FORM 51 102F3
MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT
Item 1. – Name and Address of Reporting Issuer
Newmarket Gold Inc.
1680 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C
3L6 Canada
Item 2. – Date of Material Change
May 18, 2016
Item 3. – News Release
The news release was disseminated on May 18, 2016 through the facilities of Marketwired and a copy was subsequently filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Item 4. – Summary of Material Change
Newmarket Gold Inc. (“Newmarket” or the “Company”) announced the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) prepared in accordance with National Instrument (“NI”) 43 101 on the Company’s 100% owned Maud Creek Gold Project (“Maud Creek”) in the Northern Territory, Australia
Item 5.1 – Full Description of Material Change
Newmarket Gold Inc. (“Newmarket” or the “Company”) (TSX:NMI) (OTCQX:NMKTF) announces that it has filed an amended National Instrument (“NI”) 43 101 Technical Report for the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on the 100% owned Maud Creek Gold Project. The amended report is entitled “Amended Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Maud Creek Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia” dated May 18, 2016 (the “Amended Technical Report”) and prepared by SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd. The Amended Technical Report is available under Newmarket’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on its website at www.newmarketgoldinc.com.
All details from the original news release and technical report dated May 16, 2016 are correct except for the Life of Mine (“LOM”) Cash Operating Costs which were originally stated as AUD$1,101/oz. The amended and confirmed LOM Cash Operating Costs for the Maud Creek gold project are AUD$822/oz. All other aspects of the Newmarket news release dated May 16, 2016 are confirmed and it is available under Newmarket’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on its website at www.newmarketgoldinc.com.
Preliminary Economic Assessment Highlights:
Base case parameters assume a gold price of AUD$1,550/oz (US$1,200) and an exchange rate (AUD to US) of 0.77.
• | Pre Tax Net Present Value at a 5% discount rate (“NPV5%“) of AUD$201 million (US$155 million) and Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 116% with a 1.25 year payback period. | |
• | After tax NPV5% of AUD$137 million (US$105 million) and IRR of 80% and a 1.25 year payback period. | |
• | Mine life of 9.5 years with average annual gold production of 52,000 ounces and peak annual gold production of approximately 70,000 ounces. | |
• | Total recovered gold of 496,000 ounces. |
- 2 -
• | Life of mine (“LOM”) diluted head grade of 4.2 g/t Au. | |
• | Pre production capital cost estimated at AUD$42 million (US$32 million). | |
• | LOM cash operating cost estimate of AUD$822/oz (US$632/oz) and LOM capital cost of AUD$112/oz. |
PEA SUMMARY
The PEA examined the processing of gold mineralization at Newmarket’s Union Reefs Processing Facility, located 144km from the Maud Creek Project via an existing major roadway, (including oxide mineralization), and through a stand alone plant, constructed on site at Maud Creek (excluding oxide mineralization), to produce a saleable gold concentrate and gold Dore. Based on the results of the comparison of the economic and infrastructure considerations associated with both options, the Union Reefs Processing Facility is the preferred option.
(For location map please go to the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/MaudCreekProjectAreaLocationv2.jpg)
The PEA is based on oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Maud Creek, mined by a combination of open pit and underground mining methods, and trucked using quad semi trailers to Newmarket’s existing operating and permitted processing plant at Union Reefs.
The mine has a 9.5 year operating life, including 2 years of open pit operations prior to commencing underground production. The Maud Creek deposit remains open down plunge and with additional drilling it may be possible to extend the mine life of the operation. The maximum depth of the underground is 500 metres below surface with the current open pit/ underground transition at 125 metres below surface.
