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Altan Tsagaan Ovoo Gold Project Technical Report.04102017
Altan Tsagaan Ovoo Gold Project Technical Report.04102017
Prepared for:
Prepared by:
Qualified Person:
Oyungerel Bayanjargal, MAusIMM (CP)
GSTATS Consulting LLC
and
Reviewed by:
Qualified Persons:
To accompany the report entitled NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO
GOLD PROJECT, Tsagaan Ovoo, Dornod, Mongolia dated October 4, 2017.
Qualified Person
To accompany the report entitled NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO
GOLD PROJECT, Tsagaan Ovoo, Dornod, Mongolia dated October 4, 2017.
1. I am Director and Principal Consultant for GSTATS Consulting LLC with an office at 407a,
Peace Building, Sukhbaatar Street, Chingeltei, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
2. I hold the following academic qualifications: B.Sc in Mathematics, University of Education,
Mongolia; B.Sc (Honours) in Geology, University of Science and Technology, Mongolia; M.Sc
in Mineral Resource Exploration, ITC Twente University, The Netherlands.
3. I am a Member (No.301956) of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and
accredited as a Chartered Professional under the discipline of Geology.
4. I have practiced my profession continuously in exploration and mining industry since my
graduation from university. I have 24 years of experience in mineral exploration and mining.
Since 2004, I’ve carried out Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates, and Pre-
Feasibility and Feasibility Studies predominately in a gold mine as Senior mine geologist and
Chief Mine geologist. My consulting experience since 2011 was mostly focused on gold,
copper and base metal deposits.
5. I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in the National Instrument 43-101
(“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional
association and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the requirements to be a qualified
person for the purposes of NI 43-101.
6. I am the author of this technical report and responsible for the preparation of Section 1 to
Section 27.
7. I conducted a site inspection of the project on 23 August and 2 October of 2017.
8. I am independent of the issuer, Steppe Gold LLC.
9. I have not had any prior involvement with ATO project.
10. I have read NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1 and the sections of the Technical Report for which
I was responsible have been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form and at
the effective date of the Technical Report, to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required
to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.
To accompany the report entitled NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO
GOLD PROJECT, Tsagaan Ovoo, Dornod, Mongolia dated October 4, 2017.
1. I am an Associated Consultant for GSTATS Consulting LLC, 10 Old Oak Dr. #205, Buffalo
Grove, IL, 60089, USA.
2. I hold the following academic qualifications: Master's Degree in Mining Engineering,
University, Krivoy Rog, “Strategic Risk Management and Applied Optimization in Mine
Design” McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
3. I am a Professional Mining Engineer of Ontario (No. 100014617).
4. I have practiced Mining Engineering since my graduation from university. I have more than
30 years of Mine Engineering experience. Since 2005, I’ve carried out Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserve estimates, Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies predominately for the gold
mining sector as Senior Mine Engineer. My consulting experience since 2015 was focused on
gold, copper and base metal deposits.
5. I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in the National Instrument 43-101
(“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional
association and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the requirements to be a qualified
person for the purposes of NI 43-101.
6. I am responsible for the review of the Sections 15, 16 and 22.
7. I am independent of the issuer, Steppe Gold LLC.
8. I have not had any prior involvement with ATO project.
9. I have read NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1 and the sections of the Technical Report for
review of which I was responsible have been prepared in compliance with that instrument
and form and at the effective date of the Technical Report, to the best of my knowledge,
information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information
that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.
Page 2 of2
A日時A
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
To accompany the Report titled “NI 43" 1 0 1 TECHNICAL REPORT ALTAN TSAGAAN
OVOO GOLD PROJECT, Tsagaan Ovoo’Domod, Mongolia” which is e節ective as of
September 6血, 2017 and issued on October 4th, 2017 (血e “Tec血ical Report”) prepared for
5)豊富羅霊豊諾記譜岩盤豊霊諾
association and past relevant wock experience, I細則the requlrementS tO be an
independent qua雌ed person for the puaposes ofNI 43-101 ;
6)岩盤認諾霊黙諾藍慧嵩豊隷書藍霊
the enviromental studies, Pem舶ng, SOCial and cormu血ty aspects ofthe prQject;
7) I have not visited the Altan Tsagaan Ovoo PrQject (ATO) site;
8) I have no personal knowledge as ofthe date of址s cert:胞cate ofany material fact
or change, Which is not reflected in this Report;
9)慧霊土器嵩認諾霊詫霊諾。豊諾諾
entity or empIoyee of Steppe Gold LLC, Or any aSSOCiated or a珊iated entities;
10)霊器詳警謹認諾筈霊誤認詰ま藍蒜嵩
associated or a節1iated companies;
11)謹言葦品諾露盤詮議諸富諒等霊諾
a触Iiated companies;
P呼l of2
�□ RA
12) I have read NI 43-101 and Form 43-lOlFl and have reviewed the relevant sections
involved in (as listed in point 6) in the Technical Report in compliance with NI 43-
101 and Form 43-1 OlFl; these Sections were prepared in conformity with generally
accepted mining industry practice, and as of the date of the certificate, to the best
of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains the
scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the
Technical Report not misleading.
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NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT
ATO GOLD PROJECT
Table of Contents
1. SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND OWNERSHIP ................................................................................................................ 11
1.3 GEOLOGY AND MINERALIZATION ............................................................................................................................ 11
1.4 EXPLORATION AND DRILLING .................................................................................................................................. 11
1.5 DATA VERIFICATION ............................................................................................................................................. 12
1.6 METALLURGICAL TESTS AND PROCESSING ................................................................................................................. 12
1.7 MINING METHODS AND PIT OPTIMIZATION .............................................................................................................. 12
1.8 RECOVERY METHODS ........................................................................................................................................... 13
1.9 MINE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................... 13
1.10 CAPITAL COSTS.................................................................................................................................................... 13
1.11 OPERATING COSTS ............................................................................................................................................... 14
1.12 REVENUE ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
1.13 MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 15
1.14 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................. 15
2 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................ 18
2.1 ISSUER FOR WHOM THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED ..................................................................................................... 18
2.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PURPOSE OF REPORT ....................................................................................................... 18
2.3 UNITS OF MEASURE AND CURRENCY........................................................................................................................ 18
2.4 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND STUDY PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................ 18
2.5 PERSONAL SITE INSPECTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 19
2.6 ABBREVIATIONS AND NOMENCLATURE ..................................................................................................................... 20
3 RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS ......................................................................................................................... 21
4 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION......................................................................................................... 22
4.1 PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND BOUNDARIES ................................................................................................................ 22
4.2 INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (IA) ............................................................................................................................... 23
4.3 ROYALTIES .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
4.4 REQUIRED PERMITS .............................................................................................................................................. 24
4.5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS ................................................................................................................................... 26
4.6 COMMUNITY POLICY, PLANNING, CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT ........................................................................... 26
5 ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PHYSIOGRAPHY .................................. 27
5.1 TOPOGRAPHY, ELEVATION, VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE ............................................................................................. 27
5.2 PROPERTY ACCESS ............................................................................................................................................... 27
5.3 REGIONAL POPULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................................... 27
5.4 CLIMATE AND OPERATING SEASON .......................................................................................................................... 27
5.5 WATER .............................................................................................................................................................. 28
5.6 LAND USE .......................................................................................................................................................... 28
5.7 RISK ASSESSMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 28
5.8 CLOSURE AND RECLAMATION ................................................................................................................................. 28
6 HISTORY ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
6.1 HISTORY AND LAND HOLDINGS ............................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 PREVIOUS MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................... 30
7 GEOLOGIAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION ................................................................................................... 32
7.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SETTING ............................................................................................................................ 32
7.2 DISTRICT GEOLOGY AND MAGMATISM ..................................................................................................................... 33
7.2.1 Mineralization in the District Surrounding ATO ..................................................................................... 36
7.3 GEOLOGY OF THE ATO DEPOSIT ............................................................................................................................. 36
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List of Figures
Figure 4.1: Location map for the ATO project ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 6.1: ATO Mineral Resources in 2016 AIF by Centerra Gold Inc. SEDAR ...................................................................................... 30
Figure 7.1: Location of the Mongol-Okhotsk belt and Onon precious-base-metal province residing between the Siberian and North
China Plates (CGM 2012 ER)................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Figure 7.2: District geological map of ATO project ............................................................................................................................... 35
Figure 7.3: Mineralized pipes at ATO deposit (View to WNW) ............................................................................................................. 36
Figure 7.4: Plan map of ATO mineralized pipes. ................................................................................................................................... 36
Figure 7.5: Longitudinal cross section through Pipe 1 and Pipe 2. Au and Ag grades in right and left sides respectively. ................... 37
Figure 7.6: Schematic cross section through Pipe 1 at ATO (A) showing relative abundance of alteration minerals with depth (B) ... 38
Figure 7.7: Back scattered electron micrographs in polished thin section............................................................................................ 39
Figure 7.8: Aspects of various alteration assemblages typically present in drill core at ATO ............................................................... 39
Figure 7.9: Photographs of outcrops of silica cap rock at Pipe 1 at ATO. ............................................................................................. 41
Figure 7.10: Relict reticulated mats of silicified reeds siliceous sinter. Plane polarized transmitted light. ........................................... 42
Figure 7.11: Photomicrographs in reflected light of particles of free gold (Au) in surface grab samples ............................................. 42
Figure 7.12: Photographs of silica cap rock in oxidized drill core from Pipe 1 ...................................................................................... 43
Figure 7.13: General fabric of mineralized breccia in drill holes from Pipe 2, ATO. .............................................................................. 44
Figure 7.14: General styles of mineralized rock at ATO ........................................................................................................................ 44
Figure 7.15: Sulfur fugacity versus temperature diagram .................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 8.1: Cartoon model of the Jurassic intrusives in the ATO district............................................................................................... 49
Figure 8.2: Model of formation of ATO deposit .................................................................................................................................... 50
Figure 8.3: Section Model of ATO deposit indicating relationship of the deposit with a copper porphyry intrusion ............................ 51
Figure 8.4: Nature and types of epithermal mineralization ................................................................................................................. 52
Figure 9.1: Map showing soil sample locations on gold patterns in ATO District during 2010-2014 (CGM 2014ER). .......................... 55
Figure 9.2: Combined dispersion halo at the ATO deposit .................................................................................................................... 60
Figure 9.3: Gold and other elements in Pipe 1 and their correlation at depth ..................................................................................... 62
Figure 9.4: Gold and other elements in Pipe 2 and their correlation at depth ..................................................................................... 63
Figure 9.5: Gold and other elements in Pipe 4 and their correlation at depth. .................................................................................... 65
Figure 9.6: Magnetic survey of surrounding area of ATO deposit ........................................................................................................ 67
Figure 9.7: Detailed magnetic survey of ATO deposit, Au distribution presented. ............................................................................... 68
Figure 9.8: D-D IP, 100–m chargeability. Dashed blue lines, lines of IP profiles. .................................................................................. 68
Figure 9.9: D-D IP, 100–m resistivity. Dashed blue lines, lines of IP profiles. ........................................................................................ 69
Figure 9.10: D-D IP Resistivity map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented. ............................................................................ 69
Figure 9.11: D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented. ....................................................................... 70
Figure 9.12: A cross section for D-D IP Resistivity map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented................................................ 70
Figure 9.13: A cross section for D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented. ......................................... 70
Figure 9.14: A cross section for D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit (Pipe 1, 2, and 4). Au distribution presented............... 71
Figure 9.15: Gravity survey of surrounding area of ATO deposit .......................................................................................................... 72
Figure 9.16: Gravity map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented. ............................................................................................ 72
Figure 10.1: Location map of drill holes ............................................................................................................................................... 75
Figure 11.1: Sample preparation procedure ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Figure 11.2: Assay results of gold blank samples ................................................................................................................................. 80
Figure 11.3: Assay results of standard samples from Ore Research & Exploration .............................................................................. 81
Figure 11.4: Assay results of low-gold grade standard samples of Geostats ....................................................................................... 82
Figure 11.5: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on low-grade oxidized mineralization .......................................................... 83
Figure 11.6: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on medium-grade oxidized mineralization ................................................... 84
Figure 11.7: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on medium-grade fresh mineralization ........................................................ 84
Figure 11.8: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on high-grade fresh mineralization .............................................................. 84
Figure 11.9: Blank standard results for Ag ........................................................................................................................................... 85
Figure 11.10: Low-grade standard sample results for Ag ..................................................................................................................... 85
Figure 11.11: High-grade standard sample results for Ag .................................................................................................................... 86
Figure 11.12: Blank standard results for Cu ......................................................................................................................................... 86
Figure 11.13: Low-grade standard sample results for Cu ..................................................................................................................... 86
Figure 11.14: High-grade standard sample results for Cu .................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 11.15: Blank standard results for Pb ......................................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 11.16: Low-grade standard sample results for Pb ..................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 11.17: High-grade standard sample results for Pb .................................................................................................................... 88
Figure 11.18: Blank standard results for Zn.......................................................................................................................................... 88
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Figure 15.2: Ultimate Whittle pit shell and pipes ............................................................................................................................... 151
Figure 15.3: Ultimate pit design (Surpac mine design) ....................................................................................................................... 152
Figure 15.4: Ultimate pit design ......................................................................................................................................................... 153
Figure 16.1: Mine production plan ..................................................................................................................................................... 157
Figure 16.2: Gold and Silver in ROM ore............................................................................................................................................. 157
Figure 17.1: Diagram for the process flows ........................................................................................................................................ 162
Figure 17.2: Schematic flowsheet for the process flows ..................................................................................................................... 163
Figure 17.3: HLF plan.......................................................................................................................................................................... 164
Figure 17.4: HLF Cross section ............................................................................................................................................................ 165
Figure 18.1: Processing Plant ............................................................................................................................................................. 168
Figure 18.2: Laboratory building ........................................................................................................................................................ 169
Figure 18.3: Warehouse and maintenance area ................................................................................................................................ 170
Figure 18.4: Office building ................................................................................................................................................................ 170
Figure 18.5: Office plan ...................................................................................................................................................................... 171
Figure 18.6: Water supply plan .......................................................................................................................................................... 172
Figure 19.1: LME historical Gold price chart....................................................................................................................................... 174
Figure 19.2: LME historical Silver price chart ..................................................................................................................................... 174
Figure 20.1: Damaged land from mine activities ............................................................................................................................... 184
Figure 21.1: OPEX per ounce, USD...................................................................................................................................................... 193
Figure 21.2: OPEX per ton of ore, USD ............................................................................................................................................... 193
Figure 22.1: Gold produced, oz........................................................................................................................................................... 195
Figure 22.2: Silver produced, oz. ........................................................................................................................................................ 195
Figure 22.3: Accumulated Cash flow (non-discounted), thousand USD.............................................................................................. 196
Figure 22.4: Discounted cash flow (after tax), thousand USD ............................................................................................................ 199
Figure 22.5: Sensitivity analysis of IRR ............................................................................................................................................... 200
Figure 22.6: Discounted cash flow with stream, thousand USD ......................................................................................................... 202
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List of Tables
Table 1.1: Mine Production schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Table 1.2: Project investment summary ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Table 1.3: Project operational cost and general expenses ................................................................................................................... 14
Table 1.4: Revenue ............................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Table 1.5: ATO Deposit Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Summary (at August 21, 2017) ......................................................... 15
Table 2.1: List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Table 4.1: ATO Project license boundary coordinates .......................................................................................................................... 23
Table 4.2: Mongolian Government State sliding scale royalty for Au and Ag ...................................................................................... 24
Table 4.3: Mongolian Government State sliding scale royalty for Pb and Zn ....................................................................................... 24
Table 9.1: Schedule of metallurgical samples ...................................................................................................................................... 56
Table 9.2: Sets of samples for initial metallurgical test ........................................................................................................................ 57
Table 9.3: Sets of samples for second metallurgical test...................................................................................................................... 58
Table 9.4: Correlations of elements in geochemical dispersion halo of Pipe 1 ..................................................................................... 61
Table 9.5: Correlations of elements in geochemical dispersion halo of Pipe 2 ..................................................................................... 61
Table 9.6: Correlations of elements in geochemical dispersion halo of Pipe 4 ..................................................................................... 61
Table 9.7: Correlations of elements in core samples from Pipe 1 ......................................................................................................... 62
Table 9.8: Correlations of elements in core samples from Pipe 2 ......................................................................................................... 63
Table 9.9: Correlations of elements in core samples from Pipe 4 ......................................................................................................... 64
Table 9.10: Significant trenching results .............................................................................................................................................. 66
Table 10.1: Exploration Drill Hole Summary Table ............................................................................................................................... 74
Table 11.1: Number of samples for quality assurance and quality control of the ATO project ............................................................ 80
Table 11.2: Standard samples from the laboratory of Ore Research and Exploration ......................................................................... 81
Table 11.3: Standard samples from the laboratory of Geostats .......................................................................................................... 82
Table 11.4: Rocklab Standard samples ................................................................................................................................................. 83
Table 11.5: Standard samples of polymetallic elements obtained from Geostats Pty ......................................................................... 85
Table 11.6: Comparison of primary and duplicate samples ................................................................................................................. 89
Table 11.7: Comparison of variations of primary and duplicates samples assay results ...................................................................... 90
Table 11.8: Changes in correlation of laboratories ACTLABS and SGS ................................................................................................. 95
Table 11.9: Comparison of assay results of ACTLABS and SGS ............................................................................................................. 95
Table 13.1: Modal Mineralogy of Oxide, Upper Transition and Lower Sulphide Zones ...................................................................... 102
Table 13.2: Average Grain Size Measurements in Polished Thin Sections and 6 Mesh Material ........................................................ 103
Table 13.3: QEMSCAN analysis result on Oxide Zone ......................................................................................................................... 103
Table 13.4: Oxide (ATO-01) Composite .............................................................................................................................................. 104
Table 13.5: Minor Elements Analysis for Composites ......................................................................................................................... 104
Table 13.6: DOE for Leaching Tests on Upper Oxide (ATO-01) ........................................................................................................... 105
Table 13.7: Results of the DOE at 48 hours of leaching ...................................................................................................................... 106
Table 13.8: Master Composite 1 ........................................................................................................................................................ 107
Table 13.9: Column Leach Composites ............................................................................................................................................... 108
Table 13.10: Mineral Composition and Elemental Deportment of the Oxide Composite ................................................................... 109
Table 13.11: Multi-stage sequential diagnostic gold leach summary ................................................................................................ 110
Table 13.12: Ore hardness data ......................................................................................................................................................... 110
Table 13.13: The results from the chemical analyses ......................................................................................................................... 110
Table 13.14: Test results – Master composite 1 ................................................................................................................................. 112
Table 13.15: Natural percolation summary results ............................................................................................................................ 112
Table 13.16: Column leach test conditions ......................................................................................................................................... 113
Table 13.17: Column leach extraction results..................................................................................................................................... 113
Table 13.18: Large column test results ............................................................................................................................................... 115
Table 13.19: Recovery of large column test ....................................................................................................................................... 115
Table 13.20: Recovery of large column test ....................................................................................................................................... 115
Table 13.21: Loaded carbon ............................................................................................................................................................... 116
Table 13.22: Size by size distribution and recovery by size fraction ................................................................................................... 116
Table 13.23: Reagent consumption .................................................................................................................................................... 116
Table 14.1: Drill hole database information ....................................................................................................................................... 118
Table 14.2: ATO Block model properties ............................................................................................................................................ 121
Table 14.3: Raw and composite sample statistics for Pipe 1 .............................................................................................................. 123
Table 14.4: Raw and composite sample statistics for Pipe 2 .............................................................................................................. 124
Table 14.5: Raw and composite sample statistics for Pipe 4 .............................................................................................................. 124
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1. SUMMARY
1.1 Introduction
The Altan Tsagaan Ovoo Project (ATO) is located in eastern Mongolia. Independent Qualified Person
Oyungerel Bayanjargal (QP as an author) from GSTATS Consulting LLC (GSTATS) and Glogex Consulting LLC
(GLOGEX) were commissioned by Steppe Gold LLC. (STEPPE) to prepare a technical report to support the
disclosure of the ATO’s Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimate at August 21, 2017 and this has been
prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects (NI 43-101), NI 43-101 Form F1, and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)
Definition Standards (2014).
