Heliostar Evaluating Test Mining Scenario for Ana Paula in 2024

Heliostar Evaluating Test Mining Scenario for Ana Paula in 2024

Highlights:

  • Heliostar undertakes review of financing options to complete the existing decline and test mining of a bulk gold sample in advance of a Feasibility Study
  • Multiple scenarios show the potential to recover >20,000 ounces of gold from stopes averaging 7-10 g/t gold
  • Demonstrates a potential pathway to production from test mining within 12 months
  • The Company is assesing non-equity funding options for this program
  • Heliostar has initiated a Preliminary Economic Assessment(" PEA") planned for completion in H2, 2024
  • Continued resource growth drilling, PEA, and underground permit modifcation submission to be completed in 2024

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the potential to advance the underground decline and complete test mining to process a bulk sample from the Ana Paula deposit in Guerrero, Mexico.

Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "Since acquiring Ana Paula 10 months ago, Heliostar's team has moved quickly to redefine Ana Paula as a high-grade underground gold project. We have successfully increased the resource, identified a >10 g/t gold zone for possible commencement of mining, identified additional resource growth areas, demonstrated significant improvement to gold recoveries, and bolstered the Company's management team. The Company intends to maintain the current high pace of progress in 2024 by studying the benefits of completing the existing underground decline to test mine a bulk sample. In our view, this will be a large step towards de-risking the underground plan for Ana Paula. In addition, it will provide greater confidence in the deposit's gold recoveries, lower the cost of infill drilling and provide a platform for deeper resource growth drilling. The gold contained in the bulk sample can potentially fund the decline development. Heliostar also intends to complete a PEA in the second half of 2024, submit the underground mining permit modifications and continue resource drilling to further grow the Ana Paula resource."

Bulk Sample Options

Ana Paula has a 412-metre-long decline currently completed to one third of its target length by a previous operator. Heliostar is undertaking an internal review on the potential to extend this decline to the base of the High Grade Panel to test mine a bulk sample of the deposit.

The engineering study indicates that the bulk sample will require an additional 1,100m of tunnel development and 317 metres of spiral and stope development. The decline design option has been designed as the best option for future mine production from the current resource.

The design indicates that a production rate of four metres per day would complete tunnel development and stope development within eleven months from commencement. Completing the development would allow for test production within 12 months of commencement of the start of construction.

Gold grades within potential stope targets vary from 7-10 g/t gold. Multiple scenarios indicate potential to recover more than 20,000 ounces of gold from a bulk sample.

Advancement of the decline and mining of a bulk sample can be completed with the current permits held by the Company.

Heliostar is advancing a detailed engineering, mining, and metallurgy review of the potential bulk sample. The Company has held discussions with potential offtake partners and currently has samples from the Ana Paula deposit being assessed for metallurgy, recovery and payability information by potential offtake partners. Preliminary financial modelling suggests the recovered gold value exceeds development costs. The Company is exploring self-funding, non-equity options to finance the decline development, test mining processes, and bulk sample collection.

Heliostar expects this review to be completed before March 30th, 2024, and will provide an update upon completion of this analysis.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/197241_7139878d84927954_003.jpg

Figure 1: Plan and Section map of a decline and stope design option for test mining at Ana Paula.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/197241_7139878d84927954_003full.jpg

Preliminary Economic Assessment and 2024 work program

Heliostar filed a technical report for the updated mineral resource estimate on January 11th, 2024 (see news release on January 12th, 2024). Following this report the company intends to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment based on this resource in 2024. The company is finalizing the scope of this program and expects to deliver the report in the second half of 2024.

In addition to the PEA, the current resource indicates significant areas for resource expansion and the company has designed a 10,000-15,000-metre drill program to expand the current resource. The drill program's goals include resource growth, infill drilling (to convert gold ounces to higher confidence categories) and new exploration drilling. The potential for constructing the decline will have a significant impact on program design. The Company expects to provide additional details on the 2024 drill program in conjunction with the test mining and bulk sample review. Upon completion of the 2024 drill program, the company intends to provide a resource update that will support a Feasibility Study that is expected to be delivered in 2025.

