Teranga Gold Increases Sabodala's Reserve Base to 2.7 Million Ounces: Adds More Than 400,000 Ounces of Gold and Improves Five-Year Production and Cash Flow Profile

Precious Metals

Teranga Gold Corporation (“Teranga” or the “Company”) (TSX:TGZ)(ASX:TGZ) is pleased to announce that as at June 30, 2017 the Company’s proven and probable reserves (“P&P reserves”) at its Sabodala gold operation in Senegal increased to 2.7 million ounces of gold representing an increase of more than 400,000 ounces over the previous mineral reserves estimate.Highlights of …

Teranga Gold Corporation (“Teranga” or the “Company”) (TSX:TGZ)(ASX:TGZ) is pleased to announce that as at June 30, 2017 the Company’s proven and probable reserves (“P&P reserves”) at its Sabodala gold operation in Senegal increased to 2.7 million ounces of gold representing an increase of more than 400,000 ounces over the previous mineral reserves estimate.
Highlights of the Mid-Year 2017 Sabodala Update
  • Increases open pit reserves by over 400,000 ounces, more than replacing reserves depleted from production since the December 31, 2015 Sabodala update
  • Significantly improves mine plan with gold production expected to exceed 1 million ounces in total over the next five years, or a minimum of 200,000 ounces per year through 2022(1)
  • Continuing multi-year drilling program intended to further define near surface resources and reserves on the prospective Niakafiri trend
  • Defers underground production until at least 2023

“The majority of the new reserves come from Niakafiri, which is located less than five kilometres from the Sabodala process plant. Niakafiri remains a highly prospective area on our mine license and we have a multi-year drill program designed to continue identifying resources and reserves,” stated Richard Young, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This organic growth improves our five-year production and cash flow profile as we re-sequence the Sabodala mine plan to bring forward the development of the Niakafiri open pit deposit and defer underground development.”
Added Mr. Young, “With annual gold production of at least 200,000 ounces per year through 2022, our flagship Sabodala operation is expected to provide significant cash flow to fund our long-term growth plans.”
Senegal Exploration Program
The Company plans to continue drilling at both Niakafiri and Goumbati West over the next several years with the objective to further increase resources and reserves. Based on the positive exploration results to date, the Sabodala village relocation will move forward in the mine plan. The ongoing drill program is expected to run concurrently with the village relocation. Assuming continued success of this multi-year drill program, the goal is to maintain production of at least 200,000 ounces per year at Sabodala for the next ten years(2). This could result in a further deferral of underground production and associated capital expenditures of $50 million beyond 2023, if beneficial to the annual cash flows in the life of mine plan.
Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources Summary

MeasuredIndicatedMeasured and IndicatedInferred
DepositDomainTonnesGradeAuTonnesGradeAuTonnesGradeAuTonnesGradeAu
(‘000s)(g/t
Au)
(‘000s)(‘000s)(g/t
Au)
(‘000s)(‘000s)(g/t
Au)
(‘000s)(‘000s)(g/t
Au)
(‘000s)
SabodalaOpen Pit11,7251.174426,4881.5933218,2131.327742,5251.23100
Underground1,6313.651911,6313.651914603.6053
Combined11,7251.174428,1192.0152419,8441.519652,9851.60153
MasatoOpen Pit4,1630.689222,2121.1682926,3751.09921
Underground1,1632.751031,1632.751031,9842.85182
Combined4,1630.689223,3751.2493227,5371.161,0241,9842.85182
GoraOpen Pit4392.47354718.671319115.68166355.606
Underground3155.14523155.1452594.839
Combined4392.47357867.261831,2265.54218955.1216
GoloumaOpen Pit401.3825,8572.855365,8972.84538842.497
Underground2,1344.092802,1344.092808543.66100
Combined401.3827,9913.188168,0313.178189393.55107
KerekoundaOpen Pit303.3031,1534.451651,1844.4216851.120
Underground4994.88784994.88782355.7043
Combined303.3031,6534.582431,6834.562472395.6143
Niakafiri EastOpen Pit4,7761.3721014,1401.1451618,9161.197264,5150.93135
Underground2242.72202242.72205142.7045
Combined4,7761.3721014,3641.1653619,1401.217465,0301.11180
Niakafiri WestOpen Pit3,0611.021003,0611.021006730.8619
Underground742.676742.676712.846
Combined3,1351.061073,1351.061077441.0525
Maki MedinaOpen Pit2,1121.22832,1121.22831140.813
Underground1092.71101092.7110852.547
Combined2,2211.30932,2211.30931991.5510
Goumbati West – KobokotoOpen Pit2,6781.351162,6781.351164980.8113
Underground1313.25141313.2514792.907
Combined2,8091.441302,8091.441305771.0920
Golouma NorthOpen Pit1701.3271701.3272951.4214
Underground142.641142.641192.932
Combined1841.4281841.4283141.5115
DiadiakoOpen Pit1781.277
Underground6632.8961
Combined8412.5469
KinembaOpen Pit241.061241.061910.953
Underground562.525
Combined241.061241.0611471.557
KoulouqwindeOpen Pit2301.4211
Underground602.675
Combined2901.6816
KourouloulouOpen Pit9611.51369611.5136226.715
Underground599.1518599.15188613.5838
Combined15610.615315610.615310812.1842
KouroundiOpen Pit670.932670.932420.741
Underground
Combined670.932670.932420.741
KoutouniokollaOpen Pit851.584
Underground222.542
Combined1081.786
MamasatoOpen Pit5601.45265601.45263051.2512
Underground422.323
Combined5601.45265601.45263471.3815
MarougouOpen Pit1,1981.4154
Underground
Combined1,1981.4154
SekotoOpen Pit4850.8914
Underground252.112
Combined5100.9516
SoukhotoOpen Pit5501.4626
Underground
Combined5501.4626
TotalOpen Pit21,1741.1578359,0911.522,88280,2641.423,66511,9331.13434
Underground6,3543.787736,3543.787735,3153.34570
Combined21,1741.1578365,4441.743,65586,6181.594,43817,2471.811,004