The ATO area under mining license (MV-017111) is located in the territory of Tsagaan Ovoo soum, Dornod
province of Eastern Mongolia. Size of the area is 5,492.63 ha. The licensed area is located 660 km east of
Ulaanbaatar city, 120 km northwest of Choibalsan, the provincial capital of Dornod province, 38 km west of
Tsagaan Ovoo soum, in the Davkhariin Aryn valley and at the junction of rivers of Bayan and Duruu. It is
around the foot of mountains such as Delger Ulziit, Bayan, Namkhai Hill and Yaruu. The geographic zone of
ATO project is in datum WGS-84 Zone 49N of UTM coordinate system and the geographic center of the
property is 48°26’N latitude and 112°46’E longitude.
As of January 31, 2017, CGM entered into definitive agreements to sell the ATO Project to STEPPE. STEPPE
has paid the "rights transfer" fees to the TAX office and also paid VAT and received all required approval
from Mongolian TAX office to transfer the license MV-0171111 under STEPPE. STEPPE has submitted all
required paper works to MRPAM to transfer the license under its name by the end of the August 2017. The
license transfer was completed on 5th of September 2017. STEPPE is now 100% owner of the mining license
of ATO.
The geology of the ATO property consists of metamorphosed Devonian sedimentary rock overlain by a
volcanic and sedimentary sequence of Permian age and remnant scraps of probable Jurassic volcanoclastic
units, intruded by Jurassic plutons ranging from diorite to granite in composition and including rhyolitic
phases mainly as dikes.
Mineralization on the property is probably related to the Jurassic magmatic rocks as sources of heat, metals,
and fluids. Three mineralized pipes at ATO (Pipe 1, 2, and 4) have been emplaced into stratified rocks as
young as presumably Early to Middle Jurassic. Pipe 4 is mainly concealed. Pipe 3 contains abundant pyrite,
but no significant amounts of Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn.
The ATO deposit is an epithermal gold and polymetallic deposit of transitional sulfides in breccia pipes in a
Mesozoic continental rift zone in eastern Mongolia.
Since acquiring the ATO Project in 2007, CGM has completed, a total of approximately 63,866 m of
exploration drilling in 597 holes were completed on the project until the end of 2014. Of this, 54,425 m was
core drilling in 370 holes and 9,441 m was completed in 227 RC holes. The drilling has been spread over the
ATO mining license as well as south exploration area (Figure 10.1). Drilling efforts have generally focused on
expanding the known mineralization, but also include confirmation drilling and exploration drilling in several
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potential target areas on the ATO property. In addition to exploration drilling, CGM has completed geologic
mapping, soil and outcrop sampling, and gravity survey at ATO.
CGM implemented a series of industry standard routine verifications to ensure the collection of reliable
exploration data. Documented exploration procedures exist to guide most exploration tasks to ensure the
consistency and reliability of exploration data. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 guidelines,
the Author QP visited the ATO deposit in August 23 and October 2, 2017. The site visit was conducted to
ascertain the geological setting of the ATO Deposit gold-lead-zinc mineralization and to witness the extent
of exploration work carried out on the property.
Routine verifications were completed by the Author QP to ensure the reliability of the drill hole and topo
surface data, and analytical data provided by STEPPE. In the opinion of the Author QP, the electronic data of
drill holes are reliable, appropriately documented and exhaustive. The analytical results are sufficiently
reliable for the purpose of resource estimation.
Metallurgical tests for mineral processing at ATO deposit were conducted at the Central Laboratory of
Xstrata Support Process in Canada, "ALS Metallurgy-Ammtec" laboratory in Australia and "Boroo Gold" LLC
processing plant in Mongolia.
Mineral processing method of heap leaching was exercised based on the oxide ore metallurgical test results.
Metallurgical test samples were collected from the exploration drill core and bulk samples for both oxidized
and fresh zones within mineralized pipes of Pipe 1, Pipe 2 and Pipe 3.
Metallurgical tests included a step-by-step leaching test carried out by the roll-up test (bottle-roll test) and
granular ore test. Tests were conducted in 4 phases:
1. Bottle-Roll tests of the Xstrata Process Support Center in Canada (from 4 April 2010 to June 30,
2011)
2. Destruction Testing and Analysis - Canadian Xstrata Process Support (September 2011)
3. Column leach tests with low diameter (75 mm) (conducted in crushed ore) - ALS Metallurgy in
AMMTEC laboratory in Perth, Australia (completed in November 2011 in April 2012)
4. Additional analysis of column tests with a large-scale diameter (280mm) - in CIL plant of Boroo
Gold LLC in Mongolia - September 2012)
The ATO project has been planned as an open-pit truck and shovel operation. The truck and shovel method
provides reasonable cost benefits and selectivity for this type of deposit. Only open-pit mining methods are
considered for mining at ATO.
Pit optimization was done to define pit limits with input for economic and slope parameters. Optimization
used only Measured and Indicated Resources for oxide ore processing. All material under 0.3 g/t AuEq was
considered as a waste. Whittle pit optimizations were run using the economic and slope parameters and
completed using prices of $950 to $1,650 per ounce Au in increments of $65 per ounce in order to analyze
the deposit’s sensitivity to gold prices. The ultimate $1,300 pit limit was determined using cash-flow analysis
based on a 10% discount rate. Pit designs were created to use 2.5 meters benches for mining. Slope
parameters were applied as up to 50 degree inter-ramp slope angles; up to 70 degree bench face angles.
Ramps were designed to have a maximum centerline gradient of 10%. In areas where the ramps may curve
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along the outside of the pit, the inside gradient may be up to 11% or 12% for short distances. Design criteria
accounts for 3.5 times the width of the truck for running room in areas using two-way traffic. For roads
designed outside of the pit, and additional safety berm is accounted for in the road widths. The ultimate pit
is an integrated design using interior pit phases and it separates 3 small mines. Based on a resource block
size of 5 m by 5 m by 2.5 blocks, ore loss and dilution was assumed not more than 3% and 2%.
The recovery methods used for the oxide portion of the ATO Project will be crushing and heap leach.
Flowsheet development, operating parameters and design criteria were based on results from metallurgical
test work. The gold recovery process was designed on the basis of leaching 1.2 Mt of ore per year with an
average gold grade of 1.13 g/t, average silver grade of 9.25 g/t at an overall gold recovery of 70%, silver
recovery 40%.
The three-stage crushing plant will operate at a nominal 5860 t/d throughput, 275 days per year.
The process plant, located near and down-gradient from the heap leach facility (HLF) to minimize the
pumping and pipeline requirements for pregnant and barren solutions, will operate 365 days per year. The
pregnant solution will flow to the plant at a nominal rate of 200 m3/h and a design flowrate of 250 m3/h. The
plant is designed to process 5 tons of carbon per day using an absorption, desorption and refining process
to extract gold from the pregnant solution to produce the gold doré.
Proven and Probable Reserves were used to schedule mine production, and Inferred Resources inside of the
pit were considered as waste. The final production schedule uses trucks and shovels as required to produce
the ore to be fed into the process plant and maintain stripping requirements for each case.
Table 1.1: Mine Production schedule
Investment will not be required since the open pit mining operation is planned to be carried out by a
contractor. A total Investment of $ 19.59 million will be required for the whole project. Investment for ROM
per ton will be $ 3.75 in ore. The investment amount includes VAT, customs duties, transportation costs and
installation costs. (Table 1.2).
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The total operating cost of the project over the anticipated mine life is $ 48.81 million of which the open pit
mine operating costs are $ 18.22 million, the total cost of the processing is $ 26.14 million and the general
administration cost is $ 4.18 million. The total cost per ton of ore is $ 9.30 or $ 332.80 per ounce and summary
shown in Table 1.3:
Table 1.3: Project operational cost and general expenses
OPEX
Ore Total per OPEX
Rock Mining Mining ROM Ore General General License
processing operational ton per
Period mass, cost, cost, ore, processing administration administration fee, Project stage
cost, costs, of ounce,
Tx1,000 $/t $1,000 Tx1,000 cost, $/t cost, $/t cost, $ 1,000 $1,000
$1,000 $1,000 ore, $
$
2018 IY 544.2 2.42 - - - - 1,317 Pre -mining stage
2019 1,868.3 2.42 4,521 1,200.0 5.00 6,000 0.80 960 55 11,536 9.60 330.70 Mining stage
2020 1,909.4 2.42 4,621 1,200.0 5.00 6,000 0.80 960 55 11,636 9.70 333.60 Mining stage
2021 1,795.4 2.42 4,345 1,200.0 5.00 6,000 0.80 960 55 11,360 9.50 325.70 Mining stage
2022 1,850.0 2.42 4,477 1,200.0 5.00 6,000 0.80 960 55 11,492 9.60 329.40 Mining stage
2023-I 105.6 2.42 255 427.3 5.00 2,136 0.80 342 55 2,789 6.50 390.80 Mining stage
Total 8,072.9 2.42 18,220 5,227.3 5.00 26,136 0.80 4,182 275 48,812 9.30 332.80
1.12 Revenue
The gold production is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2019 and will produce 146,669 ounces of gold
and 672,518 ounces of silver during the project period. Based on market research, gold price was valued at
$1306 and silver price was $21.60 per ounce. The total gross revenue of the project will be $ 206.16 million
of which gold revenue is $ 191.64 million and silver revenue will be $ 14.53 million.
Table 1.4: Revenue
2019 49,834 337,583 70% 40% 34,883.56 135,033 1306.6 21.60 45,579 2,917 48,496
2020 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2021 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2022 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2023-I 10,193 138,059 70% 40% 7,135 55,224 1306.6 21.6 9,322 1,193 10,515
Total 209,527 1,681,295 70% 40% 146,669 672,518 1306.6 21.6 191,638 14,526 206,164
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Table 1.5: ATO Deposit Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Summary (at August 21, 2017)
Notes:
1. ATO Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are as at August 21, 2017 using the CIM Definition Standards (2014).
2. Mineral Resources are in addition to Mineral Reserves.
3. Mineral Reserves are constrained within an optimized pit shell based on a gold price of $1,300 per ounce.
4. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability for heap leaching.
5. Contained gold estimates have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
6. Recovered gold estimates have been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries based on 70% for Au and 40% for Ag.
7. Mining dilution is 3% and Ore loss is 2%.
8. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are estimated using a 0.3 g/t AuEq cut-off grade for oxide material and a 1.1 g/t AuEq.cut-off grade
for fresh material.
9. A conversion factor of 31.103477 grams per ounce 453.59237 grams per pound are used in the reserve and resource estimates.
10. AuEq has been calculated using assumed metal prices ($1,306/oz for gold, $21.60/oz).
Oxide ore calculation: AuEq(g/t) = Au(g/t) + (Ag(g/t) x 21.60 x 0.0321507 x 0.4) / (1,306 x 0.0321507 x 0.7)
Fresh ore calculation: AuEq(g/t) = Au(g/t) + ((Ag(g/t) x 21.60 x 0.0321507 x 0.75) + (Pb% x 1,844 x 10-6 x 0.6) + (Zn% x 1,944 x 10-6 x
0.55)) / (1,306 x 0.0321507 x 0.71)
11. Inferred Mineral Resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined economically. It
cannot be assumed that all or part of the Inferred Mineral Resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.
12. Totals may not match due to rounding.
Based on the information contained herein, the Author QP offer the following interpretations and
conclusions:
ATO is an epithermal gold and polymetallic deposit of transitional sulfides in breccia pipes in a
Mesozoic continental rift zone in eastern Mongolia.
The procedures for drilling, sampling, sample preparation and analyses are appropriate for the type
of mineralization and estimation of Mineral Resources.
The classification of Mineral Resources conforms to CIM Definition Standards.
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The Mineral Reserve estimate has been prepared utilizing acceptable estimation methodologies and
the classification of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves conform to CIM Definition Standards and
NI 43-101.
The Mineral Reserve estimate was developed through the construction of an ultimate open pit
design within the Mineral Resource model at cost estimates defined in Section 15, Table 15.1 and
the reserve spot metal price assumptions of $1,306.6/oz gold and $21.6/oz silver.
The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve totals 5.23 Mt at 1.25 g/t Au and 10.00 g/t Ag containing
210 thousand oz of gold and 1,681 thousand oz of silver.
The Mineral Reserve estimate takes into consideration mining and processing costs, metallurgical
recoveries, sales prices, refining charges and royalties in determining economic viability.
The Mineral Reserve estimate is classified as 65% Proven and 35% Probable.
The methodology used for mine planning, pit limit determination, production sequence and
scheduling, and estimation of equipment/manpower requirements is in line industry practice.
Mineral Processing
Economic Analysis
• Discounted cash flow calculates as discount rate at 10% per year, depreciation for 5 years, and scrap
value is 40% at the end of the project and income tax is estimated 10% on under 3 billion MNT
revenue (1usd=2,400MNT) up to 25% on above 3 billion MNT (or $ 1.25 million) revenue or more.
• The net present value of the project is $ 67.78 million, the repayment period is 2.81 years and the
IRR is 118%.
• If the Revenue decreased by 20%, IRR 87% and if Investment increased 20%, IRR 99%. The IRR is
109% while operating cost increased by 20%.
The ATO Project shows positive economic potential. The Author QP recommends the following:
• Assess the block model to determine if there are regions within the resource area limits, currently
defined as inferred resources owing to the influence of Au assays that could potentially be upgraded
to indicated and measured resources by additional drilling. Pipe 2 needs infill drilling to prove
confidence and continuity.
• To improve future modeling efforts, the Author QP recommends that the lithology type be less and
specific for mining needs. Current lithology database has 24 different lithology codes. Some of those
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lithology types were similar and combined based on the available information ended up with 10
lithology types for further analyses in this report.
• Near pit exploration drilling where mineralization is open along the trend to add resource to the
model. This recommendation applies to particularly Pit 4.
• Continue work on refinement of bulk density estimate of mineralized material.
• Conduct a significant check assay program utilizing a number of labs in addition to ALS. While
standard and blank analysis results of CGM QAQC program do not raise questions relative to ALS’s
results, the check assay program ensures a test of any potential bias in the existing results. This
recommendation applies to production sampling as well as for exploration data.
• Additional metallurgical test work is required for both Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 4 mineralized material. This
will include bulk samples in large columns investigating crush size, agglomeration and leach rates as
the mine advances.
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2 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Issuer for Whom This Report Was Prepared
This report is titled the NI43-101 Technical Report for Altan Tsagaan Ovoo Project (2017 ATO TR) and has
been prepared for Steppe Gold LLC (STEPPE).
The Altan Tsagaan Ovoo (ATO) Project is located in the Eastern part of Mongolia. ATO deposit consists of
series of mineralized bodies called pipes containing gold, silver, lead and zinc.
The report 2017 ATO TR was prepared for STEPPE and is based on the most current technical and cost
information prepared by Glogex Consulting LLC (GLOGEX) to support project financing.
Independent Qualified Person reviewed the available studies as part of the preparation for the report.
The 2017 ATOTR presents Proven and Probable Reserves and is based on a feasibility quality level study
complying with NI 43-101.
Some of the ATO deposit information and results presented herein were taken from the REPORT ON
EXPLORATION WORK CONDUCTED AT ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO PRECIOUS AND BASE METAL DEPOSIT by
Centerra Gold Inc from 2012. This report is not publicly presented under NI 43-101 but has been submitted
under Mongolian regulations to the Mongolian government. Annual exploration reports of CGM were used
for the ATO deposit geology and previous exploration activity sections of the report.
Throughout this report, measurements are in metric units and currency in United States dollars unless
otherwise stated.
This report is prepared by independent QP Oyungerel Bayanjargal, acting on behalf of GSTATS Consulting
LLC (GSTATS), a Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), who
is the author of this report. Preparation of Section 15, 16 and 22 were reviewed by Mining QP Leonid Tokar,
a Professional Mining Engineer of Ontario. A detailed peer review of Section 13, 17 and parts of Section 21
relating to the process plant operating costs were performed by David Frost, FAusIMM and B. Met Eng.
Section 18 and the portion of Section 21 related to Capital Cost were reviewed by Tim Fletcher, P.Eng. Dr.
Martin Stapinsky, P.Geo, performed a detailed peer review of Section 20 and parts of Section 4 relating to
the environmental studies, permitting, social and community aspects of the project.
The information, opinions, conclusions, and estimates presented in this report are based on the following:
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The Qualified Person conducted two site visits on 23 August and 2 October 2017. Other visits were made in
core shed and meetings in STEPPE office in Ulaanbaatar. Site visits and meetings include existing
documentation and report review, fact materials investigation, geology, exploration and drilling, metallurgy,
operation plans and existing development information, and previous drill hole location verification.
