Prime Mining Corp. (“Prime” or the “Company”) (TSX:
PRYM) (OTCQX: PRMNF) (Frankfurt: 04V3) is
reporting expansion drilling results from the Company’s Los Reyes
Project (the “Project”), located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. These
results are from 2024 drilling at the
Central
Trend and are not included in the Company’s October 15, 2024,
Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”).
Expansion Drilling Highlights in the
Central Trend
The Company is reporting 14 core holes at the Central Trend, 9
of which are from Noche Buena, at the southernmost part of
the trend, with the following highlights:
- 3.48 grams per tonne (“g/t”)
gold-equivalent (“AuEq”) (3.12 g/t Au and 27.7 g/t Ag) over 7.6 m
estimated true width (“ETW”) in hole 24NB-78, including:
- 8.64 g/t AuEq (7.8 g/t Au and 64.8 g/t
Ag) over 2.8 m ETW, including:
- 16.22 g/t AuEq (15.00 g/t Au and 94.0 g/t Ag) over 1.4 m
ETW;
- 2.16 g/t AuEq (1.75 g/t Au and 31.9 g/t Ag) over 11.3 m ETW in
hole 24NB-67, including:
- 8.65 g/t AuEq (7.42 g/t Au and 95.3 g/t Ag) over 2.3 m
ETW;
- 1.65 g/t AuEq (1.03 g/t Au and 47.6 g/t Ag) over 11.2 m ETW in
hole 24NB-77, including:
- 4.24 g/t AuEq (2.40 g/t Au and 142.0 g/t Ag) over 1.8 m
ETW.
Prime Mining Corp. Chief Executive Officer Scott
Hicks commented, “Step-out drill holes at the southernmost end of
Noche Buena in the Central Trend returned excellent gold and silver
grades, defining a brand new high-grade shoot that is several
hundred meters beyond our October 2024 resource update.
Mineralization is at grades and widths indicative of underground
expansion potential. And, mineralization remains open at depth and
along strike to the south, with strong potential for significant
extension via the 2025 drilling currently underway.”
Scott Smith, Executive Vice President of
Exploration, added, “This high-grade extension, defined by
drillholes 24NB-77, -78, -73, and -74, confirms a 300-metre,
high-grade shoot along strike from current stopes defined in our
last MRE. The downdip extent of this high-grade shoot has been
defined at over 120 metres, remains open, and presents an
opportunity to add a significant volume of inferred stopes with
follow-up drilling. We are excited for 2025 to bring a continuation
of similar positive results as we continue further step-outs along
strike and down dip at Noche Buena.”
Figure 1: Expansion drilling
update
Central Drill Hole
Highlights1
Hole ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
ETW (m)2 |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
AuEq3 |
Au Cut-off4 |
24NB-67 |
67.0 |
69.0 |
2.0 |
1.8 |
1.67 |
16.1 |
1.88 |
1.0 |
24NB-67 |
290.6 |
303.0 |
12.4 |
11.3 |
1.75 |
31.9 |
2.16 |
0.2 |
including |
297.0 |
299.6 |
2.6 |
2.3 |
7.42 |
95.3 |
8.65 |
1.0 |
24NB-68 |
340.0 |
340.8 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
1.04 |
163.0 |
3.15 |
1.0 |
24NB-68 |
351.1 |
356.1 |
5.1 |
3.9 |
1.72 |
5.3 |
1.79 |
0.2 |
including |
351.1 |
352.0 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
5.97 |
11.5 |
6.12 |
1.0 |
including |
353.7 |
354.9 |
1.2 |
0.9 |
2.50 |
1.6 |
2.52 |
1.0 |
24NB-77 |
308.3 |
321.2 |
13.0 |
11.2 |
1.03 |
47.6 |
1.65 |
0.2 |
including |
309.8 |
310.5 |
0.7 |
0.6 |
3.33 |
11.0 |
3.47 |
1.0 |
including |
316.5 |
317.9 |
1.4 |
1.2 |
1.28 |
87.0 |
2.41 |
1.0 |
including |
319.2 |
321.2 |
2.0 |
1.8 |
2.40 |
142.0 |
4.24 |
1.0 |
24NB-78 |
341.4 |
350.6 |
9.2 |
7.6 |
3.12 |
27.7 |
3.48 |
0.2 |
including |
342.8 |
346.2 |
3.4 |
2.8 |
7.80 |
64.8 |
8.64 |
1.0 |
including |
342.8 |
344.5 |
1.7 |
1.4 |
15.00 |
94.0 |
16.22 |
1.0 |
24NB-78 |
376.2 |
380.9 |
4.7 |
3.9 |
1.08 |
57.7 |
1.83 |
0.2 |
including |
377.2 |
379.9 |
2.7 |
2.2 |
1.57 |
88.8 |
2.72 |
1.0 |
Notes:
- A complete table of assay results from all deposits and all
secondary zones intersected utilizing a 0.20 g/t Au cut-off is on
the Company's website.
