Nullagine Gold Project Life of Mine Update

Transcription

1 19 March 2014 Manager Company Announcements Company Announcements Office Australian Securities Exchange Limited Level 4, 20 Bridge Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 ABN Dear Sir/Madam Via Electronic Lodgement Nullagine Gold Project Life of Mine Update Millennium Minerals Limited ( Millennium or the Company ) is pleased to report the key outputs of the life of mine (LOM) plan for the Nullagine Gold Project (the Project) that includes the recently announced Ore Reserve 1. The information provided covers the period January 2014 to December Highlights Mining inventory included in the LOM now stands at 481,000 ounces, including the Ore Reserve of 465,000 contained ounces, treatment of medium grade stockpiles and some Inferred Mineral Resources likely to be mined. The plan forecasts mining and processing 9.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.52 g/t Au to recover 426,000 ounces, at an average metallurgical recovery of 89. Higher mill throughput of 1.6 million tonnes per year. Forecast LOM mine level cash flow of $171 million 2, using a spot gold price of US$1350/oz and exchange rate of $US0.90 : $1.00 and the average hedged gold price of $1594/oz (for 72,000 ounces.) Project before tax, pre debt, NPV (7 discount rate) of $144 million. Average LOM cash (C1) costs of A$989 per ounce and sustaining cash cost of $1,160 per ounce. Using the above prices, an average LOM gross operating margin (Project level) of A$527 per ounce. FY2014 production is estimated at approximately 76,000 ounces at a C1 cash cost of A$975 per ounce and a sustaining cash cost of A$1140 per ounce. 1 All Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are reported in accordance with JORC, All currency units are Australian dollars unless otherwise denoted Ground Floor 10 Kings Park Road West Perth WA 6005 Australia. PO Box 117 West Perth WA 6872 Australia. T: +61 (0) F: +61 (0) E: info@millenniumminerals.com.au W:

2 Updated Project Outputs The Project business model was revised with the new mining schedule, updated operating costs and metallurgical recovery estimates. The key Project outputs are set out in Table 1. Item Table 1: Key Project Outputs Production Total volume mined Ore production Ore grade Contained ounces (including inferred resources) Processing recovery Gold production Mining strip ratio Mill throughput Life of mine Unit BCM million tonnes million g/t Au ounces ounces Ratio Mtpy Years AS of March 2014 Metrics , , : Average Yearly Production first 4 years Unit Operating Costs Mining (including haulage) Processing (including maintenance) Site Administration Total Operating Cost Ounces $/BCM $/tonne $/tonne $/tonne 74,000 Capital Expenditure Sustaining Capex ( ) A$ million 10 LOM unit costs per ounce Cash (C1) cost per ounce* Sustaining cost per ounce** Life of Mine Economics Revenue Operating cash flow (EBITDA) Mine operating margin per ounce*** Project Net Present Value (7) Assumptions Spot gold price Exchange Rate Discount rate Tax rate Royalty rate Average Hedge Price $/ ounce $/ ounce A$ million A$ million A$/ounce A$ million US$/ounce A$:US$ A$/ounce $989 $1, *Cash (C1) cost per ounce includes the costs of mining, processing, administration and by product credits. It does not include capital expenditure, exploration, corporate costs or royalty payments. **Sustaining cost per ounce includes Cash (C1) cost, royalties, capital expenditure and corporate costs. It does not include exploration. *** Mine Operating margin per ounce is calculated as realised gold price less C1 cash cost that measures the gross operating margin at the mine level. Page 2 of 2

