WHITEHORSE, YT, Oct. 12,
2022 /CNW/ - Minto Metals
Corp. ("Minto" or the "Company") is pleased to
announce the Company's 2022 third quarter ("QTR-3") production
results from the Minto Mine located within the Selkirk First
Nation's Territory in central Yukon,
Canada. Payable copper production was 7.9 million pounds in
QTR-3 and 22.4 million pounds YTD.
Third Quarter
Highlights:
- Copper sales were 7.9 million pounds in QTR-3 compared to
7.3 million pounds in QTR-3 2021, resulting in a 7%
increase
- Operating Results:
-
- Ore tonnes produced for QTR-3 was 222,696 dry metric
tonnes ("dmt"), a 9% increase from 203,312 dmt in QTR-3 2021
- Mill feed for QTR-3 was 269,096 dmt, compared to 198,221
dmt in QTR-3 2021, a 36% increase
- Overall head grade for QTR-3 has remained relatively the same
quarter over quarter
Production Results -
Quarter 3
|
|
2022 -QTR
3
|
|
2021 -QTR
3
|
|
%
Change
|
Ore Tonnes
Produced
|
|
222,696
|
|
203,312
|
|
9.5 %
|
Ore Tonnes
Milled
|
|
269,096
|
|
198,221
|
|
35.8 %
|
Head Grade %
|
|
1.42 %
|
|
1.43 %
|
|
-0.7 %
|
Payable Copper (million
pounds)
|
|
7.86
|
|
7.34
|
|
7.1 %
|
Gold (ounces)
(1)
|
|
3,074
|
|
3,084
|
|
-0.3 %
|
Silver (ounces)
(1)
|
|
33,399
|
|
40,176
|
|
-16.9 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production Results -
YTD 9
Months
|
|
2022
-YTD
|
|
2021
-YTD
|
|
%
Change
|
Ore Tonnes
Produced
|
|
698,470
|
|
603,597
|
|
15.7 %
|
Ore Tonnes
Milled
|
|
682,504
|
|
641,883
|
|
6.3 %
|
Head Grade %
|
|
1.56 %
|
|
1.33 %
|
|
17.3 %
|
Payable Copper (million
pounds)
|
|
22.40
|
|
17.29
|
|
29.6 %
|
Gold (ounces)
(1)
|
|
8,972
|
|
7,119
|
|
26.0 %
|
Silver (ounces)
(1)
|
|
103,116
|
|
87,347
|
|
18.1 %
|
|
1.
Under the Wheaton Precious Metals agreement, the Company
receives 65% of the adjusted Gold price up to a maximum of US$1,250
for 2 years and then 50% up to a maximum of US$1,000 thereafter.
(12 Months remaining on initial term) Silver receipts are at the
lesser of the prevailing market price and US $4.35/oz with 1%
annual escalator.
|
"Our third quarter production results highlighted our fourth
consecutive quarter of operational improvement as compared to 2021,
including a 7% increase in payable copper pounds for QTR-3, and we
are confident that we will meet the previously announced guidance
of 28–31 million pounds of copper production in 2022," commented
Chris Stewart, President and
CEO.
"As we noted in prior press releases, we have had some water
challenges this year and we continue to treat and discharge excess
water from our mine site. QTR-3 demonstrates that we are now setup
properly with our Water Treatment Plant and we can discharge clean
water while meeting our copper production targets. A lot of
hard work by our team, our consultants and our contractors went
into making this happen in such a short period of time and I want
to thank everyone for their efforts," concluded Mr. Stewart.
The Company plans to release its full QTR-3 financial results on
November 17, 2022.
About Minto Metals Corp.
Minto operates the producing Minto mine located within the
traditional territory of the Selkirk First Nation in the Minto
Copper Belt of the Yukon. The
Minto mine has been in operation since 2007 with underground mining
commencing in 2014. Since 2007, approximately 500Mlbs of copper
have been produced from the Minto mine. The current mine operations
are based on underground mining, a process plant to produce
high-grade copper, gold, and silver concentrate, and all supporting
infrastructure associated with a remote location in Yukon. The Minto property is located west of
the Yukon River, about 20 km WNW of Minto
Landing, the latter on the east side of the river, and
approximately 250 road-km north of the City of Whitehorse, the capital city of
Yukon.
Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and
"forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking
statements"), within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable U.S. securities laws, which we refer to collectively as
"forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are
statements and information regarding possible events, conditions,
or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about
future conditions and courses of action. All statements and
information other than statements of historical fact may be
forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek",
"expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue",
"forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target",
"may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or
phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes
or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements or
assumptions in this press release include, but are not limited to:
statements with respect to achieving 2022 guidance for metal
production.
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of
material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to:
that required financing and permits will be obtained; general
economic conditions; no labour disputes or disruptions, no
flooding, ground instability, geotechnical failure, fire, failure
of the plant; that equipment and processes continue to
operate as anticipated and other risks of the mining industry will
not be encountered; that contracted parties provide goods or
services in a timely manner; that there is no material adverse
change in the price of copper, gold or other metals; competitive
conditions in the mining industry; title to mineral properties;
costs; taxes; the retention of the Company's key personnel; no
changes in-laws, and no material worsening of the direct and
indirect impact of COVID-19 including rules and regulations
applicable to Minto.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results,
performance, or achievements to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company
believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these
expectations will prove to be correct and you are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained
herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause
actual performance and results to differ materially from those
expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news
release, include, but are not limited to: changes in commodity
prices, general economic conditions, mineral reserve and mineral
resource estimates may change and may prove to be inaccurate; Minto
has a limited operating history and is subject to risks associated
with establishing new mining operations; sustained increases in
costs, or decreases in the availability, of commodities consumed or
otherwise used by the Company may adversely affect the Company;
adverse geotechnical and geological conditions (including
geotechnical failures) may result in operating delays and lower
throughput or recovery, closures or damage to mine infrastructure;
the Company's operations may encounter delays in or losses of
production due to equipment delays or the availability of
equipment; the Company's operations are subject to continuously
evolving legislation, compliance with which may be difficult,
uneconomic or require significant expenditures; the Company may be
unsuccessful in attracting and retaining key personnel; labour
disruptions could adversely affect the Company's operations; risks
related to the Company's use of contractors; the hazards and risks
normally encountered in the exploration, development and production
of copper, gold and silver; the Company's operations are subject to
environmental hazards and compliance with applicable environmental
laws and regulations; the Company's operations and workforce are
exposed to health and safety risks; the Company's title to
exploration, development and mining interests can be uncertain and
may be contested; the Company's properties may be subject to claims
by various community stakeholders; risks related to limited access
to infrastructure and water; the Company may not be able to secure
additional financing when needed or on acceptable terms; the
Company may be subject to litigation; and those risk factors set
out in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2022 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed on SEDAR. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual performance, results, or events to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are
cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other
factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference
in, this news release if these beliefs, estimates, and opinions or
other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by
applicable law.
Neither the 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 release.
Contact Information:
Tania Barreto, CPIR
Director, Investor Relations
(416)419 2750
E-mail: info@mintomine.com
SOURCE Minto Metals Corp.