REG - Atalaya Mining PLC - New Resource Estimates: San Dionisio & San Antonio
13/04/2022 07:00
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RNS Number : 1913I Atalaya Mining PLC 13 April 2022
A version of this announcement containing all referenced figures can be found
on
the Company's website at www.atalayamining.com (http://www.atalayamining.com)
(the "Website Announcement").
13 April 2022
Atalaya Mining Plc.
("Atalaya" or "the Company")
New Independent Mineral Resource Estimates for San Dionisio and San Antonio
Including open pit zone at San Dionisio with an estimated copper resource
grade
that is ~140% higher than existing reserves at Cerro Colorado open pit
Atalaya Mining Plc (AIM: ATYM, TSX: AYM) is pleased to announce new Mineral
Resource Estimates, prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure
requirements of NI 43-101, for its San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits,
which form part of Proyecto Riotinto and are located adjacent to the Company's
operating Cerro Colorado open pit and 15 Mtpa plant. The estimates will be
included in a new NI 43-101 technical report that is being prepared by Ore
Reserves Engineering for the overall Proyecto Riotinto property and which will
be published in Q2 2022.
Highlights
· San Dionisio Open Pit resource: west extension of existing Cerro
Colorado open pit
‒ M&I Resource: 56.1 Mt at 0.91% Cu, 1.14% Zn, 0.23% Pb (0.15%
Cu cut-off)
‒ Copper resource grade: ~140% higher than existing reserves at
Cerro Colorado
· San Dionisio Underground: polymetallic resource located below
potential open pit
‒ Inferred Resource: 12.4 Mt at 1.01% Cu, 2.54% Zn, 0.62% Pb
· San Antonio Underground: polymetallic resource east of the Cerro
Colorado pit
‒ Inferred Resource: 11.8 Mt at 1.32% Cu, 1.79% Zn, 0.99% Pb
· Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") is planned during 2022 for an
operating schedule that combines Cerro Colorado reserves with higher grade
material from the San Dionisio deposit
· Subject to the relocation of certain infrastructure and receipt of
final permits, the potential open pit at San Dionisio could begin to deliver
material to the Proyecto Riotinto plant by mid to late 2023
‒ Could potentially account for approximately one-third of processing
capacity, with Cerro Colorado ore providing the remainder
‒ San Dionisio contains copper mineralisation that could be processed
at the existing plant with minimal modifications
‒ Contribution from San Dionisio could potentially provide an uplift to
Riotinto copper production by increasing the blended head grade
Alberto Lavandeira, CEO, commented:
"The completion of an independent Mineral Resource Estimate for the San
Dionisio deposit is an important milestone for Atalaya. As a result of its
location beside Cerro Colorado and its nature as a pit extension, San Dionisio
could become a near-term source of feed for the Proyecto Riotinto plant. Its
development could provide material that is substantially higher grade than
Cerro Colorado's existing reserves, thereby increasing copper production while
maintaining current plant processing rates.
Similarly, the new NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for San
Antonio highlights another potential source of higher grade material that
could increase production and extend mine life in the Riotinto District. Its
proximity to the Riotinto plant and legacy infrastructure are expected to
expedite future development and reduce capital intensity."
Proyecto Riotinto Overview
Since its restart in 2015, all mining at Proyecto Riotinto has been conducted
from the Cerro Colorado open pit. The other known mineral deposits within the
Riotinto concession area - the San Dionisio deposit and the San Antonio
deposit - have not been mined by Atalaya.
The San Dionisio deposit is located less than 1 kilometre west of the Cerro
Colorado pit, and was historically mined by the Corta Atalaya open pit and the
Pozo Alfredo underground mine, which targeted copper-rich stockwork and
massive sulphide mineralisation.
The San Antonio deposit is located around 1 kilometre east of the Cerro
Colorado pit. It is an eastern extension of the historical Planes deposit,
which was mined in the early 20(th) century. Mineralisation at San Antonio is
characterised mainly by massive sulphides and the deposit is shallow at 150 -
300 metres below surface. In the 1960s and 1970s, an exploration programme at
the deposit was undertaken by sinking a shaft, developing two levels and
completing 183 drill holes, however, no mining took place. The deposit can be
accessed by a ramp collared at the east of the Cerro Colorado pit.
Figure 1: Approximate Locations of Riotinto orebodies (refer to Website
announcement)
New Proyecto Riotinto NI 43-101 Technical Report
Ore Reserves Engineering of Lakewood, CO, was retained by Atalaya to prepare a
new NI 43-101 technical report for the overall Proyecto Riotinto property,
including the Cerro Colorado, San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits.
San Dionisio Mineral Resource Estimation Details
The drilling data used for resource estimation was based on 1,003 drillholes
over 83,554 metres, of which 45 holes over 16,991 metres were completed by
Atalaya between 2015-2021, while the remainder by past operators.
The Mineral Resource model was created as a three-dimensional block model
using Datamine Studio RM software. The model block size is 10x10x10 metres,
which is consistent with the estimated mining bench height and the estimated
selective mining unit. The horizontal extent of the model is defined to cover
the San Dionisio deposit, plus sufficient space outside the deposit to cover
the ultimate pit.
