Block 14 Gold Project Feasibility Study Receives Approval from Government and Orca Appoints Sudan Country Manager
VANCOUVER, Feb. 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Orca Gold Inc. (TSX.V:ORG) ("Orca" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the progress of development at its Block 14 Gold Project in the Republic of the Sudan.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Government of Sudan approves Block 14 Feasibility Study
- Extension of Block 14 Exploration Licence Approved
- Mining Lease Applications Submitted
- EIA approval expected by end of Q1
- Water production permit in place
- Country Manager appointed for Sudan
DETAILS
Permitting for the Block 14 Gold Project is well-advanced:
- The Block 14 Feasibility Study (News Release November 7, 2018) was presented to the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals in November 2018. The Company has recently been advised by the Ministry that the Study has been approved.
- The application for a formal Mining Lease covering 38sq km of Block 14 has been made.
- An exploration licence extension has been approved over an area of 1,000km2 surrounding the Mining Lease coordinates, covering the most prospective parts of Block 14 (Figure 1).
- The Block 14 Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") has been submitted to the Higher Council of the Government of Sudan and comments have been received and addressed. Environmental approval is expected by the end of Q1.
- A Water Extraction permit necessary for the 6Mtpa process plant throughput was granted to the Company in February 2018 (see News Release February 7, 2018).
In anticipation of the project being fully permitted by the end of Q1 2019, early development works and financing discussions are underway:
- Airstrip design and permitting in process
- Lycopodium has commenced detailed engineering works on long lead items
- Project financing options are being assessed and considered
Orca is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Chris Reardon as Country Manager for the Sudan. Mr. Reardon is responsible for the development of the Block 14 project and is based at the Company's offices in Khartoum.
Chris Reardon is a geologist with over 20 years experience in operations and consultancy. Prior to joining Orca, Chris was the European Regional Manager for Deswik Mining Consultants and managed the significant growth of the company in Europe and Russia. Chris was the Deswik manager responsible for the feasibility mine design at Block 14. Prior to his position with Deswik, Chris held the role of General Manager - Technical Services at the Tonkolili iron ore mine in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Commenting on the continuing progress at Block 14, Richard Clark, CEO and Director said: "The Block 14 Project has reached a key stage. With permitting well-advanced and strong support from the Government of the Sudan, we expect to have all approvals in place by the end of Q1 2019. With Chris Reardon now based in Sudan and Lycopodium starting work on the detailed engineering of the long lead items, Orca is in a strong position to move forward with its development plans. Financing discussions are ongoing and positive. We are optimistic in securing funding in accordance with our projected timeline."
About Orca Gold Inc.
Orca Gold Inc. (TSX-V: ORG) is a Canadian resource company focused on exploration and development opportunities in Africa, where it is currently focused on the development of its 70%-owned Block 14 Gold project in the Republic of the Sudan. The Company has an experienced board of directors and management team and a strong balance sheet.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding Orca's (the "Company", the "Corporation", "we" or "our") plans and expectations relating to the Block 14 Gold Project ("Block 14") in northern Sudan and the Feasibility Study ("FS") currently being conducted by the Corporation. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute "forward-looking statements" to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralisation that will be encountered if the property is developed. The assumptions, risk and uncertainties outlined below are non-exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation, or industry results, may vary materially from those described in this presentation.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are not guarantees of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made including without limitation, assumptions about the following (the "Forward-Looking Factors"): future prices of gold and other metals; successful exploration, development, and production of Block 14; the timing and completion of the FS; performance of contractual obligations by counterparties; operating conditions; political stability; obtaining governmental approvals and financing on time; financial projections and budgets; obtaining licenses and permits; government regulation of the Corporation's mining activities; environmental risks and expenses; market conditions; the securities market; price volatility of the Corporation's securities; currency exchange rates; foreign mining tax regimes; insurance and uninsured risks; financial projections and results; competition; availability of sufficient capital, infrastructure, equipment and labour; dependence on key personnel; dependence on outside parties; conflicts of interest; litigation; land title issues; local community issues; estimation of mineral resources; realization of mineral resources; timing and amount of estimated future production; the life of Block 14; reclamation obligations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; and anticipated costs and expenditures and our ability to achieve the Corporation's goals. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies, many of which are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Corporation and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the Forward-Looking Factors above, and those factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Corporation's documents filed from time to time with the securities regulators in the provinces of Canada.
In addition, a number of other factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, and there is no assurance that the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation will be consistent with them. For further details, reference is made to the risk factors discussed or referred to in the Corporation's annual and interim management's discussion and analyses on file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available electronically on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such forward-looking statements and information are made or given as at the date of this presentation and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information.
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 release.
SOURCE Orca Gold Inc.
Elina Chow, Investor Relations, Catch Advisory Group Inc., 416.645.0935 x 226, [email protected]
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