Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. wird Goldmine auf Pinos Altos bauen; Goldreserven auf Pinos Altos um 21% gestiegen
13.08.2007 | DGAP
(Falls nicht anders angegeben, alle Angaben in US-Dollar)Toronto, Ontario, Kanada. 9. August 2007. Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (WKN: 860325; NYSE, TSX: AEM) gibt bekannt, dass die Entscheidung für die Entwicklung des sich vollständig in Unternehmensbesitz befindlichen Pinos-Altos-Gold-Project im Norden Mexikos getroffen wurde. Außerdem sind die Goldreserven als Folge der vor kurzem durchgeführten Bohrungen auf Pinos Altos um 21% gestiegen gegenüber der Zahl, die im Februar 2007 veröffentlicht wurde. Die Silberreserven sind in dem gleichen Zeitraum um 18% gestiegen.
Derzeit sind die Goldreserven auf Pinos Altos 2,2 Mio. Unzen aus 20,0 Mio. t Erz mit 3,5 g/t Goldgehalt - ein Anstieg des Goldgehalts um 13% im Vergleich zur vorangegangenen Reservenschätzung. Die Pinos-Altos-Lagerstätte beherbergt auch ca. 65,7 Mio. Unzen Silber als Reserven - ein Anstieg um 10 Mio. Unzen im Vergleich zur vorangegangenen Schätzung.
Die Machbarkeits- und Wirtschaftlichkeits-Untersuchung (Feasibility Study FS) auf Pinos Altos berücksichtigte nicht den Anstieg der Goldgehalte und der Goldreserve, die heute bekannt gegeben wurde. Die Untersuchung prognostiziert eine Rendite nach Steuern von 18,3% auf Basis eines Goldpreises von 530 $ pro Unze und eines Silberpreises von 9,59 $ pro Unze. Die durchschnittliche Jahresproduktion wird auf ca. 150.000 Unzen Gold bei durchschnittlichen Gesamt-Kosten (Total Cash Costs) pro Unze von 230 $ geschätzt (einschließlich Förderabgaben und netto von den Einnahmen aus dem Verkauf des Silbers). Außerdem wird die Jahresproduktion an Silber auf durchschnittlich mehr als 2,0 Mio. Unzen geschätzt. Die Inbetriebnahme wird für das zweite Quartal 2009 erwartet.
Die geschätzte Betriebsdauer der Mine ist 11 Jahre. Für diesen Zeitraum sieht die Feasibility Study die Verwendung einer herkömmlichen Mühle mit einer Verarbeitungskapazität von 4.000 t Erz pro Tag und eine Haufenlaugung, die pro Tag 2.500 t Erz verarbeiten kann. Metallurgische Prüfungen zeigen, dass das Erz nicht refraktär ist und hervorragende Goldgewinnungsraten von mehr als 95% mit herkömmlicher Zyanid-Verarbeitung ermöglicht (Silbergewinnungsraten werden mit 50 % geschätzt). Die Betriebskosten der Mine werden auf durchschnittlich 39 $ pro t geschätzt, wobei die Kapitalkosten für den Bau auf 190 Mio. $ und die durchschnittlichen Kapitalinvestitionen für die Erhaltung auf 3 Mio. $ pro Jahr geschätzt werden. Agnico-Eagle schätzt, dass das Projekt vollständig aus den bestehenden liquiden Mitteln und aus den Cashflows finanziert wird.
´´Unsere Entscheidung zum Minenbau auf Pinos Altos ist ein wichtiger Schritt für die Expansion und die Stärkung der Goldproduktionsbasis auf unserem Weg zum Betrieb von sechs Goldminen,´´ sagte Sean Boyd, Vice-Chairman und Chief Executive Officer. ´´Durch die Erhöhung der Goldreserven und -gehalte auf Pinos Altos zeigen wir weiterhin das Reservenwachstumspotenzial unserer Entwicklungsprojekte und die Fähigkeit zur Steigerung der Goldproduktion und zur Verlängerung der Betriebsdauer der Minen auf. Außerdem freuen wir uns darüber, in Mexiko aktiv zu sein und mit den örtlichen Gemeinden bei der Entwicklung einer neuen Goldmine zusammenzuarbeiten,´´ fügte Boyd hinzu.
