Unlike many companies who go through exhaustive due diligence processes and feasibility studies to establish economic reserves before mining, Trevali started development of the underground mine at Santander with only inferred mineral resources.
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]Disclaimer: This is an editorial review of a public press release and may include opinions or points of view that may not be shared by the owners of geologyforinvestors.com or the companies mentioned in the release. The editorial comments are highlighted so as to be easily separated from the release text. Please view the full release here.[/box]
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Oct. 8, 2013) – Trevali Mining Corporation (“Trevali” or the “Company”) (TSX:TV)(TSX:TV.WT)(LMA:TV)(OTCQX:TREVF)(FRANKFURT:4TI) announces that underground drilling at the Santander Zinc-Lead-Silver Mine in Peru has intersected multiple zones of high-grade polymetallic mineralization that remain open for expansion.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Below is a regional map showing the location of Trevali’s Santander Mine in west-central Peru. The deposit is a carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) which is a type of high-grade sulfide ore deposit that forms in carbonate sedimentary rocks, especially limestones.[/box]
The 3,968-metre drill program, in 39 holes, was designed to explore and define new footwall mineralized zones encountered in recent underground development in addition to provide deeper in-fill definition information on the Magistral Norte deposit to facilitate long range mine-planning.
Three new zones occur in the footwall (or behind) the principal Magistral Norte deposit. The Pariatambo and Manto Zones lie parallel to and in the footwall of the main Magistral Norte Zone (Figure 1). However, the new Rosa Zone, also in the footwall, is oblique (approximately 80º) to the main mineralized structures and is thought to represent the later phases of replacement mineralization along a paleo fault, which is part of a set of faults conjugate to the main north-south structures (Figure 2).
Due to the orientation, the Rosa Zone has been under-explored. The majority of previous surface exploration drill holes were aimed parallel to the Rosa Zone, leaving it for the most part undetected. All three zones remain open for expansion. Intercepts are shown in Table 1 and locations shown in Figures 1 and 2.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Shown below is Figure 2 referenced above. This is a plan view showing the Magistral Norte deposit and Rosa Zone with diamond drill holes. Trevali’s is still in the process of underground development at the Santander Mine and doesn’t expect to be in full production for a few months. The company is stock piling ore as they complete the underground development and wait for Glencore Xstrata’s mill to come online. Glencore Xstrata is providing and mill/concentrate plant and contracted to run it for the life of the mine. Their contract gets them access to 100% of the mine’s production.
That Trevali is finding ore grade mineralization is a good sign because it confirms some of the resources they have previously reported. Unlike many companies who go through exhaustive due diligence processes and feasibility studies to establish economic reserves before mining, Trevali started development of the underground mine at Santander with only inferred mineral resources. In Trevali’s own words:
The Company’s production decision is based only on Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources and not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
A surprising number of companies start building mines without a solid economic plan. An even more surprising number of investors assume a company knows what it is doing because they can pull together the cash to open a mine. This is not to say that Trevali doesn’t know what it is doing: On their part it is likely a calculated-risk, but investors need to understand that they are buying in to those decisions by management and the accompanying financial risk. In Trevali’s case it looks like they are getting lucky so far. There appears to be ore-grade material down there.[/box]
“These drill results give Trevali added confidence in mine planning and scheduling going forward with the added bonus of new mineralized material in the footwall, which is easily and immediately accessible for mining from the Magistral North ramp,” stated Dr. Mark Cruise, Trevali’s President and CEO. “Based on the results to date we classify the Rosa zone upside as significant and aim to expand upon these results in the near future.”
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Now back to geology. You might ask, “What is the footwall?” A good way to remember is to imagine that you are mining underground along an inclined fault or shear plane. The main mineralized zone normally exists within the plane of the fault or shear as a vein or shear zone. When this material has been removed during underground mining a cavity is formed. If you were standing within this cavity the rock that you would be standing on is called the footwall, while the rock above you is called the hanging wall.
