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Osisko Development Announces Positive Feasibility Study Results for the Cariboo Gold Project

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Osisko Development Announces Positive Feasibility Study Results for the Cariboo Gold Project

 

 

 

 

 

163,695 Ounces of Average Annual Gold Production Over 12 Year Mine Life
Bulk Tonnage UG Mining with Ore Sorting to Minimize Cost & Environmental Footprint
Initial Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.03 Moz of Gold (16.7 Mt at 3.78 g/t Au)
After-tax NPV5% of C$502 Million and 20.7% IRR (unlevered) at US$1,700/oz Au
EA Certificate Process Progressed to Final Effects Assessment Phase

 

(All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV) (TSX-V: ODV) is pleased to announce the results of an independent Feasibility Study prepared by BBA Engineering Ltd. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for the Company’s 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central British Columbia. The Company intends to file the Technical Report on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development’s issuer profile within 45 days of the date of this news release.

 

The FS outlines a robust and scalable phased development base case with low initial capital intensity of $137.3 million and attractive operating costs for the underground development of the Cariboo Gold Project, producing approximately 1.87 million ounces of gold over a 12-year mine life.

 

Initial production (Phase 1) in the first three years contemplates a 1,500 tonne per day operation from the Lowhee, Shaft and Mosquito deposits, yielding average annual production of 72,501 ounces. Concurrently, underground development will advance to ramp up operations to 4,900 tpd in year four, increasing average annual production to 193,798 ounces in Phase 2, with potential to scale production further in the future.

 

Underground mining will be conducted using highly-mechanized, low-cost bulk tonnage methods designed to target the extraction of ore contained in gold vein corridors: a high-density network of mineralized quartz veins hosted mainly within unmineralized sandstone. A pre-concentration ore sorting facility is expected to significantly improve processed grades by separating non-mineralized material from ore, while substantially reducing processing volumes, energy costs, and the overall environmental impact footprint of the operation with fewer tailings, reduced water usage and ability to use waste as backfill.

 

The Company remains on track for completing the Environmental Assessment process early in the second quarter of 2023 and anticipates receiving final permits by the end of 2023 (see “Permitting” below).

 

FEASIBILITY STUDY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • $502 million after-tax net present value at a 5% discount rate (pre-tax $691 million) at a base case gold price of US$1,700 per ounce and CAD:USD exchange rate of 0.77;
  • 20.7% after-tax internal rate or return (pre-tax 24.4%);
  • $79 million average annual after-tax free cash flow;
  • $901 million cumulative after-tax life-of-mine FCF;
  • 163,695 ounces of Au LOM average annual production;
    • 72,501 oz Au Phase 1 (years 1 to 3) average annual production;
    • 193,798 oz Au Phase 2 (years 4 to 12) average annual production;
  • 1.87 Moz LOM total cumulative gold production;
  • 3.78 grams per tonne Au average LOM diluted head grade:
    • 4.43 g/t Au in Phase I (post-ore sorting 8.20 g/t Au);
    • 3.72 g/t Au in Phase II (post-ore sorting 6.39 g/t Au);
  • 92.0% average LOM recovery rate (93.6% in Phase I, 91.8% in Phase II);
  • $102.6 per tonne mined LOM total unit operating costs;
  • Probable Mineral Reserves containing 16.7 million tonnes at an average grade of 3.78 g/t Au for a total of 2.03 Moz of gold;
  • US$792/oz Au LOM average cash costs;
  • US$968/oz LOM average all-in sustaining costs;
  • $137.3 million Phase 1 initial capital expenditures (including $10.3 million in contingency costs);
  • $451.1 million Phase 2 expansion capital expenditures (including $36.7 million in contingency costs);
  • Peak full labour force (Phase 2) of 550 persons during operations and 635 during expansion construction.

 

Sean Roosen, Chair of the Board and CEO of Osisko Development, commented, “This feasibility study demonstrates that the Cariboo Gold Project will be a large-scale, long-life and profitable gold mine. It will also produce significant quantities of gold in its initial years at a capital cost below $140 million. By phasing construction, we have minimized our exposure to development risk at Cariboo, optimized the sequencing of the assets in our portfolio and maximized our ability to scale Cariboo to reach its full potential in the future. We envision Cariboo as a project that will be a cash flow engine for the company for decades into the future. Historic mining in the district was focused on individual veins and replacement bodies with grades in excess of 12 g/t Au, which is consistent with our work completed to date. Once underground, we are excited to apply our strong understanding of the controls on mineralization to unlock Cariboo’s vast exploration potential at depth within the current mining zones, which we believe have strong potential to continue across Cariboo’s 83-kilometer mineralized trends.”

