- Published: 27 May 2014
- Written by Editor
Bralorne Reports Higher Gold Output for March 2014 and Outlines New Mining Block Averaging 12 g/t Gold
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - Bralorne Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:BPM)(BPMSF)(GV7.F)(BERLIN:GV7) (WKN A0B75M) (the "Company") is pleased to report another month of increased gold output at the Company's 100% owned Bralorne Gold Mine located near Gold Bridge, British Columbia, Canada. During March 2014, 2,755 tonnes of material was processed through the Company's 100 ton-per-day mill at an average grade of 9.7 g/t for total gold output of 758.7 ounces. This represents a 41% increase compared to February 2014. In addition, underground development work outlined a new potential mining block with a strike length of 68 metres averaging 12 g/t gold.
Dr. Mathew Ball, President and Chief Operating Officer, stated: "We are very pleased with the significant increase in gold output seen in March, which was the result of higher grade material in the areas being mined. This increased productivity supports our intention to double current mill capacity with the goal of reaching commercial production. We are also pleased to see continued exploration upside in the BK-3 zone, where the new mining block appears to be open to the west."
Milling Results for March 2014
For the month of March 2014, the company operated 31 days and processed a total of 2,755 tonnes of material grading 9.7 g/t Au. Gold output totaled 758.7 ounces, including 379.9 ounces of gravity recovered gold and 378.8 ounces of gold contained in flotation concentrate. Mill throughput averaged 90 metric tonnes per day operated and gold recovery was 89%. March production was significantly higher than February as a result of higher grade material in the areas being mined (see table below).
Milling Results for March vs February 2014 | ||||
Mar 2014 | Feb 2014 |
% Change Month over month |
||
Metric Tonnes Milled | 2,755 | 2,532 | 9 | % |
Mill Availability (%) | 98 | 94 | 4 | % |
Mill Throughput (Tonnes/day operated) | 90 | 96 | -6 | % |
Feed Grade (g/T Au) | 9.7 | 7.5 | 29 | % |
Gravity Gold Ounces | 379.9 | 246.2 | 54 | % |
Flotation Con. (Metric Tonnes) | 68.5 | 59.5 | 15 | % |
Floatation Con. Grade (g/T Au) | 172.0 | 153.3 | 12 | % |
Floatation Con. Ounces | 378.8 | 293.1 | 29 | % |
Total Recovered Ounces | 758.7 | 539.2 | 41 | % |
Recovery (%) | 89 | 88 | 1 | % |
Underground Mine Development
Stope mining and development of new mining blocks continued in the BK-3 zone of the Bralorne mine. A second raise was driven on the western zone from a point situated 24 metres west of the first raise. The new raise extended 32 metres above the 3900 west sub-drift. Significant assay results were obtained in the lower 16 metres of the raise, where an average gold grade of 15.7 g/t over 0.6 metres width was encountered in the vein (assays above 103 g/t cut to that value). Over a mining width of 1.5 metres, the average grade is 6.6 g/t gold. The upper half of the raise exposed a weakly mineralized vein and assay results were not significant over a minimum mining width of 1.5 metres.
Additional sampling was conducted along the roof of the western 3900 sublevel where the vein contains visible gold; however, initial assays were low grade. Including these new assays, which were higher than previous, the revised average grade of the sub-drift is 59.3 g/t over 0.9 metres in width for a strike length of 68 metres (assays above 103 g/t cut to that value). Over a minimum mining width of 1.5 metres, the average grade is 14.4 g/t gold. Of note is that the last sample at the western end graded 23.7 g/t gold over 1.6 metres, suggesting that the zone extends further west where exploration has not been carried out.
The overall average grade of the sub-drift and two raises is 50.9 g/t over 0.7 metres in width (assays above 103 g/t cut to that value). Over a minimum mining width of 1.5 metres, the average grade is 12.0 g/t gold. The area represented by this development is 68 metres in strike length and 15 metres in height. This new block is now being prepared for mining.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Gold recovery is reconciled to gold contained in flotation and gravity concentrates. Flotation concentrate assays are performed at ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, British Columbia - an accredited independent laboratory with quality monitored by internal standards. Check samples are done on composite samples collected by AH Knight and assayed by ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and umpire assays are performed by Alex Stuart Limited in Knowsley, England. Gold contained in gravity concentrate is reconciled from settlement assays received from the refiner. Check assays are performed on duplicate samples of gold doré by ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, BC.
QA/QC protocols followed for underground samples include monitoring the results of blank and standard samples inserted at a frequency of 1 in 20 each, and re-analysis of check samples at a second laboratory. Underground samples are submitted for preparation and analysis at SGS Laboratory in Burnaby, BC, which is ISO certified and accredited. Gold analyses are conducted on 1 assay-ton aliquots using the fire assay method with a gravimetric finish. Metallic sieve assays are done on all mineralized vein samples.
The Company cautions that it has not completed a feasibility study based on mineral reserves. The Company is proceeding with operations based on mineral resources, which are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The project therefore has a higher risk of economic or technical failure. The mill is being operated to generate incidental revenue from the sale of gold doré bars and flotation concentrate to offset exploration and development costs. The Company plans to continue milling as resources are developed and will increase the milling rate if and when sufficient resources are defined.
Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., President and COO of the Company, is the qualified person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43‐101, who is responsible for the technical content of this document.
About Bralorne
Bralorne is a Canadian junior mining and exploration company focused on building shareholder value through the exploration and development of economically viable mineral properties. Bralorne's flagship project is the wholly owned Bralorne Gold Project in southwestern British Columbia, Canada.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.bralorne.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Mathew Ball, President and Chief Operating Officer
Neither 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. This release contains statements that are forward-looking statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Bralorne Gold Mines Ltd.
Mathew Ball
President and Chief Operating Officer
604.682.3600
604.682.3701
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www.bralorne.com