www.aldridgeminerals.ca
TSX-V: AGM
TORONTO, May 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Aldridge Minerals Inc. (TSX Venture: AGM)
("Aldridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, among other
things, that the NI 43-101 Compliant Technical Report summarizing the
Feasibility Study for the Yenipazar Project in Turkey (the "43-101")
has been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.aldridgeminerals.ca. All dollar figures in this news release are stated in United States
("US") dollars.
During the compilation of the 43-101, a number of adjustments were
identified by the Company that had a favourable impact on the project
economics compared to the results announced on April 3, 2013. The
adjustments affected the amounts and timing of depreciation expenses
and several other items in the financial model. As a result, on an
after-NPI1 and after-tax basis, the NPV (0%) improved by approximately $75 million
to $782 million and the NPV (7%) improved by approximately $38 million
to $361 million.
Economic Analysis: Base Case Metal Prices
The Company has determined to present three economic scenarios using the
base case metal pricing assumptions. The first scenario is on a pre-tax
project basis and does not reflect the Alacer NPI. The second scenario
includes the NPI and the third scenario includes both the NPI and
applicable taxes. All scenarios demonstrate robust economics.
Base Case Pricing Assumptions
|
Gold ($/oz)
|
Silver ($/oz)
|
Copper ($/lb)
|
Lead ($/lb)
|
Zinc ($/lb)
|
$1,450
|
$28.00
|
$3.00
|
$0.95
|
$0.90
|
|
Pre-NPI, Pre-Tax
|
After-NPI, Pre-Tax
|
After-NPI, After-Tax
|
IRR
|
26.5%
|
24.4%
|
23.7%
|
NPV (0%)
|
$908M
|
$816M
|
$782M
|
NPV (7%)
|
$438M
|
$381M
|
$361M
|
Payback (years)
|
2.6
|
2.7
|
2.8
|
_____________________
1 The Yenipazar project is subject to a 6% net profit interest ("NPI",
revenues less operational expenses) to Alacer Gold Corp. ("Alacer")
until revenues of US$165 million are generated, and a 10% NPI from
there on.
Economic Analysis: Base Case Metal Prices Minus 10%
In the interest of further demonstrating the strength of the Yenipazar
project, the scenarios below outline the effect of a 10% reduction to
base case metal prices on the economics of the project.
Base Case Minus 10% Pricing Assumptions
|
Gold ($/oz)
|
Silver ($/oz)
|
Copper ($/lb)
|
Lead ($/lb)
|
Zinc ($/lb)
|
$1,300
|
$25.00
|
$2.70
|
$0.85
|
$0.80
|
|
Pre-NPI, Pre-Tax
|
After-NPI, Pre-Tax
|
After-NPI, After-Tax
|
IRR
|
20.5%
|
18.7%
|
18.1%
|
NPV (0%)
|
$646M
|
$579M
|
$555M
|
NPV (7%)
|
$280M
|
$238M
|
$224M
|
Payback (years)
|
3.1
|
3.5
|
3.7
|
Operating Costs
Since the announcement of the Feasibility Study highlights on April 3,
2013, Golder Associates (UK) Limited determined that operating costs
per tonne be reduced by $0.02 to $29.13 per tonne of ore due to a
downward adjustment in power costs for the tailings management
facility. This adjustment is reflected in the NPV calculations noted
above.
Quality Assurance
Alexander Duggan, P. Eng., Manager Estimating & Planning with Jacobs
Minerals Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.,
reviewed the Economic Analyses regarding Base Case Metal Prices and
Base Case Minus 10% Pricing referred to in this news release. Mr.
Duggan is a Qualified Person under the guidelines of NI 43-101 who
reviewed the Economic Analyses, which are based on Base Case Pricing
Assumptions, adjustments to depreciation expenses and the other
information identified by the Company. The complete NI 43-101 report
details the extent of the study, the assumptions made in analyzing the
data provided the risks inherent in such projects and remaining work
necessary to validate the project feasibility. Interested parties are
encouraged to read the entire report.
Annual Meeting
Aldridge is also pleased to announce the results of its Annual and
Special Meeting of Shareholders held on Wednesday May 15, 2013 (the
"Meeting").
Election of Directors
The number of directors has been set at ten and includes the election of
Baran Baycan, Mario Caron, John Cook, Daniella Dimitrov, Ed Guimaraes,
Barry Hildred, Meric Oktar, Ahmet Taçyildiz, Hande Taçyildiz and
Michael Widmer.
Continuance
The Company's shareholders approved the continuance of the Company from
the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) to the Canada Business Corporations Act and adopted a new general by-law of the Company.
Stock Option Plan
At the Meeting, Shareholders approved amendments to the Company's stock
option plan (the "Option Plan") to convert it from a "fixed" to a
"rolling" stock option plan. The Option Plan now defines the maximum
number of shares that may be issuable under the Option Plan as 10% of
the Company's issued share capital. The amendments to the Option Plan
are subject to final regulatory approval.
Appointment of Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, has been re-appointed
as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and the board of
directors has been authorized to fix their remuneration.
Filing of Q1 2013 Financial Statements
The Company has filed its unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and management's discussion & analysis for the three months
ended March 31, 2013 (the "Financial Statements" and the "MD&A",
respectively). The Financial Statements and the MD&A are posted on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.aldridgeminerals.ca.
About Aldridge
Aldridge is a development stage mining company focused on advancing its
Yenipazar polymetallic VMS deposit (Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn) in Turkey - a
country that is committed to developing its natural resources and is
rapidly emerging as an economic powerhouse. Following completion of the
Feasibility Study, one of Company's key objectives of 2013 is to obtain
the project financing needed to build the Yenipazar project and
thereafter commence production. The project financing may include some
combination of equity, senior debt, metal streaming and off-take
agreements.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve
risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results,
performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from
those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements in this news release, include, but are not limited to,
economic performance and future plans and objectives of Aldridge. Any
number of important factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future
results. Although Aldridge believes that the assumptions and factors
used in making the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue
reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as
of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that
such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Aldridge
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
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 news
release.
SOURCE: Aldridge Minerals Inc.