TORTOLA, British Virgin
Islands, May 18, 2021 /CNW/ -
Sailfish Royalty Corp. (TSXV: FISH) (OTCQX: SROYF) (the "Company"
or "Sailfish") is pleased to report the results of an updated
mineral resource estimate prepared by Mine Development Associates
("MDA"), a division of RESPEC, located in Reno, Nevada, on the Company's wholly owned
Gavilanes silver property
("Gavilanes") located in Durango, Mexico.
A technical report for the updated mineral resource estimate
jointly prepared by MDA and Resource Geosciences Incorporated
("RGI") is expected to be filed in accordance with National
Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
("NI 43-101") under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com
within 45 days of this news release, and on the Company's website
at www.sailfishroyalty.com.
Highlights
- The updated mineral resource estimate of 22.4 million ounces
("oz") of silver equivalent ("AgEg") at 245.6 AgEq (see Exhibit 1)
is comprised of the following metals:
-
- 18.9 million oz of silver ("Ag") at 207 g/t Ag
- 13,700 oz of gold ("Au") at 0.15 g/t Au
- 7.8 million pounds ("lbs") of copper ("Cu") at 0.12% Cu
- 37.9 million lbs of lead ("Pb") at 0.61% Pb
- 27.2 million lbs of zinc ("Zn") at 0.43% Zn
- More than 84% of the AgEq mineral resource estimate is Ag
only
- The resource is all within 330 meters ("m") of surface and
remains open along strike and at depth
- Only three veins (Guadalupe-Soledad, San Nicolas and Descubridora) are included in
the updated mineral resource estimate (see Exhibit 2)
- Several nearby veins with similar surface geochemistry (El
Muerto, La Tuna, La Cruz) or
geologic characteristics (Veta 1 and Providencia) have been mapped but not yet
drill tested (see Exhibit 2)
The updated mineral resource estimate is based on an improved
geologic model that considers distinct structural controls of
mineralized zones that were previously modeled as an unconstrained
stockwork zone and distinct mineralization models for all the
metals (Ag, Au, Cu, Pb and Zn) reported in the resource. This
refinement to the geologic model by MDA has significantly increased
the grade profile of Gavilanes and
better defined the orientation and distribution of the
mineralization. In addition to the improved grade profile, the
technical report is expected to highlight the exploration potential
at Gavilanes. High priority
targets include testing the strike and depth extents of the three
veins included in the updated mineral resource estimate and drill
testing the several mapped yet untested veins nearby.
Cesar Gonzalez, Chief Executive
Officer of Sailfish states that, "this updated mineral resource
estimate places Gavilanes among
the highest-grade silver exploration projects in Mexico and is a key milestone in the planned
spinout of the asset. We are excited to be one step closer to
maximizing value for shareholders, especially with silver trading
near seven-year highs."
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate
The updated mineral resource estimate is summarized in Exhibit 1
and was generated using reinterpreted data from 47 diamond drill
holes (9,623.9 m) that Santacruz
Silver Mining Ltd. drilled in 2012 and 2013. The updated resource
was calculated by applying some consideration of the confidence in
the underlying database, sample integrity, analytical
precision/reliability, and geologic interpretations. The
exploration drilling completed is of sufficient quality to allow
for higher classification. However, all material in this estimate
is classified as Inferred due to the complex geology, significant
gaps in the assay data created by lack of sampling, some spatial
imprecision in the block model coding, and a lack of metallurgical
testing data. It is expected that a majority of these Inferred
resources would be upgraded to Indicated resources with additional
sampling of previously drilled holes, continued exploration
drilling, collection of metallurgy data, and additional density
data measurements. The resources are reported at a cutoff grade of
100 g/t AgEq (see calculation below Exhibit 1) for underground
mining.
MDA used their judgment with respect to the technical and
economic factors likely to influence the "prospects for eventual
economic extraction" and believes that all cutoffs listed in
Exhibit 1 could eventually be a basis for economic extraction of
the resources, though only the 100 g/t AgEq cutoff is the current
resource. Those technical factors include anticipated metallurgical
recoveries, current operating costs for anticipated mining and
processing, and metal prices consistent with recent market
pricings. These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do
not have demonstrated economic viability.
