Highlights:
Probe Gold Inc. (TSX-V: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) is pleased to announce the release of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Val-d’Or properties in Quebec that incorporates results from the 2023 and 2024 drilling programs. The updated estimates include close to 95,000 metres of new drilling completed by Probe on its 100 % owned Novador and Croinor properties, and close to 75,000 metres drilling completed by Monarch Mining Corporation prior to Probe’s acquisition of the Beaufor and McKenzie Break properties, since their last respective MRE. Total gold resources currently stand at 6,728,600 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 3,277,100 ounces in the Inferred category along all trends and deposits. Integrating new drilling and an enhanced 3D geological model, the MRE has shown significant improvement in both expansion and conversion over the previous resource estimate and all the gold deposits remain open laterally and at depth. The new Novador resource, which comprises the Monique, Pascalis and Courvan mine trends including the recently acquired Beaufor deposit, stands at 6,405,000 ounces of gold in the M&I and 1,550,200 ounces of gold in the Inferred category, demonstrating a significant global increase for the overall mining development project, an excellent conversion rate from Inferred to Indicated resources and strong potential for future growth in the scale of mining operations and mine life, which currently stands at over 250,000 ounces/year of average annual production and 12.5 year mine life (see Updated PEA, January 2024). This updated aggregate MRE was independently prepared by InnovExplo Inc. and BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and is dated August 30, 2024.
David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe, states, “The increase in resources at Val-d’Or East have been nothing short of amazing and to see us almost double them again demonstrates the incredible potential of this area. We are now part of a very rare group of development assets with over 10 million ounces of gold in our mineral inventory. We are continuing to accelerate our timeline to production, and will commence a 50,000-metre drill program this Fall to complete our resource conversion in preparation of our upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study, targeted for next year. The entire team at Probe has done a phenomenal job in growing this resource and the success of this recent update provides a renewed energy to continue our drive to production. Our consolidation strategy has been a great contributor to this success, with significant growth seen at all three of our new properties, McKenzie Break, Beaufor and Croinor, and still significant exploration upside for continued growth. We have more than tripled our resources at McKenzie break, since acquisition, and have brought our acquisition costs to just over five dollars an ounce for these new projects. Our Val-d’Or East project is one of the few large-scale Canadian gold deposits that is still experiencing rapid growth and is situated within a mining-friendly jurisdiction with excellent access to infrastructure. We are extremely encouraged by the results of this Updated Resource and look forward to achieving more milestones in 2025.”
Novador and Val-d’Or East Properties – Summary of Mineral Resources
The Novador Project includes the Monique, Pascalis, Courvan and recently acquired Beaufor gold deposits, which are 100% owned by Probe. As part of its land consolidation strategy in the Val-d’Or East area, Probe also earned a 100%-interest in the McKenzie Break, Croinor and Lapaska properties and a 60% interest in the Cadillac Break East Property in a joint venture with O3 Mining Inc., which includes the Sleepy gold deposit.
