2020 – A Year in Review

To our O3 Mining investors,

What a year it has been! I want to personally thank you for supporting O3 Mining throughout this unprecedented time. At O3 Mining we experienced a year of tremendous growth as our exploration campaigns surpassed all expectations and we invested significant capital into our projects, including bringing new technologies such as artificial intelligence to our project sites, and expanded our team as we moved into a new office in Val-d’Or, Quebec. We ended 2020 with incredible momentum including PEAs on two projects with an aggregate NPV of C$744M and a 150,000 metre drilling campaign underway which will propel O3 Mining to new heights in 2021.

At the beginning of this year,

I wrote to you that our goal in 2020 was to confirm the potential within the Cadillac-Larder Lake corridor and unlock ounces in under-explored areas of the Val-d’Or camp. Today, I’m proud to communicate that we have not only executed on these aims but have taken the additional steps to transition into a mine developer in the respective gold camps in Quebec and Ontario, and thus follow the tradition of the Osisko Group Companies of which O3 Mining is a part.

We are clearly unlocking new value across our properties and we will end the year with over $60 million in cash and equivalents. We aim to continue this momentum into 2021 and continue delivering from the drill bit as we undertake a very intense drilling campaign during the winter season in Quebec with 12 rigs in operation with a focus on Marban and Alpha. At Marban, we aim to expand mineralization at Nolartic and Kiren’s pit and expand down plunge at different targets along the Marbenite shear zone. At Alpha, we will be drilling the four different sectors (Bulldog-Orenada, Akasaba, Simkar and Omega). Needless, to say, we expect to have very frequent news flow in the new year.

We aim to continue this momentum into 2021 and continue delivering from the drill bit as we undertake a very intense drilling campaign during the winter season in Quebec with 12 rigs in operation with a focus on Marban and Alpha. José Vizquerra, President & CEO

Highlights of 2020 include:

Unlock potential

We know our properties have the potential to become profitable producing mines and we confirmed this potential with excellent results from our Preliminary Economic Assessments at Marban and Garrison.

  • Marban PEA: O3 Mining delivers positive PEA for Marban Project after-tax NPV of C$423M, 25.2% IRR at US$1,450/oz Gold
  • Garrison PEA: O3 Mining Delivers Positive PEA for Garrison Project with an After-Tax NPV of C$321M and 33% IRR at US$1,450 oz/Gold

Strategic portfolio management

We undertook several strategic transactions to adjust our asset portfolio, adding where we saw opportunity and divesting to realize cash.

  • Aurbel Mill acquisition: O3 Mining signed an option agreement for C$250,000 which grants us the right to acquire the Aurbel mill near our Alpha concessions for C$5.0M within the next six years
  • Malartic (Northern Star Claims): Purchased the remaining 50% of Northern Star claims for $150,000 allowing us to drill the Northwest extension of Kierens
  • Divestments: We brought in C$5.3M by divesting the non-core Tortigny, Hemlo, Fancamp and Embry properties, and retained royalties to gain exposure to future upside

Aggressive exploration

This year we set our sights on aggressively exploring to rapidly advance our projects, particularly those in the historic Val-d’Or gold region. Being in a prime gold address we heavily invested in drilling using new technology like artificial intelligence to help with targeting, and the results have not disappointed.

  • 68,000 Metres Drilled in 2020: O3 Mining has an aggresive 150,000 metre drill program to be completed in 2021 on its Val-d’Or properties
  • High-grade gold at Gold Hawk: O3 Mining intersected 383.4 g/t Au Over 2.0 Metres including 1,510 g/t Au over 0.5 metres at Marban Project
  • High-grade Gold at Simkar: O3 Mining Continues To Expand Simkar As It Intersects 413.0 g/t Au Over 1.2 Metres

Financing

Our company continues to be fully financed with over $60 million in cash and equivalents enabling us to rapidly advance our projects. 2020 included significant milestones as the company continued to grow and welcome new investors and partnerships.

  • C$40.2 million bought deal: O3 Mining closes C$40.2 million bought deal private placement of flow-through and hard units
  • CEO Jose Vizquerra invests in O3 Mining: Company leader invests a quarter million in stocks
  • Trading on the OTCQX Market in United States: O3 Mining has qualified to trade under the ticker symbol “OIIIF“. We look forward to strengthening our U.S. and global shareholder base with this exciting milestone

 

Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey and one which is only just beginning! 2021 promises to be another year of achievement and I look forward to sharing more news with you as we advance our programs.

I’m heartened by the news of a COVID-19 vaccine, and hope 2021 will bring new opportunities to connect offline, perhaps even at our new office in Val-d’Or as travel gradually returns to normal. Until then, while I’m eager to accomplish even more in the New Year, I’m looking forward to spending time with my family this holiday season as I hope you are too. On behalf of my family and the team at O3 Mining, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season and a happy New Year.

 

Faithfully,

José Vizquerra
O3 Mining
President and CEO

 

 

O3 Mining Begins Trading on the OTCQX Market in United States

Toronto, December 29, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V: OIII; OTCQX: OQMGF) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce that it has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market, a top-tier public market in the United States, and its common shares are now trading on the OTCQX under the ticker symbol “OQMGF“. The Corporation will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (“TSX.V”) in Canada, as its primary listing under the symbol “OIII”.

We are extremely pleased to begin trading on the OTCQX as part of our strategy to make O3 Mining shares more accessible to an even broader range of investors in the US market. This important milestone will enable us to strengthen our U.S. and global shareholder base and increase the liquidity of our common shares to the benefit of all investors,” President and CEO Jose Vizquerra.

The OTCQX® Best Market is for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for the OTCQX market, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, demonstrate compliance with U.S. securities laws, be current in their disclosure, and have a professional third-party sponsor introduction. The companies found on OTCQX are distinguished by the integrity of their operations and diligence with which they convey their qualifications. Investors can find Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining, which forms part of the Osisko Group of companies, is a mine development and emerging consolidator of exploration properties in prospective gold camps in Canada – focused on projects in Québec and Ontario – with a goal of becoming a multi-million ounce, high-growth company.

