Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (“Cornerstone” or “the
Company”) (TSXV:CGP) (OTC:CTNXF)
(FWB:GWN1) is pleased to provide an independently
verified update regarding the Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for
the Tandayama-Ameríca (“TAM”) porphyry copper-gold satellite
deposit located 3km north of the Alpala Deposit1 at its Cascabel
copper-gold porphyry joint venture project in northern Ecuador (see
Figure 1) in which Cornerstone has a 15%
interest2 financed through to completion of a feasibility
study and repayable out of Cornerstone’s share of project earnings,
plus 6.85% of the shares of joint venture partner and Project
operator SolGold Plc, for a total direct and indirect interest in
Cascabel of 20.8%.
Figures referenced in this news release can be viewed through
the following link:
https://cornerstoneresources.com/site/assets/files/5851/nr22-12figures.pdf.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Total
Mineral Resource at the TAM deposit is updated to 528.5Mt @ 0.36%
copper equivalent
(CuEq)3 for 1.27Mt Cu,
and 3.16Moz Au in the Measured plus Indicated categories, equating
to an increase in contained metal of approximately 0.74 Mt Cu and
1.96 Moz Au compared to the maiden MRE announced on October 19,
2021.
Mineral Resource Statement: Effective date 30 March
2022 |
PotentialMiningMethod |
Cut-offGrade(CuEq %) |
ResourceCategory |
Tonnage(Mt) |
Grade |
Contained Metal |
Cu(%) |
Au(g/t) |
CuEq(%) |
Cu(Mt) |
Au(Moz) |
CuEq(Mt) |
Open Pit |
0.16 |
Measured |
17.8 |
0.20 |
0.16 |
0.30 |
0.04 |
0.09 |
0.05 |
Indicated |
338.7 |
0.23 |
0.21 |
0.36 |
0.78 |
2.28 |
1.23 |
Inferred |
35.7 |
0.22 |
0.23 |
0.36 |
0.08 |
0.26 |
0.13 |
Underground |
0.28 |
Indicated |
172.0 |
0.26 |
0.14 |
0.35 |
0.45 |
0.78 |
0.60 |
Inferred |
69.4 |
0.26 |
0.16 |
0.36 |
0.18 |
0.36 |
0.25 |
Total Measured + Indicated |
528.5 |
0.24 |
0.19 |
0.36 |
1.27 |
3.16 |
1.89 |
|
Total Inferred |
105.1 |
0.24 |
0.18 |
0.36 |
0.26 |
0.62 |
0.38 |
|
Notes:
1. Dr Andrew Fowler, MAusIMM CP(Geo), Principal
Geology Consultant of Mining Plus, is responsible for this Mineral
Resource statement and is an "independent Qualified Person" as such
term is defined in NI 43-101.2. The Mineral Resource is
reported using cut-off grades that are applied according to the
mining method where 0.16 % CuEq applies to potentially
open-pittable material and 0.28 % CuEq applies to material
potentially mineable by underground bulk mining methods. Copper
equivalency is discussed in detail in “Reasonable Prospects for
Eventual Economic Extraction”.3. The Mineral
Resource is considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction by open pit or underground bulk mining such as
block caving as described below.4. Mineral
Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability.5. The statement uses the
terminology, definitions and guidelines given in the CIM Standards
on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014) as required by
NI 43-101.6. The underground portion of the Mineral
Resource is reported on 100 percent basis within an optimized shape
as described below.7. Figures may not compute due to
rounding.
- Potentially open pittable
Mineral Resources comprise 356.5Mt @ 0.36% CuEq in the Measured
plus Indicated categories, plus 35.7Mt @ 0.36% CuEq in the Inferred
category, at a cut-off grade of 0.16% CuEq.
- Optimization studies of the
potentially open pittable Mineral Resource show a higher-grade
internal zone containing 223.3Mt @ 0.41% CuEq which includes an
outcropping zone containing 28.0Mt @ 0.43% CuEq and 10.5Mt @ 0.55%
CuEq.
