Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF)
(“Discovery” or the “Company”) is pleased to outline its 2022 work
program and budget for its Cordero project (“Cordero” or “the
Project”) located in Chihuahua State, Mexico. All amounts are
presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Taj Singh, President and CEO, states: “We look
forward to completing our Pre-Feasibility Study in 2022 as we
continue to systematically advance Cordero towards a construction
decision. The Pre-Feasibility Study framework will incorporate
supplementary metallurgical testwork, reserve definition drilling
and dedicated Pre-Feasibility Study engineering drilling and will
continue to incorporate staged expansions of the processing
facility to ensure capital efficiency. We also remain committed to
the growth potential of Cordero with more than 30,000 m of drilling
planned on resource expansion targets and our first ever drilling
of five highly prospective property targets within 10 km of
Cordero. In parallel to these work plans our ESG program continues
to be an important area of focus with key government and
international accreditation certifications planned for completion
in 2022.
Our balance sheet remains exceptionally strong
with a cash balance of approximately $70 million at the end of 2021
and no debt. This puts us in a very strong position to fund all our
activities at Cordero in 2022, budgeted at $25 million, as well all
necessary work to advance Cordero to a construction decision
through the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study in
2023.”
2022 DRILL PLANS
Details on the allocation of the 55,000 metre
2022 drill program are provided below.
Item |
Details |
Drill Metres |
Pre-FeasibilityStudy (PFS) |
Reserve definition – upgrade resourcefor PFS mine plan |
17,000 m |
PFS engineering drilling – metallurgy,geotechnical, hydrogeology
&condemnation |
8,000 m |
Resource Growth |
Target resource growth to thenortheast, at depth & testing of
veinextensions |
14,000 m |
Property-wideTargets |
Initial drill testing of five property-widetargets |
16,000 m |
Total |
|
55,000 m |
BALANCE SHEET
We ended 2021 with a cash balance of
approximately $70 million and no debt. Our planned work program at
Cordero in 2022 is budgeted at $25 million. Expenditures for the
year reflect a two-pronged approach with capital allocated to
further de-risking of the Project with the delivery of our
Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”), plus an allocation to growth capital
for resource expansion and property-wide exploration. Looking
beyond the PFS we anticipate we have sufficient cash to advance the
Project to a construction decision through the completion of a
Definitive Feasibility Study in the second half of 2023.
PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY
We expect to complete the PFS on Cordero in the
fourth quarter of 2022. The Study is expected to utilize a similar
approach to the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”)
including staged expansions of the processing facility and the
effective use of stockpiling to accelerate the payback period. The
PFS will look to optimize the mining rates early in the mine life
as well as the timing and size of the oxides/heap leach project in
order to maximise capital efficiency. The PFS will also incorporate
results from a trade-off study comparing the use of dry-stacked
versus conventional tailings. Further details on additional
technical work supporting the Study include:
- Reserve definition
– 17,000 m of drilling is planned in and around the PEA pit for
upgrading resources for inclusion in the PFS mine plan. This
drilling will largely be focused on oxide and sulphide
mineralization processed in the early years of the mine
schedule.
- Metallurgical
testwork
- Oxides: additional column leach testwork to supplement the
column leach tests completed in 2021.
- Sulphides: additional comminution and flotation testwork to
supplement the detailed metallurgical test program completed in
2021. The testwork will be predominantly focused on testing high
grade samples ranging from 100 – 200 g/t AgEq to confirm grade
versus recovery variability.
- Geotechnical –
three additional geotechnical drill holes are planned for pit slope
evaluation. This drilling supplements the two holes completed last
year and will cover all five sectors of the open pit.
- Hydrogeology –
four holes are planned within the PEA open pit for installation of
piezometers to perform well pumping tests. This will allow for an
assessment of pit dewatering requirements and will form part of an
updated site water balance. A site wide hydrogeological
investigation for the local aquifer will also be carried out
through a subsurface resistivity-conductivity survey.
RESOURCE GROWTH
The highest priority target for resource growth
is La Ceniza, in the northeast of the Cordero deposit. Historic
drilling at La Ceniza demonstrated mineralization continues
northeast of the Mega Fault and outlined low to medium-grade
resources in this area in the Company’s 2021 updated Mineral
Resource Estimate. Mineralization consists of skarn and replacement
styles associated with a rhyodacite intrusion as well as high-grade
veins as evidenced by a number of historic underground workings in
the area. 14,000 m of drilling are planned at La Ceniza to test
mineralized extensions at depth and further to the northeast as
well as the potential extensions of the Josefina and Todos Santos
vein trends to the northeast of the Mega Fault.