O3 Mining is well-capitalized and holds a 100% interest in properties in Québec (133,557 hectares) and Ontario (25,000 hectares). O3 Mining controls 66,064 hectares in Val-d’Or and over 50 kilometres of strike length of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault. O3 Mining also has a portfolio of assets in the Chibougamau region of Québec.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX® Best Market, the OTCQB® Venture Market and the Pink® Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link® ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward-looking information”. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “interpreted”, “management’s view”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the restart of operations; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation’s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Corporation does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

 

For further information on O3 Mining, please contact:
José Vizquerra Benavides
President, CEO and Director
Telephone: (416) 363-8653

 

O3 Mining Continues To Expand Simkar As It Intersects 413.0 g/t Au Over 1.2 Metres

Toronto, December 17, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to provide additional encouraging drilling results from the Simkar zone within the Sector 3 of its Alpha property in Val-d’Or, Québec, as part of a fully-funded 150,000 metre drilling program. Currently, the Corporation has seven drill rigs operating, four at Alpha and three at its Malartic properties.

New assay result from one hole drilled in the western extension of the Simkar zone includes:

Drilling Highlights:

  • 413.0 g/t Au over 1.2 metres in hole O3AL-20-321

A 3D-model of the Alpha property and the Simkar zone is available on the Company’s website at https://o3mining.com/presentations/drill-results

This is a spectacular intercept and one which is associated with a well-developed structure and is flanked by two significant previous drill intercepts 200 metres away on each side. With all of these holes about 600 metres from the historical mine, it strongly suggests the presence of an important ore shoot in the down-plunge extension of the Simkar. Our winter drilling program will continue targeting this area and so we look forward to receiving more results early in the new year,” said President and CEO Jose Vizquerra.

This drill intercept reported today is located in the down rake extension of the Simkar deposit 600 metres west of the historical mining stopes, at a vertical depth of 600 metres (figures 2 and 3). Drilling in the same zone previously returned 8.4 g/t Au over 1.0 metre in hole O3AL-20-311 some 200 metres to the east and at the same elevation (See Press Release December 09th, 2020). Historical drill hole T-86-01, located 200 metres to the west, returned 12.7 g/t Au over 13.2 metres. This was drilled vertically to test the shallow dipping extension veins associated with the steeply dipping Simkar shear. All together these three holes cover a lateral extension of 400 metres.

The drilling program at Simkar is targeting down-plunge extensions of the Simkar A-B-C zones (raking at 30 degrees to the west) as well as potential new ore shoots and stacked zones within the prospective Anamaque sill where gold mineralization is associated with quartz-tourmaline-pyrite vein systems typical of the Val-d’Or district. These new results show that the gold-bearing veins expand well beyond the historical Simkar resource, including potential continuity up to the El Sol and Paramaque zones, which if proven, would represent a 2,000 x 500 metre vein field. Immediate follow-up drilling of the intercept in hole O3AL-20-321 is underway and consists of cutting the structure above and below it at 50 metres spacing to define the width of the ore shoot and continuity of gold mineralization within it. Subsequently, systematic drill fences will be completed to the west and east on a 100-metre spacing along with the projected rake of the zone.

2020 Review and 2021 Outlook

Our goal for 2020 was to confirm the potential within the Cadillac-Larder Lake corridor and unlock ounces in under-explored areas of the Val-d’Or camp. We have successfully advanced on this and with PEAs completed on our Marban and Garrison properties, we are now poised to continue the Osisko tradition and transition into a mine developer. Aggressive exploration has been a key part of our strategy and we are currently progressing through a 150,000 metre drilling program with twelve drill rigs across our properties by January 2021, and successfully using artificial intelligence to identify new targets. With over $60 million in our treasury, we will be able to continue this approach in 2021 and take meaningful steps to rapidly advance our projects. 2021 promises to be another year of achievement and I look forward to sharing more news with you as we advance our work programs,” said Mr. Vizquerra.

Table 1: Drill Hole Intercept (only intercepts above 5 g/t Au * m are reported)

Drill HoleFrom (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au uncut (g/t)Mineralized Zone
O3AL-20-321707.1708.31.2413Simkar A

NOTE: True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones.

 Table 2: Drill Hole Details

Dril HoleAzimuth (˚)Dip (˚)Length (m)UTM EUTM N
O3AL-20-321357-75779.63082005326274

Hole O3AL-20-321 intersected the down-rake extension of the Zone A of the Simkar deposit, 600 m west and deeper of the historical mining operation. The mineralization consists of a quartz-carbonate-tourmaline stockwork located at the sheared contact between two gabbroic units. The stockwork includes 2% of disseminated pyrite, veinlets of native tellurium, and a myriad of visible gold points. The intervals yielded an intercept of 413 g/t Au over 1.2 m, flanked by a 2.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m. The mineralised zone is located within a 12 m-thick sheared structure related to Zone A and the pierce point is slightly deeper than the rake given by the historical openings.

Figure 1: Alpha Property Map

Figure 2: Simkar Zone Drilling Map

Figure 3: Simkar zone A longitudinal section

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared, and approved by Mr. Louis Gariepy. (OIQ #107538), VP Exploration, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). 

Quality Control and Reporting Protocols

True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones. Assays are uncut except where indicated. Intercepts occur within geological confines of major zones but have not been correlated to individual vein domains at this time. Half-core samples are shipped to Agat laboratory in Val-d’Or, Québec and Mississauga, Ontario for assaying. The core is crushed to 75% passing -2 mm (10 mesh), a 250 g split of this material is pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) and 50 g is analyzed by Fire Assay (FA) with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) finish. Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analyzed with a gravimetric finish using a 50 g charge. Commercial certified standard material and blanks are systematically inserted by O3 Mining’s geologists into the sample chain after every 18 core samples as part of the QA/QC program. Third-party assays are submitted to other designated laboratories for 5% of all samples. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control (“QA/QC”) and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.

 About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining, which forms part of the Osisko Group of companies, is a mine development and emerging consolidator of exploration properties in prospective gold camps in Canada – focused on projects in Québec and Ontario – with a goal of becoming a multi-million ounce, high-growth company.

O3 Mining is well-capitalized and holds a 100% interest in properties in Québec (133,557 hectares) and Ontario (25,000 hectares). O3 Mining controls 66,064 hectares in Val-d’Or and over 50 kilometres of strike length of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault. O3 Mining also has a portfolio of assets in the Chibougamau region of Québec.