QPs of the report have reviewed and takes responsibility for the technical information prepared by the
following individuals:
Naranbaatar Lundeg, Mineral Economist, Glogex Consulting LLC, with respect to economic matters
in Sections 15 to 22.
Tsogtgerel Bayarsaikhan, Mining Engineer, Glogex Consulting LLC, with respect to mining matters in
Sections 15 to 22.
Buyan-Ulzii Narankhuu, Mineral Processing Engineer, Glogex Consulting LLC, with respect to
processing matters in Section 13 and 17.
Byambatsogt Oyunchimeg, Mining Engineer, Glogex Consulting LLC, with respect to mining matters
in Sections 15 to 22.
The Author QP has relied on Bataa Tumur-Ochir, CEO, Steppe Gold LLC, with respect to legal, permitting and
taxation matters in Section 4.
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For the purpose of this report, the QPs has relied on information related ownership, environmental liabilities,
and permits provided by STEPPE. The QPs have not researched property title or mineral rights for the ATO
property and expresses no opinion as to the ownership status of the property.
The QPs have relied on STEPPE for guidance on applicable taxes, royalties, and other government levies or
interests, applicable to revenue or income from ATO.
Except for the purposes legislated under provincial securities law, any use of this report by any third party is
at that party’s sole of risk.
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The ATO area under mining license (MV-017111) is located in the territory of Tsagaan Ovoo soum, Dornod
province of Eastern Mongolia (Figure 1). Size of the area is 5,492.63 ha. The licensed area is located 660 km
east of Ulaanbaatar city, 120 km northwest of Choibalsan, the provincial capital of Dornod province, 38 km
west of Tsagaan Ovoo soum, in the Davkhariin Aryn valley and at the junction of rivers of Bayan and Duruu.
It is around the foot of mountains such as Delger Ulziit, Bayan, Namkhai Hill and Yaruu (Figure 4.1). The
geographic zone of ATO project is in datum WGS-84 Zone 49N of UTM coordinate system.
The initial number of the exploration license was 6727X when issued to Coge Gobi LLC on December 30, 2003
for the first time. The area of the license was 109,118 ha. In 2007, approximately 85,500 ha of the area were
surrendered to the Cadaster Office by Order #1620 of the Head of the Cadaster Registration Center, leaving
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23,597.51 ha to the license. This reduced license was then transferred in full to Centerra Gold Mongolia LLC
(CGM) by Order #513 of Head of the Cadaster Office of the Mineral Resources Authority dated May 4, 2010.
In Mongolian regulations, exploration license owner should submit exploration result reports every year.
CGM conducted intense exploration programs since 2010 and reduced license area based on the exploration
results.
CGM prepared a Feasibility Study report based on the Mongolian guidance in 2012 to transfer the
exploration license to a mining license. MV-017111 mining license was issued to CGM with area of 11,614.22
ha on August 31, 2012 and extended for 30-year term expiring on August 31, 2042. The license was
surrounded by 19 location points that time. Now, MV-017111 license boundary was simplified to 8 points
with area of 5,492.63 ha and shown in Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1.
Table 4.1: ATO Project license boundary coordinates
As of January 31, 2017, CGM entered into definitive agreements to sell its 100% interest in the ATO Project
to STEPPE for $ 20 million. STEPPE has paid $ 0.2 million for the "rights transfer" fees to the TAX office
including VAT and received all required approval from Mongolian TAX office to transfer the license MV-
0171111 under STEPPE. STEPPE has submitted all required paper works to MRPAM to transfer the license
under its name by the end of the August 2017 and the $ 9.8 million was paid to CGM for license transfer. The
mining license was transferred to STEPPE on 5th of September 2017 by Decision #544 of Head of Cadaster
Office of the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority. STEPPE is now 100% owner of the mining license
of the ATO. Remaining $ 10 million will be paid within first two year of mining period from STEPPE to CGM.
At the time of signing IA with Mongolian government, a company must submit several reports such as
updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve report, Feasibility Report, and Environmental Impact
Assessment Report under Mongolian guidance.
4.3 Royalties
The royalties applied to the ATO mine operation is a Mongolian Government State royalty according to the
Article 47 of the Minerals Law of Mongolia (The Minerals Low). The Clause 47.3.2 of the Minerals Law
demonstrates minimum of 5% of the final production selling cost be paid if metals other than gold sold to
the Mongol Bank or a bank credited by Mongol bank and additional royalty percent be added depending on
the market metals price at the time of the selling sliding scale demonstrated in the Clause 47.3.5 of the
Minerals Law. For the gold, Clause 47.3.3 demonstrates that if gold sold to the Mongol Bank, royalty will be
2.5% and additional percent indicated in Clause 47.3.5 will be 0%.
The sliding scale in Clause 47.3.5 of the Minerals Law for gold, silver, lead and zinc is shown in Table 4.2 and
4.3.
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Table 4.2: Mongolian Government State sliding scale royalty for Au and Ag
Table 4.3: Mongolian Government State sliding scale royalty for Pb and Zn
Royalty
Lead price ($/t)
Ore Concentration Production
0-1500 0% 0% 0%
1500-1800 1.0% 0.8% 0.4%
1800-2100 2.0% 1.6% 0.8%
2100-2400 3.0% 2.4% 1.2%
2400-2700 4.0% 3.2% 1.6%
2700 and above 5.0% 4.0% 2.0%
Royalty
Zinc ($/t)
Ore Concentration Production
1-1500 0% 0% 0%
1500-2000 1.0% 0.8% 0.4%
2000-2500 2.0% 1.6% 0.8%
2500-3000 3.0% 2.4% 1.2%
3000-3500 4.0% 3.2% 1.6%
3500 and above 5.0% 4.0% 2.0%
The license holder is entitled to obtain permission to commence mining operations in accordance with Clause
35.4 of Mineral Law after completion of the Updated Resource report, Updated Feasibility Study, Updated
Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and the construction of the mine. STEPPE needs to complete
those updated reports prior to potentially initiating production at ATO in October 2018. The Author QP
suggests that those update reports need to be completed as early as possible.
Under the Environmental Protection Law of Mongolia (the “EPL”), business entities and organizations have
the following duties, including, but not limited to, with respect to environmental protection:
(a) to comply with the EPL and the decisions of the government, local self-governing organizations, local
governors and Mongolian state inspectors; (b) to comply with environmental standards, limits, legislation
and procedures and to supervise their implementation within their organization; (c) to keep records on toxic
substances, adverse impacts, and waste discharged into the environment; and (d) to report on measures
taken to reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals, adverse impacts, and waste.
The Minerals Law and the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) state that the mining license
holder shall prepare and submit an environmental impact assessment report to relevant government
authority for its approval.
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According to the procedure for the Feasibility Study for the Use of Mineral Deposit by the Minister of Mineral
Resources and Energy dated April 17, 2012, the ATO Feasibility report should be updated. Then a detailed
environmental assessment report is required to be updated after the approval of a feasibility report by
Professional Committee of Mineral Resource and Reserve. The ATO Feasibility Report update is expected to
be completed by April 2018.
Mining license holder must annually develop and implement an environmental management plan (EMP)
which includes also environment protection plan to be submitted to the relevant authorities. Accordingly,
the environmental management plan shall be approved (Clause 39.1.7 of Minerals Law).
Mining license holder can request to use or possess land for the mine claim, camp and other permanent
facilities for its mining operations.
Only Mongolian citizens and legal entities are entitled to hold a land possession right (Clause 32.1 of Land
Law).
Land use or possession rights are evidenced by a Land Use or Possession Certificate issued by a local authority
of the soum (district) in which the relevant land is located. The terms and conditions of land use or possession
rights are governed by a land possession agreement entered into with the land division of a local authority
of the relevant soum (district).
The land use agreement will be signed by the end of October, 2017.
Mining license holder shall obtain Water Use Inference from State central administrative organization or
local authority depending on proposed amount of water usage. License holder shall submit a request for
Water Use Permit to an authority granted the Water Use Inference. Upon the issuance of Water Use Permit,
Water Use Certificate is granted and Water Use Agreement is executed. Transferring water use permit is
prohibited.
As informed by the STEPPE official, Water Use Permit is not obtained yet. Water permit shall be obtained
from the local governor and the water authority for industrial quantities.
Power line permits will not be obtained during the mining of the oxide ore. At this stage, the power will be
supplied by a diesel generator.
The ATO project requires permits to construct the following building units. STEPPE plans to obtain the
necessary permits and complete construction within the following periods:
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Blasting will be performed by a blasting contractor that will have the required permit.
Centerra Gold Inc. (CGI) is a parent company of CGM assets in Mongolia and owns a 100% interest in the
Boroo Mine, a 100% interest in the Gatsuurt property, and was a 100% interest in the ATO property. Boroo
is an open-pit operation and Mongolia’s largest hard-rock gold mine. It began commercial production in 2004
and produced approximately 1.8 million ounces of gold from March 2004 through to December 2016. Boroo
is operated through CGI’s Mongolian subsidiary, Boroo Gold Company. The operations at the Gatsuurt
property are pending due to suspended negotiations with the Mongolian Government. The Project will begin
ore production on receipt of the final approvals and permits (Centerra Gold Inc. 2011a). The Gatsuurt
property is being currently advanced by CGM, an exploration group completely owned by CGI. CGM owned
100% interest in the ATO Project which was later acquired by STEPPE in 2017.
At this stage of the ATO Project, the socio-economic management system of STEPPE is currently being
developed. Presumably, it will evolve along the same lines, and drawing on the same principles, as that of
Boroo Gold Company. A major pre-condition for this is that STEPPE sets out corporate environmental, social,
economic and ethical policies that direct and regulate all its performance.
This Social Baseline Assessment has provided useful preliminary information for the planning of Project
developments by CGM and it will provide STEPPE with an effective pathway for conducting additional public
consultations with local communities. The Author QP is not aware of any environmental liability or significant
issues to affect development of the property. Careful Project planning, including the implementation of an
international-style social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA), a Mongolian EIA, and a land use
management and reclamation plan, will be important components for the success of the project.
There are several key observations drawn from this Social Baseline Assessment, based on survey work in the
field, research and analysis, and also from the expressions of concern and interest by the local people. These
observations include:
• There are archeological sites on the ATO LA and sacred places located in the general area:
• sacred places must be fully avoided and protected from any sort of Project activities;
• archeological sites should also be avoided. If absolutely necessary to use the area for mining and/or
infrastructure, archeological excavations should be planned and conducted prior to the mining of the site.
• New jobs will be created that will provide opportunities for local people, including possibly youths. The local people
believe that:
• use of local labor and the conditions for initial training should be investigated by STEPPE;
• a hiring policy that optimizes the opportunity for hiring a local labor force should be adopted by STEPPE, and
proper training programs should be developed.
• Regular communications with local authorities and local people will be vital to the success of the Project. To address
this important aspect of the Project, it is recommended that STEPPE should:
• establish a local community liaison office;
• conduct regular communications with all stakeholders with particular attention paid to vulnerable groups
(nomadic communities, retired people, others);
• develop mutually acceptable communication rules with the local people.
• Participation/sponsorship in local infrastructure development and community development projects by STEPPE, as
well as a safe driving program, are important issues for the local people.
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Geographically, the license area is located in the low mountain zone at the north-east end of the Khentii
Mountain Range and at the south-west part of the Dornod high steppe. The topography of the project area
generally consists of small rounded, separate mountain complexes with small hillocks in a steppe. Average
elevation is 980-1050 m above sea level, with the lowest point being Deliin Well (979.3 m) and the highest
point being Mount Temdegt (1144.7 m). Relative elevation is 60-120 m. Mostly, brown and black brown
gravel, sandy loam, and gravel-mild clay of steppe zone are predominant.
Quaternary loose sediments are widespread in the license area where there are no trees. Mounds and hills
in the area are bald and rounded. Vegetation and grass cover the entire area and includes pasture plants
such as khazaar grass, wormwood, stipa, brome-grass, and couch grass.
Hoofed animals of steppe in the region include white gazelle. Carnivores are wolf, fox and corsac. Rodents
include marmot, gopher, shrew-mouse, and stoat. Birds include lark, red nose, crane, bustard, scoter, and
brown nose. Also, crawlers, locust, grasshoppers, mosquitoes and midges are abundant.
The ATO property is situated in the western side of Mongolia, 660 km east of the city of Ulaanbaatar, 120
km northwest of Choibalsan city and 38 km west of Tsagaan Ovoo soum. Access to the property from the
Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar is possible by highway to Choibalsan, the centre of the Dornod province and
improved unpaved road continue to Tsagaan Ovoo soum. The property is connected to other settlements by
dirt roads. It is possible to fly to Choibalsan from Ulaanbaatar via domestic airlines.
The nearest settlement to the property is the central village of the Tsagaan Ovoo soum, which is settled at
side of the Khuuvur Lake, with moderately developed infrastructure. The Tsagaan Ovoo soum consists of six
subsections and has total population of 3800. Nationality consists of 80% Buryats and the rest of Khalkh
people. The community is mainly engages in domestic animal husbandry. Some of them run plantation and
grow vegetable for their own household uses. The central village accommodates administrative offices, a
cultural center, secondary schools, a hospital, a kindergarten, a communications center, cellphone stations,
a gas station, and high-voltage sub-stations.
ATO mine will operate all year around. Climate of the property region is characterized by extreme cold and
hot weather like Boroo mine site. Daily, monthly, and yearly fluctuations of temperature are common.
Winter is harsh and cold and extends from November to March. Coldest temperature reaches to -460C near
the river valleys and flatlands in January. Stable snow cover persists from November to March. Freezing of
soil starts from mid-September and continues till late May, with the freezing depth reaching 2.5 m. Spring
begins in late March and continues till early June, and it is characterized by fluctuant atmospheric
temperature and air dryness and strong wind. Summer is shorter than other seasons, dry and chilly. The
hottest temperature is up to +400C in summer. 60-80% of the annual precipitation falls as rain during July
and August. Number of days with precipitation is 59 days in average in a year. Average wind speed is 4-8
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m/s, with dominant directions from north-west, north and north-east and maximum speed reaches 2022
m/s. (Source: National Atlas of Mongolia, 2009)
5.5 Water
Water network of the area belongs to the Pacific Ocean basin. Small local rivers with short-lived stream fed
from eastern branch mountains of the Khentii Range flow into small lakes. Sizes of these rivers vary
depending on their main source of water collection which is precipitation. Drinking water could only be taken
from wells due to low density of water network. Lakes in the region such as Duut, Tsagaan, Ovoot, Eregtseg,
Ukhaagiin Tsagaan, Davkhariin Tsagaan, and Khaichiin and many other small salt lakes are also fed by rainfall.
In recent years, small rivers and streams have been dried up due to a global warming and decrease of
precipitation. In the summer time, seasonal springs found from the melt of small patchy permafrost in small
intermountain valleys and from seasonal thawing of frozen ground.
The land surrounding the property is predominantly used for nomadic herding of goats, cows, horses and
sheep by small family units. Use is based on informal traditional Mongolian principles of shared grazing rights
with limited land tenure for semi-permanent winter shelters and other improvements.
The Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2012) and the guidelines require the inclusion of a risk
assessment in project documentation. This means identification and prediction of the possible emergencies
and accidents that could occur during the production process or natural disasters, and elimination and
mitigation of their consequences.
There are mining license for mining operations and related permits, the availability of power source, water,
potential areas for waste material and heap leach pad area, mining personnel and local working power in
the project area.
As part of overall project planning, a preliminary reclamation and closure plan was prepared. Certain features
of the mine, such as the open pit, waste dumps, and tailings impoundment, will create permanent changes
to the current landscape that cannot be completely remedied through reclamation. The closure plan will;
however, ensure that these disturbed areas are seismically and chemically stable as to limit the ecological
impacts to the surrounding water, air, and land.
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6 HISTORY
6.1 History and Land Holdings
The area of immediate interest at ATO is centered on three, at most 200 m high, gently rounded hills (herein
termed Hills 1, 2 and 3 from SE to NW) that are surrounded by widespread unconsolidated Quaternary
deposits (Figure 7.3). Presently, the known most intensely mineralized rocks underlie Hills 1 and 2,
respectively underlain by Pipes 1 and 2, as well as the completely covered Pipe 4. Low gently rounded slopes
or somewhat steeper inclines with moderate slopes characterize the surrounding ranges.
Regional geologic field parties working for COGEGOBI were the first to recognize mineralized rocks cropping
out at ATO. In 1997 COGEGOBI (a wholly owned subsidiary of the French multinational company AREVA)
began their exploration efforts in eastern Mongolia. Finally, after a six year long reconnaissance effort,
COGEGOBI in 2003 settled on a selected region, and then obtained eight exploration licenses in eastern and
southeastern Mongolia. COGEGOBI then embarked upon a four-year-long concerted effort in the search for
viable Au and uranium deposits in all eight of their licensed areas. Two of their licenses (3,425.5 km2 in all)
were in the general area of ATO. As part of that effort, COGEGOBI geologists eventually collected 52 grab
samples from outcrops and subcrop at ATO, and identified anomalous gold concentrations in vein quartz-
rich rock there (0.06 to 27.8 g/t Au). They initially were led to the occurrence by a stream sediment sampling
program. Almost all Au–anomalous samples collected by COGEGOBI are from Hills 1 and 2. COGEGOBI then
proceeded to describe the occurrence at ATO as “intense hydrothermal alteration associated with volcano-
plutonic structures” (Hocquet, 2005).
However, at the end of a four-year-long, exploration cycle by COGEGOBI in their eight licensed areas, which
was primarily focused on gold deposits but also included uranium, uranium prices in mid-2007 skyrocketed
from $30US per lb. U3O8 to about $140US per lb. U3O8. AREVA subsequently acquired East Asia Minerals
Energy Company in September 2007, became AREVA Mongol in 2008, and now (2017) has a 100 percent
interest in COGEGOBI. Consequently, AREVA Mongol’s interest shifted from precious metals to the energy
sector, and one of their two exploration licenses surrounding ATO was dropped.
In addition, COGEGOBI geologists probably were discouraged at the economic potential of ATO by their belief
that all high gold-bearing rocks resided in a small volume (i.e., low tonnage) of near-surface mineralized
quartz veins above a shallow-dipping contact with underlying low-to-nil gold-bearing rocks (Hocquet, 2005).
Subsequent exploration efforts at ATO by CGM proved this concept incorrect.