Notes for Mineral Resources Estimates

  1. CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
  2. Open pit oxide Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t Au, except for Gora and Marougou at 0.48 g/t Au.
  3. Open pit transition and fresh rock Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.40 g/t Au, except for Gora and Marougou at 0.55 g/t Au.
  4. Underground Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 2.00 g/t Au.
  5. Measured Resources at Sabodala include stockpiles which total 7.2 Mt at 0.75 g/t Au for 174,000 oz.
  6. Measured Resources at Masato include stockpiles which total 4.2 Mt at 0.68 g/t Au for 92,000 oz.
  7. Measured Resources at Gora include stockpiles which total 0.4 Mt at 1.28 g/t Au for 15,000 oz.
  8. Measured Resources at Golouma include stockpiles which total 0.04 Mt at 1.38 g/t Au for 2,000 oz.
  9. Measured Resources at Kerekounda include stockpiles which total 0.03 Mt at 3.30 g/t Au for 3,000 oz.
  10. High grade assays were capped at grades ranging from 1.5 g/t Au to 110 g/t Au.
  11. The figures above are “Total” Mineral Resources and include Mineral Reserves.
  12. Open pit shells were used to constrain open pit resources.
  13. Mineral Resources are estimated using a gold price of US$1,450 per ounce.
  14. Sum of individual amounts may not equal due to rounding.

Open Pit and Underground Mineral Reserves Summary

DepositsProvenProbableProven and Probable
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(g/t)
Au
(Moz)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(g/t)
Au
(Moz)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(g/t)
Au
(Moz)
Masato18.621.100.6618.621.100.66
Niakafiri East4.611.320.209.921.100.3514.531.170.55
Golouma West4.111.910.254.111.910.25
Sabodala2.041.560.103.181.330.145.221.420.24
Gora0.825.250.140.825.250.14
Kerekounda0.534.710.080.534.710.08
Goumbati West and Kobokoto1.421.310.061.421.310.06
Maki Medina0.981.120.040.981.120.04
Niakafiri West1.201.060.041.201.060.04
Golouma South0.243.230.020.243.230.02
Subtotal Open Pit6.651.390.3041.021.351.7847.661.352.07
Stockpiles11.800.750.2811.800.750.28
Total Open Pit with Stockpiles (OP)18.450.980.5841.021.351.7859.471.232.36
Golouma West 10.626.070.120.626.070.12
Kerekounda0.614.950.100.614.950.10
Golouma West 20.454.390.060.454.390.06
Golouma South0.474.280.060.474.280.06
Subtotal Underground (UG)2.155.010.352.155.010.35
TOTAL OPEN PIT & UNDERGROUND18.450.980.5843.171.532.1261.621.372.70

Notes for Mineral Reserves Estimates

  1. CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves.
  2. Mineral Reserve cut-off grades range from 0.38 g/t to 0.57 g/t Au for oxide and 0.44 g/t to 0.63 g/t Au for fresh rock based on a $1,200/oz gold price.
  3. Underground Mineral Reserve cut-off grades range from 2.3 g/t to 2.6 g/t Au based on a $1,200/oz gold price.
  4. Mineral Reserves account for mining dilution and mining ore loss.
  5. Proven Mineral Reserves are based on Measured Mineral Resources only.
  6. Probable Mineral Reserves are based on Indicated Mineral Resources only.
  7. Sum of individual amounts may not equal due to rounding.
  8. The Niakafiri East and West deposits are adjacent to the Sabodala village and relocation of at least some portion of the village will be required which will necessitate a negotiated resettlement program with the affected community members.

