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8-K - 8-K - McEwen Mining Inc.a11-28715_28k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

November 2, 2011

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

EL GALLO COMPLEX DRILLING CONTINUES TO INTERSECT EXCITING

NEAR SURFACE SILVER MINERALIZATION AT PALMARITO

PLUS CORE TWINNING DELIVERS +49% INCREASE IN SILVER GRADE

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO (November 2, 2011) US GOLD CORPORATION (NYSE-TSX: UXG) is pleased to announce results from 1) exploration drilling and 2) core twinning at Palmarito, part of the El Gallo Complex in Sinaloa, Mexico.  Exploration drilling continues to intersect exciting mineralization, designed to expand the open pit resource. Highlights include: 140.0 grams per tonne (gpt) silver over 14.0 meters (m), 180.7 gpt silver over 8.7 m and 384.2 gpt silver over 4.7 m.  Results start from surface. In addition, 39 of 61 historical reverse circulation holes have been twinned with core. Results to date show that the grade-weighted average has been increased to 157 gpt silver from 106 gpt silver (+49%) (Table 2).

 

“Our team has done a fantastic job at Palmarito. Drilling this year has transformed the deposit from a minor source of future production into an increasingly important asset for US Gold in Mexico. The silver grades we are encountering are well above the current resource average,” stated Rob McEwen, Chairman and CEO.

 

PALMARITO: GOOD GRADES, NEAR SURFACE, EXPANDING POTENTIAL

 

On September 8th, US Gold announced that a core drill was modified in order to access a high priority, but difficult to access exploration target. The initial hole from the area was encouraging: 263.2 gpt silver, 0.3 gpt gold over 6.5 m, with the mineralization starting at surface. Holes PMX-198, 195 and 191 were recently completed to further test the area’s potential. PMX-198 was located 55 m southeast of the initial result and PMX-195/191 were located approximately 20 m to the southwest (Fig 2-5). Each hole continued to intersect exciting near surface silver mineralization, highlighting the areas potential. Drilling to further extend the mineralization is underway.

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

 

 

(gpt)

 

(meters)

 

(meters)

 

(opt)

 

(feet)

 

(feet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-198

 

140.0

 

14.0

 

0.0

 

4.1

 

45.9

 

0.0

 

Including

 

495.0

 

1.3

 

0.0

 

14.4

 

4.3

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-195

 

180.7

 

8.7

 

0.0

 

5.3

 

28.5

 

0.0

 

Including

 

346.2

 

1.8

 

0.0

 

10.1

 

5.9

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-191

 

384.2

 

4.7

 

0.0

 

11.2

 

15.4

 

0.0

 

Including

 

595.3

 

2.1

 

0.0

 

17.4

 

6.9

 

0.0

 

 

One additional hole, PMX-156 (Fig. 2), was recently completed at Palmarito. This hole was drilled through inferred mineralization in order to convert the mineralization to the indicated category and to further extend the inferred resource. This hole encountered lower than expected silver grade, but over a much thicker interval.

 

1



 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

 

 

(gpt)

 

(meters)

 

(meters)

 

(opt)

 

(feet)

 

(feet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-156

 

63.8

 

26.0

 

0.0

 

1.9

 

85.3

 

0.0

 

 

PALMARITO: CORE TWINNING SHOWS 49% GRADE INCREASE

 

Palmarito was originally drilled in the mid-1990’s. Based on the drilling method (reverse circulation), US Gold believed there was a possibility that the silver grades were understated. Earlier this year, drilling to infill and offset these earlier holes consistently returned better grades, helping to confirm this belief. US Gold has now twinned 39 historic reverse circulation holes with core. As compared to reverse circulation, core results are believed to give a more accurate representation of a deposits grade and tonnes. Results show that the grade-weighted average for silver has been increased to 157 gpt silver from 106 gpt silver (+49%) for the first 39 holes.

 

US Gold will evaluate the impact of the twinning once the remaining 22 holes have been finalized and compared. An updated resource estimate for Palmarito will be completed during first quarter 2012. A summary of the 2010 Palmarito silver and gold resource is shown below. Please see Table 2 for core twinning results.

 

 

 

Tonnes

 

Silver Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

 

 

(million)

 

(gpt)

 

(gpt)

 

(million oz.)

