ST. PETER PORT, GUERNSEY--(Marketwired - Oct. 5, 2015) - Avnel Gold Mining Limited ("Avnel" or the "Company") (TSX:AVK) is announcing an updated Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE") for the Kalana Main Project in south-western Mali. The Company is also announcing that the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") and approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2016.
Highlights:
Measured plus Indicated ("M+I") Mineral Resource of 2.81 million ounces at a diluted grade of 2.85 g/t Au for the Kalana Main deposit at a gold price of $1,100 per ounce
46% of the M+I Mineral Resource classified as Measured
DFS scheduled for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2016
ESIA approval expected by the end of the first quarter of 2016
Kalana Main Diluted Mineral Resource Estimate Above a 0.9 g/t Au Cut-off Grade(1), (2)
Mineral Resource
Classification Tonnes
(Mt) Grade
(g/t Au) Contained Gold
(Moz)
Measured 13.6 2.92 1.28
Indicated 17.0 2.80 1.53
Measured + Indicated 30.6 2.85 2.81
Inferred 1.3 2.93 0.12
(1) - Mineral Resources are disclosed on a total project basis at 100%. Avnel owns an 80% equity interest in SOMIKA, the Malian company that owns the Kalana Exploitation Permit.
(2) - Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
"I am delighted to report that the M+I Mineral Resource for the Kalana Main deposit has increased to 2.81 million ounces at a diluted grade of 2.85 grams per tonne. With this new resource, the Kalana Main Project stands out as one of West Africa's highest grade, multi-million-ounce, open-pit development projects with significant exploration upside," stated Howard Miller, Avnel's Chairman and CEO.
"The increase to the Mineral Resource is a direct result of the drill program that we completed last quarter. In addition to demonstrating the continuity of mineralisation and improving confidence in the geological model, this drilling has upgraded a significant portion of the Inferred Mineral Resource and added to the Mineral Resource by defining new zones of mineralisation and extensions to known vein packages. This drilling also defined thick corridors of lower grade mineralisation that are being reassessed as part of the DFS to determine if they are amenable to a lower cost bulk mining approach.
"The DFS remains on track for completion by the end of first quarter of 2016 and we continue to expect for the updated Mineral Resource to positively impact several key performance indicators. For example, it is worth noting that within the M+I Mineral Resource that approximately 730,000 ounces are contained within the favourable saprolite and saprock horizons at an average diluted grade of 3.05 grams per tonne. This is expected to generate high gold production at lower mining and processing costs in the initial years of the DFS's mine plan.
"In parallel with the DFS, we are preparing a new ESIA that will satisfy the requirements of the Equator Principles with the intention of pursuing international financing. The public participation process for the ESIA is nearing completion and we plan to submit the draft ESIA for review by the Malian authorities in December. Following the review period, we will submit the final ESIA for approval in early 2016, which we anticipate receiving by the end of the first quarter of 2016. The Kalana Exploitation Permit was awarded to Avnel in 2003 and pursuant to our Foundation Agreement with the Government of Mali, the only significant approval required to develop new mines is an ESIA."