Table 1 PEA Results – Union Reefs Processing Facility
Parameter/ Result | Units | Quantity |
Gold Price | AUD$/oz | 1,550 |
Exchange Rate | AUD$:USD | 0.77 |
Gold Price | US$/oz | 1,200 |
Mine Life | Years | 9.5 |
Mineral Inventory | ‘000 t | 3,911 |
Diluted Gold Grade | g/t | 4.2 |
Contained Gold | Koz | 528 |
Gold Recovery (oxide/transitional) | % | 85 |
Gold Recovery (sulphide) | % | 95 |
LOM Recovered Gold | Koz | 496 |
Production Rate | Ktpa | 500 |
Average Annual Gold Production | Koz | 52 |
Peak Annual Gold Production | Koz | 70 |
Annual Tonnes Concentrate (Dry) | kt | 30 |
Concentrate Grade | g/t con | 45 |
LOM Operating Cost | AUD$M | 408 |
LOM Cash Operating Cost | AUD$/oz | 822 |
Total Operating Costs/tonne Milled | AUD$/t | 105 |
Net Revenue (less selling expenses) | AUD$M | 725 |
Pre Production Capital cost | AUD$M | 42 |
Sustaining Capital Cost (LOM) | AUD$M | 14 |
- 3 -
Sensitivities of the PEA to the Gold Price is presented in Table 2 below.
Table 2 PEA Gold Price Sensitivities
Gold Price (AUD$/oz) | 1,400 | 1,450 | 1,500 | 1,550 | 1,600 | 1,650 | 1,700 |
Pre Tax NPV5% (AUD$M) | 145 | 163 | 182 | 201 | 220 | 239 | 257 |
Pre Tax IRR % | 85 | 95 | 106 | 116 | 127 | 138 | 150 |
After Tax NPV5% (AUD$M) | 98 | 111 | 124 | 137 | 150 | 163 | 177 |
After Tax IRR % | 59 | 66 | 73 | 80 | 87 | 94 | 102 |
Taxes
The Maud Creek Project After tax financial model has incorporated Australian Federal Tax at a rate of 30% and the Northern Territory Royalty Tax of 20%. Newmarket Gold NT Holdings Pty Ltd., the owner of the Maud Creek Gold Project and wholly owned subsidiary of Newmarket, carries estimated tax losses as follows as at December 31, 2015, which have not been included in the economic analysis:
Income tax non capital losses | AUD$229.8 | ||
million NT Royalty Tax Net Negative Value million | AUD$151.0 |
Based on the integration of the Maud Creek Project with existing infrastructure and Northern Territory production unit, the NT Royalty Net Negative Value has the potential to positively impact the value of the Maud Creek Project if determined to be applicable. The NT Royalty Tax of 20% in the financial model equates to a cost of AUD$107 per ounce.
Mineral Resource
The Maud Creek Mineral Resource estimates presented in Tables 3 and 4 below, prepared by SRK, are based upon 97 diamond drill holes and 442 reverse circulation percussion holes totalling 74,993 metres drilled over a 22 year period. SRK undertook a thorough examination of all available information. The Mineral Resource was estimated using Ordinary Kriging within six domains.
- 4 -
Table 3 Open pit Mineral Resource above 950 mRL at 0.5 g/t Au cut off
Mineral Resource Category | Inventor y (Kt) | Gold Grade | Contained Metal (KOz |
Measured | 1,070 | 5.6 | 190 |
Indicated | 1,100 | 2.1 | 75 |
Measured and Indicated | 2,170 | 3.8 | 268 |
Inferred | 530 | 1.4 | 25 |
Notes: | ||
1. | CIM definitions followed for classification of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resources. | |
2. | Mineral Resources estimated as of 15 March 2016 as reported in Technical Report Mineral Resources of the Maud Creek Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia dated March 21, 2016 and effective December 31, 2015 and prepared by Peter Fairfield, BEng (Mining), FAusIMM, CP (Mining), Principal Consultant for SRK Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd and Danny Kentwell, MSc Mathematics & Planning (Geostatistics), FAusIMM, Principal Consultant for SRK Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd (the “Maud Creek Technical Report”). | |
3. | Mineral Resources stated according to CIM guidelines. | |
4. | Totals may appear different from the sum of their components due to rounding. | |
5. | Reported at a 0.5 g/t cut off grade. | |
6. | The open pit Mineral Resource is exclusive of the underground Mineral Resource. | |
7. | The Mineral Resource estimation was performed by Danny Kentwell FAusIMM fulltime employee of SRK Consulting, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43 101. | |
8. | Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. |
Table 4 Underground Mineral Resource below 950 mRL at 1.5 g/t Au cut off
Mineral Resource Category | Inventor y (Kt) | Gold Grade | Contained Metal (KOz |
Measured | |||
Indicated | 4,330 | 3.2 | 456 |
Measured and Indicated | 4,330 | 3.2 | 456 |
Inferred | 1,450 | 2.7 | 124 |
Notes: | ||
1. | CIM definitions followed for classification of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resources. | |
2. | Mineral Resources estimated as of 15 March 2016 as reported in the Maud Creek Technical Report. | |
3. | Mineral Resources stated according to CIM guidelines. | |
4. | Totals may appear different from the sum of their components due to rounding. | |
5. | Reported at a 1.5 g/t cut off grade, AUD$1,415/oz gold price, metallurgical recoveries of 85% for transitional mineralization and 95% for fresh mineralization | |
6. | The underground Mineral Resource is exclusive of the open pit Mineral Resource. | |
7. | The Mineral Resource estimation was performed by Danny Kentwell FAusIMM fulltime employee of SRK Consulting, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43 101. | |
8. | Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. |
- 5 -
Capital Costs
Pre production capital costs are estimated at AUD$42 million with the majority of the costs associated with the inclusion of a sulphide circuit at the Union Reefs Processing Plant and capitalised mine development for access.
