McEwen Copper Inc., 52% owned by
McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX)
(TSX: MUX), today reports additional copper values over
wide intercepts resulting from drilling performed on its Los Azules
project, located in San Juan, Argentina. McEwen Copper recently
published an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on a
copper leaching phase of development (see release dated June 20,
2023). Infill and other resource drilling completed since the PEA
model data cut-off date confirm very good alignment of new assay
results to the resource model prediction for the same area. Also,
copper grade continuity modeled in the core of the deposit is
well-supported by core logging and new assay results. Los Azules is
a large copper-gold-silver porphyry deposit with growth potential,
it has many features comparable to world-class copper-gold deposits
in South America and its depth and lateral extent have not yet been
determined. Infill drilling serves several purposes: providing
better data density to upgrade confidence in the mineral resources,
providing material and data for metallurgical, geotechnical, and
hydrological studies.
Table 1 provides an overview of the latest round
of copper (Cu), gold (Au) and silver (Ag) assays.
Highlights
- Hole AZ23220
intercepted an Enriched zone of 398 meters (m)
grading 0.75% Cu (est. true thickness) and
includes a sub-interval of 124 m grading
1.43% Cu. (Figure 3)
- Hole AZ23218
intercepted an Enriched zone of 202 m grading
0.63% Cu (est. true thickness) contained within an
overall intercept of 239.2 m grading 0.59%
Cu. (Figure 2)
- Hole AZ23216
intercepted an Enriched zone of 338 m grading
0.58% Cu and Primary mineralization of 84
m grading 0.27% Cu. (Figure 4)
- Hole AZ23206
intercepted 353 m of 0.46% Cu
including an Enriched zone intercept of 190 m
grading 0.57% Cu. (Figure 5)
The latest drilling program, which began in
October 2022, was concluded on June 19, 2023. Up to 15 rigs
completed some 39,900 m of drilling in 138 holes, to evaluate
geotechnical, hydrological, resource and exploration-related
parameters and opportunities. The Los Azules drill hole database
now totals some 126,000 m.
To test the Cu% resource model veracity versus
actual drilling results, 24 infill holes completed subsequent to
the PEA model update were compared to expected results based on the
model. The length-weighted average grade of the new drilling was
0.567% Cu versus a resource model prediction of 0.520% Cu. This
limited test of the resource model’s predictive capacity is very
encouraging with actual grades being 9% higher than the model
prediction.
Preparations are underway for the next phase of
drilling, anticipated to begin in early October. This phase will
continue to increase geologic certainty with drilling needed to
delineate a Measured mineral resource estimate on the material
expected to be mined in the first five years of operation, covering
more than the payback period and other technical evaluations.
Table 1 - Los Azules Drilling Results,
May-June 2023
Hole-ID |
Section |
Predominant Mineral Zone |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length(m) |
Cu% |
Au(g/t) |
Ag(g/t) |
Comment |
AZ23187B |
52 |
Total |
40.0 |
1000.0 |
960.0 |
0.08 |
0.00 |
0.48 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
40.0 |
90.0 |
50.0 |
0.03 |
0.00 |
0.25 |
|
|
|
Primary |
90.0 |
1000.0 |
910.0 |
0.08 |
0.00 |
0.49 |
|
AZ23206 |
51 |
Total |
116.0 |
469.0 |
353.0 |
0.46 |
0.03 |
1.52 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
116.0 |
306.0 |
190.0 |
0.57 |
0.04 |
2.02 |
Incl. 94 m of 0.62% Cu |
|
|
Primary |
306.0 |
469.0 |
163.0 |
0.32 |
0.02 |
0.93 |
|
GTK2314B |
52 |
Total |
90.0 |
489.0 |
399.0 |
0.10 |
0.01 |
0.46 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
90.0 |
204.0 |
114.0 |
0.13 |
0.00 |
0.44 |
|
|
|
Primary |
204.0 |
489.0 |
285.0 |
0.09 |
0.01 |
0.46 |
|
AZ23211A |
49 |
Total |
110.0 |
446.0 |
336.0 |
0.30 |
0.03 |
0.89 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
110.0 |
348.0 |
238.0 |
0.28 |
0.03 |
0.58 |
|
|
|
Primary |
348.0 |
446.0 |
98.0 |
0.35 |
0.03 |
1.64 |
|
AZ23218 |
44 |
Total |
62.0 |
301.2 |
239.2 |
0.59 |
0.04 |
1.21 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
62.0 |
264.0 |
202.0 |
0.63 |
0.05 |
1.35 |
Incl. 20 m of 0.91% Cu |
|
|
Primary |
264.0 |
301.2 |
37.2 |
0.39 |
0.03 |
0.47 |
|
AZ23216 |
49 |
Total |
108.0 |
530.0 |
422.0 |
0.52 |
0.08 |
1.84 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
108.0 |
446.0 |
338.0 |
0.58 |
0.09 |
2.07 |
Incl. 48 m of 0.90% Cu |
|
|
Primary |
446.0 |
530.0 |
84.0 |
0.27 |
0.06 |
0.94 |
|
GTK2318 |
32 |
Total |
154.0 |
466.3 |
312.3 |
0.22 |
0.01 |
0.46 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
154.0 |
398.0 |
244.0 |
0.25 |
0.01 |
0.48 |
|
|
|
Primary |
398.0 |
466.3 |
68.3 |
0.13 |
0.01 |
0.38 |
|
AZ23220 |
45 |
Total |
80.0 |
522.0 |
442.0 |
0.69 |
0.05 |
1.00 |
|
|
|
Enriched |
80.0 |
478.0 |
398.0 |
0.75 |
0.05 |
1.00 |
Incl. 124 m of 1.43% Cu |
|
|
Primary |
478.0 |
522.0 |
44.0 |
0.16 |
0.02 |
0.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description of ResultsFigure 1
shows a plan view of 2023 mineable Indicated and Inferred resources
from the PEA whose pit wall is shown as a black trace at surface.