Exhibit 1 - Estimated Underground Inferred Resource –
Gavilanes
Cutoff
Grade g
AgEq/t*
|
Tonnes
|
Average
g
AgEq/t*
|
Contained
oz AgEq*
|
g
Ag/t
|
oz
Ag
|
g
Au/t
|
oz
Au
|
%
Cu
|
lbs
Cu
|
%
Pb
|
lbs
Pb
|
%
Zn
|
lbs
Zn
|
75
|
3,742,000
|
206.9
|
24,898,000
|
172.4
|
20,747,000
|
0.13
|
15,500
|
0.11
|
9,046,000
|
0.56
|
45,795,000
|
0.42
|
34,288,000
|
100
|
2,833,000
|
245.6
|
22,368,000
|
207.3
|
18,878,000
|
0.15
|
13,700
|
0.12
|
7,772,000
|
0.61
|
37,893,000
|
0.43
|
27,152,000
|
125
|
2,210,000
|
283.3
|
20,131,000
|
241.3
|
17,146,000
|
0.17
|
12,100
|
0.14
|
6,753,000
|
0.66
|
32,398,000
|
0.45
|
22,011,000
|
150
|
1,765,000
|
320.3
|
18,174,000
|
275.1
|
15,607,000
|
0.19
|
10,500
|
0.15
|
5,745,000
|
0.73
|
28,275,000
|
0.47
|
18,421,000
|
|
|
*
|
The silver
equivalent block grade was calculated using the formula: g AgEq/t =
g Ag/t + (g Au/t * (1/AgEqAu_Factor)) + (Cu ppm *
(1/AgEqCu_Factor)) + (Pb ppm * (1/AgEqPb_Factor)) + (Zn ppm *
(1/AgEqZn_Factor)). In which: AgEqAu_Factor = (Silver Price/Gold
Price) * (Silver Recovery/Gold Recovery) = 0.01425, AgEqCu_Factor =
(Silver Price / (Copper Price/14.58333 oz./lbs.)) * (Silver
Recovery/Copper Recovery) = 151.99997, AgEqPb_Factor = (Silver
Price / (Lead Price/14.58333 oz./lbs.)) * (Silver Recovery/Lead
Recovery) = 531.99988 and AgEqZn_Factor = (Silver Price / (Zinc
Price/14.58333 oz./lbs.)) * (Silver Recovery/Zinc Recovery) =
531.99988.
|
To determine the "reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction" MDA used a series of underground stope optimizations
based on mining costs, processing costs, and anticipated
metallurgical recoveries. MDA chose to report the current Inferred
resources considering underground costs of US$75.00 per-tonne for mining, G&A costs of
US$6.30 per-tonne and processing
costs of US$40.00 per-tonne. The
metals prices were assumed to be US$19.00 per-ounce for silver, US$1,600 per-ounce for gold, US$3.50 per-pound for copper and US$1.00 per-pound for lead and zinc.
Because no metallurgical data was available at the time of the
resource update, recoveries were assumed to be 96% for silver, 80%
for gold, and 50% for copper, lead, and zinc. This reflects the
fact that silver is the metal of primary economic interest and any
processing would likely be optimized to recover silver.
Technical Report Recommendations
The estimated mineral resource presented in the technical report
comprises a precious and base-metal bearing, epithermal low to
intermediate-sulfidation deposit that is unoxidized, comprised of
multiple mineralized veins in a structural zone greater than
250 m wide (northeast-southwest),
with strike extent greater than 900 m
(northwest-southeast) and greater than 400
m dip extent. The deposit is open in all directions. It is
highly probable that the identified volume of mineralized veins
will be increased by drilling the dip and strike extensions of the
drill tested mineralized zones, and by drill testing untested
mineralized structures. High priority targets for drill testing
have been identified by the 2012-2013 drilling and historic
reconnaissance mapping. Opportunities exist to:
- Increase the identified resource by drilling the dip and strike
extensions of the mineralized zones identified at Descubridora and
San Nicolas.
- Identify new areas of mineralization by drill testing
outcropping mineralized structures thus far untested. The La Tuna,
El Muerto and Providencia
structures have not been drill tested and a prior project operator,
Hochschild Mining PLC, conducted only a shallow three-hole test of
La Cruz, thus for practical
purposes all four of these structures are unevaluated and merit
drill testing.
- Discover concealed mineralization at depth, indicated by
alteration zones exposed at surface which may represent the highest
levels of an epithermal mineralized zone.