- Estimated True Widths (ETW) are estimated based on drill hole
geology or comparisons with other on-section drill holes.
- Au Equivalent (AuEq) grade is calculated as Au g/t + (Ag g/t x
($25.24/$1950)) where $25.24 and $1950 are the price of one ounce
of Ag and Au respectively (in US dollars).
- Composite assay grades presented in summary tables are
calculated using a Au grade minimum average of 0.20 g/t or 1.0 g/t
as indicated in “Au Cut-off” column of Summary Tables. Maximum
internal waste included in any reported composite interval is 3.00
m. The 1.00 g/t Au cut-off is used to define higher-grade “cores”
within the lower-grade halo.
INTERPRETATION
Noche Buena:24NB-77, -78, -73,
and -74, along with previous drilling, now define a 400m long, by
80-160m wide, high-grade shoot at the far southern end of the
Central trend. 24NB-78, the southernmost drillhole completed to
date at Central, represents an extension of 210m and 300m along
strike from the 2024 MRE pit crest and the southernmost 2024 MRE
stopes, respectively. The shoot remains open along strike to the
south and at depth, and given the high gold and silver grades
intercepted, represents a strong opportunity to add additional
underground Resources in the Central Trend. Drilling targeting the
expansion of this high-grade shoot will continue to be a focus in
early 2025.
Figure 2: Central Trend drilling
update
Figure 3: Central
Trend long section with drill holes
highlighted (A-A’)
Figure 4: Central Trend (Noche Buena)
cross section B-B’
Outlook
Prime will continue to evaluate drilling plans
using its success-based approach into 2025. This evaluation will
also include prioritization of targets based on probability of
resource development and generative area discovery potential.
Six drill rigs are currently on site at Los
Reyes, with exploration focused on:
- Extending the high-grade
Z-T Area shoots that remain open at depth, as well as
along strike, both north and south.
- Expanding the known
high-grade mineralization at Guadalupe East.
- Increasing the Central Area
resource through additions at Noche Buena and its
connection to San Miguel East.
- Generative target drilling
of high-grade intercepts at Las Primas, Mariposa,
Fresnillo and others to further develop the resource potential at
Los Reyes.
Links to Figures:
- Figure 1 – Expansion drilling
update
- Figure 2 – Central
Trend drilling update
- Figure 3 – Central
Trend long section with drill holes highlighted (A-A’)
- Figure 4 – Central
Trend (Noche Buena) cross section (B-B’)
Links to Tables:
- Table 1 – Drill Intercepts in this
Release
- Table 2 – Drill Intercepts to
Date
About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver
Project
Los Reyes is a high-grade, low-sulphidation
epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico.
Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent more than $59
million on direct exploration activities and has completed over
210,000 metres of drilling. On October 15, 2024, Prime announced an
updated multi-million-ounce high-grade open pit and underground
resource based on exploration drilling up to July 17, 2024.
October 15, 2024 Resource
Statement1(based on a $1950/oz gold
price, $25.24/oz silver price, economic-constrained estimate)
Mining Methodand Process |
Class |
Tonnage(kt) |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
Gold Contained(koz) |
Silver Grade(g/t) |
Silver Contained(koz) |
Gold Equiv.(g/t) |
Gold Equiv.(koz) |
Silver Equiv.(g/t) |
Silver Equiv.(koz) |
Open Pit - Mill |
Indicated |
24,657 |
1.13 |
899 |
35.7 |
28,261 |
1.60 |
1,265 |
123.3 |
97,723 |
|
Inferred |
7,211 |
0.89 |
207 |
42.8 |
9,916 |
1.45 |
335 |
111.8 |
25,911 |
Underground |
Indicated |
4,132 |
3.02 |
402 |
152.4 |
20,243 |
5.00 |
664 |
386.1 |
51,290 |
|
Inferred |
4,055 |
2.10 |
273 |
78.6 |
10,247 |
3.12 |
406 |
240.7 |
31,380 |
Total Mill |
Indicated |
28,789 |
1.41 |
1,301 |
52.4 |
48,504 |
2.08 |
1,928 |
161.0 |
149,012 |
|
Inferred |
11,266 |
1.33 |
480 |
55.7 |
20,163 |
2.05 |
741 |
158.2 |
57,291 |
Open Pit - Heap Leach |
Indicated |
20,254 |
0.29 |
190 |
8.4 |
5,492 |
0.40 |
261 |
31.0 |
20,201 |
|
Inferred |
5,944 |
0.30 |
58 |
7.3 |
1,398 |
0.40 |
76 |
30.6 |
5,856 |
Total |
Indicated |
49,042 |
0.95 |
1,491 |
34.2 |
53,995 |
1.39 |
2,190 |
107.3 |
169,213 |
|
Inferred |
17,210 |
0.97 |
538 |
39.0 |
21,561 |
1.48 |
817 |
114.1 |
63,147 |
- Refer to the Additional Notes section
for the gold equivalent grade (“AuEq”) calculation method and
further information.