 

Table 1: 2022 Cariboo Feasibility Study Summary Results

 

METRIC UNIT PHASE 1 PHASE 2 TOTAL LOM
Base Case Assumptions
Gold Price US$/oz 1,700
Exchange Rate CAD:USD 0.77
Discount Rate % 5.0%
Production
Mine Life years 3 9 12
Total Ore Mined tonnes 1,542,471 15,160,983 16,703,454
Average Throughput tpd 1,500 4,900 4,056
Average Gold Head Grade, diluted g/t Au 4.43 3.72 3.78
Total Contained Gold oz 219,488 1,811,665 2,031,152
Average Gold Recovery Rate % 93.6% 91.8% 92.0%
Total Recovered Gold, payable oz 205,419 1,663,436 1,868,856
Average Annual Gold Production oz/year 72,501 193,798 163,695
Unit Operating Costs
Underground Mining $/t mined 77.6 51.1 53.6
Processing $/t mined 37.1 25.3 26.4
Concentrate Transport $/t mined 17.3 3.5 4.8
Water and Waste Management $/t mined 18.4 6.1 7.2
General and Administrative $/t mined 19.4 9.8 10.7
Total Unit Operating Costs $/t mined 169.8 95.8 102.6
Operating Costs
Total Cash Costs2 US$/oz 1,149 748 792
AISC2 US$/oz 1,634 886 968
Capital Expenditures3
Initial Capital $M 137.3 137.3
Expansion Capital $M 451.1 451.1
Sustaining Capital $M 134.2 332.4 466.6
Total $M 271.5 783.5 1,055.0

Notes:

  1. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
  2. This is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” at the end of this news release.
  3. Capital Expenditures do not include sunk costs ($2.5M) nor pre-permit expenses ($64.8M).

 

FEASIBILITY STUDY DETAILS

 

The Cariboo Gold Project is an advanced stage gold exploration project 100%-owned by Osisko Development located in the historic Wells-Barkerville mining camp, in the District of Wells, central British Columbia, Canada. The total land package covers an area of 155,000 hectares and includes approximately 80 kilometers strike of mineral targets identified to date.

 

The FS for the Project was prepared and compiled by BBA, supported by independent consulting firms, including InnovExplo Inc. SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. Golder Associates Ltd. (amalgamated with WSP Canada Inc. on 1 January 2023 to form WSP Canada Inc.), WSP USA Inc. Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd. Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd. KCC Geoconsulting Inc. and JDS Energy & Mining Inc. A complete summary of all contributors and their respective areas of responsibility is presented under “Technical Information and Qualified Persons“.

 

Figure 1: Cariboo Gold Project Production Profile


Figure 1 accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/625646b6-4017-4a2e-b607-bc4cabdc505f

 

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

 

The Company used a base case gold price assumption of US$1,700/oz and a CAD:USD exchange rate of 0.77 in its analysis and incorporated only Probable Mineral Reserves as defined herein. Based on these assumptions, the Project generates an after-tax NPV5% of $502 million and an after-tax IRR of 20.7% on an unlevered basis. The FS economics are most sensitive to fluctuations in the following inputs, in order of magnitude of impact: gold price, operating costs, and capital costs.

 

Table 2: Summary Economic Results (US$1,700/oz Au)

 

LOM METRIC UNIT TOTAL LOM
Net Smelter Return (NSR) Revenue $M 4,126
Cumulative Cash Flow (pre-tax)1 $M 1,192
Average Annual Cash Flow (pre-tax)1 $M/year 104
Total Taxes Paid $M 291
Cumulative FCF (after-tax)1 $M 901
Average Annual FCF (after-tax)1 $M/year 79
    Pre-tax After-tax
Net Present Value (NPV5%) $M 691 502
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) % 24.4% 20.7%
Payback period years 5.8 5.9

Notes:

  1. This is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” at the end of this news release.

 

Table 3: Economic Sensitivities to Gold Price (Base case in Bold)

 

    Gold Price Assumption (US$/oz)
LOM METRIC UNIT 1,300 1,400 1,500 1,600 1,700 1,800 1,900 2,000
NPV5%, pre-tax $M 38.3 201.4 364.5 527.6 690.6 853.7 1,016.8 1,179.8
NPV5%, after-tax $M -2.9 157.5 284.9 394.5 502.4 609.3 715.1 820.7
IRR, pre-tax % 6.2% 11.0% 15.6% 20.1% 24.4% 28.7% 33.0% 37.3%
IRR, after-tax % 4.9% 9.8% 13.6% 17.2% 20.7% 24.3% 27.8% 31.4%
Payback, pre-tax years 9.0 7.7 6.8 6.2 5.8 5.4 5.1 4.8
Payback, after-tax years 9.5 8.0 7.0 6.3 5.9 5.5 5.2 4.9

Table 4: Economic Sensitivities to Exchange Rate (Base case in Bold)

 

    Exchange Rate Assumption (CAD:USD)
LOM METRIC UNIT 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.77 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.55
NPV5%, pre-tax $M 288.3 427.5 584.1 690.6 964.5 1,198.6 1,471.7 1,794.4
NPV5%, after-tax $M 232.8 327.5 432.1 502.4 681.2 832.8 1,008.6 1,215.7
IRR, pre-tax % 13.5% 17.4% 21.6% 24.4% 31.6% 37.8% 45.2% 54.2%
IRR, after-tax % 12.0% 15.0% 18.4% 20.7% 26.7% 31.8% 38.0% 45.7%

MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES

 

Vein Corridors

 

Vein Corridors of the Cariboo Gold Project Mineral Resources and Reserves comprise a high-density network of mineralized quartz veins hosted within unmineralized sandstone. Individual mineralized veins within these corridors have widths varying from centimeters to several meters and strike lengths from a few meters to over 50 m. These corridors have been defined from surface to a vertical depth of 650 m, averaging 300m, and remain open for expansion at depth and along strike. Gold grades are intimately associated with quartz vein-hosted pyrite as well as pyritic, intensely silicified wall rock haloes in close proximity to the veins.

 

Mineral Resources Estimate

 

The FS includes an updated Mineral Resources estimate incorporating an additional 35,578 meters of drilling data from Shaft, Valley, and Lowhee completed since May 24, 2022 being the effective date of the technical report titled “Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Cariboo Gold Project, District of Well, British Columbia, Canada”, dated May 24, 2022 for the deposits of Cow Mountain (Cow and Valley Zones), Island Mountain (Shaft and Mosquito Zones), and Barkerville Mountain (Lowhee and KL Zones). This resulted in an increase of 6% of total gold ounces in the Inferred Resources category. Measured and Indicated resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources have an effective date of November 11, 2022.

 

Table 5: Cariboo Mineral Resources Statement – November 11, 2022

 

Classification / Deposit Tonnes
(000’s)
Gold Grade
(g/t)
Contained Gold
(000’s oz)
Measured
Bonanza Ledge 47 5.06 8
Indicated
Bonanza Ledge 32 4.02 4
BC Vein 1,030 3.12 103
KL 386 3.18 39
Lowhee 1,368 3.18 140
Mosquito 1,288 3.68 152
Shaft 4,781 3.39 523
Valley 2,104 3.14 213
Cow 3,644 3.31 388
Total Indicated 14,635 3.32 1,564
Inferred      
BC Vein 461 3.55 53
KL 1,918 2.75 169
Lowhee 445 3.34 48
Mosquito 1,290 3.55 147
Shaft 6,468 3.84 800
Valley 2,119 3.30 225
Cow 2,769 3.03 270
Total Measured & Indicated 14,682 3.33 1,571
Total Inferred 15,470 3.44 1,712

Notes:

  1. Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
  2. The Mineral Resource Estimate conforms to the 2014 CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves and follows the 2019 CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines.
  3. A total of 481 vein zones were modelled for the Cow Mountain (Cow and Valley), Island Mountain (Shaft and Mosquito), Barkerville Mountain (BC Vein, KL, and Lowhee) deposits and one gold zone for Bonanza Ledge. A minimum true thickness of 2.0 m was applied, using the Au gold grade of the adjacent material when assayed or a value of zero when not assayed.
  4. The estimate is reported for a potential underground scenario at a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t Au, except for Bonanza Ledge at a cut-off grade of 3.5 g/t Au. The cut-off grade for the Cow, Valley, Shaft, Mosquito, BC Vein, KL, and Lowhee deposits was calculated using a gold price of US$1,700/oz; a USD:CAD exchange rate of 1.27; a global mining cost of $54.32/t; a processing and transport cost of $22.29/t;a G&A plus Environmental cost of $15.31/t; and a sustaining CapEx cost of $31.19/t. The cut-off grade for the Bonanza Ledge deposit was calculated using a gold price of US$1,700/oz; a USD:CAD exchange rate of 1.27; a global mining cost of $79.13/t; a processing and transport cost of $65.00/t; and a G&A plus Environmental cost of $51.65/t. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rate, mining cost, etc.).
  5. Bulk density varies from 2.69 g/cm3 to 3.20 g/cm3.
  6. A four-step capping procedure was applied to composited data. Restricted search ellipsoids ranged from 7 to 50 g/t Au at four different distances ranging from 25 m to 250 m. High-grades at Bonanza Ledge were capped at 70 g/t Au on 2.0 m composited data.
  7. The gold Mineral Resources for the Cow, Valley, Shaft, Mosquito, BC Vein, KL, and Lowhee vein zones were estimated using Datamine StudioTM RM 1.9 software using hard boundaries on composited assays. The silver Mineral Resources and the dilution halo gold mineralization were estimated using Datamine StudioTM RM Pro 1.11. The OK method was used. Mineral Resources for Bonanza Ledge were estimated using GEOVIA GEMSTM 6.7 software using hard boundaries on composited assays. The OK method was used to interpolate a block model.
  8. Results are presented in situ. Calculations used metric units (meters, tonnes, g/t). Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects.