Drill hole and cross-section locations relevant to today’s release
are also shown.
The drilling results are summarized on four
schematic cross sections that include interpretations of
Overburden, Leached, Enriched (also called Supergene) and Primary
(also called Hypogene) mineral zones. The green line on each
section indicates the floor of the Base Case 27-year pit outline
according to the updated PEA. Adjacent cross sections occur every
50 m with the lowest section numbers located at the southern end of
the field and increasing northwards.
Figure 1 - Cross Sections and Recent
Drill Holes on the 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit
Plan
Figure 2 - Section 44 - Drilling, Mineral Zones &
2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking North)
Hole AZ23218, shown in the
center of Figure 2, has been added to section 44 to infill a 300 m
gap in drilling between holes AZ23189 and AZ22170. The hole
returned a higher-grade Enriched zone intercept than either of
those holes with 202 m of
0.63% Cu, including a
sub-interval of 20 m of 0.91% Cu.
Overall, the cross section is characterized by a 200 m to 300 m
flat-lying Enriched zone buried immediately below a thin Leached
zone horizon. The mineralization in hole AZ23218
extends at depth into the Primary (or Hypogene) zone with an
intercept of 37.2 m of 0.39%
Cu.
Figure 3 - Section 45 - Drilling,
Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking
North)
Hole AZ23220, shown in Figure 3
on section 45, returned outstanding Enriched zone results of
398 m of 0.75% Cu, including
a sub-interval of 124 m grading 1.43%
Cu which exceeds the Base Case grade of the recently
released 2023 Updated PEA for Los Azules by more than three times.
The hole was positioned to test for a structural corridor located
in the core of the deposit. The high grades returned occur within a
hydrothermal magmatic breccia, which is representative of that
corridor. The mineralization and lithology logged are consistent
with the previously released neighboring holes AZ22171 and AZ23201
which supports our view that continuity within the deposit is very
good and in harmony with the resource model that has been
developed.
Figure 4 - Section 49 - Drilling,
Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking
North)
Hole AZ23216, shown in Figure 4
on section 49, highlights a 338 m Enriched zone
intercept grading 0.58% Cu including a 48
m interval of 0.90% Cu. The hole was
positioned to extend mineralization east from hole AZ17133. The
thick intercept occurred toward the eastern flank of the deposit,
where normally both grade and thickness begin to diminish.
Mineralization continues at depth where Primary mineralization
corresponds to an 84 m interval of
0.27% Cu.
Figure 5 - Section 51 - Drilling,
Mineral Zones & 2023 Base Case Mineable Resource Pit (Looking
North)
Hole AZ23206 shown in Figure 5
on section 51 intersected 190 m of Enriched zone
mineralization grading 0.57% Cu and includes
a 94 m section of 0.62% Cu.
Mineralization continues at depth where the Primary zone was
intersected with 163 m of 0.32%
Cu.
Technical information
The technical content of this press release has
been reviewed and approved by Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., McEwen
Mining’s Senior Consulting Geologist, and a qualified person as
defined by NI 43-101.
All samples were collected in accordance with
generally accepted industry standards. Drill core samples, usually
taken at 2 m intervals, were split and submitted to the Alex
Stewart International laboratory located in the Province of
Mendoza, Argentina, for the following assays: gold determination
using fire fusion assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy
finish (Au4-30); a 39 multi-element suite using ICP-OES analysis
(ICP-AR 39); copper content determination using a sequential copper
analysis (Cu-Sequential LM-140). An additional 19-element analysis
(ICP-ORE) was performed for samples with high sulphide content.
