicated Mineral Resources to "Measured" and includes further review of ore control methods and finalizing the production database audit.
The Company will also assess the potential to further define high-grade mineralization with a close-spaced drilling program. If warranted, the drilling program will commence in the third quarter of this year.
Updated Mineral Resources and Reserves Estimates
Updated Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates are stated as at December 31, 2013 and take into account mining depletion to that date. Mineral Resources quoted in this announcement are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
The appendix to this announcement provides information on the data, assumptions and methodologies underlying these estimates. Further information will be provided in an updated NI 43-101 Çöpler Technical Report that will be filed on www.sedar.com and with the Australian Securities Exchange within 45 days of this announcement.
The updated Mineral Reserves referenced in this press release have been subjected to a Definitive Feasibility Study in which open pit designs and an optimized mine production schedule was developed. The DFS contemplates sulfide ore processing by pressure oxidation and metal recoveries using standard carbon-in-pulp for gold recovery and countercurrent decant precipitation for copper recovery. The current heap leach operations will continue in parallel to the pressure oxidation operation as long as leachable ore is available. The DFS finds that the recovery of metals is technically and financially feasible generating positive returns on plant and infrastructure investments. For further reference, see the announcement issued today titled "Alacer Gold Announces Positive Definitive Feasibility Study for Çöpler Gold Mine".
Tabulated below are the updated Çöpler Measured and Indicated Resources, which now total 152.9 million tonnes at 1.59 g/t gold, containing 7.8 million ounces.
Updated Mineral Resources for the Ҫӧpler Deposit (As of December 31, 2013) |
|||||||
Gold Cut-off |
Material |
Resource Category |
Tonnes |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Contained |
Variable |
Oxide |
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
69,512 |
1.08 |
2.78 |
0.15 |
2,420,600 |
||
Stockpile - Indicated |
18 |
3.19 |
- |
- |
1,800 |
||
Measured + Indicated |
69,530 |
1.08 |
2.78 |
0.15 |
2,422,400 |
||
Inferred |
28,893 |
0.97 |
4.58 |
0.11 |
904,100 |
||
1.0 |
Sulfide |
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
81,854 |
1.95 |
5.64 |
0.11 |
5,134,800 |
||
Stockpile - Indicated |
1,536 |
4.84 |
9.81 |
0.11 |
239,000 |
||
Measured + Indicated |
83,390 |
2.00 |
5.71 |
0.11 |
5,373,800 |
||
Inferred |
22,884 |
1.92 |
10.85 |
0.15 |
1,411,200 |
||
Variable |
Stockpiles |
Indicated |
1,554 |
4.82 |
- |
- |
240,800 |
Variable |
Total |
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
152,920 |
1.59 |
4.38 |
0.13 |
7,796,200 |
||
Measured + Indicated |
152,920 |
1.59 |
4.38 |
0.13 |
7,796,200 |
||
Inferred |
51,778 |
1.39 |
7.35 |
0.13 |
2,315,400 |
Note: Mineral Resources are quoted after mining depletion and are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are shown on a 100% basis, of which Alacer owns 80%. Mineral Resource methodology is summarised in the appendix to this announcement. Rounding differences will occur. |
Tabulated below are the updated Çöpler Probable Mineral Reserves which now total 57.9 million tonnes at 2.1 g/t gold, containing 3.8 million ounces.
Updated Mineral Reserves for the Ҫӧpler Deposit (As of December 31, 2013) |
||||||
Reserve Category Material |
Tonnes |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
Contained Au |
Recoverable Au |
Proven - Oxide In-Situ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Probable - Oxide In-Situ |
26,207 |
1.32 |
2.88 |
0.13 |
1,114,700 |
770,900 |
Probable - Oxide Stockpile |
18 |
3.19 |
- |
- |
1,800 |
1,200 |
Total – Oxide |
26,224 |
1.32 |
2.88 |
0.13 |
1,116,500 |
772,100 |
Proven - Sulfide In-Situ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Probable - Sulfide In-Situ |
30,139 |
2.56 |
6.88 |
0.12 |
2,482,500 |
2,330,200 |
Probable - Sulfide Stockpile |
1,536 |
4.84 |
9.81 |
0.11 |
239,000 |
225,100 |
Total – Sulfide |
31,675 |
2.67 |
7.02 |
0.12 |
2,721,500 |
2,555,300 |
Proven - Oxide + Sulfide + Stockpile |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Probable - Oxide + Sulfide |
57,899 |
2.06 |
5.14 |
0.12 |
3,838,000 |
3,327,400 |
Total - Oxide + Sulfide |
57,899 |
2.06 |
5.14 |
0.12 |
3,838,000 |
3,327,400 |
Note: Mineral Reserves are shown on a 100% basis, of which Alacer owns 80%. The Mineral Reserve methodology and cut-off grades are summarized in the appendix to this announcement. Rounding differences will occur. |
Comparison with Previous Estimates
The previous Mineral Reserve for Çöpler was published in Alacer's Annual Information Form for the Year Ended December 31, 2013, dated March 12, 2014. Alacer estimated those reserves by applying mining depletion to previously reported reserves based on the open-pit designs detailed in the technical report titled "Copler Sulfide Expansion Project Prefeasibility Study", dated March 27, 2011.