Agnico-Eagle hat eine Absichtsvereinbarung für die Lieferung zweier Mühlen, die eine lange Vorlaufzeit haben, für das Pinos-Altos-Projekt unterzeichnet. Alle erforderlichen Grundstücksverträge mit den vier örtlichen Ejidos sind unterzeichnet. Verhandlungen über zusätzliche Rechte an der Oberfläche mit den Rechteeigentümern laufen. Falls diese Verhandlungen nicht erfolgreich sind, werden Anpassungen an den vorgeschlagenen Bergbauplan, wie er im Basisfall in der Feasibility Study aufgezeigt ist, umgesetzt werden.
Die Sensitivität der internen Rendite auf Veränderungen des Goldpreises, des Goldgehalts, der Kapitalkosten, der Betriebskosten, des Zeitplans für die Betriebsdauer der Mine und der Investitionshöhe können durch folgenden Link abgerufen werden.
http://www.agnico-eagle.com/files/PinosAltos9Aug07.pdf
Details der Exploration in 2007
Vier Bohrgeräte sind auf der Pinos-Altos-Liegenschaft im Einsatz. Kern-Bohrungen vom ersten Bohrstandort untertage werden im Oktober 2007 beginnen. Diese Bohrungen werden den vor kurzem erreichten positiven Ergebnisse aus Bohrungen in der Tiefe nachgehen und auf mögliche Erweiterungen der Santo-Nino- und Cerro-Colorado-Zonen abzielen.
Mehr als 12.000 m an Kern-Bohrungen sollen bis Ende 2007 abgeschlossen werden. Der Schwerpunkt der Untertage-Exploration wird die Hochstufung von Ressourcen zu Reserven der Zonen Cerro Colorado und Santo Nino sowie des Gebiets zwischen diesen sein.
Insbesondere legen die Ergebnisse der derzeitigen Exploration nahe, dass die Zonen Creston Colorado und Mascota (nordwestlich der Hauptlagerstätte Santo Nino) möglicherweise Teil eine größeren Zone sind, die nach einem ähnlichen geologischen Intervall auftritt, aber durch sub-vertikale Faltzonen unterbrochen wird, die den Erzhorizont verschieben. Diese Zonen sind nicht Teil der derzeitigen Reserve- und Ressourcen-Schätzung für Pinos Altos und wurden auch nicht in der Feasibility Study berücksichtigt.
Die Entwicklung des Untertage-Zugangs begann im März 2007. Mehr als 350 m dieses Gangs sind bis heute abgeschlossen und mehr als 1.350 m sollen bis Ende 2008 abgeschlossen sein.
Besichtigung von Pinos Altos für Analysten
Agnico-Eagle plant eine Besichtigung der Pinos-Altos-Liegenschaft am 20. und 21. August 2007 für Aktien-Analysten. Ein Flugzeug wird am Morgen des 20. August von Toronto abfliegen und spät am 21. August zurückkehren. Interessenten sollten so früh wie möglich Kontakt aufnehmen mit Hazel Winchester +1 (416) 847-3717 bzw. hwinchester@agnico-eagle.com. Die Zahl der Plätze ist begrenzt.
Über Agnico-Eagle
Agnico-Eagle ist ein seit langem etablierter kanadischer Goldproduzent mit Bergbau-Betrieben in der kanadischen Provinz Quebec und Explorations- und Entwicklungsprojekten in Kanada, Finnland, den Vereinigten Staaten und Mexiko. Agnico-Eagles LaRonde-Mine ist Kanadas größte Goldlagerstätte. Das Unternehmen profitiert vollständig von höheren Goldpreisen, da es keine Vorausverkäufe seines Goldes durchführt. Agnico-Eagle zahlt seit 25 Jahren Dividenden.
Die englische Original-Pressemitteilung enthält weitere Angaben, wie rechtliche Hinweise und Auszüge aus dem Quartalsbericht und ist unten angeführt.
Für weitere Informationen wenden Sie sich bitte an:
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
David Smith, VP, Investor Relations
Tel. +1 (416) 947-1212
John Lute, Media Contact
Tel. +1 (416) 929-5883
Suite 400
145 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2Y7, Kanada
Fax +1 (416) 367-4681
www.agnico-eagle.com
AXINO AG
investor & media relations
Königstraße 26
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel. +49 (711) 25 35 92 30
Fax +49 (711) 25 35 92 33
www.axino.de
Notes to Investors Regarding the Use of Resources
Cautionary Note to investors concerning estimates of Measured and Indicated Resources.
This press release may use the terms ´´measured resources´´ and ´´indicated resources´´. We advise investors that while those terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the ´´SEC´´) does not recognize them. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.
