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PERSEUS MINING LIMITED Capital/Financing Update 2015

Apr 20, 2015

46513_rns_2015-04-20_99e0aa39-8354-45b7-958f-4ab564fe16b2.pdf

Capital/Financing Update

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NEWS RELEASE

21 April 2015

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PERSEUS MINING ANNOUNCES REVISED SISSINGUÉ GOLD MINE FEASIBILITY STUDY

Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU) (“Perseus”) is pleased to announce the results of its revised Feasibility Study (“the RFS”) for the development of the Sissingué Gold Mine (“Sissingué” or the “SGM”) in Côte d’Ivoire.

In summary, the RFS confirms that the development of the SGM is both technically feasible and economically robust and on this basis Perseus has decided to proceed with the development of the SGM.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Revised Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 880,000ozs gold

  • Proved and Probable Ore Reserve of 429,000oz of gold (using US$1,200 gold price pit design)

  • Production of 385,000oz of gold during a 5.25 year mine life , at an average of approximately 75,000oz per year for the first 5 years

  • Average all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of US$632/oz over the life of mine

  • Start-up capital cost of US$106 million including contingency

  • Project funding to be a mix of existing cash and modest amount of third party debt

  • Targeting start of construction in September 2015 Quarter and first gold pour within fourteen months.

  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 27% (real) at a gold price of US$1,200/oz

  • Project development adds materially to the value of Perseus :

NET PRESENT VALUE (US$M) OF SISSINGUÉ’S FORECAST CASHFLOWS VALUE (US$M) OF SISSINGUÉ’S FORECAST CASHFLOWS VALUE (US$M) OF SISSINGUÉ’S FORECAST CASHFLOWS
Real Discount
Rate (%)
Gold Price
US$1,100/oz US$1,200/oz US$1,300/oz
6.50
8.25
10.00
40.7
33.2
26.8
70.0
60.8
52.5
97.2
86.5
76.8

Perseus Mining Limited (ACN 106 808 986), Second Floor, 437 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008, Australia PO Box 1578, Subiaco WA 6904, Australia T +618 6144 1700 | F +618 6144 2406

1

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Comments from Jeff Quartermaine, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Our revised feasibility study presents a strong case on both technical and economic grounds for proceeding to full-scale development of our second gold mine at Sissingué in Côte d’Ivoire. Equally as important, we believe there is a compelling strategic case to be made for moving into development at a time when many in the gold industry are pulling back from such decisions. Consistent with our corporate strategy, the development of Sissingué will result in a second production source and income stream that will decrease our reliance on the Edikan Gold Mine in Ghana for liquidity and income and through diversification, improve the consistency of our financial performance. It should also serve to materially reduce our overall risk profile because, in addition to reducing economic risk, the second operating mine will provide a spread of geopolitical risk as a result of being in a jurisdiction other than Ghana and a spread of technical risks. We consider that the development risk associated with this organic growth initiative is relatively low compared to the alternative of growing through acquisition given the amount of work that has been performed over the years leading up to the preparation of the revised feasibility study. The Sissingué gold deposit has been very well drilled out and the Mineral Resource estimate has been confirmed by a number of different independent mining engineering consultants. The project itself has been the subject of two feasibility studies, involving a comprehensive metallurgical test work programme that has delivered a strong understanding of the metallurgical properties of the ore body and a cost efficient method of processing it. A very credible engineering firm, Lycopodium, has been used to perform engineering and cost estimation for feasibility study purposes and they are well placed to assist us through the construction phase, given that they have an enviable record of successful developments in West Africa. Financing risk associated with the development is considered to be relatively modest given the current strength of Perseus’s balance sheet. At 31 March 2015, Perseus had A$149M of net working capital and no third party debt. While some of our existing cash is required for other projects, a portion of the cash will be allocated to fund Sissingué while the balance of development funding will be borrowed from debt financiers. It is not certain what will happen to the gold price going forward, but working on the premise that given the state of global economics, a rise in gold price in the next five years is more likely than not, it is timely that development of our next gold mine should start at this point in the cycle as it will place us in a position to produce gold in the event of a future uplift in gold price, rather than wait until gold prices have recovered and a trend of cost inflation has been re-established. Should the gold price fall, with an average all-in sustaining cost of US$632/oz over the life of the mine, Sissingué should be positioned better than most mines to generate positive cash flow. In summary, the development of Sissingué represents a relatively low cost, low-risk entry to doing business in French West Africa and in Côte d’Ivoire in particular. From experience gained from the development and operation of both Edikan and Sissingué, we will be well positioned to take advantage of other opportunities that become available in French West Africa in coming years.

Perseus Mining Limited (ACN 106 808 986), Second Floor, 437 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008, Australia PO Box 1578, Subiaco WA 6904, Australia T +618 6144 1700 | F +618 6144 2406

2

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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BACKGROUND TO THE REVISED FEASIBILITY STUDY

Based on the results of earlier exploration activities on the Tengrela East exploration permit, the Sissingué gold deposit was first drilled in late 2005 by Perseus’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Occidental Gold SARL (“OGIC”) and in late October 2010 a Definitive Feasibility Study of the Tengrela Gold Project was finalised and published. This study focussed on the development of the Sissingué gold deposit. On 8 August 2012, OGIC was granted an Exploitation Permit authorising it to develop and operate the SGM.

After completing a small amount of early works and procurement associated with the proposed mine development in late 2012, Perseus decided to defer proceeding to full scale development of the mine pending an improvement in trading conditions, negotiation of an acceptable Mining Convention with the Ivorian government, and the introduction of acceptable changes to Mining Laws.

In July 2013, the Exploitation Permit which covered the same area as OGIC’s Tengrela East exploration permit, was assigned to Perseus Mining (Côte d’Ivoire) SA (“PMCI”), a company that is 85% owned by Perseus and 15% owned by Société Minière de Côte d'Ivoire (“SOMICI”), an Ivorian company that is obliged to transfer 10% of the 15% in PMCI that it holds to the Ivorian Government in due course.

Since March 2014, following an improvement in trading conditions, Perseus has undertaken a comprehensive review of the assumptions that underpinned its original DFS of the SGM. This included reviewing in detail the Mineral Resource estimate and alternative processing flow sheets designed to increase gold recoveries as a prelude to comprehensively reassessing the feasibility of the project. The objective of this optimisation stage review was to conceptually design a smaller, higher grade operation with significantly reduced capital and operating costs that would generate an acceptable rate of return on any capital required to develop the project.

In the December 2014 Quarter, Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd, an internationally recognised engineering and project management consultancy, was appointed to prepare a RFS for the development of the SGM. The RFS was intended to not only reflect the preferred processing flow sheet, but also update where necessary all assumptions previously made on mining, processing and various service functions associated with the mine.

SUMMARY OF RFS

A comprehensive summary of the RFS is appended to this Release as Attachment A . The key technical and commercial parameters associated with the proposed mine development are summarised in Table 1 and shown on an annual basis in Table 2 below:

3

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Table 1: Key technical parameters

Key Parameters Units Amount Key Parameters Units Units Amount
[Mt]
[g/t]
[kozs]
[Mt]
[g/t]
[kozs]
[Mt]
[Mt]
[Mt]
[t:t]
[Mt/y]
[Mt/y]
[Mt/y]
[Mt/y]
[months]
[Mt]
[g/t]
[koz]
[%]
[koz]
[koz]
16.0
1.7
880
5.5
2.4
429
5.5
17.7
23.2
3.2
1.2
1.0
1.0
0.9
63
5.5
2.4
429
90
385
75
**Capital Costs3 ** [US$M]
[US$M]
[US$/oz]
[US$/t]
[US$/t]
[US$/t]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[US$/oz]
[koz]
[US$/oz]
106
5.2
14
3.70
16.75
7.70
223
240
3
110
49
14
636
385
1,200
Measured and
Indicated Mineral
Resources
Quantity
Grade
Contained gold
Proved and Probable
Ore Reserves
Development capital
Sustaining capital
Unit Costs3
Quantity
Grade
Contained gold
Mining
Operating Costs
Mining
Processing
G & A
Mining
Processing
Bullion transport
and refining
G & A
Royalties
Sustaining Capex
AISC
Revenue
Ore Mined
Waste mined
Total material mined
Waste: Ore strip ratio
Processing
Ore Processing Rates
Oxide ore
Primary ore - granite
Primary ore - porphyry
Primary ore - sediment
Processing Period
Tonnes milled
Average head grade
Contained gold
Average recovery
Recovered gold - total
Recovered gold –
Averageyears 1-5
Gold Sales
Average Price2

Note :

  1. All metrics represent 100% of Project

  2. Assumes flat gold price of US$1,200/oz over the 5.25 year mine life

  3. All costs shown exclude allowances for inflation

4

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Table 2: Key technical parameters - Annualised

Parameter Year -1
Year 1
Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Year 5
Year 6 Total
PRODUCTION
Ore mined
Waste mined
Total Material Mined
Strip ratio
Ore processed
Head grade
Recovery
Gold production
COSTS
Unit mining costs
Unit processing costs
Unit G&A costs
Production cash costs1
Royalties
Sustainingcapital costs
Mt
Mt
Mt
t:t
Mt
g/t gold
%
kozs
US$/t mined
US$/t milled
US$/t milled
US$/oz
US$/oz
US$/oz
0.2
1.0
2.3
5.0
2.5
6.0
13.6
4.8
-
1.1
-
2.0
-
91.7
-
67
-
3.18
-
13.85
-
7.39
-
639
-
49
-
3
1.8
4.2
6.0
2.3
1.1
2.6
90.3
82
3.31
17.06
7.79
568
49
7
0.7
3.9
4.6
5.3
1.1
2.0
89.2
61
4.07
16.85
7.76
736
49
6
0.6
1.2
1.8
0.5
2.4
1.7
2.9
0.5
1.1
1.0
2.4
3.2
90.7
88.6
74
93
6.35
7.61
16.94
18.46
7.78
7.60
553
424
49
49
15
6
-
-
-
-
0.2
1.5
-
8
-
20.78
8.75
782
49
0
5.5
17.7
23.2
3.2
5.5
2.4
89.7
385
3.70
16.75
7.70
574
49
14
Total all-in site cash cost
US$/oz
-
691
624
1Includes mining (incl. all waste stripping), processing, general and administration cash costs
Sustaining Capital
Development Capital
USDM
-
0.22
0.6
Construction Indirects
USDM
9.0
-
-
Treatment Plant Costs
USDM
24.5
-
-
Reagents & Plant Services
USDM
9.6
-
-
Infrastructure
USDM
25.6
-
-
Mining
USDM
11.9
-
-
Management Costs
USDM
9.7
-
-
Owners project Costs
USDM
12.9
-
-
OwnersOperationsCosts
USDM
2.8
-
-
790
0.3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
617
479
1.1
0.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
831
2.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
636
4.5
9.0
24.5
9.6
25.6
11.9
9.7
12.9
2.8
Total Development Capital
USDM
106.0
-
-
- -
-
- 106.0

5

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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INVESTMENT METRICS

Based on the life of mine production and cost parameters, the key investment metrics of the Net Present Value of cash flows forecast to be generated by Sissingué at a range of gold prices and applying a range of real discount rates are as follows:

Table 3: Net Present Value of Sissingué’s Forecast Cashflow

Real Discount
Rate (%)
Gold Price Gold Price Gold Price
US$1,100/oz US$1,200/oz US$1,300/oz
6.50
8.25
10.00
40.7
33.2
26.8
70.0
60.8
52.5
97.2
86.5
76.8

Note: ALL NPVs are shown in US$M

Other critical investment metrics include:

Table 4: Key Investment Parameters

Investment Parameters1
Units
Amount
Gross Cash flow
[US$M]
Net cash flow2
[US$M]
Average annual cash flow (years 1-5)
[US$M]
Payback period
[months]
Net cash flow tail
[months]
Ungeared Internal Rate of Return (IRR)3
[%]
Gross Cash Flow : Development Capital
[$:$]
Net Cash Flow: Development Capital
[$:$]
Net Present Value: Development Capital
[$:$]
208.4
112.4
41.7
32
31
27.0
2.0
1.0
0.5
  1. Assumes flat gold price of US$1,200/oz over the 5.25 year mine life

  2. Net of development capital and all taxes including corporate tax

  3. Stated in real terms (i.e. not notional)

SISSINGUÉ MINERAL RESOURCES

In October 2014, independent mining industry consultant, Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (“Snowden”) was commissioned by Perseus to estimate Mineral Resources at the Sissingué deposit. The Resource estimate was prepared in accordance with the 2012 Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code). (Refer to Attachment B – JORC Table 1). The Mineral Resource estimate is summarized in the following table that reports the Resources by category and area, above a 0.6 g/t gold cut-off grade. The classification categories of Inferred, Indicated and Measured under the JORC Code (2012) are equivalent to the CIM categories of the same name (CIM, 2014).

In summary, the updated global Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource for Sissingué is now estimated as 16.0Mt grading 1.7g/t gold, containing 880Kozs of gold. A further 1.1Mt of material grading 1.7g/t gold and containing a further 63Kozs of gold are classified as Inferred Mineral Resources. Details of these estimates are shown below in Table 5 .

