Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF)
(“Discovery” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide a project
update on its flagship Cordero project (“Cordero” or “the Project”)
located in Chihuahua State, Mexico.
Tony Makuch, President & CEO, states: “We
have made excellent progress so far this year on the critical
de-risking items for Cordero - surface rights, water, power,
permitting and the Feasibility Study - as we systematically advance
Cordero towards a construction decision. We recently secured
surface rights covering the proposed open pit and key
infrastructure locations at the Project. We have also identified
the potential sources of water for the Project and recently
acquired a significant volume of water rights. We received two
power studies earlier this year confirming there is sufficient
capacity in the existing grid to supply the Project for mine
operations and establishing the work required to access the
grid.
“We are putting the final touches on our
Environmental Impact Statement, a significant step in the
permitting process for Cordero and the culmination of detailed
social and environmental assessment work completed by the Company.
Our Feasibility Study work is well advanced and remains on schedule
for completion in 1H 2024. Recent drill results highlight the
potential to further grow reserves within and on the margins of the
open pit. We also remain focused on optimization opportunities
within the study including potentially reducing reagent costs,
achieving higher recoveries and lowering mining costs through
adopting larger benches and bigger mining equipment.”
KEY DE-RISKING
ITEMS
The Company is set to initiate the permitting
process in the next three to four weeks with the submission of its
Environmental Impact Statement (“Manifesto de Impacto Ambiental” or
“MIA”) to the Mexican Federal Environmental Department
(“SEMARNAT”). The MIA is one of the principal permits required for
the development of Cordero and encapsulates extensive social and
environmental work programs completed by the Company’s team in
Mexico since 2020 in parallel with multiple reviews by third-party
consultants.
The Company has reviewed the expected changes to
be made with the new mining law recently introduced in Mexico and
does not expect the new law will have a material impact on the
Project timeline. It is the Company’s intention to be in full
compliance with all Mexican regulatory requirements alongside its
overarching commitment to meet the highest industry standards for
environmental protection, social responsibility and health and
safety. The Company’s MIA submission incorporates the expected
changes to the new mining law, in particular the inclusion of
supplementary details of the Project’s closure and reclamation
plans. Cordero benefits from being located on private land in an
area of Mexico (Chihuahua State) where mining has a long history
and is a key economic contributor.
The Company recently secured the surface rights
that correspond with the planned open pit and key infrastructure
locations at Cordero as well as a significant volume of water
rights. For hydrogeology, the Company is continuing its work with
Mexican specialist consultant Investigacion y Desarrollo de
Acuiferos y Ambiente (“IDEAS”) to build on previous hydrogeology
drilling to develop a more detailed groundwater flow model within
and near the open pit and geophysical surveys further away from the
pit to guide future water exploration drilling campaigns. Discovery
also recently engaged M3 Engineering & Technology Corp to
complete a technical review of the scope and cost to source water
from existing water treatment plants in the region.
An impact assessment study and power
installation study by Mexican electrical infrastructure authority
CENACE were delivered earlier this year, with confirmation that
there is sufficient capacity in the existing power grid to supply
the Project with power for operations at peak throughput levels.
Standard upgrades of the Camargo II substation will be required as
well as the installation of a 74-kilometre powerline along the
existing power corridor. This scenario confirms prior assumptions
about power supply to Cordero and is an important milestone in
de-risking the Project. The work to be undertaken in the
Feasibility Study for power supply will entail a detailed cost
estimate for the construction of the powerline and preparation of
tender documentation to allow qualified contractors to bid on the
defined scope. The option to use renewable energy sources at site
to supplement grid power will also be evaluated.
FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE
Study Approach: The Company
will look to accelerate front-end engineering design work as part
of the Feasibility Study (“FS” or “the Study”) scope to increase
the confidence level of the initial capital cost estimate and to
shorten the timeline between the Study completion and the Project
build. As part of Discovery’s overall approach to ensuring
successful project execution the Company plans to expand its
owner’s team through the course of the year with a skillset focus
on processing, mining and engineering, procurement and construction
management.
Reserves/Resource
update: the FS will be supported by an updated
reserves and resource estimate to be released concurrently with the
results of the Study. The updated estimates will be based on a
total of approximately 310,000 m in 793 drill holes. This includes
an additional 35,000 m in 103 drill holes, completed since the
update in January 2023, focused on resource upgrade and reserve
expansion opportunities.
Metallurgical testwork:
Testwork will be focused on the potential reduction of reagent
costs through minimizing reagent dosages and testing of lower cost
substitute reagents. Variability testwork focused on blend
optimization over the life-of-mine will also be completed. This
will consist of testing of rock type blends and of higher
oxide-sulphide blends (up to 20% oxides). Additional comminution
testwork, including sensitivity of regrind sizes on recoveries and
testing alternative regrind mills will also be completed. The
testwork is being conducted by Blue Coast Research Ltd. (“Blue
Coast”) with oversight from Libertas Metallurgy Ltd. (“Libertas”)
and Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”).