CGM geologists were invited by AREVA to visit ATO in the fall of 2009. They were accompanied during their
field examination by AREVA Mongol geologists. Subsequently, initial agreement to explore the one remaining
licensed area (Tsagaan Ovoo) encompassing ATO was obtained from AREVA Mongol by CGM in May 2010,
and all rights to the property were obtained by CGM late in 2010. AREVA retains a 1.75 percent NSR in the
Tsagaan Ovoo license.
Key outcrops in the ATO property are at Hill 1 where gold-bearing silica sinter is now considered to represent
a paleo hot spring environment, previously, to the best the knowledge, unknown in Mongolia. It forms a
silica cap to underlying base and precious metal mineralized rock, basically at a Mesozoic paleo surface.
Reticulated mats of silicified reeds, feathery in longitudinal section and oval in cross section, are well
preserved in this sinter at ATO (see below). The sinter is highly phosphatic, > 1,500 ppm phosphorous, all of
which calls to mind features forming today at the surface at the Yellowstone geyser field.
But most importantly, siliceous sinter at ATO includes free gold. Silica cap includes mostly quartz (sparse
chalcedonic fabrics are preserved; bladed silica locally replaces calcite) and variable concentrations of iron
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oxide minerals. Less abundant are kaolinite, illite, numerous primary and a number of secondary Pb minerals.
Secondary Pb minerals include Pb–Al phosphate plumbogummite; pyromorphite (also a Pb phosphate); and
Pb–Mn oxide minerals. Sparse galena in siliceous sinter was encapsulated in quartz, as is rare sphalerite,
arsenopyrite, and argentite. Barite was present in narrow micro veins, as well as large tabular crystals in
open cavities.
Even during CGM’s first brief visit to the property, it became clear that exposures of the mineralized system
at ATO include highly disrupted, near paleosurface epithermal, silica-dominated rocks that had the potential
to host a significant tonnage of precious- and base-metal mineralized rock. Four grab samples collected by
CGM (1.3 to 3.3 g/t Au), during its initial visit to the property, confirmed presence of the anomalous Au
originally reported at the ATO site by COGEGOBI.
The recent exploration history at ATO, thus, comprises three stages: (1) initial work by COGEGOBI/AREVA,
(2) a due diligence stage by CGM that also included soil geochemistry and limited IP, and (3) post May 2010
comprehensive exploration by CGM. Beginning in May 2010 and through December 2014, CGM designed
significant amount of exploration work in the area, incorporating geologic mapping (including ASTER
imaging), widespread grab sampling, additional grid soil sampling, stream-sediment sampling, geophysical
surveys (air mag, ground mag, IP, gravity), trenching, and extensive core drilling. In addition, a wide-ranging
district-wide grab sampling program was conducted in association with regional geologic mapping.
As a result of these efforts, it became readily apparent that the bulk of the presently known precious and
base metal mineralization at ATO is in three carrot-shaped vertically downward plunging, presumably
Jurassic breccia pipes. Two of the pipes (Pipes 1 and 2) respectively underlie Hills 1 and 2, and Pipe 4 is
completely concealed to the SE of Pipe 2 (Figure 6.1).
Centerra Gold Inc. reported Mineral Resource summary at ATO in its 2016 Annual Information Form on
SEDAR in May 31, 2017 and shown in Figure 6.1. The information is relevant and reliable and has been
superseded by the Mineral Resource estimate in Section 14 of this report.
Figure 6.1: ATO Mineral Resources in 2016 AIF by Centerra Gold Inc. SEDAR
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Recent exploration report on ATO project was prepared in 2012 for Mongolian jurisdiction. That report was
not prepared under compliance of NI 43-101 and authors of such report appear not to have been qualified.
Although that report was not compliance under NI 43-101 most of the information, studies prepared similar
guidelines or standards that were acceptable to the NI 43-101.
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Relative to its continental-scale geologic framework, ATO is situated within the Devonian through Late
Jurassic Mongol-Okhotsk tectonic collage (Figure 7.1) that has been emplaced along a transform-continental
margin of the North Asian Craton (NAC) as shown by Parfenov and others (2010).
In addition, the Transbaikalian-Daxinganling transpressional magmatic arc that is present south of ATO along
an ENE, 2,000 km long trend was thought to range in age from 175 to 96 Ma (Middle Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous) (Parfenov and others, 2010).
Mongol-Okhotsk Belt
Figure 7.1: Location of the Mongol-Okhotsk belt and Onon precious-base-metal province residing between the Siberian and North
China Plates (CGM 2012 ER)
Regional metallogenic setting of ATO is important from an exploration perspective. Mineral deposits range
widely in age throughout Eastern Mongolia and neighboring regions of Russia and China. For example, the
China Altay hosts 380–360 Ma siliciclastic VMS deposits with bimodal geochemistry in a major magmatic arc
(Goldfarb and others, 2003). Further, as summarized by Xiao and others (2009), end-Permian to mid-Triassic
docking of the Tarim and North China cratons against the Siberian craton resulted in (1) closure of the
Paleoasian Ocean, and led to (2) formation of a number of world-class metal deposits, some of which are
Triassic in age.
A number of Late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (175–96 Ma) broad, gold-bearing mineral belts also have been
recognized in eastern Mongolia and in the surrounding region (Rodionov and others, 2004). Their Middle
Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (175–96 Ma) time slice yields 31 gold-bearing mineral belts among 56 belts in all
(55 percent)—the most mineral belts outlined for the various time slices established in the above-cited
report.
Most gold-bearing belts during the Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous have moved decidedly “inboard”
towards the Siberian craton relative to older belts, and they are present in China and Mongolia, as well as
eastern Siberia. Areal distribution of the gold-bearing belts generally follows the tectonic grain or trend of
the various geologic terranes and their overlap and “stitch” assemblages throughout the region.
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ATO is located north of the Main Mongolian Lineament (MML – red dashed line in Figure 7.1) and midway
along the NNE trending, 600km long Onon base and precious-metal province that crosses eastern Mongolia
(Figure 7.1).
The overwhelming bulk of the Pb–Zn occurrences and deposits in eastern Mongolia are located north of the
MML and east of the Onon trend. The Novo and Lugiin polymetallic deposits in the Russian Federation were
used to anchor the northern terminus of the Onon province as depicted in the Russian Federation (Figure
7.1). The two major mineralized trends or metallotects in this part of Mongolia (Onon and Yeroogol, red
dashed line) parallel Lake Baikal, and must represent deep-seated splays possibly dating from zones of crustal
weakness first developed at the time of Devonian-age accretion and dislocations along the MML. However,
rifting in Lake Baikal is much younger as it began about 30 m.y. ago; i.e., during the Middle Oligocene.
Therefore, the two mineralized trends (Onon and Yeroogol) must mark zones of rifting in the earth’s crust,
somewhat deeper seated than that at Lake Baikal, and whose regional least principal stress direction must
have been oriented NW–SE (present day coordinates). However, this orientation of the regional least
principal stress must represent a clockwise rotation from its essentially EW orientation that prevailed during
final stages of rifting in the Cretaceous following mineralization and associated magmatism at ATO (see
below).
A number of Hg–Sb occurrences are aligned closely along the trace of the Onon trend, as are numerous
clusters of gold occurrences that are associated somewhat more broadly in the immediate region.
Further, as defined herein, the Onon base and precious-metal province coincides with relatively thick crust,
roughly greater than 125 km in thickness, which partly explains abundance of base metals (especially Pb)
throughout the province. Rocks south of the MML are considered to be largely Silurian to Carboniferous
island-arc volcanostratigraphic packages of rock.
Though ATO presently represents the only well-explored gold deposit in this part of Mongolia, a large
number of minor gold occurrences have been recognized throughout the region. Most of these gold
occurrences are located outside the Onon province, as are the overwhelming number of recognized porphyry
systems. The Onon province also includes a number of primarily Ag occurrences, as well as a few porphyry
systems, including the Avdartolgoi porphyry, about 200 km NE of ATO, which only is mentioned briefly in
passing by Dejidmaa and others (1999) without any further details.
A number of major base and precious-metal deposits also are present in the region, a metal association
similar to ATO. These include the Novo and Lugiin polymetallic deposits at the northern distal end of the
Onon province (Figure 7.1).
To use the term “district” in its broadest sense (“sensu lato”), because no unifying genetic model or linked
group of models has been established confidently for all mineralized occurrences close to ATO other than a
presumed association with Jurassic magmatism. Further, the age of gold-mineralized rock has not been
determined radiometrically either at ATO, or at mineralized rock in most all its surrounding occurrences.
The oldest layered rocks in the ATO district are Devonian. Relatively small isolated areas of outcrop of Early
Devonian trachyrhyolite, trachyrhyolite porphyry, ignimbrite (welded tuff), and minor limestone are present
in the northern part of the ATO district (Figure 7.2). The Devonian rocks are in tectonic contact with Early
and Late (?) Permian strata along pre-Lower Cretaceous NW–striking, high angle faults near the NW corner
of the area, and Lower Cretaceous rocks overlie unconformably the Devonian rocks. Devonian rocks are
intruded by Early Permian leucogranite near the NE corner of the district (Figure 7.2).
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Though the ATO district includes limited exposures of Devonian and Triassic rocks, the most widespread
rocks in the district are Early Permian volcaniclastics including tuff breccias, as well as high K andesite, and
rhyolite exposed in the cores of broad uplifts. Zircons from rhyolite have been dated at 285.9 Ma (Early
Permian) by a major ongoing collaborative program by CGM with Jim Mortensen at the University of British
Columbia to date magmatism and mineralization in the district. The Early Permian volcaniclastics in the ATO
district are further intruded by early Permian leucogranite, plagiogranite, and diorite; zircons from
plagiogranite have been dated at 279.5 Ma.
Nonetheless, Permian strata largely form the cores of broad horsts in three areas: (1) a relatively small area
of outcrop (2 km in long dimension) near the NE corner of the district; (2) an approximately 25 km long, NW
elongated expanse that extends from the east central part of the area to the north edge of the district; and
(3) a 16 km long, NS elongated belt that extends from about 5 km N of ATO to the south edge of the district.
Rocks shown as Early Permian strata are mostly volcanic affiliated (rhyolite, dacite, ignimbrite, andesite-
dacite porphyry, tuff, and tuffaceous sandstone), whereas strata assigned provisionally to the Late Permian
are mostly sandstone, conglomerate, siltstone, and tuff.
Early Permian diorite crops out near the NE corner of the district (Figure 7.2). The age of this unit is inferred
from the age of rocks that intrude it. The diorite in this area is intruded by Late Early Permian leucogranite,
plagiogranite, and granodiorite, as well as Early Jurassic granite and granodiorite at the Bayan Munkh
prospect. Late Early Permian leucogranite, plagiogranite, and granodiorite crop out mainly in four areas: (1)
near the NE corner of the area; (2) near the west-central edge of the area, (3) NW of ATO, and (4) near the
south edge of the mapped area. Early Permian leucogranite intrudes Devonian rocks as well as rocks assigned
to both Permian units (P1 and P2).
At ATO, presumably Middle-Late Jurassic (?) gravel and coarse pebbly sandstone, as described above, fill a
broad shallow depression on the flanks of a Permian-cored uplift (Figure 7.2). Mesozoic intrusive rocks also
crop out in various locales in the district.
Some are mineralized as at Bayan Munkh. Cretaceous sedimentary rock unconformably rests on all of the
older units in the district (Figure 7.2). Cretaceous siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate, and basalt fill a narrow
NS Cretaceous graben NW of ATO. Preliminary PIMA examination of four samples of laminated siltstone in a
drill hole into the graben indicate presence of chlorite (D. John, written commun., 2012), as opposed to
presence of mixed layer clays now known to form the host mineral for lithium in similar basins elsewhere. A
number of prominent NS striking faults pass just to the E of ATO, and NE-striking, high-angle faults also are
present at ATO.
The Cretaceous graben reaches its maximum width of about 6 km approximately 22 km N of ATO. Coarse-
grained Paleozoic granite (Early Permian?) also is well exposed and widespread west of the graben that
probably opened in response to crustal EW (present coordinates) regional extension beginning in the Late
Cretaceous.
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7.3.1 Geology
Three mineralized pipes at ATO (Pipe 1, 2, and 4) have been emplaced into stratified rocks as young as
presumably Early to Middle Jurassic (Figure 7.3 and 7.4). Pipe 4 is mainly concealed. Pipe 3 contains abundant
pyrite, but no significant amounts of Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn. There is a strong Au anomaly in soil at ATO, as well
as other accompanying metals, particularly Pb. In the aeromagnetic field, only post-mineral young dikes have
a prominent positive response; much weaker responses outline some ring-shaped features. ATO resides near
the center of the latter. Sinter and silicified rocks are reflected as shallow resistivity anomalies, but broad
clay and chlorite-altered rocks are characterized by low resistivity. The pipes coincide with chargeability
anomalies that overall really are quite weak.
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Surface projection of the morphology of Pipes 1, 2, and 4 is shown in Figure 7.4. An upper zone of Au-Pb-Zn-
Ag mineralized rock at Pipe 1 is approximately oval in shape and is about 320 m wide. Pipe 2 is elongate to
the NE and is approximately 320 m by 160 m in maximum dimension. Pipe 4, which is completely concealed,
also is elongate to the NE and is about 400 m by 200 m. As will be shown in the cross section below along
section line A-A’ through the pipes, the pipes taper slightly with depth and have a carrot-shaped 3D
configuration, narrowing gradually to depths of approximately 200 m.
The deepest hole into Pipe 1, inclined 60 degrees, is about 700 m. Silica cap rock has a variable thickness in
Pipe 1, generally tapering from a maximum thickness of about 40 m under the topographic high point of the
pipe to less than 1 m near its margins. However, bottom surface of the cap rock is highly irregular, showing
sharp undulations with underlying quartz-veined Middle-Late Jurassic (?) gravel and coarse pebbly
sandstone, some blocks of which are totally engulfed by massive silica.
Figure 7.5: Longitudinal cross section through Pipe 1 and Pipe 2. Au and Ag grades in right and left sides respectively.
The pipes also are cut by a number of minor faults, both steeply dipping and shallow dipping. Some narrow
flat-lying post-mineral diorite dikes also have been emplaced along faults that offset margins of the pipes.
Pebbly conglomerate and pebbly sandstone were being shed from both nearby mostly Early Permian
highlands elevated during emplacement of Early Jurassic magmatic rocks, as well as apparent high walls of
an enclosing oval collapse feature. Continued deposition of Jurassic strata then covered the pipes after
cessation of mineralization.
Despite the three mineralized pipes being so geographically close to one another, there are distinct
differences in their metal geochemistry. Pipe 2 is notably base-metal enriched; Pipe 1 contains less base
metals, and Pipe 4 contains further decreases in base metals, particularly near its margins where extremely
high Ag contents (locally 100s of ppm Ag across narrow intercepts) are present in association with base metal
concentrations of a few hundred ppm in all.
(1) Presence in a major base metal (Pb-Zn) province (thick crust) known to include large tonnage Au-Pb-Zn
deposits, combined with
(2) Near paleo surface, epithermal (hot spring) emplacement of the upper parts of mineralized pipes
associated with Jurassic magmatism into a near surface
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(3) Shallow depression where Middle-Late Jurassic (?) pebbly conglomerate and pebbly sandstone were
being deposited prior to mineralization and continuing after mineralization.
Origin of brecciation in the mineralized pipes remains unclear, however, and shows features of both
magmatic and hydromagmatic breccias (see Sillitoe, 1985). Some fine-grained, matrix-supported breccias
with abundant rock flour encountered at depth at ATO are typical of a magmatic breccia-style diatremes
(magmatic hydrothermal systems that extend to surface).
Figure 7.6: Schematic cross section through Pipe 1 at ATO (A) showing relative abundance of alteration minerals with depth (B)
Pipe 2 at the surface, in place of a massive silica cap, instead is marked by variable concentrations of quartz
veins and veinlets in networks that cut Middle-Late Jurassic (?) pebbly conglomerate and pebbly sandstone.
The veined pebbly conglomerate and pebbly sandstone at this pipe extends outward to where it eventually
is covered by unconsolidated Quaternary deposits.
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Back scattered electron micrographs showing clinochlore (cli) and chlorite (chl) compatibility with various
sulfide and carbonate minerals in drill core at ATO Pipe 1. A: Sample DDH ATO-02-49; sph, sphalerite; Q,
quartz; smt, smithsonite. B: Sample ATO-02-146. Chlorite associated with pyrite (py) and galena (gn). C:
Sample ATO-02-146. Same as B. H, hole in polished thin section. D: Sample ATO-02-146. Galena inclusions in
pyrite and sphalerite mantled by chlorite (Figure 7.7).
Though quartz is the dominant alteration mineral at the surface, magnesium minerals also are widespread
in the pipes. They, in essence, replace rock flour during pipe development and eventually comprise a fluidized
matrix together with iron sulfide and base-metal sulfide minerals. Their importance is well indicated by
mineralized core contents of many 10s of thousands ppm Mg to greater than 100,000 ppm Mg throughout
the mineralized pipes. The dominant Mg alteration mineral in the pipes is clinochlore (hydrous Mg Al silicate
member of the chlorite group). With increasing depth in the pipes, clinochlore becomes progressively
enriched in Fe and assumes petrographic characteristics of typical chlorite and, in turn, becomes associated
with increased abundances of phlogopitic white mica (Figure 7.7).
Figure 7.8: Aspects of various alteration assemblages typically present in drill core at ATO
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Typical appearance in core at ATO of the various altered rocks recognized thus include (1) oxidized siliceous
sinter; (2) steeply dipping quartz veinlets with associated pyrite and base metals; (3) matrix supported
mineralized breccia where magnesian chlorite is the dominant hydrosilicate in the matrix; and lastly (4)
gypsum after anhydrite especially concentrated near pipe margins (Figure 7.8). As depicted in Figure 7.8
(ATO-35-37.75), many quartz veinlets containing abundant sulfide minerals can be steeply dipping in the
pipes (i.e., essentially parallel to core axes). In addition, Mg chlorite (clinochlore) plus sulfide minerals also
may be disseminated widely throughout heavily mineralized core where the rocks in effect are matrix
supported by alteration silicates and sulfide minerals (ATO-38-95.85). These relations, together with
presence of well-defined sulfide-silicate banding in many veins (see below), suggest veining in the pipes
continued well after initial replacement of rock flour during the earliest stages of mineralization.
Because of the importance that the silica cap at Pipe 1 played in the discovery of the mineralized pipes at
ATO, it warrants description in some detail.