Figure 1: Growth in resource at Val-d’Or East since 2016 (M&I in blue ; Inferred in gold ; in koz)
Table 1: Novador Project (100% interest)
All Deposits / Category1 |
Pit-Constrained Resources | Underground Resources | Total | ||||||
Tonnes | Grade (Au2 g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
Measured | 3,672,100 | 2.49 | 293,700 | 546,400 | 4.55 | 80,000 | 4,218,500 | 2.76 | 373,700 |
Indicated | 113,061,000 | 1.40 | 5,076,100 | 4,713,500 | 2.95 | 447,800 | 117,774,600 | 1.46 | 5,523,900 |
M&I | 116,733,100 | 1.43 | 5,369,900 | 5,259,900 | 3.12 | 527,800 | 121,993,100 | 1.50 | 5,897,600 |
Inferred | 16,231,200 | 1.72 | 898,900 | 6,506,600 | 2.79 | 582,700 | 22,737,800 | 2.03 | 1,481,700 |
1 Novador includes Monique, Pascalis, Courvan and Beaufor deposits. | |||||||||
2 Au symbol for Gold. | |||||||||
Table 2: Novador Project – Additional Pit Constrained Resource Low-Grade Material
All Deposits / Category |
Pit-Constrained Resources1 | Underground Resources | Total | ||||||
Tonnes | Grade (Au1 g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
Measured | 775,800 | 0.29 | 7,100 | — | — | — | 775,800 | 0.29 | 7,100 |
Indicated | 54,731,900 | 0.28 | 500,200 | — | — | — | 54,731,900 | 0.28 | 500,200 |
M&I | 55,507,700 | 0.28 | 507,400 | — | — | — | 55,507,700 | 0.28 | 507,400 |
Inferred | 7,600,000 | 0.28 | 68,500 | — | — | — | 7,600,000 | 0.28 | 68,500 |
1 This additional pit-constrained Mineral Resource are characterized as “low-grade material” for stockpiling and potential later processing represents mineralization between cut-off grades of 0.19 g/t Au and 0.4 g/t Au for the Monique, Pascalis and Courvan deposits, exclusive of pit-constrained Mineral Resource from Table 1. | |||||||||
Table 3: Val-d’Or Other Properties
Deposit / Category |
Pit-Constrained Resources | Underground Resources | Total | ||||||
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
Croinor Total Measured and Indicated |
926,000 | 3.22 | 95,900 | 1,574,000 | 4.50 | 227,700 | 2,500,000 | 4.03 | 323,600 |
Croinor Total Inferred |
16,000 | 3.44 | 1,800 | 213,000 | 4.70 | 32,500 | 229,000 | 4.61 | 34,300 |
McKenzie Break Total Inferred |
23,956,000 | 1.65 | 1,269,200 | 1,565,000 | 3.66 | 184,200 | 25,521,000 | 1.77 | 1,453,400 |
Lapaska1 Total Inferred |
512,000 | 1.47 | 24,200 | 460,000 | 3.19 | 47,200 | 972,000 | 2.28 | 71,300 |
Sleepy2 Total Inferred |
1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | 1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | |||
1 NI 43-101 Technical Report Val-d’Or East Project – July 14th, 2021, Lapaska property 100% interest. | |||||||||
2 NI 43-101 Technical Report Val-d’Or East Project – July 14th, 2021, Cadillac Break East property JV 60%, 60% presented. | |||||||||
As no new information is available, the 2021 Mineral Estimate is considered to be current by Goldminds, and the results are reported unchanged.
The following table presents the detailed gold resources for each of the trends/deposits that comprise the Novador Project:
Table 4: Novador Project – Detailed Resources
Deposit / Category |
Pit-Constrained Resources | Underground Resources | Total | ||||||
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
Pascalis Gold Deposits | |||||||||
Measured | 3,630,100 | 2.44 | 285,300 | 1,400 | 1.36 | 100 | 3,631,500 | 2.44 | 285,400 |
Indicated | 22,324,700 | 1.50 | 1,077,000 | 826,100 | 2.12 | 56,300 | 23,150,800 | 1.52 | 1,133,300 |
M&I | 25,954,800 | 1.63 | 1,362,400 | 827,500 | 2.12 | 56,300 | 26,782,300 | 1.65 | 1,418,700 |
Inferred | 1,726,900 | 1.36 | 75,500 | 1,191,000 | 2.31 | 88,400 | 2,917,900 | 1.75 | 163,900 |
Monique Gold Deposit | |||||||||