 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward-looking information”. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “interpreted”, “management’s view”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the restart of operations; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation’s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Corporation does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

 

For further information on O3 Mining, please contact:

José Vizquerra Benavides

President, CEO and Director

Telephone: (416) 363-8653

 

O3 Mining Delivers Positive PEA for Garrison Project

After-Tax NPV of C$321M, 33.0% IRR at US$1,450/oz Gold

Toronto, December 14, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce positive results from the independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on its 100 percent owned Garrison project in the Kirkland Lake region in Ontario, Canada. The PEA has been prepared by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”) in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

Highlights of the PEA*

(All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated)

  • Long-term gold price: US$1,450/oz
  • Exchange rate: C$1.00 = US$0.75
  • After-tax net present value (“NPV”) at 5% discount rate: $321 million
  • After-tax internal rate of return (“IRR”): 33.0%
  • After-tax payback period: 2.3 years
  • Initial capital (“CAPEX”): $267 million for a 4.0 million tonne per year processing plant including mine preproduction, infrastructure (roads, power line relocation, tailings facility, ancillary buildings, and water management)
  • Life of mine (“LOM”): 12 years
  • Average LOM strip ratio (waste: mined resource): 2.7
  • Total mill feed of 47.3 million tonnes resulting in LOM gold production of 1.1 Million oz
  • LOM Plan: 82% of total mill feed was sourced from mineral resources classified in the Measured and Indicated category
  • Average annual gold production of 121,000 oz in years 1 to 8 (94,000 oz for LOM)
  • Average mill head grade of 1.04 g/t gold in years 1 to 8 (0.82 g/t for LOM)
  • Average mill recovery: 89.8%
  • Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 66.3 Mt at 0.86 g/t Au grade
  • Cash Cost: US$721/oz
  • All-in Sustaining Cost (“AISC”): US$818/oz 

* Cautionary Statement: The reader is advised that the PEA summarized in this news release is intended to provide only an initial, high-level review of the project potential and design options. The PEA mine plan and economic model include numerous assumptions and the use of inferred mineral resources. Inferred mineral resources are considered to be too speculative to be used in an economic analysis except as allowed for by NI 43-101 for PEA studies. There is no guarantee that inferred mineral resources can be converted to indicated or measured mineral resources, and as such, there is no guarantee the project economics described herein will be achieved.

 

O3 Mining is pleased to present the results of a PEA on its Garrison Project for an 11,000 tonnes per day open pit mining and Carbon in Leach processing operation with production spanning 12 years clearly demonstrating the potential for the company to become a major North American gold producer. The PEA delivers robust economics with an after-tax IRR of 33.0% and after-tax NPV of $321M at a US$1,450/oz gold price, with very attractive cash costs and AISC, low CAPEX and low capital intensity. The project will target production in excess of 121,000 ounces gold per year during years 1 to 8, while peaking at more than 155,000 ounces in Year 2.

Garrison has been in the shadow of our Marban and Alpha properties in Québec but as this PEA shows, it is an integral part of the value proposition of O3 Mining. Garrison came from Osisko Mining Inc., which completed first-class exploration work that defined the initial resource. We have worked with Ausenco to produce a high-quality PEA that focuses on capital efficiency and demonstrates the value of Garrison to O3 Mining. Today, Garrison is a 2.9-million-ounce deposit in the heart of one of the most recognised mining districts in Canada. We are thrilled that the PEA has shown a production profile of 121,000 ounces per year during the first eight years at very attractive economics. The Corporation is ready to maximize Garrison’s value by advancing the studies to further de-risk the project,” Jose Vizquerra, President, CEO and Director of O3 Mining.

The Garrison PEA demonstrates an NPV of $321 million which follows hot on the heels of our Marban PEA (See Press Release September 8, 2020) in Québec which also demonstrated compelling project economics with an after-tax NPV of $423 million, an IRR of 25.2% with a 15 year mine life and an average annual gold production of 115,000 oz. Together these PEAs mark the transition of O3 Mining from an explorer to an up-and-coming gold developer with a total NPV of $744 million of fundamental value,” added Mr. Vizquerra.

The Corporation looks forward to working with its partners in the Timmins-Kirkland Lake area including the Matheson municipalities and the Wahgoshig First Nation community (Wahgoshig) as well with the support of the Ontario and federal governments, to advance the Garrison Project.

Overview

Ausenco was appointed as lead consultant on September 16, 2020 to prepare the PEA in accordance with NI 43-101, and was assisted by Moose Mountain Technical Services.

The Garrison Project is located in Timmins-Kirkland Lake area of northeastern Ontario along the Highway 101 corridor, approximately 40 km east of Matheson, 40 km north of town of Kirkland Lake, and 100 km east of the city of Timmins). Geologically, the project is situated along the Porcupine-Destor break in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt (AGB) and contains the Garrcon, JonPol, and 903 Deposits.

Financial Analysis

The economic analysis was performed assuming a 5% discount rate. On a pre-tax basis, the NPV5% is $470 million, the IRR is 41.1% and the payback period is 2.0 years. On an after-tax basis, the NPV5% is $321 million, the IRR is 33.0% and the payback period is 2.3 years. A summary of project economics is listed in (Table 1) and shown graphically in the figures below.

Table 1: Summary of project economics

GENERALLOM TOTAL / AVG.
Gold Price (US$/oz)$1,450
Exchange Rate ($US:$CAD)0.75
Mine Life (years)12.0
Total Waste Tonnes Mined (kt)128,260
Total Mill Feed Tonnes (kt)47,343
Strip Ratio2.7
PRODUCTIONLOM TOTAL / AVG.
Mill Head Grade (g/t) (Average gold mill head grade of 1.04 g/t in years 1 to 8)0.82
Mill Recovery Rate (%)89.8%
Total Mill Ounces Recovered (koz)1,126
Total Average Annual Production (koz)94
OPERATING COSTSLOM TOTAL / AVG.
Mining Cost ($/t Mined)$2.7
Mining Cost ($/t Milled)$9.9
Processing Cost ($/t Milled)$11.2
G&A ($/t Milled)$1.0
Total Operating Costs ($/t Milled)$22.1
Refining & Transport Cost ($/oz)$2.5
Royalty NSR1.5%
Cash Costs (US$/oz Au)$721
AISC (US$/oz Au)$818
CAPITAL COSTSLOM TOTAL / AVG.
Initial Capital ($M)$267
Sustaining Capital ($M)$126
Closure Costs ($M)$30
Salvage Costs ($M)$11
FINANCIALS – PRE TAXLOM TOTAL / AVG.
NPV (5%) ($M)$470
IRR(%)41.1%
Payback(years)2.0
FINANCIALS – POST TAXLOM TOTAL / AVG.
NPV (5%) ($M)$321
IRR (%)33.0%
Payback (years)2.3
NPV/ Initial CAPEX1.2

Notes

* Cash costs consist of mining costs, processing costs, mine-level general & administrative expenses and refining charges and royalties.

