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KINGSTON RESOURCES LIMITED — Capital/Financing Update 2021
Nov 17, 2021
65206_rns_2021-11-17_a20494d1-51da-4c34-977a-38b34429a45e.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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ASX/Media Announcement 18 November 2021
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Mineral Hill Mine Resource and Reserve Statement
Key Points:
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Total Mineral Hill Mine Mineral Resource
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5.9Mt @ 1.20g/t Au, 23g/t Ag, 0.7% Cu, 1.0% Pb & 0.6% Zn[1,2]
- 229Koz Au, 4,461Koz Ag, 43Kt Cu, 60Kt Pb, 35Kt Zn
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Total Mineral Hill Mine Ore Reserve
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2.1Mt @ 1.40g/t Au, 5g/t Ag[ 1,2]
- 71Koz Au and 346Koz Ag
Kingston Resources Limited (ASX: KSN) (Kingston or the Company) is pleased to report a Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve statement for the Mineral Hill Mine, Condobolin NSW. These estimates have been prepared by the previous owners of Mineral Hill, Quintana Minerals Corporation and KBL Limited. All the Resource and Reserve estimates have been previously released to the public except for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimate for the Mineral Hill Tailings Reprocessing Project. This announcement contains the initial release for the Mineral Hill Tailings Reprocessing Project.
Kingston’s acquisition of the Mineral Hill Mine is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions of the Transaction and is expected to complete by mid to late January 2022. Kingston expects to release an updated Resource and Reserves estimate as part of its annual Group Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statement. Application of Kingston’s internal estimation methodology to the deposits at Mineral Hill may result in changes to the Mineral Resource. Application of Kingston’s estimation methodology to the deposits at Mineral Hill may potentially result in a downgrade in the classification of the Mineral Resource and/or Reserve compared to existing estimates.
Cautionary statement: Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates for Parkers Hill and Pearse are JORC 2004 estimates and as such are not reported in accordance with the JORC 2012 code. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify these estimates as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC 2012 Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC code. Nothing has come to the attention of Kingston that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of the former owner’s estimates; but Kingston has not independently validated the former owner’s estimates and therefore is not to be regarded as reporting, adopting or endorsing those estimates.
201/110 Pacific Hwy, @KSNResources North Sydney, NSW 2060 +61 2 8021 7492 [email protected] www.kingstonresources.com.au
ASX: KSN Shares on Issue: 286M Market Cap: A$68M Cash: A$7.5M (31 Sept 2021)
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Mineral Resources for Mineral Hill Mine have been compiled for five separate ore bodies within the Mine Lease area. Ore Reserves have been compiled for three deposits at TSF, Pearse and Pearse North.
Mineral Hill Resources have been estimated as:
- 5.9Mt @ 1.20g/t Au, 23.5g/t Ag, 0.7% Cu, 1.0% Pb & 0.6% Zn for 229Koz Au, 4,461Koz Ag, 43Kt Cu, 60Kt Pb, 35Kt Zn (Table 1).
Mineral Hill Mine Ore Reserves for TSF, Pearse and Pearse North have been estimated as:
- 2.1Mt @ 1.40g/t Au, 5g/t Ag for 71Koz Au and 346Koz Ag (Table 2).
Existing Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves provide a solid foundation for Kingston to unlock the potential of the Mineral Hill asset, with minimal capital required to access several production-ready open pit and underground deposits.
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for Pearse, Parkers Hill and the Southern Ore Zone have been adjusted for mining depletion using the production wireframes created by the site survey department at the time of mining[1] .
The Southern Ore Zone (SOZ) and Tailings Storage Facility (TSF; Tails Reprocessing Project) Estimates have been prepared in accordance with JORC Code 2012 and are current. Parkers Hill and Pearse Mineral Resource Estimates that have been prepared by a Competent Person in accordance with the JORC Code 2004 and have not been updated to comply with the JORC Code 2012 on the basis that the information has not materially changed since it was last reported.
Table 1: Consolidated Mineral Resources for Mineral Hill Mine1,2,3,4
| Total | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Tonnes Mt |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Pb (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (Koz) |
Ag (Moz) |
Cu (Kt) |
Pb (Kt) |
Zn (Kt) |
| TSF | 1.86 | 1.13 | 67 | ||||||||
| Pearse | 0.14 | 4.82 | 149 | 22 | 0.68 | ||||||
| Pearse North | 0.30 | 2.70 | 26 | 26 | 0.25 | ||||||
| SOZ | 1.78 | 1.79 | 18 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 102 | 1.02 | 20 | 22 | 18 |
| Parkers Hill | 1.84 | 0.19 | 43 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 11 | 2.52 | 22 | 38 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 5.91 | 1.20 | 23 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 229 | 4.46 | 43 | 60 | 35 |
Table 2: Ore Reserves for Mineral Hill Mine1,2,3,4
| Proved | Probable | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) |
Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) |
Tonnes (Mt) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (Koz) Ag (Koz) |
|
| TSF | 1.81 1.13 |
1.81 1.13 43 |
|
| Pearse | 0.08 5.12 85 |
0.08 5.12 85 14 227 |
|
| Pearse North | 0.06 2.30 17 |
0.12 2.60 22 |
0.18 2.50 21 15 119 |
| TOTAL | 0.06 2.30 17 |
2.02 1.38 5 |
2.07 1.41 5 71 346 |
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Table 3: Measured Component of Mineral Hill Mine Mineral Resources
| Measured4 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes | Au | Ag | Cu | Pb | Zn | |
| (Mt) | (g/t) | (g/t) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |
| **TSF ** | ||||||
| Pearse | 0.14 | 4.82 | 149 | |||
| **Pearse North ** | 0.07 | 2.40 | 19 | |||
| **SOZ ** | 0.49 | 2.03 | 12 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Parkers Hill | ||||||
| TOTAL | 0.70 | 2.63 | 40 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
Table 4: Indicated Component of Mineral Hill Mine Mineral Resources
| Indicated4 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes | Au | Ag | Cu | Pb | Zn | |
| (Mt) | (g/t) | (g/t) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |
| TSF | 1.86 | 1.13 | ||||
| Pearse | ||||||
| Pearse North | 0.21 | 2.90 | 30 | |||
| SOZ | 0.69 | 1.63 | 22 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Parkers Hill | 1.79 | 0.19 | 42 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| TOTAL | 4.54 | 0.92 | 21 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
Table 5: Inferred Component of Mineral Hill Mine Mineral Resources
| Inferred4 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes (Mt) | Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Pb (%) |
Zn (%) |
|
| TSF | ||||||
| Pearse | ||||||
| Pearse North | 0.03 | 2.00 | 16 | |||
| SOZ | 0.60 | 1.79 | 18 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Parkers Hill | 0.05 | 0.20 | 48 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.4 |
| TOTAL | **0.67 ** | 1.68 | 20 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
1- The Ore Reserve and Mineral Resources estimates were prepared by a Competent person in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. The Parkers Hill and Pearse Mineral Resource Estimates that have been prepared by a Competent Person in accordance with the JORC Code 2004 and have not been updated to comply with the JORC Code 2012 on the basis that the information has not materially changed since it was last reported. Pearse, Parkers Hill and the Southern Ore Zone Mineral Resource estimates and Ore Reserves have been adjusted by mining depletion using the production wireframes created by the site survey department at the time of mining. These wireframes represent the mining activities at these deposits to the best of Kingston’s knowledge although they are not to be viewed as complete or accurate in their entirety and therefore mining depletion may be revised when Kingston is able to produce revised determinations on more complete data and verification thereof.
-
2- Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves
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3- See Competent Person details and year of original release on page 12
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4- Rounding to significant figures may cause minor computational discrepancies
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JORC 2012 Resource and Reserves
Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit
The Mineral Resource for the Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit (TSF) is estimated as:
- 1.9Mt @ 1.13g/t Au for 67Koz Au.
The TSF Ore Reserve is estimated as:
- 1.8Mt @ 1.13g/t Au for 43Koz Au.
The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation for the Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit was completed by Groundworks Plus and Burnt Shirt Pty Ltd on work programs organised by Atom Minerals in January 2020 and have been prepared in accordance with JORC-2012.
Competent Persons for Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are presented in Table 10 and Table 11.
Geology and Geological Interpretation
Mineralisation at Mineral Hill is hosted within the Silurian Mineral Hill Volcanics near its contact with the overlying Talingaboolba formation. The sequence was folded resulting in a south-east plunging anticline, with the north-eastern limb having been displaced around 100m vertically by the Parkers Hill Fault. Multiple phases of mineralisation are present and it is suggested that the gold-dominant mineralisation preceded the base metal-dominant mineralisation. The gold-dominant mineralisation consists of pyrite-gold-native bismuth ± arsenopyrite within quartz veins or breccia. The base metals-dominant mineralisation consists of sulphides, the composition of which varies in a vertical zonation as follows:
-
Lower levels: gold-chalcopyrite-bismuthinite-bornite
-
Mid levels: sphalerite-galena-tetrahedrite/tennantite/freibergite
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High levels: gold-silver-electrum-arsenopyrite-stibnite
Secondary copper oxides and carbonates, lead carbonates and sulphates and a variety of silver halides occur in the oxidised zones of the mineralised system.