6

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Table 5: Sissingué Mineral Resource Estimate – October 2014

Category Area Tonnage
(kt)
Grade
(g/t Au)
Contained
Gold (oz)
Measured Oxide 1,000 1.8 59,000
Transitional 650 2.3 49,000
Fresh 3,200 2.5 260,000
Total Measured 4,800 2.4 370,000
Indicated Oxide 3,100 1.3 130,000
Transitional 800 1.5 38,000
Fresh 7,100 1.5 350,000
Total Indicated 11,000 1.4 510,000
Measured +
Indicated
Oxide 4,100 1.4 190,000
Transitional 1,400 1.9 87,000
Fresh 10,000 1.8 600,000
Total Measured + Indicated Resource 16,000 **1.7 ** 880,000
Inferred
Oxide
Transitional
Fresh
310 1.2 12,000
54 1.2 2,100
760 2.0 49,000
Total Inferred Resource 1,100 1.7 63,000

Notes: Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are reported to two significant figures. Rounding may cause minor discrepancies in the table. Oxide includes small portions of laterite (571 kt total).

Geology

The Sissingué deposit is defined by a 4 km long and up to 1.5 km wide gold-in-soil anomaly situated on the Syama-Boundiali Greenstone Belt. Rocks encountered in outcrops and drilling comprise predominantly north-northeast striking, steeply west dipping and isoclinally folded sediments (sandstones, mudstones and subordinate conglomerates) of the Birimian Supergroup, interpreted as units of turbiditic flows. These sediments are cross cut by a swarm of narrow porphyritic dykes (sub-metre to several metres thick) which trend obliquely to the sedimentary package northwest with sub-vertical or steep to moderate dips towards the southeast.

Gold mineralisation at Sissingué is associated with the porphyritic dykes of tonalitic composition that cross cut the flysch sediments (turbidites). Subsequent metasomatism of the tonalite has led to a sericite-carbonate alteration within the intrusives and the more permeable horizons (sandstones and conglomerates) of the turbidites; and low to moderate grade disseminated gold mineralisation. Late stage high grade Au-Asquartz-carbonate veins exploited the altered and brittle portions of the intrusives and sediments with common occurrences of visible gold.

Drilling Techniques

The input dataset used for the Sissingué resource estimate contained 131,744 reverse circulation and diamond samples for 199,269 m of which 36,113 m lie within the mineralised domains.

Reverse circulation drilling (5¼ inch diameter) was usually 80 m or less in depth. Generally reverse circulation holes have collar azimuth and inclination only measured.

Diamond drilling was HQ in weathered rock and NQ in fresh rock. All diamond holes are downhole surveyed at 30 m intervals. 43 holes were oriented by core spear and 217 holes were oriented by an “AceTool” device.

The steep nature of the mineralisation and sometimes limited drill access meant that holes were at a moderate to low angle to the mineralisation. True thickness of intersections is typically half the downhole thickness.

7

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Sampling

All reverse circulation samples were collected at the drill site at 1 m intervals and split using a multi-stage riffle splitter. Each two consecutive samples were composited (where applicable) in one bag. Sample weights were nominally 2.5 kg and 5 kg for 1 m and 2 m samples respectively.

Diamond core was sawn in half using a motorized diamond blade saw; right half sent for assaying, left half stored in core trays for reference. 1 m samples were taken in fresh material and 1.5 m in oxide and transition. Both core and reverse circulation samples followed a standard path of drying, crushing and grinding. Samples were pulverized with a ring mill and thoroughly mixed on a rolling mat (“carpet roll”), and then 200 g of sub-sample was collected. Internal laboratory checks required at least 90% of the pulp passing - 75 microns. A 40 g to 50 g charge was produced for subsequent fire assay.

Perseus observed that core and reverse circulation samples showed very good recoveries and Perseus considers the samples to be representative of the mineralisation defined by the drilling.

Sample Analytical Methods

Three analytical laboratories have been used to assay samples from the Sissingué project: ALS Chemex Laboratories (Bamako/Mali), Intertek Minerals Ltd (Tarkwa/Ghana), and Bureau Veritas Minerals Laboratory (Bamako/Mali and Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire).

Two types of analysis for gold were performed, a standard fire assay using a 40 g to 50 g sub-sample, and BLEG bottle roll using a 1 kg sub-sample. Both methods were read by AAS with a detection limit of 0.01 g/t Au.

The first 26 reverse circulation holes were analysed by bottle roll, however, analysis of the tails showed that, on average, 20% of the gold was not recovered with this method. Subsequently, almost all samples were analysed by fire assay. In total, 3,168 reverse circulation samples and 154 diamond core samples (from 2 drillholes) were analysed by bottle roll.

Certified reference material (blanks and standards) were submitted into the sample stream at a rate of 1 in 20 to 25 samples (1 in 50 prior to 2008). Duplicate samples of reverse circulation chips were taken at a rate of 1 in 25.

Estimation Methodology

The Mineral Resource was estimated using ordinary kriging and multiple indicator kriging using CAE Studio (Datamine) software.

Estimation was constrained within mineralisation envelopes (wireframes) based on geological logging and grade thresholds. The three main host lithologies are granite, porphyritic dykes and sediments. Where geological contacts were not clearly controlling the distribution of mineralisation, a grade cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au was used to construct Mineral Resource boundaries. Analysis of the global grade distribution shows that there is a natural change in grade population at around 0.3 g/t Au.

Due to the highly skewed nature and mixed populations evident in the granites and sediments, multiple indicator kriging (MIK) was used to estimate gold grades.

Ordinary kriging with top cuts was used to estimate the lower grade dyke domains. A dynamic anisotropy approach was used, whereby the true dip and azimuth of the mineralised lodes was estimated into each block in the model and the search and variogram orientations were locally adjusted to reflect the geological orientation. This method allows the estimate to better reflect the changing orientation and undulating nature of some of these dykes along strike.

8

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Parent block dimensions of 10 mE by 10 mN by 5 mRL were used for estimation. All samples were composited to 2 m prior to estimation.

Criteria for Resource Classification

The Sissingué Mineral Resource has been classified in the Measured, Indicated and Inferred categories, in accordance with the 2012 Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) and the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A range of criteria has been considered in determining this classification including geological and grade continuity, data quality and drill hole spacing.

The key classification criteria are described as follows:

  • Geological continuity is understood with reasonable confidence. The classification reflects this level of confidence. Porphyry lithologies (dyke domains) were limited to Inferred and Indicated categories due to the mostly narrow nature of the mineralised bodies and consequently their sensitive geometry.

  • Resource classification is based on information and data provided from the Perseus database. Descriptions of drilling techniques, survey, sampling, sample preparation, analytical techniques and database management/validation provided indicate to Snowden that data collection and management is well within industry standards. The database represents an accurate record of the drilling undertaken at the project.

  • Drill hole location plots have been used to ensure that local drill spacing conforms to the minimum expected for the various resource classification categories.

  • The Measured category requires a drill spacing of 20 m by 20 m or closer.

  • The Indicated category is confined to areas where drill spacing is greater than 20 m by 20 m, but nominally up to 20 m (east-west) by 40 m (north-south) spacing. In the dyke domains, in addition to the drill spacing constraints, a minimum of two drill hole intercepts per drill section is required.

  • The Inferred category is assigned to all other estimated blocks within the potentially economic areas of the deposit.

  • Trial optimisation has been run at a USD2,400/oz gold price to define the base of potentially economic material. All blocks outside this shell are unclassified.

  • Snowden considers the estimation technique and parameters appropriate for this style of mineralisation.

Cut-Off Grade

The reporting cut-off is based on optimisation studies conducted by Perseus as part of the 2010 Feasibility Study that suggested that the deposit can be economically extracted at a gold cut-off in the range 0.4-0.6 g/t.

Mining and Metallurgical Methods and Parameters

Trial open pit optimisation was run in Whittle at a USD2,400/oz gold price (double the current spot price) to define the base of potentially economic material for the Mineral Resource.

The metallurgical work carried out to date indicates that gold can be satisfactorily recovered from Sissingué ore using conventional CIL extraction techniques. The work is considered sufficient to determine that the Sissingué resource represents a deposit capable of economic extraction.

9

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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SISSINGUÉ ORE RESERVES

RungePincockMinarco Limited (“RPM”) was commissioned by Perseus to complete a mining study and a subsequent independent estimate of the open cut Ore Reserves for the SGM. The Ore Reserve Statement estimates the Ore Reserves as at 1 February 2015 and has been undertaken in compliance with the requirements of the reporting guidelines of the 2012 Joint Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (“JORC Code”) (Refer to Attachment B – JORC Table 1).

A total of 5.5 Mt of open cut Ore Reserves grading 2.4g/t gold were estimated for the SGM as at 1 February 2015 classified as follows in Table 6 :

Table 6: Sissingué Ore Reserves - 1 February 2015

Classification Quantity (Mt) Gold Grade (g/t) Gold (koz)
Proved
Probable
3.4
2.1
2.8
1.7
312
115
Proved + Probable Ore Reserves 5.5 2.4 429

Note: Rounding may cause minor mathematical discrepancies in the table.

The calculation of the ore Reserves for the SGM was based on the following assumptions:

Economic assumptions

  • a. Gold metal price US$1,200/oz.

  • b. A discount rate of 10% (real) has been assumed to calculate net present values of forecast cash flows unless specified otherwise.

  • c. Un-escalated average costs used in optimising pit designs included:

Table 7: Assumed operating costs

Mining **Processing1 ** G&A **Selling cost2 ** Royalty
3.70/t mined 16.75/t processed 7.70/t processed 2.80/oz sold 4.5%

Notes:

  • 1.Processing cost per tonne includes selling costs.

  • 2.Selling costs include bullion transportation and refining.

  • 3.Royalty includes amounts paid to the State (3.5%), community development fund (0.5%), Franco Nevada (0.5%) and Ivorian vendors of the property (US$0.80/oz).

  • 4.Government royalty operates on a sliding scale as follows:

  • a.three percent, where the sale price of an ounce of gold is less than or equal to one thousand US dollars;

  • b.three point five percent, where the sale price of an ounce of gold is more than one thousand US dollars and less than or equal to one thousand three hundred US dollars;

  • c.four percent, where the sale price of an ounce of gold is more than one thousand three thousand US dollars and less than or equal to one thousand six hundred US dollars;

  • d.five percent, where the sale price of an ounce of gold is more than one thousand six thousand US dollars and less than or equal to two thousand US dollars;

  • e.six percent, where the sale price of an ounce of gold is more than two thousand US dollars.

10

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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Mining parameters

  • a. The chosen method of mining is conventional open pit mining utilising hydraulic excavators and trucks, mining bench heights of 5 m in ore and 10 m in waste with 2.5 m flitches to minimise ore loss and waste rock dilution.

  • b. The economic pit shell was defined using Whittle 4X pit optimisation software (“Whittle 4X”) with inputs such as geotechnical parameters, ore loss and dilution, metallurgical recovery and mining costs.

  • c. The pit optimisation was run with revenue generated only by Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. No value was allocated to Inferred Mineral Resources.

  • d. Whittle 4X input parameters were generally based on Perseus’s operating site experience at Edikan and supporting technical studies.

  • e. Geotechnical parameters for Sissingué vary depending on the material type and Pit Sector. The inter-ramp slope angles are between 38 to 53 degrees.

  • f. Appropriate mining modifying factors such as ore loss, dilution and design parameters were used to convert the Mineral Resource to an Ore Reserve.

  • g. An SMU of 2.5 m east x 5.0 m west x 5.0 m high was selected resulting in approximately 3% ore loss and 5% mining dilution.

  • h. Minimum mining width of 40 m was generally applied to the pit designs.

  • i. As the mine is a green fields site, all surface infrastructure is required to enable the aforementioned mining method to be successfully implemented.

  • j. There are no physical constraints to mining within the lease area. No property, infrastructure or environmental issues are known to exist which may limit the extent of mining within the mining lease.

  • k. Ore cut-off grades are based on the economic and mining parameters described above and are as follows:

Table 8: Cut-off Grades

Cut-Off Grade by Ore Type (g/t gold) Grade by Ore Type (g/t gold)
Oxide Transition Granite/Porphyry Sediment
0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0

Processing Parameters

  • a. The Sissingué processing plant will use crushing, grinding gravity recovery and cyanide leaching to extract gold. The plant will have a nameplate throughput capacity of 1.2Mtpa on oxide ore and 1.0Mtpa on fresh ore.

  • b. The technology to be used in the processing plant is well proven in many other operations globally.

  • c. The processing test work is representative of the different material types throughout the Mining area.

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  • d. No deleterious material has been identified.

  • e. Metallurgical test work has been carried out to a standard that Lycopodium considered representative of the orebody as a whole.

  • f. The process metallurgical recovery for gold is fixed by material type.

Table 9: Recoveries

Recovery by Ore Type (%)
Oxide Transition Granite/Porphyry Sediment
92 91 90 78

Classification

  1. Ore Reserves have been classified based on the underlying Mineral Resources classifications and the level of detail in the mine planning. The Mineral Resources were classified as Measured, Indicated and Inferred. The Ore Reserves, based only on the Measured and Indicated Resources, have been classified as Proved and Probable Ore Reserves, respectively.

  2. The Ore Reserve is classified as Proved and Probable in accordance with the JORC Code, corresponding to the Mineral Resource classifications of Measured and Indicated and taking into account other factors where relevant. The deposit’s geological model is well constrained. The Ore Reserve classification is considered appropriate given the nature of the deposit, the moderate grade variability, drilling density, structural complexity and mining history. Therefore it was deemed appropriate to use Measured Mineral Resources as a basis for Proved Reserves and Indicated Mineral Resources as a basis for Probable Reserves.