 

(oz.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measured + Indicated

 

3.7

 

71.0

 

0.14

 

8.5

 

16,381

 

Inferred

 

1.6

 

58.0

 

0.10

 

3.0

 

5,299

 

 

PHASE 1 MINING SCHEDULED FOR MID-2012

 

Phase 1 mining at the El Gallo Complex is expected to commence during the second quarter 2012. The El Gallo Complex includes the El Gallo and Palmarito silver deposits and the Magistral gold deposits, which are all located within a 13 km (8 mile) radius. Phase 1 will focus on the permitted gold deposits and is expected to produce 30,000 ounces of gold per year after initial ramp up. Capital costs have been estimated at $15 million and the projected cash flow will help fund Phase 2, which is forecast to produce an additional 5 million ounces of silver per year, beginning in 2014. Readers should note that mineral resources that are not classified as mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

ABOUT US GOLD (www.usgold.com)

 

US Gold’s objective is to qualify for inclusion in the S&P 500 by 2015. US Gold explores for gold and silver in the Americas and is advancing its El Gallo Project in Mexico and its Gold Bar Project in Nevada towards production. US Gold’s shares are listed on the NYSE and the TSX under the symbol UXG, trading 2.5 million shares daily during the past twelve months. US Gold’s shares are included in S&P/TSX and Russell indices and Van Eck’s Junior Gold Miners ETF. Rob McEwen, Chairman and CEO, owns 20% of the shares of US Gold. On June 14, 2011 the Company announced that Mr. McEwen proposed to combine the Company with Minera Andes to create a high growth, low-cost, mid-tier silver producer operating in the Americas. Each Minera Andes shareholder would receive 0.45 of a US Gold share for every Minera Andes share held. US Gold has submitted its preliminary proxy statement for review by the SEC and is awaiting comments and approval, following which the company will set a record and meeting date.

 

2



 

Technical Information

 

This news release has been viewed and approved by John Read, CPG, US Gold’s consulting geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by the Company at its Mexican exploration properties.

 

Samples from the core drilling were split on-site at the Company’s El Gallo Complex.  One quarter to one half of the split drill core is shipped to ALS Chemex for sample preparation and analysis by 4-acid digestion with ICP determination for silver and fire assay for gold. Samples returning greater than 1500 ppm silver or 10 ppm gold were re-analyzed using gravimetric fire assay. Standards and blanks were inserted every 20 samples.

 

All holes were drilled with HQ bits and reduced to NTW where required. Samples were taken based on lithologic and/or mineralized intervals and vary in length. The true width of the mineral zone has not been determined.

 

For additional information about the El Gallo Complex see the “Preliminary Economic Assessment for the El Gallo District, Sinaloa State Mexico” dated February 11, 2011 and prepared by Paul Gates, PE, Richard Addison, PE, Aaron McMahon, PG of Pincock Allen & Holt of Denver, Colorado (“El Gallo PEA”). All three individuals are Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 and are independent of US Gold Corporation as defined in Section 1.4 of NI 43-101 and Section 3.5 of Companion Policy 43-101CP. Mr. McMahon verified the mineral resource data contained in the El Gallo PEA by conducting a site visit, which included verifying drill hole locations and survey data, reviewing sampling handling, data collection procedures, partial audit of the assay database, review of the QA/QC data and analysis of core recovery and drill logs and their relations to assay values. The El Gallo PEA is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

 

Cautionary Note to US Investors

 

US Gold (including in its preparation of the El Gallo PEA) prepares its resource estimates in accordance with standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). These standards are different from the standards generally permitted in reports filed with the SEC. Under NI 43-101, US Gold reports measured, indicated and inferred resources, measurements which are generally not permitted in filings made with the SEC. The estimation of measured resources and indicated resources involve greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into economically mineable reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources.

 

Canadian regulations permit the disclosure of resources in terms of “contained ounces”; however, the SEC only permits issuers to report “mineralized material” in tonnage and grade without reference to contained ounces. Under U.S. regulations the tonnage and grade described herein under the “measured” and “indicated” categories would be characterized as mineralized material. The disclosure herein is being made by US Gold to provide a means of comparing its project to those of other companies in the mining industry, many of which are Canadian and report pursuant to NI 43-101, and to comply with applicable disclosure requirements. U.S. investors should be aware that the issuer has no “reserves” as defined by Guide 7 and are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the potential target mineral resources will ever be confirmed or converted into Guide 7 compliant “reserves”.