Mineralised material in the tailings storage facilities consists of clay to fine sand sized particles deposited in sub horizontal layers from numerous outflow sites located around the perimeter of the facilities. The particles contain remnant gold and copper that were not separated from the gangue during the beneficiation process. TSF1 is a raised “turkey’s nest” type dam, measuring approximately 300m by 250m and an average of 15m depth. The dam walls were raised over time using the upstream method of construction. TSF2 is immediately adjacent to TSF1 and is also a “turkey’s nest” design, with a compartment, or cell, partitioned from the main body of tailings with an earthen wall. TSF2 cell measures approximately 200m by 120m and an average of 2m in depth.
Drilling Techniques
The tailings contained within TSF1 have been investigated by drilling programs in 2008 (CBH Resources) and 2019 (Atom Minerals). Overall, 54 holes were used in this Resource estimate study of TSF1, totalling 855 m of drilling, of which 24% was completed using push tube methods, and 76% by air core methods. The 2019 drilling was completed using a 6 x 6 Landcruiser mounted air core rig (ex-Wallis Drilling) with auxiliary compressor, drilling approximately 80mm diameter holes. The high-grade compartment of TSF2 was drilled in 2019 using a petrol powered 90mm auger. Push tube methods were utilised in the 2008 drilling program however the specifications of the rig and hole sizes are not available.
Drill and Data Spacing
Drilling density is on a notional 50 m x 50 m grid, with closer spaced drilling in the north-eastern corner (25 m x 25 m) (Table 6) and numerous pairs of drill holes at around 10m separation (Figure 1). Down hole sampling intervals are approximately 1m. Maximum thickness of tailings encountered in the drilling was 17m in TSF1 and 1.75m in TSF2.
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Table 6: Drilling Statistics for Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit
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Figure 1: Location of Tailings Deposit and Drill Collars
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Sampling and Sub Sampling Techniques
During the 2008 push tube drilling program, samples were split laterally with one half composited to generally 1m intervals. The remaining half of the sample was retained on site. During the 2019 aircore drilling program (TSF1), samples were collected from the cyclone underflow at 1m intervals. The internal surface of the cyclone was washed with clean water after wet intervals were encountered to reduce the likelihood of contamination. The 1m samples were reduced through a riffle splitter to obtain an approximate 2-3kg sample for assay. Wet samples were dried in calico bags prior to splitting.
During the 2019 auger drilling program (TSF2), sample was collected at the collar and the entire hole length was treated as one composite. Sample weights were recorded after the samples had been dried and processed through the riffle splitter. While the results don’t provide an absolute recovery percentage, they indicate that recoveries improved with depth down the hole, and trend towards better recoveries in successive holes. There also appears to be no relationship between recovery and Au grade.
Sample Analysis Method
Samples from the 2008 drilling program were sent to ALS-Chemex Laboratory in Orange and assayed by Fire Assay (AAS finish) for Au and acid digest (ICP-MS finish) for Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag. Samples from the 2019 drilling program were also sent to the ALS Laboratory in Orange and assayed for a suite of elements by method ME-ICP41 (aqua regia digestion, ICP-AES finish) and for Au by method AA26 (50g fire assay, AAS finish).
The sample preparation process normally includes:
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Sorting and checking.
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Weighing.
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Drying at 100ºC as necessary.
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Splitting to obtain a 1 kg sample.
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Pulverizing with LM2 with testing of 1 in 40 samples screened to ensure 90% passing 75 μm.
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Subsampling by scoops for four subsamples, weighing either 200 g or 50 g each for different assaying purposes.
A total of 32 samples from TSF1 and 6 samples from TSF2 were submitted for specific gravity determination by air pycnometer methods. Samples were chosen to represent an even distribution of tailings both laterally and vertically
Estimation Methodology
Resource grade estimation for Au in TSF1 was undertaken using Ordinary Kriging (OK) as the estimation methodology. The limited sample coverage in TSF2 supported grade estimation using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) methodology.
Cut-Off Grades
An economic cut-off grade of 0.47 g/t Au was calculated based on a gold price of AU$2,000 per ounce and expected recoveries and mining and processing costs. It is noted that no blocks in the high-grade domain of TSF1 and no blocks in the high grade cell of TSF2 fall below the Resource cut-off grade of 0.47 g/t Au.
Resource Classification
The key parameters considered during the resource categorisation are as follows:
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Geological knowledge and interpretation.
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Deposit style.
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Confidence in the sampling and assay data.
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The spacing of the exploration drill holes.
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Variogram model ranges in relation to the local data spacing and the estimation variance.
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Prospects for eventual economic extraction.
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The tailings deposited in TSF1 and the high-grade cell of TSF2 have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction for the following reasons:
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Proximity to an existing CIL processing plant.
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Both deposits are immediately adjacent to a partially filled tailings storage facility (main area of TSF2) reducing up front capital costs.
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Metallurgical test work indicates good recoveries for the high-grade domains.
Based on the consideration of items listed above, and review of the Resource block model estimate quality, the entire volume of tailings within TSF1 high grade domains, and tailings within TSF2 high grade cell are classified as Indicated.
Low grade domains of TSF1 were not assigned a Resource category because of lower recoveries and more expensive processing costs associated with higher reagent consumption of the upper low-grade domain.
Table 7: Mineral Hill Tailings Mineral Resource Estimate 1
| Domain | Indicated Resources | Indicated Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Tonnes(Mt) | Au(g/t) | |
| TSF1 High Grade Domain |
1.80 | 1.05 |
| TSF2 | 0.06 | 3.47 |
| Total | 1.81 | 1.13 |
- 1- Rounding to significant figures may cause minor computational discrepancies
Reserve Summary
The Ore Reserve for the Mineral Hill Tailings Project was completed by Burnt Shirt Pty Ltd on work programs organised by Atom Minerals in January 2020. Atom commissioned sufficient Mineral Resources, engineering, process engineering and metallurgical studies to satisfy the requirements of the JORC 2012 code. The Ore Reserve is based on a Mineral Resource estimate and a Feasibility Study.
Mining
The TSF project comprises a 1.8 Mt Ore Reserve which is likely to reprocessed at 100 t/hr (0.79 Mt/a); over a mine life of approximately three years.
The criteria for selection of mining technique were:
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Safety of personnel and assets.
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Consistent provision of slurry to the processing plant.
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Availability and usage of water on site.
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Maintenance of a constant slurry delivery rate (design of 100 t/hr of solids = 156 m³/hr).
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Maintenance of a consistent pulp density (target 45% solids).
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Capex, opex and cash flow considerations.
The Tailings project exploits an existing tailings dam and the chosen mining techniques are considered appropriate to the type of deposit. The tailings dam parameters have been selected based on studies completed by GHD, of Perth, that meet all relevant Australian standards. Pit and stope optimisation is not considered necessary as the project is tailings reprocessing and no stoping or hard rock mining is to take place.
Data acquired from the Resource drilling campaign indicated variable rheology and moisture content within TSF1. This led to the classification of two mining zones which will require different mining approaches. The Wet Zone, located in the centre of TSF1 surrounding the original decant pond, and the Dry Zone extending outward from the Wet Zone centre to the TSF containment walls.
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Atom proposed to refurbish and use an existing HY-85-160 model Dragflow pump mounted on an excavator, assisted by a bulldozer to reclaim the tailings, and pump the resultant slurry for retreatment in the existing modified CIL plant. The Dragflow pump is rated to pump up to 300 m³/hr with a total dynamic head of 150 m.
Ore Loss & Dilution
Ore loss and dilution are considered to occur at the interfaces between ore and overburden, ore and waste, and ore and TSF walls. The mining strategy is to remove the overburden layer by over-digging by 0.2 m, resulting in a volume of 15,709 m3 of ore loss. Dilution at the horizontal interface between ore and waste at the base of Lift 1 has been assumed as 5% based on the geometry of the tailings and the proposed excavation techniques.
Processing and Metallurgical Recovery
The tailings slurry is to be retreated in a conventional, existing CIL plant, with minor modifications to the feed and thickeners. The existing CIL circuit, completed in 2016, has a nominal capacity of 0.4 Mtpa and includes CIL tanks, reagent systems, residue detoxification, elution, gold room, carbon handling and regeneration equipment. The mine site includes all infrastructure necessary to support a 0.3 Mtpa mining operation including tails dams, workshops and offices.
Mincore assessed the existing CIL plant and developed an operational readiness plan covering process design, capital equipment requirements and estimated operating costs.
JT Metallurgical Services (JTMS) examined two batches of samples from Mineral Hill gold to understand the metallurgical attributes of the different domains and identify an optimal flowsheet based on the existing plant. Testwork identified gold grade, recovery, and cyanide soluble copper variability across TSF1 and TSF2. A single Master Composite sample representing future mill feed was prepared from metallurgical subsamples and all testwork was conducted in site water considered representative of future mill feed. JTMS estimates an average gold recovery of 64.5%, based on a 16-hour leach/adsorption residence time. Variability leach tests indicate periods of higher and lower recovery across life-of mine.