Highly disrupted banded quartz veins comprise at silica cap rock in Pipe 1 at ATO. These silica outcrops are
dominated by quartz, which, under the microscope, shows effects of repeated recrystallization, commonly
marked by newly grown quartz transecting growth zones in previously crystallized colloform or banded
quartz. Again, potassium feldspar is not present in these rocks.
Almost all silica cap rock encountered by drilling is oxidized and includes various abundances of secondary
minerals and traces of primary sulfide minerals. Silica cap is made up predominantly of quartz (sparse
chalcedonic fabrics are preserved) and variable concentrations of iron oxide minerals, as well as less
abundant kaolinite, illite, numerous primary and a number of secondary Pb minerals (rare galena mostly
preserved in a surrounding mantle of a Pb–Al phosphate (plumbogummite); pyromorphite (Pb phosphate);
and Pb–Mn oxide minerals), sphalerite (rarely encapsulated in quartz), arsenopyrite (also in quartz),
argentite, barite (in narrow micro veins as well as tabular crystals in open cavity fillings), clinochlore, chlorite,
and rare prehnite.
It is the secondary Pb minerals at ATO that provide the source for the strong Pb anomaly in soils at ATO.
Outcrops on Pipe 1 indicate that, overall, its silica records a complex geologic history. The rocks display highly
disturbed almost chaotic orientations even within individual outcrops of about 3-5 m wide. Banded and
crustified silica has orientations that are extremely variable. Further, presence of now bladed silica that
replaced earlier deposited calcite indicates that boiling had to have occurred near the top of the ATO system,
wherein removal of CO2 after breakdown of bicarbonate led to deposition of early paragenetic stage, bladed
calcite at the paleo uppermost levels of the silica cap. A boiling environment must have contributed to
further disruption of the rocks, as well as a number of other geologic events. This boiling environment must
have been below the water table underlying sinter at the actual paleosurface of Pipe 1.
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A: Ribs of silica marking margins of empty cavities formerly occupied by sulfide minerals, mostly pyrite but
also a number of Pb minerals. B: Feeder vein of quartz (outlined in red) into basal part of banded quartz
veins. C: Angular blocks of colloform-banded quartz veins engulfed by additional vein quartz. Note matchbox
near center top of photo for scale. D: Close up view of recrystallized banded silica showing cavities formerly
filled by mostly pyrite (Figure 7.9)
Some surface outcrops of silica cap initially must have crystallized almost at the Middle-Late Jurassic (?)
paleosurface during mineralization at ATO. Presence of reticulated mats of silicified reeds both in
longitudinal section and in cross section are well preserved in some grab samples (Figure 7.10). Most rock in
the sample is quartz. Note oval and circular features present in Figure 7.10B. The dark material in both
photomicrographs that outline the reeds is considered to be phosphorous-rich carbonaceous material relict
from the reeds, which presumably were growing in thermal ponds at the actual paleosurface as
mineralization at ATO was evolving at depth. Typically, phosphorous contents of drill core through silica cap
are in excess of 1,500 ppm. We infer the fossil reeds at ATO to be somewhat analogous to reeds present
today in thermal ponds surrounding the geysers at Yellowstone National Park. In fact, the micro plumose or
feathery outlines of the reeds preserved in thin section at ATO are quite similar to those of present-day reeds
at Yellowstone.
All introduced silica especially below (Figure 7.10) the surface shows complex recrystallization textures
indicating repeated passage of fluids associated with base and precious metal introduction. Cross fiber
textured quartz characteristic of chalcedony has not been found to date because of recurrent crystallization.
However, mammillary-like growth zones are still locally preserved in some samples at the thin section scale
suggestive of original deposition of silica as opaline silica. This especially pertains in the cap rock parts of the
system. These growth zones are still visible through cross cutting, newly recrystallized quartz crystals. In light
of the preserved relict reeds locally in now extinct thermal pools at the present day surface, the absence of
widespread chalcedonic quartz and well-banded silica at depth suggests the pools may have been quite short
lived. Undoubtedly, near-surface siliceous sinter and banded silica must have largely recrystallized as the
sinter was broken and disrupted during repeated passage of mineralizing fluids. From the present day extent
of the silica cap at Pipe 1, the paleo thermal field must not have had that wide a footprint.
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Figure 7.10: Relict reticulated mats of silicified reeds siliceous sinter. Plane polarized transmitted light.
Relict reticulated mats of silicified reeds in Middle-Late Jurassic (?) siliceous sinter preserved in grab samples
of silica cap rock at Pipe 1, ATO deposit. A: Shows mostly longitudinal sections through reeds (at arrowhead).
B: Mostly oval sections through reeds (at arrowheads) (Figure 7.10).
Most importantly, particles of free gold containing variable amounts of silver are present in surface samples
of silica cap rock (Figure 7.11).
Presence of free gold in surface samples of silica cap at ATO was further verified using the SEM. Some of this
free gold can have about a 60/40 ratio in its Au/Ag content, and gold has been shown by drilling to be
especially concentrated throughout the silica cap portion of the underlying pipe. Potassium feldspar is
exceedingly rare in these rocks, and is present only as < 1mm-wide grains, where it has an irregular wormy
texture locally adjacent to iron oxide minerals.
Figure 7.11: Photomicrographs in reflected light of particles of free gold (Au) in surface grab samples
Figure 7.11 shows Photomicrographs in reflected light of particles of free gold (Au) in surface grab samples
at ATO. Sample JB-AT-572 from silica cap at Pipe 1; Sample PS-TO-493 at Pipe 2.
Though recognition of Au in high-grade grab samples from surface outcrops proved to be relatively
straightforward by both SEM and standard petrographic methods, this turned out to become increasingly
difficult at depth as the mineralized system becomes highly enriched in galena. Because of the extremely
close effective atomic numbers of Pb and Au, back-scattered imaging by SEM became an inefficient means
of searching for Au. Widespread presence of galena in the samples made it impossible to test by EDAX all
back-scattered bright areas for Au, because of the inordinate amount of time required. Nonetheless, some
Au was found deep in the system during recon SEM study of core samples, and textural relations of Au in the
three pipes are discussed more fully below.
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Additional photos showing textures of oxidized silica cap at ATO demonstrate how widespread and
penetrating the former presence of sulfide minerals was at the top of Pipe 1 (Figure 7.12).
Figure 7.12: Photographs of silica cap rock in oxidized drill core from Pipe 1
Figure 7.12 showing variable concentrations of pre-oxidation sulfide minerals. A, C: Abundant iron oxide at
margin of quartz vein. B: Silica ribs surrounding vacuoles partially filled by iron oxide similar to silica outcrop.
D: Assay interval contains 1.44 ppm Au, 2.8 ppm Ag, 3,170 ppm Pb, and 296 ppm Zn.
Overall, the mineralized system at ATO really does not contain that much manganiferous calcite, though
some is present rarely in cm wide veins.
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Figure 7.13: General fabric of mineralized breccia in drill holes from Pipe 2, ATO.
Figure 7.13 shows general fabric of mineralized breccia in DDHs 19 and 20, Pipe 2, ATO deposit. A: Interval
contains 1,783 ppm Cu and 33.9 ppm Ag. B: Note amythestine quartz associated with introduction of galena
and sphalerite. Interval contains 21.1 ppm Ag, 47,200 ppm Pb, and 52,900 ppm Zn. C: Abundant calcite–
impregnated breccia near pipe margin where breccia fragments are sugary textured, chilled margin of post-
mineral dike. Interval contains 0.6 ppm Ag, 1,164 ppm Pb, and 2,196 ppm Zn. D: Note sphalerite (pale brown)
and galena (blue gray). Interval contains 1.94 ppm Au, 5,738 ppm Cu, 146,900 ppm Pb, and 106,300 ppm Zn.
E: Quartz-sphalerite banded veins. Interval contains 19.2 ppm Ag, 79,400 ppm Pb, and 133,400 ppm Zn. F:
Breccia including angular fragments of pale brown metasiltite.
General styles of mineralized rock at ATO (from left: ATO-20 – 85.9; ATO-20-142.7; ATO-111–266.5; ATO-
111-275.1) shown in Figure 7.14.
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Thus, upward flaring brecciation in Pipes 1, 2, and 4 at ATO provided fluid pathways for ingress of fluids
associated with an open-space filling mineralization event that occurred over a protracted time interval.
Mineralization in the pipes does not represent an instantaneous event essentially contemporaneous or
immediately following the pipes’ piercing through their surrounding host rocks. Fist-sized veins, well banded
with successive layers of early low FeS sphalerite and somewhat later galena, together with precious metals,
in the pipes attest to a relatively protracted time for individual vein emplacement within the confines of the
pipes.
Origin of brecciation remains enigmatic, however, and shows features of both magmatic and hydromagmatic
breccias, as well as tectonic breccias (see Sillitoe, 1985). Additional complications hampering straight forward
interpretation results from superposition of brecciation associated with mineralization onto detrital
fragment-rich Early Permian volcaniclastic rock and Jurassic pebbly conglomerate, as well as protracted
passage of fluids associated with mineralization in the pipes. Nonetheless, some fine-grained, matrix-
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supported breccias with abundant rock flour encountered at depth at ATO NW of Pipe 2 are typical of
magmatic breccia-style diatremes (magmatic hydrothermal systems that extend to surface). Rock flour
where present at ATO, though important from a pipe genesis standpoint, is itself not mineralized, and
represents those brecciated rocks that did not encounter mineralizing fluids and thus were spared alteration
during subsequent passage of the fluids.
After near-surface deposition of banded siliceous sinter in an essentially horizontal orientation, sinter was
disturbed into jumbled blocks as the process of underlying mineralization continued to evolve. This may
account for the highly discordant attitudes of sinter layering among nearby outcrops at Pipe 1, though
tectonic disturbance after pipe emplacement also may have contributed to the discordant attitudes. Banded
and crustified silica has orientations that are extremely variable in outcrop at Pipe 1. Further, presence of
now bladed silica that replaced earlier deposited calcite indicates that some boiling had to have occurred
near the top of the ATO system, wherein removal of CO2 after breakdown of bicarbonate led to deposition
of early paragenetic stage, bladed calcite at the paleo uppermost levels of the silica cap. A boiling
environment also must have contributed to disruption of the rocks, as well as a number of other geologic
events. This boiling environment must have been below the water table underlying the well-developed sinter
at Pipe 1.
As described earlier in the report, the pipes at ATO were cut by a number of postmineral, fairly flat-lying
faults and dikes. Norton and Cathles (1973) note that the primary question concerning any hypothesis of
breccia development is how the void amongst the fragments was created. Voids in breccias typically provide
sites that are filled partially to completely by subsequently introduced gangue (quartz, magnesian chlorite,
phlogopitic white mica at ATO) and ore minerals (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, tetrahedrite
/tennantite, miargyrite, and particles of free gold at ATO). As further noted by Sawkins and Sillitoe (1985),
the largest variety worldwide of breccia types resides in magmatic arc terranes. Sillitoe (1985) lists the
following six fundamental mechanisms for formation of breccias:
Nonetheless, some differences from the norm for many well-described, mineralized magmatic-hydrothermal
breccias elsewhere characterize the breccias at ATO. These differences include typically diffuse or poorly
marked pipe margins at ATO attributable largely to a relatively prolonged mineralization event that
continued well after cessation of the brecciation that first created the voids.
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Above sulfur fugacity versus temperature diagram showing various sulfide mineral assemblages in
epithermal deposits that reflect sulfidation state varying from low through intermediate to very high
sulfidation states. Approximate compositional fields of geothermal, magmatic hydrothermal, and volcanic
fumaroles shown in varying shades of gray. Approximate position of higher temperature parts of ATO
mineralized system shown in pink on the basis of sulfide mineral assemblages stable in pipes. From Sillitoe
and Hedenquist (2003, Linkages between volcanotectonic settings, ore-fluid compositions, and epithermal
precious-metal deposits, in Simmons, S.F., ed., Giggenbach Volume, Society of Economic Geologists and
Geochemical Society, Special Publication 10) (Figure 7.15).
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8 DEPOSIT TYPE
8.1 Geological Model for ATO District
The geology of the property consists of metamorphosed Devonian sedimentary rock overlain by a volcanic
and sedimentary sequence of Permian age and remnant scraps of probable Jurassic volcaniclastic units,
intruded by Jurassic plutons ranging from diorite to granite in composition and including rhyolitic phases
mainly as dikes. Petrographic study suggests simple, single-pulse injections of the intrusions, with latestage
generation/expulsion of felsic phases and contemporaneous concentration of metal-rich fluids.
Mineralization on the property is probably related to the Jurassic magmatic rocks as sources of heat, metals,
and fluids. The main ATO system is associated with a stratigraphic unit that appears to be localized in a
graben or collapse feature that is possibly but not certainly Jurassic in age; any stratigraphy could potentially
be prospective for this style of mineralization. The ATO mineralization appears to have occurred as a
protracted single-stage process in separately upward-flaring pipe-shaped bodies, with temperatures ranging
from ~300-3500C at depth to possibly ambient temperature in surficial sinter. The nearby Mungu
mineralization also appears to have occurred in a single pulse, but at higher temperatures of ~375-4000C
intimately associated with emplacement of rhyolite.
In a broad sense, metal zoning shows a clear, classic pattern of intrusion-centered copper (plus or minus
molybdenum, tungsten, gold, and other elements) outward to country-rock hosted lead, zinc, and silver (plus
or minus gold, arsenic, antimony, mercury, and other elements). It is presumed that this lateral zonation also
occurs vertically, as evidenced by increasing copper values at depth in ATO.
The three main Jurassic intrusive phases are diorite-granodiorite, granite, and rhyolite. The diorite-
granodiorite plutons are highly magnetic and typically develop large aureoles of magnetic hornfels. They
show little or no quartz veining and exhibit no significant alteration apart from weak chloritization, which
may be a regional metamorphic effect. On their upper and outer contacts they locally have patchy albite-
sericite (muscovite) zones which are considered to be simple deuteric alteration related to final
crystallization processes. In some cases they appear to be zoned inward to more felsic phases. Pegmatite-
aplite phases show diffuse margins, suggesting segregation and streaming of more felsic fractions during late
stage crystallization. Miarolytic cavities are common and locally abundant, containing coarse euhedral
biotite, magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and local bornite.
The granite plutons are moderately magnetic and produce smaller, patchy hornfels aureoles. They may
locally be zoned outward to more mafic composition. The upper and outer contacts typically show patchy to
pervasive sericite (muscovite) alteration and common to ubiquitous gray quartz-sulfide veins which are often
druzy. Pegmatite-aplite phases are common and locally show possible unidirectional solidification textures,
and rhyolitic phases with diffuse margins are present, all suggesting segregation and streaming of volatile-
rich phases during late-stage crystallization.
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Figure 8.1: Cartoon model of the Jurassic intrusives in the ATO district
Metal patterns and temperatures of mineralization associated with Jurassic intrusives shown in Figure 8.1
(green: diorite-granodiorite; pink: granite; tan: rhyolite; yellow: deuteric alteration; brown: hornfels; red:
quartz; pink: sinter).
The rhyolitic phases are typically emplaced as dikes and small plugs. They are moderately magnetic but do
not produce contact metamorphic aureoles. The rhyolites are typically pyritic, and locally highly so.
The metal patterns appear to vary systematically with intrusive composition. The diorite-granodiorite bodies
have a copper-gold-tungsten signature related to visually obvious disseminated sulfide and sulfide-filled
miarolytic cavities. The flanking hornfelsed country rocks generally show annular halos of geochemically
anomalous lead and zinc, and locally contain percent-level concentrations of base metals plus or minus silver.
The granite bodies show essentially the same patterns, with some differences. The granite intrusions show
copper anomalies, but typically at only geochemical levels, and the anomalies in the flanking country rocks
have a more distinctly silver-rich character. The largest apparent difference, however, is the local
development of a gold-bismuth-molybdenum zone in an intrusion-proximal setting within hornfels.
The rhyolites have different metal patterns depending on the level of emplacement. At deeper levels where
the rhyolites were confined under lithostatic load, the geochemical signature is gold-silver-copper. In this
setting it appears that sulfides may have been admixed with the rhyolite magma as it was being emplaced,
and it is likely that metal deposition was caused by cooling and fluid mixing. At shallower levels under
hydrostatic conditions the geochemical signature is lead-zinc-silver-gold, with metal deposition related to
cooling, possible boiling, and possible wallrock interactions.
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There is relatively little hard data available on temperatures and isotopes for mineralization in the ATO
district. Petrographic relationships would indicate that the disseminated and miarolytic cavity-filling sulfides
in the diorite-granodiorite intrusives were deposited at magmatic temperatures of 400C or more, and the
temperatures would be roughly equivalent or slightly lower for the granites. Mineral geothermometry using
paired arsenopyrite and sphalerite in drill core from ATO gives ~275-3500C. The lower end of the possible
temperature range is suggested by siliceous material at the outcrop of ATO Pipes 1 and 2, which has been
interpreted as sinter based on textures and high phosphorus contents.
It is believed that the ATO deposit is an epithermal gold and polymetallic deposit of transitional sulfides in
breccia pipes in a Mesozoic continental rift zone in eastern Mongolia. Below are accounts on similarity of
ATO to other deposits in terms of formation of breccia pipe, its development stages, geochemical zonation,
and the type of deposit genesis.
After the formation of layered quartz accumulation, or sinters, on the surface of the ground, the sinters were
broken apart into blocks of varying sizes (Figure 8.2B). This explains the outcrop called Pipe 1. The layered
quartz sinter at this outcrop is broken into blocks, and the layering in these blocks has become disordered
and oriented in random directions. Sedimentary rocks in the pipe structures become brecciated allowing
flow of fluids and providing a domain for mineralization.
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The pipes that have been identified in the deposit are aligned in a row in a structure with a trend from
southeast to northwest and form mineralization with differing geochemical zonation with certain metallic
concentrations. Noel White (2001) devised a pattern of flow of fluids based on this same geochemical
zonation (Figure 8.3). According to him, it is possible that the intrusion that these mineralization were
originated from may be located tens of kilometers away from ATO deposit.