- Mineral Resources
potentially mineable by underground bulk mining methods comprise
172.0Mt @ 0.35% CuEq in the Indicated category, plus 69.4Mt @ 0.36%
CuEq in the Inferred category, at a cut-off grade of 0.28%
CuEq.
- Potentially open pittable
Measured plus Indicated resources CuEq metal content has grown by
94% compared to the TAM Maiden MRE, to 0.82Mt Cu and 2.37Moz Au in
MRE#2. Similarly, TAM underground Measured plus Indicated resources
CuEq metal content has grown by 445% to 0.45Mt Cu and 0.78Moz Au in
MRE#2.
- Mineral Resources
potentially mineable by underground bulk mining methods include a
higher-grade core that continues to remain open to the southeast
and at depth and will be the focus of further drilling aimed at
quantifying potential of other underground mining methods such as
sub-level caving and sub-level open stoping.
- Following completion of
Hole 42 at TAM on 29 April 2022, the drill machine was moved to the
Moran target to commence exploration drilling of hole MOD-22-001.
This hole is at a current depth of 414.7m and continues to
intersect visible chalcopyrite copper sulphide mineralization from
19.1m to its current depth.
Darryl Cuzzubbo, CEO of Project Operator SolGold
commented on the work being advanced at Cascabel:
“The Cascabel project continues to grow with
more drilling with the additional resources being identified at TAM
providing an open pit resource potentially enabling Cascabel
production to be brought forward and a significant risk mitigation
to any ramp up delays in the underground production.”
FURTHER INFORMATION
TAM MRE#2
On 30 March 2022, a data cut-off was applied to
the TAM dataset for the purposes of an updated Mineral Resource
Estimation (“MRE#2”). The TAM MRE#2 dataset comprised 30,892m of
diamond drilling from holes 1-41, 458m of surface rock-saw channel
sampling from 72 outcrops, and 29,631.6m of final assay results
from holes 1-40 (Figure 2). This equates to an
additional 15,065.6m of final assays results received since the
recent release of TAM maiden MRE.
The estimation process followed the Canadian
Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) “Estimation
of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines”
(“CIM, 2019”). The Mineral Resource Estimate is stated in
accordance with CIM Definition Standards (“CIM, 2014”) and Canadian
National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”).
Ordinary Kriging (“OK”) was run in three search
passes and with soft boundaries using Leapfrog Edge software. The
estimation of Cu and Au was confined within 3D estimation domains,
which were based on the combination of two 3D wireframe
interpretations:
- Grade Shell
Interpretation: Low-, Medium- and High-Grade shells equating to
CuEq cut-off grades of 0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45% respectively
(Figure 3).
- Lithological
Interpretation: Modelling of seven rock groups, comprising “D10”
(Pre-Mineral Diorite Host Rock), “EM” (Early-Mineral Quartz Diorite
and Diorite), “IBX” (Pre-Mineral Intrusive Breccia), “IM”
(Intra-mineral Quartz Diorite and Diorite), “LM” (Late-mineral
Diorite), “PM” (Post-mineral Quartz Diorite and Diorite), “V”
(Pre-Mineral Volcanic Host Rocks), and “SOI” (soil and oxidised
rock) (Figure 4).
Model validation tests have not exhibited any
material bias between the input composite grades and the block
model estimates.
The TAM MRE is constrained within a 3D Open Pit
Optimised Shape (“OP”) and an Underground Optimised Shape (“UG”),
whereby the UG “daylights” into the floor of the OP (Figure
5).
The TAM deposit shares the same geological and
structural setting as the Alpala deposit. Mineralization is hosted
within a complex of middle to late-Eocene (Bartonian)
hornblende-bearing diorites, quartz diorites and intrusive breccias
that intrude volcanic host rocks to form a complex of stocks,
dykes, and breccia pipes.