San Dionisio Mineral Resource Estimate
Table 1: San Dionisio Open Pit - By Cut-off
San Dionisio Open Pit - Total Mineral Resource
% Cu Grade Contained Metal
cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt
0.14 Measured 50.8 0.92 1.09 0.21 467 556 108
Indicated 6.6 0.70 1.31 0.35 46 86 23
M+I 57.4 0.89 1.12 0.23 513 642 131
Inferred 0.9 0.77 0.54 0.23 7 5 2
0.15 Measured 49.7 0.94 1.11 0.22 466 552 107
Indicated 6.4 0.71 1.33 0.35 46 86 23
M+I 56.1 0.91 1.14 0.23 511 638 130
Inferred 0.8 0.78 0.55 0.23 7 5 2
0.16 Measured 48.5 0.96 1.13 0.22 464 548 106
Indicated 6.3 0.72 1.35 0.36 45 85 22
M+I 54.8 0.93 1.16 0.23 509 633 128
Inferred 0.8 0.79 0.56 0.24 7 5 2
Notes: July 2021 Model (21G) - 31 Dec 2020 Topo - $3.60/lb Cu Pit; totals may
not sum due to rounding
Table 2: San Dionisio Open Pit - By Ore Type
San Dionisio Open Pit - Copper Resource (MinZ & Zone2a)
% Cu Grade Contained Metal
cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt
0.15 Measured 27.0 0.78 0.28 0.06 212 75 17
Indicated 2.0 0.66 0.18 0.04 13 4 1
M+I 29.0 0.78 0.27 0.06 225 78 18
Inferred 0.4 0.95 0.19 0.03 4 1 0
San Dionisio Open Pit - Polymetallic Resource (Contact & MS)
% Cu Grade Contained Metal
cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt
0.15 Measured 22.6 1.12 2.11 0.40 253 477 90
Indicated 4.4 0.73 1.85 0.49 32 82 22
M+I 27.0 1.06 2.07 0.41 286 559 112
Inferred 0.4 0.62 0.91 0.43 3 4 2
Notes: July 2021 Model (21G) - 31 Dec 2020 Topo - $3.60/lb Cu Pit; totals may
not sum due to rounding
Table 3: San Dionisio Underground
San Dionisio Underground - Total Mineral Resource
Grade Contained Metal
Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt
Inferred Resource 12.4 1.01 2.54 0.62 125 315 76
Notes: July 2021 Model (21G); totals may not sum due to rounding
Planned Preliminary Economic Assessment
The new Mineral Resource Estimate for San Dionisio will be used to support a
PEA that considers concurrent mining from the Cerro Colorado open pit and the
open pit portion of the San Dionisio deposit. Atalaya expects to complete the
PEA in 2022.
San Dionisio Conceptual Development Plan
Based on the new Mineral Resource Estimate and prior internal studies, Atalaya
believes that the development of the San Dionisio deposit has the potential to
create significant value for the Company. The Company will further evaluate
the development plan in the PEA.
Mining
The open pit portion of the Mineral Resource at San Dionisio is expected to be
mineable by conventional open pit methods, with San Dionisio being an
extension of the operating Cerro Colorado open pit. In order to expand the
Cerro Colorado pit into the San Dionisio area, the Company would need to
relocate the public road, power lines and water lines that currently run
between the two deposits. Further dewatering of the historical Atalaya pit
would also be required once open pit mining reaches a certain level, similar
to how Cerro Colorado was operated.
Mining would be conducted concurrently at San Dionisio and Cerro Colorado,
with current expectations that San Dionisio would contribute approximately
one-third of existing processing capacity of 15 Mtpa, while Cerro Colorado
would account for the remaining two-thirds of ore.
Processing
San Dionisio has two main types of mineralisation - copper and polymetallic.
In the initial years of operation, copper-rich material plus approximately 10%
high-grade polymetallic material would be mined from the upper zones of the
Mineral Resource and processed. According to past metallurgical tests and
additional work completed by the Company, it is expected that San Dionisio
copper material could be blended with ore from Cerro Colorado and processed at
the existing Proyecto Riotinto plant without requiring any major plant
modifications.
Upon transitioning to the polymetallic mineralisation, certain modifications
to the plant are expected to be required in order to improve copper recoveries
and recover zinc and lead. Options include the addition of a conventional
differential flotation circuit, and / or the application of the E-LIX System.
Atalaya recently approved construction of a Phase I industrial plant that
utilises the E-LIX System.
Impact
The contribution by San Dionisio of approximately one-third of future
processing feed is expected to provide an uplift to the blended grade at the
plant, due to San Dionisio's open pit copper resource grade being
approximately 140% higher than Cerro Colorado's existing reserves. This is
expected to provide an uplift to copper production at Proyecto Riotinto, even
as plant processing capacity is maintained at current levels.
As other deposits in the Riotinto District are developed, such as San Antonio
and Proyecto Masa Valverde, further Cerro Colorado ore is expected to be
displaced to provide additional capacity for higher grade material.
