Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR)(OTCQX:SLVTF) (‘Silver Tiger’ or the ‘Corporation’) is pleased to announce a Preliminary Feasibility Study (‘PFS’) for its 100% owned, silver-gold El Tigre Project (the ‘Project’ or ‘El Tigre’) located in Sonora, Mexico. The PFS is focused on the conventional open pit mining economics of the Stockwork Mineralization Zone defined in the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (‘MRE’) (Figure 1). The updated MRE also contains an Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource that Silver Tiger plans to study in a Preliminary Economic Assessment in H1-2025.
Highlights of the PFS are as follows (all figures in US dollars unless otherwise stated):
- After-Tax net present value (‘NPV’) (using a discount rate of 5%) of US$222 million with an After-Tax IRR of 40.0% and Payback Period of 2.0 years (Base Case);
- 10-year mine life recovering a total of 43 million payable silver equivalent ounces (‘AgEq’) or 510 thousand payable gold equivalent ounces (‘AuEq’), consisting of 9 million silver ounces and 408 thousand gold ounces;
- Total Project undiscounted after-tax cash flow of US$318 million;
- Initial capital costs of $86.8 million, which includes $9.3 million of contingency costs, over an expected 18-month build, expansion capital of $20.1 million in year 3 and sustaining capital costs of $6.2 million over the life of mine (‘LOM’);
- Average LOM operating cash costs of $973/oz AuEq, and all in sustaining costs (‘AISC’) of $1,214/oz AuEq or Average LOM operating cash costs of $12/oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs (‘AISC’) of $14/oz AgEq;
- Average annual production of approximately 4.8 million AgEq oz or 56.7 thousand AuEq oz; and
- Three (3) years of production in the Proven category in the Phase 1 Starter Pit.
Glenn Jessome, President & CEO stated ‘We are very pleased with the work completed by our consultants and our technical team on the PFS for the open pit at El Tigre. The open pit delivers robust economics with an NPV of US$222 million, an initial capital expenditure of US$87 million, and a payback of 2 years with 3 years of production in the Proven category in the ‘Starter Pit using metal prices greatly discounted to the spot price.’ Mr. Jessome continued ‘This is a pivotal point for our Company as we now have a clear path forward to making a construction decision for the open pit. The open pit has good grade (48 g/t AgEq), low strip ratio (1.7:1), and wide benches (~150 m) with mineralization at surface. With such positive parameters and with our VP of Operations Francisco Albelais, a career expert in the construction of large heap leach mines in Mexico, we are confident we will be able to advance the Project very quickly.’ Mr. Jessome concluded ‘The open pit is only one component of El Tigre as we have also today delivered over 113 Mozs AgEq in the underground Mineral Resource Estimate and disclosed an Exploration Target establishing 10 to 12 million tonnes at 225 to 265 g/t AgEq for 73 to 100 Moz AgEq. This disclosed ‘near-mine’ Mineral Resource and potential, when coupled with the fact that only 30% of this prolific Property has been explored, shows the value of the El Tigre Project. The Company will also continue to work on this substantial underground Mineral Resource by starting underground drilling immediately, and plan to release an underground PEA in H1-2025.’
Highlights of the updated Mineral Resource
- Increased confidence in MRE, with increase of 132% in Total Measured & Indicated Silver Equivalent (‘AgEq’) Ounces from September 2023 MRE, with 59% increase in Measured & Indicated AgEq grade;
- Total Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 200 Moz AgEq grading 92 g/t AgEq contained in 68.0 million tonnes (‘Mt’);
- Inferred Mineral Resource of 84 Moz AgEq grading 180 g/t AgEq contained in 14.5 Mt; and
- Inclusion of Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource of 5.3 Mt Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource at grade of 255 g/t AgEq and 10.1 Mt Inferred Mineral Resource grading 216 g/t AgEq.
