- Published: 01 November 2010
- Written by Editor
Canariaco Norte Copper Resource Increases Significantly
Candente Copper Corp. (TSX: DNT)(BVLAC: DNT)(WKN: GW4) ("Candente Copper") is extremely pleased to report that an updated Mineral Resource Estimate recently completed for the Canariaco Norte copper deposit in Peru has confirmed a substantial increase in the mineral resources.
As part of the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study of the Canariaco Norte project, AMEC Americas Limited ("AMEC"), has re-modelled and re-classified the Mineral Resource and issued an updated, significantly larger Resource Estimate.
Highlights of the 0.30% copper cut-off Resource Estimate:
At the base case 0.30% copper cut-off grade, Canariaco Norte's Measured and Indicated tonnage has increased by 21% and the Measured and Indicated contained copper has increased by 16% from the Mineral Resource Estimate released in September 2008 (see Candente Resource news release dated September 18, 2008).
-- Measured and Indicated: 752.4 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 0.45% copper
containing 7.53 billion pounds of copper (0.52% copper equivalent(i);
0.49% copper equivalent with gold and silver recoveries applied(ii)).
-- Inferred: 157.7 Mt grading 0.41% copper containing 1.43 billion pounds
of copper (0.47% copper equivalent(i); 0.44% copper equivalent with gold
and silver recoveries applied(ii)).
To show sensitivity of the estimate to cut-off grade, a 0.20% copper cut-off grade was also modelled. Using this cut-off grade, Canariaco Norte's Measured and Indicated tonnage has increased by 22% and contained copper increased by 18% from the 2008 Mineral Resource Estimate.
-- Measured and Indicated: 1.003 billion tonnes grading 0.40% copper
containing 8.94 billion pounds of copper (0.46% copper equivalent(i);
0.44% copper equivalent with gold and silver recoveries applied(ii)).
-- Inferred: 293.3 million tonnes grading 0.33% copper containing 2.16
billion pounds of copper (0.38% copper equivalent(i); 0.36% copper
equivalent with gold and silver recoveries applied(ii)).
"This updated mineral resource estimate will now be the basis for the Canariaco Norte Pre-Feasibility Study currently underway, and we anticipate that it will have a very positive effect on the value of the Canariaco Norte deposit. This new development provides further support to our conviction that Canariaco Norte will be one of the next generation of Peruvian copper mines," commented Sean Waller, P. Eng., President of Candente Copper.
Table 1 - Mineral Resource Estimate at the Base Case 0.30% Copper Cut-off Grade
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Contained Metal
Resource tonnes Cu Cu Au Ag Copper Gold Silver
Classification (M) Eq(i) Eq(ii) Cu (g/t) (g/t) (B lbs) (M Ozs) (M Ozs)
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Measured 338.1 0.55% 0.52% 0.48% 0.08 2.0 3.587 0.870 21.635
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Indicated 414.3 0.49% 0.46% 0.43% 0.06 1.8 3.945 0.799 23.602
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Measured+
Indicated 752.4 0.52% 0.49% 0.45% 0.07 1.9 7.533 1.669 45.237
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Inferred 157.7 0.47% 0.44% 0.41% 0.06 1.8 1.434 0.304 8.932
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Resource Sensitivity at Various Copper Cut-off Grades
AMEC developed volumetrics at cut-off grades of 0.20% Cu and 0.14% Cu as well as the base case 0.3% Cu. The copper cut-off grade of 0.20% is based on operating cut-off grades of other comparable copper mines in South America. AMEC has also calculated that the marginal cut-off grade that allows for reasonable prospects of economic extraction is 0.14% copper. The following table is provided to demonstrate the sensitivity of the mineral resources to variation in copper cut-off grades.