Open Pit and Underground mining operations are proposed to be undertaken by contract mining, as is conducted at Newmarket’s existing NT operations at the Cosmo mine. AUD$7.3 million has been allocated for surface works associated with diversion of the ephemeral creek and water management and treatment infrastructure. Additional work is required to further define the technical requirements and the capital requirements. Table 5 below outlines the PEA capital cost estimates.
Table 5 PEA Capital Cost Estimates
Capital | AUD$M |
Process Plant Modification | 24.8 |
Surface Infrastructure – Power | 2.6 |
Surface Water Management | 7.3 |
Access Road | 2.2 |
Capitalised Development (includes mobilization) | 18.4 |
Total Capital Costs | 55.6 |
Mining
The PEA mine plan is based upon conventional open pit mining followed by a transition to underground mining where conventional long hole open stoping utilising cemented rock and waste fill will be used. The absence of suitable data has led to low confidence in the geotechnical conditions. Additional data is required to improve confidence and refine decisions on mining methods and the mine design. The mining method studies are linked to the decision on the location of the Processing Plant and the availability of pastefill.
Table 6 Mining Methods in PEA Mine Plan
Mining Method | Inventor y (Kt) | Gold Grade | Contained Metal (KOz |
Open Pit | 634 | 5.1 | 104 |
Underground | 3,276 | 4.0 | 423 |
Total | 3,911 | 4.2 | 528 |
Total mineralized material mined over the course of the mine life is 3.8 million tonnes. Table 7 summarizes the proposed underground mill feed allowing for 20% mining dilution and 95% mill recovery of the mainly fresh mineralization from underground mining.
- 6 -
Table 7 Underground Mineral Resource (Mine Diluted) Included in PEA Mine Plan*
Resource Classificatio | % of Feed | Inventor y (kt) | Gold Grade | Contained Metal |
Measured | 20 | 679 | 6.1 | 132 |
Indicated | 70 | 2,306 | 3.9 | 290 |
Inferred | 10 | 291 | 2.8 | 26 |
* Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Initial disclosure of Mineral Resources is reported at a cut off grade of 2.6 g/t Au based on AUD1,415 per ounce gold, gold metallurgical recoveries of 85% for oxide and transitional mineralization and 95% for fresh mineralization.
All mine development would be performed by mining contractor using conventional electric hydraulic drilling equipment and suitable sized diesel powered LHD loaders and haul trucks. All mine manpower except for technical and support staff would be contracted employees.
Power
Due to the limited electrical power demand for the underground mining operation of 2.0 MW power will be provided via on site diesel generators supplied, owned and operated by an independent power provider (IPP). Power at the Union Reefs Processing Plant is supplied via the 66 kV Darwin Katherine distribution network. There is sufficient power capacity to meet the modifications to the Union Reefs facility for processing the Maud Creek mineralization.
