Integra Gold Announces PEA Results: Pre-Tax IRR of 51%, NPV (5%) of CAD$146.0 M (After-Tax $88.5 M) and Peak Annual Production of 143,300 Gold Ounces
PEA Highlights:
- Base Case Pre-tax IRR of 51% and NPV (5% discount rate) of CAD$146.0 M
- Average annual production of 112,400 Au ounces per year with peak annual production at 143,300 Au ounces per year and total production of 505,600 ounces
- Life of Mine ("LOM") cash cost of CAD$665 per Au ounce and cash costs plus sustaining costs of CAD$805 per Au ounce
- In excess of 29,500 meters ("m") of drilling completed subsequent to the database cut-off date for the resource estimate used in the PEA highlighting strong potential for resource expansion
- Proposed underground mine with a vertical depth of 620 m and material processed at nearby mills
- The plan as outlined in the PEA will have minimal impact on the community as there are no homes, businesses, or other infrastructure where the proposed mining will take place
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 11, 2014) - Integra Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:ICG) ("Integra" or the "Company") is pleased to report the results of a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") carried out on the Company's flagship Lamaque Gold Project (the "Lamaque Project") in Val-d'Or, Québec, Canada. The PEA was prepared by InnovExplo Inc. ("InnovExplo") with technical contributions from AMEC, Golder Associates, Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc., Geopointcom Inc. and WSP Engineering. The technical report with respect to the PEA will be filed on the Company's website and SEDAR within 45 days.
For clarification, Integra's Lamaque Project is separate from the adjacent Sigma and Lamaque mines, which have collectively produced over nine million ounces of gold to a vertical depth of 2,000 m.
The Company has provided a base case scenario (the "Base Case") using a USD$1,275 per ounce gold price and a 1.05 CAD to USD exchange rate which is equivalent to CAD$1,339 per Au ounce (March 7, 2014 closing spot price was CAD$1,485 per ounce and exchange rate was 1.11). All currency figures are in Canadian Dollars (CAD$) unless otherwise stated. The Base Case economic evaluation has a pre-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 51%, payback of capital in 1.5 years and a net present value ("NPV") of $146.0 million at a discount rate of 5%.
The PEA is preliminary in nature and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.
"This PEA represents a significant milestone for Integra and we are very encouraged by both the outcome and our team's continued ability to deliver within the timeframe we committed to. Our decision to advance the project to the PEA level was guided by the success obtained in the past by both Teck and Placer Dome, at the neighboring Lamaque and Sigma Mines a few hundred meters from our property boundary. These mines produced over 9 million ounces of gold over respective 50 and 60 year mine lives, yet seldom had more than 3 years in reserves, and often less than one. The PEA outlines a scenario showing potentially strong financial returns and based on the success we've had drilling since the resource estimate was done we are confident the mine life has potential to grow," commented Company President and CEO, Stephen de Jong. "30,000 meters of drilling has been undertaken since the resource estimate was completed in 2013, and we currently have 4 exploration drill rigs active on the Triangle Zone with results from over 10,000 meters pending. The resource used for the Triangle Zone in the PEA was limited to a depth of 620 meters, although drilling has now intersected high-grade mineralization within the same host rock to a depth of 1,000 meters, as well as 200 meters south of the resource limit. I want to thank our team and our consultants for the work they did to complete this PEA, they continue to prove they are the Company's most valuable asset."
