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Monday, March 19, 2012

Ucore Rare Metals Appoints Mine Permitting Manager for Bokan Mountain Project


Ucore Rare Metals Inc.Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
TSX VENTURE : UCU
OTCQX : UURAF



March 19, 2012 08:41 ET



HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - March 19, 2012) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc (TSX VENTURE:UCU)(OTCQX:UURAF) ("Ucore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy MacGillivray as Senior Mine Permitting Manager for the Bokan Heavy Rare Earth project on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, USA.

Randy MacGillivray is an Environmental Geoscientist with over 20 years of environmental and geological management experience based in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Guyana and Bolivia. Randy has mine project management experience involving the full-spectrum of permitting, compliance, reclamation, remediation, and water quality planning involving both active chemical and passive biological treatment systems.

Randy has experience in establishing and auditing environmental management systems, including community and First Nations consultation and engagement strategies. He has served as the Environmental Manager for Coeur Alaska at the Kensington Gold Project during the final round of permitting which obtained the successful Record of Decision and Corp of Engineers 404 operating permits. Randy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of British Columbia and is a licensed Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia.

"We're excited to have attracted a senior representative with the depth of experience in permitting such a major Alaskan operation as Kensington," said Jim McKenzie, President & CEO of Ucore. "Few people would have the broad skill set and Alaska-specific knowledge that Randy brings to Ucore. He'll be working in close cooperation with the State of Alaska, the US Forest Service, and associated regulators to bring Bokan into production without delay. Randy represents the first of a comprehensive team of mine development specialists being assembled by Ucore COO Ken Collison, and we welcome him to the Ucore team."

Background
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is a well-funded junior exploration company focused on establishing REE, uranium and other rare metal resources through exploration and property acquisition. With multiple projects across North America, Ucore's primary focus is the 100% owned Bokan - Dotson Ridge REE property in Alaska. The Bokan - Dotson ridge REE project is located 60 km southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska and 140 km northwest of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and has direct ocean access to the western seaboard and the Pacific Rim, a significant advantage in expediting mine production and limiting the capital costs associated with mine construction.

The Bokan properties are located in an area reserved for sustainable resource development with an existing road network providing access to the main target areas. REE mineralization at the Bokan-Dotson ridge project occurs in a well-demarcated vein system related to a Mesozoic Bokan peralkaline granitic complex. However, a number of other occurrences of REE mineralization are also located within, or at the margins of the complex. Viewed in a geological and geophysical context, the Bokan complex is a distinctive circular structure and is highly prospective for rare earths deposits.

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

Contact Information


Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Mr. Jim McKenzie
President and Chief Executive Officer
(902) 482-5214
www.ucore.com

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Friday, March 16, 2012

San Gold Corporation Closes Private Placement at $2.10 per share

San Gold CorporationSan Gold Corporation

TSX : SGR
OTCQX : SGRCF

Today: $1.50 per share


March 16, 2012 12:30 ET



BISSETT, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 16, 2012) - Mr. George Pirie, President and CEO of San Gold Corporation (TSX:SGR)(OTCQX:SGRCF) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed its private placement offering (the "Offering") with a syndicate of agents led by Primary Capital Inc. and including Scotiabank, Dundee Securities Ltd. and Stonecap Securities Inc. (the "Agents") of common shares of the Company issued as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Flow-Through Shares"). At the closing, the Company issued 10,715,000 Flow-Through Shares (which included 3,565,000 Flow-Through Shares that were sold pursuant to an over-allotment option) at a price of $2.10 per Flow-Through Share for total gross proceeds to the Company of $22,501,500.

The Flow-Through Shares are subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. In connection with the Offering, the Agents received a cash commission equal to 5% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering.

The gross proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration on the Company's mineral properties.
These securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

For further information, please visit www.sangold.ca.
The TSX and the OTCQX exchanges have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information


  • San Gold Corporation
    Tim Friesen
    Communications Director
    1 (855) 585-4653

    San Gold Corporation
    George Pirie
    President and CEO
    1 (416) 214-0024
    www.sangold.ca
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Brigus Gold reports significant upside to 147 zone at Black Fox Mine!


Brigus Gold Corp. ("Brigus" or the "Company") (NYSE Amex: BRD; TSX: BRD) is pleased to announce that exploration drilling on the southern portion of the Black Fox Complex continues to return high-grade gold assays from the 147 Zone. 