Processed Tailings Storage & Geotechnical Consideration
Sufficient processing stream water is available from existing storages in abandoned pits and shafts, and dams in the vicinity of the Mineral Hill plant. Atom engaged GHD, of Perth, to develop a feasibility study and supporting designs to enable safe mining of tailings; deconstruction of TSF1 embankment and alteration and raising of TSF2 embankment walls for future tails storage. The project is a tailings reprocessing project and dam stability a primary consideration. The new TSF is to be constructed by lifting redundant cells on the existing TSF2 with GHD engineering design criteria based on:
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Currently accepted practice for dam engineering in Australia.
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Australian National Committee on Large Dams Guidelines.
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New South Wales Dam Safety Committee guidelines and requirements.
Tenure & Permits
The Mineral Hill operations comprises 20 Mining Leases and one Exploration Licence under New South Wales legislation and which are registered in the name of Mineral Hill Pty Ltd. All Mining Leases and Exploration Licences are in good standing.
Mineral Hill tailings retreatment project lies entirely within the granted mining leases, and proximal to licensed processing and TSF infrastructure, in a demonstrably stable jurisdiction and, in Burnt Shirts’ experience, can see no impediment to its operations.
Infrastructure
The Mineral Hill tailings retreatment project takes place at a recently operating mine and utilises existing and established infrastructure. The Competent Person considers that all necessary infrastructure appears to be in place and has been appropriately considered and described by GHD in its report to commence tailings reclamation, processing, and production of dore.
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Pearse North
The Pearce North Mineral Resource is estimated as:
- 298Kt @ 2.70g/t Au and 26g/t Ag for 26Koz Au and 249Koz Ag.
The Pearce North Ore Reserve is estimated as:
- 179Kt @ 2.50g/t Au and 21g/t Ag for 15Koz Au and 119Koz Ag.
The Mineral Resource Estimate for Pearse North was released by a prior owner of the Mineral Hill Mine in 2016. For information to access that original ASX release see Tables 9 and 10. Mineral Resources for Pearse North are reported above a cut-off of 1g/t Au for oxide and 1.5g/t Au for transitional and fresh material. Kingston is not in possession of any new information or data relating to the estimate that materially impacts on the reliability of the estimates or Kingston’s ability to verify the estimate as a Mineral Resource in accordance with the JORC 2012 code. The Supporting information originally supplied continues to apply and has not materially changed.
Southern Ore Zone
The Southern Ore Zone Mineral Resource is estimated as
-
1.78Mt @ 1.79g/t Au, 18g/t Ag, 1.2% Cu, 1.2% Pb and 1.0% Zn for 102Koz Au, 1.0Moz Ag, 20Kt
-
Cu, 22Kt Pb and 18Kt Zn.
An Ore Reserve estimate for SOZ has not been completed.
The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Southern Ore Zone was released by a prior owner of the Mineral Hill Mine in 2014. For information to access that original ASX release see Table 9 and 10. The numbers represented in this report reflect the original model accounting for mining depletion using the site stope and development wireframes. The depleted model reports using the same cut-off as in the original release – above a 1.5% Cu Equivalent. The formula for the Cu Equivalency calculation is:
CuEq = Cu(%) + 0.136 x Pb(%) + 0.008 x Ag(g/t) + 0.467 x Au(g/t)
Table 8: Commodity Assumptions underlying historical SOZ Cu-equivalent calculation
| Commodity | Price | Recovered in Copper Flotation |
Recovered in Lead Flotation |
Payability (Cu Con- Pb Con) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $US6600/tonne | 79% | No Credits | 95.5% -NA |
| Gold | $US1300/oz | 43.90% | 11.60% | 93% - 50% |
| Lead | $US2000/tonne | No Credits | 50.10% | NA - 95% |
| Silver | $US20/oz | 36.10% | 29% | 90%-80% |
The copper equivalency formula accounts for the actual treatment charges (at date of initial release), refining costs, transport costs and incorporates individual metal factors (reflecting metal prices at the time of estimation in 2014), and recoveries from the sequential flotation pathway at Mineral Hill. Kingston is not in possession of any new information or data relating to the estimate that materially impacts on the reliability of the estimates or Kingston’s ability to verify the estimate as a Mineral Resource in accordance with the JORC 2012 code. The supporting information originally supplied continues to apply and has not materially changed.
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JORC 2004 Resources and Reserves
Pearse
The Pearse Mineral Resource is estimated as:
- 141Kt @ 4.82g/t Au and 149g/t Ag for 22Koz Au and 676Koz Ag (JORC2004).
The Pearse Ore Reserve is estimated as:
- 83Kt @ 5.12g/t Au and 85g/t Ag for 14Koz Au and 227Koz Ag (JORC2004).
Cautionary statement: These estimates are not reported in accordance with the JORC 2012 code. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC 2012 Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the historical estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC code. Nothing has come to the attention of Kingston that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of the former owner’s estimates; but Kingston has not independently validated the former owner’s estimates and therefore is not to be regarded as reporting, adopting or endorsing those estimates.
The Mineral Resource estimate for Pearse was reported by a prior owner of the Mineral Hill Mine. The former owner reported an Ore Reserve with supporting studies defined at the Pre-Feasibility level and implemented a mining plan during production. The Pearse Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve are reported as a JORC 2004 estimate. The following statements are provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rules Guidance Note 31.
The source and date of historical estimates: See Table 9 and 10 for details on ASX release date.
Reported JORC edition: Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are reported to JORC 2004 which include the same categories of mineralisation; inferred, indicated and measured. JORC 2004 estimates may not conform to the requirements in the JORC Code 2012.
Relevance of historical estimate to entity: The Pearse Resource Estimate and Ore Reserve has been historically mined with approximately 20% of the original Reserve remaining unmined. Mining of the remaining Reserve material is a logical next step after the tailings reprocessing ceases and as such Kingston intends to focus near term work programs on the Pearse and Pearse North deposits
The reliability of the estimates (including reference to any of the criteria in Table 1): The reliability of the estimates is deemed satisfactory. Historical records and reports document the sampling techniques, drilling techniques, logging standards and QAQC activities undertaken as input into the estimations. Additionally historical audits have been undertaken to verify the quality of inputs into the estimates. KSN believe the estimates were conducted using data that was of industry standard at the time of estimation. The historical Reserve was completed to a PFS level and further enhanced through the implementation of a mine plan during operations. During production there was good reconciliation to the Resource Estimate as well as expected metallurgical recoveries. The production data shows that the reliability of the original estimates is high. Commodity prices have increased significantly since the original mining study was conducted which is expected to have a positive impact on any future production and modifying factors.
Summary of known work programs on which historical estimates are based. Summary of key assumptions, mining and processing parameters and methods used to prepare historical estimate: The Resource Estimate and Ore Reserve represented in this report reflect the original Resource model accounting for mining depletion using the site topographic surface dated 08/09/2016. Mineral Resources for Pearse are reported above a cut-off of 1.00g/t Au for oxide and transitional and 2.00g/t Au for fresh material.
Resource classification was not included as a field in the MRE model supplied for depletion but >99% of the original Resource was classified as Measured with only a minor immaterial amount as indicated. The remaining resource at Pearse is not constrained by a pit shell.
Following the significant drilling programs in early to mid-2010, an updated mineral resource was calculated for the Pearse Deposit in April 2010. The increased drilling density for the deposit resulted in the resources
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being upgraded to Measured and Indicated status. A 1g/t Au cut-off was employed for the oxidised zone of the deposit, while 2g/t Au was used for the primary zone. The estimate was undertaken using ordinary Kriging for grade interpolation into blocks of 3x3x3 metres. This estimate used was based on 4,672 metres of RC drilling additional to that employed in the 2009 estimate.
In January 2011 a further update of the Pearse Mineral Resource was made that included all RC and diamond drilling completed at the Pearse Deposit to date. The 2011 Resource utilised the same estimation approach and parameters with updated domains as the April 2010 estimate, with the result being a very slight reduction in tonnage of the Resource. There was however a corresponding increase in the total percentage of the resource classified as Measured to over 94%, with the remainder classified as Indicated.
Summary of Resource Estimation Methodology
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Drill hole samples were composited to 1 m intervals and coded per estimation domain.
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Top-caps set at mean +2SD for the variables to be estimated (Au, Ag, As, Sb, S), but no further explanation.
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A block model with parent block sizes of 3 mE x 3 mN x 3 mRL, sub-blocked to 1.5 mE x 1.5 mN x 1.5 mRL at the domain boundaries was constructed and coded per estimation and oxidation domain.
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Variography presented in a table, that is the same as used in 2010 with a nugget effect and single structure.
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Block estimation was via Ordinary Kriging, with search ellipse orientations consistent with the variograms, with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 12 samples used, restricted to 5 samples per drill hole.
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Initial search ellipse radii were the same as the ultimate variogram range (42 x 16 x 13 m).
-
Density was assigned per weathering domain (2.25 oxide, 2.35 transitional, 2.57 fresh).
-
Model validated visually, statistically and by semi-local statistics (swath plots).
Any more recent estimates or data relevant to the mineralisation: There is no new data at the Pearse deposit that materially affects the original estimate.
The evaluation or exploration work that needs to be completed to verify the historical estimates in accordance with JORC 2012: Work needed to ensure accord with JORC 2012 consists of verifying the assumptions and geological model presented in the original estimate, potentially a program of twinned holes to verify the mineralisation and the production of a JORC Table 1 consistent with the JORC 2012 guidelines.