Base Case Assumptions/Highlights
Gold Price (USD$) | $1,275 |
Exchange Rate (CAD$ to USD$) | 1.05 |
Gold Price (CAD$) | $1,339 |
Average Annual Gold Production (ounces) | 112,400 |
Peak Annual Gold Production (ounces ) | 143,300 |
Pre-Production Capital Costs (CAD$) | $69.2 M |
LOM Sustaining Capital (CAD$) | $66.8 M |
Pre-Production Period (years) | 2 |
Mine Life (years) | 4.25 |
Cash Cost per Au Ounce (CAD$) | $665 |
Cash Costs and Sustaining Cost per Au Ounce (CAD$) | $805 |
PRE-TAX | |
Life of Mine NPV at 5% Discount Rate (CAD$) | $146.0 M |
Internal Rate of Return | 51% |
Payback Period (years) | 1.5 |
AFTER-TAX | |
Life of Mine NPV at 5% Discount Rate (CAD$) | $88.5 M |
Internal Rate of Return | 38% |
Payback Period (years) | 1.8 |
Base Case Comparison to Spot Gold Price & Current Exchange Rate
Base Case | Gold Spot Price and Current Exchange Rate (March 07, 2014) | |
Gold Price (USD$) per Au ounce | $1,275 | $1,339 |
Exchange Rate | 1.05 | 1.11 |
Gold Price (CAD$) per Au ounce | $1,339 | $1,485 |
Pre-Tax IRR | 51% | 68% |
Pre-Tax NPV (5%) (CAD$) | $146 M | $205 M |
Pre-Tax Payback (years) | 1.5 | 1.2 |
Production Profile (Diluted Head Grade after Mining)
Year | Tonnes | Grade (g/t Au) | Au Ounces Recovered |
pre-production | - | - | - |
pre-production | 124,500 | 7.46 | 28,000 |
1 | 398,500 | 7.97 | 95,500 |
2 | 512,400 | 9.35 | 143,300 |
3 | 463,700 | 9.25 | 127,000 |
4 | 501,500 | 6.76 | 98,700 |
5 | 80,800 | 5.88 | 13,100 |
TOTAL | 2,081,400 | 8.19 | 505,600 |
PEA Overview
The PEA was prepared as an underground mining project based solely on the mineral resources reported by the Company on September 25, 2013. Mineralization would be accessed by way of two separate ramps, or declines, located at the Parallel Zone in the north (the "North Ramp") and the Triangle Zone in the south (the "South Ramp"), approximately 2 km apart. Material would then be transported to an off-site mill for toll processing, eliminating the need for the construction and permitting of a new mill and tailings facilities.
The pre-production period is estimated to be 2 years allowing for the construction of surface installations, portal preparation, ramp development and stope preparation. The PEA considers beginning development of the North Ramp after an initial 3 months of surface preparation and construction. Development of the South Ramp would commence 3 months thereafter.
Limited production would occur during the pre-production stage, accounting for approximately 28,000 ounces throughout the second year of pre-production.
Average annual production after the pre-production stage is 460,500 tonnes at a diluted grade, or head grade, of 8.24 g/t Au for 112,400 Au ounces recovered (average 92.1% recovery).
The PEA assumes a toll milling, or contract milling, scenario in which material from the Lamaque Project is processed at a mill within the immediate vicinity. For the purposes of the PEA, a combined toll milling and transportation cost of $45.69 per tonne has been applied, based off of actual custom milling and transportation quotes, which InnovExplo confirms are consistent with the anticipated rates for milling in the Val-d'Or area over the proposed project timeline.
The Company is currently conducting a thorough review and analysis of both available toll milling operations and potential acquisitions in the immediate area with preliminary results indicating multiple opportunities.
Mineral Resources
The PEA assumes that underground mining will be used for resource extraction. The mineral resource estimate as initially disclosed on September 25, 2013 (database cutoff date of April 24, 2013) was used as the basis of the PEA. Initial disclosure of the resource assumed a 3 g/t Au cut-off grade diluted to a 2 m minimum true thickness with resource figures also provided using a 5 g/t Au cut-off.
For the purpose of the PEA, and accounting for both the proposed mining methods as well as using a price of USD $1,175 per Au ounce for guidance, the Company used variable cut-off grades of between 4.0 g/t Au and 5.0 g/t Au for stope design, dependent on each specific resource block.
Mineral Resources at 5 g/t Au cutoff
Indicated Resources | Inferred Resources | |||||
Zone | Tonnage (Metric tonnes) | Grade (g/t gold) | Contained Gold Ounces | Tonnage (Metric tonnes) | Grade (g/t gold) | Contained Gold Ounces |
Fortune | 60,700 | 8.0 | 15,610 | 111,300 | 7.7 | 27,470 |
Triangle | 412,200 | 12.6 | 167,200 | 258,000 | 15.4 | 128,000 |
No. 4 Plug | 522,900 | 8.3 | 140,280 | - | - | - |
Parallel | 529,300 | 10.4 | 176,120 | 119,200 | 21.2 | 81,070 |
Total | 1,525,100 | 10.2 | 499,210 | 488,500 | 15.1 | 236,540 |
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. All assays have been capped where appropriate. |
For the Fortune and Triangle zones, all inferred resources were considered in the mining scenario. Due to the high gold grade of the Parallel Zone inferred resources which are based on minimal drilling, only 40,900 tonnes at a grade of 9.13 g/t Au of inferred resources were considered. The PEA study did not incorporate the resources identified in the crown pillar.