** AISC includes cash costs plus sustaining capital, closure cost and salvage value.

Figure 1: Projected Annual and Cumulative LOM Post-Tax Unlevered Free Cash Flow

Sensitivity

A sensitivity analysis was conducted on the base case pre-tax and after-tax NPV and IRR of the project, using the following variables: metal price, total CAPEX (initial + sustaining), total operating cost and exchange rate. The tables below provide a summary of the sensitivity analysis.

Table 2a: Post-Tax NPV(5%) Sensitivity

GOLD PRICE
US$/Oz
BASE CASEINITIAL CAPEX(-25%)INITIAL CAPEX (+25%)OPEX
(-25%)
OPEX (+25%)FX
(-25%)
FX (+25%)
$1,100$47$111($16)$186($112)$333($162)
$1,250$167$230$103$301$25$484($38)
$1,450$321$384$257$452$185$686$96
$1,750$547$611$484$679$415$989$283
$2,000$737$801$673$868$605$1,242$434

Table 2b: Post-Tax IRR Sensitivity

GOLD PRICE
US$/Oz
BASE CASEINITIAL CAPEX(-25%)INITIAL CAPEX (+25%)OPEX
(-25%)
OPEX (+25%)FX
(-25%)
FX (+25%)
$1,10010.2%20.4%3.5%22.0%0.0%34.0%0.0%
$1,25021.2%33.5%13.3%30.8%8.2%44.6%0.1%
$1,45033.0%48.3%23.6%41.5%23.5%58.2%15.0%
$1,75049.0%68.7%36.9%56.7%40.8%77.2%30.2%
$2,00061.5%84.8%47.3%68.7%53.9%92.5%41.1%

Mineral Resource

The Mineral Resource is estimated from a drill hole database containing 1,378 drill holes within the model boundaries, including 257,889 assay intervals for a total assayed length of 258,223 metres.  Interpolations are done using multiple indicator kriging (MIK) within four domains defined by lithology and faulting.  Classification to Indicated is based on the average distance to two drill holes of less than 25-50 metre spacing depending on the domain.

Classification is then adjusted to ensure continuity of blocks with Inferred adjusted to minimize extrapolation of grades. The base case cut-off grade is 0.30 g/t Au based on metallurgical recoveries, Processing + G&A costs of $14.50/tonnes and a US$1,400/oz Au price, with smelter terms as detailed in the notes below. The Measured and Indicated mineral resource is estimated at 66.3 Mt at 0.86 g/t Au for a total of 1.8Moz, and the Inferred Mineral resource is 45.3Mt at 0.73 g/t Au for a total of 1.1Moz. Table 3 summarizes the Resource Estimate at a 0.3g/t cut-off.

Table 3: Mineral Resource Estimate (effective date November 25, 2020)

  CLASSSOURCETONNAGE (Kt)AU (G/T)AU METAL (kOz)
   Indicated903

Jonpol

Garrcon

27,558

17,786

20,923

0.843

0.914

0.821

747

523

552

All Indicated 66,2680.8551,822
  Inferred903

Jonpol

Garrcon

30,760

7,521

7,056

0.690

0.756

0.866

682

183

197

All Inferred45,3370.7291,062

Notes: 

  1. The Mineral Resource estimate has been prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng., an independent Qualified Person, from Moose Mountain Technical Services.
  2. Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards and were estimated in accordance with the CIM 2019 Best Practices Guidelines.  
  3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
  4. The open-pit Mineral Resource has been confined by a “reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction” pit shell generated using the following assumptions: US$1,800/oz. Au at a currency exchange rate of 0.75 US$ per C$; 99.95% payable Au; $4.30/oz Au offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance); a 2% NSR royalty; $14.50/t process and G&A costs; $2.40/t mining costs and pit slopes of 25 degrees in the overburden and 40 degrees below the overburden. Metallurgical recovery is 90.5% at 903, 95.5% at Garrcon, 92.45% at JonPol-non-refractory and 56.2% in JonPol-refractory.
  5. The specific gravity of the deposit has been determined by lithology as being between 2.74 and 3.32.
  6. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 

There are no other known factors or issues that materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors and additional risk factors as listed in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” section below.

Mining

The mine plan includes 47 Mt of mill feed and 128 Mt of waste over the 12-year mine life coming from three deposits: 903, Jonpol, and Garrcon. Mine planning is based on conventional open-pit methods suited for the project location and local site requirements. Owner-operated and managed open pit operations are anticipated to begin one year prior to mill start-up, run for nine years to pit exhaustion, followed by three years of low-grade stockpile reclamation to the mill. The subset of Mineral Resources contained within the targeted open pit shells, summarized in Table 4 with a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade, forms the basis of the PEA mine plan and production schedule.

 

Table 4: PEA Mine Plan Production Summary

CATEGORYVALUE
PEA Mill Feed47,343 kt
Average Mill Feed Gold Head Grade0.82 g/t Au
Waste Overburden and Rock128,260 kt
Strip Ratio2.7
Mill Feed Gold Grade (Years 1-5)1.11 g/t Au
PEA Mill Feed47,343 kt

 Notes:

  1. The PEA Mine Plan and Mill Feed estimates are a subset of the December 10, 2020 Mineral Resource estimate and are based on open-pit mine engineering and technical information developed at a Scoping level for the 903, JonPol, and Garrcon deposits.
  2. PEA Mine Plan and Mill Feed estimates are mined tonnes and grade, the reference point is the primary crusher.
  3. Cut-off grade 0.30 g/t Au assumes US$1,400/oz. Au at a currency exchange rate of 0.75 US$ per C$; 99.95% payable gold; $4.30/oz offsite costs (refining, transport, and insurance); a 2.0% NSR royalty; and a 90% metallurgical recovery.
  4. The cut-off grade covers processing costs of $12.00/t, administrative (G&A) costs of $1.00/t, and low-grade stockpile Rehandle costs of $1.50/t.
  5. Mining dilution of 20% at 0.10 g/t is applied to the in-situ Mineral Resources. Mining Recovery of 96% of diluted tonnages is assumed.
  6. Estimates have been rounded and may result in summation differences.

The economic pit limits are determined using the Pseudoflow algorithm. The 903 deposit is planned as one pit split into three phases or pushbacks. The Jonpol deposit is planned as one pit split into two phases.  The Garrcon deposit is planned as five pits with the largest (western) pit split into 2 phases.  Pit shells are generated with 40-degree overall slope angles in bedrock and 25-degree slope angles in the overburden.

Detailed pit configurations with benching and ramps have not been carried out. Chosen phase shell targets have room for these details to be added in future planning and modifications to pit contents are not expected to be materially altered. General pit sequencing is shown in Table 5 below.

