Endomines reports 60 per cent increase in gold reserves at Pampalo
Endomines Finland Oyj – Stock Exchange Release, March 3, 2023, at 9:30 EET
Endomines announces a 60 % increase in gold reserves at the Pampalo mine in Ilomantsi - compared to the reference period of 2021 - as of 31 December 2022. An update of the reserves and the resources at the mine and in other deposits along the Karelian gold line in Finland has been carried out, as well as updates of the gold and silver resources for the company’s gold projects in Idaho and Montana, USA.
Gold reserves and resources at the Pampalo mine and resources along the Karelian Gold Line in Finland
The updated ore estimate for Pampalo has a total ore reserve of 321 000 tonnes with a grade of 2.86 g/t gold for 29 400 ounces of gold. The updated ore reserve represents a 99 % increase in tonnes and 60 % increase in ounces when compared to the ore reserve estimate as of 31 December 2021.
The updated ore reserve estimate includes the Pampalo Deep extension area and the Pampalo East open pit. The deep extension area of Pampalo has a proven ore reserve of 219 000 tonnes with a grade of 3.64 g/t gold for 25 600 ounces of gold. Most of the increase in ore reserves come from the underground drilling programme completed in 2022, where a total of 117 drill holes were drilled in the planned extraction area between levels 815 and 875. This resulted in several high-grade intersections (release 26 August 2022 and 27 February 2023) which are included in the current updated estimate. In addition, 49 990 tonnes of identified ore reserves were verified in the current extraction area between levels 755 and 815.
The Pampalo East open pit was re-started in summer 2022. The mineral resource estimate was updated, and part of the mineral resources were converted into ore reserves based on the open pit optimization results and pit planning. The updated estimate for the Pampalo East pit area has a probable ore reserve of 102 000 tonnes with a grade of 1.17 g/t gold for 3,800 ounces of gold.
In addition to the ore reserves at the Pampalo Deep deep hole, a potential mineral resource of 117,000 tonnes at a grade of 5.92 g/t, including 22,000 ounces of gold, has been reported. These are located below the reported ore reserves (Pampalo Deep). The Pampalo deposit remains open at depth and the company is planning to continue underground drilling in 2023. An additional inferred mineral resource of 281 000 tonnes with a grade of 1.51 g/t gold for 13 600 ounces gold has been reported for the East open pit. The East deposit remains open at depth and towards northeast and the company is planning to complete a surface drilling program in Spring 2023 to test further potential of these areas.
Further updates and changes to the other reported mineral resources in the Karelian gold line will be made later as drilling and exploration progresses and are not yet included in this update. For some of the Karelian gold deposits, the update and validation of the reserve estimates is planned for later in 2023.
The estimates for the Pampalo mine and the resources along the Karelian Gold Line in Finland have been prepared according to the 2012 Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (Joint Ore Reserve Committee - JORC-code).
Gold resources in Idaho, USA
There have been no changes in the reported mineral resources of the deposits in the Idaho project. At the beginning of 2022 Endomines carried out an underground drilling campaign. The campaign produced very encouraging drill results (press release May 31, 2022) as out of 8 holes, 5 drill holes intersected high-grade (over 8g/t) gold mineralization. More drilling is needed to better define the continuities and dimensions of the high-grade zones. The company intends to continue development in the US in line with its strategy through a partnership model.
The mineral resources reported for the Friday Underground and Buffalo Gulch projects in Idaho, USA, are classified in accordance with standards defined by Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”), “CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves”, prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014.
The mineral resources currently quoted regarding the Deadwood, Rescue, and Kimberly exploration projects, are per definition historical, made before the introduction of today’s disclosure standards. Endomines cautions that while the presented historic resources for Kimberly, Rescue, and Deadwood appear to be in general accordance with those set out in NI 43-101 Sections 1.2 and 1.3, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources, and Endomines is not treating the historical estimates as current or reliable.
Gold and silver resources in Montana, USA
In October 2020 Endomines completed purchase of US Grant and Kearsarge gold projects in Montana, USA. The US Grant is a high-grade, underground gold and silver project with a historical resource totaling 165 700 ounces of gold and 4.47M ounces of silver contained in 346 000 tonnes of mineralized material. The US Grant mine has had gold and silver mined periodically between 1867 and 1984. The Kearsarge project is a high-grade, underground gold project with a historical resource totaling 380 700 ounces of gold contained in 4.1 million tonnes of mineralized material.
The addition of the US Grant and Kearsarge gold projects adds a historical total of 546,400 ounces of gold and 4.47 million ounces of silver with considerable potential for additional resources to be discovered through exploration of the district. An update and validation of the US Grant and Kersarge mineral resource estimates is planned for 2022.
Endomines is not treating the US Grant and Kearsarge historic estimates as either a mineral resource or mineral reserve as defined in NI 43-101.