Figure 8.3: Section Model of ATO deposit indicating relationship of the deposit with a copper porphyry intrusion
From the ore minerals, sphalerite is the most common mineral in the pipes of the deposit with light yellow
sphalerite as the dominant variety. In addition, abundance of veins and veinlets of gypsum indicate the
oxidizing environment of the fluids and original magma. It is very likely that such kind of magma may be
connected to porphyry mineralization (Figure 8.3 [1]). Therefore, there might be present an intrusion with
copper porphyry (Figure 8.3 [1]), surrounding gold and copper molybdenum stockwork (Figure 8.3 [2]), and
high sulfidation epithermal mineralization on top of them (Figure 8.3 [3]). Magmatic fluids with high metallic
content (Figure 8.3 [5]) rise upward, halt at certain level, and drift horizontally along open spaces to get
mixed with underground water and change its composition. After that, they break the burdens at some
points to travel out to the surface through several different routes (Figure 8.3 [6]). This is how the pipe bodies
of ATO were formed. Concentration of metallic components varies from pipe to pipe due to differences
between pH levels, variations in pressure and temperature, and the differing composition of the fluids that
were injected to the pipes of ATO deposit. It ranges from copper rich to lead and zinc rich and this explains
the geochemical zonation in the deposit. As for ATO deposit, the burden that kept the fluids from traveling
upward is thought to be a unit of very dense and massive, black colored siltstone. The siltstone unit occurs
at the bottom of some of the deeper drill holes having thickness ranging from a dozen meters to 30-40
meters. A break in the black siltstone unit caused hydrothermal explosion and rapid upheaval of CO2, which
resulted in formation of breccia pipes. Fluids rose through open spaces between breccia fragments where
pressure and temperatures were lower and gangue and ore minerals filled them completely or partially. As
a result mineralization took place.
The ATO deposit is classified as an epithermal deposit with intermediate sulfidation based on the
mineralization texture, geochemical associations, and mineral composition. The classification process
involved comparison of the ATO deposit with natures of the high, intermediate and low sulfidations of
epithermal deposits as shown in Figure 8.4.
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9 EXPLORATION
9.1 Preparation Stage
At this stage, reports and related materials, including maps, sketches, and logs, of historical mapping and
prospecting works conducted by earlier researchers were collected, compiled and studied. Interpretation of
aerial and satellite images were also performed. Coordinates used by CGM for exploration on the project is
UTM coordinates with the datum set to WGS-84, Zone 49N. The boundary coordinates of the exploration
and mining licenses are defined by latitude and longitude coordinates.
The field investigation that was conducted in the license area can generally be subdivided into two stages:
prospecting and exploration.
In 2003-2009, geologists of COGEGOBI, who had been specialized in prospecting and exploration of uranium
projects, conducted geological mapping and prospecting traverses and collected geochemical samples in the
exploration license area, supplemented by a magnetic survey. The result was they discovered an epithermal
gold occurrence.
In 2010, CGM carried out a prospecting stage consisting of geological mapping and prospecting traverses,
surface and other sampling tasks, variety of geophysical surveys, and some trenching and drilling. As a result
of the prospecting ATO occurrence was chosen to a detailed study, and an intensive drilling program began
in late 2010 to advance the project to exploration stage.
Total of 397 grab samples were collected in 2010 during mapping. Systematic mapping continued until 2014
including detail mapping at the ATO prospect, as well as recon scale mapping with some grab samples.
Mapping and prospecting work was assisted by maps such as 1:32,000 scale aerial image, a satellite image,
and topographic maps at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000.
As a result of the work described above, the area contains the ATO gold-polymetallic occurrence chosen as
a potential target. Detailed prospecting work was aimed to draw a shape and size of a mineralized body,
boundaries of lithology and alteration zones, and study the sources of secondary dispersion halos and
geophysical anomalies. Based on the result of the detailed prospecting traverses, detailed 1:10,000 scale
geological map of the ATO deposit area was interpreted.
As an initial task of the field work, stream sediment samples were taken from Holocene ditches and ravines,
where outcrops of Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic rocks distributed, to detect stream sediment anomalies.
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Samples were taken using hand augers and shovels to dig 0.2-0.6 m deep holes and extract 1.5-2 kg samples
from alluvial gravel and sand materials. To avoid contaminating the samples, stainless steel drills and sifters
were used. Samples were air dried before sieved in a 20 mesh sifter. The samples were reduced to 150-200
gr after sieving and the reduced samples were submitted to the laboratory for analyses. A total of 509 stream
sediment samples were collected counting 1 sample for per square km. Coordinates of sample location were
recorded by a field GPS devices, and a simple field illustration was drawn including catchments width, depth,
rank, and direction; and the sand ratio, gravel and clay size, color, degree of gravel rounding of samples; and
information on nearby country rocks. A stream sediment map was produced as a result and used for further
studies.
The best indicator of presence of significant, underlying gold-mineralized rock at ATO was a gold anomaly in
soil at ATO. This gold anomaly in soil at ATO was as much as 600 m wide in its longest dimension and includes
concentrations of 50–500 ppb Au. By far, this is the strongest gold anomaly in the immediate area of the
pipes within ATO district.
In addition, a strong lead anomaly in soil is mostly coincident with the soil gold anomaly and contains
generally 50–300 ppm Pb. Most lead in soil is derived from secondary lead minerals, including
plumbogummite (a Pb-Al phosphate), pyromorphite (a Pb phosphate), and Pb–Mn oxide minerals in the
uppermost, oxidized parts of the underlying mineralized pipes. In addition, anomalous lead in soil E–SE of
the Bayangol prospect appears to be defined, in part, by the trace of an inward-dipping low-angle thrust
fault exposed in some trenches, though Early Jurassic intrusive rocks emplaced into Early Permian volcanic
rock, largely rhyolite, also may be contributing to the lead anomaly.
Further, anomalous >500 ppm Zn in soil is present in soil on top of Quaternary-covered mineralized rock in
Pipe 4, as well as on the northern fringe of the surface projection of Pipe 1 and on the SW margin of Pipe 2.
Extensive soil sampling was undertaken in 2013 and a minor amount of soil sampling was undertaken in 2014
to infill the grid spacing in various areas on the property, and to slightly expand the grids beyond their
previous coverage in a few places. Most areas were infilled from a pre-existing 200 m X 200 m grid spacing
to 100 m X 100 m and 100 m x 50 m and 50 m x 50 m on target areas. The infill sampling enhanced some
anomalies detected in the wider spaced grids, but did not identify any new significant anomalies.
Occurrence of rock outcrops was sparse in the license area; most of it was covered by loose sediments. Soil
samples were extracted from a depth of 30-60 cm (B horizon), or form underneath the brown soil with plant
roots, sometimes from 1 to 2 meter depths drilled by hand augers when the cover was significantly thick.
Each weighing 1.5-2 kg, the samples were dried and sieved in 80 mesh steel sifters to produce 150-200 gr
samples ready for analyses. Coordinates of sampling sites were recorded in GPS devices, and a journal was
kept about the composition, color, and structure of soil, the depth of extraction, and information on nearby
rock bodies.
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Figure 9.1: Map showing soil sample locations on gold patterns in ATO District during 2010-2014 (CGM 2014ER).
alteration zones found in trenches were sampled over 1 to 2 m. Unaltered rocks were sampled with intervals
up to 5 m. With cross-section measured 10 by 5 cm, the samples weighed 8 to 15 kg. Locations of the samples
were recorded using a differential GPS device. A total of 7,689 channel samples were taken.
Unoxidized
Unoxidized
Unoxidized
Transition
Transition
Transition
Transition
Oxidized
Oxidized
Oxidized
Oxidized
oxidation
Au + + + + + + + + + + + +
Au-Pb-Zn + + + + + + + + + + + +
Pb-Zn + + + + + + + + + + + +
In addition, a contract was established with the laboratory of Xstrata Process Support Center to perform
metallurgical test, and pursuant to it, initial test samples were sent to the laboratory in April 2011
followed by the second test samples in July 2011. The testwork involved using of gravity method to
produce low-grade concentrates and then flotation method for separating lead and zinc. The purpose
of the testwork was to maximize metal recovery from the ore and solving the issue of process plant
design. Below are accounts on the two stages of testwork.
1. The initial stage of the testwork was performed on five sets of samples representing oxidized,
intermediate, and unoxidized zones of the upper and lower parts Pipe 1 and 2 (Table 9.2). Eleven
drill holes were selected and the samples from them were sorted according to their high,
medium or grades of gold and lead-zinc.
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Zone Oxidation Drill Hole ID Intervals (m) Width (m) Set No Weight (kg)
Upper Oxidized ATO-12 2.00 44.30 45.6 ATO - 1 128.8
ATO-14 2.60 27.30 14.0
ATO-15 0.90 13.00 4.0
Transition ATO-07 32.70 54.90 22.2 ATO - 2 127.7
ATO-11 38.90 75.90 37.0
ATO-14 66.95 78.05 11.1
Unoxidized ATO-11 75.90 97.00 21.1 ATO - 3 127.8
ATO-11 101.40 120.20 18.8
ATO-27 74.35 88.35 14.0
ATO-28 61.15 74.65 13.5
Lower Unoxidized (Fresh) ATO-15 108.70 154.25 45.6 ATO - 4 127.3
ATO-32 140.20 154.20 14.0
ATO-38 128.05 132.05 4.0
ATO-07 147.40 150.55 3.2 ATO - 5 128.8
ATO-07 162.30 170.10 7.8
ATO-12 125.00 127.00 2.0
ATO-12 130.00 136.00 6.0
ATO-14 94.10 100.35 6.3
ATO-24 124.40 144.40 20.0
ATO-34 189.50 209.20 19.7
Total 640.4
2. The second stage of testwork was performed on nine sets of samples. First seven of the nine sets of
samples were taken from the following locations, respectively (Table 19).
Weakly mineralized intervals with the minimum grades of Au and Pb-Zn.
Intervals with certain grades but not included in resource blocks
Intervals with extreme gold grades and moderate Pb-Zn grades
Intervals with high gold grades and high to moderate Pb-Zn grades
Intervals with moderate gold grades and extreme Pb-Zn grades
Intervals with weak gold grades and moderate to weak Pb-Zn grades
Intervals with mixed grades of gold and Pb-Zn
In addition, one of the two remaining sets was chosen in order to evaluate the metal recovery of the newly
discovered Pipe 4. The other set was taken with an aim to increase the metal recovery of Pipe 2.
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To prepare these samples, all of the half cores from the selected drill holes were retrieved from storage.
Each of the sets was packed in a 60 L barrels, and all necessary documents were obtained for customs
clearance. The samples were shipped via freight forwarder DHL. The samples weighed a total of 1543.7 kg.
10 cm long sample accounting for ¼ of the core sample. 117 such samples were tested for bulk density by
coating them with paraffin and dipping them in distilled water to measure displaced water. The volume
obtained was then compared with density of the distilled water to determine the bulk density of rocks.
124 samples each weighing 50 g were taken from remnants of the pulverized samples that had been
prepared for assays. The pulverized samples were put into fluids in a standard condition, the volume of
displaced water was measured, and it was compared with the density of the distilled water to determine
the ultimate relative density.
microscope with zooms at 2.5X, 5X, 10, 20X, and 50X and a lens 10X-20 Pol capable of zooming at 500X. The
microscope is able to work with reflected and absorbed lights. The microscope was equipped with a digital
camera MicroPublisher 3.3 RTV, which was connected to an iMac computer with 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
processor. Photos taken with this camera was then processed in Adobe Illustrator CS5 and Adobe Photoshop
CS5 to jpeg format. The results were presented in the previous sections describing ATO deposit styles and
geological settings.
15 to 20 zircon crystals were picked from each of the samples were analyzed by the Laser Ablation ICP-MS
(described by Tafti, 2009) using a New Wave UP-213 laser. Zircon crystals that measure no less than 74
microns were selected and mounted in an epoxy puck along with several crystals of internationally accepted
standard zircon (Plesovice, FC1) that dates 197 million years and a couple of internal quality control samples,
and they were fed into the instrument in a linear form. Crystals selected were washed by reduced nitric acid
for about 10 minutes and then rinsed in distilled water to make them high quality crystals with no alterations
and no prints. Laser beam level was taken at 45% to allow ablation crater size to be 15 microns. Laser beam
was off for 10 seconds and of for 35 seconds. Data collected was reduced in GLITTER software. Biases were
corrected using the Plesovice standard. Adjustment of the instrument was controlled by zircons of the
internal quality control. The analytical regime included 4 measurements of Plesovice’s standard zircon, two
measurements of internal quality control, and 5 measurements of prepared zircons. Interpretation of the
processed results was performed using ISOPLOT software of Ludwig.
In order to determine the horizontal zonation of the deposit, 959 samples were analyzed (analyzed for a
suite of 49 elements by ICP in the Stuart Global Laboratory) that belong only to the ATO deposit area. In
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addition, certain representative drill holes were selected at each of the pipes and their samples were
analyzed for a suite of 45 elements by IPC in the ACTLABS laboratory. A total of 2651 core samples from a
total of 19 drill holes were included in the study.
Elemental associations differ with verticality and horizontality for the mineralized pipes of the ATO deposit
and their grades vary.
Pipe 2
Pipe 1
Pipe 4
A geochemical anomalous halo of combined elements is outlined with a size of 750 by 900 m, which is slightly
elongated to north. The pipe-shaped mineralization is coincident with and clearly distinguished by the
contour of combined value of 30. This contour is generally irregular in shape. Pipe 1 has the highest
concentration of metals in soil whereas Pipe 2 has low intensity. Anomalous contours have gradual
weakening to the southwest and south of Pipe 1, which reflects the transportation of elements along the
features of relief. Very high intensity is attained over a small distance at the northeastern part of the pipe.
Degree of correlation between any two of important elements at the ATO deposit can be seen for each of
the pipes in the tables below.
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Gold in Pipe 1 has moderate correlations with silver, arsenic, antimony, and lead, and a weak correlation
with copper, which in turn has a very good correlation with lead. At Pipe 2, gold gives moderate correlations
to copper, lead, silver, and arsenic. At Pipe 4, it has high correlations with lead, zinc, and copper, and
moderate correlations with arsenic, antimony, and molybdenum.
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Pipe 1
A total of 1329 samples from eight drill holes were assayed for 45 elements for Pipe 1. However, the table
below shows correlations of only the following elements, which have been selected because of their
importance in hydrothermal explosion deposits (Table 9.7).
Table 9.7: Correlations of elements in core samples from Pipe 1
Correlation Au Ag As Cd Cu Mo Pb Sb Zn
Au 1.00 0.37 0.16 0.38 0.46 -0.05 0.52 0.05 0.38
Ag 0.37 1.00 0.47 0.49 0.56 0.28 0.57 0.34 0.49
As 0.16 0.47 1.00 0.08 0.23 0.33 0.18 0.46 0.08
Cd 0.38 0.49 0.08 1.00 0.68 0.08 0.78 0.25 0.98
Cu 0.46 0.56 0.23 0.68 1.00 0.04 0.68 0.43 0.70
Mo -0.05 0.28 0.33 0.08 0.04 1.00 0.02 0.17 0.07
Pb 0.52 0.57 0.18 0.78 0.68 0.02 1.00 0.22 0.77
Sb 0.05 0.34 0.46 0.25 0.43 0.17 0.22 1.00 0.27
Zn 0.38 0.49 0.08 0.98 0.70 0.07 0.77 0.27 1.00
Gold in Pipe 1 has moderate correlations with silver, cadmium, copper, and zinc, and copper has strong
correlations with cadmium, lead, and zinc, and moderate correlations with silver and antimony. Lead has
strong correlations with cadmium, copper, and zinc, a moderate correlation with silver, and a weak
correlation with antimony. Zinc has a very strong correlation with cadmium, strong correlations with copper
and lead, a moderate correlation with silver, and a weak correlation with antimony.
Figure 9.3: Gold and other elements in Pipe 1 and their correlation at depth
Note: Vertical axis represent grades of elements in ppm and the horizontal axis represents depth in meters.
A depth analysis for correlation changes of the gold mineralization in Pipe 1 continues from the 880 m level
to the 1070 m level. As per polymetallic elements, their mineralization occurs at two separate depth ranges
such as from level 810 m to level 860 m and from level 880 m to level 1070 m. The lower range of polymetallic
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mineralization has no gold and discontinuous while the mineralization at upper levels coincides with gold
mineralization and feature discontinuous high grades. Grades of cadmium, zinc, and copper decrease
dramatically near surface, or at the 1060 m level, while those of gold, silver, and lead remain relatively stable.
Pipe 2
A total of 374 samples from three drill holes were assayed by multi-element analyses for Pipe 2. The results
were then processed and displayed in Table 9.8 showing correlations of gold and polymetallic elements.
Table 9.8: Correlations of elements in core samples from Pipe 2
Correlation Au Ag As Bi Cd Cu Mo Pb Sb Sn Zn
Au 1.00 0.28 -0.01 0.11 0.43 0.38 -0.03 0.18 0.08 0.30 0.43
Ag 0.28 1.00 0.18 0.25 0.79 0.87 0.15 0.96 0.66 0.72 0.79
As -0.01 0.18 1.00 -0.02 0.07 0.05 0.09 0.16 0.37 0.03 0.06
Bi 0.11 0.25 -0.02 1.00 0.29 0.24 0.00 0.25 0.16 0.32 0.29
Cd 0.43 0.79 0.07 0.29 1.00 0.86 0.09 0.73 0.47 0.87 1.00
Cu 0.38 0.87 0.05 0.24 0.86 1.00 0.13 0.79 0.59 0.79 0.86
Mo -0.03 0.15 0.09 0.00 0.09 0.13 1.00 0.14 0.22 0.15 0.09
Pb 0.18 0.96 0.16 0.25 0.73 0.79 0.14 1.00 0.63 0.66 0.72
Sb 0.08 0.66 0.37 0.16 0.47 0.59 0.22 0.63 1.00 0.44 0.46
Sn 0.30 0.72 0.03 0.32 0.87 0.79 0.15 0.66 0.44 1.00 0.88
Zn 0.43 0.79 0.06 0.29 1.00 0.86 0.09 0.72 0.46 0.88 1.00
Gold has moderate correlations with cadmium, copper, tin, and zinc, and weak correlations with silver,
bismuth, and lead. Copper has strong correlations with silver, cadmium, and zinc, a moderate correlation
with antimony, and weak correlations with bismuth and molybdenum. Lead has a very strong correlation
with silver, strong correlations with cadmium, copper, antimony, tin, and zinc, and weak correlations with
arsenic, bismuth, and molybdenum. Zinc has a perfect correlation with cadmium, strong correlation with
silver, copper, lead, and tin, a moderate correlation with antimony, and a weak correlation with bismuth.
