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IGO LIMITED — Capital/Financing Update 2020
Sep 16, 2020
65111_rns_2020-09-16_b378c765-2af9-421a-9204-9e20b9e41dab.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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----- Start of picture text ----- ASX RELEASE17 September 2020----- End of picture text -----
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION DECLARED AT BOSTON SHAKER UNDERGROUND
IGO Limited (ASX:IGO) (IGO or the Company), in conjunction with its joint venture partner, AngloGold Ashanti Australia (AGAA), is pleased to announce that commercial production has been declared[1] at the Boston Shaker Underground Mine, the first underground mine at the Tropicana Operation (Tropicana).
The development and commissioning of the Boston Shaker Underground Mine has been completed on time, below budget and importantly, with no recordable safety incidents. The first production stope was fired in June 2020, and the underground mining has now reached an annualised rate of 0.7 Mtpa. Ramp up to reach the design production rate of 1.1 Mtpa is expected to be achieved by March 2021. Commercial production was delivered in line with projections and below the A$105 million capital cost estimated by the February 2019 feasibility study.
The Boston Shaker Underground Mine is designed to mine approximately 1.1 Mtpa of ore per annum at an estimated grade of 3.5 g/t Au and is expected to contribute approximately 100,000 ounces of gold production per annum once fully ramped up.
Based on current understanding, the Boston Shaker Underground Mine life is estimated to be seven years, although significant opportunity remains to increase this at depth. The mineralised down plunge depth extensions are planned for drill testing in FY21 once underground drill platforms are established.
IGO’s Managing Director and CEO, Peter Bradford, commented, “Completion of the Boston Shaker Underground Mine is an exciting milestone for both IGO and AngloGold Ashanti, and we congratulate the AngloGold Ashanti and Macmahon teams on their successful and safe delivery of the first underground operation at Tropicana.
“Unlocking value at Tropicana has remained a key focus for the joint venture throughout Tropicana’s long and successful history. We are confident that the success achieved at Boston Shaker will serve as a template for the potential development of additional underground mines at Tropicana over the coming years.”
Further Underground Opportunities
In addition to the potential for resource extensions at depth at Boston Shaker, known extensions of mineralisation beneath both the Tropicana and Havana open pits offer further underground potential. An outline on these works streams is as follows:
Tropicana Underground
Development of an underground drill drive from the Boston Shaker Decline is well advanced with a total of 240 metres completed to date. The drill drive is designed to also provide production access should drilling and studies prove successful and a decision to mine is made. Underground diamond drilling is scheduled for the December 2020 quarter with a decision to mine expected during 2021.
1 Declaration of commercial production is based on management’s assessment that the underground mine is capable of operating as intended. This includes a demonstration of three months of uninterrupted stoping activities, ongoing planned ramp up of ore mining, and supporting infrastructure being largely complete and functional. Suite 4, Level 5 PO Box 496 T. +61 8 9238 8300 igo.com.au
Suite 4, Level 5 PO Box 496 85 South Perth Esplanade South Perth WA 6951 South Perth WA 6151 Western Australia
T. +61 8 9238 8300 igo.com.au F. +61 8 9238 8399 IGO Limited E. [email protected] ABN 46 092 786 304
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ASX RELEASE
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Havana Underground and Havana Stage 3 Optimisation
Final trade-off studies are currently being completed on the Havana Stage 3 Open Pit cut-back and Havana Underground to determine the optimal open pit – underground interface. A final decision on the optimal way forward for Havana Stage 3 is expected to be made during 2021.
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Figure 1: Schematic long-section of Tropicana showing potential underground opportunities
Name of Director or Secretary authorising lodgement: Peter Bradford Managing Director & CEO
INVESTOR AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Richard Glass Investor Relations and Communications Manager T: +61 8 9238 8300 E: [email protected]
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