The following table includes highlights from the drill holes reported today from the 147 Zone (all uncut, average gold grades over core length widths):
Hole Number    Zone Core    Gold Assay
                  Width
               ---------    -----------
                   (m)       grams/tonne
               ---------    -----------
GF11-299          11.00         10.27
-----------    ---------    -----------
including         6.00          17.24
-----------    ---------    -----------
                  10.00         3.24
               ---------    -----------
including         4.00          6.69
-----------    ---------    -----------
GF11-308          1.00          27.22
-----------    ---------    -----------
                  16.00         2.83
               ---------    -----------
including         1.50          5.42
-----------    ---------    -----------
and               2.00          10.77
-----------    ---------    -----------
                  13.00         1.15
               ---------    -----------
GF11-323          12.00         9.11
-----------    ---------    -----------
including         7.00          14.15
-----------    ---------    -----------
and               1.00          49.89
-----------    ---------    -----------
GF11-338          20.60         3.45
-----------    ---------    -----------
including         2.60          5.73
-----------    ---------    -----------
and               5.08          7.09
-----------    ---------    -----------
GF11-377          5.50          5.03
-----------    ---------    -----------
"The Black Fox exploration program is advancing as planned and on schedule. To date, Brigus has drilled over 126,000 metres on the 147 and Contact zones with significant results that include 21 grams per tonne over 25.0 metres," said Howard Bird, Brigus' Vice President of Exploration. "The $8 million program in 2012 is designed to convert Inferred ounces to Indicated ounces through systematic in-fill drilling as well as to expand the resource."

The initial resource estimate for the 147 and Contact zones, as released in December 2011, added more than 50 percent to the gold resource at the Black Fox Complex. The 147 and Contact zones provide Brigus with near-term production growth opportunities because of their proximity to the Black Fox mine infrastructure. An updated resource estimate will be released later in the year.

To date, the Company has systematically explored 25 percent of the Black Fox Complex. Significant upside potential remains on the property which covers an area of approximately 18 square kilometres within the Timmins Mining District, Ontario. The core area of the 147 Zone extends for approximately 250 m in a north-south direction dipping at approximately 80 degrees to the east. Gold mineralization primarily occurs within multiple quartz carbonate brecciated zones within bleached units of variolitic mafic volcanics and other parallel footwall zones.

Details on the most recent 147 Zone drill holes including the drill hole location map can be found on the Company's website at www.brigusgold.com.

Surface drilling was conducted by Norex Drilling and was supervised by the Brigus exploration team. All sample analyses reported herein were performed by Polymet Labs of Cobalt, Ontario, which is ISO 9001:2000 certified in North America using standard fire assay procedures. Intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted. Brigus Gold's quality control checks include insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates to ensure laboratory accuracy. Senior Exploration Project Manager John A. Dixon, P. Geo., reviewed the technical exploration information in this release as the Qualified Person for the Company.

About Brigus
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 has completed its transaction to sell a 75% interest in the Ixhuatan Project located in the state of Chiapas to Cangold. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus has signed an agreement to sell its remaining interests in three mineral exploration projects.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release, which 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 Company's ability to successfully expand the Black Fox Complex gold resource, add to Black Fox resources, advance new discoveries to production, convert resource estimates into near-term production, release of an updated mineral resource estimate in 2012 and the Black Fox underground mine exploration drilling program and continue to obtain positive down dip continuity of significant gold mineralization are forward-looking statements and estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such 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 these forward-looking statements include environmental risks and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Brigus Gold's most recent Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis filed under the company's name at www.sedar.com and annual report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and elsewhere in Brigus Gold's documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex, 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.

SOURCE: Brigus Gold Corp.
Brigus Gold Corp. 
Jennifer Nicholson, CA, (902) 442-7186 
Executive Vice President 
jnicholson@brigusgold.com 
or 
Katherine Burgess, (902) 442-7184 
Manager, Stakeholder Relations 
kburgess@brigusgold.com
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Talison Lithium to present at California Conference.