Figure 9.4: Gold and other elements in Pipe 2 and their correlation at depth
Note: Vertical axis represent grades of elements in ppm and the horizontal axis represents depth in meters.
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According to the depth analysis in Pipe 2 (Figure 9.4), gold occurs at a zone from 910 m level to 930 m level
with very high grades and at a zone from 975 m level to 1050 m level with irregular lower grades. As for
other metals, there is a zone of irregular high grades from 910 m level to 960 m level, followed by a zone of
lower grades from 960 m level to 1050 m level. The graphs show that the grades of copper, silver, and lead
increase slightly near surface whereas grades of zinc and cadmium start to drop at 1040 m level to very low
grades.
Pipe 4
In Pipe 4, gold has a moderate correlation with copper and weak correlations with silver, cadmium, lead,
antimony, and zinc. Copper has strong correlations with cadmium, lead, and zinc, a moderate correlation
with antimony, and weak correlations with silver and molybdenum. Zinc has very a strong correlation with
cadmium, strong correlations with copper and lead, and a moderate correlation with antimony. These
suggest that polymetallic elements have better correlations with each other than with gold for Pipe 4. This
is also seen clearly on the graphs of grades of gold and polymetallic elements displayed in Figure 9.5.
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Figure 9.5: Gold and other elements in Pipe 4 and their correlation at depth.
Note: Vertical axis represent grades of elements in ppm and the horizontal axis represents depth in meters.
Elements such as copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc have irregular pattern of grades at depth ranges of 860-
900 m level, 910-925 m level and 925-1050 m level. As per gold, its mineralization is established at depth
ranges of 860-885 m level and 910-1050 m level. In general, gold and polymetallic mineralization has been
identified having stable and relatively thick distribution below surface. This near-surface zone is marked by
good correlations of gold, silver, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, while the zones of high grades of certain
metals with irregular distribution and low thickness that are found below it do not demonstrate correlations
with gold; only the polymetallic elements have good correlations with one another.
9.3.2 Trenching
A significant trenching program was carried out in 2010 and 2011 to test geochemical anomalies and the
geological environment mainly in the ATO prospect but also in the surrounding Davkhar Tolgoi, Bayan
Munkh, Bayan Gol and Duut Nuur occurrences. In some cases, trenching led to new target discoveries.
Trenching was concentrated mainly in ATO deposit area from 2012 to 2014. In all, 244 trenches were
excavated in ATO district surrounding areas including 168 trenches in ATO prospect were conducted totaling
of 28,809 m work done.
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Length Au As Zn
Trench ID From (m) To (m) Lithology Ag ppm Cu ppm Pb ppm
(m) ppm ppm ppm
ATO-TR-117 2.2 2.8 5.0 Tuff dacite 0.13 < 201 11 15 89
1.2 19.5 20.7 Tuff dacite 0.10 < 124 12 43 59
ATO-TR-238 1.7 70.6 72.3 Fault 0.38 6.0 3980 184 583 12400
ATO-TR-239 0.5 19.6 20.1 Andesite 1.99 < 8420 256 6 97
ATO-TR-240 1.0 19.5 20.5 Andesite 3.16 < 459 332 10 127
1.0 21.5 22.5 Andesite 1.97 < 423 86 6 79
1.2 22.5 23.7 Andesite 1.98 < 1610 218 8 91
ATO-TR-241 1.0 22.5 23.5 Crush zone 0.14 < 685 88 9 258
1.0 41.0 42.0 Andesite 0.33 < 257 81 6 395
ATO-TR-184 1.0 2.0 1.0 Fracture zone 0.11 2.0 218 18 37 222
2.0 4.8 2.8 Rhyolite 0.13 < 321 31 43 112
27.1 28.8 1.7 Rhyolite 0.16 2.0 604 22 27 35
52.8 55.0 2.2 Siltstone 0.12 2.0 152 48 91 80
ATO-TR-187 6.0 6.7 0.7 Silica 0.24 3.0 160 75 107 126
ATO-TR-218 1.0 3.0 2.0 Siltstone 0.13 < 714 194 29 336
Trenching was performed to confirm the results of surface geochemical and grab sampling and the
geophysical anomalies that had been surveyed in the area where precious and base metal mineralization
found from previous and year 2014.
When excavating trenches, the black-colored topsoil was stripped carefully and piled separately on one side
of the trench and 1 m away from the edge of the trench, and the materials below topsoil were dumped on
the other side of the trench. Depth of the trench varied depending on the thickness of loose sediments
present and it averaged of 2 m. Excavation did not reach the hard rock in some of the trenches where cover
sediment was more than 6 meters deep. Width of the trenches varied from 1 to 1.2 m and the walls were
slightly sloped to ensure safety. The trenching was aimed at defining alteration zones and soil profiles and
evaluating the geochemical and geophysical anomalies that cover large areas. Length of the trenches varied
depending on the purpose of each trench, with a minimum of 15 m and a maximum of 276 m. Surveying of
trenches were made using differential GPS records.
Documentation of a trench was performed after thorough cleaning of the walls and floor of the trench and
it involved mapping at the scale of 1:100 and taking of photos. After that, channel samples and rock chip
samples were taken.
After documenting the trench and taking samples, the trench was filled with rock material that was initially
taken from the bottom of the trench and covered it with black topsoil material. 100% of the excavated
material was put back in the trench and the local authority and local environmental office approved a fact
of reclamation.
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broad generally low magnetic area that contains linear, low level positive features that coincide with NW
and N striking faults (Figure 9.6).
Air-magnetic and spectrometry survey over ~1,000 sq.km (four licenses of CGM). Survey was carried along
profiles 100 m apart – 11,021 km in 2011.
The result map of the magnetic survey shows that the pipes of the ATO deposit are in an area which generally
has weak magnetic intensity with magnetic field values slightly higher to the northwest than to the
southeast. In another word, Pipe 4 is characterized by very low magnetic values whereas Pipe 2 has relatively
higher magnetic response. A strip of higher magnetic values, which is about 100 meter wide, is observed
extending in a northwest direction from the southwest of Pipe 4 to the north of Pipe 1, and this strip spatially
coincides with a diorite dyke that is found on the geology map of the area (Figure 9.7).
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Figure 9.8: D-D IP, 100–m chargeability. Dashed blue lines, lines of IP profiles.
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Figure 9.9: D-D IP, 100–m resistivity. Dashed blue lines, lines of IP profiles.
Based on the results in sections, 10 m below the ground surface, several separate areas of very distinct
resistivity anomalies were identified and they spatially coincide with a northwest-trending series of small
hills that are formed of pipe bodies. Therefore, boundaries of pipes and the locations of trenches are plotted
on a map of Level N1, where the anomalies are named after their corresponding pipes (Figure 10). The
chargeability map (Figure 11) shows the pipes not so clearly but as some small anomalous areas of medium
to weak responses.
Figure 9.10: D-D IP Resistivity map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented.
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Figure 9.11: D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented.
This anomalous area is about 220 m long and 140 m wide and its size is smaller than the outline of the pipe.
Resistivity values range from 100 to 1000 ohm.m. It has been observed that the resistivity values decreases
with depth. On the chargeability map, there is a small anomaly that coincides with the northern half of the
resistivity anomaly of Pipe 1. With sub-longitudinal strike, this chargeability anomaly is 200 m long and 80 m
wide.
The pipe bodies are well distinguished in the dipole-dipole sections of chargeability and resistivity. They are
sourced from the large, high response anomalies identified at depth, have moderate values and show
columnar and tunnel shapes (Figure 9.12 and 9.13).
Figure 9.12: A cross section for D-D IP Resistivity map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented.
Figure 9.13: A cross section for D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit. Au distribution presented.
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Anomalous area measures 280 m long and 130 m wide. Responses of the area are similar to Pipe 1 in terms
of values. Chargeability map shows a 350 m long, elongated anomalous area that coincides with the southern
part of the resistivity anomaly. They are distinguished clearly in sections (Figure 9.12 and 9.13).
This is similar to Pipes 1 and 2 and features an area of high resistivity values. Size of the anomalous area is
300 m by 200 m, relatively larger than the two pipes discussed above. The chargeability map shows three
separate anomalies for this anomalous area but they join at depth and form one big anomaly in the dipole-
dipole chargeability section. However, on the dipole-dipole resistivity section the anomalous values
disappear at depth and this is how the anomalous area of Pipe 2 differs from the other two. Barren rhyolite
with pyrite alteration intersected by drill holes serves as the explanation of this anomalous area.
No resistivity anomaly is noticed near the ground surface on the resistivity map but only a small area of weak
chargeability anomaly is observed in the chargeability map, attracting no interest at this level. However, an
anomalous area similar to those of other pipes is manifested in lines of dipole-dipole sections in this part. It
was assumed that it may be an underground mineralization after making a comparison of it with the
geophysical anomalous areas of the other known mineralization. The small area of weak chargeability
anomaly in the dipole-dipole chargeability section has a consistent continuance to depth, is similar to those
of Pipes 1 and 2, and is a columnar body sourced from a large anomaly of higher values at depth (Figure
9.14).
Drill hole ATO-111 was drilled to a depth of 500 m in order to check the more extensive and higher
geophysical values but it did not yield any mineralization. Therefore, the columnar resistivity and
chargeability anomalies of weak to moderate values sourced from the larger anomaly of higher values at
more depth serve as a signature for pipe-shaped mineralization.
Figure 9.14: A cross section for D-D IP Chargeability map at the ATO deposit (Pipe 1, 2, and 4). Au distribution presented.
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As seen from the gravity map, the pipes are located within the limit of values of 202.2-203.2 mgal that extend
sub-latitudinally. The gravity contours are bent and folded around the ATO deposit and it was interesting
that the mineralized pipes are located in these folds (Figure 9.16).
Pipe 1 sits 100 to 150 m wide and is at the center of an area of relatively high gravity response intruding from
south to north while Pipe 2 locates at the northern end of a 100 m wide area of relatively high gravity
response that slightly pushes from southwest to northeast. Pipe 4 is at the eastern part of an area of
relatively high gravity response protruding from south to north.
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Exploration works have identified two potential groundwater flow systems extending over an area up to
140km2 that can be characterized as:
Partial coverage of a shallow system extending from surface to between 0 (absent) to 100 mbgl
comprising unconsolidated Quaternary and/or weathered Cretaceous sediments.
A deeper system extending from 0m to over 250 mbgl comprising semi consolidated Cretaceous
sediments.
No continuous low permeability strata has been identified separating the deep and shallow systems across
the basin and aquifer testing has demonstrated hydraulic continuity across the systems indicating a leaky or
unconfined aquifer system prevails across the exploration area. As such it is assumed the groundwater
systems will act as one system through long term supply development. A total saturated sedimentary
sequence of at least 250 m has been identified.
Aquifer test interpretation indicates variable transmissivity and aquifer responses from the two test bores
with higher transmissivity in the north (>150 m2/d) and lower transmissivity conditions (50 m2/d) in the
south. An aquifer storage range of 2.0E-04 – 1.5E-03 has been established from the preliminary aquifer
testing. Local barrier boundary conditions are apparent in the south and vertical leakage effects were
observed in the north. Individual bore yields of 16 and 18 L/s with pumping bore drawdown limited to 37
and 39 m support the supply potential of the basin. Insufficient data currently exists to firmly characterize
permeability distribution which will require assessment as part of future work programs.
Groundwater quality analysis has established various water types across the area which can be generally
grouped into ion exchanged waters and areas subject to increased mixing and recharge influences.
Groundwater quality is generally brackish across the exploration area; this water should be suitable for
industrial purposes but treatment would be required should drinking water use be required.
A numerical groundwater model has been developed to support the groundwater reserve estimate. The
model was developed to simulate a conceptual borefield in the southern basin area in proximity to the mine
site operating over a 20 year period assuming conservative aquifer parameters. Model predictions indicate
a maximum drawdown of 113 m (45% of the initial model saturated aquifer thickness) under assumed worst
case reduced hydraulic conductivity and aquifer storage conditions.
A C2 reserve estimate of 417 L/s is presented based on traditional analytical methodology and supported by
a preliminary groundwater numerical model with adoption of conservative parameters for each of aquifer
area (140 km2), saturated aquifer thickness (150 m) and specific yield (2.5%).
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10 DRILLING
10.1 Drill Programs
The drilling program was completed by CGM during 2010 to 2014. Core drill holes are the principal source of
geological and grade data for ATO. Some reverse circulation (RC) drilling and core drilling were completed
between 2012 and 2014 through cover to map bedrock geochemical patterns as a method of exploring for
blind ATO-style mineralization on the project area. CGM carried out hydrogeology and geotechnical drilling
program in 2011 to study related purposes.
End of the 2014, a total of approximately 63,866 m of exploration drilling in 597 holes were completed on
the project (Table 10.1). Of this, 54,425 m was core drilling in 370 holes and 9,441 m was completed in 227
RC holes. The drilling has been spread over the ATO mining license as well as south exploration area (Figure
10.1).
Drilling at ATO deposit was conducted along the lines oriented W-NW to E-SE direction and generated 18
cross sections for Pipe 1, 2 and 4 drilling results (see Figure 7.4 presented in Section 7).
Table 10.1: Exploration Drill Hole Summary Table
The drill holes were mostly drilled at the azimuth of 125 (305) degrees and 60 degrees of inclination through
the mineralized pipes. Most of the shallow pattern holes surrounding deposit were drilled vertically. Drilling
is normally oriented perpendicular to the strike of the mineralization. Depending on the dipping of the drill
hole and the dipping of the mineralization, drill intercept widths are typically greater than true widths.
Average drill hole lengths at the ATO deposit was 186 m. 34% of the drill holes was drilled at the length of
more than 200 m where maximum length hole was 716 m.
The drill spacing was on 30 by 30 m and 30 by 60 m grids at the ATO deposit. Drill spacing typically widens
toward the margins of the deposits.
Reflex ACT II Rapid Descent tool was used for core orientation.
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Diamond and RC drilling on the project were done by Falcon Drilling Mongolia, based out of Canada, which
was used BBS-56 rig. Core diameter at the ATO project was HQ-size (63.5 mm nominal core diameter).
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At the drill rig, the drillers removed core from the core barrel and place it directly in wooden core boxes.
Individual drill runs were identified with small wooden blocks, where the depth (m) and drill hole numbers
are recorded. Unsampled core was never left unattended at the rig; boxes were transported to the CGM
core logging facility at the ATO camp under a geologist’s supervision. Core was logged on-site before cut for
sampling. Remaining core after sampling was transported in sealed boxes by truck to the core shed in
Ulaanbaatar.
All core was stored in a secure location in Ulaanbaatar. Core storing workshop was facilitated with the stable
shelfs and logging and sample cutting areas. A full time assistant were working for the core workshop to
ensure core and samples security and tidiness.
Core logging was done in indoor and outdoor for both places in the ATO camp. Upon arrival at the camp core
shed, the core was subject to the following procedures:
Quick review.
Box labelling check: The core boxes are checked to ensure they are appropriately identified with the
drill hole number, meters from–to, and box number written with a permanent marker on the front.
Core re-building: Core was usually rotated to fit the ends of the adjoining broken pieces.
Core photography.
Geotechnical logging, using pre-established codes and logging forms, includes: length of core run,
recovered:drilled ratio, rock quality designation (RQD), and maximum length, structural data, and
oriented core data.
Geological logging: Logging was completed on a paper logging forms. After that, information entered
into MS Excel software, which uses standardized templates and validated logging codes that must
be filled out prior to log completion. The template includes header information, lithology description
and lithology code, graphic log, coded mineralization, and alteration.
The geologist marks a single, unbiased cutting line along the entire length of the core for further
processing.
RC logging involves capture of geological, alteration, and mineralization data on paper logging forms using
samples collected in plastic chip trays.
The methodology used for measuring recovery was standard industry practice. In general, core recoveries
averaging 97% for the deposit. In localized areas of faulting and/or fracturing, the recoveries decrease;
however, this occurs in a very small percentage of the overall mineralized zones.
Upon completion of a drill hole, the collar and anchor rods were removed, and a PVC pipe was inserted into
the hole. The drill hole collar was marked by a cement block inscribed with the drill hole number (e.g., ATO-
99). Proposed drill hole collars were surveyed by a hand-held GPS unit for preliminary interpretations. After
the hole was completed, a differential GPS was used for a final survey pickup. The two collar readings were
compared, and if any significant differences were noted the collar was re-surveyed; otherwise the final
survey was adopted as the final collar reading.
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CGM used downhole survey instrument, Reflex Instrument AB, to collect the azimuth and inclination at each
50 m in depths of the core drill holes for most of the diamond drill holes.
Core samples were taken from diamond drill holes to examine mineralization at depth. Before sampling, core
sample was placed in wooden boxes in a proper order, geotechnical measurements were made, and core
recovery was estimated. After this, geological documentation and descriptions were recorded and samples
were taken with intervals of 1 to 2 m at mineralized zones and 2 to 3 m at unaltered host rocks. The samples
were weighed 8-12 kg each.
At the head of the core boxes, notes were put down as to drill hole ID, box number, length of core in the
box, and depth intervals in meters. Relevant notes were put down on aluminum plates nailed next to
sampled intervals, and the cores in the boxes were then sliced into two by diamond saw. Photo
documentation was performed both before and after slicing a sample.
Saw blade was cleaned by working 5 cm deep into a barren rock before slicing a sample. Coolant water was
applied in a continuous flow to prevent contamination of the sample during the core slicing process.
After slicing the core, half of every sample was placed in a special plastic bag, which was then tied with cable
ties, to be sent to a laboratory. The other half was put back in the box, which was then sealed and sent to
Ulaanbaatar for storage.
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Sample preparation is a process that requires such delicate and meticulous procedures as implemented in
laboratory analyses. Therefore, to avoid loss of volatiles from geochemical samples, the latter was dried in a
regular temperature, sieved through 80 mesh sifters, and mixed in a sample splitter to produce 150 to 200
g materials, which then were put in special bags and numbered to be ready for submission to a laboratory.
This process of drying, sieving and bagging was done in a sample preparation workshop in Ulaanbaatar, and
the remainders of the samples are kept in storage.