  3. No Inferred Mineral Resources were included in the Ore Reserve estimate.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The Board of Directors of Perseus has approved the Company’s plans to advance the implementation of the development of the SGM. Prior to full scale commitment to the development, the following tasks will be completed:

  • Finalisation of a funding package of US$106M to satisfy the capital development requirements of the mine development. It is anticipated that a proportion of the funding will be provided by debt financiers with the balance of funds required being drawn from Perseus’s existing cash reserves. Management is currently working with advisers on designing the optimum debt/equity funding mix and funding structure taking into account competing uses of capital from within the Company. The Company has conducted a range of discussions with potential financiers and expects to formally approach the debt market during the course of the June 2015 Quarter with a view to finalising finance by the September 2015 Quarter.

  • Finalising a Mining Convention with the Ivorian Government. Material changes were made to the Ivorian Mining Code in May 2014 including the right of companies to enter into a Mining Convention with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in which the conditions governing the development and operation of the mine are prescribed and guaranteed for the life of the mine. Perseus has been in discussion with the Ivorian Government on the terms of a Mining Convention for several months and outstanding matters will need to be agreed to the satisfaction of both parties.

  • Formulation of a detailed Project Implementation Plan including the recruitment of key development and operating staff that will be responsible for implementing both project development and then

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operations. Systems, policies and procedures developed for the Company’s Edikan Gold Mine in Ghana will be adapted for use in Côte d’Ivoire.

To discuss any aspect of this announcement, please contact:

Managing Director: Jeff Quartermaine at telephone +61 8 6144 1700 or email [email protected] (Perth);

Investor Relations: Nathan Ryan at telephone +61 (0) 420 582 887 or email [email protected] (Melbourne).

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information : This report contains forward-looking information which is based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events and results. Such forward-looking information includes but is not limited to information with respect to future exploration and drilling, procurement of financing, procurement of necessary regulatory approvals, continuing commercial production at the Edikan Gold Mine without any major disruption, the development of a mine at Sissingué.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents.. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company’s ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Competent Person Statement

All production targets for the Sissingué Gold Mine (SGM) referred to in this report are underpinned by estimated Ore Reserves which have been prepared by competent persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code.

The information in this report and the attachments that relates to SGM Mineral Resources is based on information compiled and reviewed by Lynn Olssen a Competent Person who is a Chartered Professional Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a full time employee of Snowden Mining Industry Consultants Pty Ltd. Ms Olssen has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012.Ms Olssen has no economic, financial or pecuniary interest in the company and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this report and the attachments that relates to SGM Ore Reserves is based on information compiled and reviewed by Joe McDiarmid a Competent Person who is a Chartered Professional Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a full time employee of RungePincockMinarco. Mr McDiarmid has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012.Mr McDiarmid has no economic, financial or pecuniary interest in the company and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

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ATTACHMENT A

Executive Summary Revised Feasibility Study Sissingué Gold Mine

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 1
2. PROJECT LOCATION & TENURE.............................................................................................. 2
3. GEOLOGY & RESOURCES......................................................................................................... 6
3.1. Geology and mineralisation............................................................................................................ 6
3.2. Drill hole Data.............................................................................................................................. 6
3.3. Geology and mineralisation domains.............................................................................................. 7
3.4. Mineral Resource classification and reporting.................................................................................. 7
4. MINING.................................................................................................................................... 10
5. PROCESSING............................................................................................................................ 13
5.1. Metallurgy.................................................................................................................................. 13
5.2. Process Plant.............................................................................................................................. 13
6. INFRASTRUCTURE.................................................................................................................. 16
6.1. Site Layout................................................................................................................................. 16
6.2. Buildings and infrastructure......................................................................................................... 16
7. TAILINGS STORAGE & SITE WATER BALANCE................................................................... 19
7.1. Tailings storage facility............................................................................................................... 19
7.2. Site water balance....................................................................................................................... 19
8. ENVIRONMENT & SOCIAL IMPACT....................................................................................... 20
9. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION................................................................................................. 21
10. OPERATIONS........................................................................................................................... 22
10.1. Transition to operations............................................................................................................... 22
10.2. Ramp up and production.............................................................................................................. 22
10.3. Gold production.......................................................................................................................... 23
11. OPERATING COSTS................................................................................................................. 24
11.1. Mining costs............................................................................................................................... 24
11.2. Processing & Administration........................................................................................................ 24
12. CAPITAL COSTS...................................................................................................................... 25
13. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS........................................................................................................... 26
14. OPPORTUNITES AND THREATS............................................................................................. 27
14.1. Opportunities.............................................................................................................................. 27
14.1.1.
Project timing................................................................................................................... 27
14.1.2.
Extension to mine life....................................................................................................... 27
14.1.3.
Mining Cost..................................................................................................................... 27
14.2. Threats....................................................................................................................................... 27

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1. INTRODUCTION

Perseus Mining Ltd (“Perseus”) is evaluating the Sissingué Gold Project (“Project” or “Sissingué”) for development. The project is located in northern Côte d’Ivoire, adjacent to the Mali border and approximately 700km from the commercial capital, Abidjan. Closer to the project, Tengrela is the nearest town some 15km to the west and Korhogo, the principal regional centre is 150km to the southeast.

A definitive feasibility study (“DFS”) of the Project was completed in Q1 2015. The DFS was coordinated by Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd and drew upon previous published reports and new contributions from:

  • Snowden Mining Industry Consultants – Resource Modelling and Mineral Resource Estimate

  • RungePincockMinarco – Mining and Ore Reserve Estimate

  • Worley Parsons – Tailings

  • Lycopodium – Ore Processing, Site Infrastructure and Overall Project Co-ordination

  • Perseus – Metallurgy, Owners Costs and Economic Parameters

This paper summarises the DFS and presents the financial evaluation of the Project.

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2. PROJECT LOCATION & TENURE

The Sissingué Gold Project, formerly known as the Tengrela Gold Project, is located in northern Côte d’Ivoire, adjacent to the Mali border and approximately 700km north of the commercial capital, Abidjan (Refer to Figures 1 and 2 ). The nearest town is Tengrela, located approximately 15km to the west of the concession boundaries. Korhogo, the principal regional centre, is located 150km to the southeast. The Project area is centred at National Grid reference 1,141,666N and 804,166E.

Occidental Gold Sarl (“OGIC”), then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Afminex Limited (“Afminex”), and Société Minière De Côte d’Ivoire SARL (“SOMICI”) entered into a joint venture agreement dated September 29, 1997 (“1997 Agreement”) with respect to the acquisition, exploration and development of the Project, with OGIC holding a 90% interest in the Project and SOMICI holding a 10% interest.

An agreement dated 20 May 2009 was made between OGIC and SOMICI pursuant to which an option was granted to OGIC to acquire a 5% interest in the Project from SOMICI. In December 2010, OGIC exercised this option thereby increasing its interest to 95% and reducing SOMICI’s interest to 5%.

Perseus acquired its interest in the Project by agreements dated March 2004 pursuant to which its then holding company, Afminex, sold all of the shares of Occidental Gold Pty Ltd (“OGPL”) (which holds all of the shares of OGIC) and assigned loans to Perseus for consideration comprising shares in Perseus and a royalty interest.

The Tengrela East Permit was last renewed on 21 April 2009 and expired on 19 November 2011. In replacement of the Tengrela East exploration permit, OGIC was granted exploitation permit PE 39 (the “Exploitation Permit”) for the development of the Sissingué Gold Deposit in August 2012. The Exploitation Permit was subsequently transferred to another Ivorian subsidiary company, Perseus Mining Côte d’Ivoire SA (“PMCI”) in July 2013.

As a result of the grant of the Exploitation Permit for the Project, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has a statutory 10% free carried interest in the Project company and OGIC’s interest has reduced to 85%. This is reflected in the shareholding of PMCI as follows:

Perseus (through OGPL): 85%
The State of Côte d’Ivoire (held by SOMICI and to be transferred to the State): 10%
SOMICI: 5%

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Figure 1: General project location

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Figure 2: Detailed Project Location

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OGPL is an Australian registered company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Perseus.

Under the conditions of the Exploitation Permit, PMCI had to commence production from the Permit by no later than 8 August 2014. By order dated 17 March 2014, the Ivorian Government has granted an extension to commence production until 17 March 2016.

Sissingué is currently the main focus of development at the Project, however several other mineral occurrences have been identified in the Project area. Figure 3 shows the location of all known mineralised zones, Mineral Resources, Ore Reserves and mine workings relative to the outside property boundaries. All known zones of mineralisation and Mineral Resources have been located accurately and there is no risk of any of the known Mineral Resources being outside the Permit boundaries due to survey errors.

Figure 3: Location of known mineralised zones

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3. GEOLOGY & RESOURCES

  • 3.1. Geology and mineralisation

  • The Sissingué deposit is defined by a 4 km long and up to 1.5 km wide gold-in-soil anomaly situated on the Syama-Boundiali Greenstone Belt. Rocks encountered in outcrops and drilling comprise predominantly north-north east striking, steeply west dipping and isoclinally folded sediments (sandstones, mudstones and subordinate conglomerates) of the Birimian Supergroup, interpreted as units of turbiditic flows. These sediments are cross cut by a swarm of narrow porphyritic dykes (sub-metre to several metres thick) which trend obliquely to the sedimentary package north-west with sub-vertical or steep to moderate dips towards the south-east. Some minor dykes appear to have exploited weak zones parallel to sedimentary bedding.

Gold mineralisation is found as three distinct styles as summarised below:

  • Disseminated or fracture related mineralisation in the felsic intrusive closely associated with sericite-carbonate alteration, silicification and a pyrite and arsenopyrite mineralisation. The average gold tenor of this type of mineralisation is usually relatively high (2 g/t gold to 5 g/t gold).

  • Significant low grade gold mineralisation (commonly below 2 g/t gold) is encountered within sediments immediately adjacent to the intrusive bodies within their respective alteration halos. The gold tenor is perceived to be closely correlated to alteration intensity and hence with primary porosity of the rocks. Sandstones and conglomerate are usually better mineralised than fine grain mud- and siltstones.

  • High grade mineralisation (with grades exceeding 1,000 g/t gold) is associated with quartz veins which are encountered in the upper portion of the intrusive bodies and in the altered and brittle portion of sediments directly above. Visible gold is common.

It appears that weathering has an effect on the gold distribution. Boundary plots and sample histograms for the various weathering domains suggest that gold has been depleted in weathered (oxidised) material. Descending waters resulted in gold enrichment in the transition zone as well as in nugget growth where existing nuggets have been freed from country rock during weathering processes.

3.2. Drill hole Data

The input dataset used for the Sissingué Mineral Resource estimate contained 131,744 reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling and diamond drilling (“DD”) samples for 199,269 m of which 36,113 m lie within the mineralised domains.

The total dataset within the Sissingué Mineral Resource area is illustrated in plan view in Figure 4 .

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Figure 4: Plan view of Sissingué drill hole data

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  • 3.3. Geology and mineralisation domains

  • Mineralisation was domained by its host lithology for modelling (granite, porphyritic dykes and sediments). Within the dyke domain mineralised sediments in the alteration halo of the dykes were included in the dyke domain to maintain a minimum width of the wireframes and to maintain continuity along strike. Where geological contacts were not clearly controlling the distribution of mineralisation, a grade cut-off of 0.3 g/t gold was used to construct Mineral Resource boundaries and to provide overall geometry to mineralised zones. A minimum of 4 m width was used for the wireframes and samples of grades below the nominal cut-off of 0.3 g/t gold were included where the wireframe would otherwise be less than 4 m wide. Analysis of the global grade distribution shows that there is a natural change in grade population at around 0.3 g/t gold.

A plan view of the major modelling domains is shown in Figure 5.

A topographic surface and three surfaces of the weathering profile were created by Perseus who supplied the wireframes to Snowden. A cross section illustrating the topography and the four weathering surfaces is shown in Figure 6 . Review of the oxide, transitional and fresh weathering domains within the granites, sediments and dykes indicates that the grade distributions have similar shapes, with typically higher grades in the transitional domain.

  • 3.4. Mineral Resource classification and reporting Snowden reviewed the classification applied to the previous Mineral Resource estimate (Widenbar, 2013) and concluded that the classification is appropriate with respect to confidence in tonnes and grade estimates; however recent information on recovery and mining factors has resulted in a trial optimisation being run to determine the potential for economic extraction, in particular for the lower grade and peripheral mineralisation.

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Figure 5: Plan view of mineralisation Domains with drill holes and project areas

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Figure 6: Cross section showing topography and weathering surfaces

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Table 1 : October 2014 Sissingué Mineral Resource reported at a 0.6 g/t Au cut-off

Category Area Quantity
Mt
Grade
g/t gold
Gold ‘000
ounces
Measured Oxide
Transitional
Fresh
1.0
0.6
3.2
1.8
2.3
2.5
59
49
260
Total Measured 4.8 2.4 370
Indicated Oxide
Transitional
Fresh
3.1
0.8
7.1
1.3
1.5
1.5
130
38
350
Total Indicated 11.0 1.4 510
Measured + Indicated Oxide
Transitional
Fresh
4.1
1.4
10.0
1.4
1.9
1.8
190
87
600
Total Measured + Indicated 16.0 1.7 880
Inferred Oxide
Transitional
Fresh
0.3
0.0
0.8
1.2
1.2
2.0
12
2
49
Total Inferred 1.1 1.7 63

Notes: Mineral Resources are inclusive of Ore Reserves. Mineral Resources are reported to one significant figure. Rounding may cause minor discrepancies in the table. Oxide includes small portions of laterite (571 kt total).