The table below compares the previous Mineral Resource with the current Mineral Resource.
Ҫӧpler - Mineral Resource Comparison (100% Basis) |
|||||||||||
Previous Resource |
New (updated) Resource |
Change |
|||||||||
Material Type |
Reserve Category Material |
Tonnes (x1000) |
Au (g/t) |
Contained Au Ounces |
Tonnes (x1000) |
Au (g/t) |
Contained Au Ounces |
Tonnes (%) |
Au (%) |
Contained Au Ounces (%) |
|
Oxide |
Measured |
14,306 |
1.59 |
731,300 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
|
Indicated |
34,429 |
0.84 |
930,800 |
69,512 |
1.08 |
2,420,600 |
102% |
29% |
160% |
||
Stockpile - Indicated |
18 |
3.19 |
1,800 |
18 |
3.19 |
1,800 |
0% |
0% |
0% |
||
Measured + Indicated |
48,753 |
1.06 |
1,663,900 |
69,530 |
1.08 |
2,422,400 |
43% |
2% |
46% |
||
Inferred |
24,053 |
0.57 |
443,100 |
28,893 |
0.97 |
904,100 |
20% |
70% |
104% |
||
Sulfide |
Measured |
66,865 |
1.61 |
3,450,900 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
|
Indicated |
38,920 |
1.46 |
1,826,100 |
81,854 |
1.95 |
5,134,800 |
110% |
34% |
181% |
||
Stockpile - Indicated |
1,536 |
4.84 |
239,000 |
1,536 |
4.84 |
239,000 |
0% |
0% |
0% |
||
Measured + Indicated |
107,321 |
1.60 |
5,515,100 |
83,390 |
2.00 |
5,373,800 |
-22% |
25% |
-3% |
||
Inferred |
15,848 |
1.24 |
630,200 |
22,884 |
1.92 |
1,411,200 |
44% |
55% |
124% |
||
Stockpiles |
Indicated |
1,554 |
4.80 |
239,900 |
1,554 |
4.82 |
240,800 |
0% |
0% |
0% |
|
Total |
Measured |
82,724 |
1.66 |
4,422,100 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
|
Indicated |
73,350 |
1.17 |
2,756,900 |
152,920 |
1.59 |
7,796,200 |
108% |
36% |
183% |
||
Measured + Indicated |
156,074 |
1.43 |
7,179,000 |
152,920 |
1.59 |
7,796,200 |
-2% |
11% |
9% |
||
Inferred |
39,901 |
0.84 |
1,073,400 |
51,778 |
1.39 |
2,315,400 |
30% |
66% |
116% |
||
Notes: Mineral Resources are quoted after mining depletion and are inclusive of reserves. Mineral Resources are shown on 100% basis of which Alacer owns 80%. The Mineral Resource methodology is summarised in the appendix to this announcement. Rounding errors will occur. |
Key changes to note between these Mineral Resource estimates are:
The table below compares the previous Mineral Reserve with the current Mineral Reserve.
