TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YAMANA GOLD INC. (TSX:YRI; NYSE:AUY; LSE:AUY) (“Yamana” or the “Company”) herein provides its updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates as at December 31, 2021 in support of its upcoming guidance and longer term outlook which will show sustainable and increasing production growth. The Company will release its guidance and longer term outlook along with its fourth quarter and full year 2021 operational and financial results after market close on Thursday, February 17, 2022.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Track Record of Mineral Reserves Replacement: The Company replaced gold mineral reserves at each of its wholly-owned operations and by 130% of depletion highlighting the sustainability and longevity of its mines.
- Another Year of Mineral Reserve Growth at Jacobina: Jacobina had another year of mineral reserve and mineral resource growth, adding 324,000 ounces of gold mineral reserves, a 5% year-over-year increase above depletion. Gold mineral reserves have grown by 55% or more than 1 million ounces net of depletion over the past four years to 2.94 million ounces and mineral resources have increased by 69% over the same period. The track record of growth in mineral reserves and mineral resources at Jacobina underpins its significant prospectivity and geological upside, which supports the planned phased expansion strategy that is expected to materially increase production and cash flows, generating strong returns on investment.
- Mineral Resource Growth Continues at Odyssey: At Odyssey, mineral resources continue to grow as a result of ongoing exploration drilling, with 2.35 million ounces of indicated gold mineral resources and 13.15 million ounces of inferred gold mineral resources (100% basis) reported at year-end. At East Gouldie, drilling added 82 new pierce points in the mineralized zones, confirming estimated grades and widths and resulting in the first gold indicated mineral resources for the deposit of 1.5 million ounces (100% basis). The ongoing infill drilling program continues to increase the inventory of indicated mineral resources to support the planned conversion of mineral resources to mineral reserves.
- Fourth Consecutive Year of Increasing Mineral Reserves at El Pen: El Pen achieved a fourth consecutive year of adding mineral reserves in excess of depletion, with mineral reserves growing 23% to 1.3 million gold equivalent ounces (“GEO”)(1) over that period. Mineral reserves added in 2021 were higher grade and increased the average gold and silver mineral reserves grades by 3%. The significance of the result is the continued extension of the El Pen mine life at a production rate of 220,000 to 230,000 GEO(1) per year, while replacement of mineral resources provides an inventory for future mineral reserves development.
- Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Growth at Cerro Moro: Cerro Moro successfully replaced depletion of mineral reserves on a GEO(1) basis, largely as a result of the expansion of high grade veins at the main ore bodies of Zoe, Martina, and Naty, which remain open at depth. The significance of the result is that it extends the mine life of Cerro Moro at a base production rate of 150,000 to 165,000 GEO(1) and establishes what the Company expects to be an ongoing trend of mineral reserve and mineral resource growth, similar to the mineral reserve replacement cycle established at the Company’s more mature operations.
- Company-wide Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Show Significant Scale: As at December 31, 2021, the Company reports 13.7 million ounces of gold mineral reserves and 111 million ounces of silver mineral reserves, relatively unchanged from the prior year. Further, largely consistent with the prior year, the Company reports measured and indicated mineral resources of 14.5 million ounces of gold, 51 million ounces of silver, and 1.4 billion pounds of copper exclusive of mineral reserves and inferred mineral resources of 15.5 million ounces of gold, 63 million ounces of silver, and 2.13 billion pounds of copper. At the Company's development projects mineral reserves of 7.1 million ounces of gold, 57 million ounces of silver, and 6.7 billion pounds of copper represent significant upside potential within the existing portfolio.
5-YEAR TRACK RECORD OF MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES GROWTH
Yamana has attempted to differentiate itself over the last several years by replacing depletion of mineral reserves and has been mostly successful at such differentiation. The result of which is that when looked at over several years, there has been a very significant increase of mineral reserves and corresponding extension of mine lives. This differentiation is expected to continue in the next several years and in most cases, the discovery of new inferred mineral resources at existing mines already represents an excellent source of future proven and probable mineral reserves. Characterized by large land packages in prospective geological districts, Yamana’s operations continue to demonstrate the ability to add value through drilling which, at a minimum, ensures sustainability of mine lives at current production rates. This also, creates opportunities to increase production and ultimately increase free cash flow generation. In recent years, results have exceeded expectations with operations not only replacing depletion but also increasing mineral reserves, mineral resources, and the pipeline of exploration targets for future conversion.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/02/08/2381420/0/en/Yamana-Gold-Reports-Updated-Mineral-Reserves-and-Mineral-Resources-Underpinning-Increasing-Mine-Lives-Across-Its-Portfolio.html