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4. MINING

A mining study was completed by RungePincockMinarco (“RPM”) in close liaison with Perseus personnel.

Mining costs were estimated based on a quotation from DTP Terrassement (“DTP”) (the locally experienced earthworks division of a French contractor Bouygues Construction Group) and by RPM for the owner’s component, including site based management, supervision and technical support, with input from Perseus.

A geotechnical evaluation of the pit was completed based on drilling and test work. Slope stability analysis was completed from which pit slope angles were derived. An assessment of the hydrogeological conditions in the pit was also made.

Suitable equipment was selected for mining of the ore body in order to minimise dilution and ore loss.

Pit optimisation was completed using the mining costs, slope angles, processing costs, general and administration costs and other selling costs, as shown in Table 2 . A gold price of US$1,200 was used in the evaluation.

Table 2: Summary Pit Optimisation Input Parameters

Units Oxide Trans Fresh -GR/PY Fresh -SD
Mining Cost
Total US$/t 3.55 4.29 4.62 4.62
Processing Cost
Total US$/t 19.41 24.81 26.78 28.65
Selling Costs
Royalty Ivoriangovernment 4.00%
FrancoNevada 0.50%
Ivorianpartners 0.80 $/tr.oz
Bullion transfer and refining cost 2.80 $/tr.oz
Mining Parameters
OreLoss % 3% 3% 3% 3%
OreDilution % 5% 5% 5% 5%
Pit Slopes Bearing Units Oxide Trans Fresh
OverallSlopes (excl. ramps) 0 degrees 38 47 53
45 degrees 38 47 53
90 degrees 38 47 51
135 degrees 38 47 51
180 degrees 38 47 53
225 degrees 38 47 53
270 degrees 38 47 53
315 degrees 38 47 53
Other Units Oxide Trans Fresh
Average rock density t/bcm 1.96 2.30 2.73
Processing Rate
Throughputrate t/hr 150 132 128 118
Processing capacity hrs/yr 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000
Throughput rate t/year 1,200,000 1,056,000 1,024,000 944,000
Processing Recovery
Gold % 92% 91% 90% average 78%
Selling Price
Metal Au US$/t.oz 1,200

Assessment of the optimisation results identified three adjoining zones of value in the north, centre and south of the deposit, with potential to fit in a starter pit in the area to the south.

Mine designs were produced for a Phase 1 pit in the north, a small Phase 2 pit in the south, with the Phase 3 pit mining the remainder of the southern and central areas. The mine designs are shown in Figure 7 .

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----- Start of picture text -----

Figure 7: Pit Designs
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A schedule was produced taking into consideration vertical rate of advance and total material movement. The total monthly material movements of ore and waste are shown in Figure 8 .

Figure 8: Total Material Movement

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----- Start of picture text -----

Total Expit Movement
600,000.00
500,000.00
400,000.00
300,000.00
200,000.00
100,000.00
0.00
Ore Waste
Tonnes
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Stockpiling of material is carried out during the mine life as shown in Figure 9 . An area has been designed to accommodate the stockpiles close to the crusher.

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Figure 9: Stockpile Balance

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----- Start of picture text -----

Stockpile Balance
1,000,000.00
900,000.00
800,000.00
700,000.00
600,000.00
500,000.00
400,000.00
300,000.00
200,000.00
100,000.00
0.00
Stockpile
Tonnes
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An Ore Reserve was generated from within the pit design and is shown in Table 3 .

Table 3: March 2015 Ore Reserve

Ore Type Proved Proved Probable Probable Probable TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
Quantity
Mt
Grade
g/t
gold
Gold
'000
ounces
Quantity
Mt
Grade
g/t
gold
Gold
'000
ounces
Quantity
Mt
Grade
g/t
gold
Gold
'000
ounces
Oxide
Transition
Fresh
0.9
1.8
0.5
2.5
2.0
3.3
55
42
215
1.1
1.3
46
0.3
1.6
15
0.7
2.3
54
2.0
1.6
102
0.8
2.2
57
2.7
3.1
270
TOTAL 3.4
2.8
312 2.1
1.7
115
5.5
2.4
429

Note: Rounding may cause minor mathematical discrepancies in the table.

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5. PROCESSING

5.1. Metallurgy

Between 2010 and 2014 a series of four metallurgical test work programmes were completed to support the feasibility study of the Project.

Conclusions from the test work programs on the Sissingué ore samples are:

  • Sissingué ores are predominantly 'free-milling', non–'preg-robbing' and are amenable to gold extraction by conventional cyanidation. Some of the samples tested exhibited a refractory nature, however less than 1.5% of the ore within the final pit design is of this material type;

  • The oxide ores typically yield high recoveries (90% to 98%) at a grind size P80 of 106 µm. Leach kinetics are variable with approximately 40% of the samples tested completing leaching with 24 hours, while the remainder exhibit a slow leaching component to 48 hours;

  • The granite hosted sulphide ores typically have high recoveries (87% to 94%) and exhibit a slow leaching component with leach time of 48 hours being required;

  • The porphyry hosted sulphide ore responded similarly to granite ore;

  • The sediment hosted sulphide ores had variable recoveries ranging from 39.9% to 95.6%. A slow leaching component is present and a leach time of 48 hours is required;

  • The oxide and sulphide ores have dissimilar physical and comminution characteristics. The oxide ore is soft and non-abrasive, while the sulphide ores are abrasive, hard and competent to very competent. Oxide ores will be processed by a two stage crushing circuit, with a third stage of crushing added for processing of the sulphide ores;

  • Gravity test-work showed variable recovery (0.7% to 87.4%) of gold by centrifugal gravity concentration and intensive cyanidation of gravity concentrate. A gravity circuit has been included in the flow sheet as visible gold is present in drill core; and

  • Pre-oxidation is found to be beneficial in leach kinetics and overall recovery, predominantly for sulphide ores.

5.2. Process Plant

The proposed process plant design for the Project is based on a robust metallurgical flow sheet designed for optimum recovery with minimum operating costs. The flow sheet is constructed from unit operations that are well proven in industry.

The layout of the plant is shown in Figure 10 .

The Sissingué plant will process a range of ore types (oxide, transition and primary porphyry, granite and sediment ores) with variable ore characteristics, gold grades and metallurgical treatment requirements. The primary ores are significantly more competent than the oxide ores and require a longer leach time in order to optimise gold recovery.

Ores will be mined so that predominantly oxide/transitional ore will be processed in two phases; during the first year and then again for a five month period in year 3. Some blending with primary ores will be required in the final two years. Oxide ore will be processed at a rate of up to 1.2 Mt/y using a two stage crushing and single stage SAG mill circuit. Primary ore will be processed at a rate of 1.0 Mt/y using a three stage crushing and ball mill circuit, where the SAG mill has been reconfigured to operate as a ball mill.

The key process design criteria used as the basis of the process plant design and equipment selection are shown in Table 4 .

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Figure 10: General plant layout

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It is planned to process primary ore at rates faster than the design rate 0.8 Mt/y selected at the start of the Project. The leach feed density will be increased to compensate for the higher throughput rates and cyanide will be added to the first leach tank if required.

The general control philosophy for the plant will involve a low level of automation and remote control facilities. Instrumentation will be provided within the plant to measure and control key process parameters. The main control room, which will be located adjacent to the plant offices, will house two PC based operator interface terminals (“OIT”). Both of the OITs will act as the control system supervisory control and data acquisition (“SCADA”) servers as well as configuration / operator stations. The control room is intended to provide a central area from where the plant is operated and monitored and from which the regulatory control loops can be monitored and adjusted. All key process and maintenance parameters will be available for trending and alarming on the process control system.

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Table 4: Summary of key process design criteria

Oxide Primary Blend Source
Crushing Circuit Capacity
Plant Throughput - Design
Plant Throughput – Nominal
Max.
Gold Head Grade
Design Gold Recovery
Crushing Plant Utilisation
Plant Availability
Comminution Circuit
Crush Size, P80
Grind Size, P80
Mill Pinion Power
Leach /CIL Residence Time
Leach Slurry Density
Number of Pre-Oxidation
Tanks
Number of Leach Tanks
Number of Adsorption Tanks
Cyanide Consumption
Quicklime Consumption
Elution Circuit Type
Elution Circuit Size
Frequency of Elution
t/y
t/y
t/y
g Au/t
%
%
%
mm
µm
kW
hrs
% w/w
kg/t
kg/t
t
strips / week
1,200,000
1,200,000
2.50
92
70.0
91.3
2oCrush & SAG
32
106
620
31
45
0
1
6
0.51
0.76
Zadra
4
7
1,000,000
800,000
1,000,000
3.75
90
70.0
91.3
3oCrush & Ball
9.5
106
1,750
48
52
1
0
6
0.59
0.32
Zadra
4
4
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Lycopodium
Lycopodium
Perseus / OMC
OMC
Perseus
OMC
Perseus
Test work
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Perseus
Lycopodium
Lycopodium

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6. INFRASTRUCTURE

6.1. Site Layout

The overall site development plan is shown in Figure 11 . The drawing shows the major features of the Project and its infrastructure including the process plant, tailings storage facility, accommodation camp, roads, airstrip, mine services area, mine open pit and mine waste dumps.

==> picture [502 x 319] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----

Figure 11: Site layout
----- End of picture text -----

The process plant and tailings storage facility are located on the eastern side of the Sissingué open pit, just outside of the 500 m blast zone. The accommodation camp and airstrip are located south / southwest of the process plant.

The main access road approaches the site from the west and the layout provides easy access for personnel and material movements.

6.2.

Buildings and infrastructure

The site as a whole will be fenced to clearly delineate the mine area, prevent animal access and deter access by unauthorised persons. Road access into the fenced area will be through a manned checkpoint. Site security is based on concentric lines of fencing / control. Security fencing will surround the accommodation camp and general site infrastructure. Monitored high security fencing will surround the process plant.

The existing road, approximately 23 km long, between Tengrela and Sissingué will be upgraded to a six metre wide gravel, all weather, and free draining carriageway to provide access for the delivery of equipment, materials and services to the site.

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A 1,200 m long x 20 m wide all weather gravel airstrip will be provided for secure transport of bullion to Abidjan for on-shipment to a refinery. The airstrip can also be used for emergency medivac should this be required.

The closest connection point to the Ivorian national power grid is the 225 kV substation at Boundiali which is 92km to the south-south west of the proposed Sissingué mine site. As a connection is dependent on providing additional infrastructure to connect Tengrela and Sissingué to the national grid, this is not an economically attractive option based on current cost estimates. Power will therefore be generated on site by a diesel fuelled power station located adjacent to the fuel storage facility. The power station will supply the main HV switch room inside the processing plant from which power will be distributed. Power will be generated by four 1.6 MW 415kV high speed generators and 415V/11kV step-up transformers. It has been assumed that four Caterpillar generators that were recently purchased as a temporary partial power source for Perseus’s Edikan operation in Ghana will be relocated to the Sissingué mine site. The cost of acquiring the generators from Perseus’s Ghanaian subsidiary, transport, installation and commissioning has been included in the capital cost estimate.

An accommodation camp will be located approximately 2.2 km south west of the process plant and will provide accommodation for 130 salaried and security staff not originating from the local area.

The existing exploration camp supplemented with the available two bedroom units will be used for pioneer accommodation pending early completion of elements of the permanent camp.

The permanent camp will then be used for Perseus and Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (“EPCM”) contractor staff with any surplus capacity made available to senior contractor personnel if available.

During construction, contractors will be required to provide their own accommodation for their construction workforce. An area will be set aside for temporary contractor camps adjacent to the construction site. Alternatively, some contractors may choose to source temporary accommodation in nearby towns and villages.

A vendor package, modular potable water treatment plant including filtration, ultra-violet sterilisation and chlorination will be installed. Potable water will be stored in the plant potable water tank and will be reticulated to the plant buildings, site ablutions, safety showers and other potable water outlets.

Effluent from all water fixtures in the process plant, mine services area and accommodation camp will drain to gravity sewerage systems. The gravity sewerage system for each area will drain to a sewer pump station from where it will discharge via a pressure main to a vendor package sewage treatment plant system located at the process plant.

Site buildings will be ‘fit for purpose’ industrial type structures. The workshop and warehouse will be constructed of a concrete slab on ground with structural steel frame and metal cladding. Offices and amenity buildings will be prefabricated structures.

The following facilities will be located in a fenced area adjacent to the process plant:

  • Gatehouse with turnstile and entry boom gate control.

  • Weighbridge for control of fuel and consumable deliveries.

  • Main administration building.

  • First aid / clinic.

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  • Administration junior staff mess.

  • Warehouse and stores.

  • Contract laboratory.

  • Power station.

  • Fuel storage facility.

  • Mine services area (facilities to be provided by the mining contractor).

The following buildings will be located inside the process plant high security area:

  • Security access building and change room including laundry.

  • Plant offices, training room, junior staff mess and ablutions.

  • Plant workshop including small store, welding bay and overhead crane.

  • Engineering offices and ablutions.

  • Reagent storage area.

  • Gold room.

Internal communications and IT services shall be via a site wide fibre optic network.

One of the local mobile phone providers will be contracted to install facilities on site and provide a link into the local, national and international telecommunication network.

A radio network will be established with dedicated operational, security and emergency channels.