Ҫӧpler – Mineral Reserve Comparison (100% Basis) |
|||||||||
Previous Reserve |
New (updated) Reserve |
Change |
|||||||
Reserve Category Material |
Tonnes |
Au (g/t) |
Contained Au |
Tonnes |
Au (g/t) |
Contained Au |
Tonnes (%) |
Au (%) |
Contained Au |
Proven – Oxide In-Situ |
28,155 |
0.97 |
876,400 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
Probable – Oxide In-Situ |
9,571 |
1.03 |
316,600 |
26,207 |
1.32 |
1,114,700 |
174% |
29% |
252% |
Probable – Oxide Stockpile |
18 |
3.19 |
1,800 |
18 |
3.19 |
1,800 |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Total – Oxide |
37,743 |
0.98 |
1,194,800 |
26,224 |
1.32 |
1,116,500 |
-31% |
34% |
-7% |
Proven – Sulfide In-Situ |
22,690 |
2.15 |
1,570,800 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
Probable – Sulfide In-Situ |
8,111 |
2.39 |
623,900 |
30,139 |
2.56 |
2,482,500 |
272% |
7% |
298% |
Probable – Sulfide Stockpile |
1,536 |
4.84 |
239,000 |
1,536 |
4.84 |
239,000 |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Total – Sulfide |
32,337 |
2.34 |
2,433,700 |
31,675 |
2.67 |
2,721,500 |
-2% |
14% |
12% |
Proven – Oxide + Sulfide + Stockpile |
52,399 |
1.60 |
2,688,000 |
- |
- |
- |
-100% |
-100% |
-100% |
Probable – Oxide + Sulfide |
17,682 |
1.65 |
940,500 |
57,899 |
2.06 |
3,838,000 |
227% |
25% |
308% |
Total – Oxide + Sulfide |
70,081 |
1.61 |
3,628,500 |
57,899 |
2.06 |
3,838,000 |
-17% |
28% |
6% |
Note: Mineral Reserves are shown on a 100% basis, of which Alacer Gold owns 80%. The Mineral Reserve methodology and cut-off grades are summarized in the appendix to this announcement. Rounding differences will occur. |
Key changes to note between these Mineral Reserve estimates are:
Çöpler Resource Continues to Increase
From commencement of gold production in late 2010 to the end of 2013, Çöpler has mined approximately 1.9 million ounces of contained gold. Further drilling and a better understanding of the Çöpler orebody has increased the estimated size of the Çöpler resource gold deposit since 2010, as summarized in the chart below.
To see the chart, please click here: http://files.newswire.ca/986/AlacerTable.pdf
Mineral Resources are quoted after mining depletion and are inclusive of reserves. Mineral Resources are shown on 100% basis of which Alacer owns 80%. The December 13 data is based on the updated resources.
Alacer continues to actively explore the Çöpler District, with drilling aimed at delineating supplementary oxide material for the Çöpler processing facility and potential stand-alone discoveries.
About Alacer
Alacer Gold Corp. is a leading intermediate gold mining company and its world-class operation is the 80% owned Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey. Alacer also has 11 active exploration projects in Turkey which are joint ventures with our Turkish partner Lidya Mining.
During 2013, Çöpler produced 216,850 attributable1 ounces at All-In Costs2 of $864 per ounce.
Çöpler is currently an open-pit, heap-leach operation that is producing gold from oxide ore. In June 2014 a Definitive Feasibility Study was completed on treatment of sulfide ore via pressure oxidation. The Company's Board of Directors approved proceeding to the next stage of sulfide development and commencing basic engineering, further optimization studies and obtaining necessary permits. First production from sulfide ore is expected at the end of 2017.
Qualified Persons
All Mineral Reserves and Resources referenced in this announcement are estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards and the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. While terms associated with various categories of "Mineral Reserve" or "Mineral Resource" are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they may not have equivalent meanings in other jurisdictions outside Canada and no comparison should be made or inferred. Actual recoveries of mineral products may differ from those estimated in the Mineral Reserves and Resources due to inherent uncertainties in acceptable estimating techniques. In particular, Inferred Resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, economic and legal feasibility. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves.
The resource model was constructed by Gordon Seibel, SME Registered Member, AMEC's Principal Geologist and Loren Ligocki, Alacer's Senior Resource Geologist, and a full time employee of Alacer. The updated Mineral Resource estimates were developed and reviewed by Dr. Harry Parker, SME Registered Member, Consulting Mining Geologist and Geostatistician for AMEC.
The information in this announcement which relates to the data audit and the updated Mineral Resource estimate is based on, and fairly represents, the information and supporting documentation prepared by Dr. Parker and Mr. Seibel. Dr. Parker and Mr. Seibel have sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which is being undertaken to qualify as Competent Persons as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" and are Qualified Persons pursuant to NI 43-101.