Mineralization within the footwall rock and the hanging wall rock can also occur, but is usually disseminated (dispersed) or exists as subordinate veining. Splays off the main fault or shear can also occur within the footwall and/or hanging wall rock and these can be mineralized too. The new Rosa Zone which occurs in the footwall, is oblique to the main mineralized structure and is an example of structurally controlled mineralization.[/box]
| DDH | From – To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Ag oz/ton (g/tonne) |
% Pb | % Zn | Zone |
| MN-001-13 | 8.10-8.40 | 0.30 | 4.5 oz/ton (156.0 g/t) |
12.40 | 4.15 | Manto |
| 9.65-11.15 | 1.50 | 2.1 oz/ton (71.4 g/t) |
4.97 | 4.48 | Manto | |
| 18.8-20.00 | 1.20 | 1.6 oz/ton (56.8 g/t) |
5.12 | 4.58 | Pariatambo | |
| MN-002-13 | 30.50-39.00 | 8.50 | 2.5 oz/ton (85.0 g/t) |
4.77 | 6.19 | Pariatambo |
| MN-003-13 | 23.90-33.25 | 9.35 | 4.0 oz/ton (137.2 g/t) |
6.50 | 8.91 | Pariatambo |
| MN-004-13 | 26.30-30.45 | 4.15 | 1.9 oz/ton (65.3 g/t) |
5.90 | 5.45 | Pariatambo |
| MN-005-13 | 3.40-6.95 | 3.55 | 1.1 oz/ton (36.5 g/t) |
2.55 | 2.22 | Rosa |
| MN-006-13 | 14.30-16.80 | 2.50 | 2.8 oz/ton (96.3 g/t) |
7.16 | 6.13 | Rosa |
| 30.10-33.85 | 3.75 | 1.4 oz/ton (47.8 g/t) |
4.07 | 3.20 | Pariatambo | |
| 42.50-43.20 | 0.70 | 2.4 oz/ton (82.5g/t) |
7.97 | 6.27 | Manto | |
| MN-007-13 | 9.00-9.65 | 0.65 | 2.9 oz/ton (99.0 g/t) |
5.31 | 4.92 | Rosa |
| 16.50-17.70 | 1.20 | 3.2 oz/ton (111.0 g/t) |
9.92 | 10.25 | Manto | |
| 36.75 -38.90 | 2.15 | 1.3 oz/ton (45.0 g/t) |
4.13 | 2.01 | Pariatambo | |
| MN-008-13 | 18.70 – 20.95 | 2.25 | 2.3 oz/ton (78.4 g/t) |
4.04 | 6.19 | Manto |
| 53.65 – 54.65 | 1.00 | 1.7 oz/ton (57.9 g/t) |
8.24 | 5.46 | Manto | |
| MN-009-13 | 17.25 – 20.15 | 2.90 | 2.8 oz/ton (96.1 g/t) |
7.97 | 6.42 | Rosa |
| MN-010-13 | 19.45 – 20.10 | 0.65 | 4.6 oz/ton (159.0 g/t) |
9.69 | 9.89 | Manto |
| MN-011-13 | 12.15 – 16.45 | 4.30 | 5.1 oz/ton (175.5 g/t) |
4.22 | 5.62 | Rosa |
| 36.70 – 44.75 | 8.05 | 2.6 oz/ton (89.3 g/t) |
8.32 | 6.07 | Pariatambo | |
| MN-012-13 | 12.80 – 16.65 | 3.85 | 4.3 oz/ton (146.1 g/t) |
7.71 | 6.99 | Rosa |
| 41.60 – 45.80 | 4.20 | 1.9 oz/ton (65.4 oz/t) |
7.27 | 5.81 | Pariatambo | |
| MN-014-13 | 62.75 – 63.10 | 0.35 | 2.3 oz/ton (78.6 g/t) |
10.35 | 10.30 | Pariatambo |
| 102.45 – 102.95 | 0.50 | 6.3 oz/ton (216.0 g/t) |
17.95 | 16.00 | Manto | |
| 148.90 – 152.40 | 3.50 | 1.9 oz/ton (65.6 g/t) |
3.84 | 3.54 | Rosa | |
| 159.80 – 195.73 | 35.93 | 2.7 oz/ton (91.2 g/t) |
4.56 | 4.99 | MN | |
| MN-015-13 | 36.15 – 37.01 | 0.86 | 3.6 oz/ton (123.0 g/t) |
11.05 | 11.75 | Rosa |
| MN-016-13 | 161.05 – 207.75 | 46.70 | 2.9 oz/ton (100.9 g/t) |
4.54 | 5.20 | MN |
| MN-017-13 | 56.15 – 59.45 | 3.30 | 4.1 oz/ton (139.8 g/t) |
6.22 | 7.38 | Rosa |
| MN-018-13 | 82.44 – 83.90 | 1.46 | 3.4 oz/ton (118.0 g/t) |
9.78 | 10.70 | Rosa |
| 177.64 – 178.30 | 0.66 | 8.2 oz/ton (282.0 g/t) |
16.00 | 18.60 | MN | |
| MN-019-13 | 22.15 – 23.80 | 1.65 | 2.2 oz/ton (75.5 g/t) |
7.67 | 5.88 | Pariatambo |
| MN-020-13 | 95.70 – 104.45 | 8.75 | 5.6 oz/ton (193.7 g/t) |
3.63 | 5.10 | Rosa |
| 228.47 – 232.05 | 3.58 | 0.3 oz/ton (11.1 g/t) |
0.95 | 0.86 | MN | |
| MN-021-13 | 1.31 – 1.67 | 0.36 | 3.1 oz/ton (107.0 g/t) |
9.50 | 5.11 | Manto |
| MN-022-13 | 19.91 – 20.70 | 0.79 | 4.3 oz/ton (146.0 g/t) |
12.15 | 7.46 | Manto |
| MN-023-13 | 153.10 – 191.24 | 38.14 | 2.8 oz/ton (96.3 g/t) |
2.89 | 3.40 | MN |
| Table 1: Summary of Assay Results. True width is estimated to be approximately 75% of reported interval. | ||||||
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Trevali says that the true widths (thicknesses) of the mineralized zones are 75% of the apparent thicknesses (intervals) shown in the above table. For example, instead of a 38.14m interval, a 28.61m interval is probably the true thickness. This can greatly influence any back-of-the-envelope calculations of potential resource size that an investor may do, so it is very important that the correction is made. The assay results show that all three metals are present at levels such that no particular metal is a standout in terms of value, making it a true silver-lead-zinc deposit.[/box]
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