Measured | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Indicated | 79,576,300 | 1.33 | 3,396,600 | 2,046,300 | 2.48 | 163,000 | 81,622,600 | 1.36 | 3,559,600 |
M&I | 79,576,300 | 1.33 | 3,396,600 | 2,046,300 | 2.48 | 163,000 | 81,622,600 | 1.36 | 3,559,600 |
Inferred | 9,093,700 | 1.86 | 543,800 | 1,844,100 | 2.25 | 133,500 | 10,937,800 | 1.93 | 677,300 |
Courvan Gold Deposits | |||||||||
Measured | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Indicated | 10,119,000 | 1.61 | 524,100 | 422,200 | 2.90 | 39,300 | 10,541,100 | 1.66 | 563,400 |
M&I | 10,119,000 | 1.61 | 524,100 | 39,300 | 2.90 | 39,300 | 10,541,100 | 1.66 | 563,400 |
Inferred | 4,795,600 | 1.64 | 252,800 | 2,045,500 | 3.62 | 238,300 | 6,841,100 | 2.23 | 491,200 |
Beaufor Gold Deposit | |||||||||
Measured | 42,000 | 6.19 | 8,400 | 545,000 | 4.56 | 79,900 | 587,000 | 4.68 | 88,300 |
Indicated | 1,041,000 | 2.34 | 78,400 | 1,419,000 | 4.15 | 189,200 | 2,460,000 | 3.38 | 267,600 |
M&I | 1,083,000 | 2.49 | 86,800 | 1,964,000 | 4.26 | 269,100 | 3,047,000 | 3.63 | 355,900 |
Inferred | 615,000 | 1.36 | 26,800 | 1,426,000 | 2.67 | 122,500 | 2,041,000 | 2.28 | 149,300 |
Notes applied to all deposits:
Table 5: Comparison of the 2024 to previous Mineral Resource Estimates
Deposit / Category |
Pit-Constrained Resources | Underground Resources | Total | ||||||
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
Novador 2024 | |||||||||
M&I | 116,733,100 | 1.43 | 5,369,900 | 5,259,900 | 3.12 | 527,800 | 121,993,100 | 1.50 | 5,897,600 |
Inferred | 16,231,200 | 1.72 | 898,900 | 6,506,600 | 2.79 | 582,700 | 22,737,800 | 2.03 | 1,481,700 |
Novador 2023 1 | |||||||||
M&I | 59,653,600 | 1.53 | 2,942,700 | 7,937,400 | 2.37 | 604,300 | 67,591,000 | 1.63 | 3,547,000 |
Inferred | 9,915,600 | 1.48 | 472,800 | 6,802,400 | 2.82 | 616,500 | 16,717,900 | 2.03 | 1,089,300 |
McKenzie Break 2024 | |||||||||
Inferred | 23,956,000 | 1.65 | 1,269,200 | 1,565,000 | 3.66 | 184,200 | 25,521,000 | 1.77 | 1,453,400 |
McKenzie Break 2021 2 | |||||||||
M&I | 1,441,400 | 1.80 | 83,300 | 387,700 | 5.03 | 62,700 | 1,829,100 | 2.48 | 146,000 |
Inferred | 2,243,600 | 1.44 | 104,000 | 1,083,500 | 4.21 | 146,550 | 3,327,100 | 2.34 | 250,550 |
Croinor 2024 | |||||||||
M&I | 926,000 | 3.22 | 95,900 | 1,574,000 | 4.50 | 227,700 | 2,500,000 | 4.03 | 323,600 |
Inferred | 16,000 | 3.40 | 1,800 | 213,000 | 4.70 | 32,500 | 229,000 | 4.61 | 34,300 |
Croinor 2022 3 | |||||||||
M&I | – | – | – | 903,600 | 6.47 | 187,900 | 903,600 | 6.47 | 187,900 |
Inferred | – | – | – | 200,100 | 6.19 | 39,800 | 200,100 | 6.19 | 39,800 |
Lapaska 2024 | |||||||||
Inferred | 512,000 | 1.47 | 24,200 | 460,000 | 3.19 | 47,200 | 972,000 | 2.28 | 71,300 |
Lapaska 2021 4 | |||||||||
Inferred | 512,000 | 1.47 | 24,200 | 460,000 | 3.19 | 47,200 | 972,000 | 2.28 | 71,300 |
Sleepy 2024 | |||||||||
Inferred | 1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | 1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | |||
Sleepy 2021 5 | |||||||||
Inferred | 1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | 1,113,000 | 4.70 | 167,900 | |||
Notes:
Pit-constrained resources presented without the low-grade material at Novador.
1 NI 43-101 Technical Report MRE Val-d’Or East Project, Novador property – September 1st, 2023
2 NI 43-101 Technical Report MRE McKenzie Break gold property – October 14th, 2021
3 NI 43-101 Technical Report MRE Croinor gold property – June 17th, 2022
4 NI 43-101 Technical Report MRE Val-d’Or East Project – July 14th, 2021, Lapaska property
5 NI 43-101 Technical Report MRE Val-d’Or East Project – July 14th, 2021, Cadillac Break East property JV 60%, 60% presented.
Additions to the Current Resource Estimate Relative to the 2023 Resource Estimate.