 

Mineral Reserves Estimate

 

Probable Mineral Reserves of 16.7 Mt grading 3.78 g/t Au for 2.03 Moz of contained gold in underground deposits, as defined below, have an effective date of December 6, 2022 and form the basis of the FS. Only Mineral Resources that were classified as Measured and Indicated were given economic attributes in the mine design and when demonstrating economic viability were classified as Mineral Reserves, incorporating an external mining dilution factor of 8% into the Mineral Reserves estimate.

 

Table 6: Cariboo Mineral Reserves Statement – December 6, 2022

 

Classification / Deposit Tonnes
(000’s)
Gold Grade
(g/t)
Contained Gold
(000’s oz)
Proven
Probable
Cow 4,127 3.41 453
Valley 3,445 3.70 410
Shaft 7,962 3.87 990
Mosquito 603 4.93 95
Lowhee 567 4.56 83
Total Proven and Probable Reserves 16,703 3.78 2,031

Notes:

  1. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
  2. Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014), which are incorporated by reference in NI 43-101.
  3. Mineral Reserves used the following assumptions: US$1,700/oz gold price, USD:CAD exchange rate of 1.27, and variable cut-off value from 1.70 g/t to 4.00 g/t Au
  4. Mineral Reserves include both internal and external dilution along with mining recovery. The external dilution is estimated to be 8%. The average mining recovery factor was set at 93.6% to account for ore left in each block in the margins of the deposit.

 

CAPITAL COSTS

 

The FS focused on presenting a mine plan consistent with the objective of minimizing the overall environmental and carbon footprint of the Project on the surrounding communities, leveraging energy efficient mining technologies, including potential electrification of the full mining fleet, and reducing the overall economic risk associated with significant capital outlays at the onset of project development. With this in mind, development and exploitation activities are expected to focus on two distinct phases of operations.

 

Initial capital cost for the Project in Phase 1 is estimated at $137.4 million, with total expansion capital costs in Phase II estimated at $451.1 million, and to be incurred over years 2, 3 and 4. Sustaining capital costs over the LOM are estimated at $466.6 million. Total cumulative LOM capital costs are estimated at $1,055.1 million, not including site reclamation and closure costs of $17.3 million and estimated salvage value of $56.2 million. Capital costs for Phase 1 do not include sunk costs ($2.5 million) or pre-permit expenses ($64.8 million) planned for 2023. The overall capital cost estimate developed in this FS generally meets the AACE International Class 3 requirements and has an accuracy range of between -10% and +15%. A total of $10.3 million in contingency capital (P50) was included for Phase 1, representing approximately 12.7% of initial capital, not including mobile equipment and underground mine development costs.

 

Table 7: Capital Costs Summary1

 

Item ($M) Phase 1 –
Initial
Capital
Phase 2-
Expansion
Capital
Sustaining
Capital
Total
Surface Mobile equipment 0.1 9.3 9.4
Underground mine 53.8 110.8 313.3 478.0
Water and waste management 6.5 12.9 37.3 56.7
Electrical and communications 10.2 31.8 62.9 104.9
Surface infrastructure 1.8 33.0 2.7 37.5
Processing – Mine Site Complex 5.2 114.5 4.4 124.1
Processing – QR Mill 17.5 25.7 43.2
Construction indirect costs 10.6 55.6 1.1 67.3
General services 8.7 30.0 27.0 65.7
Pre-production 12.7 12.7
Contingency (P50) 10.3 36.7 8.6 55.6
SUB-TOTAL 137.3 451.1 466.6 1,055.0
Site reclamation and closure 17.3 17.3
Salvage value (56.2) (56.2)
TOTAL CAPITAL COST 137.3 451.1 427.8 1,016.2

 

Notes:

  1. Capital Expenditures do not include sunk costs ($2.5M) or pre-permitting expenses ($64.8M) which total $67.3M.

 

OPERATING COSTS

 

Operating costs estimate includes mining, transportation and ore processing costs to produce gold doré. It also includes costs for tailings management, water treatment and general and administration expenses. The average operating costs over the 12-year mine life is estimated to be $102.6 per tonne mined. At its peak, the mine will employ 550 persons during operations (Phase 2) and 635 during expansion construction.

 

Mining costs are inclusive of backfilling costs without the binder content of the paste backfill, which is included in the processing cost. Processing costs are inclusive of underground crushing costs and subsequent handling of ore during Phase II of the Project, as well as the costs related to mineral sorting for both Phase I and II.