Table 1. Gold reserves and resources at Pampalo and the Karelian Gold Line, Finland
Ore reserves - Karelian Gold Line (status Dec 31, 2022) |
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Deposit |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Oz |
kg |
Classification |
Prepared by |
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Pampalo Deep - Underground |
219,000 |
3.64 |
25,600 |
797 |
Proven |
Endomines |
(1) |
Pampalo East - Open pit |
102,000 |
1.17 |
3,800 |
119 |
Probable |
Endomines |
(2) |
Pampalo Reserves total |
321,000 |
2.86 |
29,400 |
917 |
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Grand total |
321,000 |
2.86 |
29,400 |
917 |
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The mineral resources are additional to the Ore reserves. |
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Mineral Resources – Karelian Gold Line, Finland (status Dec 31, 2022) |
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Deposit |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Oz |
kg |
Classification |
Prepared by |
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Pampalo Resources |
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Pampalo NW |
29,000 |
2.45 |
2,300 |
71 |
Indicated |
Endomines |
(5) |
Pampalo Indicated Total |
29,000 |
2.45 |
2,300 |
71 |
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Pampalo Deep |
117,000 |
5.92 |
22,000 |
693 |
Inferred |
Endomines |
(3) |
Pampalo D-zone |
164,000 |
1.88 |
9,900 |
308 |
Inferred |
Endomines |
(3) |
Pampalo East |
281,000 |
1.51 |
13,600 |
424 |
Inferred |
Endomines |
(4) |
Pampalonlammit |
103,000 |
1.80 |
6,000 |
185 |
Inferred |
Endomines |
(5) |
Pampalo Inferred Total |
665,000 |
2.42 |
51,500 |
1,610 |
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Karelian Gold Line Resources |
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Hosko |
35,000 |
4.05 |
4,500 |
142 |
Measured |
Geoconsulting Parkkinen |
(6) |
Hosko |
675,000 |
1.19 |
25,800 |
801 |
Indicated |
Geoconsulting Parkkinen |
(6) |
Muurinsuo |
354,000 |
1.94 |
22,100 |
687 |
Indicated |
Endomines |
(7) |
Kuivisto East |
37,000 |
3.20 |
3,800 |
118 |
Indicated |
MAPTEK |
(8) |
Karelian Measured + Indicated Total |
1,101,000 |
1.59 |
56,200 |
1,748 |
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Hosko |
240,000 |
0.78 |
6,000 |
187 |
Inferred |
Geoconsulting Parkkinen |
(6) |
Rämepuro |
136,000 |
2.27 |
9,900 |
309 |
Inferred |
Geoconsulting Parkkinen |
(7) |
Muurinsuo |
231,000 |
1.40 |
10,400 |
323 |
Inferred |
Endomines |
(8) |
Kuivisto East |
145,000 |
1.00 |
4,700 |
145 |
Inferred |
MAPTEK |
(9) |
Korvilansuo |
256,000 |
2.00 |
16,500 |
512 |
Inferred |
Outotec (Finland) Oy |
(10) |
Karelian Inferred Total |
1,008,000 |
1.46 |
47,500 |
1,476 |
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Karelian Gold Line Historic Resources |
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Kuittila |
275,000 |
2.60 |
23,000 |
715 |
Historic |
Geological Survey of Finland (1990) |
(11) |
Karelian Historic Total |
275,000 |
2.60 |
23,000 |
715 |
Historic |
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Mineral resources estimated according the JORC-code (except Kuittila), all figures independently rounded.
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(1) The underground ore reserve estimate is based on stope and development designs. Cut-off grade 1.5 g/t Au; Waste rock dilution 10-30%; Ore loss in drifting 0% and in stoping 5%.
(2) The open pit ore reserve estimate is based on pit optimization studies and stope designs. Cut-off grade 0.5 g/t; Waste rock dilution 15%.
