Final Feasibility Study Released for the Ming M...
FOR: RAMBLER METALS & MINING PLC
TSX VENTURE SYMBOL: RAB
AIM SYMBOL: RMM
August 26, 2010
Rambler Metals and Mining plc: Final Feasibility Study Released for the Ming Mine Copper Gold Project
23.7% Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return
LONDON, ENGLAND and BAIE VERTE, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Aug. 26, 2010) -
(All figures in US dollars except where noted)
Rambler Metals and Mining plc (TSX VENTURE:RAB)(AIM:RMM) ('Rambler' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce positive
results from the Feasibility Study on its 100% owned Ming Mine Project, located at Baie Verte, in Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada. The Feasibility Study was compiled by a number of 3rd party consultants including Stantec
(TSX:STN)(NYSE:STN) for the mining and economics of the project. The report confirms an initial 6-year mine life with an
average annual production of 7.7 million lbs of copper, 11,600 ounces of gold and 42,600 ounces of silver.
Highlights of the Feasibility Study
Highlights of the Feasibility below are based on an average copper price of $3.00 per lb, gold $1,000 per ounce and
silver $14.50 per ounce.
-- An initial 6-year mine life at 630 tonnes per day ("tpd")
-- Initial capital costs of $25.5 million.
-- Sustaining capital costs of $27.9 million during the life of the mine.
-- Pre-tax operating cash flow of $71.0 million, Net Present Value ("NPV")
6% of $14.3 million, payback 1.5 years and Internal Rate of Return
("IRR") of 23.7%.
-- Average annual production of 7.7 million lbs of copper, 11,600 ounces of
gold and 42,600 ounces of silver.
-- Targeting production in Q2 2011.
The project will, for the first two years, support an operation producing 24.6 million lbs of copper, 24,455 ounces of
gold and 101,644 ounces of silver as the high grade 1807 copper zone and gold rich 1806 zone are brought online.
In an effort to continually improve the life of mine, the Company will be investing $1.4 million in exploration and
definition diamond drilling throughout the first 2 years of the Project to increase the mineable reserve and extend the
known high grade ore bodies.
As a complement to the results of the Feasibility Study, in August the provincial government approved an early
construction request for the Nugget Pond foundation work and the second means of egress from the Ming Mine. Contractors
are in the process of being commissioned and construction is expected to be completed in time for first production in Q2
2011.
George Ogilvie, P.Eng, President and CEO, Rambler commented:
"Today, the Company has taken another dramatic step forward transitioning from explorer to mine producer. We are
confident that the initial life of mine will provide a solid financial basis for the Company to expand the reserves at
the Ming Mine. With Feasibility work behind us we look forward to beginning construction while completing our permitting
for the Ming Mine site and port facility, expected in Q3 2010.
In addition before year end we will be re-initiating our exploration program on the Ming Mine property outside of the
1.5 million tonne reserve envelope, where there is the potential to add additional high grade reserves."
Ming Mine Feasibility Study Results
The Feasibility Study outlines an average annual production of 7.7 million lbs of copper, 11,600 ounces of gold and
42,600 ounces of silver. The total revenue is projected to be $210 million with unit revenue estimated to be $167.52 per
tonne. The Net Smelter Return ("NSR") is projected to be $151.42 per tonne utilising a Treatment Charge ("TC") and
Refining Charge ("RC") of $35 and $0.35 per tonne respectively.
Total unit operating costs (cash cost) are projected to be $110.89 per tonne. Operating costs have been developed from
first principles and from actual operating costs being incurred from the Ming Mine and Nugget Pond mill required to
support the mine and its associated processing, maintenance, transportation and administration activities. As the
operating costs will be incurred in Canadian dollars an exchange rate of US$/Cdn$0.95 was assumed.
The pre-production capital estimate is $25.5 million which, when one considers the purchase cost of the Nugget Pond Mill
of $CAD3.5million and engineering sunk costs of $1.5 million, is in line with management's initial estimation of $30
million. Sustaining capital is estimated to be $27.9 million with the bulk of the expenditures being assigned to
equipment, capital development and exploration drilling. Capital costs herein are expressed in Q3-2010 US dollars.
Table 1 and 2 below summarizes the project economics and associated parameters for the Ming Copper-Gold Mine.