 

Table 8: Operating Costs

 

Item LOM
($M)
  Avg. Cost
($M/year)
  Avg. LOM
($/t mined)
  Avg. LOM
($/oz)
  OPEX
(%)
 
Underground mining 894.9   78.4   53.6   478.7   52 %  
Processing 440.4   38.6   26.4   235.6   26 %  
Concentrate transport 79.5   7.0   4.8   42.5   5 %  
Water and waste management 120.7   10.6   7.2   64.6   7 %  
General and administrative 178.8   15.7   10.7   95.7   10 %  
TOTAL 1,714.4   150.2   102.6   917.0   100 %  

Table 9: All-in Sustaining Costs

 

LOM METRIC TOTAL LOM
($M)
TOTAL LOM
(US$/oz)
 
Adjusted Operating Costs  
Mining costs 894.9 368.2  
Processing costs 440.4 181.2  
Concentrate transport costs 79.5 32.7  
Water and waste management costs 120.7 49.7  
General and administration costs 178.8 73.6  
Royalties 206.3 84.9  
Transport and refining costs 4.8 2.0  
Silver by-product credit (0.4) (0.2)  
Total Cash Cost2 1,925.1 792.1  
LOM sustaining costs 466.6 192.0  
Salvage value credit (56.2) (23.1)  
Reclamation and closure costs 17.3 7.1  
Total All-in Sustaining Costs2 2,352.8 968.1  

Notes:

  1. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
  2. This is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” at the end of this news release.

 

MINING AND MINE DESIGN

 

Underground mining is expected to target a total of five mineralized zones over a strike length of 4,400 meters accessed by two underground ramps from the Cow and Valley portals. Each zone comprises several mineralized vein systems down to a depth of approximately 650 m and is expected to support an initial 1,500 tpd production rate over the first 3 years (Phase 1) before ramping up to 4,900 tpd (pending permitting) for 9 years (Phase 2).

 

The bulk-tonnage long hole mining method was primarily selected given the nature of the sub-vertical geometry of mineralized veins, the relative lower cost, and the ability to utilize rejected waste rock from ore sorting as backfill material. Mining dilution is expected to be mitigated with the application of an ore sorting technology, which is able to cost-efficiently separate gold-bearing ore intimately associated with sulphur (essentially pyrite) from the lower density unmineralized sandstone rock which is mainly hosting the ore (see “Processing” section). Although stope strike lengths vary by zone, the minimum designed stope width for all zones is approximately 3.7 m and stope height approximately 30 m.

 

Ore will be extracted using a fleet of 10 tonnes scooptram Load Haul Dump and 50 tonne haul trucks and will be transported to an underground crushing facility where it will be sized and transported to surface for pre-concentration sorting and flotation via a vertical conveyor.

 

Underground development will rely on a combination of traditional jumbos and roadheaders. The Company has previously successfully deployed a roadheader in excavating the Cow portal and one drift in Bonanza Ledge, demonstrating the amenable nature of the underground rock conditions.

 

PROCESSING

 

The processing flowsheet under the initial phase of production is expected to utilize ore sorting and leaching with a total throughput capacity of 1,500 tpd. In Phase 2, throughput capacity will be expanded to 4,900 tpd, with the addition of a flotation circuit. In the first phase, ore will be initially pre-concentrated using mobile crushing and ore sorting, which will significantly reduce the overall volume, transportation costs, and overall footprint of the operation. Following ore sorting, ore will be trucked to the Company’s Quesnel River Mill located 116 kilometres from site for further comminution, leaching, and refining. The QR Mill is a fully-permitted existing plant under care and maintenance with a daily capacity to treat 860 tonnes of ore.

 

In the second phase, for the expanded throughput of 4,900 tpd, a crushing facility will be constructed underground with ore subsequently brought to surface using a conveyor system. Crushed material will be screened to separate fine material, below 10 mm, and coarse material 10 to 25 mm. The coarse material will go to ore sorting, where gold-bearing material will be separated from waste. Fines and coarse particles will then go through a grinding circuit. Ground material will be sent to flotation for the last stage of pre-concentration. Ore sorting, grinding and flotation processing activities will be conducted in a service building at the Mine Site Complex. The MSC services building will serve as a pre-concentration step to reduce the overall operation and transportation costs producing a concentrate of approximately to 25 to 33 g/t Au.

 

Overall Project gold recovery over the LOM is expected to be 92.0%.

 

The implementation of mineral sorting is expected to provide several meaningful benefits in the processing flowsheet of the Project, namely:

  • 44% reduction in total material to be processed through grinding using a cost-efficient XRT sorter;
  • Expected to increase feed grade from LOM average mined grade of 3.78 g/t Au to 8.94 g/t Au, based on an estimated waste rock reduction (mass pull) of 40% and 95.6% Au recovery expected to be achieved via ore sorting;
  • Eliminates the requirement for a Tailings Storage Facility (“TSF“) for the MSC located in Wells;
  • Only approximately 16% of all extracted ore would generate tailings to be stored at the existing QR Mill TSF as filtered tailings, due to ore sorting and flotation pre-concentration;

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Surface infrastructure and services are designed to support the operations at the Wells Mine Site Complex, the Bonanza Ledge Site, and at the QR Mill. The Project also includes off-site infrastructure, such as a new 66 kV transmission line (70 km) between the Barlow substation, near Quesnel, and the Mine Site Complex. The Project benefits from existing surface infrastructure particularly at the Bonanza Ledge Site and QR Mill, reducing the overall upfront capital outlay required for start-up of operations. Existing infrastructure includes, but is not limited to: access roads, underground access portals, overburden stockpiles, waste storage facility, water management infrastructure, and a water treatment plant.