Process Design: The process
design will continue to incorporate staged expansions that are
roughly in-line with the Preliminary Feasibility Study (“PFS”) with
Phase 1 expected throughput of approximately 25,000 tonnes per day
(“tpd”) and Phase 2 throughput of approximately 50,000 tpd. The
Study will focus on optimizing the selection of equipment based on
these throughput rates and will also evaluate the opportunity to
vary throughput levels over the life-of-mine based on changes in
ore hardness of the different rock type blends.
Mining: mine planning work for
the FS will be completed by AGP Mining Consultants Inc. (“AGP
Mining”). A trade-off study assessing potential cost reductions by
moving to bigger benches and larger mine equipment will be
completed as part of this scope. Options to reduce the Project’s
carbon footprint, including the use of automation, electric
vehicles and trolley assist technology will also be assessed. The
mine plan for the FS will include a more detailed mine schedule for
the early years of the mine life (including monthly and quarterly
resolution). Like the PFS, the mine plan will be focused on mining
rates and cut-off grade and stockpiling strategies that optimize
the capital efficiency and Net Present Value of the Project.
Geotechnical: WSP Global Inc.
(“WSP”) has been selected for the role of Geotechnical Engineer for
the Study and will perform the geotechnical work for the open pit
(pit slope analysis) and for the infrastructure locations of the
project (input to foundation design). The first part of the
geotechnical investigation is ongoing through a condemnation
drilling campaign with additional geotechnical drilling expected to
commence in 3Q 2023.
Tailings: WSP has been selected
as the TSF Engineer for the Study and will also be responsible for
surface water management and the overall site water balance.
Additional settling tests to further improve the water efficiency
of the Project will be completed. It is expected that the TSF
location in the PFS will be maintained, with additional engineering
to be completed to further define, cost and de-risk this key
facility. WSP will also support Discovery’s permitting process in
the areas of tailings and water.
FEASIBILITY STUDY PROJECT
TEAM
The Feasibility Study team consists of Ausenco,
WSP and AGP Mining with support from multiple independent third
parties as outlined in the table below.
Area of Responsibility |
FS Qualified Person |
Third Party Input/Review |
Principal Author |
Ausenco |
- |
Metallurgy |
Ausenco |
Libertas / Blue Coast |
Processing |
Ausenco |
- |
Mining |
AGP Mining |
Hard Rock Consulting |
Pit Geotech |
WSP |
- |
Tailings Management |
WSP |
- |
Environment |
Ausenco |
CIMA |
Social |
Ausenco |
Vinfidem |
QP CONSULTANT / THIRD PARTY
WEBSITES Ausenco – www.ausenco.com AGP
Mining – www.agpmining.com Blue Coast – www.bluecoastresearch.ca
CIMA – www.cimasc.com.mx IDEAS – https://ideasenagua.com WSP –
www.wsp.com/en-ca Libertas – LinkedIn profile Hard
Rock
Consulting – www.hardrock-consulting.com Vinfidem –
www.vinfidem.com.mx
About Discovery
Discovery’s flagship project is its 100%-owned
Cordero project, one of the world’s largest silver deposits. The
PFS completed in January 2023 demonstrates that Cordero has the
potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that
offers the combination of margin, size and scalability. Cordero is
located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in
Chihuahua State, Mexico.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Tony Makuch, P.EngCEO & Director
For further information contact:
Forbes Gemmell, CFAVP Corporate
DevelopmentPhone: 416-613-9410Email:
forbes.gemmell@discoverysilver.comWebsite:
www.discoverysilver.com
Qualified
PersonTony Esplin, FAusIMM, Chief Operating
Officer, Discovery Silver Corp., is the Company's designated
Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and validated that the
information contained in this news release is accurate.
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that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
This news release is not for distribution to United States
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This news release does not constitute an offer
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sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such
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Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or any state securities
laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to,
or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in
Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933
Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such
registration requirements is available.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking
information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively,
“forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable
Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other
than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements
and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the
date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion
with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance
(often, but not always using phrases such as “plans”, “expects”,
“is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”,
“intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including
negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that
certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”
or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of
historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news
release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to:
the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering;
anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future
operations; future growth potential of Discovery; and future
development plans.
These forward-looking statements, and any
assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and
reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our
business. Management believes that these assumptions are
reasonable. 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 future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to
the speculative nature of the Company’s business; the Company’s
formative stage of development; the impact of COVID19 on the timing
of exploration and development work; the Company’s financial
position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery
rates; actual results of current exploration activities;
conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general
macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets;
fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base
metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency
markets; change in national and local government, legislation,
taxation, controls regulations and political or economic
developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of
mineral exploration, development and mining (including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected
formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain
adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws
and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee
relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and
indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated
with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral
exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining
necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government
authorities); and title to properties. Such factors are described
in detail in the Prospectus Supplement and the documents
incorporated by reference therein.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are
made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or results, except as
may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may
be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated,
estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information.
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