VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec 14, 2017) - Orca Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE:ORG) ("Orca" or the "Company") is pleased to announce further results from the ongoing 25,000-metre drilling campaign at its Block 14 Gold Project in The Republic of The Sudan.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 34 drill holes, totaling 12,449 metres, have been drilled to date as part of the Company's infill and extension programme at Block 14
- Drilling continues to support resource expansion and definition of project Mineral Reserves
- Of note, drill hole GSDD031 intercepted 88m at 1.80g/t outside the current resource in East Zone and GSDD037 intersected 46m at 3.44g/t, upgrading inferred resource blocks at the base of the Main Zone
- Visible gold was encountered at depth in the main zone- 1 metre at 249 g/t Au & 335 g/t Ag
BLOCK 14 DRILLING
To date, 12,448 metres (34 holes) of diamond drilling and 2,500 metres (12 holes) of reverse circulation drilling have been completed at Galat Sufar South (GSS). The results from these holes will form the basis for an updated mineral resource calculation scheduled for early January 2018 as part of the ongoing Feasibility Study.
Drilling will resume in January to continue resource development at GSS and to expand the Wadi Doum resource at depth where several high-grade shoots have been identified.
Results for the first fifteen holes from the programme have been announced previously (see Company News Releases dated October 17 and November 21, 2017). The table below shows results for the next eight holes:
| Hole | From | To | Metres | Au g/t Uncut | Comments |
| GSDD031 | 157.0 | 163.0 | 6.0 | 2.38 | Outside Resource |
| 182.0 | 196.9 | 14.9 | 1.23 | Outside Resource |
| 299.0 | 387.0 | 88.0 | 1.80 | Outside Resource |
| GSDD032 | 177.3 | 205.0 | 27.7 | 1.49 | Infill |
| 208.0 | 238.0 | 30.0 | 1.26 | Infill |
| 244.9 | 271.0 | 26.1 | 1.20 | Infill |
| 279.0 | 292.6 | 13.6 | 2.64 | Outside Resource |
| GSDD033 | 38.0 | 60.0 | 22.0 | 2.72 | Outside Resource |
| 102.0 | 121.0 | 19.0 | 0.83 | Outside Resource |
| GSDD034 | 123.0 | 159.2 | 36.2 | 1.30 | Infill |
| GSDD035 | 0.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 1.31 | Infill |
| 55.5 | 65.0 | 9.5 | 3.24 | Infill |
| 86.8 | 109.0 | 22.2 | 2.93 | Infill |
| 115.8 | 119.7 | 4.0 | 2.93 | Infill |
| GSDD036 | 70.0 | 94.0 | 24.0 | 2.03 | Infill |
| 104.3 | 115.1 | 10.8 | 2.62 | Infill |
| GSDD037 | 0.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 2.16 | Infill |
| 60.3 | 72.8 | 12.5 | 5.19 | Infill |
| 106.0 | 123.9 | 17.9 | 2.03 | Infill |
| 245.0 | 275.0 | 30.0 | 1.21 | Infill |
| 281.0 | 327.0 | 46.0 | 3.44* | Infill |
| 352.1 | 356.0 | 3.9 | 4.50 | Infill |
| GSDD038 | 67.0 | 137.0 | 70.0 | 2.86 | Infill |
| 144.2 | 173.3 | 29.1 | 2.64 | Infill |
| 194.0 | 203.0 | 9.0 | 1.23 | Infill |
| 231.0 | 246.0 | 15.0 | 1.37 | Infill |
| NOTE: True widths are between 60% and 70% of intercept width. |
| *A top cut of 30g/t has been applied to one interval. |
All holes listed were drilled in the East Zone of the GSS deposit (See Figures 1, 3 & 4 in news release) except for GSDD037, which was drilled in the Main Zone and intersected significant grade (46m at 3.44g/t) (see Figure 2 in the news release). At 299 metres, GSDD037 intercepted 1 metre at 249g/t Au and 335g/t Ag and encountered visible gold (see Figure 5 in news release).
The results continue to confirm and upgrade mineral resources within the revised PEA pit designs (Infill) and extend mineralization below the previous resource (Outside Resource).
Rick Clark, CEO and Director of Orca commented "Our ongoing resource expansion programme continues to meet or exceed expectations. We are on schedule to deliver a revised Resource for Block 14 in January 2018. This new Resource will form the basis of our Feasibility Study, which is on track for completion in early Q2. Exploration at Block 14 will continue through the New Year towards further increasing the Resource and targeting new discoveries which have been identified. At the same time, Management has commenced discussions with the Government of Sudan in respect of permitting requirements for the development of a mine at Block 14. These discussions will also continue through the New Year. We look forward to announcing a construction decision and timeline for Block 14 upon completion of the Feasibility Study."
To view Figures 1-5 please click the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ORCAFIGS1-5.pdf
About Orca Gold Inc.
Orca Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE:ORG) is a Canadian resource company focused on exploration opportunities in Africa, where it is currently focused on its 70%-owned Block 14 Gold Project in the Republic of the Sudan. Block 14 is situated on a 2,170 km2 concession. The Company is currently conducting a Definitive Feasibility Study on the project, which is scheduled for completion in early Q2 2018.
The Revised PEA of Block 14 (see News Release dated May 30, 2017), using a gold price of US$ 1,100/oz for mine design and US$ 1,200/oz for economic analysis, showed a project with in-pit mineral resources of 41.0Mt @ 1.46g/t for 1,928 Koz in the Indicated category and 3.4Mt @ 1.56g/t for 173 Koz in the Inferred category, a mill throughput of 3.4 Mtpa, and strong economics with an after-tax NPV7% of US$ 227.7 million and an IRR of 23.1%.
The technical contents of this release have been approved by Hugh Stuart, BSc, MSc, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101. Mr. Stuart is President of the Company and a Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Samples used for the results described herein are prepared and analyzed by fire assay using a 50 gram charge at the ALS Chemex facility at Rosia Montana in Romania in compliance with industry standards. Field duplicate samples are taken and blanks and standards are added to every batch submitted.
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
Richard P. Clark
CEO and Director
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 project ("Block 14") in northern Sudan and the revised Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "Revised PEA") and Feasibility Study ("FS") currently being completed and/or 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 mineralization 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 press release.
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 DFS; the timing and likelihood of a production decision; 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, and 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 press release 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.
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