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VANCOUVER,
BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 14, 2009) - MAG Silver Corp. (TSX:MAG)(NYSE
Amex:MVG) ("MAG") is pleased to announce the results of the
independent Scoping Study ("Stand-alone Plan") for
development of the Valdecanas Vein as a potential stand-alone silver
mine. The Stand-alone Plan was carried out by Wardrop, a Tetra Tech
Company, ("Wardrop") as independent engineers mandated by
Minera Juanicipio S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Juanicipio"), the
joint venture company owned 44% by MAG and 56% by Fresnillo plc
("Fresnillo"). The Stand-alone Plan does not take into
account any potential synergies from developments completed and/or
recently announced on the adjoining property owned by Fresnillo.
The Valdecanas Project - Scoping Study NI 43-101 Technical Report will
be filed promptly on SEDAR and readers are directed there for further
details. An investor conference call with MAG's President and CEO, Dan
MacInnis, will be held Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm eastern
time. To participate please dial 416-695-6617 or toll free 800-396-7098
or listen via webcast at www.magsilver.com.
Highlights - Valdecanas Stand-alone Plan (further described below)
The Scoping Study presents several metal pricing and discount rate
scenarios. The Wardrop Base Case utilizes Energy and Metals Consensus
Forecasts (ECMF) for the silver price and is presented first as
requested by Wardrop. The second highlights what MAG believes to be a
pricing scenario more in keeping with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission's Industry Guide 7, interpreted by the SEC Staff as
requiring a 3 year trailing price for metals. However, in this case we
have used a 4 year trailing average as this was included in the scoping
study.
Wardrop Base Case:
- NPV (Pre tax) for the Project at 5% Discount Rate and (US $10.59 per
ounce) estimated at US $671M
- 2.6 year payback period.
- Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) estimated at 38.5%.
- 3.5 year pre-development period.
- 12.6 year mine life (at 2,350 tonnes per day (tpd) mine rate).
- CAPEX estimated at US $217M.
- Operating Cost US $42.28 per tonne milled.
- Unit Cost per ounce of accountable silver (net of byproduct credits
and TTM(i) charges), US $2.56.
Wardrop Case - using 4 year average silver price:
- NPV (Pre tax) for the Project at 5% Discount Rate and 4 year average
silver price (US $12.32 per ounce) estimated at US $967M (MAG's share
at 44% estimated at US $425.5M).
- 2.2 year payback period.
- Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) estimated at 48.4%.
- 3.5 year pre-development period.
- 12.6 year mine life at (2,350 tpd mine rate).
- CAPEX estimated at US $217M.
- Operating Cost US $42.28 per tonne milled.
- Unit Cost per ounce of accountable silver (net of byproduct credits
and TTM(i) charges), US $1.77.
(i) TTM equals Transport, Treatment and Marketing charges
"In my experience, these are exceptional economics for any mining
project, and we are pleased to see such robust figures from a
hypothetical stand-alone scenario," said Dan MacInnis President
and CEO of MAG. "This initial mine plan and model provides a sound
foundation for development planning that may consider regional
synergies and is flexible enough to be adjusted based on results from
our on-going exploration program. We are pleased to see the joint
venture advancing to the next stage with our partner Fresnillo and we
look forward to further discussions of how the joint venture value can
be maximized."
Introduction:
Wardrop was retained by Minera Juanicipio in October of 2008 to
undertake a Scoping Study of the Juanicipio Joint Venture (the "JV
Property") on a stand-alone basis (the "Stand-alone
Plan"), which assumes that the project is developed on a basis
independent of any other regional mining operations or related
infrastructure.
"The JV Property is located in close proximity to significant
existing and planned mining and milling operations owned by Fresnillo,
the JV Property partner and project operator," said Dan MacInnis,
President and CEO of MAG. "These operations include the existing
nearby Fresnillo owned mining and milling operations, which constitute
the world's largest primary silver producer. It also includes recently
announced development of the Minera Saucito Project and a number of
recently discovered vein systems, all located contiguous to the JV
Property and which are currently subject to advanced evaluation studies
and underground access development.