Talison Lithium to Present at the 24th Annual ROTH Conference

Perth, Western Australia, March 6th, 2012 – Talison Lithium Limited (“Talison” or the “Company”) (TSX: TLH | US: TLTHF) announced today that it will present at the 24th Annual ROTH Conference, held in Dana Point, California on March 12, 2012. Peter Oliver, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, will present at 12.00pm (PST).
The 24th Annual ROTH Conference will bring together over 400 growth companies, and over 1000 investors. The event is designed to provide investors with a unique opportunity to gain insight into growth companies across a variety of sectors.
The presentation will be webcast, and a link to the webcast will be available on Talison’s website, prior to the event, at www.talisonlithium.com.
For more information about the conference please contact Talison’s investor relations representative listed below.
About Talison
Talison is a leading global producer of lithium. Talison mines and processes the lithium bearing mineral spodumene at the Greenbushes Lithium Operations in Western Australia. In addition, Talison explores for lithium at the Salares 7 lithium project made up of seven salars (brine lakes and surrounding concessions) located in Region III, Chile. Talison has an extensive, well established global customer network and a leading position in the growing Chinese market.
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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Rodinia Lithium Clayton Valley Nevada project moves forward

Rodinia Lithium Corp
TSX-RM   Nasdaq-RDNAF
  • BLM HAS CONDITIONALLY APPROVED RODINIA’S PLAN OF OPERATIONS PERMITTING ADDITIONAL DRILLING IN CLAYTON VALLEY, NEVADA
  • PLAN OF OPERATIONS OUTLINES A DRILL PROGRAM WITHIN  A SOUTHERN VALLEY TRENCH WHERE HIGHER LITHIUM CONCENTRATIONS MAY BE FOUND AS A POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF AQUIFERS  INTERSECTED IN PREVIOUS DRILLING FURTHER NORTH AND ADJACENT TO THE NEIGHBORING SILVER PEAK LITHIUM PRODUCING OPERATION
  • BLM WILL NOW SOLICIT PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS
  • RODINIA HAS COMMISSIONED AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AS REQUIRED UNDER THE NEPA THAT MAY FORM PART OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS
Toronto, Canada, March 1, 2012: Rodinia Lithium Inc. (“Rodinia” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: RM; OTCQX: RDNAF) is pleased to announce that it has received confirmation that the Plan of Operations (“PoO”) submitted by the Company’s US subsidiary, Donnybrook Platinum Resources, Inc., in respect of Rodinia’s wholly owned Clayton Valley lithium-brine project, meets the content requirements as determined by the Bureau of Land Management’s (“BLM”) Tonopah Office in Tonopah, Nevada, USA.
William Randall, Rodinia’s President & CEO, commented, “We are extremely pleased to have received this confirmation from the BLM and to once again be in a position to start planning and moving ahead with our much anticipated exploration program in Clayton Valley.  We intend to resume drilling once the Environmental Assessment and public comment period are complete with the intention of delineating a lithium brine resource in the southern trench that extends the length of our southern claim package.”
EPG Inc., environmental consultants out of Phoenix, Arizona, have been commissioned to complete an Environmental Assessment (“EA”), which will address specific issues as required under the National Environmental Protection Act (“NEPA”).  Concurrently, or as part of the EA, the PoO will be posted for a 30-day public comment period and will address public concerns.  A meeting to discuss the NEPA requirements has been set for Tuesday, March 6th, at 9:30 AM between the Company and BLM.  Further information regarding the process will be communicated to the public following this meeting.
The Project is supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia’s Manager of Exploration.  Mr. Spanjers is considered a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this release.
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with a primary focus on Lithium exploration and development in North and South America.  The Company is also actively exploring the commercialization of a significant Potash co-product that is expected to be recoverable through the lithium harvesting process.
Rodinia’s Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina, contains a recoverable resource of 2.82 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent and 11.27 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent.  The project contains a recoverable inferred resource of 952,553,000 m3 grading 556 mg/L lithium and 6,206 mg/L potassium. Throughout 2011, Rodinia will focus on continuing to develop the Diablillos project by completing additional drilling and advancing through scoping study.
The Company also holds 100% mineral rights to approximately 70,000 acres in Nevada’s lithium-rich Clayton Valley in Esmeralda County, and is currently in the process of assessing the size, quality and processing alternatives of this deposit.  The Clayton Valley project is located in the only known lithium-brine bearing salt lake in North America, and looks to represent the only new source for domestic lithium carbonate supply.
The Projects are supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia’s Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43‐101.
Please visit the Company’s web site at www.rodinialithium.com or write us at info@rodinialithium.com
For further information please contact
Investor Cubed Inc.
Investor Relations                                                                                          
Tel: +1 (647) 258-3311

Aaron Wolfe
Vice-President, Corporate Development
Tel: +1 (416) 309-2696
Cautionary Notes
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may”, “will” and include without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated timing with respect to the acceptance of the POP; anticipating timing with respect to receipt of various approvals required in order to proceed with the POP; ; the potential of the Diablillos property; the potential results and timetable for further exploration with respect to the Clayton Valley project and the Diablillos property, the timetable with respect to future acquisitions and exploration developments at Clayton Valley and Diablillos, timetable for further exploration, analysis and development, title disputes or claims; and governmental approvals and regulation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NEITHER THE 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.
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Friday, February 24, 2012

