August 28, 2017 – Vancouver, BC – Trek Mining Inc. (TSX-V: TREK) (“Trek Mining” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 and the accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis are available for download on the Company’s website at www.trekmining.com and at www.sedar.com. All dollar amounts are in United States dollars.
Quarterly highlights and recent developments
• Completed a feasibility study for the Aurizona Gold Mine (“Aurizona”) in Brazil, supporting the viability of constructing an open-pit gold mine with a net present value (“NPV5%”) of $197 million and an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 34% based on a gold price of $1,250 per ounce
• Awarded the EPCM contract for development of Aurizona to Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.
• Confirmed with exploration drilling that gold mineralization at Aurizona’s principal ore deposit extends at least 350 metres to the west along strike and also at depth below the existing reserve pit
• Continued ramp-up of the Koricancha Mill in Peru with Q2-2017 sales of 2,545 ounces of gold
On July 31, 2017, the Company released the results of a feasibility study for Aurizona, which is based on a new mine plan and mineral reserve estimate and outlines the design of an open-pit gold mine producing an average of 136,000 ounces of gold per year, with an initial 6.5-year mine life and an NPV5% of $197 million and IRR of 34% based on a gold price of $1,250 per ounce ($254 million and 42% at $1,350 per ounce gold price, respectively). The Company is working to arrange project construction financing and has commenced early works activities in preparation for full-scale construction in the second half of 2017, with the objective of pouring gold at Aurizona by year-end 2018.
Concurrent with development, exploration is underway at Aurizona with the objective of identifying additional gold mineralization that can extend the mine life. Results from 6,839 metres drilled at Piaba West have successfully demonstrated that significant gold mineralization continues below and up to 350 metres along strike of the Piaba gold deposit reserve pit. The Company expects to complete 30,000 metres of drilling in 2017 focused on near-mine targets and targets located along strike from existing reserves.
Gradual production ramp-up at the Koricancha Mill continues, with 2,545 ounces of gold sold in Q2-2017. The Company is implementing a number of strategies to expand its customer base and bring additional mineralized feed to the mill, including the recent commissioning of a feed-receiving depot in northern Peru.
At June 30, 2017, the Company had $74.2 million in cash and marketable securities, comprising $68.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.5 million in available-for-sale investments, and no cash debt, with a working capital balance of $66.0 million.
On behalf of the Board of Trek Mining Inc.
“Christian Milau”
CEO & Director