Table 1: Project Economics
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Item Value
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Copper produced (lbs) 46,242,281
Gold produced (ozs) 69,468
Silver Produced (ozs) 255,388
Total Revenue ($US million) $ 210
Pre-tax Operating Cash flow ($US million) $71.0
Net Present Value-before tax ( 6% discount, $US) $14.3
Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") 23.7%
Payback (years) 1.5
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Table 2: Summary of Economic Parameters
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Item Value
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Average Copper Price(1) ($US per lbs) 3.00
Average Gold Price(1) ($US per oz) 1,000
Average Silver Price(1) ($US per oz) 14.50
$US/$CDN Exchange Rate 0.95
Pre-production Capital ($US millions)
Processing $10.5
Mine Site $10.6
Port Site $2.1
Contingency $2.3
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Total $ 25.5 million
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Sustaining Capital ($US millions) $ 27.9 million
Mine Closure(2) ($US millions) $ 1.3 million
Operating Costs ($US per tonne milled)
Average Mining $62.55
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General & Administration $12.29
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Sub-total $74.84
Processing $15.70
Port Operations $0.59
Ore transportation & concentrate handling $12.16
Treatment & Refining Charge $3.93
Royalty(3) $2.63
Reclamation $1.04
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Total ($US per tonne milled) $ 110.89 per tonne
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Other Parameters
Mining Dilution (Stopes, Drifts) 15%, 0%
Mining Recovery (Stopes, Drifts) 90%, 100%
Mill Recoveries (Cu, Au, Ag) 92.4%, 66.4%, 55%
Concentrate Grade (Cu) 29.1%
(1) Current price forecasted decline over the life of mine to a long term
price of $2.50 Cu per lb, $900 Au per oz, and $12.00 Ag per oz.
(2) Mine Closure costs are estimated only and have not been reviewed/
approved by the NL Dept. of Natural Resources as required under the Mining
Act. The closure bond for the existing facilities at Nugget Pond is already
in place.
(3) Includes $US1.045 million buy back on 3% project royalty.
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Mineral Reserve and Resources
Since the company's last NI43-101 resource update in February 2009, Rambler's geological team have been actively
compiling all historical information so that any un-mined and pillar remnants left from previous operators could be
added to the resource. This exercise has added 7,980 ounces of gold in the indicated category along with 17,601 ounces
of gold in the inferred category, along with the associated pounds of copper. With additional drilling and sampling much
of the inferred resources will be upgraded to the measured and indicated categories and eventually into a minable
reserve.
The table below summarizes the total resource estimates for the Ming Copper-Gold Mine Project.
Table 3: Underground Mineral Resource Estimate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resource Quantity Grades
Classification ----------------------------------------------------
Copper Gold Silver Zinc
(000't) % g/t g/t %
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massive Sulphides 1,283 2.07 2.47 13.72 0.71
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Stringer Sulphides -- -- -- -- --
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Indicated
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Massive Sulphides 1,171 1.90 2.06 9.14 0.50
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Stringer Sulphides 8,218 1.65 0.11 1.63 0.02
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Combined Measured + Indicated
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Massive Sulphides 2,454 1.99 2.28 11.07 0.59
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Stringer Sulphides 8,218 1.65 0.11 1.63 0.02
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Total 10,672 1.73 0.61 3.85 0.15
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Inferred
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Massive Sulphides 1,847 1.91 1.83 8.82 0.66
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Stringer Sulphides -- -- -- -- --
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Resource Quantity Contained Metal
Classification ----------------------------------------------------
Copper Gold Silver Zinc
(000't) tonnes oz oz tonnes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massive Sulphides 1,283 26,524 102,074 565,836 9,131
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Stringer Sulphides -- -- -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Indicated
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Massive Sulphides 1,171 22,271 77,695 307,594 5,252
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Stringer Sulphides 8,218 135,736 29,120 430,512 1,372
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Combined Measured + Indicated
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Massive Sulphides 2,454 48,795 179,770 873,430 14,383
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Stringer Sulphides 8,218 135,736 29,120 430,512 1,372
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Total 10,672 184,531 208,890 1,303,942 15,755
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Inferred
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massive Sulphides 1,847 35,355 108,421 445,961 10,313
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Stringer Sulphides -- -- -- -- --
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(i) Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated
economic viability. All figures are rounded to reflect the accuracy of the
estimate. Cut-off grades of 1.0 per cent copper for the massives
sulphides, 1.25 grams per tonne gold for the 1806 zone, 1.25 per cent
copper for the stringer sulphides. Cut-offs are based on an NSR model and
metal prices of US$2.50/lb copper and US$1000/oz gold, and US$15/oz
silver. Zinc does not contribute to the revenues.
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The Feasibility Study is based on the Company's first Mineable Reserve statement of Proven 651,563 tonnes of 2.25% Cu
(32.4 million lbs Copper), 3.24 g/t Au (67,612 ounces gold) and 16.44 g/t Ag (343,008 ounces silver) and Probable
572,292 tonnes of 1.67% Cu (21.0 million lbs copper), 2.61 g/t Au (47,938 ounces gold) and 9.90 g/t Ag (182,131 ounces
silver).
The underground Minable Reserve has been calculated using a mining recovery of 90% with 15% dilution. Metal price
estimates vary over the mine's life but for the feasibility study the following average values were used: $3.00 per lb
for copper, $1,000 per ounce gold and $14.50 per ounce silver. Only measured and indicated massive sulphide resources
have been considered in the conversion from resource to minable reserve.
The table below summarizes the total minable reserve estimates for the Ming Copper-Gold Mine Project.