Upon completion of the PEA the Company intends to use the engineering designs to submit a modification to the open pit mining permit that the company currently holds. The modification to underground only mining is expected to have a significantly smaller physical and environmental footprint than the currently approved permit. Permit modifications are expected to be received prior to completion of the Feasibility Study.

Statement of Qualified Person

Samuel D. Anderson, CPG., Vice President of Projects, of Heliostar Metals Limited, a Qualified Person, as such term is defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Samuel Anderson relied on resource information contained within the "Ana Paula Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Update", filed on SEDAR on January 11, 2024 and prepared by by Lewis Teal and Rita Teal of Teal CPG Inc. Ms. Teal and Mr. Teal are each independent Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Heliostar Metals Ltd.

Heliostar is a junior mining company with a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Mexico and Alaska.

The Company is developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico. In addition, Heliostar in conjunction with the Mexican federal and local government, is working to permit the San Antonio Gold Project in Baja Sur, Mexico. The Company continues to explore the Unga Gold Project in Alaska, United States of America.

Ana Paula hosts measured and indicated resources of 710,920 ounces of gold (320,204 measured and 390,716 indicated ounces) at 6.60 g/t gold and an inferred resource of 447,512 ounces of gold at 4.24 g/t gold. The asset is permitted for open-pit mining and contains significant existing infrastructure including a portal and a 412-metre-long decline.

For additional information, please contact:

Charles Funk

Chief Executive Officer
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: charles.funk@heliostarmetals.com

Rob Grey

Investor Relations Manager
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: rob.grey@heliostarmetals.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward‐looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward‐looking information is often identified by the words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" or similar expressions. Readers are cautioned that forward‐looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements regarding exploration plans, the use of proceeds, and other future plans and objectives, and statements pertaining to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward‐looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward‐looking information are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; decreases in the prevailing prices for products in the markets that the Company operates in; adverse changes in applicable laws or adverse changes in the application or enforcement of current laws; regulations and enforcement priorities of governmental authorities; compliance with government regulation and related costs; and other risks described in the Prospectus. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward‐looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward‐looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197241

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

HSTR:CC
The Conversation (0)
Heliostar Metals Files Mineral Resource Update Technical Report for the Ana Paula Project

Heliostar Metals Files Mineral Resource Update Technical Report for the Ana Paula Project

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it filed its updated mineral resource estimate (the "Updated Mineral Resource Estimate") for the Ana Paula Project (the "Ana Paula Project") located in Guerrero, Mexico. The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by Rita Teal and Lewis Teal, Qualified Persons with Teal CPG Inc.

The technical report titled "Ana Paula Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Update" (the "Report") is dated January 11, 2024, has an effective date of November 27, 2023 and supports the disclosure made by Heliostar in its November 27, 2023 press release titled "Heliostar Metals Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ana Paula Project, Mexico". There are no material differences in the Report from the results disclosed in Company's November 27, 2023 press release. The Report can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on Heliostar's website (www.heliostarmetals.com).

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Heliostar Announces Minor Update to Closing of Warrant Incentive Program

Heliostar Announces Minor Update to Closing of Warrant Incentive Program

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to update its disclosure regarding the closing of its warrant exercise incentive program (the "Incentive Program"). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this news release have the meanings given to them in the Company's news release dated December 11, 2023.

An additional 18,000 Outstanding Warrants were exercised pursuant to the Incentive Program. Accordingly, the Company confirms that (a) a total of 17,599,544 common shares in the capital of the Company were issued upon the exercise of 17,599,544 Outstanding Warrants, providing aggregate gross proceeds of $5,279,863.20 to the Company, (b) a total of 5,866,504 Incentive Warrants were issued pursuant to the Incentive Program, and (c) following completion of the Incentive Program, there remains 28,764,086 Outstanding Warrants.

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Heliostar Metals Board Addition and Changes

Heliostar Metals Board Addition and Changes

Heliostar Metals Limited (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following changes and additions to its Board. We believe that these changes will provide strengthened governance while also adding depth and skills, providing clarity of responsibility and purpose for the company's next stage of growth. The board has approved the following Board and Management changes.