The 2023 MRE at Novador hosted a NI 43-101 mineral resource of 3,793,900 ounces of gold in the M&I category and 1,179,400 ounces of gold in the Inferred category. Over 95,000 metres has been drilled since the 2023 MRE on the Monique, Pascalis, Courvan and Croinor deposits. In addition, 75,000 metres has been drilled since the 2021 MRE at the Beaufor and McKenzie Break deposits. Using a gold price of USD $1,850 per ounce, the Novador 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource hosts 6,405,000 ounces of gold in M&I, and 1,550,200 ounces gold in Inferred, representing an increase of 60% in total size and an increase of 69% in the M&I category. A total of 86% of the new, 2024 M&I resources are pit constrained at Novador.
Figure 2: Val-d’Or East deposits Location Map
Figure 3: Novador deposits Location Map
Upcoming Milestones
The Company is focused on continuing to advance the Novador project towards gold production and explore the other Val-d’Or East Properties and expects to complete the following key catalysts in the near term:
Figure 4: Block Model 3D view – Monique Gold Deposit
Figure 5: Block Model 3D view – Pascalis Gold Deposits
Figure 6: Block Model 3D view – Courvan Gold Deposits
Figure 7: Block Model 3D view – Beaufor Gold Deposit
Figure 8: Block Model 3D view – Croinor Gold Deposit
Figure 9: Block Model 3D view – McKenzie Break Gold Deposit
Resource Estimation Methodology and Parameters
As part of the resource estimation process, the Company, InnovExplo and BBA compiled, verified, and modelled all technical information available from the Project. 3D geological models were built for key structures hosting and constraining gold mineralization for the Monique, Pascalis, Courvan Beaufor, McKenzie Break and Croinor gold deposits. The last drill holes database closing date is June 3, 2024.
Next Steps
A technical report with respect to the latest mineral resource estimate disclosed today will be filed within 45 days in accordance with NI 43-101.
About Novador Project
Since 2016, Probe Gold has been consolidating its land position in the highly prospective Val-d’Or East area in the province of Quebec with a district-scale land package of 685 square kilometres that represents one of the largest land holdings in the Val-d’Or mining camp. The Novador project represents one property block of 175 square kilometres that hosts four past producing mines (Beliveau Mine, Bussiere Mine, Monique Mine and Beaufor Mine) and contains 80% of the Company’s gold resources in Val-d’Or East. Novador is situated in a politically stable and low-cost mining environment that hosts numerous active producers and mills.
Independent Qualified Persons
The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared for Probe Gold Inc. by InnovExplo Inc and BBA E&C Inc. The Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved technical information provided on Monique estimate presented in of this news release. The independent QPs from InnovExplo who have prepared and supervised the preparation of the technical information relating to this Mineral Resource Estimate are:
Novador and Other Val-d’Or properties 2024 MRE (InnovExplo and BBA)
Other Val-d’Or properties 2021 MRE (GoldMinds)
The technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Mr. Marco Gagnon, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Probe Gold Inc.
Quality Control
During the Company’s 2023 and 2024 drilling program, assay samples were taken from the NQ core and sawed in half, with one-half sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd. and the other half retained for future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples, which includes insertion of mineralized standards and blank samples for each batch of 20 samples. The gold analyses were completed by fire-assayed with an atomic absorption finish on 50 grams of materials. Repeats were carried out by fire-assay followed by gravimetric testing on each sample containing 3.0 g/t gold or more. Total gold analyses (Metallic Sieve) were carried out on the samples which presented a great variation of their gold contents or the presence of visible gold. Historical drilling program assay sampling procedures are disclosed in the NI 43-101 technical report: Mineral Resource Val-d’Or East Project – July 17, 2023, and available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Company’s issuer profile. The drilling results obtained from Monarch Mining Corporation and QA/QC sampling protocol is as follows: the drilled core is sawed into equal halves along its main axis and shipping one of the halves to ALS Canada, SGS Canada, or Agat Laboratories, for assaying. The samples are crushed, pulverized and assayed by fire assay, with an atomic absorption finish. Samples exceeding 10 g/t Au are re-assayed using the gravity method and samples containing visible gold are assayed using the metallic screen method. Monarch uses a comprehensive QA/QC protocol, including the insertion of standards, blanks and duplicates.
About Probe Gold:
Probe Gold Inc. is a leading Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Quebec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Quebec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1685-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Company’s recent Novador updated Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a robust mining plan with an average annual gold production of 255,000 ounces over a 12.6-year mine life.
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