Karmin Announces Significant Developments at Aripuanã Zinc Project and Retracts Previously Released Technical Information
Karmin Exploration Inc. (“Karmin”) (TSXV and the Lima Stock Exchange: KAR) is pleased to report significant developments at the Aripuanã Zinc Project (“Aripuanã”) located in north-western Brazil. Karmin has a 30% carried interest in Aripuanã until 12 months after the delivery of a feasibility study.
Mineral Resources and Engineering Studies
Karmin has engaged RPA Inc. to update the Mineral Resources at the Aripuanã Zinc Project in accordance with the requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Approximately 150 drill holes totalling an estimated 59,000 metres have been drilled from the date of RPA’s last NI 43-101 report dated January 29, 2013 (Karmin Press Release dated February 21, 2013) and August 31, 2015. Currently there are five drill rigs operating at Aripuanã. Karmin anticipates that RPA Inc. will have completed this work in or around the first quarter of 2016.
Karmin also announces that Compañía Minera Milpo S.A.A. (“Milpo”) (Lima Stock Exchange: MILPOC1), which company holds a 7.7% interest in Aripuanã, has engaged Worley Parsons Ltd. (“Worley Parsons”) to conduct gap analyses and trade off studies on internal reports concerning Aripuanã that have been previously completed by Votorantim Metais Zinc S.A. (“Votorantim”). Worley Parsons’ work on these items is expected to be completed in or around the first quarter of 2016. Milpo has also received firm quotations from engineering firms with the objective of completing a feasibility study to be prepared in accordance with the standards set out in NI 43-101 sometime during 2016. Milpo and Votorantim jointly own 70% of Aripuanã and are responsible for 100% of expenditures until 12 months after the delivery of a feasibility study. Karmin understands that affiliates of Votorantim own 60% of Milpo.
A metallurgical testing program is also underway at Aripuanã in association with the other work programs contracted by Milpo and the results of this program should also be known in or around the third quarter of 2016.
Retraction of Information Contained In Previously Released Environmental Impact Study
In its October 6, 2015 press release, Karmin announced the filing by Votorantim of an Environmental Impact Study (“EIS”) on Aripuanã with the Secretaria de Estado do Meio Ambiente in Mato Grosso Brazil. The disclosure in Karmin’s press release in respect of the EIS also included information in respect of production potential that had been incorporated into the EIS. The production potential and life of mine disclosure included in the EIA were not prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and were not based on a NI 43-101 report and as a result, Karmin is retracting all statements in respect of such information in its press release and disclaiming and retracting all such information contained in the EIS.
Infrastructure Development
The State of Mato Grosso has committed to paving the 230 kilometre highway from Castanheira to the town of Aripuanã so that Aripuanã is connected to the Brazilian highway system.
Surface rights have been purchased by Votorantim in the vicinity of Aripuanã which provide sufficient area to build facilities required for any future development of Aripuanã.
Karmin also understands that preliminary discussions are underway to supply 34.5kV electrical power to Aripuanã which would be sufficient if construction activities are commenced in the future.
Management of the Aripuanã Zinc Project
Votorantim and Milpo have assembled a highly qualified project team to jointly manage the current work programs. This team is working in conjunction with respected contractors such as Worley Parsons to complete the ambitious work programs planned during the coming months.
Qualified Person
The Mineral Resources for Aripuanã disclosed below in this press release have been prepared by Votorantim and reviewed by Ms. Valerie Wilson, P.Geo, an employee of RPA and independent of Karmin. Ms. Wilson, P.Geo., has read and approved the contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed Mineral Resource estimate.
About Karmin
The common shares of Karmin are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Lima Stock Exchange and trade in both markets under the symbol “KAR”. The principal business of Karmin is to acquire, explore and develop resource properties.
Karmin owns 30% of Aripuanã, one of the ten largest undeveloped zinc projects in the world. Aripuanã covers an 820 square kilometre mineralized massive-sulphide district that includes five areas of mineralization (Ambrex, Arex, Babacu, Massaranduba and Mocoto) over a 25-kilometre strike length. Votorantim and Milpo own the remaining 70% of Aripuanã, but are responsible for 100% of the project costs until 12 months after the completion of a feasibility study.
The Summary of Mineral Resources at Aripuanã is outlined in Table 1. This summary is detailed in a Technical Report prepared by RPA Inc. which conforms to NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is dated January 29, 2013 (see Karmin press release dated February 21, 2013).
TABLE #1 SUMMARY OF MINERAL RESOURCES – ARIPUANÃ September 12, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Grade | Contained Metal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tonnage | Zn | Pb | Cu | Au | Ag | Zn | Pb | Cu | Au | Ag | ||||||||||||
Mt | % | % | % | g/t | g/t | M lb | M lb | M lb | Oz | K Oz | ||||||||||||
AREX | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Measured | 2.4 | 7.15 | 2.50 | 0.51 | 0.24 | 73 | 378 | 132 | 27 | 19,000 | 5,633 | |||||||||||
Indicated | 2.5 | 3.50 | 1.18 | 1.36 | 0.64 | 37 | 195 | 65 | 76 | 52,000 | 2,996 | |||||||||||
Inferred | 3.2 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 39 | 278 | 101 | 57 | 73,000 | 4,001 | |||||||||||
AMBREX | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Indicated | 14.2 | 3.39 | 1.23 | 0.07 | 0.18 | 29 | 1,062 | 386 | 23 | 82,000 | 13,389 | |||||||||||
Inferred | 11.5 | 5.0 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.30 | 40 | 1,269 | 436 | 36 | 108,000 | 14,657 | |||||||||||
AREX + AMBREX | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Measured + Indicated | 19.1 | 3.87 | 1.38 | 0.30 | 0.25 | 36 | 1,635 | 584 | 125 | 153,000 | 22,018 | |||||||||||
Inferred | 14.7 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 39 | 1,547 | 536 | 93 | 181,000 | 8,560 | |||||||||||
Notes:
- CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
- Mineral Resources are reported as within mineralized wireframes modelled at 3% Zn in the stratabound zone and 0.5% Cu in the stringer zone and include internal dilution.
- The Ambrex resource database does not include results of drilling in 2012.
- Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Karmin owns 100% of the Aripuanã Gold Project, which encompasses the gold and silver mineralization associated with near-surface oxidized portions of numerous massive-sulphide deposits in the 820-square-kilometre Aripuanã Zinc Project in north-western Brazil.
Karmin owns 100% of the 25-square-kilometre Cushuro Gold Project located in the world-class Alto Chicama gold-mining district of northern Peru.
Disclaimer Relating to Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the belief of management and reflect Karmin’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, possible events and statements. The words “potential,” “possible,” “expects,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or “believes,” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will” be taken or occur, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, but are not limited to the mineral resource estimates and the business plans of Karmin. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Karmin with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.
Such statements are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections in the forward-looking statements will not occur, and that actual performance and results in future periods may differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The Aripuanã Zinc Project and the land it relates to is an exploration property only. Accordingly, there are a number of important factors that could cause Karmin’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors relating to the Aripuanã Zinc Project include, among others, the timing and content of work programs, results of the development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimates, receipt and security of mineral property titles, receipt of licenses to conduct mining activities, project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices and general market and industry conditions, changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, policies and regulations, the security of personnel and assets, and political or economic developments in Canada and Brazil, operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, employee relations, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development and the risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Except as required by law, Karmin disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Karmin undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Contact
Karmin Exploration Inc.
David Brace, 416-367-0369
Chief Executive Officer
davidbrace@karmin.com
or
John Iannozzi, 519-337-5302
Chief Financial Officer
johni@karmin.com