Preliminary Feasibility Summary
The PFS was prepared by independent consultants P&E Mining Consultants Inc. (‘P&E’), with metallurgical test work completed by McClelland Laboratories, Inc. – Sparks, Nevada, process plant design and costing by D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd., and environmental and permitting led by CIMA Mexico. Following are tables and figures showing key assumptions, results, and sensitivities.
- Grades shown are LOM average process plant feed grades include only OP sources. Mining losses and external dilution of 3.7% were incorporated in the mining schedule.
- Column testing indicated both variable gold and silver recovery for the oxide material vs the previously reported non-discounted PEA (83% and 64%) at a 3/8-in crush size. In the process design and financial model for the PFS process design and financial model recoveries have been discounted by 3% for leaching in the field versus optimum conditions in the laboratory and shown accordingly. The presence of transition and sulfide zones has affected both the gold and silver recoveries and are shown as separate recoveries. These are reasonable and appropriate for use in this PFS design and economic analysis.
Figure 2 above highlights the post-tax cash flows of US$318 million associated with the El Tigre Project. The economics of the Project have been evaluated based on the base case scenario $26/oz silver price and gold price of $2,150/oz. As illustrated in the following sensitivity tables, the Project remains robust even at lower commodity prices or with higher costs (Tables 2 and 3).
Capital and Operating Costs
The El Tigre Project has been envisioned as an open pit mining operation starting at a processing rate of 7,500 tonnes per day for years 1-3 and then ramping up to 15,000 tonnes per day by year 4 after 1 year construction for ramp up in year 3.
The process plant is comprised of conventional three (3) stage crushing to an optimum -3/8 inch (10 mm) crush size. The crushed material will be conveyed and loaded on the lined pad areas. A series of pumping and piping will allow irrigation of the stacked heap material and subsequent production of pregnant solution to flow to the respective impoundment pond. The pregnant solution will be pumped to the recovery facility consisting of the Merrill – Crowe process (zinc precipitation) and refinery to produce the gold and silver dore for marketing. The process barren solution will be recycled (with NaCN addition) and pumped back to the heap for further leaching. The process plant location will be adjacent to the pad and pond infrastructure area.
Water supply to the process plant is provided by pumping from nearby Bavispe River to the process area water distribution system and high voltage grid power will be installed by the local utility to supply process and infrastructure electrical requirements. Expansion capital includes the cost to increase the process plant capacity from 7,500 tonnes per day to 15,000 tonnes per day as noted in Year 4 of operation.
Mining
Open pit mining will be contracted and carried out by drill and blast followed by conventional loading and truck haulage to the waste rock storage facilities and the process plant.
Metallurgy
A detailed metallurgical test program was carried out by McClelland Laboratories, Inc., Sparks, Nevada on six (6) El Tigre starter pit samples. The program included crushing, coarse bottle rolls, and column testing at both 80% passing 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch (10 and 12 mm) crush size for five (5) of the six samples. One low grade sample was only crushed to 80% passing 1-1/2 inch (38 mm) as an indication of low grade leachability. The leach samples comprised of drill core sample representing the starter pit and during the testing process it became apparent that the presence of transition and sulfide zones are in the starter pit thus affecting the base design recoveries. This variable test program (column and coarse bottle roll) estimated oxide average gold and silver respective metallurgical recoveries of 86% Au and 48% Ag at the 3/8 inch (10 mm) crush. The transition and sulfide zones had estimated recoveries of 59% Au and 43% Ag. Further percolation testing also confirmed no requirement for agglomeration of the crushed material is required prior to loading on the leach pad.
Mineral Resource Estimate
The basis for the PFS is the Mineral Resource Estimate completed by P&E for the El Tigre Project located in Sonora State, Mexico, which has an effective date of October 22, 2024, with an NI 43-101 Technical Report to be filed within 45 days of this news release. A summary of the Mineral Resource Estimate is provided in Table 5.
- Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
- The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.
- The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council.
- Historically mined areas were depleted from the Mineral Resource model.