San Gold and Primary Capital enter into agreement for shares at $2.10 20% over todays market price


San Gold Corporation
TSX: SGR
OTCQX: SGRCF
 WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2012) -

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES.
San Gold Corporation (TSX:SGR)(OTCQX:SGRCF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of engagement with Primary Capital Inc. and a syndicate of agents (the "Agents"), under which the Agents have agreed to offer, on a guaranteed agency private placement basis, 7,150,000 flow-through common shares (the "Flow-Through Shares") of the Company at a price of $2.10 per Flow-Through Share for total gross proceeds to the Company of $15,015,000. Under the agreement, the Agents have an option, exercisable at any time on or before the second business day prior to the closing date, to offer up to an additional 2,390,000 Flow-Through Shares for $5,019,000 in additional gross proceeds.

Closing of the offering is scheduled to occur on or about March 15, 2012. All securities issued will be subject to a four month hold period. The offering is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals.

The net proceeds will be used to continue exploration and development on the Company's Rice Lake property.

These securities being offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

About San Gold

San Gold is an established Canadian gold producer, explorer, and developer that owns and operates the Hinge, 007, and Rice Lake mines near Bissett, Manitoba. The Company employs more than 400 people and is committed to the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship. San Gold is on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SGR" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "SGRCF".

For further information on San Gold, please visit www.sangold.ca.

Cautionary Note

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding forecast gold production, gold grades, recoveries, cash operating costs, potential mineralization, mineral resources, mineral reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to mining and processing of mined ore, achieving projected recovery rates, anticipated production rates and mine life, operating efficiencies, costs and expenditures, changes in mineral resources and conversion of mineral resources to proven and probable mineral reserves, and other information that is based on forecasts of future operational or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

There can be no assurance that 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 Company's expectations include, among others, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of precious metals, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Other MD&A Requirements and Additional Disclosure and Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent quarterly Management's Analysis and Discussion ("MD&A"). Although the Company 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.

Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics, and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. A mineral resource that is classified as "inferred" or "indicated" has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category of resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable reserves.


Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brigus Gold Provides Operations Update Feb 21,2012

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--()--Brigus Gold Corp. (“Brigus” or the “Company”) (NYSE Amex: BRD; TSX: BRD) reports 2011 gold production statistics, including a review of the fourth quarter, and an update on the status of current operations. Management remains focused on increasing gold production at its Black Fox mine targeting steady state output of 25,000 ounces per quarter by year-end.
“Increasing production at Black Fox is our top priority and we are seeing results”
Operational Improvements:
Improvements continue to be made to mining processes and a number of key personnel changes were made at the Black Fox mine in December 2011 and January 2012. These changes have resulted in measurable improvements in the mine’s performance.
  • A new mine General Manager, with over 30 years’ experience mining structurally controlled ore bodies, began working with Brigus in early December. He is focused on maximizing underground production and minimizing dilution.
  • A new mine geology team, including a Chief Geologist, has been assembled and is making significant progress in improving the geologic model of the underground orebody.
  • A new highly experienced Chief Engineer has been hired and will begin with the Company in early March, at which time the interim chief engineer will focus on the development of the 147 and Contact Zone deposits.
  • Additional skilled miners have been hired to optimize mining from the underground operations.
Underground Mine:
  • Grades from the underground mine have materially increased and continue to improve since the beginning of 2012. The average grade of underground ore mined for the first 45 days of 2012 was 5.79 grams per tonne (gpt) compared to 2.99 gpt for the fourth quarter of 2011 and has averaged 6.70 gpt during the first 15 days of February 2012.
  • High-grade tonnes mined from the underground are trending upwards and are expected to reach 800 tonnes per day (tpd) in the third quarter. The mining team plans to open 30 mining stopes so that there are at least 10 to 12 stopes actively mining in ore at all times.
  • A review of the mining equipment and fleet was undertaken. As a result, the Company sold surplus equipment and purchased appropriately sized equipment including several two and three yard scoops.
Open Pit:
  • High-grade tonnage from the open pit will be maintained at an average of 1,000 to 1,200 tpd. Once high-grade tonnage from the underground has reached daily production rates of 800 tpd, limited amounts of low-grade open pit ore will be required to feed its 2,000 tpd capacity mill. The mill continues to operate well with strong recoveries of 92 to 95% and availability of over 90%.
Safety:
  • The Black Fox Mine has a strong safety record with over a 1,000,000 man-hours without a lost time injury. This is an important milestone and the Company is very proud of this achievement.
Mine administration:
  • Certain administration functions at the mine have been restructured to eliminate redundant positions, streamline processes and maximize utilization of all resources.
  • General and Administration expenses at the mine site have been reduced through workforce reduction, renegotiation of contracts and tighter cost control.
“Increasing production at Black Fox is our top priority and we are seeing results,” said Wade Dawe, President and CEO of Brigus. “A number of improvements have been made at the underground mine to facilitate increased production going forward. The open pit is operating as expected, the mill is performing well and we are confident that on-going drilling will continue to expand the gold resource at the recently discovered 147 and Contact Zones. Ore grades from underground have significantly improved and high-grade tonnage from the underground is increasing.”
2011 Operations:
  • The Black Fox Mine produced 14,457 ounces at an average grade of 2.66 gpt in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 55,756 ounces at an average grade of 2.54 gpt for the full year. Quarterly production met Brigus’ revised guidance but was lower than originally anticipated due to a slower ramp up of underground production and higher than expected dilution in the underground.
  • The average grade of ore from the open pit was 2.03 gpt for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 2.56 gpt for the year. The open pit mine is performing as expected, delivering grades and tonnage as per the mine plan. Grades in the open pit are expected to increase later in 2012 as higher-grade ore is mined deeper in Phase 2 of the pit.
  • The average grade from the underground mine was 2.99 gpt for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 3.82 gpt for the year.
  • Cash cost per ounce was $947 for 2011. This is higher than anticipated due to lower production for the year. As production increases in 2012, cash costs are expected to decrease to approximately $700 by the end of the year
Underground Mining Statistics
Period       Average tpd       Average grade
Q4 2011       589       2.99
January 2012       278       5.36
February 1st to 15th 2012       274       6.70
           