Cautionary Note to investors concerning estimates of Inferred Resources.
This press release may also use the term ´´inferred resources´´. We advise investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. ´´Inferred resources´´ have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
Scientific and Technical Data
Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited is reporting mineral resource and reserve estimates in accordance with the CIM guidelines for the estimation, classification and reporting of resources and reserves.
Pinos Altos Detailed Mineral Reserve and Resource Data
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Au Ag
Tonnes
Category Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) (000´´s oz.) (000´´s oz.)
(000´´s)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable Mineral
Reserve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total open pit 2.98 85.93 899 25,906
9,378
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Total underground 3.90 116.86 1,324 39,748
10,579
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Subtotal Probable
Mineral Reserve 3.47 102.33 2,224 65,654
19,957
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Probable
Mineral Reserves 3.47 102.33 2,224 65,654
19,957
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au Ag
Tonnes
Category and Zone Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) (000´´s oz.) (000´´s oz.)
(000´´s)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Mineral
Resource
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total underground 1.92 74.35 158 6,115
2,570
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Indicated
Resource 1.92 74.35 158 6,115
2,570
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au Ag
Tonnes
Category and Zone Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) (000´´s oz.) (000´´s oz.)
(000´´s)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Mineral
Resource
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total underground 2.83 80.28 274 7,765
3,008
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Total Inferred
Resource 2.83 80.28 274 7,765
3,008
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Tonnage amounts and contained metal amounts presented in the tables in this news release have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Reserves are not a sub-set of resources. The effective date of the mineral resources and reserves is August 9, 2007.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - The SEC permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this press release, such as ´´measured´´, ´´indicated´´, and ´´inferred´´, and ´´resources´´ that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, which may be obtained from us, or from the SEC´´s website at: http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml. A ´´final´´ or ´´bankable´´ feasibility study is required to meet the requirements to designate reserves under Industry Guide 7. Estimates were calculated using historic three-year average metals prices and foreign exchange rates in accordance with the SEC Industry Guide 7. Industry Guide 7 requires the use of prices that reflect current economic conditions at the time of reserve determination which Staff of the SEC has interpreted to mean historic three-year average prices. The assumptions used for the August 9, 2007 Pinos Altos mineral reserves and resources estimate reported by the Company were $486 per ounce gold, $8.69 per ounce silver, and MXP/US$ exchange rate of 11.02.
The Canadian Securities Administrators´´ National Instrument 43-101 (´´NI 43-101´´) requires mining companies to disclose reserves and resources using the subcategories of ´´proven´´ reserves, ´´probable´´ reserves, ´´measured´´ resources, ´´indicated´´ resources and ´´inferred´´ resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
A mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allows for losses that may occur when the material is mined. A proven mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. A probable mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.
A mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the earth´´s crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. A measured mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, physical characteristics, can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity. An indicated mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonable assumed. An inferred mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
A feasibility study is a comprehensive study of a mineral deposit in which all geological, engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, environmental and other relevant factors are considered in sufficient detail that it could reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a financial institution to finance the development of the deposit for mineral production.
The qualified person, under the Canadian Securities Administrator´´s National Instrument 43-101, responsible for the Pinos Altos mineral resource estimate is Daniel Doucet, Ing., Principal Engineer Geology for the Company´´s Technical Services Group, Abitibi Regional Office. The effective date of the estimate is August 9, 2007. A technical report describing the resource and reserve estimate will be filed with the securities regulatory authorities in due course.
Mr. Doucet has verified the data disclosed, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this press release.
Wireframe models of zones comprising the Pinos Altos deposit that were used to estimate the mineral resource were derived using drill hole intercepts of either breccia or stockwork mineralization. Gold assays were cut to either 15 grams per tonne or 46 grams per tonne, depending on the rock type. Silver assays were either not cut, or cut to 2,200 grams per tonne depending on the mineralization type. For the open pit resource models (estimated to a maximum depth of approximately 250 metres, depending on the zone), a minimum net smelter return cut off of either $16.00 per tonne for potential mill feed or $6.00 per tonne for potential heap leach feed was used to evaluate drill hole intercepts that have been adjusted to respect a minimum mining width of 4.0 metres (horizontal width). For the underground resource models, a minimum net smelter return cut-off of $33.00 per tonne was used to evaluate drill hole intercepts that have been adjusted to respect a minimum mining width of 3.0 metres (horizontal width).