The proposed timing of any evaluation and or exploration work and comment on funding: Operations at Mineral Hill will be centred on the tailings reprocessing project for the first two years. During this period Kingston intends to update the historical JORC 2004 Resource estimates to comply with the JORC 2012 guidelines. As part of the proposed transaction Kingston is raising capital to fund exploration and development works at Mineral Hill.
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Parkers Hill
The Parkers Hill Mineral Resource is estimated as:
- 1.84Mt @ 0.19g/t Au, 43g/t Ag, 1.3% Cu, 2.1% Pb and 0.9% Zn for 11Koz Au, 2.52Moz Ag, 22Kt Cu, 38Kt Pb and 17Kt Zn.
Cautionary statement: The estimate is not reported in accordance with the JORC 2012 code. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC 2012 Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the historical estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC code. Nothing has come to the attention of Kingston that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of the former owner’s estimates; but Kingston has not independently validated the former owner’s estimates and therefore is not to be regarded as reporting, adopting or endorsing those estimates
An Ore Reserve estimate for Parkers Hill has not been completed.
The Mineral Resource estimate for the Parkers Hill was released by a prior owner of the Mineral Hill Mine in 2011. The numbers represented in this report reflect the original Resource estimate accounting for mining depletion using the site stope and development wireframes. Mineral Resources for Parkers Hill are reported above a cut-off of 0.6% Cu, 2% Pb & 100g/t Ag for oxide material, and 0.6% Cu for sulphide material. Classification fields were not included in the model provided for mining depletion although the original Parkers Hill estimate is entirely indicated except for 50,000t of inferred sulphide material that has been wholly retained in this report. The silver supergene component of the original Resource estimate has been conservatively excluded from figures presented in this report as they could not be re-reported. They are deemed immaterial as they only comprised 100,000t out of approximately 1,842,000t in the main Parkers Hill sulphide and supergene domains.
The Parkers Hill Mineral Resource is reported as a JORC 2004 estimate. The following statements are provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rules Guidance Note 31.
The source and date of historical estimates: The Mineral Resource estimate for the Parkers Hill was released by a prior owner of the Mineral Hill Mine in 2011. For information to access that original ASX release see Table 9 and 10.
Reported JORC edition: Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are reported to JORC 2004 which include the same categories of mineralisation; inferred, indicated and measured as JORC 2012. JORC 2004 estimates may not conform to the requirements in the JORC Code 2012.
Relevance of historical estimate to entity: The Parkers Hill deposit contains a large portion of tonnes included in the total Mineral Hill Resource. The deposit presents as a potential supply of future feed to the processing plant.
The reliability of the estimates: The reliability of the estimates is deemed satisfactory. Historical records and reports document the sampling techniques, drilling techniques, logging standards and QAQC activities undertaken as input into the estimations. Additionally historical audits have been undertaken to verify the quality of inputs into the estimates. KSN believe the estimates were conducted using data that was of industry standard at the time of estimation. The drilling density at Parkers Hill is high, resulting in the large majority of the Resource classified (to JORC 2004 standards) as indicated. The high drill hole data density gives Kingston increased confidence in the reliability of the historical estimate.
To the extent known a summary of work programs on which historical estimates are based. Summary of key assumptions, mining and processing parameters and methods used to prepare historical estimates: Parkers Hill has been subject to extensive drilling since the 1960’s. In total there are 369 drill holes for 31,779m of drilling in the Parkers Hill area. In recent times drilling by Triako Resources between 1987 and 2003 produced 11,539m. CBH Resources drilled 39 holes for 4793m between 2007 - 2008 and KBL drilled 162 holes for 12,064m between 2010 – 2013. Some underground mining focusing on the sulphide material has been completed historically at the Parkers Hill deposit. During previous operations, initial recoveries from that mining were lower than expected so mining was refocused on the Red Terror lode.
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Summary of Resource Estimation Methodology:
-
Sulphide domain Resource is reported using a 0.6% cut off grade.
-
Within the supergene zone the high-grade lead domain had a cut-off grade of lead >2% for material that had silver grades less than 100g/t and the high-grade silver domain had a cut-off grade of silver >100g/t for material with a lead grade greater than 1%.
-
An upper limiting cut-off grade of 680 g/t was used for silver which represents the mean silver grade plus 2 standard deviations.
-
Within the saprock zone the cut-off grade was 0.6% copper Only assays that are contained within a particular domain are used for the calculation of grades within that domain.
-
The high-grade assays were restricted to prevent smearing into other domains.
-
Ordinary Kriging with 1m composites was used to calculate the metal grades of primary blocks of 5m x 5m x 5m. These were then sub-blocked to 2.5m x 2.5m x 2.5m to infill domain boundaries with the sub-blocks calculated on a parent block basis.
-
Metal grades for copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold were interpolated into each block.
-
Specific gravity was interpolated into the model on a domain basis from a data base of 9494 sg determinations. The sg determinations were conducted on site using the water displacement method.
The mineralisation style at Parkers Hill is particularly complex in the oxide zone. Various metallurgical studies have been conducted since the early 2000’s aiming to understand the metallurgical performance of this mineralisation type and optimize it for processing plant performance. Further metallurgical test work is planned in parallel with mining studies.
Any more recent estimates or data relevant to the mineralisation : There is no new data at the Parkers Hill deposit that materially affects the original resource estimate.
The evaluation or exploration work that needs to be completed to verify the historical estimates in accordance with JORC 2012: Work required to update the historical estimate to be in accordance with JORC 2012 consists of verifying the assumptions and geological model presented in the original estimate, potentially a program of twinned holes or resampling of historical core or pulps to verify the mineralisation, and the production of a JORC Table 1 consistent with the JORC 2012 guidelines. It is anticipated that much of the future work programs will be focused on validation of the underlying geological and structural model, and metallurgical studies to increase the confidence in predicted recoveries as well as mining optimisation studies.
The proposed timing of any evaluation and or exploration work and comment on funding: Work programs at Parkers are expected to commence after Kingston has completed programs at Pearse, Pearse North, SOZ and Jacks Hut. It is anticipated that future work programs at Parkers Hill will be funded by cash flow from operations.
.
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Competent Persons Statement and Disclaimer
The information in this report that relates to compiling and reporting of historical and previously released Resource and Reserve Estimates in this report is based on information compiled by Mr. Stuart Hayward BAppSc (Geology) MAIG, a Competent Person who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr. Hayward is an employee of the Kingston Resources. Mr. Hayward has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity 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”. Mr. Hayward confirms that the information in the market announcement provided is an accurate representation of the available data and studies for the material mining project and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.
The Mineral Resources Report for the Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit (TSF1 & TSF2) has been compiled in accordance with the guidelines defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (2012 JORC Code). The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results and Mineral Resources for the Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit is based on information compiled by Troy Lowien, a Competent Person who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Troy Lowien is employed by Groundwork Plus Pty Ltd. Troy Lowien has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity 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’. Mr. Lowien consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.
The Competent Person signing off on the overall Ore Reserves Estimate for the Mineral Hill Tailings Deposit is Mr Jeremy Peters (BSc, BEng), a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Chartered Professional Geologist and Mining Engineer of that organisation. Mr Peters is a full-time employee of Burnt Shirt Pty Ltd and has sufficient relevant experience to act as Competent Person in this instance. Mr Peters consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.
Kingston confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in all ASX announcements referenced in this release, and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in these announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed.
Table 9: Competent Persons and Access Details for Reported Ore Reserves
| Deposit | JORC | ASX Announcement | Competent Person | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSF | 2012 | KSN 18/11/2021 | JeremyPeters | Burnt Shirt |
| Pearse North | 2012 | KBL 16/06/2016 | Peter Gilligan | KBL |
| Pearse | 2004 | KBL 20/10/2011 | Robert Besley | KBL |
Table 10: Competent Persons and Access Details for Reported Mineral Resources
| Deposit | JORC | ASX Announcement | Competent Person | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSF | 2012 | KSN 18/11/2021 | TroyLowien | Groundwork Plus |
| Pearse North | 2012 | KBL 16/06/2016 | Owen Thomas | KBL |
| Southern Ore Zone | 2012 | KBL 19/08/2014 | Anthony Johnston – Exploration Results Rupert Osborn – MRE |
KBL H&SC Consultants |
| Pearse | 2004 | KBL 29/10/2010 | Robert Besley – Exploration Results Colin Lutherborrow– MRE |
KBL Ziloc PtyLtd |
| Parkers Hill | 2004 | KBL 13/09/2011 | AnthonyJohnston | KBL |
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This release has been authorised by the Kingston Resources Limited Board. For all enquiries, please contact Managing Director, Andrew Corbett, on +61 2 8021 7492.
About Kingston Resources
Kingston Resources is a metals exploration company which is focused on exploring and developing the worldclass Misima Gold Project in PNG. Misima hosts a JORC Resource of 3.8Moz Au and an Ore Reserve of 1.35Moz. Misima was operated as a profitable open pit mine by Placer Pacific between 1989 and 2001, producing over 3.7Moz before it was closed when the gold price was below US$300/oz. Kingston has concluded a Pre-Feasibility Study for Misima and is continuing to advance development activities. The Misima Project also offers outstanding potential for additional resource growth through exploration success targeting extensions and additions to the current Resource base. Kingston’s interest in Misima is held through its PNG subsidiary Gallipoli Exploration (PNG) Limited.
