Codelco signs early agreement with Salvador mine supervisors
The 36-month agreement will start on May 1, 2025.
(via NewsDirect)
Altaley Mining Corporation (the “Company” or “Altaley”) is pleased to provide an update on the status of the Company’s operations and projects, and corporate matters.
On 12th September 2022 the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Mike Struthers as the new CEO for Altaley. Mr. Struthers is a seasoned professional and Chartered Engineer with over 40 years of international mining experience, starting in operations in Africa and Australia; followed by a technical consulting career in Australia and internationally, with extensive experience in feasibility studies and capital projects; seven years with Lundin Mining in capital projects in Europe and Chile; and latterly in C-suite roles in the UK and Canada. A summary bio is appended.
Upon arrival, and with the full support of the board of directors, Mr. Struthers undertook a review of the Company operations, administration, finance and corporate functions, and organization. This was recently concluded.
Mr. Struthers stated: “The CEO Review was an important introduction to the Company, to gain a full understanding of the status of the operations and projects, administrative and financial functions and controls, organizational strengths, and weaknesses, etc. I’m pleased to say that this is now completed.
It is evident to our shareholders and those watching Altaley that the Company’s performance in 2022 has not lived up to expectations. This is a result of many factors, some within the Company’s control, some not. Campo Morado had a difficult 1H22, but performance in 2H22 has been steadily, albeit slowly, improving. Tahuehueto failed to deliver on expectations regarding the conclusion of the construction project.
It became clear during the review that a greater level of discipline was required in certain functions, including budgeting, planning, and forecasting; together with the need to address certain organizational weaknesses; to transform Altaley into a respected, professional and consistently performing mining company. A number of improvements have already been put in place, others will follow in the coming weeks and months.
The objective of the review was to develop robust, deliverable production plans for 2023 at both mines. These have now been completed.
The Tahuehueto Gold Mine Construction Project is substantially behind schedule and over budget. There were many factors involved, including delayed funding, but we now have updated and detailed plans and budgets, and are strengthening the organization, to ensure the project is now delivered successfully. One of my early decisions was to split the 500tpd and 1000tpd projects into two stages. It is important to first deliver the 500tpd project successfully, and from that foundation expand to 1000tpd. The 500tpd Project is expected to be completed in early Q2, 2023, and the Company expects to then move directly to the 1000tpd expansion. Many elements for the 1000tpd project are already in place with the first stage, and we already have the second ball mill.
Pre-production at Tahuehueto has been progressing well. We are currently milling an average of 350tpd and the plant is performing to expectations, producing saleable zinc and lead concentrates, the latter with on average 50 g/t gold.
On 6th December 2022 the Company announced a Rights Offering, and a share consolidation that the Board of Directors recommends is necessary to properly restructure the Company’s share capital and prepare for future growth. The Rights Offering allows shareholders to participate in a funding round and will raise additional funds to complete the construction of the 500tpd project at Tahuehueto. These additional funds will be sufficient to complete this project.
Campo Morado had an excellent 2021, but a poor 1H22. Declining performance in 1Q22 was linked to a particular ore zone in the mine, El Largo, driven by complex mineralogy, unusually high iron content, and declining head grades as the zone neared depletion. The decision was taken to move production to new areas, with elevated copper grades, and by the end of 2Q22 this was well established with performance progressively improving since. The keys to continuously improving performance at Campo Morado lies in stabilizing the mill with consistent blended ore feed, and putting into place an effective geometallurgical program, linking resources, the mine and the mill into a unified planning and production process. We recently concluded a plant review by leading consulting engineers Ausenco, and from this we have a detailed path forwards to improve performance. I’m now optimistic we’ll see steady improvements through 2023 and beyond.
I look forwards to providing shareholders with further regular updates.”
Mr. Mike Struthers is a registered Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineers in the UK and has had a mining career spanning over four decades, in Africa, Australia, Europe, Russia, and North and South America.
Mike’s experience includes project management in feasibility and engineering studies, project development, technical reviews, financial evaluations, strategic planning, mine expansions, construction management, and project due diligence over a wide range of commodities and jurisdictions including base-metals, gold, and diamonds, in jurisdictions including Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Europe and Russia. Prior to his consulting career he held operational and management positions in mining operations in Africa and Australia
About Altaley Mining Corporation
Altaley Mining Corporation is a Canadian based mining company with two 100% owned Mexican gold, silver, and base metal mining projects.
Altaley's Tahuehueto mining project is in north-western Durango State, Mexico, where construction of an initial 500 tpd operation is well advanced. The second stage, the 1000 tpd project, will follow immediately after commissioning the initial stage. The operation will generate gold, silver, lead, and zinc in concentrates.
Campo Morado is an operating polymetallic base metal mine in Guerrero, Mexico, currently producing at an average of approximately 2,400 tonnes per day and is currently estimated to be Mexico’s 6th largest zinc producer.
Visit: www.altaleymining.com
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
(signed) “Mike Struthers”
Mike Struthers
CEO and Director
Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements
Neither 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.
It should be noted that Altaley declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Altaley’s production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Altaley has completed a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see News Release dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018). ). Furthermore, It should be noted that Altaley intends to commence pre-production and ramp up to full commercial production at Tahuehueto prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Altaley’s pre-production and production decisions will be made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Tahuehueto mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make such production decisions. Altaley has completed a positive pre-feasibility study (the “Pre-Feasibility Study”) and updated mineral reserves/resources estimates at its flagship Tahuehueto Mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on a 1,000 tonne per day operation (see News Release dated March 7, 2022)
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking Information includes but is not limited to conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that commencement of pre-production mining and milling operations at Tahuehueto will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Glen Sandwell
+1 604-684-8071
https://www.altaleymining.com/
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