A two-stage work plan is recommended. The first stage
encompasses: 3,000 m of step out
drilling of the Inferred Resource estimated in the technical
report; 3,000 m of drill testing of
the known veins in the immediate area of the currently defined
resource; systematic mapping and sampling through trench exposures
of the strike projections of known veins; property wide
reconnaissance geologic mapping and concurrent rock chip sampling;
sampling and assay of unsampled intervals of archived drill core;
preliminary metallurgical testing of samples obtained from
drilling; geophysical surveys; and environmental and permitting
studies. A total of 6,000 m of
diamond core drilling is recommended for Stage 1.
The second stage, lasting 12 months, which is conditional upon
positive results from the first, comprises 15,000 m of diamond core definition drilling of
mineralized zones confirmed during the Stage 1 drill program.
Sampling and Analysis of Existing but Unsampled Drill
Core
MDA identified significant gaps in the assay data created by
lack of sampling. Gaps in the sampled intervals force the model to
treat unsampled intervals as unmineralized, which is an assumption
unlikely to be true in all cases, thus the resource model may be
improved, and the resource estimate possibly increased, by
obtaining assay data for the missing intervals. The unsampled drill
core is stored on site and is available for sampling. It is
recommended that all available drill core be sampled and assayed to
create a continuous assay database from collar to total depth of
each drillhole. Concurrently, the drill core should be used to
obtain additional bulk density data for the mineralized zones.
Qualified Person
Derick Unger, C.P.G., is an
independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and is responsible for
the mineral resource estimate. Matthew D.
Gray, Ph.D., C.P.G, is an independent Qualified Person under
NI 43-101 and is jointly responsible with Derick Unger for the technical report at
Gavilanes. Dr. Gray is the
President of RGI and Mr. Unger is a Project Geologist at MDA. Both
Dr. Gray and Mr. Unger are the Qualifed Persons, as defined in NI
43-101, that have reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information contained in this press release.
About Sailfish
Sailfish is a precious metals royalty and streaming company.
Within Sailfish's portfolio are three main assets on advanced stage
projects in the Americas: a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on
the San Albino gold project (~3.5 sq. km) and a 2% NSR on the rest
of the area (~134.5 sq. km) surrounding San Albino in northern
Nicaragua; an up to 2.75% NSR on
the Tocantinzinho gold project in the prolific Tapajos district of
northern Brazil; and an up to 3%
NSR on the multi-million ounce Spring
Valley gold project in Pershing
County, Nevada.
Sailfish is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol
"FISH" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "SROYF". Please visit the
Company's website at www.sailfishroyalty.com for additional
information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
Cautionary statement regarding forward–looking
information
Certain disclosures in this release constitute
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements
that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always,
identified by words such as the following: expects, plans,
anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes,
potential and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also
include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may,
could or should occur, including, without limitation, that an
updated technical report including the mineral resource estimate is
expected to be filed by MDA and RGI in accordance with National
Instrument 43-101, the technical report is expected to highlight
the exploration potential at Gavilanes, the planned spinout of the
Gavilanes property,
that the identified volume of mineralized veins are
expected to be increased by drilling the dip and strike extensions
of the drill tested mineralized zones, and by drill testing
untested mineralized structures. In making the forward-looking
statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain
factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable,
including that that an updated technical report including the
mineral resource estimate will be filed by MDA and RGI in
accordance with National Instrument 43-101, the technical report
will highlight the exploration potential at Gavilanes, the spinout of the Gavilanes property on the terms as anticipated
by management will be successful, that the identified volume of
mineralized veins will be increased by drilling the dip and strike
extensions of the drill tested mineralized zones, and by drill
testing untested mineralized structures. However, the
forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to
numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
in such forward-looking statements, including without limitation:
that that an updated technical report including the mineral
resource estimate will not be filed by MDA and RGI in accordance
with National Instrument 43-101, the spinout of the Gavilanes property will not be on the terms as
anticipated by management or will not be successful at all, the
technical report will not highlight the exploration potential at
Gavilanes, the planned spinout of
the Gavilanes property that the
identified volume of mineralized veins will not be increased by
drilling the dip and strike extensions of the drill tested
mineralized zones, and by drill testing untested mineralized
structures. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers
are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be
appropriate for other purposes. The Company expressly disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities
legislation.
SOURCE Sailfish Royalty Corp.