The Company updated its Lamaque Project resource estimate on January 28, 2014, with the addition of the No. 6 Vein and the Sixteen Zone. These zones have not been included in the PEA and are therefore not discussed here.
Additional Resource Potential
As of February 28, 2014, the Company had drilled an additional 29,500 m at the Lamaque Project which has not yet been included in any resource estimate calculation or the PEA. Drilling not included in the resource calculation or in the PEA consists of:
- South Triangle: 6,966 m in 13 holes
- Parallel: 12,589 m in 40 holes
- Triangle: 9,890 m in 26 holes
The 2013 South Triangle drill program aimed at extending the Triangle Zone to the south and at depth. Drilling intersected high grade mineralization to a depth of over 1,000 m vertical as well as approximately 175 m down-dip of the southern extent of the Triangle Zone resource limit. There are currently four drills on the Triangle Zone which, apart from completing definition drilling, will step out and drill this untested 175 m wide target zone as well as exploring for near surface strike extensions.
Drilling not included at the Parallel and Triangle Zones consisted of both infill and extension drilling. The results for the Parallel Zone drilling were disclosed in early 2014 and confirm continuity of the mineralized zones, which the Company hopes will assist in converting further ounces from the inferred to indicated category. The infill and extension drilling at the Triangle Zone started in January 2014 and no results have been disclosed to date. An updated resource estimate expected in the second half of 2014 will focus on building resources in order to increase the mine life beyond the current 4.25 years.
Mining
The Lamaque Project is designed as a mechanized underground mine which utilizes both conventional room and pillar and long-hole mining methods. An administration and mine service hub would be located on Highway 117, the Trans-Canada Highway. The service hub would be served by a 25 KV power line, natural gas and municipal services. There will be two production centers, each with a ramp to access resources (the "North Ramp" and the "South Ramp") and will include basic surface infrastructure. Common infrastructure will be used to treat and manage water from underground operations.
The North Ramp will be located approximately 1 km from the service hub and will reach a vertical depth of 615 m to initially access the Parallel and Fortune zones. Should the Company outline resources at its No. 5 Plug and No. 3 Mine targets, it is anticipated these zones would also be accessed through the North Ramp.
The South Ramp will be located approximately 3 km from the service hub and would reach a vertical depth of 620 m. The South Ramp would access the Triangle Zone and the No. 4 Plug. The South Ramp area would be connected to an existing gravel road a few hundred meters to the south, allowing for two entry points to the site.
The mining methods used in the PEA were selected according to vein geometry and common practices for comparable mining operations in the region, an area with an extensive history of underground mining. For mineralized zones dipping less than 45 degrees, a room and pillar mining method is proposed. Mechanized sub-level development in mineralized zones will be completed at 60 m intervals along the vein, rooms will be 6 m in width and a performance rate of 18 t/man shift was used in the mine plan. Typical stopes will have a height of 2 m and external dilution of 5% (at 0.0 g/t Au) was included with a mining recovery of 85%.
For mineralized zones dipping more than 45 degrees, a long-hole mining method will be used with mechanized sub-level development completed at 18 m intervals along the vein. As outlined in the PEA, typical stopes will have a thickness of 3 m and a length of 20 m. An average of 20% (at 0.0 g/t Au) dilution has been applied when stope thickness is greater than 3 m, and 35% for stopes less than 3 m. Mucking will be done longitudinally using remote controlled scoops and the mining recovery is evaluated to be 85%. Rock-fill will be used in long-hole stopes for the North Ramp.
Mineralized material and waste will be transported to surface using 45T trucks. The cost for material handling is estimated to range from $7.91/tonne to $11.91/tonne. During the mine life, development would generate approximately 14% of the mineralization tonnage, room and pillar mining 36% and long-hole mining, 50%.
The following table summarizes development and mined tonnes for the Lamaque Project:
Mining | North Ramp (tonnes) | South Ramp (tonnes) |
Development | 159,900 | 126,400 |
Room and pillar | 290,000 | 468,200 |
Long hole | 539,400 | 497,500 |
Total | 989,300 | 1,092,100 |
For the economic evaluation, it was assumed that a down payment of 25% would be paid on mining equipment with the balance paid over 5 years at a 6% interest rate. Residual value was limited to 25% to 35% depending on years of use.