Processing
An extensive program of metallurgical testing was carried out on the Maud Creek Project from 1994 through to 2006 at reputable and suitably experienced laboratories. The PEA proposes processing Maud Creek oxide mineralization through the existing Union Reefs Carbon In Leach processing plant. The transitional mineralization feed, which makes up just a small portion of the overall LOM tonnage is a significant part of the first years feed, will have more variable metallurgical behaviour. Transitional mineralization can be processed through the existing oxide circuit and/or the new flotation circuit to optimize recovery. The base case presented for this study contemplates the addition of flotation and concentrate dewatering circuit’s to the existing Union Reefs processing facility to process fresh, sulphide mineralization, the bulk of the project tonnage, producing a gold sulphide concentrate for sale. A gravity gold concentrate will also be produced with 20% of the gold being recovered by gravity. The concentrate will be dewatered through thickening and filtration before being bagged, stored in shipping containers and transported by road, then shipped to customers in China.
The PEA reviewed the previous metallurgical testwork data and supporting engineering studies and proposes a conventional, inexpensive and low risk processing circuit allowing flexibility with respect to circuit configuration and downstream processing. Based on the historical testwork, a total gold recovery of the fresh sulphide material of 95% was applied and a total recovery of 85% was applied for the oxide/ transitional material. Further work is required to fully integrate the proposed sulphide circuit and determine the optimum processing configurations.
- 7 -
Table 8 – PEA Operating Cost Estimates*
Operating Cost | Unit Cost | Activit y | Unit Cost (AUD$/oz |
Open Pit Mining | 5 | Mined (incl. waste) | 328 |
Underground Mining | 55 | stoped | 411 |
Processing | 32 | Milled | 252 |
Concentrate Transport | 17 | Milled | 134 |
Indirect | 5 | Milled | 39 |
Total Cash Cost | 105 | Milled | 822 |
Capital | 14 | Milled | 113 |
Total Cash Cost plus Capital | 119 | Milled | 935 |
* AUD$/ounce for open pit and underground mining only relate to the ounces by source and thus do not sum for the total AUD $/oz recovered.
Project Opportunities
The PEA supports that Maud Creek has the potential to significantly positively impact Newmarket’s Northern Territory Operations, which currently operate the Cosmo Underground Gold Mine with processing of ore through the Union Reefs Processing Facility. The processing facility is currently processing approximately 800,000 tonnes per annum of Cosmo ore and retains the capacity to include additional material mined from the Maud Creek project.
The Maud Creek deposit also remains open down plunge and with additional drilling it may be possible to extend the mine life of this operation. Newmarket believes that there is an opportunity to increase the mine life through targeted exploration.
The PEA is part of a phased Feasibility Study agreement in place between Newmarket and SRK, which provides Newmarket with the option to proceed to Pre Feasibility and Feasibility stages now that the PEA has been completed. Such future stages would further consider geotechnical and geometallurgical modelling of the Maud Creek Project, additional review of the metallurgical testwork completed on the Maud Creek deposit, and confirmation of capital required to upgrade the Union Reefs Processing Facility. Future stages may also include further drilling, with the potential to increase the Mineral Resource base of the deposit.
Qualified Persons and 43 101 Disclosure
The Technical Report on the Maud Creek Project was compiled by Peter Fairfield, Principal Consultant (Project Evaluation), BEng (Mining), FAusIMM CP (Mining) of SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd. By virtue of his education, membership to a recognised professional association and relevant work experience, Peter Fairfield is an independent "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in NI 43 101.
- 8 -
Mark Edwards, MAusIMM (CP), MAIG, General Manager, Exploration, of Newmarket, is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in NI 43 101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this news release.
Item 5.2 – Disclosure of Restructuring Transaction
Not applicable.
Item 6. – Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) of National Instrument 51 102
Not applicable.
Item 7. – Omitted Information
Not applicable.
Item 8. – Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Douglas Forster
President & Chief Executive
Officer Tel: 604 559 8040
dforster@newmarketgoldinc.com
Item 9. – Date of Report
May 18, 2016
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information
Certain information set forth in this material change report contains “forward looking statements”, and “forward looking information under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward looking statements, which include the Company’s expectations about its business and operations, and are based on the Company’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Some of the forward looking statements may be identified by words such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, “plans”, and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements or forward looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements or forward looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements and forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking statements or forward looking information that are included in this material change report or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.