Solaris Resources Inc. (TSX: SLS; NYSE: SLSR)
(“Solaris” or the “Company”) is pleased to report an In-Pit Mineral
Resources Estimate (“MRE”) for its Warintza Project (“Warintza” or
“the Project”) in southeastern Ecuador. Ongoing mineral resource
drilling includes over 30,000m in H2/24 targeting open extensions
and upgrading mineral resources to support the Pre-Feasibility
Study (“PFS”) in H2/25. Concurrent district exploration programs
are targeting complementary discoveries from an expanded portfolio
of epithermal gold/silver and porphyry copper targets.
Highlights
- In-Pit Mineral Resources – 232
million tonnes (“Mt”) at 0.64% copper equivalent¹ (“CuEq”)
(Measured) and 677 Mt at 0.49% CuEq¹ (Indicated) for 909 Mt at
0.53% CuEq¹ (Measured & Indicated) and an additional 1,426 Mt
at 0.37% CuEq¹ (Inferred) at a base case 0.25% CuEq¹ cut-off
grade
- Includes 157 Mt at 0.76% CuEq¹
(Measured) and 269 Mt at 0.69% CuEq¹ (Indicated) for 427 Mt at
0.71% CuEq¹ (Measured & Indicated) and an additional 177 Mt at
0.62% CuEq¹ (Inferred) at a higher cut-off grade of 0.50% CuEq¹
which reflects the at or near surface supergene and higher-grade
hypogene mineralization (Table 1: Warintza Mineral Resource
Estimate Sensitivity and Figure 2)
- Structural Advantages – Warintza is
set at low elevation within the southeast Ecuador mining district
that is serviced by direct connection from highway to Pacific
ports, low-cost hydroelectric grid power with further development
potential at the adjoining Santiago G8 project, and has seen
sweeping socioeconomic improvement from mining exploration,
development over the last decade (Figure 1)
- Resource Drilling Continues – 2024
drill program of 60,000m (over 30,000m in H2/24) in 140 holes from
80 platforms to provide improved drilling coverage targeting open
lateral extensions, upgrading mineral resources and converting
remaining uncategorized blocks within the pit shell to support the
PFS in H2/25; metallurgical, geotechnical and hydrogeological
drilling is ongoing (Figure 3)
- District Exploration Ongoing –
Complementary district exploration efforts are underway with
fieldwork targeting epithermal-style gold-silver mineralization
south of Caya-Mateo, in an area where recent sampling has returned
values between 4 and 12 g/t Au, and field crews also focused on
mapping and sampling combined geophysical and geochemical porphyry
copper targets (Figure 4)
Mr. Javier Toro, Chief Operating Officer,
commented, “We are very pleased to be able to release this
standalone MRE which draws on our combined years of experience with
open pit copper projects in the Americas. This new MRE provides a
solid foundation for future updates and a robust mine plan with a
low strip ratio, simple metallurgy and clean concentrates. In
support of the PFS, we are doing further technical, infill and
extensional drilling into open areas within and adjacent to the pit
shell.”
Table 1: Warintza Mineral Resource
Estimate Sensitivity
Cut-off |
Category |
Tonnage |
Grade |
CuEq (%) |
|
(Mt) |
CuEq (%) |
Cu (%) |
Mo (%) |
Au (g/t) |
0.15% |
Measured |
246 |
0.61 |
0.45 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
Indicated |
836 |
0.44 |
0.30 |
0.02 |
0.04 |
M&I |
1,082 |
0.48 |
0.34 |
0.02 |
0.04 |
Inferred |
3,135 |
0.27 |
0.20 |
0.01 |
0.04 |
0.25%(Base Case) |
Measured |
232 |
0.64 |
0.47 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
Indicated |
677 |
0.49 |
0.34 |
0.02 |
0.04 |
M&I |
909 |
0.53 |
0.37 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
Inferred |
1,426 |
0.37 |
0.27 |
0.01 |
0.04 |
0.35% |
Measured |
207 |
0.68 |
0.50 |
0.03 |
0.06 |
Indicated |
497 |
0.56 |
0.40 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
M&I |
704 |
0.60 |
0.43 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
Inferred |
640 |
0.47 |
0.34 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
0.50%(Higher Grade) |
Measured |
157 |
0.76 |
0.56 |
0.03 |
0.06 |
Indicated |
269 |
0.69 |
0.50 |
0.03 |
0.05 |
M&I |
427 |
0.71 |
0.52 |
0.03 |
0.06 |
Inferred |
177 |
0.62 |
0.45 |
0.02 |
0.07 |
Notes to Table 1:
- The Mineral Resource Estimate was
prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on May
10, 2014.
- Reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction assume open-pit mining with conventional
flotation processing and were tested using Whittle and Minesight
pit optimization software with the following assumptions: metal
prices of US$4.00/lb Cu, US$20.00/lb Mo, and US$1,850/oz Au;
operating costs of US$1.50/t+US$0.02/t per bench mining, US$5.0/t
milling, US$1.0/t G&A, and recoveries of 90% Cu, 85% Mo, and
70% Au based on preliminary metallurgical testwork.
- Metal price assumptions for copper,
molybdenum and gold are based on a discount to the lesser of the
3-year trailing average (in accordance with US Securities and
Exchange Commission guidance) and current spot prices for each
metal.
- Mineral Resources include grade
capping and dilution. Grade was interpolated by ordinary kriging
populating a block model with block dimensions of 25m x 25m x
15m.
- Mineral Resources that are not
Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Copper-equivalent grade calculation
for reporting assumes metal prices of US$4.00/lb Cu, US$20.00/lb
Mo, and US$1,850/oz Au, and recoveries of 90% Cu, 85% Mo, and 70%
Au based on preliminary metallurgical testwork and includes
provisions for downstream selling costs. CuEq formula: CuEq (%) =
Cu (%) + 5.604 × Mo (%) + 0.623 × Au (g/t).
- The Mineral Resources estimate was
prepared by Mario E. Rossi, FAusIMM, RM-SME, Principal
Geostatistician of Geosystems International Inc., who is an
Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The Mineral Resources
estimate is at a base case of 0.25% CuEq¹ cut-off grade and other
estimates at varying cut-off grades are included only to
demonstrate the sensitivity of the Mineral Resources estimate and
are not the QP’s estimate of the Mineral Resources for the
property.
- In Mr. Rossi’s opinion, there are
currently no relevant factors or legal, political, environmental,
or other risks that could materially affect the potential
development of Mineral Resources.
- All figures are rounded to reflect
the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore may not appear
to add precisely.
- The effective date of the mineral
resource estimate is July 1, 2024.
Figure 1 – Warintza Location, Access,
Infrastructure
Figure 2 – Warintza Mineral Resource Block
Model
Note to Figure 2: Mineral Resources cut off at pit outline.
Figure 3 – Warintza Drilling and Future
Targets
Figure 4 – Warintza District Exploration
The corresponding Technical Report disclosing
the MRE in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards
of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) will be prepared
by Mr. Rossi and available on the Company’s website at
www.solarisresources.com and on SEDAR+ under the Company’s profile
at www.sedarplus.ca within 45 days of this news release.
Endnotes
- Copper-equivalence grade
calculation for reporting assumes metal prices of US$4.00/lb Cu,
US$20.00/lb Mo, and US$1,850/oz Au, and recoveries of 90% Cu, 85%
Mo, and 70% Au based on preliminary metallurgical testwork and
includes provisions for downstream selling costs. CuEq formula:
CuEq (%) = Cu (%) + 5.604 × Mo (%) + 0.623 × Au (g/t).
Resource Estimation Methodology and
Parameters
Measured Mineral Resources were defined where
there are at least two drill holes and four composites minimum
within 40 and 80m, depending on geologic domain and orientation.
Indicated Mineral Resources were defined where there are at least
two drill holes and four composites minimum within 60 and 120m,
depending on geologic domain and orientation. Variogram models were
used to support the assessment of grade continuity. The
classification reflects not only drill spacing and drill hole data
quality, but also confidence level in the continuity of the grade
and the geometry of the deposit. Inferred Mineral Resources were
estimated within an envelope of drill hole influence, defined
nominally as 200m in the horizontal directions, and 40m in the
vertical direction. Mineral Resources include outlier grade
restriction and internal dilution. Grade was interpolated by
ordinary kriging populating a block model with block dimensions of
25m x 25m x 15m. The Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral
Resources are classified in a manner that is consistent with the
May 10, 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves
do not have demonstrated economic viability. In Mr. Rossi’s
opinion, there are currently no relevant factors or legal,
political, environmental, or other risks that could materially
affect the potential development of the mineral resources.