(3) Cut-off 1.5 g/t; top cut 10-20 g/t gold
(4) Cut-off 0.5 g/t; top cut 7 g/t gold
(5) Cut-off 0.5 g/t; top cut 10 g/t gold
(6) Cut off 0.5 g/t; top cut 11g/t (low grade domain) or 50 g/t gold (high grade domain)
(7) Cut-off 0.5 g/t; top cut 40 g/t gold
(8) Cut-off 0.5 g/t; top cut 10 g/t gold
(9) Cut-off 0.5 g/t; top cut 20 g/t gold
(10) Cut-off 0.5 g/t gold; no top cut
(11) The estimate is historical in nature and not reported in accordance with the JORC Code
Troy ounce = 31.1034768 g
Table 2. Gold resources in Idaho and Montana, USA
Mineral Resources – Idaho/Montana, USA (status Dec 31, 2022) |
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Deposit |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Oz |
kg |
Classification |
Prepared by |
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Friday Resources |
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Measured |
245 000 |
6.88 |
54 200 |
1 686 |
Measured |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,2) |
Indicated |
217 000 |
6.16 |
43 000 |
1 337 |
Indicated |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,2) |
Measured + Indicated |
462 000 |
6.54 |
97 200 |
3 023 |
M+I |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,2) |
Inferred |
296 000 |
4.91 |
46 700 |
1 453 |
Inferred |
Hard Rock Consulting |
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Buffalo Gulch Resources |
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Measured |
3 515 000 |
0.57 |
64 800 |
2 016 |
Measured |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,3,4) |
Indicated |
3 230 000 |
0.48 |
49 900 |
1 552 |
Indicated |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,3,4) |
Measured + Indicated |
6 745 000 |
0.53 |
114 700 |
3 568 |
M+I |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,3,4) |
Inferred |
2 128 000 |
0.38 |
25 700 |
799 |
Inferred |
Hard Rock Consulting |
(1,3,4) |
Historic Resources |
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Rescue |
67 000 |
21.35 |
45 980 |
1 430 |
Historic |
Kimberly Mines, (2004) |
(5) |
Kimberly |
261 000 |
19.18 |
160 930 |
5 005 |
Historic |
Laczay, (2010) |
(5) |
Deadwood |
2 375 000 |
0.77 |
58 601 |
1 823 |
Historic |
BEMA Gold Corporation, (1989) |
(5) |
US Grant |
346 000 |
14.89 |
165 700 |
5 152 |
Historic |
McLeod, (1990) |
(5) |
Kearsarge |
4 100 000 |
2.98 |
381 000 |
12 218 |
Historic |
Transatlantic Mining, (2019) |
(5) |
Historic Total |
7 149 000 |
3.58 |
812 211 |
25 628 |
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(5) |
(1) Measured, Indicated and Inferred mineral classifications are assigned according to CIM Definition Standards. Mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no guarantee that mineral resources will be converted to mineral reserves. Mineral resource tonnage and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate, and numbers may not add due to rounding. |
(2) The mineral resource estimate was prepared by HRC based on data and information available as of March 1, 2016. The Measured, Indicated and Inferred mineral resources are reported considering a base case estimate that applies a cutoff grade of 3.4 g/t Au based on the estimated operating costs, recoveries, and a $1,300/oz gold price. |
(3) The mineral resource estimate was prepared by HRC based on data and information available as of December 10, 2017. The Measured, Indicated and Inferred mineral resources are reported considering a base case estimate that applies a cutoff grade of 0.14 g/t Au based on the estimated operating costs, recoveries, and a $1,300/oz gold price. |
(4) Mineral Resources captured within the pit shell meet the test of reasonable prospect for economic extraction and can be declared a Mineral Resource. Pit optimization is based on assumed gold price of US$1,300/oz. and mining, processing and G&A costs of US$15.20 per ton processed Metallurgical recoveries for gold are 90%. |
(5) Endomines caution that while the historic resources presented appear to be in general accordance with those set out in NI 43-101 Sections 1.2 and 1.3, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources, and Endomines is not treating the historical estimate as current nor reliable. |
Troy ounce = 31.1035g |
Table 3. Silver resources in Montana, USA
Mineral Resources – Montana, USA (status Dec 31, 2022) |
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Deposit |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Oz |
kg |
Classification |
Prepared by |
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US Grant |
346 000 |
402 |
4 470 000 |
139 033 |
Historic |
McLeod, (1990) |
(1) |
Historic Total |
346 000 |
402 |
4 470 000 |
139 033 |
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(1) Endomines caution that while the historic resources presented appear to be in general accordance with those set out in NI 43-101 Sections 1.2 and 1.3, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources, and Endomines is not treating the historical estimate as current nor reliable. |
This ore reserve and mineral resource update has been reviewed and approved by Eurogeologist Jani Rautio MSc (Geol) acting as a Qualified Person in compliance with the Fennoscandian Association for Metals and Mining Professionals, FAMMP, –standards. Jani Rautio is a full-time employee of Endomines and owns 2 000 shares in Endomines.
Endomines Finland Plc
For further information, please contact:
Kari Vyhtinen, CEO, kari.vyhtinen@endomines.com, +358 40 585 0050
Jani Rautio, Head of Geology, Finland, jani.rautio@endomines.com, +358 50 593 0812
About Endomines
Endomines is a mining and exploration company with its primary focus on gold. Endomines is engaged in mining operations at the Pampalo mine in Ilomantsi, and in exploration activities along the Karelian Gold Line in Eastern Finland. Endomines also owns rights to several gold deposits in Idaho and Montana, US, where Endomines aims to continue the development work through partnership agreements. The shares trade on Nasdaq Helsinki (PAMPALO). www.endomines.com
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