Competent Persons Statements
The technical information contained in this document relating to the open pit mineral reserve estimates is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr. Stephen Ling, P. Eng who is a member of the Professional Engineers Ontario, which is currently included as a “Recognized Overseas Professional Organization” in a list promulgated by the ASX from time to time. Mr. Ling is a full time employee of Teranga and is not “independent” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. However, he is a “Qualified Person” as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Ling has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”). Mr. Ling is a “Qualified Person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Ling has consented to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on his compiled information in the form and context in which it appears in this document.
The technical information contained in this document relating to mineral resource estimates for Niakafiri is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Ms. Patti Nakai-Lajoie. Ms. Nakai-Lajoie, P. Geo., is a Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, which is currently included as a “Recognized Overseas Professional Organization” in a list promulgated by the ASX from time to time. Ms. Nakai-Lajoie is a full time employee of Teranga and is not “independent” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Nakai-Lajoie has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which she is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Ms. Nakai-Lajoie is a “Qualified Person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Ms. Nakai-Lajoie has consented to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on her compiled information in the form and context in which it appears in this document.
The technical information contained in this document relating to the underground ore reserves estimates is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Jeff Sepp, P. Eng who is a member of the Professional Engineers Ontario, which is currently included as a “Recognized Overseas Professional Organization” in a list promulgated by the ASX from time to time. Mr. Sepp is independent of Teranga and is a “Qualified Person” as defined in NI 43-101 and a “competent person” as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Mr. Sepp has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Mr. Sepp has consented to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on his compiled information in the form and context in which it appears in this document.
Teranga’s exploration programs are being managed by Peter Mann, FAusIMM. Mr. Mann is a full time employee of Teranga and is not “independent” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Mann has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Mr. Mann is a “Qualified Person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The technical information contained in this news release relating exploration results are based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr. Mann. Mr. Mann has verified and approved the data disclosed in this release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information. The RC samples are prepared at site and assayed in the SGS laboratory located at the site. Analysis for diamond drilling is sent for fire assay analysis at ALS Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Mann has consented to the inclusion in this news release of the matters based on his compiled information in the form and context in which it appears herein.
Teranga’s disclosure of mineral reserve and mineral resource information is governed by NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time by the CIM (“CIM Standards”). CIM definitions of the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve”, “probable mineral reserve”, “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, are substantially similar to the JORC Code corresponding definitions of the terms “ore reserve”, “proved ore reserve”, “probable ore reserve”, “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource”, respectively. Estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves prepared in accordance with the JORC Code would not be materially different if prepared in accordance with the CIM definitions applicable under NI 43-101. There can be no assurance that those portions of mineral resources that are not mineral reserves will ultimately be converted into mineral reserves. See the Appendix for the JORC Code explanations relating to the results in this press release.
Endnotes

  1. This production target is based on proven and probable reserves only from the Sabodala project. The estimated ore reserves underpinning this production target have been prepared by a competent person or persons (see Competent Persons Statements above).
  2. This production target of 200,000 ounces per year for an additional 5-year period beyond 2022, is based on proven and probable ore reserves of 2.7 million ounces and the anticipated conversion of approximately 500,000 ounces of measured and indicated resources at an average grade of approximately 1.5 grams per tonne.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”), which reflects management’s expectations regarding Teranga’s future growth, results of operations (including, without limitation, future production and capital expenditures), performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as “objective to”, “likely”, “intend to”, “potential”, “belief”, “believe”, “expects”, “estimates”, “plans”, “anticipated”, “ability” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “should”, or “will” have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations, future economic conditions and anticipated courses of action. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect management’s current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Teranga cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, gold price, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, the ability to resettle the community within anticipated timeline, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Teranga cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Teranga, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Teranga’s Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2017, and in other filings of Teranga with securities and regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Teranga does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Teranga securities. All references to Teranga include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.
About Teranga
Teranga is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold company focused on production and development as well as the exploration of more than 5,000km2 of land located on prospective gold belts. Since its initial public offering in 2010, Teranga has produced more than 1.2 million ounces of gold from its operations in Senegal. Focused on diversification and growth, the Company is advancing its Banfora development project and conducting extensive exploration programs in three countries. Teranga has a strong balance sheet and the financial flexibility to continue to grow its business.
Steadfast in its commitment to set the benchmark for responsible mining, Teranga operates in accordance with the highest international standards and aims to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic, environmental, and community development as it strives to create value for all of its stakeholders. Teranga is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and a leading member of the multi-stakeholder group responsible for the submission of the first Senegalese Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative revenue report. The Company’s responsibility report, is available at www.terangagold.com/responsibilityreport and is prepared in accordance with its commitments under the United Nations Global Compact and in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines.

Teranga Gold Corporation
Richard Young
President & CEO
+1 416-594-0000
ryoung@terangagold.com
Teranga Gold Corporation
Trish Moran
Head of Investor Relations
+1 416-564-4290
tmoran@terangagold.com
www.terangagold.com
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