Drilling is ongoing and suggests that the three
known main deposit areas (Guadalupe, Central and Z-T) are larger
than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries
where mineralized trends have been identified outside of the
currently defined resource areas. Historic operating results
indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million
ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at
Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Prime’s acquisition,
recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million
on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies.
QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures
Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled
in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetres “mm”), reducing to NQ
(47.6 mm) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m
long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer
intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging
intervals are identified to be sampled, the core is cut and
one-half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and
fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are
homogenized and split into 2 halves, with one half submitted for
analysis and the other half stored.
Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified
reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates, as well as
preparation duplicates inserted into the sample sequence and make
up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for
each drill hole.
Samples are picked up from the Project by the
laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango
or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is
carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay,
including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their
respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element
analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample
preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70%
passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter,
and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75
microns.
Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire
assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code
FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid
digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with
detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a
full suite of elements.
Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an
upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an
over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for
gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses
by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm,
respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed
by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.
Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC
accredited assay laboratories.
Additional Notes
Prime’s MRE as of October 15, 2024 is classified
in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and
Petroleum (“CIM”) “CIM Definition Standards - For
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves” adopted by the CIM Council
(as amended, the “CIM Definition Standards”) and
in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. Mineral resources
are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic
viability.
Metres is represented by “m”; “etw” is
Estimated True Width and is based on drill hole geometry or
comparisons with other on-section drill holes; “Au” refers to gold,
and “Ag” refers to silver; “g/t” is grams per metric tonne; some
figures may not sum due to rounding; Composite assay grades
presented in summary tables are calculated using a Au grade minimum
average of 0.20 g/t or 1.0 g/t as indicated in “Au Cut-off” column
of Summary Tables. Maximum internal waste included in any reported
composite interval is 3.00 m. The 1.00 g/t Au cut-off is used to
define higher-grade “cores” within the lower-grade halo.
Gold equivalent grades are calculated based on
an assumed gold price of US$1,950 per ounce and silver price of
$25.24 per ounce, based on the formula AuEq grade (g/t) = Au grade
+ (Ag grade x $25.24 / $1,950). Metallurgical recoveries are not
considered in the in-situ grade estimate but are estimated to be
95.6% and 81% for gold and silver, respectively, when processed in
a mill, and 73% and 25% respectively when heap-leached. Additional
details are available in the associated Technical Report, filed on
November 27, 2024.
Qualified Person
Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of
Exploration, is a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101
and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news
release.
About Prime Mining
Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful
mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced
local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the
Project. The Company has a well-planned capital structure with a
strong management team and insider ownership. Prime is targeting a
material resource expansion at Los Reyes through a combination of
new generative area discoveries and growth, while also building on
technical de-risking activities to support eventual project
development.
For further information, please visit
https://www.primeminingcorp.ca/ or direct enquiries to:
Scott HicksCEO &
Director
Indi GopinathanVP Capital
Markets & Business Development
Prime Mining Corp.710 – 1030 West Georgia
St.Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3 Canada+1(604)
238-1659info@primeminingcorp.ca
Cautionary Notes to U.S. Investors
Concerning Resource Estimates
This news release has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect
in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the U.S.
securities laws. In particular, and without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral
reserve”, “probable mineral reserve”, “inferred mineral resources,”
“indicated mineral resources,” “measured mineral resources” and
“mineral resources” used or referenced in this presentation are
Canadian mineral disclosure terms as defined in accordance with NI
43-101 under the guidelines set out in the CIM Standards. The CIM
Standards differ from the mineral property disclosure requirements
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the
“SEC Modernization Rules”) under
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”). As a foreign private issuer
that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the
multijurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required
to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC
Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under
NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, the Company’s
disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may
differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed
had the Company prepared the information under the standards
adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.
Forward Looking Information
This news release contains certain
“forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be
amended from time to time, including, without limitation,
statements regarding the perceived merit of the Company’s
properties, including additional exploration potential of Los
Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential
size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the
Company’s exploration and development plans in Mexico.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that
the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based
on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management
on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks
and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such
forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation,
assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the
accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no
material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties;
that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession
renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will
be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange
rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will
be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its
properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such
statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known
and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks
include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties
inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates,
including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions,
variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery
rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations,
failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability
of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license,
changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters,
delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of
local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including
concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations,
risks relating to COVID-19 and other future pandemics, delays in or
failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks
inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks
associated with executing the Company’s objectives and strategies,
including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors
discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's
discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form
dated March 25, 2024, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Except as
required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations
applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to
update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs,
estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
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