In order to determine the net smelter return, the average metallurgical recoveries by heap leach for gold and silver used were 68.0% and 7.0% respectively while the average metallurgical recovery by milling for gold and silver were 95.0% and 48.0% respectively.
The mineral resource estimate was derived using a three dimensional block model of the deposit; the grades were interpolated using the inverse distance power squared method.
A 10% dilution was applied for the open pit reserve estimate while a dilution that averaged 13% was applied for the underground reserve estimate. The same metallurgical recoveries were used in the estimation of the mineral reserves as for the mineral resources. Mining recoveries of 100% for open pit mining and 95% for underground.
The net smelter return cut-offs for open pit reserves used were either $16.00 per tonne (after dilution) for milling or $6.00 per tonne (after dilution) for heap leach. For the underground reserves, a net smelter return cut-off of $35.00 per tonne (after dilution) was used.
For every 10% change in the gold price or exchange rate (leaving all other assumptions unchanged), there would be an estimated 4% change in probable reserves. The metal prices and exchange rates used in the current reserve and resource estimate are the trailing three year averages for such prices or rates in each case (as of December 31 2006), as mandated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The data verification process of historic drill hole information for Pinos Altos consisted of comparing a selective amount of primary information in the mineral resource data base (such as drill hole location, orientation, sample location, assay result and geological description data) against original records (such as field drill sites, original survey reports and drill core descriptions, drill core stored in the library, and assay laboratory reports). Verification also consisted of reviewing the historic assay data base and selecting additional samples for check assaying. The historic drill hole information that was verified showed acceptable results and only a very small but acceptable error rate was observed. Although this method of selective verification suggests that the entire mineral resource data base is of good quality, there may be errors in the proportion of data that was not verified.
All of the exploration information collected by the Company (except for the assay results) and inserted into the mineral resource data base was verified against original records. The quality of the assay data inserted into the Pinos Altos mineral resource data base was monitored. The verification methods used do not eliminate all of the possible errors (for example, sample bias that can only be verified through additional testing). There are no known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that materially affect the Pinos Altos mineral resources.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release has been prepared as at August 9, 2007. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute ´´forward-looking statements´´ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking information under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. When used in this document, the words ´´anticipate´´, ´´expect´´, ´´estimate,´´ ´´forecast,´´ ´´planned´´ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information.
Such statements and information include without limitation: statements regarding timing and amounts of capital expenditures and other assumptions; estimates of future reserves, resources, mineral production and sales; estimates of mine life; estimates of future mining costs, cash costs, minesite costs and other expenses; estimates of future capital expenditures and other cash needs, and expectations as to the funding thereof; statements and information as to the projected development of certain ore deposits, including estimates of exploration, development and production and other capital costs, and estimates of the timing of such exploration, development and production or decisions with respect to such exploration, development and production; estimates of reserves and resources, and statements and information regarding anticipated future exploration and; the anticipated timing of events with respect to the Company´´s minesites and; statements and information regarding the sufficiency of the Company´´s cash resources. Such statements and information reflect the Company´´s views as at the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Many factors, known and unknown could cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements and information. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the volatility of prices of gold and other metals; uncertainty of mineral reserves, mineral resources, mineral grades and mineral recovery estimates; uncertainty of future production, capital expenditures, and other costs; currency fluctuations; financing of additional capital requirements; cost of exploration and development programs; mining risks; risks associated with foreign operations; risks related to title issues at the Pinos Altos project; governmental and environmental regulation; the volatility of the Company´´s stock price; and risks associated with the Company´´s byproduct metal derivative strategies. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect the Company´´s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, see Company´´s Annual Information Form and Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006, as well as the Company´´s other filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements and information.
Note to Investors Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release presents estimates of future ´´total cash cost per ounce´´ and ´´minesite cost per tonne´´ that are not recognized measures under United States generally accepted accounting principles (´´US GAAP´´). This data may not be comparable to data presented by other gold producers. These future estimates are based upon the total cash costs per ounce and minesite costs per tonne that the Company expects to incur to mine gold at the applicable projects and do not include production costs attributable to accretion expense and other asset retirement costs, which will vary over time as each project is developed and mined. It is therefore not practicable to reconcile these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of the Company´´s total cash cost per ounce and minesite cost per tonne to the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP for the Company´´s historical results of operations is set forth in the notes to the financial statements contained in the Company´´s Annual Information Form and Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006, as well as the Company´´s other filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
DGAP 13.08.2007