The Mineral Reserves disclosure in this announcement was estimated and approved by Mr. Stephen K. Statham, PE #0048263, Senior Project Mining Engineer, who is a full-time employee of Alacer. Mineral Reserve estimates have been reviewed by Mr. Bret Swanson of SRK Consulting.
The information in this announcement which relates to Mineral Reserves is based on, and fairly represents, the information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr. Swanson, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Swanson has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which is being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" and is a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101.
The scientific and technical information in this announcement is based on information compiled by Robert D. Benbow, PE, who is a full-time employee of Alacer. Mr. Benbow has sufficient experience with respect to the technical and scientific matters set forth above to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" and is a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101.
Messrs. Seibel, Parker, Swanson, Benbow, Ligocki and Statham consent to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.
Cautionary Statements
Except for statements of historical fact relating to Alacer, certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information, future oriented financial information, or financial outlooks (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may be contained in this document and other public filings of Alacer. Forward-looking information often relates to statements concerning Alacer's future outlook and anticipated events or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "projects", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking information includes statements concerning, among other things, preliminary cost reporting in this news release, production, cost and capital expenditure guidance; development plans for processing sulfide ore at Çöpler; amount of contained ounces in sulfide ore; results of any gold reconciliations; ability to discover additional oxide gold ore, the generation of free cash flow and payment of dividends; matters relating to proposed exploration, communications with local stakeholders and community relations; negotiations of joint ventures, negotiation and completion of transactions; commodity prices; mineral resources, mineral reserves, realization of mineral reserves, existence or realization of mineral resource estimates; the development approach, the timing and amount of future production, timing of studies, announcements and analysis, the timing of construction and development of proposed mines and process facilities; capital and operating expenditures; economic conditions; availability of sufficient financing; exploration plans and any and all other timing, exploration, development, operational, financial, budgetary, economic, legal, social, regulatory and political matters that may influence or be influenced by future events or conditions.
Such forward-looking information and statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited in any manner to, those disclosed in any other of Alacer's filings, and include the inherent speculative nature of exploration results; the ability to explore; communications with local stakeholders and community and governmental relations; status of negotiations of joint ventures; weather conditions at Alacer's operations; commodity prices; the ultimate determination of and realization of mineral reserves; existence or realization of mineral resources; the development approach; availability and final receipt of required approvals, titles, licenses and permits; sufficient working capital to develop and operate the mines and implement development plans; access to adequate services and supplies; foreign currency exchange rates; interest rates; access to capital markets and associated cost of funds; availability of a qualified work force; ability to negotiate, finalize and execute relevant agreements; lack of social opposition to the mines or facilities; lack of legal challenges with respect to the property of Alacer; the timing and amount of future production and ability to meet production, cost and capital expenditure targets; timing and ability to produce studies and analysis; capital and operating expenditures; economic conditions; availability of sufficient financing; the ultimate ability to mine, process and sell mineral products on economically favorable terms and any and all other timing, exploration, development, operational, financial, budgetary, economic, legal, social, regulatory and political factors that may influence future events or conditions. While we consider these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to us, they may prove to be incorrect.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. Forward-looking information and statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties disclosed in Alacer's filings at www.sedar.com and other unforeseen events or circumstances. Other than as required by law, Alacer does not intend, and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect, among other things, new information or future events.
Summary for the purposes of ASX Listing Rules 5.8 and 5.9
Mineral Resources
Geology and Geological Interpretation
Epithermal gold mineralization at Çöpler occurs within structurally-controlled zones sourced from a low-grade base metal porphyry-style mineralization related to an intrusive described as a diorite stock with dykes and sills. Mineralization tends to occur in proximity to (and on both sides of) the country rock/diorite contact.
Northeast to east-trending structures dominate the Çöpler project. The variable northeast trending Çöpler North and South faults are important structures crossing the entire property. Mineralization ranges from near-vertical features defined by the faults to low-angle sill features following lithologic contacts and low-angle structures.
The geologic model is considered robust with information available from over 1,800 drill holes within the Çöpler deposit at the time of the Mineral Resource update. The data used for the geologic model included a combination of core and RC drilling extended to model boundaries with the aid of surface mapping
Drilling Techniques
Drilling is a combination of vertically oriented holes prior to 2005 and north/south oriented drill holes from 2005 to present. Approximately 44% of the drilling was RC with 56% diamond drill core. There is a total of 282,317m of drilling.