 

Table 5: PEA Mine Plan Pit Sequencing

The mill will be fed with material from the pit at an average rate of 4.0 Mtpa (11ktpd). Cut-off grade optimization is employed, which feeds a low-grade stockpile north of the primary crusher, which is planned for reclamation to the mill in the later years of the mine life. Overburden will be placed in various stockpiles throughout the project. Waste rock will be placed in two main stockpiles adjacent to all pits. The mine plan includes backfill of waste rock into the smaller mined out Garrcon pits.

Mining operations will be based on 365 operating days per year with two 12-hour shifts per day.  An allowance of 10 days of no mine production has been built into the mine schedule to allow for adverse weather conditions. The mining fleet will include diesel-powered down the hole (DTH) drills with 165mm bit size for production drilling, diesel-powered RC (reverse circulation) drills for bench-scale grade control drilling, 12 m3 bucket size diesel hydraulic excavators, and 13 m3 bucket-sized wheel loaders for production loading, and 91 t payload rigid-frame haul trucks and 36 t articulated trucks for production hauling, plus ancillary and service equipment to support the mining operations. In-pit dewatering systems will be established for each pit. All surface water and precipitation in the pits will be handled by submersible pumps.

The mine equipment fleet is planned to be purchased via a lease financing arrangement. Owner-managed maintenance on mine equipment will be performed in the field with major repairs in the shops located near the primary crusher.

Milling

The Garrison Process Plant employs standard Carbon-In-Leach (CIL) technology along with gravity concentration for gold recovery. The plant includes crushing, grinding, gravity concentration, classification, leach and CIL, and detoxification before deposition into a Tailings Storage Facility. The plant will treat 4.0 Mt of ore per year at an average throughput of 11,000 tonnes per day.

The mill design availability is 8,059 hours per year or 92%. The plant has been designed to realize an average recovery of 89.8% (92.3% Au during initial high-grade production) of the gold over the life of the project based on metallurgical test work completed at various laboratories in Canada and the USA between 2011 and 2018. Of this, 24.5% of the gold will be extracted by the gravity circuit and a further 65.3% by the leach/CIL process.

 

Figure 2: Site Plan

Tailings storage capacity has been identified to safely accommodate the life of mine production as described in this PEA. Tailings produced over the first eight years of mine operation will be accommodated in a new tailings storage facility to be constructed south of the open pits The tailings storage facility perimeter containment dams will be constructed with waste rock and overburden from open pit mine development and will utilize the downstream construction method to ensure safe tailings storage over the long-term.

Runoff from the tailings storage facility will be collected in an adjacent water management pond. In order to allow mining of the Garrcon Pit – Phase #3 in Year 4, the adjacent highway will be diverted to the North.

Capital and Operating Costs

The total pre-production capital cost for the Garrison Project is estimated to be $267M including allowances for indirect costs and contingency of $29M and $38M respectively. Sustaining capital costs are estimated at $126M, including closure costs (Table 6). Operating costs are estimated at $22.1 per tonne milled (Table 7).

 

 Table 6: Total Capital and Operating Costs

    COST AREA DESCRIPTIONINITIAL CAPITAL COST ($M)SUSTAINING CAPITAL COST ($M)TOTAL CAPITAL COST ($M)
    Mining$40$113$153
    Processing$115$115
    Infrastructure (and       Tailings)$35$13$48
    Indirect Costs$29$29
    Owner’s Project Costs$9$9
    Contingency$38$38
    Total$267$126$393

 

Table 7: Total Life of Mine Operating Costs

COST AREALOM ($M)ANNUAL AVG. COST ($M)AVG. LOM ($/T MINED)AVG.LOM ($/T MILLED)AVG. LOM (US$/OZ)OPEX (%)
Total Mine Operating Costs Including Reclaiming Costs$469$39$2.7$9.9$31345%
Total Mill Processing Including Water Treatment Costs$532$44$3.0$11.2$35551%
Total G&A Costs$45$4$0.3$1.0$304%
Total$1,047$87$6.0$22.1$698100%

Gold Production

Projected gold production averages 121,000 ounces per year over years 1 to 8, peaking at 155,000 ounces in year two. The LOM production averages 94,000 ounces per year.

 

Figure 3: Projected LOM Production (koz)

Opportunities to further increase NPV

Database refinement and additional QAQC work along with infill drilling could upgrade the classification from Inferred to Indicated or Measured.  Additional structural and geologic studies as well as step-out drilling along strike of the mineralization could extend the resource both laterally and at depth.

The PEA mine plan does not exploit the entire Mineral Resource. There is project expansion opportunity to be further investigated during the next study phase, which could include more, or all, of the additional Mineral Resource.

Additional metallurgical test work will be targeted at increasing the leach feed grind size, and assessing a wider variability of resource hardness, to in turn reduce mill equipment sizing. Additional testing of JonPol samples to improve recoveries should also be completed.

Next Steps

The results of the PEA indicate that the proposed Project has technical and financial merit using the base case assumptions. It has also identified additional field work, metallurgical test work, trade-off studies and analysis required to support more advanced mining studies.

The Qualified Persons (“QP”) consider the PEA results sufficiently reliable and recommend that the Garrison Project be advanced to the next stage of development through the initiation of a pre-feasibility study and working towards completion of an Environmental Impact Study for the Project while exploring the geological potential of the Garrison project.

PEA Details

The independent PEA was prepared through the collaboration of the following firms: Ausenco, and Moose Mountain Technical Services. These firms provided mineral resource estimates, design parameter and cost estimates for mine operations, process facilities, major equipment selection, waste and tailings storage, reclamation, permitting, and operating and capital expenditures. Table 8 summarizes the contributors and their area of responsibility.

 

Table 8: Consulting Firm and Area of Responsibility

CONSULTING FIRM     AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
Ausenco Engineering Canada
  • Metallurgical test work development and analysis;
  • Mass balance;
  • Process plant design;
  • Process plant capital costs and operating costs;
  • Electrical and IT infrastructure design and costs;
  • Design and costs of utilities and infrastructure including on-site roads;
  • Material transport and General and administration operating costs;
  • Financial Analysis and overall NI 43-101 integration;
  • Water treatment plant design, capital and operating costs;
  • Tailings, ore and waste rock management facility designs and costs;
  • Surface water management infrastructure design and costs;
  • Site wide water balance;
  • Rock mass characterization and rock mechanics input to pit design;
  • Hydrogeology;
  • Geotechnical input for surface infrastructure design;
  • Waste rock, tailings, and ore geochemical characterization;
  • Groundwater quality input to environmental studies;
  • Environmental studies, permitting and closure costs;
  • Regulatory context, social considerations, and anticipated environmental issues.
Moose Mountain Technical Services
  • Historical data review;
  • Current and historical geology, exploration, drilling;
  • Sample preparation and QAQC, and data verification;
  • Mineral resource estimate (O3 completed geological modelling of ore bodies);
  • Geotechnical input for pit design;
  • Mine and mine infrastructure design;
  • Mine production scheduling; and
  • Mine capital costs and operating costs.