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The Misima Mineral Resource estimate outlined below was released in an ASX announcement on 15 September 2021. Further information relating to the resource is included within the original announcement.
| Resource Category | Cut-off (g/t Au) | Tonnes (Mt) | Gold Grade (g/t Au) | Silver Grade (g/t Ag) | Au (Moz) | Ag (Moz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicated | 0.3 | 97.7 | 0.79 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 13.4 |
| Inferred | 0.3 | 71.3 | 0.59 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 8.7 |
| Total | 0.3 | 169 | 0.70 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 22.1 |
| Reserve | Cut-off (g/t Au) | Tonnes (Mt) | Gold Grade (g/t Au) | Silver Grade (g/t Ag) | Au (Moz) | Ag (Moz) |
| Probable | 0.3 | 48.3 | 0.87 | 4.2 | 1.35 | 6.48 |
Misima JORC 2012 Mineral Resource & Ore Reserve summary table
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JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1 - Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Deposit
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampling | • | Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or | • | 2008 drilling | – Approximately 1m samples were obtained from push |
| techniques | specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate | tube method. The sample was spilt vertically down the middle and | |||
| to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma | composites sent to an external lab to be pulverized and split to | ||||
| sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should | produce a charge for fire assay. | ||||
| not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. | |||||
| • | Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity | • | 2019 drilling | ||
| and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems | o |
Aircore – Samples were collected at 1m intervals from | |||
| used. | the cyclone underflow, split to approximately 3kg and | ||||
| • | Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the | sent to an external lab to be pulverised and reduced to a | |||
| Public Report. | 50g charge for fire assay. | ||||
| • | In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be | o |
Hand Auger – Samples were collected from the collar of | ||
| relatively simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 | the hole and combined to form one composite for the | ||||
| m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge | total hole depth. Samples were split to approximately | ||||
| for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be required, | 3kg and sent to an external lab to be pulverised and | ||||
| such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling | reduced to a 50g charge for fire assay. | ||||
| problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg | |||||
| submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. | |||||
| Drilling | • | Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air | • | 2008 drilling | – Push tube methods where casing is advanced down |
| techniques | blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple | the hole and | a solid “core” of unconsolidated material is extracted | ||
| or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other | from within the casing. | ||||
| type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). | |||||
| • | 2019 drilling | ||||
o |
Aircore methods on TSF1 where a 100mm cutting bit | ||||
| with a hollow centre is pushed through unconsolidated | |||||
| material using rotation. Air is pumped through an | |||||
| annulus between the inner and outer tubes of the drill | |||||
| string and out through orifices in the cutting head. | |||||
| Sample is returned up the centre of the drill string and | |||||
| collected in a cyclone. | |||||
o |
Hand Auger method on TSF2, where a petrol powered | ||||
| 90mmm auger was used to bring sample to the surface | |||||
| whereitwas collected at the collar. Maximumtailings |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| depth encountered in the drilling was 1.75m. | ||
| Drill sample | • Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries | •The 1m samples from the aircore drilling were weighed after drying |
| recovery | and results assessed. | and splitting. The results show varied recoveries, with trends towards |
| • Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure | better recovery down hole and with successive holes. | |
| representative nature of the samples. | •There is no apparent relationship between sample recovery | |
| • Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade | ||
| and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential | ||
| loss/gainof fine/coarse material. | ||
| Logging | • Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and | •Detailed logging of the tailings is considered impractical and |
| geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate | unnecessary as the tailings have been homogenised from | |
| Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical | processing. Material changes were noted when drill holes intersected | |
| studies. | the base of the tailings dam. | |
| • Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or | ||
| costean, channel, etc) photography. | ||
| • _The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. _ | ||
| Sub- | • If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core | •Push tube samples were split laterally down the hole with one side |
| sampling | taken. | used to create sample composites and the other side retained on site. |
| techniques | • If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and | •Aircore samples were collected at 1m intervals and split using a riffle |
| and sample | whether sampled wet or dry. | splitter to approximately 3kg for sample submission, |
| preparation | • For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the | •Whenever wet intervals were encountered during aircore drilling the |
| sample preparation technique. | cyclone was washed internally with clean water to minimize the risk of | |
| • Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to | sample contamination. | |
| maximise representivity of samples. | •Wet samples were dried prior to sub sampling. | |
| • Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in | •All sample composites were split further at the external laboratory to |
|
| situ material collected, including for instance results for field | obtain a 1kg sample than pulverized to 75 µm and further sub-sample | |
| duplicate/second-half sampling. | by scoop to obtain final 50g fire assay aliquot. | |
| • Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material | •Sample sizes are appropriate for the grain size of the tailings. |
|
| _being sampled. _ | ||
| Quality of | • The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and | •Samples from the 2008 drilling program were sent to ALS-Chemex |
| assay data | laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered | Laboratory in Orange and assayed by Fire Assay (AAS finish) for Au |
| and | partial or total. | and acid digest (ICP-MS finish) for Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag. |
| laboratory | • For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, | •Samples from the 2019 drilling program were also sent to the ALS |
| tests | the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument | Laboratory in Orange and assayed for a suite of elements by method |
| make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their | ME-ICP41 (aqua regia digestion, ICP-AES finish) and for Au by | |
| derivation, etc. | method AA26 (50g fire assay, AAS finish). | |
| • Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, | •Fire assayis considered a totaltechnique and appropriateforthe |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels | mineralisation style. | ||
| of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. | • | Quality control procedures adopted during the 2019 drilling program | |
| include submission of commercially available CRM’s, blanks at a | |||
| rate of about 1 in 10 samples and duplicate assays of pulp sample in | |||
| the lab for every sample. | |||
| • | Review of assay results for the submitted QAQC samples, as well as | ||
| the lab’s internal QAQC results, indicate an acceptable level of | |||
| accuracy and precision has been established for the 2019 drilling | |||
| results. | |||
| • | No QAQC datais availableforthe2008 drilling program. | ||
| Verification | • The verification of significant intersections by either independent or | • | The drilling database was validated for overlapping sample intervals, |
| of sampling and assaying |
alternative company personnel. • The use of twinned holes. • Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. • Discuss any adjustment to assay data. |
• | compatibility of hole depths between database tables as well as collar elevations compared to surface surveys and visual checks of drill hole traces in Surpac. No issues were found. A number of holes in the 2019 drilling program were drilled close to the collar locations of holes drilled in the previous drilling program in |
| 2008, and serve as a good comparison between the different drilling | |||
| and sampling methods used in these programs Holes located less | |||
| than 10m apart were assessed and found to have satisfactory levels | |||
| of similarity and acceptable to be used jointly in Resource | |||
| estimation. | |||
| Location of | • Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and | • | The drill hole collars from the 2019 drilling program were surveyed by |
| data points | down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations | a registered surveyor using RTK GNSS methods. It is not known by | |
| used in Mineral Resource estimation. | which methods the collar locations from the 2008 drilling program | ||
| • Specification of the grid system used. | were located. | ||
| • Quality and adequacy of topographic control. | • | There were no downhole surveys undertaken on the drill holes. All | |
| holes were drilled vertically and were relatively short (>15m depth), | |||
| and therefore any downhole deviation would have negligible effects | |||
| on the location of datapoints. | |||
| • | The level of accuracy for drill hole locations is considered appropriate | ||
| for Resource estimation purposes. | |||
| • | This Resource estimate was undertaken using the MGA94 grid | ||
| coordinate system. | |||
| • | A recent, detailed surface topography survey of the Mineral Hill mine | ||
| and surrounds was supplied in MGA94 coordinate system. The | |||
| surveywas undertakenusing aerialphotogrammetrymethods,witha |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| resolutionof 1m. | |||
| Data spacing | • Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. |
• | Drilling density is broadly on a notional 50 m x 50 m grid, with closer |
| and | • Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the | spaced drilling in the north-eastern corner (25 m x 25 m) and | |
| distribution | degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral | numerous pairs of drill holes at around 10m separation. Down hole | |
| Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and | sampling intervals are approximately 1m. | ||
| classifications applied. | • | The data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish grade | |
| • Whether sample compositing has been applied. | continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource estimation | ||
| procedures and classifications applied. | |||
| • | Samples in TSF1 were composited to 1m intervals. Sample in TSF2 | ||
| were collected as entireholelengthcomposites. | |||
| Orientation | • Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of | • | Tailings were deposited sub-aerially forming beaches with a slight |