Diamond drilling was carried out using NQ and HQ sized equipment with standard tube. Approximately 90% of the core at Çöpler is HQ size. For RC drilling, a face-sampling bit (121 mm) was used.
Sampling and Sub-sampling
Diamond drill core was sampled as half core at nominal 1m intervals to geological contacts.
RC chip samples were routinely collected in calico bags and chip box trays at 1m intervals. In areas expected to be waste samples are at times combined into 2m intervals. RC samples were collected at the rig using riffle splitters.
Sample Analysis Methods
All samples since 2005 were prepared and assayed at ALS laboratories in Turkey and Canada. All analyses for gold were undertaken via fire assay.
Estimation Methodology
Mineralized zones were developed using probabilistic modeling based on cut-offs used for classifying heap leach and pressure oxidation ("POX") material.
Probability Assigned Constrained Kriging ("PACK") was selected as the most relevant modeling method because it allows the model to be calibrated to historical mining results.
Mineral Resources are estimated (inclusive of Mineral Reserves) within a Whittle Pit shell generated using a gold price of $1,500/oz, metallurgical recoveries that vary from 0.255 g/t Au for oxide marble to 1 g/t for sulfide material. Processing cost assumptions vary from $9.13 to $34.41/t processed, depending on the ore type and process destination.
Resource Classification
As part of the Mineral Resource modeling process, a drill spacing study was completed to determine confidence levels for Measured and Indicated based on data availability. Results of this work were used to classify the reported Mineral Resources. Data quality was also considered in the resource classification process.
It was determined by the drill spacing study that a minimum drill hole spacing of 50m by 50m was required to support declaration of Indicated Resources and 80m by 80m spacing for Inferred Resources.
No blocks in the model were classified as Measured Resources, due to incomplete assessment of data integrity.
Cut-off Grade
There are multiple cut-off grades used for the two different proposed processing methods. Low-sulfur material (sulfur grade less than 2%) can be processed by the existing heap leach facility with higher gold grade material for high sulfur material (sulfur grades greater than or equal to 2%) proposed for POX treatment. Cut-offs vary by rock type and metallurgical area. The lowest cut-off used is 0.255 g/t Au for oxide marble and the highest cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au is for sulfide.
Mineral Reserves
Material Assumptions for Mineral Reserves
The Mineral Reserves were estimated as part the Çöpler Sulfide DFS completed in June 2014. All operating and capital costs as well as revenue streams were included in the DFS financial model. The DFS finds that the recovery of metals is technically and financially feasible generating positive returns on plant and infrastructure investments.
Mineral Reserve Classification
Mineral Reserves are estimated on the basis of detailed design and scheduling of the Ҫӧpler open pits. The pit boundaries are defined by optimized Whittle pit shells for separate oxide pit and sulfide pits. The oxide pit shell is estimated with a gold price of $1,100/oz, mining cost of $1.80/tonne mined, and processing costs averaging $9.79/tonne. The sulfide pit shell is estimated with an Au price of $800/oz and processing cost of $34.41/tonne ore.
Mineral Reserves were classified using an industry leading practice that Indicated Mineral Resources should be known within +/- 15 percent with 90 percent confidence on an annual basis and Measured Resources should be known within +/- 15 percent with 90 percent confidence on a quarterly basis.
All of the Mineral Reserves that are in-situ are currently derived from Indicated Resources. All Inferred material is considered as waste.
Mining Method
Current open-pit mining at Çöpler is a conventional truck and shovel operation, which is the chosen method of extraction for all of Çöpler's Mineral Reserves.
Ore Processing
Oxide ore is processed via heap leaching and sulfide ore is planned to be processed through whole-ore pressure oxidation in autoclaves.
Cut-off Grade
For Mineral Reserves, estimation cut-off grades for oxide ore are calculated based on positive cash flow generation. A calculated gold internal cut-off grade was applied to the low sulfur Mineral Reserves using the equation: Xc = Po / (r * (V-R)) where Xc = Cut-off Grade (g/t), Po = Processing Cost of Ore (USD/tonne of ore), r = Recovery, V = Gold Sell Price (USD/gram), R = Refining Costs (USD/gram).
The cut-off grade for sulfide ore is set at 1.5 g/t gold.
Estimation Methodology
The estimation methodology is described in the Mineral Resources section above.
Mineral Reserves are not diluted, nor is any mining dilution expected beyond that already implied by the Mineral Resource model block size (10m x 10m x 5m). Full mine recovery is assumed.
