Exeter Resource Corporation : Completes Water Exploration Program – Continuing Success
We will be having Wendell Zerb (CEo and President of Exeter) on the show this week to explain the next steps for Exeter Resources. If you have any questions please post them in the comments section.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exeter Resource Corporation (NYSE-MKT:XRA, TSX:XRC, Frankfurt:EXB – “Exeter” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of the expanded water exploration drilling program for its Caspiche gold-copper project in northern Chile. The Company successfully drilled one additional, large diameter water bore hole (LV07) at its Peñas Blancas1 water concession prior to the onset of winter conditions.
LV07 returned water flow rates of over 100 litres per second (“L/s”), with rapid recharge rates, again demonstrating the significance of the Peñas Blancas aquifer. The aggregate flow rate from the six large diameter exploration wells completed is now over 400 L/s, considerably above Exeter’s original target of +200 L/s. The ultimate, cumulative flow rate potential of the aquifer remains open.
The water exploration program was expanded to better define the extent of the aquifer and determine potential flow rates that are integral to an application for water rights. Due to an extreme weather event in late Q1, which caused heavy damage to local infrastructure in northern Chile, only one hole (LV07) of a planned two- hole program was completed before the onset of the Chilean winter.
Drilling results suggest Peñas Blancas is part of a previously undiscovered, extensive, subterranean aquifer. It is located centrally within a high-altitude basin, where there are no other existing underground water rights. The extensive winter snowfall in the area is believed to be the source of recharge. The Company believes the aquifer could support any of the three identified low capex, development options for the Caspiche project as outlined in the Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caspiche Project (“2014 PEA”)2. Importantly, the aquifer could also provide an appropriate long term water resource for other potential users in this arid, largely unpopulated region of Chile.
Exeter, augmented by its independent, external consultants has commenced a compilation of technical reports on the Peñas Blancas aquifer. These reports will form the basis of an application for water rights, which is expected to be submitted to the Chilean water authorities within the next three months.
The 2014 PEA identified three new low capex development options, all of which required modest quantities of water compared with the requirements of a large scale open pit. The study calculated that a 30,000 tonne per day (“tpd”) standalone gold oxide operation would require a peak water supply of less than 50 L/s. This option produces an estimated average of 122,000 gold equivalent* ounces annually over a projected ten year mine life, including 148,000 ounces annually in the first five years.
The standalone oxide open pit mine plan benefits from lower up front capital requirements and sequenced higher start up grades in the initial part of the mine life. In addition, a very low life-of-mine strip ratio (0.27:1) and favourable leach kinetics are positive contributors to the project economics. At US$1,300/oz gold, pre-tax net present value (“NPV”) is US$355 million, generating an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 34.7%, and a payback period of 3.4 years from initial construction. The after-tax NPV is US$252 million with an IRR 28.5%.
The other two potential development options considered the phased treatment of both oxides and sulphides at 60,000 tpd and 27,000 tpd respectively. One option looked at mining both gold in oxides and gold-copper in sulphides by open pit only. This option required a peak water supply of about 190 L/s. The other option looked at open pit mining of gold in oxides followed by selective high grade underground mining of gold-copper sulphide mineralization, an option that required a peak supply of 150 L/s.
Andinor Limitada, a specialist Chilean water drilling company, was the principal contractor for the water program. Supervision of the program by Exeter and JV1 personnel was augmented by expert, independent, external consultants.
Jerry Perkins, Exeter’s VP Development and Operations and a “qualified person” (“QP”) within the definition of that term in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.
The economic analysis contained in the PEA is considered preliminary in nature. No inferred mineral resources form part of the PEA studies and no mineral reserves for the PEA have been established. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have no demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that economic forecasts outlined in the PEA will be realized. The PEA and the April 2012 Mineral Resource (as defined) may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors.
1 Exeter’s Chilean subsidiary, Minera Eton (“Eton”) and the Chilean subsidiary of Canadian company Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation are jointly exploring (“JV”) for water in Northern Chile where Eton is earning an aggregate 90% interest in the Peñas Blancas concession and other water concessions. See Exeter news release NR 14-02 dated February 27th, 2014.
2 Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caspiche Project (“2014 PEA”). See the Exeter web site or Sedar for the details regarding the 2014 PEA.
* Gold equivalent oz (AuEq) value is based on gold and silver revenues (prices and recoveries involved). AuEq oz [troy oz] = [Au g/t * Rec Au * tonnes]/31.1 + [Ag g/t * Rec Ag * tonnes]/31.1* silver price troy oz/ gold price troy oz. Recoveries are adjusted based on metallurgical characteristic of the resource.
About Exeter
Exeter Resource Corporation is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the Caspiche project in Chile. The project is situated in the Maricunga gold district, between the Maricunga mine (Kinross Gold Corp.) and the Cerro Casale gold deposit (Barrick Gold Corp. and Kinross Gold Corp.). The discovery represents one of the largest mineral discoveries made in Chile in recent years. The 2014 PEA was initiated with the aim of indicating the development optionality of this world class discovery. The securing of water required for potential project development is a corporate priority.
The Company currently has cash reserves of C$26 million and no debt.
EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATION
Wendell Zerb, P. Geol
President and CEO
For further information, please contact: Wendell Zerb, CEO or Rob Grey, VP Corporate Communications Tel: 604.688.9592 Fax: 604.688.9532 Toll-free: 1.888.688.9592 Suite 1660, 999 West Hastings St. |
Safe Harbour Statement – This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (together, the “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including in relation to the Company’s belief as to the potential significance of water discovered, the potential to establish new opportunities for the advancement of Caspiche, results from preliminary economic assessment including estimated annual production rates, capital and production costs, water and power requirements and metallurgical recoveries, expected taxation rates, timing of water exploration and securing water rights and adequate water, potential to acquire new projects and expected cash reserves. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; including risks associated with the failure to satisfy the requirements of the Company’s agreement with Anglo American on its Caspiche project which could result in loss of title; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; risks associated with metallurgical recoveries, water and power availability and changes in legislation affecting the use of those resources; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainty and risks associated with the legal challenge to the easement secured from the Chilean government; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters of the Company with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the Company’s common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described herein and in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2014 dated March 30, 2015 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors – The information contained herein and incorporated by reference herein has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. In particular, the term “resource” does not equate to the term “reserve”. The Securities Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” or “inferred mineral resources” or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by U.S. standards, unless such information is required to be disclosed by the law of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation or of a jurisdiction in which its securities are traded. U.S. investors should also understand that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.
NEITHER THE TSX NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE
Al – Do they have all the permits, and compliance issues out of the way for a a Major or Mid-Tier to make them an offer?
What would be a fair way to value this project so that current shareholders get rewarded if they get acquired, instead of a just a minimal bump in share price that have been witnessed in the M&A activity as of late.
I’m All-in at $.56 in my position, but there have to be investors that rode this down form $7 to the $.52 where it trades today (those are US figures). Are they going to sell this project out for small 20-30% bump from here, or will they really unlock the value for shareholders that have been with them for a while?
Wendell will be on the show tomorrow and I have passed this question on to him. Thanks Shad.
Thanks Big Al!
Wonder where it will be priced if HUI hits 100 or 50, Gary’s extreme, will it be gone?
On the flip side when the gold bull resumes if its still around it ran from .60 to $8.30 what would $5g gold create, $20….ahhh its nice to dream as the nightmare was falling 95% from 2010, who would have believed it at $8
They have enough cash on hand to survive the coming downturn, a great resource, water rights and source, and they are fine-tuning the economics of the Feasibility Study. I doubt it will be gone as a result, and they’ll either get bought out, do a joint venture, or do a streaming agreement to build the mine on their own, but lose some to the streaming agreement.
The stock has already posted it’s nightmarish losses as you point out. That is why I decided to build a position in it this year, but I’ve already lost 7% on it in the short-term admittedly. If they are taken out in the next 12 months then it will be a moot point, but I’m curious as to if they are going to flip it to a larger producer for only a fraction of what they’ve spent or what it’s worth in a rebounding marketplace.
Quite so Shad.
Any thoughts on the what the fair value of the project or where the shareprice will be if they do get taken out in a merger Rev?
Shad,
Putting valuations aside for now and trying to guess at what a buyout may bring, I think its best that you prepare yourself for any offer that may arise to be well below those of the past bull phase and surprise you and other shareholders at the lack of pricing power during any acquisition.
The reality is the days of throwing insane stupid money at these large projects in the middle of no-where paradigm has come to an end for the most part. Maybe if gold is priced at $2,500 or above you may see the stupid return.
The market has forced the big-boys to grow a brain for the most part and the stupid, over priced buyouts are going to be far and few between moving forward. That doesn’t mean you won’t make money, but it won’t be the moronic wasted billions spent from years past.
Even with a finite resource like gold and a potential dwindling supply crunch moving into view as the decade unfolds, still won’t change the money equation.
Company selectivity and entry cost basis is going to be everything when it comes to large percentage gains moving forward because excessive buyout premiums from the past are just that, in the past.
Very well said Vortex. Yes, I am aware that the market has tightened down the screws on the amount the Majors and Mid-Tiers will pay for a project, but likewise, I’ve seen a number of projects going at “fire-sale” prices, and often they didn’t even coming close to recouping even of a fraction the explorer had poured into exploration, permitting, and infrastructure. The investors don’t get rewarded for sticking with them.
I realize the insane valuations of 2009, 2010, and 2011 are a thing of the past, and were one of the main problems in the industry, and don’t expect those on any of the takeover targets I have. However, I feel that often the investors that were with the company through the ups and down get screwed when they just take the first offer and severely discount what the project will be worth in a higher metals environment and since there is a void in overall major resource discoveries.
I am curious as to what Exeter thinks is a fair price considering we are nearing the bottom in metals prices and they’ll likely start their new bull trend at the end of 2015 or early 2016. It would just be a shame to take a low-ball offer is all I’m saying.
Regardless… I’m in at $.56 and will do fine whatever their buyout ends up being, but Exeter seems very well managed and I am curious as to how they are marketing themselves to potential partners.
Do they plan on waiting for higher metals prices for a better valuation and trudging along, or if they are going to sell out here near the bottom, when larger companies go bottom-fishing?
Agree Reverend!
My thoughts exactly, Shad!
Exeter is a good example of a company I am keeping a position in, because I see them as a prime takeout target now that they have the water issue moving the right direction, further de-risking the resource that they have drilled out and defined.
Even though their price may erode a bit in the next few months, I don’t want to miss the pop if they get bought out by a Major or Mid-Tier.