| of data in | possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering | slope towards the centre of the storage facility. Therefore, any grade | |
| relation to | the deposit type. | variations over time will be represented by sub-horizontal layering. | |
| geological | • If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation | Drilling of vertical drill holes ensures sampling is undertaken as close | |
| structure | of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a | as possible orthogonal to the direction of maximum grade continuity. | |
| sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. | |||
| Sample | • The measures taken to ensure sample security. | • | All samples from the 2019 drilling program were collected and sub- |
| security | sampled on site by staff from Mineral Hill and Groundworks Plus. | ||
| Sample were submitted to the external laboratory using standard | |||
| paperworkand delivered byMineral Hillstaff. | |||
| Audits or | • The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. | • |
Sampling techniques and data were guided and reviewed by the |
| reviews | Competent Person. |
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral | • Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including | •The project is located within granted Mining leases ML334, ML1695, |
| tenement and | agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint | ML5240, ML5499, ML5621, ML6365 with the earliest expiry date of |
| land tenure | ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, | 14 March 2033. The leases are held by Mineral Hill Pty Ltd. |
| status | historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental | •Atom Minerals have an agreement with Mineral Hill Pty Ltd to |
| settings. | investigate and mine/process the tailings under commercial terms. | |
| • The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any | •The site is covered by EPL 3151, scheduled activity is mining for | |
| known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. | minerals. |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration | • Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. | •The tailings in TSF1 were previously drilled in 2008 by CBH |
| done by other | Resources. The drilling was undertaken by standard methods and | |
| parties | the results used to generate an approximate tonnage and grade. | |
| Geology | • Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. | •The tailings consist of clay to fine sand sized particles deposited in |
| sub-horizontal layers from numerous outflow sites located around the | ||
| perimeter of the facilities. The particles contain remnant gold and | ||
| copper that were not separated from the gangue during the | ||
| beneficiationprocess. | ||
| Drill hole | • A summary of all information material to the understanding of the | •A table of drill hole data is included in Attachment 2 of this report. |
| Information | exploration results including a tabulation of the following information | |
| for all Material drill holes: | ||
o easting and northing of the drill hole collar |
||
o elevation or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in |
||
| metres) of the drill hole collar | ||
o dip and azimuth of the hole |
||
o down hole length and interception depth |
||
o hole length. |
||
| • 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. _ | ||
| Data | • In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, | •No data aggregation methods have been used in the table of drill hole |
| aggregation | maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high | data. |
| methods | grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. | |
| • 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. | ||
| • The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values | ||
| _should be clearly stated. _ | ||
| Relationship | • These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of | •Holes were drilled vertical, intersecting the direction of main grade |
| between | Exploration Results. | continuity at approximate right angles. |
| mineralisation | • If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole | |
| widths and | angle is known, its nature should be reported. | |
| intercept lengths |
• 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’). _ |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagrams | • Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of | • | Maps and sections of the drill hole locations, mineralised intercepts |
| intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being | and domain interpretations are included in this report. | ||
| reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of | |||
| _drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. _ | |||
| Balanced | • Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not | • | All of the dill results used in the Resource estimate have been |
| reporting | practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades | reported in Attachment 2. | |
| and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of | |||
| _Exploration Results. _ | |||
| Other | • Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported | • |
Bulk density measurements and metallurgical test results are |
| substantive | including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical | available. | |
| exploration | survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and | ||
| data | method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, | ||
| groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential | |||
| _deleterious or contaminating substances. _ | |||
| Further work | • The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral | • | No further exploration work is planned. |
| 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. _ |
Section 3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources
(Criteria listed in section 1, and where relevant in section 2, also apply to this section.)
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database | • Measures taken to ensure that data has not been corrupted by, for | • | Drill hole collar locations (2019) were read directly from the Surpac |
| integrity | example, transcription or keying errors, between its initial collection | string file generated by the licensed surveyor. | |
| and its use for Mineral Resource estimation purposes. • Data validation procedures used. |
• | Assay files were downloaded from the laboratory’s internet-based retrieval system as csv files and loaded directly into the Microsoft |
|
| Access database. | |||
| • | The following database validation activities have been carried out: | ||
| • Ensure compatibility of total hole depth data in the collar and |
|||
| assay drill hole database files. | |||
| • Check for overlappingsample intervals. |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Checking of drill hole locations against the surface topography. |
|||
| • Visual validation in Surpac software. |
|||
| • | No issues were found with the database. | ||
| Site visits | • Comment on any site visits undertaken by the Competent Person and | • |
The competent Person undertook a site visit at the commencement |
| the outcome of those visits. | of the 2019 drilling program. A review of the drill method as well as | ||
| • If no site visits have been undertaken indicate why this is the case. | sampling and sub-sampling procedures was carried out. The | ||
| Competent Person is satisfied the resulting data is fit for use in the | |||
| Resource estimation. | |||
| Geological | • Confidence in (or conversely, the uncertainty of ) the geological | • | There is no geological interpretation of the tailings deposits, and it is |
| interpretation | interpretation of the mineral deposit. | assumed the tailings were deposited in sub-horizontal layers. | |
| • Nature of the data used and of any assumptions made. | • | The volume of tailings is constrained by surveys of the topography | |
| • The effect, if any, of alternative interpretations on Mineral Resource | prior and subsequent to the deposition of the tailings. The interface | ||
| estimation. | of the internal dam wall and tailings was interpreted based on the | ||
| • The use of geology in guiding and controlling Mineral Resource | style of dam wall design (upstream lifts). | ||
| estimation. | • | The style of deposit (tailings) does not allow for alternative | |
| • The factors affecting continuity both of grade and geology. | interpretations. | ||
| • | The tailings in TSF1 were grouped into grade-based domains which | ||
| reflect depositional years. | |||
| • | The mineralisation within the TSF’s is considered continuous with | ||
| low variabilitywithindomains. | |||
| Dimensions | • The extent and variability of the Mineral Resource expressed as | • | The Resource estimate entails the entirety of TSF1, which measures |
| length (along strike or otherwise), plan width, and depth below | approximately 300m by 250m and an average depth of 15m, and a | ||
| surface to the upper and lower limits of the Mineral Resource. | cell within TSF2 which measures approximately 200m by 120m and | ||
| anaverage of 2m indepth. | |||
| Estimation and | • The nature and appropriateness of the estimation technique(s) | • | Resource estimation was carried out for gold by Ordinary Kriging |
| modelling | applied and key assumptions, including treatment of extreme grade | (OK) method for TSF1. Inverse distance weighting (IDW) method | |
| techniques | values, domaining, interpolation parameters and maximum distance | was used for TSF2 due to lower data density. A multi-pass-pass | |
| of extrapolation from data points. If a computer assisted estimation | strategy was employed to generate the grade estimates, with the first | ||
| method was chosen include a description of computer software and | two passes set at a distance equal to or less than the total range of | ||
| parameters used. | the variogram. The number of composites for a successful estimate | ||
| • The availability of check estimates, previous estimates and/or mine | was restricted to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 30, with an | ||
| production records and whether the Mineral Resource estimate takes | additional constraint of a maximum of 4 composites to be sourced | ||
| appropriate account of such data. | from any one drill hole. The search axes were aligned with | ||
| • The assumptions made regarding recovery of by-products. | directions of maximum continuity derived from variographic analyses | ||
| • Estimation of deleterious elements or other non-grade variables of | of the data sets. | ||
| economic significance (eg sulphur for acid mine drainage | • | Block models were constructed using parent block dimensions of | |
| _characterisation). _ | 10m East by10m North by1mRL for TSF1 and 25m North by25m |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| • In the case of block model interpolation, the block size in relation to | East by 1m RL for TSF2, with sub-blocking for the purpose of | ||
| the average sample spacing and the search employed. | providing appropriate definition of the topographic surface, and | ||
| • Any assumptions behind modelling of selective mining units. | grade domain boundaries | ||
| • Any assumptions about correlation between variables. | • | A high grade cut was applied to composites within the high grade | |
| • Description of how the geological interpretation was used to control | domain of TSF1. | ||
| the resource estimates. | • | The estimated tonnes and grade were compared to data from the | |
| • Discussion of basis for using or not using grade cutting or capping. • The process of validation, the checking process used, the comparison |
processing plant tailings feed. Modeled tonnages are within 2% and grade within 7% of processing records. |
||