Operating Costs
Operating costs are summarized below. Given that this PEA presents a toll milling scenario and the Company has the ability to process mineralized material recovered during the pre-production and development stage, revenue generated from these ounces has been included in forecasted cash flows. A total of approximately 28,000 ounces are anticipated to be produced during year 2 of the pre-production phase.
Cash Cost Per Ounce and Per Tonne Summary
Cash Cost Summary | CAD$/ounce | CAD$/tonne |
Mining | 339 | 83 |
Processing | 187 | 46 |
G&A | 122 | 30 |
Refining | 3 | 0.73 |
Cash Cost | 651 | 159 |
Royalties | 13 | 3 |
Total Cash Costs | 665 | 162 |
Sustaining Costs | 140 | 34 |
Cash Costs + Sustaining Costs | 805 | 196 |
Metallurgy & Processing
The LOM average tonnage is approximately 1,275 tonnes per day, and varies between 1,050 and 1,650 tonnes per day depending on the period (based on 312 operation days/year). This production rate is consistent with potential milling options in the immediate area, and may change during actual production depending on which processing facility is used. This includes resource extraction from both ramps thereby minimizing undue pressure put on any one point of production and reducing potential bottlenecks while mining.
Recent metallurgical testing completed in 2014 tested Lamaque mineralized material using a variety of flowsheets consistent with those of mills in the immediate area (see Company press release dated February 25, 2014). Although metallurgical testing indicated an increase of recoveries when going from a 48 hour leach time to a 96 hour leach time, the Company has used recoveries in line with the top end of the 48 hour leach time in order to stay consistent with the flowsheets of mills in the vicinity.
Using this testwork the Company was able to identify which mills are best suited for material from the Lamaque Project, which has assisted in the determination of the $45.69 per tonne milling and transportation assumption.
For the PEA the following gold recoveries were assumed:
- Parallel Zone: 97%
- Triangle Zone: 90%
- Fortune Zone: 95%
- No. 4 Plug: 86%
Infrastructure and Capital Costs
The Lamaque Project, located within 3 km of the city of Val-d'Or, Québec, a mining community of over 35,000 people, benefits from world-class infrastructure. As important as the physical infrastructure in the Val-d'Or region, is the high level of underground mining expertise readily available in the region. The Company believes its advantageous location has the potential to positively impact the long term viability and attractiveness of employment at the Lamaque Project, given that employees and contractors could work in the community they live in, a rare opportunity in the mining industry.
The Lamaque Project is located within 200 m of the Trans-Canada Highway, with all services readily available at site. The Company's existing office is located between the highway and the project, on a property owned by the Company, and there is sufficient land to accommodate the proposed development needs of the project including the proposed service hub.
The plan as outlined in the PEA will have minimal impact on the community as there are no homes, businesses, or other infrastructure where the proposed mining will take place.
The pre-production costs are estimated at $69.2 million, net of production revenue received during the second year of the pre-production period ($37.4 million). Pre-production capital costs include surface infrastructure (site preparation, roads, electric and water lines), installation of modular buildings for offices and garages (mechanical and electrical shops, stockroom), mining infrastructure at the North and South sites, mobile equipment, development and capitalized operating costs, owner costs (closure costs in line with required financial guarantees, Company staff and indirect costs) as summarized in the following tables. Pre-production capital costs are minimal given that there is no need to build processing and tailings facilities, and that mineralization is spatially close to surface. Pre-production is anticipated to take 2 years with the majority of proceeds used for ramp construction and for sufficient development of mineralized zones, or working faces, to conduct mining at the proposed mining rate and mill throughput. Ramp construction would commence in the second quarter of pre-production at the Parallel Zone, where there is a 15 m vertical rock face outcrop located at surface providing an ideal location to construct the portal. Ramp construction at the Triangle Zone would commence in the third quarter of pre-production, where overburden is estimated to be between 1 and 5 m in depth.
