Brigus Gold Provides Black Fox Mine Update
Brigus Gold Corp. ('Brigus? or the 'Company?) (NYSE Amex: BRD) (TSX:
BRD) is pleased to provide an update on continuing progress at its Black
Fox Mine.
The Company expects the Black Fox Mine to produce between 16,500 and
18,000 ounces of gold in the second quarter of 2011 (April to June).
The Black Fox Mine is expected to reach a steady state annual
production level of 104,000 ounces of gold in the third quarter of
2011.
Ore production from both the Phase 2 open pit and underground mine
began at the end of March 2011 and has been ramping up since then.
Commercial production from the Phase 2 open pit was achieved in April
2011 and underground production continues to ramp up with commercial
production levels expected to be attained in June 2011.
The Company is currently mining 300 to 400 tonnes per day (tpd) from
the underground. Underground production is a combination of ore from
the five mining stopes that are currently open and lower-grade
development ore. Underground ore grades from the mining stopes are in
line with the mine plan. Underground production, at an average grade
of 6.2 grams per tonne (gpt), is expected to increase to 800 tpd by
July and approximately 1,000 tpd by year-end. The mine plan calls for
10 to 12 mining stopes to be available by year-end.
The Phase 2 open pit is currently providing 1,600 to 1,700 tpd of ore,
at an average grade of 3.4 gpt, which together with underground
production is maintaining the Black Fox Mill′s 2,000 tpd throughput
capacity. Open pit ore grades are in line with the mine plan. Mining
from the open pit will be reduced as higher-grade underground ore
production increases through the year.
Open pit mining was restricted in Q1 2011 while relocation and
construction of underground mine infrastructure was completed in the
pit area. During Q1, production from low-grade stockpiles was
approximately 8,500 ounces of gold as previously reported. With ore
provided from both open pit and underground, gold production levels
have significantly increased in Q2 and will continue to increase
quarter over quarter throughout 2011.
2011 gold production is expected to total 73,000 to 80,000 ounces for
the year. Cash costs will trend downward through the year and are
expected to be between $575 to $625 per ounce by year-end.
'We are encouraged by the production growth at the Black Fox Mine,? said
Wade K. Dawe, President and CEO of Brigus. 'Increasing production levels
and ongoing positive drilling results from our newly discovered 147 Zone
confirm that we have turned the corner at Black Fox and set the stage
for a positive second half of the year. We will reach steady state
production of over 100,000 ounces annually in the third quarter.?
In conjunction with the ramp up of underground production and ongoing
exploration success, the Company has commissioned an engineering study
to review possible expansion scenarios for the Black Fox Mill. The
results from this initial conceptual study will be provided before the
end of June and will evaluate the opportunity for a multi-year phased
increase in throughput from the current level of 2,000 tpd to a Phase 1
level of approximately 2,200 tpd and a Phase 2 level of approximately
3,000 tpd. As part of the mill expansion, the implementation of a
gravity circuit and additional leach capacity, are expected to improve
the recovery rate as well as the overall production throughput capacity.
About Brigus Gold
Brigus is a growing gold producer committed to maximizing shareholder
value through a strategy of efficient production, targeted exploration
and select acquisitions. The company operates the wholly owned Black Fox
Mine and Mill in the Timmins Gold District of Ontario, Canada. The Black
Fox Complex encompasses the Black Fox Mine and adjoining properties in
the Township of Black River-Matheson, Ontario, Canada. Brigus is also
advancing the Goldfields Project located near Uranium City,
Saskatchewan, Canada, which hosts the Box and Athona gold deposits. In
Mexico, Brigus Gold holds a 100 percent interest in the Ixhuatan Project
located in the state of Chiapas that is subject to a letter of intent
with Cangold. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus has a joint venture
covering three mineral exploration projects that is subject to a letter
of intent with Everton Resources.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All
statements regarding the ability of the Company to achieve targeted gold
production at its Black Fox Mine, including underground production, and
cash costs, meet capital construction schedules and costs, and the
continuation of a rising gold price are forward-looking statements and
estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties. This
forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates,
forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect
to, among other things, the issue of permits, the size and quality of
the company's mineral resources, progress in development of mineral
properties, future production and sales volumes, capital and mine
production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal
prices and treatment and refining charges, and the financial results of
the Company.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from these forward-looking statements include environmental risks and
other factors disclosed under the heading 'Risk Factors? in Brigus
Gold′s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere in Brigus Gold′s
documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the
NYSE Amex Equities, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
and other regulatory authorities. All forward-looking statements
included in this news release are based on information available to the
Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update
any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable
securities laws.
Brigus Gold
Jennifer Nicholson CA, 902-422-1421
Vice
President, Investor Relations
ir@brigusgold.com
or
Wendy
Yang, 303-524-3203
Vice President