- Report of Foreign Issuer (6-K)
February 24 2009 - 6:00AM
Edgar (US Regulatory)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM
6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
CIK # 865492
As at February 23, 2009
GREAT BASIN GOLD LTD.
Ste. 1108-1030 West Georgia Street
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Canada
V6E 2Y3
(address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F...X.... Form 40-F.........
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of
a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in
this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes ..... No .....
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
By: /s/ Ferdi Dippenaar
President and CEO
Date: February 23, 2009
Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature.
|
1108-1030
West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6E 2Y3
Toll Free: 1 888-633-9332
South Africa: 27 (0) 11 301 1800
www.grtbasin.com
|
GREAT BASIN
GOLD ANNOUNCES EXTENDED LIFE OF
MINE PROJECTIONS FOR HOLLISTER GOLD PROJECT
February 23, 2009, Vancouver, BC -
Great Basin Gold
Ltd. ("Great Basin Gold" or the "Company"), (TSX: GBG; NYSE
Alternext: GBG; JSE: GBG) announces an update of the financial forecast for
the Hollister Development Block ("HDB"), based on the Company's
work programs to December 31 2008. The HDB constitutes approximately 5% of
the Company's 100% owned Hollister Property which is located on the Carlin
Trend, some 80 km from Elko, Nevada, USA.
Underground access of the high grade Gwenivere and Clementine vein systems
was completed in 2005, allowing for 55,000 ft of underground drilling in 2006
and 2007. Mineral reserves were established that formed the basis of a 2007
feasibility study (September 9, 2007 technical report filed at www.SEDAR.com).
Since that time, Great Basin Gold has continued underground drilling as well
as drifting on the veins. To December 31, 2008 a total of 29,926 ft of underground
development has been completed of which 9,100 ft has been done on veins. Over
135,000 ft of diamond drilling has been completed, designed to continue the
delineation of the vein systems. Twenty-four discrete veins have been identified
to date. In addition, several bulk samples have been extracted and treated
at nearby milling facilities under toll mining and ore purchase agreements.
Great Basin Gold's in-house management and technical team as well as external
consultants have prepared an updated report based on a revised mineral resource
announced June 18, 2008 and the results of the 2008 work. A number of the
project plans remain as in the 2007 feasibility study, with other key parameters
described below. The National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report
(the "2009 Update") is currently being finalized and is expected to
be filed on www.sedar.com during February 2009.
Proven and probable mineral reserves
1
including tons extracted
in 2008 were used for the life of mine ("LOM") model and financial
analysis which are 1.28 million tons grading 0.90 oz/ton gold and 4.8 oz/ton
silver at a 0.33 oz/ton gold cut-off, containing 1.2 million gold equivalent
ounces to be recovered over the 10-year mine life. Remaining proven and probable
mineral reserves are 1.23 million tons grading 0.844 oz/ton gold and 4.32
oz/ton silver at a 0.33 oz/ton gold cut-off, containing 1.1 million gold equivalent
ounces. This is a 23% increase in gold equivalent ounces from the mineral
reserves in the 2007 feasibility study.
Life of mine capital costs have increased, related to the extended life of
mine which requires additional underground development. The acquisition and
refurbishment costs of the Esmeralda Mill (which is now the chosen site for
milling) have also been included in the capital estimate rather than using
toll milling as proposed in the 2007 feasibility study. Of the currently projected
LOM capital cost of US$110 million, the Company has spent US$53 million to
develop the mine and related infrastructure. The remaining required capital
over the life of mine is estimated at US$57 million.
Cash costs for mining and processing are estimated at US$426 per recovered
equivalent gold ounce
2
. This is an increase from US$323 per ounce
in the 2007 feasibility study and is a direct result of the increased haulage
cost to the Esmeralda Mill, estimates on commodity prices and the slightly
lower estimated average grade over the life of mine. Cash costs are inclusive
of all mine site costs, direct development, milling and ore haulage, general
and administrative costs as well as royalties payable. Total cost per recovered
equivalent gold ounce increased from US$423 to US$559 as a result of the increase
in the LOM capital for the project. Total costs are inclusive of cash costs,
amortization and federal taxes.
At long term prices of US$800/oz for gold and US$12/oz for
silver, the HDB has an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 41.2% and an after-tax
Net Present Value (NPV) of US$130 million using a 5% discount rate.
Ferdi Dippenaar, President and CEO, commented: "Continued drilling at
Hollister has resulted in an increase in both life of mine projections and
the number of ounces expected to be mined from this highly prospective deposit.