 

Qualified Person

All technical information, not pertaining to the PEA, in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Louis Gariepy, Eng. (OIQ #107538), VP Exploration, who is a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101).

The PEA has been prepared by Ausenco. The contributors to the report are QPs under NI 43-101 and are independent of O3 Mining for the purposes of the NI 43-101. The technical content of the PEA and this press release has been reviewed and approved by:

Tommaso Roberto Raponi, P.Eng, Process and Infrastructure

Scott Elfen, P.E., Tailings and Water Management

Mike Petrina, P.Eng, Mining

Sue Bird, P.Eng, Resource Estimate

Scott Weston, P.Eng, Environment

Quality Control and Reporting Protocols

The primary lab for O3 Mining is SGS in Cochrane, Ontario is an independent accredited laboratory.  The core samples shipped to SGS are crushed to 75% passing -2 mm (10 mesh), a 250 g split of this material is pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) and 30 g is analyzed by Fire Assay (FA) with an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. For samples with visible gold or metallic minerals, or initial fire assay values greater than 3g/t, the metallic screen lead fire assay is used. A sample of certified standard material, a duplicate and a blank are inserted by O3 Mining’s geologists into each set of 20 submitted samples as part of the Quality Assurance, Quality Control (“QAQC”) program. Duplicate pulps are submitted to the secondary laboratory, Bureau Veritas, as part of the check assay program.

For drilling in the 2000s, prior to ownership by O3 Mining, the assaying and QAQC program was similar to that employed by the Corporation and has been reviewed. Some samples of historic core have been re-assayed during the modern era assay program. To the extent historic core logs exist for the historic drilling, they have been reviewed. The drill program design, QAQC and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a QAQC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Corporation has included certain non-IFRS financial measures in this news release, such as Initial Capital Cost, Cash Operating Costs, Total Cash Cost, All-In Sustaining Cost, Expansion Capital and Capital Intensity, which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other corporations. Each of these measures used are intended to provide additional information to the user and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Non-IFRS financial measures used in this news release and common to the gold mining industry are defined below.

Total Cash Costs and Total Cash Costs per Ounce

Total Cash Costs are reflective of the cost of production. Total Cash Costs reported in the PEA include mining costs, processing & water treatment costs, general and administrative costs of the mine, off-site costs, refining costs, transportation costs and royalties. Total Cash Costs per Ounce is calculated as Total Cash Costs divided by payable gold ounces.

All-in Sustaining Costs (“AISC”) and AISC per Ounce

AISC is reflective of all of the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of gold from operations. AISC reported in the PEAS includes total cash costs, sustaining capital, closure costs and salvage, but excludes corporate general and administrative costs. AISC per Ounce is calculated as AISC divided by payable gold ounces.

About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining, which forms part of the Osisko Group of companies, is a mine development and emerging consolidator of exploration properties in prospective gold camps in Canada – focused on projects in Québec and Ontario – with a goal of becoming a multi-million ounce, high-growth company.

O3 Mining is well-capitalized and holds a 100% interest in properties in Québec (133,557 hectares) and Ontario (25,000 hectares). O3 Mining controls 66,064 hectares in Val-d’Or and over 50 kilometres of strike length of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault. O3 Mining also has a portfolio of assets in the Chibougamau region of Québec.

About Ausenco

Ausenco is a global company redefining what’s possible. Our team is based across 26 offices in 14 countries, with projects in over 80 locations worldwide. Combining our deep technical expertise with a 30-year track record, we deliver innovative, value-add consulting studies, project delivery, asset operations and maintenance solutions to the mining & metals, oil & gas and industrial sectors. We find a better way.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward-looking information”. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “interpreted”, “management’s view”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the restart of operations; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation’s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Corporation does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

For further information on O3 Mining, please contact:

 

José Vizquerra

President, CEO and Director

Telephone: (416) 363-8653

 

O3 Mining Intersects 10.4 g/t Au Over 3.0 Metres, 400 Metres West Of Simkar Deposit At Alpha

Toronto, December 9, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to provide initial drilling results from the Simkar zone, located 400 metres west of the historic deposit, within the Sector 3 of its Alpha property in Val-d’Or, Québec, as part of a fully-funded 150,000 metre drilling program. The Simkar deposit hosts 43,000 oz Au at 5.52 g/t in Measured and Indicated resources and 20,000 oz Au at 6.36 g/t in Inferred category.

The press release is available on the Corporation’s website at https://o3mining.com/news/

O3 Mining’s 2020-2021 drilling program includes 100,000 metres for the Alpha property, which hosts multiple mineralized systems over an approximate 20 kilometres strike length. Current drilling is focused on exploring extensions of the Simkar (historic production of 54,500 oz Au at 5.99 g/t) and El Sol zones in Sector 3 and the Valdora, Sabourin and Jolin zones in Sector 2 as well as testing the extensions at depth of the Orenada mineralized system in Sector 1 (see Figure 1). These are exploration targets generated by our exploration team, tested by a channel sampling program and verified using artificial intelligence (“AI”) (See Press Release December 02nd, 2020).

“At Simkar, we are successfully executing our systematic approach to exploration based on geological analysis and AI, channel sampling and field work, and drilling. It is always exciting when the third step, drilling, achieves what it sets out to do. Today’s results show we are successfully extending the mineralized zones at Simkar and other areas in Sector 3 of Alpha beyond the known resources. We are also identifying new areas with the potential of increasing the mineral resources in this Sector. With a lot more drilling to come at Alpha initial results leave us confident of significantly growing the resources of the project,” President and CEO Jose Vizquerra.

 

New assay results from five holes drilled in the western extensions at the Simkar zone include:

Drilling Highlights:          

  • 10.4 g/t Au over 3.0 metres in hole O3AL-20-310
  • 14.0 g/t Au over 0.8 metres in hole O3AL-20-311
  • 32.4 g/t Au over 0.5 metres in hole O3AL-20-312

Hole O3AL-20-310 cut mineralization at the bedrock interface, 400 meters west of the historical Simkar Zone A (see Figure 2). This discovery is in an area with no historical drilling which opens the potential for the definition of a new ore shoot along the historical Simkar Zone A structure. Hole O3AL-20-311 intersected the extension of the Simkar Zone C, 350 metres to the west, and hole O3AL-20-312 intersected a new zone between zones A and C, some 350 meters to the west.