 

Forward Looking Statement

 

Certain statements contained herein and subsequent oral statements made by and on behalf of the Company may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects” and “hopes” and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s results of exploration, plan of business operations, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption “Risk Factors”. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For further information contact:

 

 

 

Jenya Mescheryakova

Investor Relations

Tel: (647) 258-0395

Toll Free: (866) 441-0690

Fax: (647) 258-0408

 

 

Mailing Address

181 Bay Street

Bay Wellington Tower

Suite 4750, P.O. Box 792

Toronto, ON M5J 2T3

E-mail: info@usgold.com

 

3



 

Table 1. Palmarito Exploration Drill Results: Core Holes Assay

 

November 2011

 

Metric Units Table

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From*

 

Azimuth

 

Dip

 

Easting

 

Northing

 

 

(gpt)

 

(meters)

 

(meters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palmarito

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-156

 

63.8

 

26.0

 

0.0

 

230°

 

-10°

 

2830556

 

201243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-191

 

384.2

 

4.7

 

0.0

 

110°

 

-50°

 

2830542

 

201083

Including

 

595.3

 

2.1

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-195

 

180.7

 

8.7

 

0.0

 

120°

 

-50°

 

2830537

 

201115

Including

 

346.2

 

1.8

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-198

 

140.0

 

14.0

 

0.0

 

180°

 

-50°

 

2830536

 

201150

Including

 

495.0

 

1.3

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*Mineralization from each hole starts at surface

 

Imperial Units Table

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From*

 

Azimuth

 

Dip

 

Easting

 

Northing

 

 

(opt)

 

(feet)

 

(feet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palmarito

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-156

 

1.9

 

85.3

 

0.0

 

230°

 

-10°

 

2830556

 

201243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-191

 

11.2

 

15.4

 

0.0

 

110°

 

-50°

 

2830542

 

201083

Including

 

17.4

 

6.9

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-195

 

5.3

 

28.5

 

0.0

 

120°

 

-50°

 

2830537

 

201115

Including

 

10.1

 

5.9

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMX-198

 

4.1

 

45.9

 

0.0

 

180°

 

-50°

 

2830536

 

201150

Including

 

14.4

 

4.3

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*Mineralization from each hole starts at surface

 

4



 

Table 2. Palmarito Core Twinning vs. Historic RC Drilling            

 

November 2011

 

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Grade Difference

 

Length Difference

 

 

(gpt)

 

(m)

 

(m)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-109

 

94.0

 

0.6

 

34.6

 

 

 

 

RC: P15

 

31.0

 

1.5

 

31.2

 

+203%

 

-60%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-113

 

89.2

 

11.5

 

43.5

 

 

 

 

RC: P14

 

60.0

 

9.1

 

42.4

 

+49%

 

+26%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-123

 

87.4

 

17.0

 

33.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P13

 

49.3

 

16.8

 

29.6

 

+77%

 

+1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC: P56

 

137

 

1.5

 

30.2

 

-100%

 

-100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX154

 

110.6

 

7.0

 

51.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P44

 

71.3

 

6.1

 

54.3

 

+55%

 

+15%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX157

 

62.7

 

6.4

 

69.7

 

 

 

 

RC: P17

 

80.5

 

3.0

 

63.1

 

-22%

 

+113%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX159

 

146.8

 

5.1

 

39.8

 

 

 

 

RC: P43

 

70.8

 

7.6

 

36.9

 

+107%

 

-33%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX164

 

82.9

 

6.0

 

4.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P66

 

62.7

 

4.6

 

4.0

 

+32%

 

+23%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX169

 

126.3

 

5.7

 

60.7

 

 

 

 

RC: P73

 

55.0

 

1.5

 

53.0

 

+130%

 

+280%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX170

 

74.9

 

5.7

 

25.6

 

 

 

 

RC: P58

 

58.5

 

3.1

 

24.5

 

+28%

 

+84%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX171

 

51.7

 

1.2

 

54.8

 

 

 

 

RC: P37

 

41.0

 

1.5

 

56.1

 

+26%

 

-20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX172

 

286.8

 

15.9

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P51

 

171.0

 

15.2

 

0.0

 

+68%

 

+5%

 

5



 

Table 2. Cont.

