Name of the Project
Pine Point zinc project.

Location
Near the town of Hay River, in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Osisko Metals.

Project Description
A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) has determined that the project could be a robust and profitable operation at several prices and assumptions.

The new proposed mine plan, with an 18% increase in the tonnage to the mill, could make Pine Point a top-ten global zinc/lead producer again.

The operation could produce an average of 329-million pounds of zinc a year and 141-million pounds of lead over the project’s estimated 12-year life-of-mine (LoM).

According to the updated LoM plan proposed in the PEA, the project will still comprise mining openpit deposits in the East Mill, Central, North and N204 zones, concurrent with underground operations in the West and Central zones as stated in the 2020 PEA.

The openpit LoM plan is still proposing to mine 47 openpits and nine underground deposits over a strike length of 50 km, mainly located above 125 m depth from surface. The openpit mining method is practically the same as that proposed in the 2020 PEA, encompassing 5 m benches in mineralised material  and 10 m benches in waste with an overall openpit wall angle of 45º.

As in the 2020 PEA, underground operations will still use haul trucks with ramp access and will produce 4 000 t/d in the West zone and 2 000 t/d in the Central zone. The mining methods used are a combination of longhole stoping (85%) combined with room-and-pillar (15%).

The processing plant will treat up to 11 250 t/d run-of-mine material and will comprise a three-stage crushing circuit and an X-ray transmission-based mineral sorting system.

The sorted concentrate will be blended with the primary crushing circuit fines to feed a 6 700 t/d ball mill followed by conventional lead and zinc flotation circuits.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $602-million and an internal rate of return of 25%, with a payback of 3.8 years.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital expenditure is estimated at $653-million.

Planned Start/End Date
None stated.

Latest Developments
Private equity group Appian Natural Resources has committed to invest C$100-million to acquire a 60% interest in the Pine Point zinc project. The parties will form a joint venture (JV) to advance Pine Point.

Subsequent to the closing of the transaction and until Appian has acquired an ownership interest of 60%, all funding in respect of the project will be made by way of cash calls issued by the board of the JV to Appian.

Osisko will not be required to make any cash contributions to the JV until Appian has reached the target ownership percentage.

Osisko president and CEO Jeff Hussey will assume the role of CEO of the partnership and spearhead the initiative to advance Pine Point to a final investment decision.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Osisko Metals, in collaboration with BBA, WSP Canada, & Hydro-Resources Inc (PEA).

Contact Details for Project Information
Osisko Metals, tel + 1 514 861 4441 or email info@osiskometals.com.