The trend of mineralization throughout the TAM
deposit is defined by a northwest (315○) trending intrusive complex
inclined steeply (78○) towards the northeast. Surface mapping data
was supported by structural measurements taken from orientated
drill core provided data from 127 intrusive contacts and 3062
B-type quartz veins.
Copper and gold mineralization is intimately
associated with porphyry style B-type quartz-chalcopyrite veins and
stockworks, centred upon an early-mineral causal quartz-diorite
intrusion (QD10), and cut by a series of intra-mineral,
late-mineral and post-mineral stocks dykes and breccias of diorite,
hornblende diorite, and quartz diorite.
Intrusions have emplaced episodically such that
each subsequent intrusion has introduced mineralizing fluids (and
subsequent arrays of mineralized veins) into the TAM system, and/or
remobilizing and enriching existing mineralization or contributed
to localized overprinting of pre-existing mineralization.
The geological character of the porphyry stocks
/ dykes encountered through drilling to date indicate a
well-preserved porphyry system with significant potential for
greater depth extent. Individual mineralized porphyry dykes are
observed to have emplaced within a vertical column of over
1,000m.
The full size and tenor of the TAM system has
not yet been tested. Mineralization remains open to the south and
east and at depth. Further surface geochemical anomalies to the
east of the current drilling area require drill testing.
Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic
Extraction
The cut-off grades used for reporting have been
based on up to date third party metal price research, forecasting
of Cu and Au prices, and a cost structure from mining studies
currently being reviewed. Costs include mining, processing and
general and administration (“G&A”). Net Smelter Return (“NSR”)
includes metallurgical recoveries and off-site realisation
(“TC/RC”) including royalties and utilising metal prices of Cu at
US$3.30/lb and Au at US$1,700/oz.
Cut-off grades have been developed independently
for open pit mining methods and underground bulk mining methods.
The cut-off grade for potentially open pittable material has been
calculated at 0.16% CuEq using a copper equivalency factor of
0.632, while the cut-off grade for material potentially mineable by
a bulk underground mining method such as block caving has been
calculated at 0.28% CuEq using a copper equivalency factor of
0.654.
Optimization was completed in two stages, with
the open pit optimization initially applied to the block model, and
the remaining material was then considered for underground
optimization.
The open pit optimization was completed using
the conventional Lerchs-Grossman optimization routine implemented
in Whittle software, and the revenue factor one pit was selected
for reporting the Mineral Resource. The QP considers that the open
pit portion of the reported Mineral Resource, has reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction at the specified cut-off
grade.
Subsequently, a three-dimensional Underground
Optimized Shape (“UOS”) was generated using Datamine software at a
cut-off grade of 0.28% CuEq. This cut-off grade was based on costs
associated with the block cave mining method. The UOS maximizes the
tonnes above the cut-off while ensuring that all material was part
of a minimum mining unit with geometry appropriate for a block cave
of 120 m length by 120 m width by 200 m height.
These minimum mining dimensions for a block cave are consistent
with Mining Plus’s experience and the resulting shape contains
planned internal and edge dilution that the QP considers
appropriate.
It is noteworthy that the OP and UG optimized
shapes are not described as “mineable shapes”. Mining factors
excluded from this analysis include, but are not limited to,
capital costs (non-mining, access and footprint establishment),
regional pillars, footprint geometries, unplanned dilution and the
time value of money. However, the shape does enclose a contiguous
and appropriately diluted Mineral Resource that, by virtue of its
grade and geometry, should be considered for inclusion within a
mineable shape. As such, the QP considers that the underground
portion of the reported Mineral Resource, has reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction by the block cave underground
mining method at the specified cut-off grade.
An assessment of whether the project as a whole
is economically viable has not been made under this analysis.