  • Historically, the Black Fox underground mine produced 211,000 ounces at an average grade of approximately 6.0 gpt over a four-year period from 1997 to 2001. Brigus’ geological modeling underground confirms the quality and grade of the ore body that has a reserve grade of 5.9 gpt as per the NI 43-101 report released January 2011
Looking Ahead:
Brigus is forecasting gold production of 77,000 to 85,000 ounces for 2012 as follows:
2012       Low       High
Q1       15,500       17,000
Q2       18,000       21,000
Q3       21,500       23,000
Q4       22,000       24,000
Total       77,000       85,000
           
Exploration:
  • Brigus continues to report excellent exploration results at the Black Fox Complex. The Company released its initial NI 43-101 on the Contact and 147 Zone deposits on December 15, 2011 increasing the gold resource on the property by more than 50%. Brigus has an $8.0 million surface exploration budget for 2012. Ongoing exploration is focused on expanding the 147 and Contact Zones as well as converting the inferred resource to the indicated resource category. An updated mineral resource estimate will be released later in 2012.
  • Underground exploration at the Black Fox mine is expected to begin in the second half of 2012. The program is intended to expand the gold deposit along strike and down-dip. The program is designed to offset drill results from the 2004 underground fan drilling program from the last southeast drill station located at the end of the 235 m level exploration drift. This drilling returned significant true width gold results including 31.16 g/t over 6.25m (hole 235-296) and 7.48 g/t over 3.49 m (hole 235-295).
  • The independent 43-101 report on the Company’s Goldfields development project, located in northern Saskatchewan was updated in the fourth quarter of 2011. In October Brigus released a pre-feasibility study for Goldfields that indicated a net present value of approximately $144 million at a 5% discount rate with an internal rate of return of 19.6%. This assumes a gold price of $1,250 per ounce.
  • Brigus remains focused on development activities at the Black Fox Mine and will make a production decision on Goldfields when Black Fox gold production rates are in excess of 25,000 ounces a quarter.
  • Management is pleased with the Company’s progress to improve all facets of operations and is optimistic about 2012 performance.
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 has completed a transaction to sell a 75% interest in the Ixhuatan Project located in the state of Chiapas to Cangold. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus has signed an agreement to sell its remaining interests in three mineral exploration projects.

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, 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 40-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.

Contacts

Brigus Gold Corp.
Jennifer Nicholson, CA, 902-442-7186
Vice President Investor Relations
jnicholson@brigusgold.com
or
Katherine Burgess, 902-442-7184
Manager, Stakeholder Relations
kburgess@brigusgold.com

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