Tardan Production
In October 2017, Auriant Mining AB (publ.) announced that it had decided to halt mining operations at Tardan from January 2018 until the 2nd half of 2018, as this would maximize long term value for shareholders. As planned, the Company resumed mining operations at Tardan in July. In 2018, the Company mined 219,000 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 2.58 g/t (2017 - 2.36 g/t) and the ore was stacked on the heap leach.
Tardan gold production for 2018 was 350.4 kg (11,267 oz), which exactly matched the 2018 initial production target announced in October 2017.
Solcocon Production
In May 2018, alluvial production was resumed at Solcocon. This production was 100% outsourced and generated a net margin of 29% of sales for the Company. In 2018, the Company engaged 2 contractors working on 2 placers, while 1 contractor was involved in 2017. In 2018, the Company produced 72.9 kg (3,344 oz) of alluvial gold compared to 47.8 kg (1,537 oz) produced in 2017. Production at Solcocon in July was interrupted by heavy rainfall, which led to widespread flooding in the Zabaikalsky region. Due to these conditions, Solcocon wasn’t able to extend its alluvial operations on the 3rd placer (as announced in October 2017) and meet an initial 2018 production forecast of 150 kg of gold.
Tardan CIL Construction
The CIL project progresses according to plan and has passed the State Ecological Expertise, which means that the plant complies with environmental protection standards. Construction of the plant continues through the winter season. We expect that production at the CIL plant will commence in July 2019, and that the heap leach will continue to be in operation until the CIL plant starts.
At the end of December, the Company was able to partially drawdown a VTB loan facility, which was announced at the time. The facility will help to secure continuous funding for the CIL project.
Production forecast
In 2019, the Company aims to produce 940 kg (30,221 oz) of gold at Tardan (both heap leach and CIL) and 90 kg (2,893 oz) at Solcocon, a total of 1.03 tonnes (33,114 oz).
Production
| Production unit | 12m 2018 | 12m 2017 | Change | ||||
| kg | oz | kg | oz | kg | oz | % | |
| Hard rock | |||||||
| Tardan (heap leach) | 350.4 | 11,267 | 721.3 | 23,190 | (371) | (11,923) | -51% |
| Tardan (gravitational) | 0 | 0 | 40.4 | 1,299 | (40) | (1,299) | -100% |
| Alluvial | |||||||
| Solcocon | 72.9 | 2,344 | 47.8 | 1,537 | 25 | 807 | 53% |
| Total gold produced | 423.4 | 13,611 | 809.5 | 26,026 | (386) | (12,415) | -48% |
Tardan
| 12m 2018 | 12m 2017 | Change | |||
| Mining | |||||
| Waste stripping | 000 m3 | 358 | 2,345 | (1,988) | -84.8% |
| Ore mined | 000 tonnes | 219 | 394 | (175) | -44.4% |
| Average grade | g/t | 2.58 | 2.36 | 0.22 | 9.4% |
| Heap leach | |||||
| Stacking | |||||
| Ore | 000 tonnes | 214 | 369 | (155) | -42% |
| Grade | g/t | 2.59 | 2.02 | 0.57 | 28% |
| Tailings | 000 tonnes | 0 | 85 | (85) | -100% |
| Grade | g/t | 0 | 3.34 | (3.34) | -100% |
| Gold in ore and tailings stacked | kg | 554 | 1,027 | (473) | -46% |
| Gold produced | kg | 350.4 | 721.3 | (371) | -51% |
| Gravitation | |||||
| Throughput | 000 tonnes | 0 | 41 | (41) | -100% |
| Average grade | g/t | 0 | 4.81 | (4.81) | -100% |
| Recovery | % | 0 | 21% | 0 | 0% |
| Gold produced | kg | 0 | 40.4 | (40) | -100% |
| Warehouse on December 31 | |||||
| Ore | 000 tonnes | 5 | 0 | 5 | 100% |
| Grade | g/t | 2.29 | 0 | 2.29 | 100% |
| Tailings | 000 tonnes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Grade | g/t | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
For more information, please contact:
Sergey Ustimenko
tel: +7 495 109 02 82
e-mail: sergey.ustimenko@auriant.com
Company name: Auriant Mining AB
Short name: AUR
ISIN-code: SE0001337213
Website: www.auriant.com
Twitter: @auriantmining
Auriant Mining AB (AUR) is a Swedish junior mining company focused on gold exploration and production in Russia, primarily in Zabaikalye and the Republics of Khakassia and Tyva. The company has currently four assets, including two operating mines (Tardan and Solcocon), one early stage exploration asset and one development asset.
Since July 19, 2010, Auriant Mining´s shares are traded on First North Premier at the NASDAQ Nordic Exchange under the short name AUR. For more information please visit www.auriant.com. Mangold Fondkommission is Certified Adviser to Auriant, for more information please call +46 8 503 015 50, e-mail CA@mangold.se or visit www.mangold.se.
This information is information that Auriant Mining AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 10:00 CET on January 24th , 2019.
Cautionary Statement: Statements and assumptions made in this report with respect to Auriant Mining AB’s (“AUR”) current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements about the future performance of AUR. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those using words such as "may", "might", "seeks", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "believes", "projects", "plans", strategy", "forecast" and similar expressions. These statements reflect management's expectations and assumptions in light of currently available information. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, (i) changes in the economic, regulatory and political environments in the countries where AUR operates; (ii) changes relating to the geological information available in respect of the various projects undertaken; (iii) AUR’s continued ability to secure enough financing to carry on its operations as a going concern; (iv) the success of its potential joint ventures and alliances, if any; (v) exchange rates, particularly between the Russian rouble and the U.S. dollar. In the light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding any gold production and exploration company at an early stage of its development, the actual results could differ materially from those presented and forecast in this report. AUR assumes no unconditional obligation to immediately update any such statements and/or forecasts
This press release shall not, directly or indirectly, be released, published or distributed in or to the United States, Australia Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa or other country where such action as a whole or in part is subject to legal restrictions. Nothing in this press release should be considered as an offer to invest or otherwise trade in shares of Auriant Mining AB (publ). The proposed issue will not be directed at residents or those living in the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa or other country where such action would require further prospectus, other offering documentation, registration or other measures beyond those required by Swedish law. No securities will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, a similar law in any state in the United States, or under any provincial law in Canada, nor under the applicable law of another country.
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