Table 2 - Mineral Resources at Various Copper Cut-off Grades:
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Measured and Indicated Resource Summary
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Contained Metal
Cu
cut- tonnes Cu Cu Au Ag Copper Gold Silver
off (M) Eq(i) Eq(ii) Cu (g/t) (g/t) (B lbs) (M Ozs) (M Ozs)
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0.30% 752.4 0.52% 0.49% 0.45% 0.07 1.9 7.533 1.669 45.237
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0.20% 1003.0 0.46% 0.44% 0.40% 0.06 1.7 8.941 2.065 56.102
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0.14% 1106.2 0.44% 0.41% 0.38% 0.06 1.7 9.332 2.052 61.665
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Inferred Resource Summary
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0.30% 157.7 0.47% 0.44% 0.41% 0.06 1.8 1.434 0.304 8.932
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0.20% 293.3 0.38% 0.36% 0.33% 0.05 1.5 2.165 0.472 14.216
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0.14% 419.4 0.32% 0.31% 0.28% 0.04 1.3 2.634 0.539 17.969
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(i)Copper equivalent grade including gold and silver values and based on 100% metal recoveries. Copper grade equivalent calculation. Cu Eq% =(Cu % + ((Au grade x Au price)+(Ag grade x Ag price))/(22.0462 x Cu price x 31.0135 g/t)
(ii)Copper equivalent grade including gold and silver, metal recoveries (gold 55%; silver 50%) and smelter returns (copper 96.5%: gold 93%; silver 90%) applied. Copper grade equivalent calculation: Cu Eq% =(Cu % + ((Au grade x Au price x Au recovery x Au smelter return%)+(Ag grade x Ag price x Ag recovery x Ag smelter return%))/(22.0462 x Cu price x 31.0135 g/t x Cu recovery x Cu smelter return%)
This updated mineral resource estimate is based on 229 drill holes and includes the results of 16 drill holes completed after the previous estimate by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. in September 2008, as well as a review of the deposit lithology, alteration and specific gravities. Metal prices used by AMEC for the updated resource estimate are: copper US$2.50/lb, gold US$1,035/oz and silver US$17.25/oz.
Mineral Resource Statement
The effective date of this mineral resource estimate is September 10, 2010, which represents the cut-off date for the most recent scientific and technical information used in the resource estimate. The mineral resources reported herein have been estimated using criteria consistent with the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy ("CIM") Definition Standards (2005) and in conformity with the CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice" (2003) guidelines. AMEC produced an updated resource estimate for the Canariaco Norte deposit based on drilling information and geological interpretation provided by Candente Copper. AMEC undertook quality assurance and quality control studies on the mineral resource data for the Canariaco Norte project. AMEC concludes that the collar, assay and lithology data are adequate to support resource estimation. The updated resource model includes 16 additional drill holes completed subsequent to the previous estimate conducted by SRK Consulting in September 2008. Resources in Table 2 are categorized and tabulated within a constraining economic resource pit shell based on costs and prices evaluated by AMEC.
The marginal economic Grade cut-off calculated at 0.14% Cu is based on prices and costs reviewed by AMEC. The open pit mineral constrained resource is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.30% copper within a Lerch-Grossman resource pit shell optimized on copper, gold and silver. Copper recoveries vary from 58.8% at a copper grade of 0.10% to 93.1% recovery at a copper grade of 0.60%. Gold and silver recoveries are: 55% and 50% respectively. The metal prices used are: copper US$2.50/lb, gold US$1,035/oz and silver US$17.25/oz. The contained metal figures shown are in situ. No assurance can be given that the estimated quantities will be produced. All figures have been rounded to reflect accuracy and to comply with securities regulatory requirements. Summations within the tables may not agree due to rounding.
David Thomas, P.Geo. is an employee of AMEC Americas Limited and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Thomas is responsible for the mineral resources reported above and he has reviewed and approved disclosure of these mineral resources.
About Candente Copper
Candente Copper Corp is a TSX and BVL listed mining company focused on exploration and development of base metal mining projects in Peru and Latin America. Candente Copper's flagship project is the 100% owned pre-feasibility stage Canariaco Norte Copper Project located in northern Peru's prolific mining district.
Sean Waller, P.Eng., President and Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the projects discussed above. They have reviewed and approved the contents of this release.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Candente relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS
We advise U.S. investors that this news release uses terms that are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including "mineral resources", "measured resources", "indicated resources" and "inferred resources". The estimation of measured and indicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that mineral resources in these categories will be converted to reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically mineable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that mineral resources in any of these categories will be converted into reserves.
On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp.
Sean Waller, P. Eng., President & Director
NR-010
Contacts:
Candente Copper Corp.
John Foulkes
VP Corporate Development
mobile: +1 (604) 614-2999 or local: + 1 (604) 689-1957 ext 2
or toll free: 1 (877) 689-1964 ext 2
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Candente Copper Corp.
Walter Spagnuolo
Manager, Investor Relations
mobile: +1 (604) 306-8477 or local: + 1 (604) 689-1957 ext 3
www.candente.com
SOURCE: Candente Copper Corp.
mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.candente.com
