Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 22, 2020) -
Moneta Porcupine Mines Inc. (TSX: ME) (OTC Pink: MPUCF) (FSE: MOP) ("Moneta" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the filing of the technical report covering the Preliminary Economic Assessment "PEA" study on the South West deposit located in the Golden Highway Project, 110 km east of Timmins, Ontario.
"We are pleased to have filed the Technical Report which supports the positive results from the preliminary economic assessment of the South West deposit and its robust project economics including an NPV5% of C$236 million and IRR of 30% at US$1,500 ounce gold," commented Moneta CEO, Gary O'Connor. "The PEA study assumed underground extraction at only our South West deposit and has shown the potential to produce up to 85,700 ounces per annum at a cash cost of US$590 per ounce, with low initial capital of C$144 million repaid over 3.4 years with annual after tax cash flow of C$49 million. The excellent economics are afforded by the project's location in Canada's most prolific gold mining camp, Timmins Ontario, with extensive existing infrastructure and experienced and available services and workforce. We are now focussing on expanding the adjacent deposits and discovering new zones of gold mineralization with the start of our new 20,000 m drill program designed to continue to add value to the Golden Highway Project with a growing resource base. In addition to following up the three new discoveries from earlier this year, Moneta is currently updating the Windjammer South, 55 and new Westway resource estimates, expected to be released before the end of 2020."
The Technical Report dated October 21, 2020 was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has been filed on both SEDAR and the Company's website ( www.monetaporcupine.com ) and is now available for review.
The Report was prepared by Mr. B. Terrence Hennessey, P.Geo., Mr. Richard M. Gowans, P.Eng., Mr. Barnard Foo, P.Eng., Mr. Christopher Jacobs, MIMMM, Mr. David Makepeace, P.Eng., and Mr. Nigel Fung, P.Eng., of Micon International Ltd. of Toronto, Canada, who are considered "Qualified Persons" under NI 43-101. The new technical report covers and supports the technical and scientific disclosure as contained in the new PEA study reported in Moneta's press release dated September 09, 2020 entitled "Moneta announces positive results from Preliminary Economic Assessment study on South West Deposit."
Qualified Person Kevin Montgomery, P.Geo. is a qualified person under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release.
About Moneta The Company holds a 100% interest in 6 core gold projects strategically located along the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the Timmins Gold Camp with over 85 million ounces of past gold production. The main Golden Highway Project covers 12 km of prospective ground along the DPFZ of which 2 km hosts the current 43-101 mineral resource estimate comprised of an indicated resource of 676,900 ounces gold contained within 5.11 Mt @ 4.12 g/t Au and a total of 1,386,600 ounces gold contained within 10.78 Mt @ 4.00 g/t Au in the inferred category at a 2.60 g/t Au at South West and 3.00 g/t Au cut-off for the other deposits. A PEA study completed on the South West Deposit, one of 6 deposits located on the Golden Highway project, highlighted an 11-year mine life with an after-tax NPV5% of C$236MM, IRR of 30% and a 3.4 year payback, generating C$371MM LOM after-tax free cash flow. The project envisaged underground mining producing 76,000 oz/pa at a cash cost of US$590/oz.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Gary V. O'Connor, CEO 416-357-3319
Linda Armstrong, Investor Relations 647-456-9223
The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.monetaporcupine.com or email us at info@monetaporcupine.com.
This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, collectively "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to information with respect to the future performance of the business, its operations and financial performance and condition such as the Company's drilling program and the timing and results thereof; and the ability of the Company to finance and carry out its anticipated goals and objectives.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking-statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
Newsfile Corp. October 22, 2020 - 5:00 AM PDT Tags: INDUSTRIAL METALS & MINERALS 1 Moneta Porcupine commences drilling 'We think we're going to play a big role in the future of Timmins'
Andrew Autio, Local Journalism Initiative reporterAndrew Autio, Local Journalism Initiative reporter Published on: October 19, 2020 | Last Updated: October 19, 2020 8:32 PM EDT
O’Connor said they are very excited to be a new developer in the Timmins camp, alongside some major players, and they have high hopes attached to The Golden Highway project.
“We should be able to grow significantly,” he said. “We think we’re going to play a big role in the future of Timmins.”
South West Deposit PEA Returns Positive Economics on Both Stand-Alone and Toll Milling Scenarios
This morning, Moneta released a PEA (Exhibits 1-4) for the South West deposit, part of its Golden Highway project in Timmins, Ontario. A conference call will be held tomorrow at 10:30am ET; dial-in: 343.761.2596.
Highlights
• Works as Stand-Alone Mine: The base case models a 1,750tpd processing plant (94% recovery) that will ramp up (over two years) production in the UG mine to ~86Koz pa (by year 5; average 76Koz pa @ 3.9g/t diluted LOM). The initial capex on the 11 year mine is $144M (includes 15% contingency). The average long-hole stoping mining width is projected to be 8m (minimum 3m). The ore will be brought to surface via a ramp that’ll use 30t trucks. Costs are expected to be around $90/t and during the LOM the average AISC is forecasted at US$747/oz. Using a $1,500/oz Au price the PEA returned a NPV5% of $236M and ~30% IRR.
• Works as a Toll Milling Mine: The alternate scenario would be a quick, low capex operation whereby ore is trucked to an existing plant in the area. In this option the company would incur no processing plant and tailings facility costs and permitting would be a breeze. The toll milling options assumed lower recoveries at 92%, removing the cheaper gravity circuit from the plan. The production profile is similar (average 74Koz pa over the 11 year LOM) but operating costs would be higher at $119/t and US$938 AISC. However, with the lower upfront capex at $65M the IRR improves to ~44% (NPV5%: $197M).
• Growing Resource Presents Upside: The PEA used a lower cut-off at 2.6g/t (from 3.0g/t) from the previously stated South West resource. This increased the size of the total indicated and inferred South West resource by 22% to 1.8Moz (from ~1.5Moz). We note, this PEA was based on where the majority of drilling has been so far, the South West deposit and is more than enough to get started. Satellite deposits could offer additional upside in the future.
• Surrounded by Operating Mines/Mills: Toll milling could occur at any of the existing mills in the area including Holt Holloway, Black Fox, Hoyle Pond, Hollinger, Timmins West, and Bell Creek. Kirkland Lake’s (KL-T, Not Rated) and Newmont’s (NEM-N, Not Rated) recent formation of a strategic alliance on exploration in the area also bodes well for the camp and Moneta.
Valuation – Cheap on Existing Resource
Our $0.35/share price target is based on an in-situ multiple (~US$50/oz Au or ~3% of our long-term gold price) on the 1.7Moz Golden Highway resource.
Bottom Line – Build it or Toll It, Either Way Works
The resource growth, stock valuation, and gold price will make the decision in the next year or so if industry players don’t act first. With a desirable location in an existing camp with many underutilized mills the existing resource alone renders Moneta undervalued. We maintain our Buy recommendation and $0.35/share target price.
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