Material Modifying Factors
Gold and silver will be produced in the form of doré and sent to refiners for separation. The market for gold and silver is robust. A high-grade copper precipitate will be produced for sale. A marketing study completed for the DFS finds the copper market to be robust and, due to the high copper content of the precipitate, the precipitate will be highly saleable to copper smelters and brokers.
Infrastructure currently serving the mine is deemed sufficient for the expanded operation contemplated in the DFS.
The Company operates under mining licenses issued by the Turkish Government. All necessary licenses are maintained in good standing. The expansion project is subject to an Environmental Impact Analysis approval by the Turkish regulators. The EIA application was submitted in April 2014 and approval is expected by year end.
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1 |
Alacer has an 80% controlling interest at Çöpler |
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2 |
All-in Costs is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information and detailed reconciliation, see the "Non-IFRS Measures"section of the MD&A for the quarter ended March 3, 2014. |
Appendix – JORC Code Table 1
The following tables are provided to ensure compliance with The JORC Code (2012) edition requirements for the reporting of exploration results.
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)
Criteria |
JORC Code explanation |
Commentary |
Sampling techniques |
Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. |
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Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. |
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Aspects of the determination of mineralization that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralization types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. |
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Drilling techniques |
Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). |
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Drill sample recovery |
Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. |
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Measures taken to maximize sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. |
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Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. |
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Logging |
Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. |
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Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. |
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The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. |
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Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation |
If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. |
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If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. |
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For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. |
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Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. |
For RC drilling, sample quality was maintained by monitoring sample volume and by cleaning the splitters on a regular basis. |
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Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. |
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Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. |
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Quality of assay data and laboratory tests |
The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. |
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For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. |
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Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. |
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Verification of sampling and assaying |
The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. |
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The use of twinned holes. |
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Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. |
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Discuss any adjustment to assay data. |
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Location of data points |
Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. |
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Specification of the grid system used. |
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Quality and adequacy of topographic control. |
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Data spacing and distribution |
Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. |
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Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. |
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Whether sample compositing has been applied. |
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Orientation of data in relation to geological structure |
Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. |
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If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. |
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Sample security |
The measures taken to ensure sample security. |
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Audits or reviews |
The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. |
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Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
Criteria |
JORC Code explanation |
Commentary |
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Mineral tenement and land tenure status |
Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. |
The Çöpler mineralization is located within mining license ir 257 held by Anagold. The license was granted in November 1986 for a term of 40 years and is renewable for an additional 20 years. The license area is 942 ha. Anagold is jointly owned by Kartaltepe Madencilik (a subsidiary of Alacer Gold) and Lidya Madencilik Joint Venture. Alacer holds an 80% interest and Lidya 20% in Anagold. |
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The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. |
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Exploration done by other parties |
Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. |
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Geology |
Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralization. |
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Drill hole Information |
A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:
If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. |
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Data aggregation methods |
In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. |
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Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. |
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The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. |
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Relationship between mineralization widths and intercept lengths |
These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralization with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). |
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Diagrams |
Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. |
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Balanced reporting |
Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. |
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Other substantive exploration data |
Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. |
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Further work |
The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. |
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Section 3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources
Database integrity |
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Site visits |
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Geological interpretation |
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Dimensions |
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Estimation and modelling techniques |
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Moisture |
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Cut-off parameters |
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Mining factors or assumptions |
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Metallurgical factors or assumptions |
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Environmental factors or assumptions |
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Bulk density |
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Classification |
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Audits or reviews |
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Discussion of relative accuracy/ confidence |
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Section 4 Estimation and Reporting of Ore Reserves
Mineral Resource estimate for conversion to Ore Reserves |
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Site visits |
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Study status |
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Cut-off parameters |
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Mining factors or assumptions |
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Metallurgical factors or assumptions |
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Environmental |
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Infrastructure |
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Costs |
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Revenue factors |
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Market assessment |
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Economic |
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Social |
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Other |
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Classification |
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Audits or reviews |
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Discussion of relative accuracy/ confidence |
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PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/06/16/20140616_C2803_PDF_EN_3666.pdf
SOURCE: Alacer Gold Corp.
For further information on Alacer Gold Corp., please contact: Lisa Maestas, Director of Investor Relations, North America at 1-303-292-1299;Roger Howe, Director of Investor Relations, Australia at 61-2-9953-2470
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