This Stand-alone Plan has not attempted to evaluate the extent of the
potential district synergies as this was not part of the Wardrop
mandate. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned that the Stand-alone Plan
is a hypothetical development scenario that is unlikely to occur in its
current form and that there may be considerable upside potential to the
JV Property and the Fresnillo Regional Operations from potential
synergies to be considered and evaluated at the pre-feasibility or
feasibility level," said Dan MacInnis, President and CEO of MAG.
The technical report was prepared in accordance with the guidelines of
the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 (NI
43-101 and Form 43-101F1).
All of the estimated costs contained in this release are in US$, are
developed to an accuracy of plus or minus 35% and are dated to the end
of May 2009.
Salient Points - Valdecanas Stand-alone Plan:
Net Present Value Summary
The net present value (NPV) of the "Stand-alone Plan" model
using a 5% discount rate and four year average trailing silver price of
US $12.32 per ounce equates to a pre-tax estimate of US$967 million. The
pre-tax NPV estimates for MAG's 44% share in the project using a 5%
discount rate and a four year average trailing silver price is
estimated to be US$425.5 million (see Table 2.0). At more recent silver
prices (US$15.00 per ounce) and a 5% discount rate the pre-tax NPV
estimate rises to US $1.1 billion (see Table 3.0). The pre-tax NPV
estimates for MAG's 44% share in the project using a 5% discount rate
at more recent silver prices (US$ 15.00) is estimated to be US$487
million). A range of silver prices and discount rate sensitivities are
provided in the tables below.
Wardrop utilized an estimated Mining Inventory at a cut-off grade of
US$42 per tonne net smelter return (NSR). The NSR for mine design was
calculated using Energy and Metals Consensus Forecasts (ECMF) metal
prices (Wardrop Base Case): US$681/oz of Gold; US$10.59/oz Silver;
US$0.56/lb of Lead; US$0.80/lb Zinc.
The total indicated mining inventory resources are estimated to be
2,282,405 tonnes grading 683 grams per tonne (g/t) silver, 1.8
g/t gold, 2.3% lead and 3.7% zinc and the inferred mining inventory
resources are estimated to be 6,793,142 tonnes grading 529 g/t silver,
1.5 g/t gold, 2.0% lead and 3.1% zinc. This mining inventory is derived
from a resource audit carried out by SRK consulting on resources
calculated by Fresnillo in early 2009. This audited resource is
referred to in a MAG press release dated March 4, 2009 regarding a
separate resource estimate made independently by Scott Wilson Roscoe
Postle Associates ("SWRPA") on behalf of MAG. The variations
between the two resources estimates are described in that press
release. MAG stands by the resource estimate prepared by SWRPA.
Information and variable tables contained in the Stand-alone Plan,
using the 4-year London Metals Exchange pricing scenario, show that an
economic model utilizing a 12.6 year mine life and the 9.1 million
tonne resource, gives an estimated 2.2 years to pay back the US$217
million capital expense and provide a 48.4% internal rate of return on
a pre-tax basis (see Tables 1.0 and 2.0).
Mine Plan Details
The Stand-alone Plan has concluded that ramp access is the better and
most economical option for the development of the Valdecanas vein. The
mine design involves the construction of a 2,350 tonne a day
underground mine operating on a 312 day schedule (730,000 tonnes per
year). Two mining methods were recommended for the project based on
variable vein dips: The Avoca (long hole stoping) method and mechanized
cut-and-fill (MCF) method using a 2.0 metre and 3.0 metre minimum
mining width respectively. Approximately 41% of the deposit will be
mined via Avoca at an average width of 7.2 metres and
59% is to be mined using the MCF method at an average width of 4.8 metres. Mining
dilution was estimated at 23% for Avoca and 17% for MCF including a 5%
dilution at zero grade from backfill. Recovery factors of 95% for Avoca
and 90% for MCF were assumed for the estimated stope tonnages.
Mine life is estimated to be 12.6 years not including the 3.5 years of
pre-production development.
Recovery Details
The processing plant was designed to treat the Valdecanas sulphide ores
at a rate of 2,000 tonnes per day or 730,000 tonnes per year on a 365
day schedule. Metallurgical test work by Centro de Investigacion y
Desarrollo Technologio (CDIT) indicates that a process producing lead
and zinc concentrate through conventional comminution and floatation
should result in recoveries of 91.4% for silver, 79.6% for gold, 95.6%
for lead and 77.8% for zinc.