 

The Project will include the construction of the following infrastructure:

 

Phase 1

 

Bonanza Ledge

  • First phase of the Waste Rock Storage Facility;
  • Surface water management infrastructure;
  • Fuel systems (liquified natural gas and diesel storage and distribution);
  • Natural gas power plant;
  • Ore crushing and sorting facility;

 

QR Mill

  • Upgrades to the QR Mill to process ore sorting concentrate and a new tailings dewatering circuit;
  • Filtered stack tailings storage facility;
  • Water management infrastructure;
  • Relocation and upgrade of the propane system;
  • Improvements to the fire protection system.

 

Offsite Infrastructure

  • Construction of an Integrated Remote Operational Centre

 

Phase 2

 

Mine Site Complex

  • Access roads, bridge, parking lots, security facilities and access gates;
  • Mine surface infrastructure including a portal and mine ventilation and heating infrastructure;
  • Concentrator;
  • Office complex including office space and mine dry facilities;
  • Surface water management infrastructure;
  • MSC water treatment plant and treated effluent discharge line;
  • Fuel systems LNG and diesel storage and distribution)
  • 66 kV to 13.8 kV electrical substation;
  • Site electrical distribution and lighting;
  • Fiber optic network;
  • Firewater pumping station and distribution piping system;
  • Potable water well, treatment plant and distribution system;
  • Sewage treatment system.

 

Bonanza Ledge

  • Second phase of the WRSF and associated surface water management infrastructure.

 

QR Mill

  • Upgrades to the QR Mill to process high-grade flotation concentrate from the concentrator at the MSC;
  • Information technology and telecom upgrade to support remote process monitoring;
  • Potable water treatment plant and distribution system;
  • Sewage treatment system.

 

Offsite Infrastructure

  • 66 kV power line connecting BC Hydro’s Barlow substation to the MSC 66 kV/13.8 kV substation;
  • Increase the number of rooms existing at the Ballarat Camp;
  • Final expansion of the IROC in Quesnel.

 

PERMITTING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLOSURE

 

On November 30, 2022, the Environmental Assessment Office of British Columbia (“EAO“) informed the Company that the EA process with respect to the Cariboo Gold Project has progressed to the Effects Assessment phase of the EA process. In accordance with the BC Environmental Assessment Act (2018), the Effects Assessment phase is one of the final steps required prior to the issuance of an Environmental Assessment Certificate and follows a maximum 150-day legislative timeline to issue a proposed set of project recommendations (Figure 2).

 

The Company started the EA process with the submission of the Initial Project Description in early 2020 under the new BC Environmental Assessment Act (2018) guidelines. A Draft Application was submitted to the EAO on July 28, 2021 and 1,715 comments were received from the Technical Advisory Committee. A Revised Application was submitted to the EAO on October 14, 2022, which addressed all 1,715 comments received during the Application Review phase and received approval and support from all participating Indigenous nations in respect of the Cariboo Gold Project.

 

The receipt of the EAC is a key milestone and a critical step forward in advancing the Cariboo Gold Project through the provincial and federal permitting process.

 

In addition to the provincial EAC approval, the Project requires federal and provincial permits, approvals and authorizations. As the Project proceeds, specific permit requirements will be determined based on discussions with the regulatory agencies. As previously noted, in parallel to the EA process, the Company initiated an official application for the permitting of the Cariboo Gold Project with the submission of the Project Description to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation and Ministry of Environment on September 30, 2022.

 

A Project Charter has been developed in coordination with the Major Mines Office for the permitting process and lays out the groundwork for the communication protocols and agreement on timelines for submission and review of the Application. Based on the Project Charter and agreed upon schedule with Major Mines Office, the Company anticipates receiving final permits by the end of 2023.

 

Figure 2: Summary of Steps Required to Obtain an EAC

Figure 2 accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/579afb75-7526-4d6f-a7c6-8f627263085b

 

STAKEHOLDER, COMMUNITY, AND PARTNER ENGAGEMENT

 

The Company’s commitment to responsible mining practices, strong relationships, mutual support and benefits with Indigenous nations, local partners, neighbouring communities and all stakeholders is an integral part of the development of the Cariboo Gold Project. The forming of positive relationships has resulted in the signing of Project-related Agreements with Lhtako Dené Nation (2016 and 2020) and Williams Lake First Nation (2021) and a Collaboration Agreement with the BC Government for the Reclamation of the Jack of Clubs Lake Tailings Area located in the District of Wells. Discussions with the Xatśūll First Nation and the District of Wells are ongoing with the goal of signing agreements in the near future.

 

ROYALTIES

 

A 5.0% Net Smelter Royalty is the only royalty that applies to the Mineral Resources and Reserves area of the Project and has been incorporated into the economic analysis of the FS.