| of model data to drill hole data, and use of reconciliation data if | • | No assumptions of byproduct recovery have been made. | |
| available. | • | The tailings are already contained within a licensed facility and will | |
| be re-processed and deposited into another facility that is licensed to | |||
| handle potential acid forming material. | |||
| • | Block sizes in the block model were chosen based on average drill | ||
| spacing and results of kriging neighbourhood analyses. | |||
| • | No selective mining units have been assumed. | ||
| • | No assumptions about correlation between variables has been | ||
| made. | |||
| • | The search radii were aligned to reflect the sub-horizontal nature of | ||
| tailings deposition. Grade domains were used to constrain | |||
| composite selection. | |||
| • | Validation of the estimate was completed and included both | ||
| interactive and statistical review. The validation methods included: - | |||
| • Visual comparison of the input data against the block model |
|||
| grade in plan and cross section. | |||
| • Comparison of global statistics. |
|||
| • Swath plots, comparing the composite grade and the estimated |
|||
| grade grouped by intervals in plan and section | |||
| Themodel wasfound to berobust. | |||
| Moisture | • Whether the tonnages are estimated on a dry basis or with natural | • | The tonnages are estimated on a dry basis. |
| _moisture, and the method of determination of the moisture content. _ | |||
| Cut-off | • The basis of the adopted cut-off grade(s) or quality parameters | • | As selectivity is possible with the proposed mining method, a cut-off |
| parameters | applied. | grade has been applied. The cut-off grade was calculated based on | |
| a gold price of $AU2,000 and the lower end of the expected range of | |||
| mining and processing costs. | |||
| Mining factors | • Assumptions made regarding possible mining methods, minimum | • | It is proposed that the tailings will be mined using excavator and |
| or assumptions | mining dimensions and internal (or, if applicable, external) mining | mobile slurry plant pumping directly to the process plant. | |
| dilution. It is always necessary as part of the process of determining |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction to consider | |||
| potential mining methods, but the assumptions made regarding | |||
| mining methods and parameters when estimating Mineral Resources | |||
| may not always be rigorous. Where this is the case, this should be | |||
| reported with an explanation of the basis of the mining assumptions | |||
| _made. _ | |||
| Metallurgical | • The basis for assumptions or predictions regarding metallurgical | • | Two stages of metallurgical test work have been undertaken on the |
| factors or | amenability. It is always necessary as part of the process of | tailings, including intensive leaching, cyanidation bottle rolls and CIL | |
| assumptions | determining reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction to | test work. | |
| consider potential metallurgical methods, but the assumptions | • | Laboratory scale test work carried out under plant conditions show | |
| regarding metallurgical treatment processes and parameters made | potential recoveries up to 64%. | ||
| when reporting Mineral Resources may not always be rigorous. | |||
| Where this is the case, this should be reported with an explanation of | |||
| _the basis of the metallurgical assumptions made. _ | |||
| Environmental | • Assumptions made regarding possible waste and process residue | • | It is assumed that during mining there will be no run off or breach of |
| factors or | disposal options. It is always necessary as part of the process of | the existing dam wall which could potentially contaminate the | |
| assumptions | determining reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction to | surrounding surface and groundwater. Once processed, the tailings | |
| consider the potential environmental impacts of the mining and | will be deposited into an existing TSF. | ||
| processing operation. While at this stage the determination of | |||
| potential environmental impacts, particularly for a greenfields project, | |||
| may not always be well advanced, the status of early consideration of | |||
| these potential environmental impacts should be reported. Where | |||
| these aspects have not been considered this should be reported with | |||
| _an explanation of the environmental assumptions made. _ | |||
| Bulk density | • Whether assumed or determined. If assumed, the basis for the | • | Specific gravity of 32 samples from TSF1 and 6 samples from TSF2 |
| assumptions. If determined, the method used, whether wet or dry, the | were determined by air pycnometer methods. Samples were chosen | ||
| frequency of the measurements, the nature, size and | to represent an even distribution of tailings both laterally and | ||
| representativeness of the samples. | vertically. | ||
| • The bulk density for bulk material must have been measured by | • | The dry bulk density was calculated using the specific gravity and a | |
| methods that adequately account for void spaces (vugs, porosity, | typical tailings deposit porosity value of 0.48. An average of 1.4 t/m3 | ||
| etc), moisture and differences between rock and alteration zones | was used for estimation of tonnage. | ||
| within the deposit. | • | There appears to be no correlation between density and grade, or | |
| • Discuss assumptions for bulk density estimates used in the | density and location. | ||
| _evaluation process of the different materials. _ | |||
| Classification | • The basis for the classification of the Mineral Resources into varying | • | The Resource has been classified as Indicated and Inferred with the |
| confidence categories. | key parameters considered during the resource classification being: | ||
| • Whether appropriate account has been taken of all relevant factors (ie | • Geological knowledge and interpretation. |
||
| relative confidence in tonnage/grade estimations, reliability of input | • Deposit style. |
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| data, confidence in continuity of geology and metal values, quality, | • Confidence in the sampling and assay data. |
||
| quantity and distribution of the data). | • The spacing of the exploration drill holes. |
||
| • Whether the result appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s | • Variogram model ranges in relation to the local data spacing and |
||
| view of the deposit. | the estimation variance. | ||
| • Prospects for eventual economic extraction. |
|||
| • | The estimate reconciles well with historical processing data and has | ||
| good prospects for eventual economic extraction due to its proximity | |||
| to an existing CIL plant and partially filled TSF. | |||
| • | The lower, low grade section of TSF1 was not classified due to the | ||
| low number of informing data points compared to the volume of this | |||
| domain, as well as being potentially non-economic to process. | |||
| • | Drilling and sampling methods in the 2019 program, whilst showing | ||
| no sign of any issues or bias, are not optimal for the material being | |||
| sampled, as aircore sampling can become problematic when wet | |||
| samples are encountered. Although the methods used in the 2008 | |||
| drilling program are considered more robust, the lack of any QAQC | |||
| information reduces the confidence in these results. | |||
| • | The classification reflects the Competent Person’s view of the | ||
| deposit. | |||
| Audits or | • The results of any audits or reviews of Mineral Resource estimates. | • | There have been no audits or reviews of the estimate apart from |
| reviews | internal review by Groundwork Plus. | ||
| Discussion of | • Where appropriate a statement of the relative accuracy and | • | There has been no attempt to apply geostatistical methods to quantify |
| relative | confidence level in the Mineral Resource estimate using an approach | the relative accuracy of the Mineral Resource to within a set of | |
| accuracy/ | or procedure deemed appropriate by the Competent Person. For | confidence limits. | |
| confidence | example, the application of statistical or geostatistical procedures to | • | The Competent Person believes the Mineral Resource estimate |
| quantify the relative accuracy of the resource within stated confidence | provides a good estimate of global tonnes and grade. | ||
| limits, or, if such an approach is not deemed appropriate, a qualitative | • |
No change of support adjustment has been made to the block | |
| discussion of the factors that could affect the relative accuracy and | estimates. | ||
| confidence of the estimate. | • | The accuracy and confidence of this Mineral Resource estimate is | |
| • The statement should specify whether it relates to global or local | considered suitable for public reporting by the Competent Person. | ||
| estimates, and, if local, state the relevant tonnages, which should be | |||
| relevant to technical and economic evaluation. Documentation should | |||
| include assumptions made and the procedures used. | |||
| • These statements of relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate | |||
| _should be compared with production data, where available. _ |
Section 4: Estimation and Reporting of Ore Reserves
| Criteria | Explanation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Resource estimate for conversion to Ore Reserves |
• Description of the Mineral Resource estimate used as a basis for the conversion to an Ore Reserve. |
The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results and Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Troy Lowien, MAusIMM, employed by Groundwork Plus Pty Ltd (Groundwork). |
| Burnt Shirt Pty Ltd (Burnt Shirt) is satisfied that the Groundwork Mineral Resource estimate has been undertaken to a standard appropriate for use in an Ore Reserve estimation. |
||
| • Clear statement as to whether the Mineral Resources are reported additional to, or inclusive of, the Ore Reserves. |
The Ore Reserve is inclusive of the Mineral Resource. | |
| Site visits | • Comment on any site visits undertaken by the Competent Person and the outcome of those visits. |
No site visit was undertaken by Mr Peters. |
| • If no site visits have been undertaken indicate why this is the case. |
The site is a recently operating mine and Mr Peters accepts representations made variously by Atom Minerals Pty Ltd (Atom) and Mr Troy Lowien. |
|
| Study status | • The type and level of study undertaken to enable Mineral Resources to be |
Mr Peters considers the level of study to at least be equivalent to a Prefeasibility Study. |
| converted to Ore Reserves. |
||
|---|---|---|
| • The Code requires that a study to at least Prefeasibility Study level has been undertaken to convert Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves. Such studies will have been carried out and will have determined a mine plan that is technically achievable and economically viable, and that material Modifying Factors have been considered. |
||
| Cut-off parameters |
• The basis of the cut- off grade(s) or quality parameters applied. |
Cut-off grade has been determined economically. The project contemplates re-processing a tailings dam of relatively consistent grade. |
| Mining factors or assumptions |
• The method and assumptions used as reported in the Pre- Feasibility or Feasibility Study to convert the Mineral Resource to an Ore Reserve (i.e. either by application of appropriatefactors by |
Atom has commissioned sufficient Mineral Resource, engineering, process engineering and metallurgical reports to satisfy the requirements of the JORC Code. |
| optimisation or by preliminary or detailed design). |
||
|---|---|---|
| • The choice, nature and appropriateness of the selected mining method(s) and other mining parameters including associated design issues such as pre- strip, access, etc. |