Pre-Production Capital Costs Estimate (estimated 2 years)
Pre-Production Capital Costs | (CAD$ millions) |
Surface infrastructure (20% contingency included) | 12.9 |
Mining infrastructure (20% contingency included) | 6.9 |
Mobile equipment (10% contingency included) | 14.8 |
Development and Capitalized Operating Costs (20% contingency included) | 55.6 |
Owner's Costs | 16.3 |
Offsetting capitalized revenue (28,000 ounces in pre-production)* | (37.4) |
Total | 69.2 |
*Given the Company anticipates having access to milling options throughout the pre-production stage it has included revenue from expected production during development |
The Company is also studying a scenario which would involve delaying the development of the South Ramp by 12-18 months in order to reduce up-front capital cost requirements and utilize cash flow from the North Ramp to fund development of the South Ramp. It is estimated this could reduce pre-production capital requirements by as much as $20 to $25 M although further work is required prior to the Company being able to provide a detailed number.
Sustaining Capital Costs Estimate (Production Years 1-5)
Sustaining Capital Cost | (CAD$ millions) |
Surface infrastructure (20% contingency included) | $4.7 |
Mining infrastructure (20% contingency included) | $3.1 |
Mobile equipment (10% contingency included) | $17.3 |
Development (20% contingency included) | $39.0 |
Owner's Costs | $2.6 |
Total | $66.8 |
Community Relations
The Company is committed to taking a proactive approach to its public consultation process and has been working diligently to identify as many stakeholders as possible in the Val-d'Or region. Over the past six months more than 25 private and public meetings have been held with stakeholders.
On January 28, 2013, a public information meeting was held in Val-d'Or to present the status of the project, discuss the potential impact and benefits for the Val-d'Or community, and gather insight and feedback from residents. Over 250 residents and stakeholders attended this meeting. Management was encouraged by the feedback received and the readily apparent level of community support for the Lamaque Project. Integra remains committed to working with the citizens of Val-d'Or to build a plan for the Lamaque Project that will maximize benefits for both the community and the Company's shareholders.
Information regarding public meetings and project updates will be published on the Company's website as it becomes available.
Environmental and Permitting
A baseline environmental study was completed by AMEC in December 2013. The North Ramp is located in an area previously impacted by the tailings of the Lamaque Mine and the Company does not anticipate any significant impact on wildlife. For the South Ramp, the baseline study completed by AMEC did not identify major issues associated with wildlife.
No geochemical characterization of mineralized or waste material is available for the Lamaque Project at the moment. The Company will be commencing these studies in 2014 and does not anticipate any major issues due to the similar nature of the Lamaque Project's mineralization to the adjacent Sigma and Lamaque Mines, which were known for their clean ore and tailings.
The Lamaque Project is not subject to provincial impact assessment study as planned production falls below the 2,000 tonnes per day threshold outlined in the new mining law. At this time the Company does not yet know if the Lamaque Project will be subject to a federal impact assessment study.
Reclamation costs were estimated at $2.4 M. Reclamation work covers waste and stockpiles of mineralized material, water pond, underground openings, site installation, engineering, contingency (20%) and post operation site monitoring.
Project Economics and Sensitivity
Key economic performance metrics are summarized in the following table on a pre-tax basis. A range of gold prices (USD$) are shown for sensitivity purposes only.
Gold Price Sensitivity
Gold Price (USD$/ounce) | 1,000 | 1,100 | 1,200 | 1,275 (Base Case) | 1,400 | 1,500 |
Exchange Rate (CAD$ to USD$) | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 |
Gold Price (CAD$/ounce) | 1,050 | 1,155 | 1,260 | 1,339 | 1,470 | 1,575 |
Pre-Tax NPV 5% (CAD$M) | 29.2 | 71.7 | 114.2 | 146.0 | 199.1 | 241.6 |
Pre-Tax IRR | 15% | 29% | 42% | 51% | 66% | 77% |
Pre-Tax Payback Period (years) | 2.91 | 2.14 | 1.71 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.11 |
The sensitivity analysis presented below demonstrates that even with an increase of 30% of capital costs or operating costs, the Lamaque Project still has the potential to present a positive economic outcome.
