Glencairn Plans Expansion At Libertad Mine
Glencairn Gold Corp. is pleased to announce that it is planning to expand gold production at its Libertad Mine in Nicaragua by converting the heap-leach mine to a conventional milling operation. Preliminary internal studies have been undertaken in consultation with engineering firm AMEC Americas Limited. Glencairn currently estimates that the expansion will require approximately two years to complete. Mining operations at Libertad will be suspended during this period commencing the end of March 2007. (The Company will host a Conference Call to discuss the expansion. See details in this release under the heading "Conference Call.")
"We anticipate that this conversion project will secure a long-term future for Libertad. Our expectation is that Libertad can become a significant producer for Glencairn," said President and CEO Peter Tagliamonte.
Following consultations between Glencairn Gold and senior representatives of the newly-elected Nicaraguan government, senior authorities of the Ministry of Energy & Mines issued the following statement:
"It is a positive sign to see that an international company is showing such confidence in the country of Nicaragua and its new government. Our government is very interested in promoting new investments such as this, which create good employment opportunities for Nicaraguans and strengthen the country's development."
Following the Libertad acquisition in mid-2006, the Company initiated improvements in all aspects of the operation, which included accelerated stripping, upgrades to the crushing and screening circuit, and construction of permanent heap leach pads. Extensive metallurgical test work aimed at understanding and improving recoveries was also initiated. Despite the improvements made to date, overall recoveries have been insufficient to operate the mine profitably as a heap leach operation.
"The metallurgical tests proved to be key to finding a solution to the chronically low recoveries that had plagued the mine under previous operators," said Mr. Tagliamonte.
As previously reported (see press release dated Nov. 14, 2006), gold recoveries during the third quarter last year ranged between 41% and 45%. Subsequent metallurgical test work showed recoveries do not improve within practical crush sizes. However, metallurgical test work conducted on-site has indicated that grinding Libertad ore to 100% passing 100 mesh improves gold recoveries to between 90% and 96%. A 1,000-tonne bulk sample of Libertad ore was processed at Glencairn's Limon mill to test the bulk sample's amenability to a conventional milling and cyanidation circuit. Results of this test confirmed gold recovery was approximately 90%.
Glencairn subsequently engaged engineering consultant AMEC to undertake a scoping study and supervise additional metallurgical test work at SGS Lakefield. As part of the study, Glencairn will process a 4,000-tonne bulk sample at its Limon mill under the technical supervision of AMEC. The scoping study is expected to be completed in March 2007. Assuming a positive scoping study, the Company will then commission a feasibility study and, contingent on a successful outcome, Glencairn anticipates mill construction, tailings pond and commissioning to be completed in 2009.
As part of the feasibility study, Scott Wilson RPA Inc. will be preparing mineral reserves incorporating the mill recovery rate and operating costs from the feasibility study in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. In a technical report by Scott Wilson RPA filed November 14, 2006, indicated mineral resources at La Libertad, as of June 30, 2006, totalled 16,294,000 tonnes grading 1.52 grams per tonne gold for total contained gold of 794,000 ounces. In addition, there is an inferred mineral resource of 4,248,000 tonnes grading 1.68 grams per tonne gold containing 230,000 ounces of gold. The study assumed a cut-off grade of 0.6 grams per tonne gold and a US$500 gold price. Peter Lacroix, P. Eng., is the Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical report and has reviewed and approved the statements pertaining to Libertad mineral resources above. For further details on the mineral resource estimate, please see the technical report filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
"We believe the conversion to conventional milling and the subsequent production expansion will create excellent value for our shareholders," Mr. Tagliamonte said. He added that Libertad has historically been mined at approximately 1.8 grams per tonne with 40% recoveries. "By converting to conventional milling, we anticipate Libertad can become a significant producer for Glencairn, based on mill recoveries of 90%, a 5,000-tonne-per-day mining rate and grades of approximately 1.8 grams per tonne."
Investors are cautioned that the numbers above relating to recoveries, mining rate and grade are preliminary pending completion of the scoping study and feasibility report, and should not be relied upon.
Mr. Tagliamonte also noted that the conversion to milling creates the potential to develop underground mining opportunities that were not available with a heap leach operation. In addition, there is an approximate 8-million-tonne, low-grade stockpile which with a milling circuit, could potentially augment production.
With operations suspended at Libertad by the end of March, the Company anticipates that aggregate gold production from its Libertad, Limon and Bellavista mines in 2007 will range from 90,000 to 105,000 ounces and cash operating costs per ounce sold are expected to range from US$385 to US$425 per ounce. As noted, production at Bellavista and Limon will not be affected by the Libertad suspension and the Company will continue its recently announced exploration programs (see press release dated Jan. 29, 2007).
Graham Speirs, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer of Glencairn Gold, is the Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this release. AMEC has reviewed and approved the relevant contents of this release.
Conference Call
A conference call will be held Thursday, February 22 at 10 a.m. To participate, dial 416-695-9757 or, toll free in North America, 1-877-461-2814. The conference call will be archived and available for replay until March 1, 2007, by dialing 416-695-5275 or, toll free in North America, 1-888-509-0081. Use the passcode 640498.
About Glencairn Gold Corporation
Glencairn is a growing gold producer focusing its mining and exploration activities in Central America. The Company operates the Bellavista Mine in Costa Rica and the Limon Mine and (until the end of March) the Libertad Mine, both in Nicaragua. It holds a 60% interest in the Cerro Quema advanced gold project in Panama and a 100% interest in the Mestiza gold property 70 kilometres from the Limon Mine. The Company focuses on efficient and productive mining practices to establish a firm base of quality operations. Glencairn is committed to growth by optimizing current operations and expanding mineral reserves at existing mines.
For further information, please contact:
Glencairn Gold Corporation
Peter Tagliamonte, President/CEO
416-860-0919
pwt@glencairngold.com
Glencairn Gold Corporation
Olav Svela, Vice President
Investor Relations
416-860-0919
osvela@glencairngold.com
Glencairn Gold Corporation
Kerry Knoll, Chairman
416-860-0919
kknoll@glencairngold.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Christina Lalli,
514-939-3989
clalli@renmarkfinancial.com
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