HARTE GOLD CORP. (TSX: HRT) (OTC: HRTFF) (Frankfurt: H4O) is pleased to report its production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 and provide production guidance for 2021. All dollar figures are in CAD, unless otherwise noted.

2020 Highlights:

• Full year gold production from the Sugar Zone mine of 25,649 ounces, exceeding the upper range of guidance of 20,000 to 24,000 ounces.
• Q4 2020 gold production of 10,835 ounces, the highest quarterly period of production on record.
• Average head grade of 7.7 g/t Au processed in Q4, which reconciled well to the mineral resource model.
• Mine capital development is trending positively, setting the Company up for continued operational improvements in 2021.

2021 Guidance:

• Gold production of 60,000 to 65,000 ounces.
  • Approximately two thirds of gold production will be unhedged.
• Expecting to reach average throughput rate of 800 tpd during Q1 2021 and then through the remainder of 2021.
• Cash Cost per ounce¹ of US$800 to US$850.
  • Includes full owner-operated workforce.
• All-in sustaining cost (“AISC“) of US$1,400 to US$1,550 per ounce¹.
  • Mine development: $26 million.
  • Other capital: $13 million, includes upgrade of existing camp and construction of a heavy equipment shop.
• Regional exploration approximately $5 million to identify and develop new zones of mineralization.

Frazer Bourchier, President and CEO commented:

“2020 was an important transitional year for Harte Gold; one in which we made a series of operational enhancements to production and mine planning at the Sugar Zone mine. Since restarting operations, we have made steady improvements across a number of key metrics – including mine ore production, development metres, and processed grades. These changes have resulted in record quarterly production for Harte Gold and exceeding our revised production guidance for 2020.”

Mr. Bourchier added, “I am confident that the improved processes we’ve instituted in 2020 have set the foundation for consistent, stable operational growth and reduced unit costs in 2021 and beyond. We expect to lift our production from 25,649 ounces of gold in 2020 to between 60,000 – 65,000 ounces of gold recovered in 2021, with cash costs between US$800 – US$850 per ounce, due in large part to achieving and maintaining an average daily throughput rate of 800 tpd at near mineral reserve grade.”

Operating Summary for 2020:

The following table compares Harte Gold’s operating performance for Q4 2020 relative to the previous quarters of operations for 2020. In Q2 2020, operations were placed on temporary care-and-maintenance due to the COVID-19 pandemic so Q2 2020 is not considered an operating quarter.

The Sugar Zone Mine Is Well Positioned to Grow Production in 2021:

Mine Development Trending Positively

Development rates have improved steadily since the restart of the mine in late July. Improved efficiencies, along with additional mobile equipment, had a positive impact on development rates for Q4, which are expected to manifest by Q1 2021 into increased ore mining rates.

The Company plans to add an additional single boom jumbo in Q1 2021, at which point the equipment fleet should be sufficient to achieve targeted rates for 2021. The focus will then remain on manpower productivities, mine planning and geology, longhole ore drilling and blasting, and equipment availability to ensure improved throughput rates are maintained throughout 2021.

Grade Control Practices Well Managed

Processed grade at the Sugar Zone mine improved in Q4 2020 due to the higher-grade areas of the mine that became accessible at depth and, overall, reconciled positively to the mineral resource model. Grade control practices continue to be a priority which help minimize ore dilution. For 2021, the average grade is expected to remain consistent to what the Company is currently mining – at or around the average reserve grade of 7.1 g/t Au.

Mine Production

As mine development continues and new areas of the mine become accessible, additional stoping flexibility is expected. In Q1 2021, the Company expects to have new working areas available. Once these areas are accessible, the focus will be to manage planning, manpower and equipment availability and utilization to ensure a consistent 800 tpd throughput rate is achieved.

Ounces Recovered

Daily mined and recovered ounces have improved, with continued focus on leading indicators and managing the factors mentioned above.

Feasibility Study Update:

The Feasibility Study for expansion to a 1,200 tpd throughput rate is progressing well. The Company plans to announce the results of the Feasibility Study via press release after market close on January 20, 2021.

Upcoming Market Information:

• Feasibility Study Results (January 20, 2021)
• Updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimate (January 20, 2021)
• Feasibility Study – Analyst and Investor Webcast (January 21, 2021)
• Filing of NI 43-101 Technical Report (early March 2021)
• Q4 and full year 2020 Financial Results (March 23, 2021)

Technical Information

Scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Chris McCann, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Company has implemented a quality assurance and control program to ensure sampling and analysis of mine and exploration work is conducted in accordance with industry standards. Drill core is sawn in half with one half of the core shipped to Activation Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, ON, while the other half is retained at the Company’s core facilities in White River, ON, for future verification. Gold analysis is performed by fire assay using atomic absorption, gravimetric or pulp metallic finish.

About Harte Gold Corp.

Harte Gold holds a 100% interest in the Sugar Zone mine located in White River, Canada. The Sugar Zone Mine entered commercial production in 2019. Production guidance is 60,000 to 65,000 oz Au for 2021. The Company has further potential through exploration at the Sugar Zone Property, which encompasses 79,335 hectares covering a significant greenstone belt. Harte Gold trades on the TSX under the symbol, on the OTC u and on the Frankfurt Exchange.

Mine Development Metres (m/day) (CNW Group/Harte Gold Corp.)

Processed Grade (g/t) (CNW Group/Harte Gold Corp.)

Mine Production (tpd) (CNW Group/Harte Gold Corp.)

Ore Feed Ounces(1) (oz Au/day) – 1. Product of mined production and grade divided by mine operating days (CNW Group/Harte Gold Corp.)