Even at a gold price well below current prices, the life of mine has been
projected to extend from 6 years to 10 years. We believe this may very well
increase as we continue with programs to explore and infill-drill the vein
system which is still open on strike and at depth.
The increase in the projected costs from the feasibility is in line with industry
inflation and the required changes to the project due to alternative milling
arrangements."
Johan Oelofse, PrEng, FSAIMM, Chief Operating Officer for Great Basin, a qualified
person, supervised the 2009 Update and has reviewed this news release.
The Company also advises that the Equity Line Agreement, announced in December
2008, has now completed and the Company issued an aggregate of 2,846,900
shares to Investec at an average price of $1.38.
Ferdi Dippenaar
President and CEO
Notes:
1
The 2009 Update Mineral Reserves include approximately
50,200 tons that were extracted in 2008. Remaining Mineral Reserves include
Proven of 109,600 tons grading 1.107 oz/ton gold and 7.77 oz/ton silver and
Probable of 1,124,700 tons grading 0.818 oz/ton gold and 3.98 oz/ton silver.
The gold equivalent was calculated using prices of US$800/oz for gold and
US$12/oz for silver.
2
Cash cost per ounce and total cost per ounce are numbers commonly
used in the mining industry to assess performance. They are not terms recognized
under generally accepted accounting principles.
For additional details on Great Basin Gold Ltd. and its gold properties, please
visit the Company's website at www.grtbasin.com or contact Investor Services:
Tsholo Serunye in South Africa
+27 (0)11 301 1800
Michael Curlook in North America +1 888 633 9332
Barbara Cano at Breakstone Group in the USA +1 646 452-2334
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the
information contained in this news release.
Cautionary and Forward Looking Statement Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking
statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical
facts, that address possible future commercial production, bank loan arrangements,
reserve potential, exploration drilling results, development, feasibility or
exploitation activities and events or developments that Great Basin Gold expects
to occur are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results
or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking
statements include market prices for precious metals, credit availability, development
and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related
to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due
to third party opposition, geopolitical uncertainty, changes in government policies
regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued
availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business
conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees
of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information
on the Company, Investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its Canadian jurisdiction
filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
All information relating to the contents of the 2009 Update and to the 2007
feasibility study, including but not limited to statements of the HDB project's
potential and information such as capital and operating costs, production summary,
and financial analysis are forward looking statements. The 2009 Update was prepared
to quantify the HDB project's capital and operating cost parameters and
to determine the project's likelihood of feasibility and optimal production
rate. The capital and operating cost estimates which were used have been developed
based on detailed capital cost to production level relationships.
The following are the principal risk factors and uncertainties which, in management's
opinion, are likely to most directly affect the ultimate feasibility of
the HDB project. The mineralized material at the HDB project is currently classified
as a measured and indicated resource, and a portion of it qualifies under Canadian
mining disclosure standards as a proven and probable reserve, but readers are
cautioned that no part of the HDB project's mineralization is considered
to be a reserve under US mining standards as all necessary mining permits and
project financing would be required in order to classify the project's mineralized
material as an economically exploitable reserve. Although work has been done
to confirm the mine design, mining methods and processing methods assumed in
the 2009 Update, construction and operation of the mine and processing facilities
depend on securing environmental and other permits on a timely basis. Additional
permits, when required, have yet to be applied for and there can be no assurance
that required permits can be secured or secured on a timely basis. Although
costs, including design, procurement, construction and on-going operating costs
and metal recoveries have been established at a level of detail required for
a feasibility study, these could be materially different from those contained
in the 2009 Update. There can be no assurance that these infrastructure facilities
can be developed on a timely and cost-effective basis. Energy risks include
the potential for significant increases in the cost of fuel and electricity.
The 2009 Update assumes specified, long-term price levels for gold and silver.
The prices of these metals are historically volatile, and the Company has no
control of or influence on the prices which are determined in international
markets. There can be no assurance that the prices of gold or silver will continue
at current levels or that they will not decline below the prices assumed in
the 2009 Update. Prices for gold and silver have been below the price ranges
assumed in 2009 Update at times during the past ten years, and for extended
periods of time. The project will require additional financing. Although interest
rates are at historically low levels, there can be no assurance that debt and/or
equity financing will be available on acceptable terms. Other general risks
include those ordinary to very large construction projects, including the
general uncertainties inherent in engineering and construction cost, the need
to comply with generally increasing environmental obligations, and accommodation
of local and community concerns.
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