- Prices used are US$2,000/oz Au, US$25/oz Ag, US$4.00/lb Cu, US$0.95 lb Pb and US$1.25/lb Zn.
- The pit-constrained AuEq respective oxide and sulfide cut-off grades of 0.10 and 0.15 g/t were derived from 40% Ag and 83% Au oxide process recovery, 40% Ag and 56% Au sulfide process recovery, US$5.25/tonne process and G&A cost. The constraining pit optimization parameters were $2.00/t mining cost and 45-degree pit slopes. Regarding recoveries, the PFS recovery for Ag in oxide material was increased to 45% after a more detailed study was complete after the MRE was finalized.
- The out-of-pit AuEq cut-off grade of 1.50 g/t was derived 93% Ag and 89% Au process recovery, US$28/tonne process and G&A cost, and a $60/tonne mining cost. The out-of-pit Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified above the 1.50 g/t AuEq cut-off, below the constraining pit shell and within the constraining mineralized wireframes. Out-of-Pit Mineral Resources are restricted to the El Tigre Main Veins, which exhibit historical continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by cut and fill and long hole mining methods.
- The Low-Grade Stockpile AuEq cut-off grade of 0.54 g/t was derived from 85% Ag and 85% Au recovery US$28/tonne process and G&A cost, and a $2/tonne mining cost.
- The Tailings AuEq cut-off grade of 0.55 g/t was derived from 82% Ag and 83% Au process recovery, US$28.72/tonne process and G&A cost.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 166:1 (oxide) and 122:1 (sulfide) for pit-constrained Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 77:1 for out-of-pit Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 80:1 for Low-Grade Stockpile Mineral Resources.
- AgEq and AuEq were calculated at an Ag/Au ratio of 79:1 for Tailings Mineral Resources
- Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology – El Tigre Project
The El Tigre Project includes the El Tigre Veins, El Tigre Tailings and the El Tigre Low-Grade Stockpile.
The databases used for this Mineral Resource update contain a total of 20,149 collar records that contribute directly to the Mineral Resource Estimate and includes collar, survey, assay, lithology and bulk density data. Assay data includes Au g/t, Ag g/t, Cu %, Pb % and Zn % grades. The drilling extends approximately five km along strike.
P&E Mining Consultants Inc. (‘P&E’) collaborated with Silver Tiger personnel to develop the mineralization models, grade estimates, and reporting criteria for the Mineral Resources at El Tigre. Mineralized domains were initially developed by Silver Tiger and were reviewed and modified by P&E. A total of twenty-seven individual mineralized domains have been identified through drilling and surface sampling. Interpreted mineralization wireframes were developed by Silver Tiger geologists for the El Tigre Veins based on logged drill hole lithology, assay grades and historical records. Silver Tiger identified continuous zones of mineralization from assay grades equal to or greater than 0.30 g/t AuEq with observed continuity along strike and down-dip, using a calculated Ag:Au equivalent factor of 75:1. The selected intervals include lower grade material where necessary to maintain wireframe continuity between drill holes.
P&E developed mineralized domains for the El Tigre Low-Grade Stockpile and the El Tigre Tailings based on lithological logging and LiDAR surface topography.
Assay samples were composited to either 1.00 m or 1.50 m for the vein domains. No compositing was used for the Low-Grade Stockpiles and Tailings models. Composites were capped prior to grade estimation based on the analysis of individual composite log-probability distributions.
A total of 5,542 bulk density values were taken by Silver Tiger from drill hole core. Mineralized bulk density values were assigned for each of the El Tigre Main Veins based on the median vein measurement. For the El Tigre North Veins, a bulk density of 2.65 t/m 3 was assigned for the veins and a value of 2.42 t/m 3 was assigned for the Protectora Halo. For the Low-Grade Stockpile a value of 1.60 t/m 3 was assigned, and for the Tailings a value of 1.39 t/m 3 was used based on 37 nuclear density measurements.