3 The Company recently updated the Nullagine Gold Project s Ore Reserve (ASX announcement of 10 March 2014). The mine operating schedule produced recognises Ore Reserve depletion, lower spot gold prices and actual operating costs experienced over the first year of operation. The mining schedule now forecasts mining and processing 9.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.52 g/t Au including Inferred Mineral Resources not included in the Ore Reserve but expected to be mined under practical mining conditions. Planning also assumes that all medium and low grade stockpiles are treated during the life of higher grade mine and mill operations. This will be achieved by utilising available mill capacity above and beyond that required to treat the higher grade ore, and where the operating margin per ounce of lower grade material treated warrants its processing cost. Mine Scheduling The Project consists of five main deposit areas; Golden Eagle, All Nations, Barton, Golden Gate and Shearers. Smaller higher grade deposits surrounding the Golden Gate area; Crow, G Reef, Harrier, Falcon and Condor are also included in this study. The updated mining schedule also includes the Little Wonder, Otways deposits and the Camel Creek Joint Venture deposits. The LOM is based on achieving a mill run time of 96, based on better SAG mill liner life and continuing improvements in wear component life. The updated planning assumptions reflect actual operating performance achieved by the operation. Whilst this reduces mine life marginally to six years the forecast reflects a higher and more consistent gold production profile than that forecast in the original base case model, particularly over the period 2014 through to The gold production profile for the period is constrained by the current Ore Reserve. It is expected that this profile will change following in fill drilling and Mineral Resource to Ore Reserve conversion studies to be completed during Future Performance A feature of the LOM plan is the greater flexibility available to the Company due to the recent establishment of multiple ore sources and associated mining operations. From 2014 mining and process operations have available oxidised, transition and fresh ore from the Golden Eagle deposit, higher grade oxidised ore at Golden Gate and substantial medium grade stockpiles located at the process plant. Improved blending of these materials should allow more uniform head grades, gold recovery and mill throughput over the currently planned life of the Project. In addition, the remaining deposits included in the mining schedule yet to be developed will largely add oxidised and transition ore types to the mining and milling plan so the proportion of fresh ore included in the mill feed blend will progressively decrease from around 50 in , to below 30 for the remaining LOM plan. The Company views the current mine life of six years as more than adequate as a reserve base to allow for the future development of additional Ore Reserves from the reported 1.9 million ounce Mineral Resource inventory. Longer term, the Company has a highly prospective pipeline of targets within its mining leases that show potential for further Mineral Resource development. These targets need to be drilled out over the next two years and assessed before that potential can be determined. Corporate Following completion of the updated LOM plan, Millennium is currently in discussions with its bankers to agree an amended debt repayment schedule to match the Project s updated production profile (as previously announced). Those discussions are expected to be completed prior to March 31, 2014 when Millennium is required to make its next loan repayment. Page 3 of 3

4 Nullagine Gold Project Background The Project contains a 1.91 million ounce gold Mineral Resource situated within 9 deposits on granted mining leases (Table 2). The current Ore Reserve has 465,000 contained ounces (Table 3). The operation is located 10 kilometres south of the township of Nullagine. Mine construction commenced in July 2011 with first gold poured 30 September Commercial production was declared from 1 January Brian Rear Managing Director ENQUIRIES: Brian Rear Ground Floor 10 Kings Park Road West Perth WA 6005 Postal: PO Box 117 West Perth WA 6872 T: F: W: Media : Geoff Fowlstone Nullagine Gold Project Site Map Millennium Tenements Page 4 of 4

5 Table 2. Nullagine Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate November 2013 (0.5 g/t Au Cut off) Deposit Measured Indicated Inferred Total Mt Grade Mt Grade Mt Grade Mt Grade Ounces g/t Au g/t Au g/t Au g/t Au Golden Eagle ,000 Bartons ,000 Shearers ,000 Otways ,000 All Nations ,000 Little Wonder ,700 Golden Gate (ABCD) ,000 Falcon ,000 Condor ,000 Harrier ,000 Crow ,500 G_Reef ,200 Au ,900 Camel Creek JV ,500 Beatons Creek Earn In ,000 Total ,908,800 Notes: 1. Figures in Table may not sum due to rounding. 2. The Golden Eagle deposit was estimated using Multiple Indicator Kriging methodology for grade estimation by CSA Global. 3. The Bartons, Shearers, Otways, All Nations, Little Wonder and Au81 were estimated using Ordinary Kriging methodology for grade estimation by CSA Global. 4. The Golden Gate (ABCD reef), and Golden Gate satellite deposits, namely Falcon, Condor, Harrier, Crow and G Reef were estimated using Ordinary Kriging. 5. The Golden Gate and Bartons deposits are the subject of a mining licence agreement whereby Millennium has the sole and exclusive right to explore and mine gold and other minerals. Millennium then is required to pay 25 of the net proceeds to the tenement owners (Livestock Marketing Pty Ltd, Duncan Thomas Young, Simba Holdings Pty Ltd and Ronald Lane Swinney) after mining and processing cost deductions. 6. The Mineral Resources at the Camel Creek JV (CCJV) were estimated using Ordinary Kriging methodology by CSA Global. Only Millennium's 50 interest is stated in the above table. 7. The Mineral Resources at Beatons Creek deposit estimated using Ordinary Kriging methodology for grade estimation by Tetra Tech Inc. Beatons Creek is subject to a farmin Joint Venture with Novo Resources Corp (Novo) (CNSX:NVO). Under the Farm In agreement Novo may earn a 70 interest in the Beatons Creek tenements by delivering a bankable Feasibility Study on the property within 5 years of commencement of the Agreement which was executed in August As Novo has yet to earn an interest in the Beatons Creek tenements, the Company accounts for 100 of the mineral resource on the Beatons Creek tenements. Page 5 of 5