Exchange Rate, Capital Costs, Operating Costs Sensitivity Analysis (Pre-Tax)
Variable | Net Cashflow (CAD$ M) | NPV (5%) | IRR | |
Exchange rate $CAN to $US | 0.95 | 133.3 | 94.4 | 36% |
1.00 | 165.2 | 120.2 | 44% | |
1.05 | 197.1 | 146.0 | 51% | |
1.10 | 229.1 | 171.8 | 59% | |
1.15 | 261.0 | 197.6 | 66% | |
Capital Costs | 30% | 157.0 | 110.6 | 35% |
20% | 170.4 | 122.4 | 40% | |
10% | 183.8 | 134.2 | 45% | |
0% | 197.1 | 146.0 | 51% | |
-10% | 210.5 | 157.8 | 59% | |
-20% | 223.9 | 169.6 | 67% | |
-30% | 237.2 | 181.5 | 77% | |
Operating Costs | 30% | 104.3 | 71.7 | 30% |
20% | 135.3 | 96.5 | 38% | |
10% | 166.2 | 121.2 | 45% | |
0% | 197.1 | 146.0 | 51% | |
-10% | 228.1 | 170.8 | 58% | |
-20% | 259.0 | 195.5 | 64% | |
-30% | 289.9 | 220.3 | 70% |
Discount Rate versus Base Case Pre-Tax NPV Sensitivity Analysis (Pre-Tax)
Discount Rate | NPV Value (CAD$ million) |
0% | $197.1 |
5% | $146.0 |
7% | $129.6 |
10% | $108.3 |
Opportunities & Risks
Opportunities to improve the Lamaque Project economics include the following:
- The Company is studying a scenario which would involve delaying the development of the South Ramp by 12-18 months, in order to reduce up-front capital cost requirements and utilize cash flow from the North Ramp to fund development of the South Ramp. It is estimated this could reduce pre-production capital requirements by as much as $20 to $25 M.
- Acquisition of a mill instead of toll milling would likely reduce LOM operating costs and allow the Company greater security in meeting its future milling requirements.
- Potential to utilize contract mining in order to reduce up-front capital requirements.
- Production outlined in the PEA is limited to a vertical depth of 620 m at the Triangle Zone. A 2013 drill program intersected multiple high-grade zones below this level, to depths of up to 1,000 m vertical. The Triangle Zone remains open to the south, east and west.
- Drilling at the South Triangle Zone intersected 13.89 g/t Au over 7.0 m, approximately 175 m down-dip from the Triangle Zone resource estimate (see Company press release dated November 18, 2013). The ground in between the Triangle Zone and this 2013 discovery has not been tested and will be drilled within the next 4-6 weeks.
- The PEA is based on an April 24, 2013, mineral resource database cut-off date and does not include subsequent drilling, both infill and expansion, of approximately 29,500 m completed to the end of February 2014, while drilling is still ongoing with 4 rigs.
- The PEA does not include resources from the No. 6 Vein and the Sixteen Zone.
- Significant mineralization has been identified at the No. 3 Mine and the No. 5 Plug targets. The Company expects to have resource estimates completed for those zones in the second half of 2014. Should a resource be defined at these targets they could be potentially mined from the North Ramp infrastructure.
- Potential for further improvement in gold recoveries based on results of recent metallurgical test work.
- Potential for reduced milling costs through negotiations with toll mills
Risks requiring mitigation strategies include:
- Management of construction/engineering and procurement schedules, costs, and cost containment.
- Operating risks related to recruitment and training of underground workforce, specifically room and pillar miners.
- Permitting risks.
- Crown pillar thickness and stability evaluation through geo-mechanics characterization and stability analysis.
Recommendations and Next Steps
The following recommendations have been given as the next steps of the Lamaque Project. The Company aims to achieve these objectives in 2014.
- Continue exploration and definition drilling at Parallel, Triangle and Fortune zones in 2014 in order to upgrade as many resources as possible from the inferred resource category to the indicated resource category, while continuing to increase the resource base laterally and at depth.
- Update the resource estimations for all deposits included in the PEA and evaluate the impact on the Lamaque Project's economics using all new information generated since the latest database cut-off (since April 24, 2013).
- Complete exploration drilling and perform additional resource estimations on two of the Lamaque Project's advanced exploration targets, the No. 3 Mine and No. 5 Plug, for integration into the future economic evaluations on the project.
- Commence a prefeasibility study which will include:
- Hydrogeology study;
- Rock mass characterization and stope design;
- Crown pillar stability analysis;
- Revised mining plan using new resources;
- Trade-off analysis:
- Re-scheduling development of the 2 ramps to limit capital requirement;
- Energy alternative for underground air heating;
- Mineralized material and waste handling alternatives; and
- Access, possibly via shaft sinking, to deeper part of the Triangle Zone and No. 4 Plug.