The company conducts a Quality Assurance/Quality
Control program in accordance with NI 43-101 and industry best
practices using a combination of standards and blanks on
approximately one out of every 25 samples. Results are monitored as
final certificates are received, and any re-assay requests are sent
back immediately. Pulp and preparation sample analyses are also
performed as part of the QAQC process. Approximately 5% of the
sample pulps are sent to a secondary laboratory for control
purposes. In addition, the laboratory performs its own internal
QAQC checks, with results made available on certificates for
Company review.
Link to drill results, locations and
lengths of drillhole collars corresponding to May 2023 through June
2023 at Los Azules:
https://www.mcewenmining.com/files/doc_news/archive/2023/2023_06LA/2023_05-06_DrillResultsLocations_LA.xls
Link to drill results, locations and
lengths of drillhole collars corresponding to the October 2022 to
June 2023 drilling campaign at Los Azules:
https://www.mcewenmining.com/files/doc_news/archive/2023/2023_06LA/2022_10-2023_06DrillResultsLocations_LA.xls
Table 2 - Hole Locations and
Lengths for Los Azules Drilling Results
|
HOLE-ID |
Azimuth |
Dip |
Length |
Loc X |
Loc Y |
Loc Z |
|
AZ23187B |
250 |
-83 |
1000 |
2382089 |
6559568 |
3598 |
AZ23206 |
250 |
-61 |
469 |
2383022 |
6559836 |
3613 |
AZ23211A |
70 |
-71 |
446 |
2382742 |
6559653 |
3621 |
AZ23216 |
79 |
-71 |
530 |
2383139 |
6559822 |
3632 |
AZ23218 |
250 |
-73 |
301.2 |
2383040 |
6559496 |
3628 |
GTK2314B |
277 |
-70 |
489 |
2382662 |
6559784 |
3610 |
GTK2318 |
90 |
-70 |
466.3 |
2383521 |
6559033 |
3660 |
AZ23220 |
70 |
-69 |
522 |
2383019 |
6559525 |
3627 |
Coordinates listed in Table 2 based on Gauss Kruger - POSGAR 94
Zone 2 |
|
ABOUT MCEWEN COPPER
McEwen Copper is a well-funded, private company
which owns 100% of the large, advanced stage Los Azules copper
project, located in San Juan province, Argentina. McEwen Copper is
52% owned private subsidiary of McEwen Mining, which has the ticker
MUX on NYSE and TSX.
Los Azules is being designed to be distinctly
different from a conventional copper mine, consuming significantly
less water, emitting much lower carbon and progressing to be carbon
neutral by 2038, being powered by 100% renewable once in operation.
It recently released an updated PEA (preliminary economic
assessment) which projects a long life of mine, low production
cost/lb, short payback period, high annual copper production and a
21.2% after tax IRR.
ABOUT MCEWEN MINING
McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with
operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it
has significant exposure to copper through its 52% ownership of
McEwen Copper. The Company’s goal is to improve the productivity
and extend the life of its mines with the objective of increasing
its share value and price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen,
Chairman and Chief Owner, has personal investment in the company of
US$220 million. His annual salary is US$1.
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTSThis news release contains certain
forward-looking statements and information, including
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking
statements and information expressed, as at the date of this news
release, McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company") estimates, forecasts,
projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events and
results. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily
based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to
significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks
and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that such
statements and information will prove to be accurate. Therefore,
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements and information. Risks and
uncertainties that could cause results or future events to differ
materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements and information include, but are not
limited to, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the
market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political,
economic, social and security risks associated with foreign
operations, the ability of the corporation to receive or receive in
a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection
with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining
operations and commencement of production and the projected costs
thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital
markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to
calculation of mineral resources and reserves, and other risks.
Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements or information included herein, which speak only as of
the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or
update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new
information or events after the date hereof except as may be
required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption
"Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties
and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and
information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements
and information made in this news release are qualified by this
cautionary statement.
The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not
accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents
of this news release, which has been prepared by management of
McEwen Mining Inc.
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Suite 2800, PO Box 24 |
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McEwen Copper |
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M5H 1J9 |
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Figures accompanying this announcement are
available
athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/288497fa-2617-4142-85b7-9f6044f347b8https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/36db5866-9472-4733-891e-f92a75ff7df3https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/026cd93b-f513-4676-bcea-3c1d743cca09https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f2f4aa9-431a-4a76-909e-745520ace726https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d494a059-9e82-4f1d-a9f5-162f48a0ab63
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