Moran Target
Following completion of Hole 42 at TAM on 29
April 2022, the drill machine was moved to the Moran target where
exploration drilling of hole MOD-22-001 is at a current depth of
414.7m and continues to intersect visible chalcopyrite copper
sulphide mineralization from 19.1m to its current depth. The
mineralization style holds close affinities to that at the Alpala
and TAM deposits, with copper sulphide mineralization formed as
“B-type” quartz-chalcopyrite veins and disseminated chalcopyrite
mineralization. Visual logging of copper sulphides includes
intervals containing over 2.2% chalcopyrite by volume and up to
2.2% “B-type” quartz-chalcopyrite veins by volume.
Mineralization encountered thus far at the Moran
target is hosted within volcanic, intrusive breccia and diorite
porphyry rocks. Examples of drill core from the last week of
drilling are shown in Figures 6,
7 and 8.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control on
Sample Collection, Security and Assaying
SolGold operates according to its rigorous
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol, which is
consistent with industry best practices.
Primary sample collection involves secure
transport from SolGold’s concessions in Ecuador, to the ALS
certified sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. Samples
are then air freighted from Quito to the ALS certified laboratory
in Lima, Peru where the assaying of drill core, channel samples,
rock chips and soil samples is undertaken. SolGold utilises ALS
certified laboratories in Canada and Australia for the analysis of
metallurgical samples.
Samples are prepared and analyzed using 100g
4-Acid digest ICP with MS finish for 48 elements on a 0.25g aliquot
(ME-MS61). Laboratory performance is routinely monitored using
umpire assays, check batches and inter-laboratory comparisons
between ALS certified laboratory in Lima and the ACME certified
laboratory in Cuenca, Ecuador.
In order to monitor the ongoing quality of its
analytical database, SolGold’s QA/QC protocol encompasses standard
sampling methodologies, including the insertion of certified powder
blanks, coarse chip blanks, standards, pulp duplicates and field
duplicates. The blanks and standards are Certified Reference
Materials supplied by Ore Research and Exploration, Australia.
SolGold’s QA/QC protocol also monitors the
ongoing quality of its analytical database. The Company’s protocol
involves Independent data validation of the digital analytical
database including search for sample overlaps, duplicate or absent
samples as well as anomalous assay and survey results. These are
routinely performed ahead of Mineral Resource Estimates and
Feasibility Studies. No material QA/QC issues have been identified
with respect to sample collection, security and assaying.
Reviews of the sample preparation, chain of
custody, data security procedures and assaying methods used by
SolGold confirm that they are consistent with industry best
practices and all results stated in this announcement have passed
SolGold’s QA/QC protocol.
The data aggregation method for calculating
Copper Equivalent (CuEq) for down-hole drilling intercepts and
rock-saw channel sampling intervals are reported using copper
equivalent (CuEq) cut-off grades with up to 10m internal dilution,
excluding bridging to a single sample and with minimum intersection
length of 50m.
Qualified Person
Information in this news release relating to the
exploration results is based on data reviewed by Jason Ward ((CP)
B.Sc. Geol.), the Chief Geologist of SolGold Plc, the Project
operator. Mr. Ward is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, holds the designation FAusIMM (CP), and has
in excess of 20 years’ experience in mineral exploration and is a
Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr
Ward consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and
context in which it appears.
Information in this news release relating to the
Mineral Resource Estimate was reviewed by Dr. Andrew Fowler, who is
a Chartered Professional Member of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy and has over 20 years’ experience in Mineral
Resource Estimation, open pit mining, underground mining and
mineral exploration. He is an independent Qualified Person for the
purposes of the relevant TSX Rules. Dr. Fowler consents to the
inclusion of the information in the form and context in which it
appears.
Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstone's Vice
President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the
exploration program at the Cascabel project for Cornerstone and has
reviewed and approved the information contained in this news
release.