 

POTENTIAL VALUE ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Inferred Resources presented in Table 5 could potentially be converted to Indicated Resources with additional drilling. Indicated Resources could potentially be converted into Mineral Reserves if economic viability is demonstrated with further economic studies. New Inferred or Indicated Resources could potentially be added to Mineral Reserves with further exploration drilling adjacent to the known deposits.
  • An increase in Mineral Reserves could potentially support a Phase 2 expansion case scenario with higher throughput capacity capability, subject to permitting, resulting in potentially larger scale production. Osisko Development should consider additional NI 43-101 compliant studies to explore whether an expansion case scenario with higher throughput capacity could, subject to permitting, ultimately result in larger scale production from the Project.
  • Latest testing of mineral sorting technology indicates improved recoveries using particle size consideration in the sorting algorithm. This could increase overall gold recovery for the Cariboo Project.
  • Silver content and recoveries are currently considered as a minor source of revenues for the Project, due to lack of available information (silver was not assayed for a large portion of early drilling campaign). All future drill samples will be assayed for silver and incorporated into future resource models, to potentially add revenues to the Project.
  • The Cariboo claim package remains largely untested. A total strike length of anomalous surface samples and historic mines or mineral showings totals 83 km. Drill programs have been designed and are permitted for approximately 25 targets.

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

 

The FS is prepared by independent representatives of BBA, InnovExplo, SRK, WSP, Golder, Falkirk, KCB, KCC, and JDS, each of whom is a “qualified person” (within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Each of the QPs are independent of Osisko Development and have reviewed and confirmed that this news release fairly and accurately reflects, in the form and context in which it appears, the information contained in the respective sections of the Cariboo FS for which they are responsible. At the effective date of the Cariboo FS, the QPs certified that to the best of their information, knowledge and belief, the parts of the Cariboo FS for which they were responsible, contained all scientific and technical information that was required to be disclosed to make the Cariboo FS not misleading. The affiliation and areas of responsibility for each QP involved in preparing the Cariboo FS are provided below.

 

KCB QPs

  • David Willms, P.Eng. – Geotechnical design, construction staging planning, and material takeoff for the QR Mill Filtered Stack Tailings Storage Facility.
  • Michelle Liew, P.Eng. – Design and material takeoff for QR Mill surface water management infrastructure, and QR Mill water balance water quality prediction.

 

InnovExplo QPs

  • Carl Pelletier, P.Geo. – Mineral Resources estimate.
  • Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo. – Mineral Resources estimate.
  • Eric Lecomte, P.Eng. – Mineral Reserves estimate, underground mine design and cost estimate

 

BBA QPs

  • Mathieu Belisle, P.Eng. – Metallurgical test work analysis, Process Plant design and operating cost estimate.
  • Colin Hardie, P.Eng. – Process Plant Capital costs, Project indirect costs, G&A costs, material transport costs, financial analysis and overall study integration.

 

SRK QPs

  • Timothy Coleman, P.Eng. – Rock Mechanics aspects of underground mine design.

 

Falkirk QPs

  • Katherine Mueller, P. Eng. – Environment, Permitting and Engagement.

 

KCC QPs

  • Keith Mountjoy, P.Geo. – Tailings geochemistry and historical waste disposal activities.

 

Golder QPs

  • Paul Gauthier, P.Eng. – Design and costs for water system, effluent water management, fire protection and distribution, surface infrastructure, underground paste fill network and ore handling.
  • Aytaç Göksu, P.Eng. – Design and material takeoff for the mine site (MSC and BL site) surface water management infrastructure, and mine site water balance prediction.
  • John Cunning, P.Eng. – Geotechnical design and material quantity takeoffs for the Bonanza Ledge Waste Rock Storage Facility and the Mine Site Complete Sediment Pond Facility.
  • Saileshkumar Singh, P.Eng. – Design and costs for pipeline and pumping conveyance at Bonanza Ledge and Mine Site Complex.

 

WSP QPs

  • Thomas Rutkowski, P.Eng. – Design and costs for water treatment at Bonanza Ledge, Mine Site Complex, and QR site.
  • Laurentius Verburg, P.Geo. – Ore sorter waste and waste rock geochemistry, Mine Site Complex and Bonanza Ledge water quality, and reclamation and mine closure.

 

JDS QPs

  • Jean-François Maillé, P.Eng. – Costs for waste, tailings and water management infrastructure.

 

About Osisko Development Corp.