Operating Cost Estimates and CAPEX
The estimated operating cost is US$42.28 per tonne. It is comprised of
US$20.46 per tonne mining, US$16.66 per tonne milling and US$5.15 for
general, administration and site services (See Table 7.0). The life of
mine production (LOM) for recovered silver is estimated at 176.4
million ounces for the entire project at an average annual production
rate of almost 14.0 million ounces. MAG's share will be 77.6 million
ounces LOM and approximately 6.0 million ounces on an annual basis. The
unit cost is estimated to be US $2.56 per accountable silver ounce net
of by product credits and Transport, Treatment and Marketing charges.
The initial capital expenditure estimate (Capex), including
pre-production development and the purchase of a mining fleet is US$217
million (see Table 4.0). The Mining Capex for the 3.5 year
pre-production period is estimated to be US$65.0 million: comprised of
US$36.7 million of pre-production underground development and US$28.3
million of equipment capital cost. On-going mine development Capex is
an estimated additional US$152 million, including approximately US$80
million for direct site costs and US$72 million in indirect costs and
contingencies.
Next Steps
The current Stand-alone Plan provides a starting point and a base of
value to consider. The Stand-alone Plan recommends that the Project
advance to the Pre-feasibiity Stage. Exploration and definition
drilling continues and more detailed plans will be developed as
additional results warrant. MAG is optimistic that the Joint Venture
will find ways to access the deposits on a best value basis and find
ways to, in a fair and equitable way, access the synergy value that
exists given the Valdecanas location next to the current Regional
Operations of Fresnillo.
Tables and Graphs - Valdecanas Stand-alone Plan Table 1.0 Project Economics: Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Period Estimates --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver Other Metal Scenario NPV at 5% NPV at 8% IRR Payback Price Prices --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (US$ M) (US $ M) (%) (years) (US$/oz) (US$) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Year Average 967 714 48.4 2.2 12.32 Gold 698.50 (LME)(i) Lead 0.793 Zinc 1.10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wardrop Base Case 671 490 38.5 2.6 10.59 Gold 681.00 (ECMF)(ii) Lead 0.56 Zinc 0.80 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Prices 1,066 778 52.1 2.1 14.23 Gold 937.50 Lead 0.644 Zinc 0.655 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: LME: London Metal Exchange; (ii)ECMF: Energy and Metals Consensus Forecasts Table 2.0: Project Economics; MAG's Silver at 44% interest; NPV, IRR and Payback Estimates --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver Other Metal Scenario NPV at 5% NPV at 8% IRR Payback Price Prices --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (US$ M) (US $ M) (%) (years) (US$/oz) (US$) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Year Average 425.5 314.2 48.4 2.2 12.32 Gold 698.50 (LME)(i) Lead 0.793 Zinc 1.10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wardrop Base Case 295.2 215.6 38.5 2.6 10.59 Gold 681.00 (ECMF)(ii) Lead 0.56 Zinc 0.80 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Prices 469 342.3 52.1 2.1 14.23 Gold 937.50 (LME) Lead 0.644 Zinc 0.655 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: LME: London Metal Exchange; (ii)ECMF: Energy and Metals Consensus Forecasts Table 3.0: Project Economics; Comparative / Variable Discount Rates and Silver Prices --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASE CASE Silver Price $US per Ounce -------- --------------------------------------------------------- Pre Tax Returns $10.59 $10.00 $11.00 $12.00 $13.00 $14.00 $15.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Millions $ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPV (0%) 1,216.50 1,119.43 1,283.96 1,448.50 1,613.03 1,777.57 1,942.10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPV (5%) 671.36 613.18 711.79 810.41 909.02 1,007.63 1,106.24 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPV (8%) 475.13 431.33 505.56 579.80 654.04 728.27 802.51 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IRR 38.5% 36.3% 40.1% 43.6% 47.0% 50.3% 53.5% (Unlev- ered) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Payback 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 (Years) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 4.0: Project Economics; Capital Cost Estimates ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre- Pre- Pre- Prod- Pre- Production Production Mine Mine Capital uction Production Equipment Capital Production Development Cost Period Development Capital Cost Total Period Capital Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Years US$ M US$ M US$ M Years US$ M US$ M ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.50 36.7 28.3 65.0 12.6 152.0 217.