A supporting map that outlines the Ceniza target
can be found at the following link:
https://discoverysilver.com/site/assets/files/5847/20220201-pr-figure-a.pdf
PROPERTY-WIDE EXPLORATION
In 2021 we advanced five property-wide targets
to drill ready status through a systematic mapping and sampling
program alongside a detailed review of previously completed
geophysical surveys. We plan on drilling 16,000 m across the five
targets through the course of the year. This drill program may be
expanded depending on the results from this initial drilling. Key
highlights of the five targets include:
- Sanson – large,
strong magnetic high located on the Cordero belt directly northeast
of the Cordero resource area. Breccias and igneous rocks mapped at
surface are coincident with intense silica alteration, jasperoid
veining and high-grade silver from rock sampling.
- Dos Mil Diez –
mapped intrusives, veining and alteration directly to the southwest
of the Cordero resource area and within a large alteration
footprint.
- Molina de Viento –
high-grade silver from rock sampling within a very large alteration
footprint and a high chargeability / low resistivity anomaly.
- Porfido Norte –
prominent silver-in-soil anomaly and surface alteration coincident
with a possible intrusion based on a chargeability high and surface
morphology consisting of annular features.
- La Perla –
chargeability high with an alteration footprint, historic
underground workings and silver rock geochemistry.
A supporting map that outlines the location and
size of these property-wide targets can be found at the following
link:
https://discoverysilver.com/site/assets/files/5847/20220201-pr-figure-b.pdf
ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL &
GOVERNANCE
The publication of our inaugural Environmental,
Social and Governance (“ESG”) report in 2021 reflects our strong
commitment to manage ESG issues responsibly and transparently.
Moving forward we will build on this strong platform to ensure we
deliver long-term value and business resiliency as we move towards
a production decision. Specifically, our key ESG deliverables in
2022 include:
- ESR Distinction –
the ‘Empresa Socialmente Responsable’ is a brand created by the
Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) that recognizes companies
in Mexico that have committed to integrate the guidelines of
Corporate Social Responsibility as part of their business
operations. We anticipate obtaining this designation in 4Q
2022.
- Clean Energy
Certification – this voluntary certification is an
environmental audit program of the Mexican federal government based
on compliance with environmental laws and the implementation of
good environmental practices. We anticipate obtaining the
certification in 4Q 2022.
- Safe Industry –
this certification was created by the Ministry of Labor of the
Government of Mexico and is granted to companies that establish and
adhere to health and safety management systems that meet national
and international standards. We expect to achieve compliance to the
minimum of 30% of labor regulations in 2Q 2022 and be fully
compliant in 2023.
- IASE Certification
- The International Association for Sustainable Economy
aims to be the main international certification body for all
professionals in the field of ESG and thus promote the
confidence of professionals and consumers in knowledge, skills,
lifelong learning, behaviour and ethics. The IASE is recognized by
the UNFCC’s Green Climate Fund. We have six management and
executive management employees who have recently completed the
Level 1 certification for ESG in “International Sustainable
Business” and intend to have all key employees certified to at
least Level 1 under the IASE program by the end of 2022 with some
completing Level 2 and subsequently the final Level 3
certification. This will provide over 1,300 hours of ESG training
to our employees, stressing the importance of ESG to Discovery for
all stakeholders.
About Discovery
Discovery’s flagship project is its 100%-owned
Cordero project, one of the world’s largest silver deposits. The
PEA completed in November 2021 demonstrates that Cordero has the
potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that
offers the combination of margin, size and scaleability. Cordero is
located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in
Chihuahua State, Mexico. Continued exploration and project
development at Cordero is supported by a strong balance sheet with
cash of approximately C$70 million.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,Taj
Singh, M.Eng, P.Eng, CPA, President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
For further information contact:
Forbes Gemmell, CFAVP Corporate
DevelopmentPhone: 416-613-9410Email:
forbes.gemmell@discoverysilver.comWebsite:
www.discoverysilver.com
Qualified
Person
Gernot Wober, P.Geo, VP Exploration, 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.
TECHNICAL NOTES & FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS:
The most recent technical report for the Cordero
Project is the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA
was completed by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. with support from
AGP Mining Consultants Inc. and Knight Piésold and Co. (USA). The
full technical report supporting the PEA is available on
Discovery’s website and on SEDAR under Discovery Silver Corp.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as 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 newswire services or for dissemination in the United
States.
This news release does not constitute an offer
to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any
sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the
securities in the United States of America. The securities have not
been and will not be registered under the United States Securities
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 may include forward-looking
statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties.
All statements within this news release, other than statements of
historical fact, are to be considered forward looking statements.
Forward-looking statements including, but not limited to
Discovery’s future plans and objectives regarding the Cordero
Project and the prospect of further discoveries there, which
constitute forward looking information that involve various risks
and uncertainties. Although Discovery 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 described in forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in forward-looking statements include fluctuations
in market prices, including metal prices, continued availability of
capital and financing, and general economic, market or business
conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will
prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their
own evaluation of such uncertainties. Discovery does not assume any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as
required under applicable laws.
Discovery Silver (TSXV:DSV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2025 to Feb 2025
Discovery Silver (TSXV:DSV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Feb 2025