Permitting
The Company is advancing the various permits and modifications required to
develop the San Dionisio deposit and to continue operations at Cerro Colorado,
including those related to relocating the public road, power lines and water
lines, additional long term tailings capacity and heritage matters.
San Antonio Mineral Resource Estimation Details
The drilling data used for resource estimation was based on 185 drillholes
over 18,305 metres, of which 8 holes over 1,504 metres were completed by
Atalaya, with the remainder by past operators.
The Mineral Resource model for the mineralised zone of San Antonio was created
as a three-dimensional block model using Datamine Studio RM software. The
model block size is 2x2x2 metres, which is used to more accurately define the
geometry of the deposit. The horizontal extent of the model is defined to
cover the San Antonio deposit and the adjacent Planes deposit, plus sufficient
space outside the deposit for mine planning.
San Antonio Mineral Resource Estimate
Table 4: San Antonio Underground
San Antonio Underground - Total Mineral Resource
Grade Contained Metal
Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt
Inferred Resource 11.8 1.32 1.79 0.99 155 210 117
Notes: May 2021 Model (21E); totals may not sum due to rounding
San Antonio Conceptual Development Plan
Mining of the San Antonio deposit is likely to be conducted via underground
methods. The deposit would be accessed by constructing a ramp collared in the
eastern portion of the Cerro Colorado pit that connects to the historical Pozo
Rotilio shaft, which could provide the future mine with ventilation and an
emergency exit. Due to San Antonio's shallow nature and sub-horizontal shape,
the mining methods are expected to be room and pillar and complemented with
sublevel open stoping.
In advance of any development decision for San Antonio, the Company will
complete additional drilling from surface, including confirmation and infill
drilling to upgrade the current Inferred Resources to higher categories, as
well as exploration drilling to the east where the deposit is believed to
remain open. In addition, metallurgical testwork will be required to confirm
recoveries and determine whether conventional differential flotation or the
E-LIX System are most suitable.
Qualified Person Statement
The Mineral Resource Estimates for San Dionisio and San Antonio were prepared
by Ore Reserves Engineering ("ORE") in accordance with CIM guidelines and with
Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") under the
supervision of Alan Noble, PE of ORE. Mr. Noble is a Qualified Person as
defined under NI 43-101 and the AIM Rules and is independent of the Company.
Mr. Noble consents to the inclusion of information related to Mineral
Resources in this disclosure, in the form and context it appears.
Glossary of Terms
Ag Silver
Au Gold
CIM Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
Cu Copper
CuEq Copper Equivalent
FLEM Fixed Loop Electromagnetic Survey
g/t Grams per tonne
Indicated Mineral Resources An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are
estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying
Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the
economic viability of the deposit.
Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable
exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and
grade or quality continuity between points of observation.
An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that
applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a
Probable Mineral Reserve.
Inferred Mineral Resource An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological
evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not
verify geological and grade or quality continuity.
An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that
applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a
Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred
Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with
continued exploration.
kt Thousand tonnes
Measured Mineral Resources A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are
estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying
Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic
viability of the deposit.
Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration,
sampling and testing and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade or
quality continuity between points of observation. A Measured Mineral Resource
has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated
Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a
Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve.
M&I Mineral Resources The aggregate of Measures Mineral Resources and Indicated Mineral Resources.
Mineral Resources A concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or
on the Earth's crust in such a form and quantity that there are reasonable
prospects for eventual 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.
Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological
confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.
Mt Million tonnes
Mtpa Million tonnes per annum
n.a. Not available
NI 43-101 Canadian National Instrument for the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects
ORE Ore Reserves Engineering
Pb Lead
PEA Preliminary Economic Assessment
PPM Parts per million
S Sulphur
Stockwork It's a complex 3D network of structurally controlled or randomly oriented
veins. They are common in many ore deposit types. They are also referred to as
stringer zones.
VMS Volcanic Massive Sulphide
Zn Zinc
This announcement contains information which, prior to its publication
constituted inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation
(EU) No 596/2014.
Contacts:
SEC Newgate UK Elisabeth Cowell / Axaule Shukanayeva / Max Richardson + 44 20 3757 6882
4C Communications Carina Corbett +44 20 3170 7973
Canaccord Genuity Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio +44 20 7523 8000
(NOMAD and Joint Broker)
BMO Capital Markets Tom Rider / Andrew Cameron +44 20 7236 1010
(Joint Broker)
Peel Hunt LLP Ross Allister / David McKeown +44 20 7418 8900
(Joint Broker)
About Atalaya Mining Plc
Atalaya is an AIM and TSX-listed mining and development group which produces
copper concentrates and silver by-product at its wholly owned Proyecto
Riotinto site in southwest Spain. Atalaya's current operations include the
Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has
the potential to become a centralised processing hub for ore sourced from its
wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto that include Proyecto Masa
Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, the Group has a phased,
earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Proyecto Touro, a brownfield
copper project in the northwest of Spain. For further information, visit
www.atalayamining.com (http://www.atalayamining.com)
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