Vein block grades for gold and silver were estimated by Inverse Distance Cubed (‘ID3’) interpolation of capped composites using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve composites. Vein block grades for copper, lead and zinc were estimated by Inverse Distance Squared (‘ID2’) interpolation of capped composites using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve composites.
Nearest-Neighbour grade interpolation was used for the Low-Grade Stockpiles, and for the Tailings, block grades were estimated by ID2 estimation of capped assays using a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve samples.
For the El Tigre Main Veins, blocks within 30 m of three or more drill holes/channels were classified as Measured Mineral Resources, and blocks within 60 m of three or more drill holes/channels were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the North Veins, blocks interpolated by at least two drill holes within 50 m were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. Blocks interpolated by at least one drill hole within a maximum distance of 200 m were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the Low-Grade Stockpiles, blocks within 15 m of two or more drill holes were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
For the Tailings, blocks within 30 m of three or more auger or core drill holes were classified as Measured Mineral Resources. Blocks within 60 m of two or more auger/drill holes/pits or trenches were classified as Indicated Mineral Resources. All additional estimated blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.
P&E considers that the block model Mineral Resource Estimates and Mineral Resource classification represent a reasonable estimation of the global mineral resources for the El Tigre Project with regard to compliance with generally accepted industry standards and guidelines, the methodology used for estimation, the classification criteria used and the actual implementation of the methodology in terms of Mineral Resource estimation and reporting. The Mineral Resources have been estimated in conformity with the requirements of the CIM ‘Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices’ guidelines as required by the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Exploration Potential
Exploration potential at the El Tigre Project is substantial with prospective areas for exploration both down dip and along strike with the disclosed Exploration Target establishing 10 to 12 million tonnes at 225 to 265 g/t AgEq for 73 to 100 Moz AgEq.
Surface Rights Agreement
The Company owns royalty-free, 100% of the 6,238 hectares land-package encompassing the footprint of proposed mining operation with no Ejido presence. In addition, the Company controls 28,414 hectares of Concessions to conduct exploration along a 25 km strike length of the Sierra Madres.
Underground Preliminary Economic Assessment
The Company will also continue to work on this substantial, permitted underground Mineral Resource Estimate and advance this towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment by H1-2025. The Measured and Indicated Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource at El Tigre is 44 Moz AgEq grading 255 g/t AgEq contained in 5.3 Mt and the Inferred Mineral Resource is 70 Moz AgEq grading 216 g/t AgEq contained in 10.1 Mt.
Qualified Persons
Mineral Resource Estimate: Dave Duncan P. Geo. VP Exploration of Silver Tiger, Charles Spath P.Geo., VP of Technical Services of Silver Tiger, and Fred Brown, P.Geo RM-SME Senior Associate Geologist of P&E Mining Consultants, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. All Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
Preliminary Feasibility Study: Andrew Bradfield P. Eng of P&E Mining Consultants, Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants and David J. Salari, P. Eng. of D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. All Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
A Technical Report is being prepared on the Preliminary Feasibility Study in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (‘NI-43-101’), and will be available on the Company’s website and SEDAR within 45 days of the date of this news release. The effective date of this Preliminary Feasibility Study is October 22, 2024.
VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation – Silver Tiger’s El Tigre Project
VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360° virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.
Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com
The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation’s website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.
About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District
Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years’ experience discovering, financing and building large epithermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger’s 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.
The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre Vein extended 1,450 metres along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 metres. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometre to a depth of approximately 200 metres. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 metres to a depth of approximately 150 metres. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20¢ per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton.
For further information, please contact:
Glenn Jessome
President and CEO
902 492 0298
jessome@silvertigermetals.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
This News Release includes certain ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, Mineral Resources and Reserves, the ability to convert Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend Mineral Resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as ‘may’, ‘is expected to’, ‘anticipates’, ‘estimates’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘projection’, ‘could’, ‘vision’, ‘goals’, ‘objective’ and ‘outlook’ and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger’s expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.
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