 

November 2011

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Grade Difference

 

Length Difference

 

 

(gpt)

 

(m)

 

(m)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX173

 

99.1

 

9.0

 

54.8

 

 

 

 

RC: P57

 

49.8

 

6.1

 

56.1

 

+99%

 

+48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX174

 

103.2

 

3.2

 

34.3

 

 

 

 

RC: P72

 

 

 

 

+100%

 

+100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX179

 

484.4

 

6.7

 

57.6

 

 

 

 

RC: P40

 

106.2

 

7.6

 

49.7

 

+356%

 

-12%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX181

 

125.5

 

17.8

 

39.8

 

 

 

 

RC: P2

 

131.7

 

15.2

 

41.8

 

-5%

 

+17%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX182

 

136.9

 

3.0

 

39.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P3

 

63.0

 

3.1

 

38.4

 

+117%

 

-3%

Core: PMX182

 

199.3

 

6.1

 

50.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P3

 

159.8

 

13.7

 

50.6

 

+25%

 

-55%

Core: PMX182

 

282.0

 

7.7

 

57.9

 

 

 

 

RC: P3

 

69.0

 

1.5

 

62.8

 

+309%

 

+413%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX184

 

92.5

 

9.2

 

58.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P20

 

60.8

 

6.1

 

64.6

 

+52%

 

+51%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX185

 

73.8

 

2.0

 

25.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P63

 

 

 

 

+100%

 

+100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX186

 

88.7

 

12.8

 

59.9

 

 

 

 

RC: P21

 

183.5

 

6.1

 

72.2

 

-52%

 

+110%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX187

 

48.5

 

1.0

 

59.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P64

 

111.4

 

3.1

 

77.4

 

-56%

 

-68%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX188

 

79.2

 

5.0

 

65.6

 

 

 

 

RC: P4

 

81.0

 

7.6

 

58.5

 

-2%

 

-34%

 

Table 2. Cont.

 

November 2011

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Grade Difference

 

Length Difference

 

 

(gpt)

 

(m)

 

(m)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-192

 

116.0

 

11.0

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P53

 

82.1

 

16.8

 

0.0

 

+41%

 

-35%

 

6



 

Core: PMX-193

 

91.7

 

5.0

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P16

 

84.0

 

3.0

 

31.7

 

+9%

 

+67%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-194

 

157.4

 

10.5

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P52

 

87.6

 

7.6

 

0.0

 

+80%

 

+38%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-196

 

81.2

 

6.2

 

28.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P25

 

65.3

 

4.6

 

22.0

 

+24%

 

+35%

Core: PMX-196

 

260.4

 

5.1

 

38.1

 

 

 

 

RC: P25

 

289.7

 

3.1

 

40.2

 

-10%

 

+65%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-197

 

70.9

 

7.0

 

15.5

 

 

 

 

RC: P49

 

95.1

 

12.2

 

14.3

 

-25%

 

-43%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-199

 

136.8

 

7.0

 

14.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P24

 

114.7

 

16.8

 

0.6

 

+19%

 

-58%

Core: PMX-199

 

170.9

 

3.4

 

29.4

 

 

 

 

RC: P24

 

86.4

 

7.6

 

29.6

 

+98%

 

-55%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-200

 

373.1

 

11.2

 

0.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P50

 

147.3

 

10.7

 

0.3

 

+154%

 

+5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-201

 

68.4

 

21.7

 

31.2

 

 

 

 

RC: P26

 

98.1

 

16.8

 

37.2

 

-30%

 

+29%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-202

 

72.3

 

7.6

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

RC: P29

 

145.2

 

13.7

 

0.0

 

-50%

 

-45%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX203

 

148.3

 

17.8

 

24.5

 

 

 

 

RC: P60

 

95.8

 

16.8

 

21.0

 

+55%

 

+6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-204

 

123.5

 

11.8

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

RC: P30

 

84.2

 

13.7

 

0.0

 

+47%

 

-14%

 

Table 2. Cont.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2011

 

Hole #

 

Silver

 

Length

 

From

 

Grade Difference

 

Length Difference

 

 

(gpt)

 

(m)

 

(m)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-205

 

100.0

 

15.3

 

13.9

 

 

 

 

RC: P65

 

138.9

 

25.9

 

0.0

 

-28%

 

-41%

 

7



 

Core: PMX-206

 

546.0

 

13.1

 

21.4

 

 

 

 

RC: P62

 

105.1

 

13.7

 

19.2

 

+420%

 

-4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-207

 

196.9

 

7.1

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

RC: P32

 

105.1

 

9.2

 

1.5

 

+87%

 

-24%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-208

 

132.8

 

4.8

 

88.0

 

 

 

 

RC: P23

 

134.5

 

6.1

 

90.8

 

-1%

 

-21%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-209

 

181.4

 

4.7

 

69.9

 

 

 

 

RC: P18

 

79.0

 

9.1

 

61.6

 

+130

 

-48%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core: PMX-210

 

113.3

 

3.0

 

34.9

 

 

 

 

RC: P48

 

87.9

 

4.6

 

37.2

 

+29%

 

-35%

 

8



 

 

9



 

 

10



 

 

11



 

 

12



 

 

13