A local ground station will be installed to provide global satellite voice and data connection.

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7. TAILINGS STORAGE & SITE WATER BALANCE

7.1. Tailings storage facility

The Tailings Storage Facility (“TSF”), located about 300 metres south east of the plant, will receive the tailings slurry at about 43% solids (oxide) and 48% solids (primary). Return water from the TSF will be used to meet plant process water requirements.

The TSF has a nominal diameter of 1,100 m occupying a storage surface area of approximately 100 ha. The facility and will be surrounded by mine waste to form an Integrated Waste Landform (“IWL”). The facility is a geotechnically engineered clay structure designed to contain tailings and minimise seepage losses. The TSF has been designed to have a maximum storage capacity for 8.7 Mt. However, at this stage only 5.5 Mt be deposited over a life of five years. The facility is constructed in two stages, where Stage 1 provides storage for 4.5Mt and will be constructed using mine pre-strip materials as part of the construction. Stage 2 will occur in year 4 and will utilise stockpiled oxide waste.

7.2. Site water balance

The site water balance indicates that sufficient water will be available over the life of mine even if no water is taken from the near-by Bagoe River. It has been assumed that an abstraction licence to top up the water level in the TSF should it fall below 400,000 m³ will be acquired prior to the commencement of operations.

The water balance model indicated that if production commences during the dry season, there should still be sufficient water to run the process plant provided that a suitable starting volume exists in the TSF pond, either from water collected or abstracted from the river during the previous wet season, or from pit dewatering.

For the base case average rainfall scenario the Project is in water surplus, so care must be taken during operations to optimise the use of decant water from the TSF to avoid accumulating so much water on the TSF that its tailings storage capacity is compromised.

The water balance is based on pit dewatering volumes of 80 m³/h, with no allowance being made for water that is used in dust suppression. Pump testing of the proposed dewatering bores have yet to be conducted to confirm the predicted flow rates.

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8. ENVIRONMENT & SOCIAL IMPACT

Studies, investigations and research, conducted by consultants from CECAF International commenced in 2010 and culminated in the publishing of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Final Report in December 2011. Although this report was based on the earlier concept of a 1.6 Mt/y operation it remains relevant for the scope of the proposed 1.0 Mt/y operation.

The Environmental Permit was granted in February 2012.

An early activity of the Project will be the development of comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plans setting out the standards and outlining procedures and practices that shall be adopted during development and operation of the Project.

A preliminary Closure Plan outlining the closure and rehabilitation of the site has been prepared; a more detailed Closure Plan will be developed during the early stages of operations, following consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Although the positive benefits of the Project should significantly outweigh the negative, ongoing monitoring will be required to ensure unforseen adverse impacts are identified and addressed. This may relate to issues such as the blocking of access or rights of way, ensuring employment opportunities are offered to local people, and minimising any negative impact of an influx of migrants to the area looking for employment opportunities. As a social partner, Perseus through its subsidiary PMCI commits to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in the area to identify and address concerns and issues as they arise.

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9. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed approach to project implementation is to engage a suitable contactor for engineering design, procurement and construction management (“EPCM”) of the process plant and infrastructure, which will then be handed over to an owner’s operating team, and to engage an experienced mining contractor for the development of mine infrastructure and provision of ongoing drill and blast and mine operating services under an owner’s mine technical team.

The owner’s team will be progressively expanded to widen its skills and knowledge base to meet the needs of the Project. The team of full and part time personnel will manage both the onshore and offshore activities of the principal EPCM contractor and specialist sub-contractors as well as providing specialist technical input into the project design.

Personnel required for key onshore mine operations roles will be recruited as early as practical to enable them to contribute to mine design and manage the contractor undertaking development of the mining infrastructure and open pit.

Perseus’s in country management, administration and services department will manage environment and community issues and prepare the site for the arrival and integration into the business of operating personnel.

A preliminary schedule shows the Project can be executed within 16 months from EPCM award. Key Project milestone dates are provided in Table 5 .

Table5: Project Schedule

Milestone Description Planned Completion
EPCM Award Date
Ball Mill Contract Award
Earthworks and Civil Contractor Mobilisation
Building Contractor Mobilisation
SMP Contractor Mobilisation
E&I Contractor Mobilisation
Mills Mechanical Installation
Commencement
Power On
First Gold Pour
Week 0
Week14
Week 19
Week 35
Week 38
Week 50
Week 63
Week 60
Week 76

Several items and activities are potentially on or close to the schedule critical path for design and construction including procurement, manufacturing, transport and installation of long lead mechanical and electrical equipment items for the process plant. Their criticality will be investigated further during early engineering.

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10. OPERATIONS

10.1. Transition to operations

Drawing on Perseus’s recent experience in starting up a new mining operation in Ghana, comprehensive policies will be developed and induction, training and operating procedures will be put in place as part of an overall Operational Readiness Plan that will be prepared to ensure the transition from exploration to project development to operations is managed in a safe and effective manner.

Perseus is committed to providing employment opportunities where possible to Ivorian nationals, subject to identifying individuals that possess the necessary qualifications, experience and skills required to perform the roles to required standards. It is anticipated that some expatriate staff will initially fill a number of the senior management, key supervisory and training roles. A succession plan will be developed to transition Ivorian nationals into roles initially filled by expatriates where possible.

Expatriate positions will be advertised internationally and/or regionally as appropriate, with Perseus leveraging off its position as an established gold producer, with a trained and experienced workforce, in adjacent Ghana.

It is recognised that the site is remote from the main population areas. Allowance has therefore been made to employ senior Ivorian nationals on a single status residential ‘drive in, drive out’ basis. Employment opportunities will be offered to local residents where feasible and appropriate.

10.2. Ramp up and production

Mining and processing plant ramp up and production estimates have been prepared to facilitate the development of a financial cash flow model and thus more accurately determine the timing of likely expenditure and revenue streams.

The mining contractor (or contractors) will be mobilised during the construction phase to allow establishment of the mine services area, development of haul roads and other mining infrastructure, completion of the mine pre-strip, construction of the TSF and accumulation of an initial run of mine (“ROM”) stockpile.

The plant ramp up schedule has been developed to reflect the simple, robust flow sheet of the processing facility, using as a basis, ramp up data from similar regional operations. It is estimated that nameplate plant ore throughput will be achieved in the third month after ore is first introduced to the circuit.

Life of mine (“LOM”) ore production will be 5.5 Mt at a grade of 2.4 g/t gold. Mine pre-strip will commence 5 months in advance of plant commissioning.

Ore processed during the first 30 months of mill operations will be predominantly oxide and transitional material. During this period the plant will be operated in two stage crush / primary ball mill configuration.

As the proportion of fresh ore in the plant feed increases, the comminution circuit will be reconfigured to three stage crushing and conventional ball milling, with the harder material requiring a finer crush size to be fed to the ball mill. The reconfiguration is a relatively simple process and during the period that mine production consists of a mix of softer materials and fresh ore, the plant can be switched back and forth to batch treat material with differing properties if necessary.

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10.3. Gold production

Over the life of mine, gold production is estimated to be 385koz. The annual gold production schedule from commencement of plant commissioning is shown in Table 6.

Table 6: LOM gold production

Mill Months 1-12 13-24 25-36 37-48 49-60 61-64 LOM
000’ Ounces 67 82 61 74 93 8 385

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11. OPERATING COSTS

11.1. Mining costs

Mining costs for a conventional drill & blast, shovel & truck operation were developed with key underlying data for the mining cost model coming from a mining contractor quote developed by DTP. Labour for mine management and supervision by Perseus’s personnel has been developed from an in-house organisation structure.

The overall mining cost for the life of the project, inclusive of US$11.9 million of capitalised contractor expenditure covering establishment (offices, workshops, etc.), mobilisation and demobilisation, pre-stripping operations and adjusted to include fuel costs at US$1.01/L is shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Cost of mining life of mine

Item Item Description Total US$M
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Contractor Mobilisation, Site Establishment & Demobilisation
Contractor Fixed Monthly Fee
Area Preparation
Drilling
Blasting
Excavate, Load, Haul and Dump
Stockpile Rehandle
Dewatering
Grade Control
Labour
3.6
33.3
0.7
3.9
3.8
39.5
3.4
2.1
1.3
6.1
Subtotal 97.7

The contractor mobilisation and mine production costs incurred in the five months prior to ore processing have been capitalised as mine development costs. This reduces the mining operating costs by US$11.9M to US$85.8M. This equates to a LOM unescalated mining operating cost of US$3.70/t mined.

11.2. Processing & Administration

LOM processing and administration operating costs are summarised in Table 8. The operating cost estimates are presented at summary level. The estimate is considered to have an accuracy of ±15% and is based on prices obtained during the fourth quarter of 2014. This equates to a LOM processing cost of US$16.56/t milled and an administration cost of US$7.70/t milled.

Table 8: Cost of processing and administration life of mine

Item Item Description Total US$M US$/t US$/oz
Processing Cost
1
2
3
4
5
Labour
Power
Maintenance materials
Reagents and consumables
Miscellaneous
14.2 2.57 -
39.9 7.22 -
6.2 1.13 -
25.4 4.60 -
5.8 1.04 -
Subtotal 91.5 16.56 237
Administration Cost
1
2
Labour
Other
14.8 2.68
27.7 5.02 -
Subtotal 42.5 7.70 110

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12. CAPITAL COSTS

The capital estimate is summarised in Table 9 . The initial Project capital cost was estimated at US$106.0M.

Table 9: Initial Capital Cost Estimate Summary (US$, 1Q2015, ±15%)

Development Capital Development Capital Development Capital
Item
Main Area
Total US$M
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Mining
Construction indirects
Treatment plant
Reagents & plant services
Infrastructure & tailings
Owners costs
EPCM costs
Contingency
11.9
8.0
21.7
8.4
22.9
14.5
9.2
9.4
Subtotal 106.0

As stated in Section 11.1 the capital estimate includes US$11.9M of capitalised mining costs.

Exclusions to the capital estimate include:

  • Project sunk costs;

  • Import duties and taxes on the assumption that the Project will be exempt;

  • Financing costs; and

  • Escalation.

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13. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

This DFS has been prepared with capital and operating costs with accuracy of +/- 15%. Given the viability of the Project this accuracy is considered to be sufficient for a DFS.

Following is a summary of the economic assessment of the Project. It presents results after consideration of local tax, royalty, government charges and fees at the time of writing.

Applying a long term gold price of US$1,200/oz on a flat line basis from the commencement of production, estimated pre-tax cash flows generated are US$112.4M and the payback of the project is estimated to occur after 2.7 years. The mine life is estimated at 5.3 years.

An internal rate of return of 27.0% and NPV of $52.5M, based upon real, post-tax cash flows, calculated using a 10% discount rate, are estimated.

Table10: Project Economic Assessment

Gold price Unit US$1,100/oz US$1,200/oz U$S1,300/oz
Waste + Ore Mined
Ore processed
Head Grade
Weighted Average Recovery
Gold Produced
Development Capital
Sustaining Capital
Mining Costs
Processing Costs
Administration Costs
LOM Cash Operating Cost (C1)
Yr 1 & 2 Cash Operating Cost (C1)
Total Site Cost
Free cash
IRR
NPV 10%
Payback period
Tax paid
Royaltiespaid(State)
Mt
Mt
g/t gold
%
kozs
US$M
US$M
US$M
US$M
US$M
US$/oz
US$/oz
US$/oz
US$M
%
US$M
months
US$M
US$M
23.2
5.5
2.4
89.7
385
106.0
5.2
85.8
91.5
42.4
570
596
628
75.6
18.8
26.4
38
-
17.3
23.2
5.5
2.4
89.7
385
106.0

5.2
85.8
91.5
42.5
570
596
632
112.4
27.0
52.5

32

-
18.8
23.2
5.5
2.4
89.7
385
106.0
5.2
85.8
91.5
42.7
571
597
643
146.7
34.2
76.8
26
0.1
22.8

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14. OPPORTUNITES AND THREATS

14.1. Opportunities

14.1.1. Project timing

Prompt development of the Project at a time when construction activity in West Africa and elsewhere is well below recent peaks, offers the opportunity to negotiate competitive prices for equipment supply and construction contracts. At the very least, Project timing reduces the risk of cost escalation and overruns, reducing the risk of exceeding Project contingency allowances. It is likely, with the Project underway and ‘money on the table’ for equipment purchase and contract award, more favourable supplier prices and contractor rates could be negotiated.

14.1.2. Extension to mine life

Drilling to date at the Bélé deposit on the Mahalé exploration permit owned by related company Occidental Gold SARL shows potential for additional feed for the Sissingué mill. The deposit is within trucking distance of the Sissingué plant site. Additional work is required to develop Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates.

14.1.3. Mining Cost

Discussion with DTP has indicated there is potential to reduce the mining cost of the Project by 6- 7% below their initial quote. Experience from the recent tendering process at Edikan indicates that the reduction could ultimately be larger due to the very competitive nature of the contract mining sector at this point in time.

14.2. Threats

As is the case with many mining operations in Africa, the security of the Company’s assets is a material risk factor.

Attempts by individuals / groups targeting the theft of portable assets such as vehicles, fuel, tools, copper wire etc. will be discouraged by concentric lines of fixed security installations. Patrolled fencing around the entire site will deter casual access and opportunistic theft. A second fence line with more rigorous access control will ensure only authorised employees and visitors have access to core facilities and storage areas. A third, double fence, with camera monitoring and a further level of access control will surround the process plant. Finally, gold bullion will be processed and stored in a secure building with strict access control, intrusion alarms and camera monitoring.