The project exploits a tailings dam and the chosen mining techniques are considered to be appropriate. |
|
| • The assumptions made regarding geotechnical parameters (e.g. pit slopes, stope sizes, etc), grade control and pre- production drilling. |
Atom has commissioned GHD, of Perth, to analyse and recommend tailings dam parameters that meet relevant Australian Standards. |
|
| • The major assumptions made and Mineral Resource model used for pit and stope optimisation (if appropriate). |
The project exploits a tailings dam and no optimisation is considered necessary. | |
| • The mining dilution factors used. |
GHD has estimated mining recovery (5%) and dilution (3%) through analysis of over-dig of the tailings. | |
| • The mining recovery factors used. |
||
| • Any minimum mining widths used. |
Mining widths are dependent on the degree of saturation of the tailings sands. |
| • The manner in which Inferred Mineral Resources are utilised in mining studies and the sensitivity of the outcome to their inclusion. |
Not applicable. | |
|---|---|---|
| • The infrastructure requirements of the selected mining methods. |
There is an existing plant and its modification has been analysed and costed by Atom’s metallurgical and engineering consultants. |
|
| Metallurgical factors or assumptions |
• The metallurgical process proposed and the appropriateness of that process to the style of mineralisation. |
Conventional gold extraction is proposed, using cyanide. |
| • Whether the metallurgical process is well-tested technology or novel in nature. |
||
| • The nature, amount and representativeness of metallurgical test work undertaken, the nature of the metallurgical domaining applied and the corresponding |
Atom’s metallurgical consultants have tested samples from the tailings dam and drawn conclusions on test results. |
| metallurgical recovery factors applied. |
||
|---|---|---|
| • Any assumptions or allowances made for deleterious elements. |
Cyanide soluble copper has been considered by Atom’s metallurgical consultants. | |
| • The existence of any bulk sample or pilot scale test work and the degree to which such samples are considered representative of the orebody as a whole. |
Atom’s metallurgical consultants have tested samples from the tailings dam and consider these results to be applicable to the dam. |
|
| • For minerals that are defined by a specification, has the ore reserve estimation been based on the appropriate mineralogy to meet the specifications? |
Not applicable. | |
| Environmental | • The status of studies of potential environmental impacts of the mining and processing operation. Details of waste rock characterisation and the consideration of potential sites, status of design options |
The project exploits an existing, licensed tailings storage facility (TSF) and no waste rock will be produced. Retreated tailings are to be placed in new cells within the existing facility. |
| considered and, where applicable, the status of approvals for process residue storage and waste dumps should be reported. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | • The existence of appropriate infrastructure: availability of land for plant development, power, water, transportation (particularly for bulk commodities), labour, accommodation; or the ease with which the infrastructure can be provided, or accessed. |
The site is an existing, licensed mine site. |
| Costs | • The derivation of, or assumptions made, regarding projected capital costs in the study. |
Capital costs have been estimated by Atom’s consultant engineers, GHD and Mincore Engineering (Mincore), from first principles. |
| • The methodology used to estimate operating costs. |
Operating costs have been estimated by Atom’s consultant engineers, GHD, from first principles. |
| • Allowances made for the content of deleterious elements. |
Atom’s consultant metallurgists, JTMS Metallurgical Services (JTMS) has considered the effect of cyanide soluble copper. |
|
|---|---|---|
| • The derivation of assumptions made of metal or commodity price(s), for the principal minerals and co-products. |
The product is gold, for which there is a demonstrably liquid market. | |
| • The source of exchange rates used in the study. |
Spot prices have been used in Australian dollars. | |
| • Derivation of transportation charges. |
Not applicable. | |
| • The basis for forecasting or source of treatment and refining charges, penalties for failure to meet specification, etc. |
Not applicable. | |
| • The allowances made for royalties payable, both Government and private. |
Statutory government royalties have been applied and the project is a joint venture between Atom and the owners and a commercial royalty has been applied under this arrangement. |
|
| Revenue factors |
• The derivation of, or assumptions made regarding revenue factors including head grade, metal or commodity price(s) |
The product is gold, for which there is a demonstrably liquid market. |
| exchange rates, transportation and treatment charges, penalties, net smelter returns, etc. |
||
|---|---|---|
| • The derivation of assumptions made of metal or commodity price(s), for the principal metals, minerals and co- products. |
||
| Market assessment |
• The demand, supply and stock situation for the particular commodity, consumption trends and factors likely to affect supply and demand into the future. |
|
| • A customer and competitor analysis along with the identification of likely market windows for theproduct. |
||
| • Price and volume forecasts and the basis for these forecasts. |
| • For industrial minerals the customer specification, testing and acceptance requirements prior to a supply contract. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | • The inputs to the economic analysis to produce the net present value (NPV) in the study, the source and confidence of these economic inputs including estimated inflation, discount rate, etc. |
NPV Assessment: Financial modelling of the project, based on parameters supplied by its consultants, returns a net present value (NPV) at an 8% discount rate (NPV8) of A$19.6 million over a 29-month schedule, before tax and finance, at a forecast gold price of A$2,159/oz Description Unit Value Ore Reserve Mt 1.81 Average headgrade g/t 1.13 Expected gold recovery rate, net of start-uplosses % 64.2 Goldproduced oz 42,634 Duration(processingactivities) months 29 Net cash flow(pre-tax) A$ 23.3 NPV 5% 20.6 Peak negative cash flow (including cash float and capital equipment) (9.3) Paybackperiod(from start of Project) months 19 All-in sustaining cost (AISC), excludes investment capital A$/oz 1,251 Opex costs Over/Underburden & Gold Pond Removal Costs Mining and pulping - Processing - Overhead - Demobilisation/Plant makegood A$ tonne Per processed 29.45 0.80 3.61 21.45 3.45 0.14 Depreciation A$/t 5.15 Capital equipment & TSF Works A$M 9.9 SecurityBond(NSW Government) A$M 3.2 Goldprice A$/oz 2,159 |
|||
| Description | Unit | Value | |||
| Ore Reserve | Mt | 1.81 | |||
| Average headgrade | g/t | 1.13 | |||
| Expected gold recovery rate, net of start-uplosses |
% | 64.2 | |||
| Goldproduced | oz | 42,634 | |||
| Duration(processingactivities) | months | 29 | |||
| Net cash flow(pre-tax) | A$ | 23.3 | |||
| NPV 5% | 20.6 | ||||
| Peak negative cash flow (including cash float and capital equipment) |
(9.3) | ||||
| Paybackperiod(from start of Project) | months | 19 | |||
| All-in sustaining cost (AISC), excludes investment capital |
A$/oz | 1,251 | |||
| Opex costs Over/Underburden & Gold Pond Removal Costs Mining and pulping - Processing - Overhead - Demobilisation/Plant makegood |
A$ tonne Per processed | 29.45 | |||
| 0.80 | |||||
| 3.61 | |||||
| 21.45 | |||||
| 3.45 | |||||
| 0.14 | |||||
| Depreciation | A$/t | 5.15 | |||
| Capital equipment & TSF Works | A$M | 9.9 | |||
| SecurityBond(NSW Government) | A$M | 3.2 | |||
| Goldprice | A$/oz | 2,159 |
| • NPV ranges and sensitivity to variations in the significant assumptions and inputs. |
Sensitivities: | High Case (A$M) 24.4 28.7 21.6 20.8 21.2 24.2 21.2 20.7 32.9 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPVS | Low Case (A$M) |
Base Case (A$M) |
High Case (A$M) |
|||
| Recoveryrate ±3% | 16.9 | 20.6 | 24.4 | |||
| A$ goldprice ±10% | 12.6 | 28.7 | ||||
| Pre-production capital ±10% |
22.9 | 21.6 | ||||
| Production throughput - 10% |
17.0 | |||||
| Opex costs: | ||||||
| Over/under burden removal ±10% |
20.5 | 20.8 | ||||
| Mining and pulping costs ±10% |
20.1 | 21.2 | ||||
| Processingcosts ±10% | 17.1 | 24.2 | ||||
| Overhead costs ±10% | 20.1 | 21.2 | ||||
| Demobilisation costs ±10% | 20.6 | 20.7 | ||||
| Upside Case | 32.9 | |||||
| Downside Case | 9.2 | |||||
| Social | • The status of agreements with key stakeholders and matters leading to social licence to operate. |
The project contemplates and existing mine site with an apparently supportive local population. | ||||
| Other | • To the extent relevant, the impact of the following on the project and/or on the estimation and classification of the Ore Reserves: |
| • Any identified material naturally occurring risks. |
Nothing has been identified. | |
|---|---|---|
| • The status of material legal agreements and marketing arrangements. |
Nothing has been identified. | |
| • The status of governmental agreements and approvals critical to the viability of the project, such as mineral tenement status, and government and statutory approvals. There must be reasonable grounds to expect that all necessary Government approvals will be received within the timeframes anticipated in the Pre- Feasibility or Feasibility study. |
The project contemplates an existing, licensed mine site. | |
| • Highlight and discuss the materiality of any unresolved matter that is dependent on a thirdparty on which |
| extraction of the reserve is contingent. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Classification | • The basis for the classification of the Ore Reserves into varying confidence categories. |
Confidence is premised on the classification of the Mineral Resources. |
| • Whether the result appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s view of the deposit. |
The classification appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s view. | |
| • The proportion of Probable Ore Reserves that have been derived from Measured Mineral Resources(if any). |
Not applicable. | |
| Audits or reviews |
• The results of any audits or reviews of Ore Reserve estimates. |
No audits have been undertaken. |
| Discussion of relative accuracy/ confidence |
• Where appropriate a statement of the relative accuracy and confidence level in the Ore Reserve estimate using an approach or procedure deemed appropriate by the Competent Person. For example, the |
The classification appropriately reflects the Competent Person’s view, and this has been stated. |
| application of statistical or geostatistical procedures to quantify the relative accuracy of the reserve within stated confidence limits, or, if such an approach is not deemed appropriate, a qualitative discussion of the factors which could affect the relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate. |
||
|---|---|---|
| • The statement should specify whether it relates to global or local estimates, and, if local, state the relevant tonnages, which should be relevant to technical and economic evaluation. |
||
| • Documentation should include assumptions made and the procedures used. |
||
| • Accuracy and confidence discussions |
should extend to specific discussions of any applied Modifying Factors that may have a material impact on Ore Reserve viability, or for which there are remaining areas of uncertainty at the current study stage. • It is recognised that this may not be possible or appropriate in all circumstances. These statements of relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate should be compared with production data, where available.