http://www.sunridgegold.com/s/PressReleases.asp?ReportID=590604
Tue Jul 2, 2013
Sunridge Gold Files Technical Report for Feasibility Study on the Asmara Project, Eritrea
Sunridge Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Sunridge") (SGC:TSX.V/SGCNF:OTCQX) has filed a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report regarding the independent feasibility study (the "Study") for its Asmara Project in Eritrea as announced May 16, 2013 and amended May 28, 2013.
The Study demonstrates that the mining of all four advanced deposits that make up the Asmara Project (Emba Derho, Adi Nefas, Gupo Gold and Debarwa) and processing of the ore near the large Emba Derho deposit is economically robust with a NPV of $837 million. The Study outlines a three-phase staged start-up mining plan which would initiate production almost one year earlier than was envisaged in the prefeasibility study. This earlier cash-flow, combined with capital cost reductions, reduces the initial capital requirements to be financed by over $130 million.
As a result of the positive outcome of the Study, Sunridge will continue work towards bringing the Asmara project into production as soon as possible, by completing required environmental studies, applying for the mining license, arranging debt financing, commencing detailed engineering work and hiring new key employees. Management estimates that initial production on the Asmara Project will commence in mid-2015.
Base Case Highlights (all $ equals US dollars):
NPV of $692 million at a 10% discount (pre-tax)
NPV of $345 million at a 10% discount (post-tax)
NPV of $837 million at an 8% discount (pre-tax)
NPV of $443 million at an 8% discount (post-tax)
Internal rate of return (IRR) -- pre-tax 34%, post-tax 27%
Payback -- pre-tax 4.1 production years, post-tax 4.6 years
Base Case metal prices used - $3.25/lb copper, $1.00/lb zinc, $1,400/oz gold, $25.00/oz silver
Initial capital cost Phase IA & IB Direct Shipping Copper Ore & Heap-Leach Gold - $46 million
Initial Phase II & III flotation plant capital cost estimate - $357 million
Peak Equity Funding - $354 million
On site operating costs - $29.42 per tonne average through life of mine
Average annual metal production over the first 8 years-
65 million pounds (29,000 tonnes) of copper
184 million pounds (83,000 tonnes) of zinc
42,000 ounces of gold
1.0 million ounces of silver
Total metal production -
841 million pounds (381,000 tonnes) of copper
1,874 million pounds (850,000 tonnes) of zinc
436,000 ounces of gold
11 million ounces of silver
Life of Mine - 1 construction year, 15.3 production years
The report is titled "Asmara Project Feasibility Study" and was completed by lead engineering company SENET (Pty) Ltd. under the direction of David Chambers, P.Eng (MBA) and approved by Neil Senior, P.Eng. with support from Snowden Group Inc. on mine design and mine planning and work by Knight Piésold Ltd. on water and waste management. Blue Coast Metallurgy Ltd. directed metallurgical test-work. The report has an effective date of May 16, 2013.
Michael Hopley, President and CEO of Sunridge Gold Corp. is the Company's Qualified Person responsible for the contents of this press release and has reviewed the information in the release and confirmed that it is consistent with that provided by the independent Qualified Person responsible for the Study.
About Sunridge:
Sunridge is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery and development of base and precious metal projects on the Asmara Project in Eritrea and exploration properties in Madagascar. Sunridge currently has approximately 175 million shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SGC. For additional information on the Company and its projects please view the slide show on our website at www.sunridgegold.com or call Greg Davis at the numbers listed below.
SUNRIDGE GOLD CORP.
"Michael Hopley"
Michael Hopley, President and Chief Executive Officer
For further information contact:
Greg Davis, VP Business Development
Email: greg_at_sunridgegold.com
Tel: 604-688-1263 (direct)
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry;
delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Received on Tue Jul 02 2013 - 14:40:54 EDT