The fixed security assets will be patrolled and monitored by a site security team that will develop a close working relationship with local Ivorian police and military personnel for the purposes of intelligence gathering and emergency response. Gold bullion will be recovered on a weekly basis and promptly flown off site.

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ATTACHMENT B

JORC 2012 TABLE 1

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Sampling
techniques

Nature and quality of sampling (e.g.
cut channels, random chips, or
specific specialised industry
standard measurement tools
appropriate to the minerals under
investigation, such as downhole
gamma sondes, or handheld XRF
instruments, etc). These examples
should not be taken as limiting the
broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken
to ensure sample representivity and
the appropriate calibration of any
measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of
mineralisation that are Material to
the Public Report.

In cases where ‘industry standard’
work has been done this would be
relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse
circulation drilling was used to obtain
1 m samples from which 3 kg was
pulverised to produce a 30 g charge
for fire assay’). In other cases more
explanation may be required, such
as where there is coarse gold that
has inherent sampling problems.
Unusual commodities or
mineralisation types (e.g. submarine
nodules) may warrant disclosure of
detailed information.

Sissingué data used for Mineral Resource
includes:
-
Total of 131,027 m of RC drilling.
-
Total of 68,148 m of diamond
drilling.
-
Total 2,236 m of combined
RC/diamond drilling.

Reverse Circulation drilling (5¼”” diameter)
was used to collect 1 m samples. Majority
composited to 2 m samples (by weighing);
close spaced infill submitted as 1 m samples.
Sample weight nominally of 2.5 kg and 5 kg
respectively.

Half-core from Diamond drillholes (‘right’ side
systematically taken; 1.5 m in oxide and
transition, 1 m in fresh.

50 gm charge produced for Fire subsequent
Assay.
Drilling
techniques

Drill type (e.g. core, reverse
circulation, open-hole hammer,
rotary air blast, auger, Bangka,
sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core
diameter, triple or standard tube,
depth of diamond tails, face-
sampling bit or other type, whether
core is oriented and if so, by what
method, etc).

Reverse Circulation drilling (5¼”” diameter),
usually 80 m or less in depth. Generally RC
holes have collar azimuth and inclination only
measured.

Diamond drilling, HQ in weathered rock, NQ
in fresh rock. All diamond holes downhole
surveyed at 30 m intervals.

43 holes oriented by core spear; 217 holes
oriented by “AceTool” device.
Drill sample
recovery

Method of recording and assessing
core and chip sample recoveries and
results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample
recovery and ensure representative
nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists
between sample recovery and grade
and whether sample bias may have
occurred due to preferential
loss/gain of fine/coarse material.

1 m RC samples weighed and composited to
2 m.

Diamond core recovery measured; close to
100 % recovery for virtually all core in Fresh
rock.

No apparent relation between sample
recovery and grade.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Logging
Whether core and chip samples
have been geologically and
geotechnically logged to a level of
detail to support appropriate Mineral
Resource estimation, mining studies
and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or
quantitative in nature. Core (or
costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of
the relevant intersections logged.

RC drill chip boards were prepared and the
chips logged geologically, including rock
type, alteration type and intensity (where
recognisable), vein quartz content in
estimated percentage, sulphide
mineralisation and estimated content and
weathering domain.

Diamond drill core was geologically and
structurally logged and photographed, before
being sawn in half, including fault, fold,
cleavage and joint orientation, lithological
contacts, vein orientation and bedding.
Logged items are lithology, weathering,
colour, grain size, vein type and vein volume
percentage, sulphide mineralisation and their
estimated percentage, alteration and
alteration intensity.

All sample intervals in both RC and DD holes
were sampled and assayed.

Logging is considered appropriate and
reliable.
Sub-
sampling
techniques
and sample
preparation

If core, whether cut or sawn and
whether quarter, half or all core
taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube
sampled, rotary split, etc and
whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature,
quality and appropriateness of the
sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted
for all sub-sampling stages to
maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the
sampling is representative of the in
situ material collected, including for
instance results for field
duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are
appropriate to the grain size of the
material being sampled.

All RC samples were collected at the drill site
at 1 m interval and split using a multi-stage
riffle splitter. Each two consecutive samples
were composited (where applicable) in one
bag.

DD core sawn in half using a motorized
diamond blade saw; right half sent for
assaying, left half stored in core trays for
reference.

Both core and RC samples followed a
standard path of drying, crushing and
grinding. Samples were pulverized with a
ring mill and thoroughly mixed on a rolling
mat (“carpet roll”), and then 200 g of sub-
sample was collected. Internal laboratory
checks required at least 90 % of the pulp
passing -75 microns.

Sub-sampling is considered appropriate and
representative.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Quality of
assay data
and
laboratory
tests

The nature, quality and
appropriateness of the assaying and
laboratory procedures used and
whether the technique is considered
partial or total.

For geophysical tools,
spectrometers, handheld XRF
instruments, etc, the parameters
used in determining the analysis
including instrument make and
model, reading times, calibrations
factors applied and their derivation,
etc.

Nature of quality control procedures
adopted (e.g. standards, blanks,
duplicates, external laboratory
checks) and whether acceptable
levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias)
and precision have been
established.

A small number of initial holes were assayed
by bottle roll, which was found to be partial
and inaccurate.

All subsequent assaying by standard Fire
Assay.

Field duplicates (RC only) inserted at 1 in 25.

No field duplicates for DD as ¼ core
considered as inadequate sample, and
submission remaining ½ core considered
undesirable.

Blanks inserted at 1 in 25.

Certified standards at 1 in 50 up to 2008;
thereafter at 1 in 20.

Internal laboratory standards, duplicates and
repeats and various other tests have been
carried out throughout the drilling programs.

QAQC shows no bias, but only moderate
reproducibility, particularly at high grades.
This is as expected with the nugget
mineralisation.

Overall assaying quality is considered
acceptable.
Verification
of sampling
and assaying

The verification of significant
intersections by either independent
or 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.

There are no twinned holes; lack of these is
not considered significant given the close drill
spacing.

Drill hole information for both RC and
diamond core holes is captured at the drill
site on paper.

All hard copies are handed over to the
database administrator in Tengrela site office
and the information provided on paper is
entered into the computer.

All hard copies are kept in Tengrela site
office.

Downhole survey data and collar survey data
are provided by the drilling contractors and
surveyors respectively in digital format.

Perseus maintains a centralised database for
its various operations in Ghana and Côte
d’Ivoire. Database administration is based in
Perseus’s head office in Accra/Ghana and
under the supervision of the company’s
Resource Geologist.

No adjustments are made to raw assay data.
Top cutting is only applied after database
compositing and statistical analysis and prior
to resource estimation.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Location of
data points

Accuracy and quality of surveys
used to locate drillholes (collar and
downhole surveys), trenches, mine
workings and other locations used in
Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system
used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic
control.

All RC and DD holes were surveyed using
differential GPS, until September 2009 by a
certified contract surveyor (SEMS Exploration
Services Ltd, Ghana). Drillholes between
September 2009 and October 2010 were
surveyed by CBM Surveys Ltd of Ghana. All
subsequent drill holes were surveyed by the
company’s surveyor.

Grid system used is WGS84 UTM 29N.

The topography covering the extent of the
Sissingué Mineral Resource model was
created as a digital terrain model (DTM) in
Surpac using the accurately-surveyed drill
hole collar data and an additional 639 survey
points across the prospect.
Data spacing
and
distribution

Data spacing for reporting of
Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and
distribution is sufficient to establish
the degree of geological and grade
continuity appropriate for the Mineral
Resource and Ore Reserve
estimation procedure(s) and
classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has
been applied.

Data spacing for resource estimation varies
from 10 m x 10 m to 20 m x 20 m for most
areas of the deposit.

Where data spacing is wider (to a maximum
of 40 m x 40 m), an Inferred classification is
used.

Data spacing is sufficient to establish grade
and geological continuity appropriate to the
resource estimation procedures and
classifications applied.

Samples have been composited (by
computer) to 2 m, honouring geological
divisions.
Orientation
of data in
relation to
geological
structure

Whether the orientation of sampling
achieves unbiased sampling of
possible structures and the extent to
which this is known, considering the
deposit type.

If the relationship between the
drilling orientation and the orientation
of key mineralised structures is
considered to have introduced a
sampling bias, this should be
assessed and reported if material.

Orientation of drilled section lines is at right
angles to the strike of the geology and
mineralisation domains.

Drill holes are angled to cross the sub-
vertical dip of the geological domains.

Disseminated mineralised veins have
developed within the overall geological
domains; the estimation method is
considered to account for this.
Sample
security

The measures taken to ensure
sample security.

Samples from RC drilling are collected and
bagged at drill site during the drilling
operation. Core samples are cut in a central
facility in Tengrela and samples placed into
sample bags as they are cut.

All samples are then catalogued and placed
in large woven bags and sealed prior to
dispatch to ALS, Intertek or BVML for
preparation and analysis.

Dispatch from site to Korhogo (Intertek) is
undertaken by Perseus staff and vehicles.

Samples dispatched to ALS and BVML are
collected from Tengrela by staff and vehicles
of the respective laboratories.

All aspects of the process are supervised by
Perseus personnel and limited opportunity
exists for tampering with samples.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 1 sampling techniques and data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Audits or
reviews

The results of any audits or reviews
of sampling techniques and data.

Steffen Brammer and Kevin Thomson of
Perseus have reviewed sample techniques
and data during regular site visits between
2008 and 2013, and consider them adequate.

Reviews were also carried out by personnel
from consulting company Runge Limited
during 2009 and 2010, and Mr L Widenbar of
Widenbar & Associates in October 2012 with
acceptable conclusions.

[5]

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JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Mineral
tenement and
land tenure
status

Type, reference name/number,
location and ownership including
agreements or material issues with
third parties such as joint ventures,
partnerships, overriding royalties,
native title interests, historical sites,
wilderness or national park and
environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at
the time of reporting along with any
known impediments to obtaining a
licence to operate in the area.

The Sissingué Mineral Resource lies within
Perseus Mining Côte d’Ivoire SA’s mining
permit PE39 (Permis d’Exploitation Tengrela
Est), tenement number PE39.

The mining permit is valid for 6 years until
August 2018 and is renewable.

A total royalty of 4.5% on production is
payable to external parties including the
Government of Côte d’Ivoire and Franco
Nevada.

The Sissingué Project area has no known
environmental liabilities.
Exploration
done by other
parties

Acknowledgment and appraisal of
exploration by other parties.

All exploration was by Perseus using soil
geochemical sampling, with follow-up drilling
in areas with anomalous gold mineralisation,
which led to the discovery of the Sissingué
deposit.
Geology
Deposit type, geological setting and
style of mineralisation.

The Sissingué Deposit occurs in a strongly
deformed Birimian greenstone belt intruded
by granitoid bodies.

Gold mineralisation at Sissingué is
associated with the porphyritic dykes of
tonalitic chemistry that cross cut the flysch
sediments (turbidites).

Subsequent hydrothermal activities and
metasomatism of the tonalite has led to a
sericite-carbonate alteration within the
intrusives and the more permeable horizons
(sandstones and conglomerates) of the
turbidites, and a low to moderate grade
disseminated gold mineralisation.

Late stage high grade Au-As-quartz-
carbonate veins exploited the altered and
brittle portions of the intrusives and
sediments with common occurrences of
visible gold.

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JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Drill hole
Information

A summary of all information
material to the understanding of the
exploration results including a
tabulation of the following
information for all Material drillholes:

Easting and northing of the drill hole
collar.

Elevation or RL (Reduced Level –
elevation above sea level in metres)
of the drill hole collar.

Dip and azimuth of the hole.

Downhole length and interception
depth.

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.

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.
Data
aggregation
methods

In reporting Exploration Results,
weighting averaging techniques,
maximum and/or minimum grade
truncations (e.g. cutting of high
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.

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.
Relationship
between
mineralisation
widths and
intercept
lengths

These relationships are particularly
important in the reporting of
Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation
with respect to the drill hole angle is
known, its nature should be
reported.

If it is not known and only the
downhole lengths are reported,
there should be a clear statement to
this effect (e.g. ‘downhole length,
true width not known’).

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.

Orientation of drilled section lines is at right
angles to the strike of the geology and
mineralisation domains.

Drillholes are angled to cross the sub-vertical
dip of the geological domains.

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JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results JORC 2012 table 1 – section 2 reporting of exploration results
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Diagrams
Appropriate maps and sections (with
scales) and tabulations of intercepts
should be included for any
significant discovery being reported
These should include, but not be
limited to a plan view of drill hole
collar locations and appropriate
sectional views.

Location plans and example sections are
included in the Mineral Resource technical
documentation.
Balanced
reporting

Where comprehensive reporting of
all Exploration Results is not
practicable, representative reporting
of both low and high grades and/or
widths should be practiced to avoid
misleading reporting of Exploration
Results.

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.
Other
substantive
exploration
data

Other exploration data, if meaningful
and material, should be reported
including (but not limited to):
geological observations;
geophysical survey results;
geochemical survey results; bulk
samples – size and method of
treatment; metallurgical test results;
bulk density, groundwater,
geotechnical and rock
characteristics; potential deleterious
or contaminating substances.