Table 4: Underground Minable Reserve Estimate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantity Grades
Reserve --------------------------------------------------------------
Category Copper Gold Silver Zinc
(000't) % g/t g/t %
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven 652 2.25 3.24 16.44 0.75
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Probable 572 1.67 2.61 9.90 0.43
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Dilution (all
sources) 274 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
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Total Proven
and Probable 1,498 1.62 2.40 10.90 0.49
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Quantity Contained Metal
Reserve --------------------------------------------------------------
Category Copper Gold Silver Zinc
(000't) tonnes oz oz tonnes
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Proven 652 14,707 67,612 343,008 4,878
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Probable 572 9,545 47,938 182,131 2,433
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Dilution (all
sources) 274 0 0 0 0
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Total Proven
and Probable 1,498 24,252 115,549 525,139 7,311
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(i) An underground cut-off was set at NSR $US 70 per tonne for all
longhole mining methods. This cutoff was based on 15% dilution, 90%
mining recovery, copper recovery of 92.4% and gold recovery of 66.4%.
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Project Update
With the recent release from environmental assessment and the near completion of the feasibility study, Rambler is now
preparing for the upcoming construction campaign. Early in August the provincial government approved an early
construction request for the Nugget Pond foundation work and the second means of egress from the Ming Mine. The bid
process for both of these projects is now complete and the company is in the process of contacting the successful
contractors. Once notified, the contractor will begin mobilizing immediately so that all work can be completed in the
next 10 months, meeting the planned 2011 start-up.
Upon receipt of the feasibility study, and subsequent submission of the complete development plan to the provincial
Department of Natural Resources, the project's financiers Sandstorm Resources (see press release dated March 4th, 2010)
will then be in a position to assess, for release, the remaining portion of the $US 20M financing. This final $US 15M
instalment will allow the company to construct all new infrastructure for the three sites in preparation for first
production by June of 2011.
In addition to construction, Rambler also has short term plans to initiate a new underground diamond drilling
exploration program. This new program will specifically target high grade copper and gold areas of known mineralization
as well as other anomalous areas identified during the Titan Geophysics survey conducted in 2009. Of primary interest is
the down plunge extension of the 1807 zone that, with a modest investment, Rambler's geological team believes new
resources and reserves can easily be added to the existing mine plan.
Mr. Larry Pilgrim, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this release and has reviewed
and approved it accordingly. Mr. Pilgrim is an independent consultant contracted by Rambler Metals and Mining plc.
The NI43-101 technical report has been complied by a number of independent, third party, consultants. Including:
George Darling, P.Eng., Stantec: reserve estimate, mining methodology and project economics;
Dave Barbour, P.Geo. ,Barbour Geo-Consulting: resource estimate;
Dean Thibault, P.Eng., Thibault and Associates: metallurgical processing;
James Powell, P.Eng., Stantec: environmental.
About Rambler
Rambler was founded in 2004 when Altius Minerals Corporation ("Altius"), a Newfoundland and Labrador resource company,
contributed to Rambler's asset base with an option to acquire and develop the Ming Mine. Following the acquisition of
the Ming Mine, Rambler, listed on London AIM in 2005 and Toronto TSX-V in 2007.
The Ming property had been a former underground copper and gold producing mine that ceased production when the deposit
reached a then third party property boundary. This neighbouring property was subsequently consolidated before being
brought into Rambler's portfolio. Rambler now owns a 100% interest in the property.
The area where the mine is located is a former mining centre and subsequently good existing infrastructure including
roads, fresh water, hydro, access to a working port while the town of Baie Verte, population 1,300 is located 17km away.
Over the last several years Rambler has been exploring on the property leading to the publication of two NI43-101
resource statements, the discovery of mineralized lenses and the extension of pre-existing mineralized lenses. Today all
mineralized lenses remain open in multiple directions while, importantly, the deposit has not been cut-off at depth. The
underground workings have been dewatered and services including air, water and electrical re-installed.
In October 2009, Rambler purchased an operational gold hydrometallurgical mill, Nugget Pond, which is situated
approximately 40km from the Ming Mine. Rambler intends to expand the mill so that it is capable of handling massive
sulphides from the mine to produce a copper concentrate with gold and silver as by-products as well as recover any free
gold.
Rambler is about to embark on the construction phase of the project with the intention of bringing the Ming Mine into
production in 2011.
Forward Looking Statement
Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statement, which involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking
statements that involve various degrees of risk. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ
materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited
George Ogilvie, P.Eng.
President and CEO
709-532-4990
OR
Rambler Metals & Mining Plc
Leslie Little
Company Secretary
+44 (0) 14-8341-9942
www.ramblermines.com
OR
Seymour Pierce Limited
Nandita Sahgal
+44 (0) 20-7107-8000
OR
Pelham Bell Pottinger
Charles Vivian / Philippe Polman
+44 (0) 20-7861-3232
OR
Ocean Equities Limited
Guy Wilkes
+44 (0) 20-7786-4370
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Rambler Metals & Mining Plc
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