6 Table 3. Nullagine Gold Project Ore Reserve Estimate 1 delivered to mill basis (includes MML 50 of CC JV)December 2013 Prospect Proven Probable Total Ore (t) Grade Ore (t) Grade Ore (t) Grad Ounces g/t Au g/t Au e g/t Au Golden Eagle 4,305, , ,827, ,500 Bartons 802, , ,032, ,800 All Nations 354, , , ,300 Shearers 411, , , ,100 Otways 169, , , ,000 Little Wonder (MML) 105, , , ,500 Golden Gate ABCD 434, , , ,100 Condor 66, , , ,300 Crow 18, , , ,600 Falcon 75, , ,400 Harrier 39, , ,500 G Reef 31, , ,600 Little Wonder (CCJV) 92, , , ,600 Roscoes Reward 153, , , ,600 Junction 43, , , ,500 6,955,900 1,279, ,236, ,000 Total 1.7 Stockpiles ROM: LG 420, ,400 HG 37, ,000 Total 8,694, ,400 Notes: 1 Numbers may not sum due to rounding. Page 6 of 6

7 Competent Persons Statements Exploration Results Mr Irvine Hay (MAIG), a geologist employed full time by Millennium Minerals Limited, compiled the technical aspects of this Report. Mr Hay is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to this style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that is being reported on to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Hay consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters in the form and context in which it appears. Competent Persons Statements Mineral Resources The information in this Report which relates to the Golden Eagle, Bartons, Shearers, Otways, All Nations, Little Wonder, CC JV, Golden Gate ABCD reef, and satellites Condor & Crow Mineral Resource estimates accurately reflects information prepared by competent persons (as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves). The Golden Eagle, Bartons, Shearers, Otways, All Nations, Little Wonder, Golden Gate ABCD reef, and Condor & Crow Golden Gate satellite deposits Mineral Resource estimates have been compiled and prepared by Dr Bielin Shi, (MAusIMM) of CSA Global Pty. Ltd. who is a Competent Person as defined by the Australasian Code for the reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 Edition and who consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this Report which relates to the Au81 Mineral Resource estimate accurately reflects information prepared by competent persons (as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves). The Au81 deposit Mineral Resource estimate has been compiled and prepared by Grant Louw, (MAIG, MGSSA) of CSA Global Pty. Ltd. who is a Competent Person as defined by the Australasian Code for the reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 Edition and who consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this Report which relates to the Golden Gate G reef Mineral Resource estimate accurately reflects information prepared by competent persons (as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves). The Golden Gate G reef deposit Mineral Resource estimate has been compiled and prepared by Dmitry Pertel, (MAIG, MGSSA) of CSA Global Pty. Ltd. who is a Competent Person as defined by the Australasian Code for the reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 Edition and who consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this Report which relates to the Golden Gate Falcon and Harrier Mineral Resource estimates accurately reflects information prepared by competent persons (as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves). The Golden Gate Falcon & Harrier satellite deposits Mineral Resource estimates have been compiled and prepared by Steven Hodgson, (MAIG) formerly of CSA Global Pty. Ltd. who is a Competent Person as defined by the Australasian Code for the reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 Edition and who consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Patrick Huxtable of Tetra Tech, Perth, Australia, has prepared the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Beatons Creek Gold Project, and is independent of Novo Resources Corporation for purposes of National Instrument Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI "). Mr Huxtable (RPGeo MAIG) is a Qualified Person as defined by NI Mineral resources that 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, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. The mineral resources in this news release were estimated using current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) standards, definitions and guidelines. Competent Persons Statements Ore Reserves The information in this Report, which relates to the Ore Reserve estimates accurately reflect information prepared by competent persons (as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves). The information in this public statement that relates to the Ore Reserves at the Millennium Minerals Nullagine Project is based on information compiled by Mr Steve Lampron and Mr. Daniel Tuffin. Mr. Daniel Tuffin of Auralia Mining Consulting completed the Ore Reserve estimate. Mr Daniel Tuffin is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (#228649) and a Certified Professional. He has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that they are undertaking to qualify him as a Competent Person as defined in accordance with the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)2012. Qualifying Statement This release may include forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are based on Millennium s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Millennium, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Millennium makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of this release. Page 7 of 7