The drilling program at Simkar is targeting down-plunge extensions of the Simkar A-B-C zones (raking at 30 degrees to the west) as well as potential new ore shoots and stacked zones within the prospective Anamaque sill where gold mineralization is associated with quartz-tourmaline-pyrite vein systems typical of the Val d’Or district. Initial results show that the gold-bearing veins expand well beyond the historical Simkar resource, including potential continuity up to the El Sol and Paramaque zones, which if proven, would represent a 2,000 x 500 metre veins field.

The encouraging results received so far support a decision to continue the exploration program at Simkar to further explore for mineralized extensions of these intercepts, which remain fully open to the west and at depth. Assays are pending for two drill holes drilled 100 m further west to follow up on the high-grade intercepts reported here. More holes are planned to expand the mineralized zone to the west into El Sol and Paramaque areas. NOTE: True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones.

 

Table 1: Drill Hole Intercepts (only intercepts above 5 g/t Au * m are reported)

Drill HoleFrom
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
Au uncut (g/t)Ag (g/t)Cu
(%)
Mineralized Zone
O3AL-20-31018.021.03.010.4Simkar A
O3AL-20-31028.531.53.02.3Simkar A
O3AL-20-31139.240.00.814.05.60.3Simkar C
O3AL-20-311671.0672.01.08.40.8Simkar A
O3AL-20-312169.9170.40.532.43.20.4Between Simkar A and C
O3AL-20-31535.038.53.51.50.9Between Simkar A and B

NOTE: True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones.

 

Table 2: Drill Hole Details

   Drill HoleAzimuth (˚)Dip (˚)Length (m)UTM EUTM N
O3AL-20-310357-505013083005326500
O3AL-20-311357-756723084005326340
O3AL-20-312357-505213084005326340
O3AL-20-313357-505373084005326655
O3AL-20-315359-722063088505326631

 

Hole O3AL-20-310 intersected a few quartz veinlets, one of them with visible gold, within a monzonite intrusion in the first samples of the hole, at the bedrock interface. It returned 10.4 g/t Au over 3.0 m. Ten metres deeper in the same monzonite, a fractured zone yielded 2.3 g/t Au over 3.0 m. Hole O3-AL-20-310 is located 400 meters west of and on strike with the historical Simkar Zone A. The monzonite is in contact with the iron-rich gabbro of the Anamaque sill which is the main host of the Simkar zones.

Hole O3AL-20-311 intersected a 12 cm quartz vein with 10% pyrite in a brecciated basalt, 350 m west of the Zone C. The quartz vein yielded 14.0 g/t Au, 5.6 g/t Ag and 0.3 % Cu over 0.8 m. The hole was stopped in the iron-rich gabbro of the Anamaque sill. The last sample of the hole shows a weak alteration and yielded 8.4 g/t Au over 1.0 m which corresponds to the beginning of the Zone A. The hole will be deepened in December.

On the same section, hole O3AL-20-312 intersected a small quartz veinlet with visible gold within     a gabbro, 85 m south of the Zone A. The veinlet yielded an intercept of 32.4 g/t Au, 3.2 g/t Ag and 0.4 % Cu over 0.5 m.

In the area of the historical mine, the hole O3AL-20-315 intersected few centimetric quartz tourmaline veins within the iron-rich gabbro, between Zone A and B. It yielded 1.5 g/t Au over 3.5 m.

 

Figure 1: Alpha Property Map

 

Figure 2: Simkar zone Drilling Map

 

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared, and approved by Mr. Louis Gariepy. (OIQ #107538), VP Exploration, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

Quality Control and Reporting Protocols

True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones. Assays are uncut except where indicated. Intercepts occur within geological confines of major zones but have not been correlated to individual vein domains at this time. Half-core samples are shipped to Agat laboratory in Val-d’Or, Québec and Mississauga, Ontario for assaying. The core is crushed to 75% passing -2 mm (10 mesh), a 250 g split of this material is pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) and 50 g is analyzed by Fire Assay (FA) with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) finish. Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analyzed with a gravimetric finish using a 50 g charge. Commercial certified standard material and blanks are systematically inserted by O3 Mining’s geologists into the sample chain after every 18 core samples as part of the QA/QC program. Third-party assays are submitted to other designated laboratories for 5% of all samples. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control (“QA/QC”) and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.

About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining, which forms part of the Osisko Group of companies, is a mine development and emerging consolidator of exploration properties in prospective gold camps in Canada – focused on projects in Québec and Ontario – with a goal of becoming a multi-million ounce, high-growth company.

O3 Mining is well-capitalized and holds a 100% interest in properties in Québec (133,557 hectares) and Ontario (25,000 hectares). O3 Mining controls 66,064 hectares in Val-d’Or and over 50 kilometres of strike length of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Faut. O3 Mining also has a portfolio of assets in the Chibougamau region of Québec.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward-looking information”. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “interpreted”, “management’s view”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the restart of operations; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation’s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Corporation does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

For further information on O3 Mining, please contact:

José Vizquerra Benavides

President, CEO and Director

Telephone: (416) 363-8653

 

 

 

 

O3 Mining Identifies New Targets Confirming Validity of Artificial Intelligence Targeting

Toronto, December 02, 2020 – O3 Mining Inc. (TSX.V:OIII) (“O3 Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to provide results from its completed summer channel sampling program at its Alpha property, located 15 kilometres southeast of Val-d’Or, Québec. The targets were generated by our exploration team and verified using artificial intelligence (“AI”). The collaborative AI work with Mira Geoscience Ltd. (“Mira”), has allowed O3 Mining’s exploration team to leverage many years of multidisciplinary exploration data, including a compilation of historical work, field observations as well as mineral prospectivity indices (MPI) produced by Mira (See Press Release August 6th, 2020), and is playing a significant role in the current exploration targeting process at Alpha.

