Corvus Gold Reports Increased Gold Recovery Results, Mayflower Deposit, North Bullfrog Project, Nevada
TSX: KOR OTCQX: CORVF
VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Corvus Gold Inc. ("Corvus" or the "Company") - (TSX: KOR, OTCQX: CORVF) announces the results of a series of bottle roll and column leach tests on large diameter sample composites from the phase I Mayflower deposit and the Savage Zone in the phase II North Area (Figure 1). These results from ongoing heap leaching studies are enhancing the overall gold recovery rates for both areas.
At the Mayflower deposit, column leach recoveries after 71 days ranged from 73% to 84% of the contained gold for the 80% -19mm (-3/4 inch) material (see Chart 1 and Tables 1 & 3), which is significantly higher than the overall 69% average recovery reported in the February 2012 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA, Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the North Bullfrog Project, Bullfrog Mining District, Nye County, Nevada, February 28, 2012). Bottle roll tests (Table 1) from the Mayflower indicate high recovery of the contained gold (92-99%) for particles ≤ 200 mesh (0.075 mm), indicating that the gold is highly soluble for leach extraction. In addition, initial test results for the first 30 days on material from the Savage Valley zone of the larger North Area deposit has shown similar leaching characteristics to the Mayflower suggesting improving recoveries from this area as well.
In the Savage Valley zone, which is the southern extension of the Sierra Blanca deposit in the North Area, initial results have been very encouraging averaging above the recovery values used in the February 2012 PEA (Chart 1, Table 2 & 4). The bulk of the zone has produced recoveries similar to those at Mayflower and from depths of over 150 metres. Similar large diameter core composites have been prepared from the Sierra Blanca and Jolly Jane zones. A group of 6 sets of columns were developed for Jolly Jane and have been under leach for 6 days. At Sierra Blanca a similar series of columns are being prepared, with leaching scheduled to start in the next several weeks. The results from the ongoing North Area metallurgical studies will be completed next year ahead of the planned North Area feasibility study scheduled for completion in early 2014.
Carl Brechtel, COO of Corvus, stated: "The current gold recovery results are very encouraging and fully support and enhance our Mayflower and North Area mining plans. We will be finalizing our recovery studies for the Mayflower project later this year ahead of completion of our feasibility study due early next year. With these highly encouraging results we see significant potential for the North Bullfrog project to evolve into a major new Nevada gold producing district."
| Table 1: Mayflower PQ Core Composite Samples, Phase I Drilling, North Bullfrog Project Preliminary Gold Recovery in Column Leach Tests at 71 days (1704 hrs) of Leach Time Particle Size 80% -19 mm (-3/4 inch) |
| MF PQ 1 | MF PQ 2 | MF PQ 3 | MF PQ 4 | MF PQ 5 | |
| % Gold Recovery* | 85% | 74% | 84% | 82% | 73% |
*-based on Au head assay
| Table 2: Savage Valley PQ Core Composite Samples, Phase I Drilling, North Bullfrog Project Preliminary Gold Recovery in Column Leach Tests at 47 days (1128 hrs) of Leach Time Particle Size 80% -19 mm (-3/4 inch) |
| SV PQ 1 | SV PQ 2 | SV PQ 3 | SV PQ 4 | SV PQ 5 | SV PQ6 | |
| % Gold Recovery* | 86% | 84% | 84% | 68% | 84% | 63% |
*-based on Au head assay
| Table 3: Mayflower PQ Core Composite Samples , Phase I Drilling, North Bullfrog Project Gold Recovery (%) in 96 hr Bottle Roll Tests at Varying Particle Sizes |
| Sample | 80% - 0.075 mm | 80% - 1.7 mm | 80% - 6.3 mm | 80% -19 mm |
| MF PQ 1 | 97.2% | 83.9% | 67.3% | 61.9% |
| MF PQ 2 | 95.0% | 93.1% | 76.9% | 66.9% |
| MF PQ 3 | 92.8% | 80.7% | 73.8% | 73.2% |
| MF PQ 4 | 81.3% | 90.1% | 67.3% | 80.9% |
| MF PQ 5 | 91.8% | 88.1% | 63.8% | 73.5% |
| MF PQ 6 | 98.7% | 87.2% | 73.3% | 60.9% |
| Table 4: Savage Valley PQ Core Composite Samples, Phase I Drilling, North Bullfrog Project Gold Recovery (%) in 96 hr Bottle Roll Tests at Varying Particle Sizes |
| Sample | 80% - 0.075 mm | 80% - 1.7 mm | 80% - 6.3 mm | 80% -19 mm |
| SV PQ 1 | 89.7% | 87.4% | 87.9% | 81.0% |
| SV PQ 2 | 93.4% | 88.3% | 82.4% | 75.8% |
| SV PQ 3 | 95.5% | 92.4% | 68.8% | 87.9% |
| SV PQ 4 | 79.1% | 76.5% | 64.2% | 55.2% |
| SV PQ 5 | 86.7% | 83.8% | 77.5% | 79.5% |
| SV PQ 6 | 81.6% | 76.3% | 63.3% | 51.0% |
About the North Bullfrog Project, Nevada
Corvus controls 100% of its North Bullfrog Project, which covers approximately 24 square kilometres in southern Nevada just north of the historic Bullfrog gold mine formerly operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. The property package is made up of a number of private mineral leases of patented federal mining claims and 161 federal unpatented mining claims. The project has excellent infrastructure, being adjacent to a major highway and power corridor.