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.
Further work
The nature and scale of planned
further work (e.g. tests for lateral
extensions or depth extensions or
large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the
areas of possible extensions,
including the main geological
interpretations and future drilling
areas, provided this information is
not commercially sensitive.

Exploration results are not being reported for
the Mineral Resource area.

Further work will be undertaken during
mining, if economics and the environment
support potential expansions. Exploration
over possible satellite deposits is currently
on-going.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Database
integrity

Measures taken to ensure that
data has not been corrupted by,
for example, transcription or
keying errors, between its initial
collection and its use for Mineral
Resource estimation purposes.

Data validation procedures used.

Perseus maintains a centralised database
for its various operations in Ghana and
Côte d’Ivoire. Database administration is
based in Perseus’s office in Accra, Ghana
and under the supervision of the
company’s Resource Geologist.

Perseus carried out detailed validation of
the dataset and retains overall
responsibility for the database quality. All
drill hole data was validated during data
entry by Perseus including:
-
Checks for duplicate collars
(LogChief, Datashed).
-
Checks for missing samples
(Datashed).
-
Checks for down hole from-to
interval consistency (LogChief,
Datashed).
-
Checks for overlapping samples
(LogChief, Datashed).
-
Checks for samples beyond hole
depth (LogChief, Datashed).
-
Checks for inexistent or misspelt
log items (LogChief).
-
Check for missing assays
(Datashed).
-
Check for down-hole information
beyond hole depth (Datashed).

Snowden carried out a basic statistical and
visual validation prior to estimation
including:
-
Drillholes with overlapping sample
intervals.
-
Sample intervals with no assay
data.
-
Duplicate records.
-
Assay grade ranges.
-
Collar coordinate ranges.
-
Valid hole orientation data.

No issues were found with the data and
Snowden considers the data to be
appropriate for estimation.
Site visits
Comment on any site visits
undertaken by the Competent
Person and the outcome of those
visits.

If no site visits have been
undertaken indicate why this is the
case.

Steffen Brammer and Kevin Thomson of
Perseus have undertaken regular site visits
between 2008 and 2013. They have
reviewed the geology and data collection
processes during this time.

Perseus is taking responsibility for the
geological model and database; hence it
was not required for Snowden to undertake
a site visit at this stage.

[9]

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Geological
interpretation

Confidence in (or conversely, the
uncertainty of) the geological
interpretation of the mineral
deposit.

Nature of the data used and of any
assumptions made.

The effect, if any, of alternative
interpretations on Mineral
Resource estimation.

The use of geology in guiding and
controlling Mineral Resource
estimation.

The factors affecting continuity
both of grade and geology.

Mineralisation was domained by its host
lithology for modelling. The three main
host lithologies are granite, porphyritic
dykes and sediments. Mineralised
sediments in the alteration halo of the
dykes were included in the dyke domain to
maintain a minimum width of the
wireframes and to maintain continuity
along strike.

Where geological contacts were not clearly
controlling the distribution of
mineralisation, a grade cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au
was used to construct Mineral Resource
boundaries and to provide overall
geometry to mineralised zones. A
minimum of 4 m width was used for the
wireframes and samples of grades below
the nominal cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au were
included where the wireframe would
otherwise be less than 4 m wide. Analysis
of the global grade distribution shows that
there is a natural change in grade
population at around 0.3 g/t Au.

Geological continuity of the granite and
sediment domains is understood with
reasonable confidence. The classification
reflects this level of confidence.

Porphyry lithologies (dyke domains) were
limited to Inferred and Indicated categories
due to the mostly narrow nature of the
mineralised bodies and consequently the
decreased confidence in their geometry.

Continuity and variability is also influenced
by weathering and these have been
interpreted and incorporated into the oxide,
transitional and fresh domains.
Dimensions
The extent and variability of the
Mineral Resource expressed as
length (along strike or otherwise),
plan width, and depth below
surface to the upper and lower
limits of the Mineral Resource.

The Sissingué deposit extends for 3.15 km
along strike and to a depth of typically
140 m to 160 m below surface, with a
maximum depth of 290 m.

Thickness across strike is typically 50 m to
80 m for the granite and sediment
domains, but limited to 10 m to 20 m for
the porphyry dykes.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Estimation The nature and appropriateness of Boundary conditions:
and modelling
techniques
the estimation technique(s)
applied and key assumptions,
including treatment of extreme
grade values, domaining,
interpolation parameters and
The granite, sediments and dykes were
kept separate for statistical analysis,
variography and estimation as they are
different geological units with mostly hard
boundaries between them. The southern
maximum distance of
extrapolation from data points. If a
computer assisted estimation
method was chosen include a
description of computer software
and parameters used.
and northern granite and sediment
domains were also kept separate as there
is a physical separation and a difference in
grade tenor between the two areas,
particularly for the granite (higher in the
southern area.
The availability of check
estimates, previous estimates
and/or mine production records
and whether the Mineral Resource
estimate takes appropriate
account of such data.
Based on statistical analysis and boundary
conditions, the oxide, transitional and fresh
domains were kept separate for statistical
analysis, however, they were combined for
variography. The oxide and transitional
data were used to estimate the oxide,
The assumptions made regarding while the transitional and fresh data were
recovery of by-products. used to estimate the transitional and fresh


Estimation of deleterious elements
or other non-grade variables of
economic significance (e.g.
sulphur for acid mine drainage
characterisation).
In the case of block model
interpolation, the block size in
relation to the average sample
spacing and the search employed.
Any assumptions behind
modelling of selective mining
units.
domains. The laterite domain has very
little data in it. Visual inspection of the drill
hole grades between the laterite and the
oxide does not show evidence of a
depleted zone. As a result of the small
dataset, the laterite was combined with the
oxide for estimation. The laterite data was
not used for variography.
Review of the individual dykes showed that
they are statistically similar and, given the
relatively small amount of data in the
individual dykes, the dykes were combined
for statistical analysis and variography.
Any assumptions about correlation The dykes were kept separate for
between variables. estimation as there are hard boundaries
Description of how the geological between them.
interpretation was used to control Estimation – granites and sediments:
the resource estimates. Due to the highly skewed nature and
Discussion of basis for using or presence of mixed populations the granites
not using grade cutting or capping. and sediments domains, multiple indicator
The process of validation, the
checking process used, the
comparison of model data to drill
hole data, and use of
reconciliation data if available.
kriging (MIK) was used to estimate gold
grades. CAE Studio (Datamine) software
was used to estimate the probability of
grade being above or below each
threshold into parent blocks of
10 mE by 10 mN by 5 mRL.
Kriging neighbourhood analysis (KNA) was
used to define an appropriate block size for
estimation and number of informing
samples. Blocks were estimated using a
minimum and maximum number of
samples of 8 and 24 respectively. A
maximum of 6 composites was allowed per
drill hole for estimation.
The initial search pass used ranges
equivalent to the ranges of continuity seen
in the variograms at around 90 % to 100 %
of the variance in the 0.3 g/ Au to
0.5 g/t Au threshold variograms, with the
search ellipse orientated as per the higher
grade thresholds (0.5 g/t Au and above).
[11]
Post processing of the MIK probability
estimates was carried out in GSLIB

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary

Post processing of the MIK probability
estimates was carried out in GSLIB
software. Post processing was used to
carry out order relation corrections using
an averaging approach, and to calculate
the e-type grade for each block. The e-type
grades were calculated using a linear
model between indicator thresholds and a
hyperbolic or power model for the upper
and lower tails.
Estimation – dykes:

For the lower grade dykes, ordinary kriging
was selected as appropriate, with top cuts
to limit the influence of the higher grade
composites. A top cut of 30 g/t Au was
selected for the dykes in all weathering
domains, based on review of the
histograms and natural breaks in

Ordinary kriging (parent cell estimates)
was used to estimate gold grades for the
dykes using a discretisation of 5 east by 5
north by 3 elevation.

Due to the positively skewed nature of the
grade distributions, normal scores
variograms were modelled for the dykes.

A dynamic anisotropy approach was used,
whereby the true dip and azimuth of the
mineralised lodes was estimated into each
block in the model and the search and
variogram orientations were locally
adjusted to reflect the geological
orientation. This method allows the
estimate to better reflect the changing
orientation and undulating nature of some
of these dykes along strike.

Blocks were estimated using a minimum
and maximum number of samples of 8 and
24 respectively based on the KNA work. A
maximum of 6 composites was allowed per
drillhole for estimation.

The initial search pass used ranges
equivalent to the ranges of continuity seen
in the variograms at around 90 % to 100%
of the variance.
Validation:

Snowden validated the Sissengue model
by:

Comparison of top cut input grades
with tonnage weighted output grades.

Visual inspection of the model against
the input composites.

Comparison of moving window input
and output statistics.

Global change of support to check
level of selectivity in model.

Snowden considers the estimate to be a
reasonable reflection of the input data.

There has been no mining to date.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Moisture
Whether the tonnages are
estimated on a dry basis or with
natural moisture, and the method
of determination of the moisture
content.

Tonnages are reported on a dry basis.
Cut-off
parameters

The basis of the adopted cut-off
grade(s) or quality parameters
applied.

The reporting cut-off is based on
optimisation studies carried out as part of
the 2010 Feasibility Study, which have
suggested that the deposit can be
economically extracted at a gold cut-off in
the range 0.4 to 0.6 g/t.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Mining factors
or
assumptions

Assumptions made regarding
possible mining methods,
minimum mining dimensions and
internal (or, if applicable, external)
mining dilution. It is always
necessary as part of the process
of determining 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.

Trial optimisation has been run in Whittle
at a USD2,400 gold price (double the
current spot price) to define the base of
potentially economic material.

Assumptions for the optimisation were
based on studies carried out by Perseus
as follows.

Cut-off grades:
oOxide
0.8 g/t Au
oTransition
1.0 g/t Au
oGranite/Porphyry
1.1 g/t Au
oSediments
1.3 g/t Au

Whittle processing cost (treatment +
general administration) were:
oOxide ($21.79/t+$7.19/t)
$28.98/t
oTransition($25.04/t+$8.14/t)
$33.18/t
oGranite/Porphyry ($26.29/t+$8.32/t)
$34.61/t
oSediments ($30.29/t+$9.87/t) $40.13/t

Dilution:
o
Mining ore recovery (before
diluted)
97%
o
Mining ore dilution (at 0 g/t Au
dilutant grade)
3%

Geotechnical parameters:
o
Oxide
(approximately
from 390 mRL to 325 mRL) 31
degrees
o
Transition
(approximately
from 325 mRL to 300mRL) 41
degrees
o
Fresh
(approximately
from 300 mRL and below) 45
degrees

Mining cost estimate:
o
Contract miner
$3.61/t
o
Fuel ($1.40/L)
$0.59/t
o
Day-works (3%) $0.13/t
o
Total mining cost $4.33/t

Whittle mining cost calculations:
o
Base cost at surface $4.10/t
o
Incremental trucking cost
$0.005/t/vm

The Whittle assumes that processing and
infrastructure capital costs have been sunk

Where key information is absent or
deficient, Snowden has provided
considered assumptions. Overall these
assumptions are considered fair for the
purpose of determining the Mineral
Resource potential of the project.

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Metallurgical
factors or
assumptions

The basis for assumptions or
predictions regarding metallurgical
amenability. It is always necessary
as part of the process of
determining reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction
to consider potential metallurgical
methods, but the assumptions
regarding metallurgical treatment
processes and parameters made
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.

There has been a considerable amount of
metallurgical test work to date.

All indications are that gold can be
satisfactorily recovered from Sissingué ore
using conventional extraction techniques.

The metallurgical work is considered
sufficient to determine that the Sissingué
resource represents a deposit capable of
economic extraction.

Recoveries used for the trial optimisation
to determine the base of potentially
economic material were based on studies
carried out by Perseus as follows:
oOxide
92%
oTransition
91%
oGranite/Porphyry
90%
oSediments
78%
Environmental
factors or
assumptions

Assumptions made regarding
possible waste and process
residue disposal options. It is
always necessary as part of the
process of determining reasonable
prospects for eventual economic
extraction to consider the potential
environmental impacts of the
mining and 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.

There are other gold mines operating
within Mali and Côte d’Ivoire in the general
region where Sissingué is located.

The Sissingué Project area has no known
environmental liabilities.
Bulk density
Whether assumed or determined.
If assumed, the basis for the
assumptions. If determined, the
method used, whether wet or dry,
the frequency of the
measurements, the nature, size
and representativeness of the
samples.

The bulk density for bulk material
must have been measured by
methods that adequately account
for void spaces (vugs, porosity,
etc), moisture and differences
between rock and alteration zones
within the deposit.

Discuss assumptions for bulk
density estimates used in the
evaluation process of the different
materials.

A total of 770 bulk density measurements
were taken from HQ and NQ drill core.

380 results are from oxide material, 132
from transitional material and 258 from
fresh material.

Calculated means for the transitional (2.30
g/cm3) and fresh (2.73 g/cm3) weathering
domains as well as the lateritic horizon
(1.90 g/cm3) within the oxide domain were
assigned to the block model.

The oxide domain, however, shows a
gradient to higher densities with increasing
depth and it is considered that a single
value for the oxide domain would not be
adequate. Instead, the bulk density for
oxide blocks has been estimated using
vertically orientated, inverse distance
squared interpolation. The oxide bulk
density ranges from 1.70 to 2.20 g/cm3.

[15]

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Classification
The basis for the classification of
the Mineral Resources into varying
confidence categories.