Highlights

  • El Sol: 128 g/t Au over 0.7 metres

  • Valdora: 70.9 g/t Au over 1.5 metres

  • Paramaque : 16.3 g/t Au over 0.7 metres

  • Simkar: 7.8 g/t Au over 1.2 metres

The East Alpha area, sectors 2 and 3 (see Figure 1), was first selected with the goal of better understanding the structural context and mineralization controls while taking advantage of the sub-cropping nature of that area. The summer work program comprised 31 outcrops and 4,650 channel samples within this sub-outcropping area. The zones tested include Simkar, El Sol, and Goldora zones (Sector 3) along the Anamaque corridor and the Valdora, Sabourin, and Jolin zones (Sector 2) along the Skarn corridor. Significant assay results are presented below and include 23 channel sample intercepts (see Table 1). Among those, El Sol and Simkar zones were part of the main priority targets recommended by Mira, and both zones delivered the best results of the campaign. Moreover, at least 20 untested AI targets distributed in covered areas have been identified across the entire property. Now that the AI methodology has been verified, the Company is eager to drill test those greenfield targets as we believe they offer significant potential for discovery.

We are really excited to be able to identify four strong targets in sectors 2 and 3 at East Alpha with our summer fieldwork. The geological knowledge-based targets were confirmed by the artificial intelligence methodology carried out before. The channel sampling program allowed key geological observations to be made which significantly improved our understanding of the gold mineralization controls in the eastern part of Alpha. The updated geological model is now more accurate and as a result, we have growing confidence in the robustness of the drilling targets it is helping us define,President and CEO Jose Vizquerra.

 

O3 Mining’s in-depth knowledge of the property geology combined with the Mira modelling and the results of this summer channel sampling campaign confirm the Corporation has a strong targeting base for the current 100,000 metre drilling campaign which began in September 2020 and is expected to be completed by April 2021. Over the winter, the company plans to drill at Omega (Sector 4) near the Triangle deposit on targets supported by AI and will continue to drill at Pontiac West, Pontiac East, Bulldog, Orenada 4, and Orenada 2 (Sector 1).

 

Figure 1: Alpha Property Map – Highlights Channel Sampling Program

 

Table 1: Channel sampling results

Channel

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (g/t)

Zone

O3AL-D20-19-001

4.2

6.1

1.9

5.6

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-001

21.2

22.5

1.3

4.4

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-003

4.4

5.2

0.8

7.4

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-005

0.0

0.8

0.8

2.7

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-009

4.5

5.5

1.0

3.8

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-017

0.0

1.2

1.2

2.8

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-020

0.0

1.0

1.0

3.6

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-022

0.9

1.9

1.0

5.3

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-025

0.0

1.5

1.5

6.0

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-027

0.0

0.7

0.7

128

El Sol

O3AL-D20-19-028

0.0

0.6

0.6

4.7

El Sol

O3AL-D20-17-014

0.0

0.8

0.8

3.9

Simkar

O3AL-D20-17-030

0.0

1.2

1.2

7.8

Simkar

O3AL-D20-17-041

8.2

9.0

0.8

3.6

Simkar

O3AL-D20-17-052

0.0

0.8

0.8

4.5

Simkar

O3AL-D20-18-003

9.9

10.7

0.8

5.2

Simkar

O3AL-D20-31-003

0.0

0.7

0.7

16.3

Paramaque

O3AL-D20-22-001

23.8

25.2

1.5

70.9

Valdora 1A

O3AL-D20-22-002

51.9

52.7

0.7

3.7

Valdora 1A

O3AL-D20-22-014

16.4

16.9

0.5

5.0

Valdora 1A

O3AL-D20-22-027

1.1

1.8

0.7

9.0

Valdora 1A

O3AL-D20-22-038

1.6

2.6

1.0

2.7

Valdora 1A

O3AL-D20-20-042

0.0

0.7

0.7

2.8

Valdora 1G

 

The El Sol zone is located 700 metres west of the Simkar deposit along the same strike. Gold mineralization at Simkar is mainly hosted in an iron-rich gabbro associated with the Anamaque sill. The best channel sample results of the summer campaign come from the El Sol zone. Channel O3AL-D20-19-027 yielded 128 g/t Au over 0.7 metres at the intersection between an east-west trending shear zone and a north-south shallow dipping quartz-tourmaline-pyrite vein with free gold. The same quartz-tourmaline vein returned interesting results over the entire length of the outcrop, such as channel O3AL-D20-19-001 that yielded 5.6 g/t Au over 1.9 metres. At Simkar, eight (8) drill holes have been completed as part of the current drilling program; assay results are pending.

The Valdora Zone 1 returned high-grade results including 70.9 g/t Au over 1.5 metres in channel O3AL-D20-22-001. This sample is located at the junction of north-east trending and east-west trending shear zones at the contact of an iron-rich gabbro. The same outcrop delivered other significant results including 9.0 g/t Au over 0.7 metres in channel O3AL-D20-22-027, which is associated with an east-west trending shear zone within the gabbroic intrusion.

The channel at Simkar was undertaken at the south-western end of the zone. Channel O3AL-D20-17-030 intersected 7.8 g/t Au over 1.2 metres and is related to an east-north-east shear zone with quartz-calcite veinlets crosscutting an iron-rich gabbro of the Anamaque sill.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared, and approved by Mr. Louis Gariepy. (OIQ #107538), VP Exploration, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

Quality Control and Reporting Protocols

True width determination is currently unknown but is estimated at 65-80% of the reported core length interval for the zones. Assays are uncut except where indicated. Intercepts occur within geological confines of major zones but have not been correlated to individual vein domains at this time. Half-core samples are shipped to Agat laboratory in Val-d’Or, Québec and Mississauga, Ontario for assaying. The core is crushed to 75% passing -2 mm (10 mesh), a 250 g split of this material is pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) and 50 g is analyzed by Fire Assay (FA) with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) finish. Samples assaying >10.0 g/t Au are re-analyzed with a gravimetric finish using a 50 g charge. Commercial certified standard material and blanks are systematically inserted by O3 Mining’s geologists into the sample chain after every 18 core samples as part of the QA/QC program. Third-party assays are submitted to other designated laboratories for 5% of all samples. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control (“QA/QC”) and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.

About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining, which forms part of the Osisko Group of companies, is a mine development and emerging consolidator of exploration properties in prospective gold camps in Canada – focused on projects in Québec and Ontario – with a goal of becoming a multi-million ounce, high-growth company.

O3 Mining is well-capitalized and holds a 100% interest in properties in Québec (133,557 hectares) and Ontario (25,000 hectares). O3 Mining controls 66,064 hectares in Val-d’Or and over 50 kilometres of strike length of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Faut. O3 Mining also has a portfolio of assets in the Chibougamau region of Québec.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the transaction; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward-looking information”. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “interpreted”, “management’s view”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation, at the time it was made, involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the restart of operations; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation’s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the parties cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Corporation does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

For further information on O3 Mining, please contact:

José Vizquerra Benavides

President, CEO and Director

Telephone: (416) 363-8653