- Finalize connecting scenario to Hydro-Quebec grid;
- Engineering for surface installation, electricity and mechanics installations;
- Engineering for water treatment and management facilities; and
- Updated economic evaluation of capital expenditures and operating costs.
- Initiate and complete the permitting process for an underground exploration program. A complete prefeasibility study will likely require underground exploration, meaning a significant portion of project permitting will be completed during the prefeasibility stage:
- Apply for Certificate of Authorization;
- Complete application for mining lease for South site (Triangle);
- Mineralization and waste characterization;
- Hydrology study;
- Noise and vibration study; and
- Biology study.
- Conduct a fourth phase metallurgical study in order to further improve gold recoveries for the Triangle and No. 4 Plug zones.
- Complete a formal information and consultation process in order to promote social acceptability of the Lamaque Project and development plans.
Qualified Persons
The Lamaque Project is under the direct supervision of Hervé Thiboutot, Eng. Senior Vice-President of the Company, and Francois Chabot, Eng. and Operations and Engineering Manager of the Company. Both Mr. Thiboutot and Mr. Chabot are Qualified Persons ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
In addition, each of the individuals listed below are independent QP for the purposes of NI 43-101. All scientific and technical information in this press release in respect of the Lamaque Project or the PEA is based upon information prepared by or under the supervision of those individuals.
For InnovExplo Inc., Sylvie Poirier, Eng. (Mining) and Laurent Roy, Eng. (Mining); for Geologica, Alain-Jean Beauregard, Geol. (Geology) and Daniel Gaudreault, Eng. (Geology); for GeoPointcom, Christian D'Amours, Geol. (Resources); for Amec, Stephan Bergeron, Eng. (Environment); for Golder Associates, James Tod, Eng. (Geo-Mechanics); and for WSP Engineering, Michel Garon, Eng. (Metallurgy).
The Company's QPs have also reviewed the technical content of this press release.
Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC")
Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the Lamaque Project including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all drill holes. The core samples are submitted directly to ALS Laboratory Group and Bourlamaque Labs in Val-d'Or for preparation and analysis. Analysis is conducted on 1 assay-ton aliquots. Analysis of Au is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption finish, with a gravimetric finish completed for samples exceeding 5 g/t Au, or a metallic sieve assay for samples containing visible gold. When available the gravimetric or metallic sieve assay results are used for the reported composite intervals.
Further information about the mineral resource estimate cited in this news release can be found in an NI 43-101 compliant technical report for the project, entitled "2013 NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Lamaque Property", dated November 1, 2013, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephen de Jong, CEO & President
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:
No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained on this presentation. This presentation contains "forward-looking information" concerning Integra Gold Corp.'s ("Integra" or the "Company") future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "seeks", "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "continues", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "predicts", "proposes", "potential", "targets" and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "should" or "might" "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements included in this presentation include statements regarding the proposed mining scenario for the Lamaque Project, including information with respect to the expected economic results of the Lamaque Project (including rates of return, payback period and the NPV of the Lamaque Project), estimated capital expenditures and other costs to develop the site, the expected values of gold for the life of the project, rates of development and production, potential mineralization and mineral resources, information with respect to supporting infrastructure, the potential life of mine, rates of employment and the effects of steps taken to mitigate local impacts and the expected completion dates of exploration and drilling, exploration results, estimated and future exploration and administration expenditures, the completion of a feasibility studies, and future plans and objectives of Integra. While all forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties, these statements are based on certain assumptions that management of Integra believes are reasonable, including that it will be able to obtain financing and on reasonable terms, that the PEA will prove to be materially accurate, that its current development and other objectives can be achieved, that its development, exploration and other activities will proceed as expected, that its community and environmental impact procedures will work as anticipated, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that Integra will not experience any material accident, labour dispute or failure or shortage of equipment, and that all necessary government approvals for its planned development and exploration activities will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms.
There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Integra's expectations include, among others, the actual results of development activities being different than those anticipated by Integra, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in estimated mineral resources, future prices of metals, increased costs of labor, equipment or materials, availability of equipment, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated, accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena, risks related to community relations and activities of stakeholders, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although Integra 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 or intended. 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. Integra does not intend, and 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 required by law.