 

Osisko Development Corp. is a premier North American gold development company focused on high-quality past-producing properties located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company’s objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central BC, Canada, the recently acquired Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company’s project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company’s strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

 

 

 

Table 10: Life of Mine FS Summary Projections

 

Year Unit -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Total
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037
Production Summary                                  
Total Tonnes Mined kt 183.2 538.4 549.5 1,043.9 1,795.0 1,788.8 1,789.8 1,788.5 1,794.8 1,788.9 1,790.1 1,791.3 61.4 16,703.5
Total Tonnes Processed kt 183.2 538.4 549.5 1,043.9 1,795.0 1,788.8 1,789.8 1,788.5 1,794.8 1,788.9 1,790.1 1,791.3 61.4 16,703.5
Head Grade Au g/t 4.68 4.50 4.36 4.15 3.60 3.87 4.21 3.89 3.69 3.68 3.40 3.24 3.13 3.78
Head Grade Ag g/t 0.11 0.18 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.08 0.10 0.06 0.09 0.08 0.09 0.07
Payable Gold koz 26.0 73.5 72.7 121.1 187.9 204.3 222.7 206.9 198.0 196.0 181.3 172.8 5.7 1,868.9
Payable Silver koz 0.3 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.9 0.6 1.2 2.2 2.7 1.7 2.4 2.0 0.1 16.6
Revenue                                  
Exchange Rate CAD:USD 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77
Gross Revenue $M 57.4 162.4 160.6 267.3 414.7 450.9 491.5 456.8 437.1 432.6 400.3 381.6 12.6 4,125.7
Operating Expenditures                                  
Mining $M 8.7 38.5 46.7 80.4 94.7 86.6 89.3 99.1 93.9 95.9 80.0 78.3 2.7 894.9
Processing $M 7.9 19.7 19.5 31.0 44.7 44.7 44.6 44.9 45.0 45.0 45.1 45.3 2.9 440.4
Material Transport $M 3.3 9.5 9.2 7.4 6.2 6.1 6.2 6.2 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.3 0.2 79.5
Tailings, Waste & Water Management $M 2.3 9.3 11.6 10.3 10.1 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.3 10.6 10.4 3.8 120.7
General and Administration $M 2.9 11.9 9.6 10.9 17.1 17.8 17.9 17.9 18.0 17.9 17.6 17.2 2.1 178.8
Capitalized Operating Costs $M
Operating Costs $M 25.1 88.9 96.8 140.0 172.7 165.7 168.5 178.7 173.6 175.4 159.7 157.6 11.7 1,714.4
Royalty Payments $M 2.9 8.1 8.0 13.4 20.7 22.5 24.6 22.8 21.9 21.6 20.0 19.1 0.6 206.3
Capital Expenditures                                  
Initial $M 27.6 109.7 137.3
Expansion $M 1.3 92.8 174.2 182.8 451.1
Sustaining $M 12.1 79.8 14.5 55.5 74.4 52.3 43.6 36.8 32.7 41.7 15.6 7.7 466.6
Reclamation and Closure $M 17.3 17.3
Salvage Value $M -9.5 -5.8 -6.9 -34.0 -56.2
Total Capital Costs $M 27.6 123.0 172.6 188.8 228.8 74.4 46.5 43.6 36.8 25.8 41.7 15.6 7.7 -16.7 1,016.2
Changes in Working Capital(1) $M -0.7 -2.1 -0.4 -1.1 -0.2 0.7 0.3 -0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 0.9 0.5 -2.8
Pre-Tax Cash Flow                                  
Pre-Tax Cash flow $M -27.6 -93.0 -105.0 -132.6 -113.8 147.1 215.5 254.6 219.3 215.8 194.0 204.5 197.3 16.1 -0.5 1,191.7
Cumulative Pre-Tax Cash Flow $M -27.6 -120.6 -225.6 -358.2 -472.1 -325.0 -109.5 145.1 364.5 580.3 774.3 978.8 1,176.1 1,192.1 1,191.7  
Taxes and Duties                                  
British Columbia Mining Duties $M 0.6 1.4 1.2 2.5 4.8 5.6 6.4 5.5 21.8 27.6 28.8 27.7 134.2
Federal Corporate Income Tax $M 7.8 22.2 21.9 20.6 19.9 -13.2 -9.1 70.0
British Columbia Corporate Income Tax $M 6.3 17.7 17.5 16.5 15.9 -10.6 -7.3 56.0
Carbon Tax $M 0.1 0.5 1.3 1.9 2.2 2.7 2.7 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 2.9 0.9 30.4
Total Taxes and Duties $M 0.1 1.2 2.7 3.1 4.7 7.5 8.4 9.4 22.6 64.8 70.1 69.0 66.5 -22.9 -16.4 290.7
After-Tax Cash Flow                                  
After-Tax Cash flow $M -27.7 -94.1 -107.8 -135.7 -118.6 139.6 207.1 245.2 196.7 151.0 123.9 135.5 130.8 39.0 15.9 901.1
Cumulative After-Tax Cash Flow $M -27.7 -121.8 -229.6 -365.3 -483.8 -344.2 -137.1 108.1 304.8 455.8 579.7 715.3 846.1 885.1 901.0  
  1. Capital Expenditures do not include sunk costs ($2.5M) or long lead equipment and engineering expenses ($64.8M).

 

Posted January 4, 2023

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