News Minera Alamos First Blast Completed at Santana Gold Mine as Mining Operations Commence; Fortuna Update
Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 20, 2021) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to announce that this week, the Company successfully executed the first planned production blasts at the Nicho Norte pit at the Santana gold mine in Sonora, Mexico. With this inaugural blast successfully completed drilling has already begun on subsequent blasting as the Nicho Norte pit is opened up.
Photo 1 - Inaugural mining blast at the Nicho Norte zone - Bench 905
To view an enhanced version of Photo 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4183/84622_ba3164ddd49bfbaa_002full.jpg
The initial blasting at Nicho Norte provided excellent fragmentation and further optimization is planned as blasting operations continue. Stockpiling of the mineralized material is ongoing in advance of the initiation of screening and crushing activities. This first material will be used to test the leaching circuit and commission the carbon plant prior to continuous loading of the heap leach pad as the Company takes a prudent approach to ramping up operations at Santana throughout the remainder of 2021 ahead of more steady state operation in 2022 and beyond.
"The Company is tremendously proud of the efforts of our Mexican operations group and their success in moving a new gold project through construction and into operations during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. It has required major perseverance and significant skill and creativity," stated Darren Koningen, CEO of Minera Alamos. "The start-up of operations allows us to efficiently perform our final optimizations at a production scale while moving towards commercial production. It is an exciting time for everyone in the Company and our investors as we make the final transition to a gold producer."
Photo 2 - Stockpiling of mineralized material in preparation for screening and crushing
To view an enhanced version of Photo 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4183/84622_ba3164ddd49bfbaa_003full.jpg
Fortuna Royalty Option Extension
The Company and Osisko Gold Royalties ("Osisko") have mutually agreed to extend the option period of the La Fortuna royalty agreement until May 15th 2022. The extension provides additional time for the Company to evaluate project development sequencing following the start up of operations at the Santana gold mine and to maintain financing flexibility for the construction capital required for the building of a gold operation at the La Fortuna project.
Cautionary Statement
The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations.
Mr. Darren Koningen, P. Eng., Minera Alamos' CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this press release under National Instrument 43-101.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Minera Alamos Inc.
Doug Ramshaw, President
Tel: 604-600-4423
Email: dramshaw@mineraalamos.com
Website: www.mineraalamos.com
.........Bluetick