Technical Information and Quality
Control & Quality Assurance
Sample assay results have been independently
monitored through a quality control/quality assurance (“QA/QC”)
program that includes the insertion of blind certified reference
materials (standards), blanks and field duplicate samples. Logging
and sampling are completed at a secure Company facility located on
site. The drill core is cut in half on site and samples are
securely transported to ALS Labs in Quito. Sample pulps are sent to
ALS Labs in Lima, Peru and Vancouver, Canada for analysis. Total
copper and molybdenum contents are determined by four-acid
digestion with AAS finish. Gold is determined by fire assay of a
30-gram charge. In addition, selected pulp check samples are sent
to Bureau Veritas lab in Lima, Peru. Both ALS Labs and Bureau
Veritas lab are independent of Solaris. Mr. Rossi verified the data
disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying
the information included in this news release, by personally
inspecting the drill core use in the MRE and performing several
checks to confirm the accuracy of such data. In addition, Mr. Rossi
reviewed the QA/QC reports from the Company’s drill programs and
noted that there were no issues that arose which would affect
confidence with the assay data. Mr. Rossi considers the sampling
method appropriate for the deposit type, adequate security and
QA/QC measures were maintained, and samples are representative of
the existing mineralization. Mr. Rossi is not aware of any
drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially
affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to
herein.
Heliborne magnetic, LIDAR and other layers of
data quality for Warintza district exploration were validated by a
qualified external professional using data validation procedures
under high industry standards. The data has been verified by Jorge
Fierro, M.Sc., DIC, PG, using data validation and quality assurance
procedures under high industry standards.
Qualified Person
The MRE was prepared and the scientific and
technical information in this news release was approved by
Independent Qualified Person, Mario E. Rossi, FAusIMM, SME, IAMG,
Principal Geostatistician of Geosystems International Inc (“GSI”)
who is a copper porphyry specialist. Mr. Rossi is a qualified
person pursuant to NI 43-101 and is independent of Solaris
Resources under Section 1.5 of NI 43-101. Mr. Rossi has over 35
years of experience in mining and geostatistics, mineral resource
and reserves estimation, audits and reviews in over 100 mining
projects at various stages of development and operation. GSI is an
independent, international mining consulting practice offering
services specializing in porphyry deposits from exploration through
feasibility, mine planning, and production.
The scientific and technical content of the
Warintza district exploration targets in this press release has
been reviewed and approved by Jorge Fierro, M.Sc., DIC, PG, Vice
President Exploration of Solaris who is a “Qualified Person” as
defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects. Jorge Fierro is a Registered Professional
Geologist through the SME (registered member #4279075).
On behalf of the Board of Solaris
Resources Inc.
“Daniel Earle”President & CEO, Director
For Further Information
Jacqueline Wagenaar, VP Investor RelationsDirect: 416-366-5678
Ext. 203Email: jwagenaar@solarisresources.com
About Solaris Resources
Inc.
Solaris is advancing a portfolio of copper and
gold assets in the Americas, which includes a world class copper
resource with expansion and discovery potential at its Warintza
Project in Ecuador; a series of grass roots exploration projects
with discovery potential in Peru and Chile; and significant
leverage to increasing copper prices through its 60% interest in
the La Verde joint-venture project with a subsidiary of Teck
Resources in Mexico.
Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking
Statements
This document contains certain forward-looking
information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation (collectively “forward-looking
statements”). The use of the words “will” and “expected” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements include statements that ongoing
mineral resource drilling includes over 30,000m in H2/24 targeting
open extensions and upgrading mineral resources to support the PFS
in H2/25, concurrent district exploration programs are targeting
complementary discoveries from an expanded portfolio of epithermal
gold/silver and porphyry copper targets, 2024 drill program of
60,000m (over 30,000m in H2/24) in 140 holes from 80 platforms to
provide improved drilling coverage targeting open lateral
extensions, upgrading mineral resources and converting remaining
uncategorized blocks within the pit shell to support the PFS in
H2/25; metallurgical, geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling is
ongoing, complementary district exploration efforts are underway
with fieldwork targeting epithermal-style gold-silver
mineralization south of Caya-Mateo, in an area where recent
sampling has returned values between 4 and 12 g/t Au, and field
crews also focused on mapping and sampling combined geophysical and
geochemical porphyry copper targets. Although Solaris believes that
the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements
and/or information are reasonable, readers are cautioned that
actual results may vary from the forward-looking statements. The
Company has based these forward-looking statements and information
on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future
events including assumptions regarding the exploration and regional
programs and technical programs. These statements also involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the
risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Solaris
Management’s Discussion and Analysis, for the year ended December
31, 2023 available at www.sedarplus.ca. Furthermore, the
forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made
as at the date of this news release and Solaris does not undertake
any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these
forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable
securities laws.
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b12e12a3-210f-4794-8e49-6933a4b7e2c7
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67e7de05-ab10-4cdf-8a28-db2a21f16a64
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3295cba-498a-45ec-bad7-3bacc019469e
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0b55465d-27c3-41b3-8e08-3698acc7ad1b
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