The project currently includes numerous prospective gold targets, with four (Mayflower, Sierra Blanca, Jolly Jane and Connection) containing an estimated Indicated Resource of 15 Mt at an average grade of 0.37 g/t gold for 182,000 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 156 Mt at 0.28 g/t gold for 1,410,000 ounces of gold (both at a 0.2 g/t cutoff), with appreciable silver credits. Mineralization occurs in two primary forms: (1) broad stratabound bulk-tonnage gold zones such as the Sierra Blanca and Jolly Jane systems; and (2) moderately thick zones of high-grade gold and silver mineralization hosted by structural zones with breccias and quartz-sulphide vein stockworks such as the Mayflower and Yellowjacket targets. The Company is actively pursuing both types of mineralization.
A video of the North Bullfrog project showing location, infrastructure access, and 2010 winter drilling is available on the Company's website at http://www.corvusgold.com/investors/video/.
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information (other than the resource estimate) that form the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent of Corvus, as he is the CEO and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
Carl E. Brechtel, PE, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for planning and execution of the technical and engineering studies at North Bullfrog, and has prepared this news release and approved the disclosure herein. He has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, is a registered professional engineer in the States of Colorado and Nevada, and is a Registered Member of SME. Mr. Brechtel is not independent of Corvus, as he is the COO and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
Mr. William J. Penstrom, Jr., a consulting process engineer and President of Pennstrom Consulting, Inc. has acted as the Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101, for evaluation of the metallurgical testing data. He has over 30 years of experience in mineral process design and operation, and has been an independent process and metallurgical consultant for the mining industry for the last 10 years. He is a Registered Member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME Member # 2503900). Mr. Pennstrom and Pennstrom Consulting Inc. are both independent of the Company under NI 43-101.
Mr. Gary Giroux, M.Sc., P. Eng (B.C.), a consulting geological engineer employed by Giroux Consultants Ltd., has acted as the Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, for the Giroux Consultants Ltd. mineral resource estimate. He has over 30 years of experience in all stages of mineral exploration, development and production. Mr. Giroux specializes in computer applications in ore reserve estimation, and has consulted both nationally and internationally in this field. He has authored many papers on geostatistics and ore reserve estimation and has practiced as a Geological Engineer since 1970 and provided geostatistical services to the industry since 1976. Both Mr. Giroux and Giroux Consultants Ltd. are independent of the Company under NI 43-101.
The work program at North Bullfrog was designed and supervised by Russell Myers (CPG 11433), President of Corvus, a Qualified Person defined by NI 43-101, and by Mark Reischman, Corvus Nevada Exploration Manager, who are jointly responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project log and track all samples prior to sealing and shipping. Quality control is monitored by the insertion of blind certified standard reference materials and blanks into each sample shipment. All resource sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada, for preparation and then on to ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada, or Vancouver, B.C., for assaying. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control. McClelland Laboratories Inc. prepared composites from duplicated RC sample splits collected during drilling. Bulk samples were sealed on site and delivered to McClelland Laboratories Inc. by ALS Chemex or Corvus personnel. All metallurgical testing reported here was conducted or managed by McClelland Laboratories Inc.
About Corvus Gold Inc.
Corvus Gold Inc. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early-stage to advanced gold projects. Corvus is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries and leveraging those discoveries via partner funded exploration work into carried and or royalty interests that provide shareholders with exposure to gold production.
On behalf of
Corvus Gold Inc.
(signed) Jeffrey A. Pontius
Jeffrey A. Pontius,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the potential for a production decision to be made in respect of any of the deposits located at the North Bullfrog project, the potential for any further improvements in gold recoveries from mineralization at the North Bullfrog Project, the potential for any mining of or production from any deposit at the North Bullfrog project following any production decision, the planned completion of and timing for an updated resource estimate and/or feasibility study, whether with respect to the Mayflower Deposit or any other deposit at the North Bullfrog project, the potential for the existence or location of additional high-grade veins, the potential for the Company to secure or receive any royalties in the future, business and financing plans and business trends, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located,variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Annual Information Form filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.comand readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.
Cautionary Note Regarding References to Resources and Reserves
National Instrument 43 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in or incorporated by reference in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the "CIM Standards") as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM.
United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth in the SEC's Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7"). Accordingly, the Company's disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Without limiting the foregoing, while the terms "mineral resources", "inferred mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "measured mineral resources" are recognized and required by NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, they are not recognized by the SEC and are not permitted to be used in documents filed with the SEC by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and US investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be converted into reserves. Further, inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher resource category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of a feasibility study or prefeasibility study, except in rare cases. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves" as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit amounts. The term "contained ounces" is not permitted under the rules of SEC Industry Guide 7. In addition, the NI 43-101 and CIM Standards definition of a "reserve" differs from the definition in SEC Industry Guide 7. In SEC Industry Guide 7, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made, and a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis of designated reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
Caution Regarding Adjacent or Similar Mineral Properties
This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. The Company advises US investors that the mining guidelines of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") set forth in the SEC's Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7") strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
SOURCE Corvus Gold Inc.
Image with caption: "Figure 1: North Bullfrog Project areas showing the location of the different resource areas and the PQ core holes used for metallurgical sampling. (CNW Group/Corvus Gold Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121011_C6004_PHOTO_EN_19119.jpg
Image with caption: "Chart 1 - Comparison of Mayflower PQ Bottle Roll Test Data (composite MF PQ3) to Ongoing Column Leach Tests for Mayflower (composites PQ3 and PQ5) and Savage Valley (samples PQ1 and PQ4). (CNW Group/Corvus Gold Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121011_C6004_PHOTO_EN_19120.jpg
Ryan Ko
Investor Relations
Email: info@corvusgold.com
Phone: 1-888-770-7488 (toll free) or (604) 638-3246 / Fax: (604) 408-7499