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral
exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in
Ecuador and Chile, including the Cascabel gold-enriched copper
porphyry joint venture in northwest Ecuador. Cornerstone has a
20.8% direct and indirect interest in Cascabel comprised of (i) a
direct 15% interest in the project financed through to completion
of a feasibility study and repayable at Libor plus 2% out of 90% of
its share of the earnings or dividends from an operation at
Cascabel, plus (ii) an indirect interest comprised of 6.85% of the
shares of joint venture partner and project operator SolGold Plc.
Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (“ENSA”), an Ecuadoran company owned
by SolGold and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including
SolGold’s fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold
Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the
remaining 15% of ENSA.
Further information is available on
Cornerstone’s website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on
Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please
contact:
Investor Relations: Mario Drolet; Email: Mario@mi3.ca; Tel.
(514) 904-1333
Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and
others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and
who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe
at http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/InformationRequest.asp
Cautionary Notice:This news
release may contain ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ that involve risks
and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstone’s beliefs,
plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The
words “potential,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“intend”, “trends”, “indicate”, “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could”,
“project,” “plan,” or the negative or other variations of these
words and similar expressions are intended to be among the
statements that identify ‘Forward-Looking Statements.’ Although
Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these
‘Forward-Looking Statements’ are reasonable, such statements may
involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in
our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at
www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of
financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological
phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional,
and global scale, including those of anti-mining sentiment in
certain regions of Ecuador, or of an environmental, climatic,
natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory
nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to
be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking
Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information
contained in this news release to be as correct and current as
possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation
as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or
information contained herein and these statements should not be
relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news
release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may
cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to
update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where
outcomes have varied materially from the original statements.
On Behalf of the Board, Brooke MacdonaldPresident and CEO
Neither 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.
________________________1 The Alpala deposit
comprises 2,663 Mt at 0.53% CuEq (see how calculated in next
paragraph) in the Measured plus Indicated categories and contained
metal content of 9.9 Mt Cu, 21.7 Moz Au and 92.2 Moz Ag (Alpala
“MRE#3”). The deposit measures approximately 900m in height and
500m diameter. See “Cascabel Property NI 43-101 Technical Report,
Alpala Porphyry Copper-Gold-Silver Deposit - Mineral Resource
Estimation, January 2021” with an Effective date: 18 March 2020 and
Amended Date: 15 January 2021 (the “Amended Technical
Report”), filed at www.Sedar.com on January 29, 2021:
https://cornerstoneresources.com/site/assets/files/5574/2101_cascabel_mre3.pdf.
Alpala MRE#3 was reported at a cut-off grade of
0.21% copper equivalent (CuEq) using a copper equivalency factor of
0.613 (whereby CuEq = Cu + Au x 0.613). Cut-off grades and copper
equivalency used for reporting were based on third party metal
price research, forecasting of Cu and Au prices, and a cost
structure from mining studies data available at the time. Costs
include mining, processing and general and administration
(G&A). Net Smelter Return (NSR) includes metallurgical
recoveries and off-site realization (TCRC) including royalties and
utilising metal prices of Cu at US$3.40/lb and Au at
US$1,400/oz.
2 See “About Cornerstone” below.
3 Cut-off grades at TAM have been developed
independently for open pit mining methods and underground bulk
mining methods. Cut-off grades and copper equivalency used for
reporting were based on third party metal price research,
forecasting of Cu and Au prices, and a cost structure from mining
studies data available at the time. Costs include mining,
processing and general and administration (G&A). Net Smelter
Return (NSR) includes metallurgical recoveries and off-site
realization (TCRC) including royalties and utilizing metal prices
of Cu at US$3.30/lb and Au at US$1,700/oz. The cut-off grade for
potentially open pittable material has been calculated at 0.16%
CuEq with a gold conversion factor of 0.632 (CuEq = Cu + Au x
0.632), while the cut-off grade for material potentially mineable
by a bulk underground mining method such as block caving has been
calculated at 0.28% CuEq with a gold conversion factor of 0.654
(CuEq = Cu + Au x 0.654)m.
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