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 5.0: Project Economics; Silver Production and Cost per ounce of Silver Production (Wardrop Base Case) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAG Silver 44% Project 100% Project 100% Interest Total Average Average Unit (12.6 yrs) per year per year --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Silver Oz 176,381,352 13,998,520 6,159,349 Production (Recovered Silver) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Accountable Oz 165,269,068 13,116,593 5,771,301 Silver --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Cost For Silver US$ 000's 423,078 33,578 14,774 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unit Cost per US$ / Oz $ 2.56(i) Accountable Silver / Net of By Product Credits and TTM Charges --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Based on Wardrop Base Case. 4 year trailing average case unit cost is US $1.77. At present, metal prices unit cost is US $2.07. Table 6.0: Project Economics; Mining Inventory ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wardrop Mining Inventory at US$42.00 NSR Cut-off ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resources Tonnes Silver g/t Gold g/t Lead% Zinc% NSR US$ / t ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated --------------- Total Recovered 2,282,405 683 1.8 2.3 3.7 223.39 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred --------------- Total Recovered 6,793,142 529 1.5 2.0 3.1 179.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Net smelter return (NSR) calculated using the following metal prices (Wardrop Base Case); US$ 681 / ounce (oz) of gold: US$ 10.59 / oz. Silver: US$ 0.56 / lb of lead: US$ 0.80 / lb zinc Table 7.0: Operating Cost estimates --------------------------------------------------- Category Annual Cost (US$) Unit Cost (US$) --------------------------------------------------- Mining 14,935,800 20.46 --------------------------------------------------- Process 12,164,986 16.66 --------------------------------------------------- G and A 3,535,200 4.84 --------------------------------------------------- Site Services 226,300 0.31 --------------------------------------------------- Total 30,862,286 42.28 ---------------------------------------------------
To
view Graph 1.0: Life of Mine Pre-Tax Cash Flow Estimates, please click
on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/MMAG0914.pdf.
Table 8.0: Mining -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average mined Tonnes Method % Deposit Mined Dilution% Recovery% width per day -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Avoca 41 23 95 7.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCF(i) 59 17 90 4.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Both Methods 2,350 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) MCF: mechanized cut-and-fill Table 9.0: Metallurgical balance general composite; recoveries and grade numbers used for the process design --------------------------------------------------------- Assay ------------------------------------------------- Weight% Silver g/t Gold g/t Lead% Zinc% Copper% Iron% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Head 1,217 2.7 3.8 4.2 0.1 9.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lead Concentrate 8.4 12,585 22.9 43.2 8.4 0.7 11.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zinc Concentrate 6.7 832 3.0 0.34 47.9 0.5 10.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Tails 84.9 123 0.64 0.17 0.25 0.02 9.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 100.0 1,217 2.7 3.8 4.2 0.1 9.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution% ------------------------------------------------- Silver Gold Lead Zinc Copper Iron --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Head --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lead Concentrate 8.4 86.8 72.0 95.6 17.1 57.0 9.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zinc Concentrate 6.7 4.6 7.6 0.6 77.8 29.9 7.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Tails 84.9 8.6 2.4 3.8 5.1 13.1 82.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information Concerning Estimates of
Mineral Resources
Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Indicated
Resources
This press release uses the term "Indicated Resources". MAG
advises investors that although this term is recognized and required by
Canadian regulations (under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects), the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission does not recognize this term. Investors are cautioned
not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in this category
will ever be converted into reserves.
Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred Resources
This press release uses the term "Inferred Resources". MAG
advises investors that although this term is recognized and required by
Canadian regulations (under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects), the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission does not recognize this term. Investors are cautioned
not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in this
category will ever be converted into reserves. In addition,
"Inferred Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to
their existence, and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be
assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever
be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of
Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or
pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies except for Preliminary
Assessment as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Investors
are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an Inferred Resource
exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
Quality Assurance and Control: The samples are shipped directly in
security sealed bags to ALS-Chemex Laboratories preparation facility in
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
(Certification ISO 9001). Samples shipped also include intermittent
standards and blanks. Pulp samples are subsequently shipped to
ALS-Chemex Laboratories in North
Vancouver, Canada
for analysis. Two extra pulp samples are also prepared and are analyzed
(in progress) by SGS Laboratories (Certification ISO 9001) and
Inspectorate Laboratories (Certification ISO 9001) (or other recognized
lab). The bulk reject is subsequently sent to CIDT (Center for
Investigation and Technical Development) of Penoles in Torreon, Mexico
for metallurgical testing where a fourth assay for each sample is
analyzed and a calculated head grade is received on the basis of a
concentrate balance. The CIDT also does a full microscopic, XRF and XRD
mineralogical analysis.
Qualified Person:
The mineral resources disclosed in this press release for the
Valdecanas Project have been estimated by Jean-Francois Couture, Ph.D.,
P.Geo., an employee of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and
independent of MAG. By virtue of his education and relevant experience,
Jean-Francois Couture is a "Qualified Person" for the purpose
of National Instrument 43-101. The mineral resources have been
classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, (December 2005). Jean-Francois Couture,
Ph.D., P.Geo., has read and approved the contents of this press release
as it pertains to the disclosed mineral resource estimate. A National
Instrument 43-101 technical report documenting the mineral resource
estimate will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.
The financial analysis disclosed in this press release for the
Valdecanas Project has been prepared by Hassan Ghaffari, P.Eng., an
employee of Wardrop and independent of MAG. By virtue of his education
and relevant experience Hassan Ghaffari is a "Qualified
Person" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Hassan
Ghaffari, P.Eng., has read and approved the contents of this press
release as it pertains to the financial analysis.
About the Joint Venture
The 8,000
hectare Juanicipio property is located in Zacatecas State, Mexico
just outside the mining town of Fresnillo.
The Fresnillo mine area has been in continuous production since the
1500's and today is host to the world's largest producing primary
silver mine operated by Fresnillo plc. The Fresnillo/MAG Juanicipio
Joint Venture lies 5
kilometres west from the principal production
head-frame of the Fresnillo Mine and 1.5 kilometres
west from the Saucito Vein, currently undergoing preproduction
development with construction of a 600 metre shaft
and a 2,200
metre decline. Fresnillo operates the
delineation and exploration program on behalf of the joint venture
company, Minera Juanicipio S.A. DE C.V.
About MAG Silver Corp. (www.magsilver.com)
MAG is focused on district scale projects located within the Mexican
Silver Belt. Our mission is to become one of the premier companies in
the silver mining industry. MAG and its partner Fresnillo plc are
delineating a significant new silver vein discovery on the Juanicipio
property in Zacatecas State,
Mexico.
MAG has also identified a new silver, lead and zinc discovery at its
100% owned Cinco de Mayo property. MAG is based in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
Its common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol MAG and on the NYSE
Amex under the symbol MVG.
On behalf of the Board of MAG SILVER CORP.
Dan MacInnis, President and CEO
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in
this release, other than statements of historical facts are forward
looking statements, including statements that address future mineral
production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation
activities and events or developments. Forward-looking statements are
often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"seek", "anticipate", "plan",
"continue", "estimate", "expect",
"may", "will", "project",
"predict", "potential", "targeting",
"intend", "could", "might",
"should", "believe" and similar expressions. These
statements 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. Although MAG
believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements
are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees
of future performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in
commodities prices, changes in mineral production performance,
exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of
capital and financing, and general economic, market or business
conditions, political risk, currency risk and capital cost inflation. In
addition, forward-looking statements are subject to various risks,
including that data is incomplete and considerable additional work will
be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited
to drilling, engineering and socio-economic studies and investment. The
reader is referred to the Company's filings with the SEC and Canadian
securities regulators for disclosure regarding these and other risk
factors. There is no certainty that any forward looking statement will
come to pass and investors should not place undue reliance upon
forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the
SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can
economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in
this press release, such as "Inferred resources," that the
SEC guidelines prohibit U.S.
registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC.
Please Note:
Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures in MAG's annual
and quarterly reports and other public filings, accessible through the
Internet at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the New York Stock Exchange
Alternext US LLC has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the
accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by
management.
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