EurGeol Dr. Mark D. Cruise, Trevali’s President and CEO and M. Dayle Rusk, P.Geo, Trevali’s Director, Geology, are qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101, have supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance programs. Dr. Cruise is not independent of the Company, as he is an officer, director and shareholder. Ms. Rusk is not independent of the Company as she is an officer and shareholder. On-site personnel at the project rigorously collect and track samples which are then security sealed and shipped to ALS Laboratories, Lima, for assay. ALS’s quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Blind certified reference material is inserted at regular intervals into the sample sequence by Trevali personnel in order to independently assess analytical accuracy. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are routinely forwarded to ALS and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]An assay result can vary from laboratory to laboratory and even between different submissions to the same laboratory. The main thing to look out for when doing resubmissions to the same laboratory and/or to different ones is that the results fall within an expected envelope. This is done by graphing the two sets of results and seeing whether or not there are any outliers. For an explanation about detecting outliers read the section on duplicates in our article QA/QC of geochemical data.[/box]
ABOUT TREVALI MINING CORPORATION
Trevali is a zinc-focused base metals mining company with operations in Canada and Peru.
In Peru, the Company has commenced commissioning and concentrate production at its Santander zinc-lead-silver mine and metallurgical plant with subsequent ramp up to 2,000-tonnes-per-day production scheduled in Q4-2013.
In Canada, Trevali owns the Caribou mine and mill, Halfmile mine and Stratmat polymetallic deposit all located in the Bathurst Mining Camp of northern New Brunswick. Initial trial production from the Halfmile underground mine was successfully undertaken in 2012 and the Company anticipates commencing operations at its 3,000-tonne-per-day Caribou Mill Complex in 2014.
All of the Company’s deposits remain open for expansion.
The common shares of Trevali are listed on the TSX (symbol TV), the OTCQX (symbol TREVF) and on the Lima Stock Exchange (symbol TV). Certain warrants to purchase common shares of Trevali are listed on the TSX (symbol TV.WT). For further details on Trevali, readers are referred to the Company’s web site (www.trevali.com) and to Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of TREVALI MINING CORPORATION
Mark D. Cruise, President
[toggle title=”We’ve skipped some of the boilerplate. You can read it in here.” state=”close” ]
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company’s plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and the company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation to, update such statements containing the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to statements as to: the accuracy of estimated mineral reserves and resources, anticipated results of future exploration, and forecast future metal prices, anticipated results of future electrical sales and expectations that environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, political, marketing or other issues will not materially affect estimates of mineral reserves. These statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.
These statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in spot and forward markets for silver, zinc, base metals and certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Peruvian sol versus the U.S. dollar); risks related to the technological and operational nature of the Company’s business; changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, Peru or other countries where the Company may carry on business in the future; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining,; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; global financial conditions; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, the Company; the Company’s ability to complete and successfully integrate acquisitions and to mitigate other business combination risks; challenges to, or difficulty in maintaining, the Company’s title to properties and continued ownership thereof; the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors; increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel, and their costs.
Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty or reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Trevali’s production plans at Caribou-Halfmile-Stratmat and Santander are based only on Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources and not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is therefore no certainty that the conclusions of the production plans and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) will be realized. Additionally where Trevali discusses exploration/expansion potential, any potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.
We advise US investors that while the terms “measured resources”, “indicated resources” and “inferred resources” are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the US Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize these terms. US investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the material in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold within the United States, absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
The TSX has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.
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