TRX Gold Advances Mill Expansion to Increase Gold Production
TRX Gold Corporation (TSX: TNX) (NYSE American: TRX) (the “Company”
or “TRX Gold”) is pleased to announce that the new 1,000 tonne per
day (“tpd”) capacity ball mill has arrived on site at the Buckreef
Gold Project (“Buckreef Gold”). Over the last few months, technical
teams on site have commenced preparatory works in anticipation of
receiving key equipment for this mill expansion. Targeting an
expected commercial production delivery date in the second half of
fiscal 2024, TRX Gold’s management team is on track and on budget
towards delivering its third mill expansion within a 24-month
period.
Mill expansion highlights:
- Significant increase in gold production: The mill expansion is
expected to increase processing capacity from 1,000 tpd to 2,000
tpd, and on an average annual basis, increase ore throughput from
75% to 100%. The near doubling of milling capacity is expected to
enable Buckreef Gold to increase gold production beyond the
Company’s fiscal 2023 annual guidance of 20,000-25,000 ounces of
gold.
- Expansion is fully funded: The capital expenditures required
for the expanded 2,000+ tpd processing plant are estimated to be
approximately US$6.0 million. The mill expansion is expected to be
funded from a combination of existing cash resources, cash flow
from operations, ore stockpiles, gold forward sales and bank
financing. Buckreef Gold is currently in advanced discussions with
Tanzanian banks for both operating and term loan facilities. The
management team continues to demonstrate superior capital
management capabilities, internally funding growth activities in a
high cost of capital market.
- A proven milling process: The newly expanded mill is expected
to process both oxide and sulphide ore from the Buckreef Gold
deposit. As previously outlined in the June 15, 2023 press release,
following a bulk sample test of 6,500 tonnes of sulphide ore, and
the continued processing of sulphide ore from current operations,
the deposit’s overall metallurgy allows the milling operation to
benefit from a simple, straightforward flowsheet consisting of
crushing, grinding, and carbon in leach. This allows for
operational flexibility and advantageous mine planning. As part of
the mill expansion, the crushing circuit will also be upgraded to
process sulphide ore more efficiently.
- Locally built: The manpower, material and equipment involved in
this third expansion is predominantly locally sourced, benefitting
regional communities and economies while reinforcing a local supply
chain and avoiding delays and cost overruns.
Stephen Mullowney, TRX Gold Chief Executive
Officer states, “We are very pleased with the on-time arrival of
the new ball mill at Buckreef Gold. Other long-lead items have also
been ordered and we will be focused on getting the 2,000 tpd
operation online as soon as possible so that we can reap the
benefits of increased gold production. The market can expect
updated production guidance as this expansion approaches commercial
operation.”
Figure 1: The new 1,000 tpd ball mill arriving at
Buckreef Gold.
Qualified Person
Andrew M. Cheatle, P.Geo. is the Company’s Qualified Person as
defined by NI 43-101 who has reviewed and assumes responsibility
for the technical content of this press release.
About TRX Gold Corporation
TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold
Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 20201, the
project currently hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resource of 35.88 million tonnes (“MT”) at 1.77 grams per tonne
(“g/t”) gold containing 2,036,280 ounces of gold and an Inferred
Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t gold for 635,540 ounces of
gold. The leadership team is focused on creating both near-term and
long-term shareholder value by increasing gold production to
generate positive cash flow. The positive cash flow will be
utilized for exploratory drilling with the goal of increasing the
current mineral resource base and advancing the larger project
development which represents 90% of current mineral resources. TRX
Gold’s actions are led by the highest environmental, social and
corporate governance (“ESG”) standards, evidenced by the
relationships and programs that the Company has developed during
its nearly two decades of presence in the Geita Region, Tanzania.
Please refer to the Company’s Updated Mineral Resources Estimate
for Buckreef Gold Project, dated May 15, 20201 and filed under the
Company’s profile on SEDAR+ and with the SEC on June 23, 2020 (the
“Technical Report”) for more information.
__________________________1 See
Cautionary Note
Investors
Christina Lalli Vice President, Investor
RelationsTRX Gold Corporation+1-438-399-8665
c.lalli@TRXgold.comwww.TRXgold.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities
laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimated”,
“potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that
events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should”
occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements relate to future
events or future performance and reflect TRX Gold management’s
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to the purchase,
installation and operation of the additional ball mill within the
projected timeframe, the operation of the proposed ball mill at
projected capacity, the anticipated average annual throughput of
oxide ore, estimation of mineral resources and gold production, and
ability to develop value creating activities.
Although TRX Gold believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance. The actual achievements of TRX Gold or other
future events or conditions may differ materially from those
reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties
and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive,
political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of
exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold
and other minerals; mining method, production profile and mine
plan; delays in exploration, development and construction
activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the
ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely
manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee
relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the
speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration,
development and mining business. These risks are set forth in
reports that TRX Gold files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian Securities Administrators. You can
review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov and the Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.ca.
Investors are advised that the terms mineral
resource and mineral reserve estimates disclosed in this press
release have been calculated pursuant to Canadian standards which
may differ from SEC reporting standards.
The information contained in this press release
is as of the date of the press release and TRX Gold assumes no duty
to update such information.
The TSX and NYSE America have not reviewed and
do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the
contents of this press release, which has been prepared by the
management of TRX Gold.
Cautionary Note
TRX Gold Corporation has taken all reasonable
care in producing and publishing information contained in this
press release. TRX Gold does not warrant or make any
representations regarding the use, validity, accuracy, completeness
or reliability of any claims, statements or information in this
press release. The information is not a substitute for independent
professional advice before making any investment decisions.
Furthermore, you may not modify or reproduce in any form,
electronic or otherwise any information in this press release. The
disclosure contained in this press release of a scientific or
technical nature relating to the Company’s Buckreef Project has
been summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled The
“National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report, Updated
Mineral Resource Estimate for the Buckreef Gold Mine Project,
Tanzania, East Africa For TRX Gold Corporation with an effective
date (the “Effective Date”) of May 15, 2020 (the “2020 Technical
Report”).
The 2020 Technical Report was prepared by or
under the supervision Mr. Wenceslaus Kutekwatekwa (Mining Engineer,
Mining and Project Management Consultant) BSc Hons (Mining Eng.),
MBA, FSAIMM, of Virimai Projects, and, Dr Frank Crundwell, MBA,
PhD, a Consulting Engineer each of whom is an independent Qualified
Person as such term is defined in NI 43-101. The information
contained herein is subject to all of the assumptions,
qualifications and procedures set out in the 2020 Technical Report
and reference should be made to the full details of the 2020
Technical Report which has been filed with the applicable
regulatory authorities and is available on the Company’s profile at
www.sedarplus.ca. The Company did not complete any new work that
would warrant reporting material changes in the previously reported
Mineral Resource (“MRE”) and Mineral Reserve statements during the
prior reporting period. The Company has engaged two globally
recognized and respected mining consulting groups to undertake a
comprehensive review of the MRE, and economic analysis which was
previously conducted under the 2003 CIM code. This in turn follows
significant infill and exploration drilling, plus other required
technical work undertaken over the prior 18 months. This work is
currently being undertaken to be compliant with the November 2019
CIM Code for the Valuation of Mineral Properties, which are
different with respect to the 2003 guidelines. There can be no
assurance that there will not be a change in the MRE and Mineral
Reserve as disclosed in the 2020 Technical Report after such work
has been updated (in accordance with the 2019 CIM code).
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1fcd7811-bfa9-4492-ac23-c4a4578c9357
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