Whether appropriate account has
been taken of all relevant factors
(i.e. relative confidence in
tonnage/grade estimations,
reliability of input data, confidence
in continuity of geology and metal
values, quality, quantity and
distribution of the data).

Whether the result appropriately
reflects the Competent Person’s
view of the deposit.

Snowden reviewed the classification
applied to the previous estimate
(Widenbar, 2013) and concluded that the
classification is appropriate with respect to
confidence in tonnes and grade estimates;
however recent information on recovery
and mining factors has resulted in a trial
optimisation being run to determine the
potential for economic extraction, in
particular for the lower grade and
peripheral mineralisation.

The Sissingué Mineral Resource has been
classified in the Measured, Indicated and
Inferred categories, in accordance with the
2012 Australasian Code for Reporting of
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
(JORC Code) and the CIM Definition
Standards (CIM, 2014). A range of criteria
has been considered in determining this
classification including:
-
Geological continuity.
-
Data quality.
-
Drill hole spacing.
-
Estimation properties including
kriging neighbourhood analysis to
determine appropriate block size
and search strategy.
-
Potential for economic extraction

The above parameters were used in
combination arrive to guide the manual
digitising of strings on drill sections to
control classification.

Trial optimisation has been run at a
USD2,400 gold price to define the base of
potentially mineable material.

The Competent Person endorses the final
results and classification.
Audits or
reviews

The results of any audits or
reviews of Mineral Resource
estimates.

The Mineral Resource estimation
procedure and results has been internally
peer reviewed by Snowden.

As yet, there are no external audits or
reviews of the Mineral Resource estimate.

[16]

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 3 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Resources
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Discussion of
relative
accuracy/
confidence

Where appropriate a statement of
the relative accuracy and
confidence level in the Mineral
Resource estimate using an
approach or procedure deemed
appropriate by the Competent
Person. For example, the
application of statistical or
geostatistical procedures to
quantify the relative accuracy of
the resource within stated
confidence limits, or, if such an
approach is not deemed
appropriate, a qualitative
discussion of the factors that 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.

These statements of relative
accuracy and confidence of the
estimate should be compared with
production data, where available.

No studies of relative accuracy have been
carried out. The classification applied
reflects the confidence in the Mineral
Resource.

[17]

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
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.

Clear statement as to whether
the Mineral Resources are
reported additional to, or
inclusive of, the Ore Reserves.

The Mineral Resources for Sissingué were reported by
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (Snowden) in October
2014.
The Competent Person who prepared the Mineral Resource
estimate is L. Olssen who is a chartered professional member
of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Mineral Resources quoted in this report are inclusive of Ore
Reserves.
Site visits
Comment on any site visits
undertaken by the Competent
Person and the outcome of those
visits.

If no site visits have been
undertaken indicate why this is
the case.
 No site visit was undertaken specifically for this Ore Reserve
Statement however an RPM employee at the time, Mr Paul
Payne visited the Project site in August 2010. A site visit was
also undertaken by Steffen Brammer as the Qualified Person
for the purposes of a NI43-101 technical report.
Study status
The type and level of study
undertaken to enable Mineral
Resources to be converted to Ore
Reserves.

The Code requires that a study to
at least Pre-Feasibility 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.

The Mineral Resources have been converted to Ore Reserves
by means of a Life of Mine plan including economic
assessment.
 Key aspects of the study were technically achievable pit
designs based on Pit Limit Optimisation. These designs were
also assessed to ensure economic viability.
Cut-off
parameters

The basis of the cut-off grade(s)
or quality parameters applied.

The cut-off grade is based on the economic parameters
developed for the Operation. The cut-off grade varies due to
different material types as follows
o
Oxide
0.6g/t
o
Transitional
0.8g/t
o
Granite/porphyry 0.8 g/t
o
Sediment
1.0g/t
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 appropriate
factors by 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 assumptions made
regarding geotechnical
parameters (e.g. pit slopes, stope
sizes, etc), grade control and pre-

The chosen method of mining is conventional open pit mining
utilising hydraulic excavators and trucks, mining bench
heights of 5 m in ore and 10m in waste with 2.5m flitches to
minimise ore loss and waste rock dilution.

The economic pit shell was defined using Whittle 4X pit
optimisation software (“Whittle 4X”) with inputs such as
geotechnical parameters, ore loss and dilution, metallurgical
recovery and mining costs.

The pit optimisation was run with revenue generated only by
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. No value was
allocated to Inferred Mineral Resources.

Whittle 4X input parameters were generally based on
Perseus’s other operating site experience and supporting
technical studies.

Geotechnical parameters for Sissingué vary depending on
the material type and Pit Sector. The inter-ramp slope angles
are between 38 to 53 degrees.

Appropriate mining modifying factors such as ore loss,
dilution and designparameters were used to convert the

[18]

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
production drilling.

The major assumptions made
and Mineral Resource model
used for pit and stope
optimisation (if appropriate).

The mining dilution factors used.

The mining recovery factors
used.

Any minimum mining widths
used.

The manner in which Inferred
Mineral Resources are utilised in
mining studies and the sensitivity
of the outcome to their inclusion.

The infrastructure requirements
of the selected mining methods.
Mineral Resource to an Ore Reserve.

An SMU of 2.5m east x 5.0m west x 5m high was selected
resulting in an approximately 3% ore loss and 5% dilution.

Minimum mining width of 40 m was generally applied to the
pit designs.

As the mine is a green fields project all surface infrastructure
is required to enable the aforementioned mining method to
be successfully implemented.

RPM has not identified or been informed of any physical
constraints to mining within the lease area. No property,
infrastructure or environmental issues are known to exist
which may limit the extent of mining within the mining lease.
Metallurgical
factors or
assumptions

The metallurgical process
proposed and the
appropriateness of that process
to the style of mineralisation.

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
metallurgical recovery factors
applied.

Any assumptions or allowances
made for deleterious elements.

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.

For minerals that are defined by
a specification, has the ore
reserve estimation been based
on the appropriate mineralogy to
meet the specifications?

The Sissingué processing plant uses crushing, grinding
gravity recovery and cyanide leaching to extract gold. The
plant has a nameplate throughput capacity of 1.2Mtpa on
oxide ore and 1.0Mtpa on fresh ore.

The technology used in the processing plant is well proven in
many other operations globally.

The processing test work is representative of the different
material types throughout the Mining area.

No deleterious material has been identified.

A pilot scale metallurgical test work has been carried out to
what Lycopodium considered representative of the orebody
as a whole.

The process metallurgical recovery for gold is fixed by
material type:
Oxide
92%
Transitional
91%
Granite/porphyry
90%
Sediment 78%
Environment
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
considered and, where
applicable, the status of
approvals for process residue
storage and waste dumps should
be reported.

No environmental issues are known to exist which will
prevent open pit mining to commence. Perseus appears to
have sufficient space available for waste dumps to store the
expected quantities of mine waste rock associated with the
Sissingué open pit Ore Reserve. Based on testing to date no
potentially acid forming material has been identified.

Likewise, Sissingué has sufficient capacity in its purpose
designed and approved tailings storage facility to meet the
requirements generated from mining and processing
quantities listed in for the Sissingué Ore Reserve. The TSF
has been designed to treat up to 8.5 million tonnes of ore at a
rate of up to 1.2Mtpa. TSF elevation will be 385m in year 4
and upby4m to final elevation of 389m afteryear 4.
Infrastructure
The existence of appropriate
infrastructure: availability of
landforplant development,

Power supply will be via dedicated diesel generators.

Water supply will be largely from groundwater extracted from
dedicated boreholes and supplemented withpossible

[19]

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
power, water, transportation
(particularly for bulk
commodities), labour,
accommodation; or the ease
with which the infrastructure can
be provided, or accessed.
abtraction from the nearby Bagoe River.

Access to site will be via an upgrade of the road from
Tengrela.

A camp for 150 people will be established to accommodate
non-local employees.

An airstrip will be established.

Workshops, offices, storage of reagents and laboratory will
be established at theprocessing plant.
Costs
The derivation of, or
assumptions made, regarding
projected capital costs in the
study.

The methodology used to
estimate operating costs.

Allowances made for the content
of deleterious elements.

The derivation of assumptions
made of metal or commodity
price(s), for the principal
minerals and co- products.

The source of exchange rates
used in the study.

Derivation of transportation
charges.

The basis for forecasting or
source of treatment and refining
charges, penalties for failure to
meet specification, etc.

The allowances made for
royalties payable, both
Government andprivate.

The mining cost as based on a schedule of rates provided by
a Perseus mining contractor. All other operating costs have
been provided by Perseus and its Consultants.

Non deleterious materials have been identified and costed.

Gold is the only metal considered in the Ore Reserves.

All cost are in US$.

A bullion transportation and refining cost of US$2.80/oz was
applied.

A total royalty of 4.5% on production payable to external
parties including the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and Franco
Nevada, was applied.
Revenue
factors

The derivation of, or
assumptions made regarding
revenue factors including head
grade, metal or commodity
price(s) 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.

A Gold price of US$1,200/oz was provided by Perseus and
validated by RPM using published metal price forecasts.

A bullion transportation and refining cost of US$2.80/oz was
applied.

A total royalty of 4.5% on production payable to external
parties including the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and Franco
Nevada, was applied.
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 the product.

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.

The demand for gold is considered in the gold price used.

It was considered that gold will be marketable for beyond the
processing life.

The processing forecast and mine life are based on life of
mine plans.
 The commodity is not an industrial metal.

[20]

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
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 ranges and sensitivity to
variations in the significant
assumptions and inputs.

A schedule and economic model has been completed using
the Ore Reserves published in this Statement. The inputs
used are as per those stated in the relevant sections of this
Statement. The assessment used a discount rate of 10%, as
supplied by Perseus, which is considered appropriate by
RPM.

The base case results in a positive economic outcome as
assessed by a NPV calculation (@10% DCF). The NPV is
most sensitive to the gold price. The NPV at a discount
factor of 10%pa changes by changes by +/- 50% with an
US$100/oz change ingoldprice.
Social
The status of agreements with
key stakeholders and matters
leading to social licence to
operate.

Perseus has established relevant agreements with local
stakeholders.

The mine plan for the operation of the Sissingué and
Sissingué open pits includes the use of skilled expatriate
workers and locallysourced skilled workers.
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.

The status of material legal
agreements and marketing
arrangements.

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. Highlight and discuss the
materiality of any unresolved
matter that is dependent on a
third party on which extraction
of the reserve is contingent.

The estimate of Ore Reserves for the Sissingué Open Pits
are not, to RPM’s knowledge, materially affected by any
known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-
economic, marketing, political or other relevant factors that
would prevent the classification of Ore Reserves.
Classification
The basis for the classification of
the Ore Reserves into varying
confidence categories.

Whether the result appropriately
reflects the Competent Person’s
view of the deposit.

The proportion of Probable Ore
Reserves that have been derived
from Measured Mineral
Resources (if any).

Ore Reserves have been classified based on the underlying
Mineral Resources classifications and the level of detail in the
mine planning. The Mineral Resources were classified as
Measured, Indicated and Inferred. The Ore Reserves, based
only on the Measured and Indicated Resources, have been
classified as Proved and Probable Ore Reserves,
respectively.
The Ore Reserve is classified as Proved and Probable in
accordance with the JORC Code, corresponding to the
Mineral Resource classifications of Measured and Indicated
and taking into account other factors where relevant. The
deposit’s geological model is well constrained. The Ore
Reserve classification is considered appropriate given the
nature of the deposit, the moderate grade variability, drilling
density, structural complexity and mining history. Therefore it
was deemed appropriate to use Measured Mineral
Resources as a basis for Proved Reserves and Indicated

[21]

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Mineral Resources as a basis for Probable Reserves.
No Inferred Mineral Resources were included in the Ore
Reserve estimate.
Audits or
reviews

The results of any audits or
reviews of Ore Reserve
estimates.

RPM has completed an internal review of the Ore Reserve
estimate.
The JORC Code provides guidelines which set out minimum
standards, recommendations and guidelines for the Public
Reporting of exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves. Within the JORC Code is a “Checklist of
Assessment and Reporting Criteria” (Table 1 – JORC Code).
This checklist has been used as a systematic method to
undertake a review of the underlying Study used to report in
accordance with the JORC Code.
A high level LOM Plan was prepared based on the ROM
mineable ore contained with the pit designs. RPM reviewed
the LOM Plan for reasonableness and accuracy and confirmed
that it was suitable for estimation of Ore Reserves. An
economic model was prepared in conjunction with Perseus
that confirmed the Operation to be economically viable.

[22]

RFS for Development of Sissingué Gold Mine

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JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves

JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves JORC 2012 Table 1 – Section 4 Estimation and reporting of Mineral Reserves
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
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
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.

The accuracy and confidence of the inputs are, as a
minimum, of a feasibility level (for the global open pit Ore
Reserves).

The key factors that are likely to affect the accuracy and
confidence in the Ore Reserves are:
oAccuracy of the underlying Resource Block Models;
oChanges in gold prices and sales agreements;
oChanges in metallurgical recovery; and
Mining loss and dilution.

The Ore Reserve has utilised all parameters provided by site
as made available.

The accuracy of the underlying Mineral Resources is defined
by the Resource Category that the Mineral Resources are
assigned to. Only the highest categories of Resource
classification, Measured and Indicated, have been used as a
basis for estimating Ore Reserves.

[23]