Heliostar Chairman, Jacques Vaillancourt commented, "The past 12 -months were transformational for the Company with the addition of Ana Paula and San Antonio projects in Mexico to the Unga project in Alaska. The management team made great strides in advancing the Company the past year. The next 12-18 months will lead Heliostar inexorably from being an exploration company, to a development company with an exciting portfolio of exploration projects. This growth requires additional governance, depth, skills, judgement, discipline and clarity of purpose which we believe these changes will help ensure."

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Heliostar Announces Successful Closing of $5.2M Warrant Incentive Program

Heliostar Announces Successful Closing of $5.2M Warrant Incentive Program

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Company's warrant exercise incentive program, as previously announced on November 14, 2023 (the "Incentive Program"). A total of 17,581,544 common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") were issued upon the exercise of 17,581,544 previously outstanding share purchase warrants (the "Outstanding Warrants"), providing aggregate gross proceeds of $5,274,463.20 to the Company.

For every Outstanding Warrant exercised, the holders of such Outstanding Warrant received the one Common Share to which they were otherwise entitled under the terms of the Outstanding Warrants and one-third of one common share purchase warrant (the "Incentive Warrant"). Each whole Incentive Warrant will allow the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.40 for a period of two years following the date of the issuance of the Incentive Warrant. A total of 5,860,504 Incentive Warrants were issued pursuant to the Incentive Program.

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Heliostar Metals Adds Experienced Mine Builder as COO

Heliostar Metals Adds Experienced Mine Builder as COO

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gregg Bush as Chief Operating Officer for the Company.

Mr Bush is a proven mine builder with a strong track record of mine development, project integration and operations. Previously, Mr. Bush was the COO of Capstone Mining Corporation for eight years. There, his responsibilities included all aspects of operations, development projects, and new acquisition integrations for the company. More recently, Mr. Bush served as the Senior Vice President of Mexico for Equinox Gold Corp. He was responsible for the Los Filos mine located 30km south of Ana Paula in Guerrero state. Prior to these roles, Mr. Bush led the development and commissioning of the Dolores mine in Chihuahua, Mexico as COO of Minefinders Corporation. He spent seventeen years in increasingly senior roles with Placer Dome/Barrick. Mr. Bush graduated from the University of Texas, El Paso with a B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering.

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Gold letters spelling FED in front of a pile of gold dollar coins and the US flag.

Gold, Silver See Gains as Fed Continues to Maintain Rates

The United States Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it would hold its benchmark rate at 5.25 percent to 5.5 percent following its two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.

In his press conference following the meeting, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell largely echoed statements from previous sessions, suggesting the committee would continue to hold rates until it had more confidence that the inflation rate was on a sustainable path to the 2 percent target set by the central bank.

This was in line with analyst expectations prior to the meeting based on recent data from various government agencies.

Keep reading...Show less

Franco-Nevada Reports Q1 2024 Results

Gold Prices Fuel Margin Expansion

(in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Rio Silver (TSXV:RYO)

Rio Silver Announces Grant of Stock Options

Rio Silver Inc. ("Rio Silver" or the "Company") (TSX.V: RYO) (OTC: RYOOF) The company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 2 million incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the company, exercisable at a price of five cents with the following exercise periods: (i) one year as to 600,000 options; (ii) two years as to 400,000 options; and (iii) five years as to 1 million options, from the date of grant. The grant of these options is subject to the approval of the exchange.

About Rio Silver Inc.

Keep reading...Show less
Gold bars stacked in ascending order.

World Gold Council: Record Q1 Gold Price Driven by Demand Growth

The World Gold Council (WGC) has released its latest gold demand trends report, highlighting a record quarterly average price of US$2,050 per ounce for the yellow metal on the back of strong demand.

This represents a substantial 10 percent increase year-on-year and a notable 5 percent rise quarter-on-quarter, culminating in the precious metal reaching new heights and closing the three month period at US$2,214.

“The upside potential has been really exciting to watch, but definitely something that is giving us a signal that there might be more than just strategic investment in play, likely some speculative investment playing out as well, whether that's in the Americas or actually overseas in Asia,” Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, told the Investing News Network (INN).

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×