Rock samples (grab, chip, channel, and core), they were crushed and prepared in a crushing workshop of an
outfit of Actlabs Asia Laboratory (ACTLABS) in the province of Dornod. Before sample preparation, the
samples are dried. The actual preparation starts with a jaw crusher Rhino-Terminator, which produces an
average of 2 to 3 mm fractions. About 750-1500 g of material from the jaw crusher is then fed into a Lab
Tech Essa 2018 type rotary mill, and after that, into bowl and ring pulverizers like Lab tech LM1 and LM2,
reducing 90% of the material to 75 μm. After preparation of each sample, all crusher and mills are cleaned
by blowing with high-pressure air. Samples each weighing 300 g were sent to an ACTLABS in Ulaanbaatar for
assays for precious and base metals. Below is a diagram showing the sample preparation procedure at
ACTLABS in Dornod, inclusive of an internal quality control regime. (Figure 11.1)
All of the core samples, stream sediment samples, soil samples and some of the channel and grab samples
were assayed at the ACTLABS in Ulaanbaatar for major elements such as Au, Ag, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn. ICP
analyses were conducted for a suite of 45 elements in the Stuart Global laboratory. A few of the channel
samples and grab samples were assayed in the SGS laboratory (SGS) as a quality control measure.
ACTLABS conducts gold assays within the detection limits of 0.01 to 5 ppm using the FA-ASS method, and
performed silver assays within the detection limits of 0.2 to 150 ppm, copper assays within 1 to 10,000 ppm,
lead assays within 1 to 8,000 ppm, and zinc assays within 1 to 10,000 ppm, using the AR-AAS method. If there
was a grade higher than these limits, gravitation method in ppm was used for gold and silver assays, and AR-
ASSAY-AAS method in percentage was used for Cu, Pb and Zn.
SGS performed gold assays within the limits of 0.01 to 1,000 ppm using the FAA method, silver assays within
1 to 1,000 ppm, copper within 2 to 10,000 ppm, lead within 3 to 5,000 ppm and zinc within 2 to 10,000 ppm,
using the AAS21R method. When there is a higher grade than these limits, the AAS22S method in percentage
is used.
Duration for one submission of laboratory analyses was seven days turnaround during the field exploration
and the results were returned periodically.
Quality assurance and quality control of samples are some of the procedures that are mandatory in mineral
exploration projects from the discovery of a deposit to a pre-production feasibility study stage. These have
many advantages, and most important of these advantages are, firstly, actual existence of a mineral deposit
and the assurance to the investors as to quality of work performed by geologists, secondly, controlling of
laboratories that perform analyses of samples and materials by the exploration company and geologists, and
thirdly, confirmation to the professional regulatory organizations as to the reality of information and data
collected by exploration activities.
A quality control procedure was maintained before exploration program. Standards for quality control of
sampling and assaying have been well maintained during the exploration work of the company. The following
types of control samples have been implemented and these constitute the primary actions of CGM designed
to control the works of laboratories.
During the exploration program 2010-2014, a total of 35,821 samples were submitted from drill cores to the
laboratories for analyses. 5,180 QAQC samples were analyzed as part of QAQC procedures, and they account
approximately 15% of all core samples (Table 11.1). Note that 2012-2014 drilling program conducted about
30% of the drill holes used for resource estimate. The database received for resource estimate in May 2017
was not complete for QAQC result and available data for 2012-2014 was compiled for analysis to addition to
the 2010-2011 QAQC analysis by CGM.
Table 11.1: Number of samples for quality assurance and quality control of the ATO project
Gold grades in blank standard samples are acceptable if they are less than 0.01 g/t. As seen from the graph
above, two standard samples gave gold grades higher than that and this is considered as random errors of
laboratory. They account for 1.7% of the total blank standard samples.
For polymetallic elements, QAQC was implemented with 805 standard samples of six different types
obtained from the Geostats laboratory. 10 new standard samples were additionally used for 2012-2014
QAQC program but not analyzed because of the same reason mentioned above.
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One standard sample was inserted in every 25 to 30 samples for a quality control measurement. CGM
maintained regular reviewing of laboratory results of control samples and standard samples, and compared
them with other results and assessed them during the drilling program. If there is a discrepancy between the
assayed value and the reference value exceeding ±10% of the latter, an assessment was made either of the
laboratory that conducted the assay or of the reference value that was provided by the reference laboratory
based on the number of repeats of the discrepancy.
Each time results of assays were received from the laboratory, grades of assayed standard samples were
checked against their expected values, and when there were more than two incidences of discrepancies that
exceed the maximum allowable amount in assays of gold and other metals in the same submission, then re-
assays of all samples of that submission were re-submitted. Such events occurred in assays of samples from
drill holes ATO-106, ATO-115, and ATO-156, and all samples from the drill holes were re-assayed.
In addition, statistical processing was performed for every of the metals in the assays of standard samples,
and random errors were calculated to account for 0.6-6.6% of the samples. This is thought to be within the
acceptable range, and the analytical results were then used in resource estimation process.
The assay result analysis of standard samples by elements are presented in below that were used during the
exploration program.
In 2010, 181 standard samples with three different gold grades were obtained from the Ore Research and
Exploration Company of Australia (Table 11.2). Their control results returned from the ACTLABS are
summarized in Figure 11.3.
Table 11.2: Standard samples from the laboratory of Ore Research and Exploration
Figure 11.3: Assay results of standard samples from Ore Research & Exploration
As seen from the control assay results, each of the three grade categories gave two incidences of gold grades
outside of allowable limits. However, they only account for 3.3% of total number of standard samples used.
Therefore, it was deemed that the assay result of samples from the drill holes that were controlled by these
standards may be used in resource estimation.
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Also, additional seventeen standard samples of three different types were obtained from the Geostats
Company of Western Australia and used in implementation of quality control on the analyses of drill core
samples. (Table 11.3)
Table 11.3: Standard samples from the laboratory of Geostats
Standard
№ Au ppm StDEV Rock type Confidence limits Qty
sample
1 GLG303-1 0.164 16.45 Basalt 3.47 6
2 GLG307-4 0.052 3.21 Granite 1.16 5
3 GLG907-5 0.082 9.17 Oxidized material 2.89 6
Number of Standard samples 17
According to the plot of results of the ACTLABS analyses, these standard samples displayed in Figure 11.4, all
grades in standard samples of GLG307-4 and GLG907-5 types are universally close to, or sometimes higher
than, maximum random errors while values of GLG303-1 type standard samples show only one such
incidence. Therefore, standard samples of GLG307-4 and GLG907-5 types were considered as having higher
gold grades than the reference values, and they were no longer used.
Quality control on gold assays in 2010 to 2011, 536 control samples of 20 different types were used from the
Rocklab Company in New Zealand (Table 11.4).
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Standard
№ Au ppm StDEV Rock type Confidence limits Qty
sample
1 OxA71 0.0849 0.0056 Oxidized 0.0022 41
2 OxC88 0.203 0.01 Oxidized 0.003 45
3 OxD87 0.417 0.013 Oxidized 0.004 35
4 OxE86 0.613 0.021 Oxidized 0.007 32
5 OxF85 0.805 0.025 Oxidized 0.008 25
6 OxG84 0.922 0.033 Oxidized 0.01 33
7 OxG83 1.002 0.027 Oxidized 0.009 31
8 OxH82 1.278 0.029 Oxidized 0.01 33
9 OxI81 1.807 0.033 Oxidized 0.011 26
10 OxJ68 2.342 0.064 Oxidized 0.025 33
11 OxK79 3.532 0.078 Oxidized 0.026 20
12 OxG70 1.007 Oxidized 0.013 5
13 SE-58 0.607 0.019 Sulfide (2.45%S) 0.006 33
14 SF45 0.848 0.028 Sulfide (2.7% S) 0.01 32
15 SG40 0.976 0.022 Sulfide (2.8% S) 0.009 30
16 SH41 1.344 0.041 Sulfide (2.8% S) 0.015 28
17 Si54 1.78 0.034 Sulfide (3.0%S) 0.011 24
18 SN50 8.685 0.18 Sulfide (3.3 % S) 0.062 16
19 Hisilc2 3.474 Siliceous (1.0 % S) 0.034 2
20 HiSilp1 12.05 0.33 Siliceous (2.0% S) 0.13 12
Number of Standard samples 536
Figures 11.5 to 11.8 provide comparisons of reference grades of standard samples against assay results from
ACTLABS.
Figure 11.5: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on low-grade oxidized mineralization
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Figure 11.6: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on medium-grade oxidized mineralization
Figure 11.7: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on medium-grade fresh mineralization
Figure 11.8: Rocklab assay results of standard samples on high-grade fresh mineralization
As seen from the above graphs, standards such as SH41, Hisilp, and SN50 each have one random error (2.8%,
1.2% and 1.6%, respectively), and standard OxC88 has three random errors out of 45 samples. Other suites
of standard samples have returned grades within acceptable ranges. Only 1.8% of all gold standard samples
exceeded the acceptable ranges; therefore, it was concluded that gold assays of primary samples by this
laboratory were of good quality.
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As for polymetallic elements, QAQC have been implemented with 606 standard samples of six different types
obtained from the Geostats laboratory. (Table 11.5)
Table 11.5: Standard samples of polymetallic elements obtained from Geostats Pty
Standard
GBM310-1 GBM399-6 GBM903-7 GBM906-10 GBM301-3
samples
Assay ppm
Assay ppm
Assay ppm
Assay ppm
Metals
StDEV
StDEV
StDEV
StDEV
StDEV
Blank samples
Ag 19 1.7 0.4 15.5 1.1 0.3 3 0.3 0.1 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.9 0.6 0.1
Cu 5825 222 51.4 21373 739 178.8 313 18 3.1 1916 81 20.2 776 51 8.6
Pb 3046 246 60.5 1446 57 15.3 49 5 0.9 1252 82 21.6 11 7 1.4
Zn 9772 540 126.8 2488 164 41 669 36 6.2 595 50 12.6 94 29 5
As 362 34 8.8 175 20 5.4 33 4 0.9 18 3 1.1 304 32 6.1
Ni 37 10 2.4 20 6 1.7 21 4 0.7 32 14 3.7 7910 366 69.9
Co 36 8 2 4 2 0.7 12 3 0.5 27 12 3.4 187 16 3
Number of
149 108 106 140 45 58
Standards
Assayed silver grades in blank standard samples are considered acceptable when they are lower than 0.1 g/t,
and in this case, only one sample has shown random error (1.7%). (Figure 11.9)
As per other standard samples that contain silver grades, random errors were identified in four incidences.
In addition, assayed silver grades in standards GBM906-10 and GBM903-7 are generally close to the high
limits of random errors, which is a sign that analyses of ACTLABS tend to yield slightly higher grades of silver
(Figure 11.10 and 11.11). Random errors in the standard samples of GBM310-1 type account for 0.6%, in
GBM903-7 for 1.8%, and GBM906-10 for 0.7%, and all errors in all types account for 0.8% of the total number
of standard samples.
Because copper grades in all blank samples were assayed below 25 g/t, they are considered within the
acceptable range (Figure 11.12). Although there is one random error in each of the standards GBM906-1 (0.7
%), GBM310-1 (0.6 %), and GBM399-6 (0.9 %), and the combined random errors for copper account for 0.5%
of all of the standards. (Figures 11.13 and 11.14)
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Assayed lead grades in blank standard samples are considered acceptable when they are lower than 25 g/t,
and the graphs above show that all blank samples returned grades within the acceptable range (Figure
11.15). However, there are random errors little higher than the upper limits in three to four samples of each
of the standards such as GBM399-6 (4.6 %) and GBM310-1 (2.6%), and one random error slightly out of the
acceptable range in a sample of the standard GBM399-6 (Figures 11.16 and 11.17). These random errors
account for 1.3% of the total standard samples for lead.
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Assay grades of zinc lower than 30 g/t are considered acceptable in blank standard, and two samples of this
standard returned random errors (3.4% of all blank samples) (Figure 11.18). There was one random error in
each of the standards GBM301-3 (2.2%) and GBM399-6 (0.9%) that contain grades of zinc. They account for
0.7% of the total standard samples of zinc (Figures 11.19 and 11.20).
As seen from the graphs above, percentage of random errors of silver and base metals in each of their
standards varies from 0.6% to 4.6% and in the total number of their standard samples from 0.5% to 1.3%.
Therefore, we believe that the assay results of primary samples returned from ACTLABS can reasonably be
used in estimation of resources and reserves of the ATO deposit.
Core samples were submitted to the ACTLABS laboratory. A comparison between duplicate and primary core
samples is provided in Table 11.6 and Figures 11.21, 11.23, 11.25, 11.27, and 11.29.
Table 11.6: Comparison of primary and duplicate samples
Elements Primary < Duplicate Primary > Duplicate Acceptable range (+50 %)
Au 35 3.40% 17 1.65% 978 94.95%
Ag 55 5.34% 31 3.01% 914 91.65%
Cu 74 7.18% 52 5.05% 904 87.77%
Pb 144 14.0% 69 6.70% 817 79.30%
Zn 114 11.07% 61 5.92% 855 83.01%
As seen from the table above, duplicate samples tend to have greater elemental grades than do primary
samples for each of the elements listed.
Because duplicate samples are taken from the half of the remaining half of a core after the latter has been
sampled; therefore, their assay results may have greater deviation from the results of primary samples than
do other types of control samples. Because of this we chose the acceptable limits of deviation or variation
to be at ±50%.
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Results of primary and duplicate samples and a comparison of their variations are provided in Table 11.7 and
in graphs 11.22, 11.24, 11.26, 11.28 and 11.30.
Table 11.7: Comparison of variations of primary and duplicates samples assay results
Variation limits
Elements
5% 10% 20% 25% 50% >+50%
Au 371 97 181 58 195 128
36.02 % 9.42 % 17.57 % 5.63 % 18.93 % 12.43 %
Ag 261 122 217 96 181 153
25.34 % 11.85 % 21.07 % 9.32 % 17.57 % 14.85 %
Cu 182 147 235 84 211 171
17.67 % 14.27 % 22.81 % 8.16 % 20.49 % 16.60 %
Pb 136 118 221 77 246 232
13.20 % 11.46 % 21.46 % 7.48 % 23.88 % 22.52 %
Zn 231 147 204 73 200 175
22.43 % 14.27 % 19.80 % 7.09 % 19.42 % 16.99 %
According to Table 11.6, the highest values belong to gold assay results of the primary and duplicate samples,
which supports the conclusion that gold has relatively consistent distribution. However, primary and
duplicate samples assayed for lead gave quite fluctuant results.
Figure 11.21: Comparison of primary and duplicate sample assay results. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 20 ppm Au
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Figure 11.22: Relation between primary samples and variations. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 20 ppm Au
As seen from the comparisons between assay results of primary and duplicate samples for gold, they have a
correlation of R^2=0.882 (Figure 11.21). Samples other than 52 samples that exceeded the acceptable limit
had gold grades less than 0.1 g/t (Figure 11.22). Therefore, 94.95% of the total samples were thought to be
within the acceptable range.
Figure 11.23: Comparison of primary and duplicate sample assay results. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 80 ppm Ag
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Figure 11.24: Relation between primary samples and variations. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 80 ppm Ag
As seen from the comparisons between assay results of primary and duplicate samples for silver, there is a
correlation of R^2=0.943 (Figure 11.23), which implies the analyses were good. Samples other than 86
samples that exceeded the acceptable range of ±50% had silver grades less than 0.1 g/t, and 91.65% of the
total samples were thought to be within the acceptable range, or were low-grade samples (Figure 11.24).
Figure 11.25: Comparison of primary and duplicate sample assay results. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 6,000 ppm Cu
Figure 11.26: Relation between primary samples and variations. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 6,000 ppm Cu
Correlation between copper grades in duplicate and primary samples is R^2=0.86 (Figure 11.25). Samples
other than 126 samples that exceeded the acceptable limits had gold grades less than 25 g/t. Therefore,
87.77% of the total samples were thought to be within the acceptable range (Figure 11.26).
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Figure 11.27: Comparison of primary and duplicate sample assay results. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 30,000 ppm Pb
Figure 11.28: Relation between primary samples and variations. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 30,000 ppm Pb
As seen from the comparisons between assay results of primary and duplicate samples for lead, there is a
correlation of R^2=0.887 (Figure 11.27). Samples other than 213 samples that exceeded the acceptable range
had lead grades less than 30 g/t. Thus, 79.30% of the total samples were thought to be within the acceptable
range, or were low-grade samples (Figure 11.28).
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Figure 11.29: Comparison of primary and duplicate sample assay results. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 70,000 ppm Zn
Figure 11.30: Relation between primary samples and variations. Note: a. All samples, b. Assay capped by 70,000 ppm Zn
Duplicate samples other than 175 samples that exceeded the limits of ±50%, or 83.01% of all samples were
thought to be within the acceptable range (Figures 11.29 and 11.30).
As seen from the assay results of duplicate samples shown above, there is a correlation of R^2=0.86-0.943.
Also, 79.30-94.95% of the total samples were within the acceptable range, thus the results from exploration
drill holes can be used in resource estimation.
Because remaining pulverized materials are used in conducting the external control measure, the variation
of assays are usually higher than standard samples and lower than duplicates due to uneven distribution of
valuable elements. Therefore, we used a limit of ±20% in the variation or acceptable range of errors in the
samples when comparing the assay results of the said two laboratories.
Based on the said comparison of assay results of the two laboratories, a total of 113 samples, including 25
for gold, 25 for silver, nine for copper, 52 for lead and 24 for zinc, that exceeded the ±20% limit of acceptable
range, were selected and re-assayed in the laboratory of ACTLABS (Table 11.8). This accounts for 5.5% of all
control samples.
Table 11.8: Changes in correlation of laboratories ACTLABS and SGS
After re-assays, correlation of the laboratories has increased slightly, decreasing the random errors of the
ACTLABS.
A comparison of assay results of ACTLABS and SGS is provided in Table 11.9 and Figures 11.31 and 11.32.
Table 11.9: Comparison of assay results of ACTLABS and SGS
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As seen from the table above, ratios of background grades for gold (15.89%) and silver (16.32%) are high,
which is due to the minimum detection limit of laboratories. Ratios of grades for other elements have errors
ranging from -4 to +9. And, grades from ACTLABS are slightly higher than SGS as for gold, silver and lead and
some of the copper grades and all of the zinc grades from the laboratory are slightly lower than SGS, as seen
in the table above. However, the differences in grades are no much and within the acceptable range.
Therefore, assay results of ACTLABS are thought to be of good quality.
Figure 11.31: Results of gold assays of ACTLABS and SGS laboratories. Note: a. Comparison of assay results from laboratories, b.
Assay results and variation of ACTLABS
As seen from the comparison of assay results of laboratories, the correlation is quite high for gold (R^2=.994),
and as per variation, most of the samples are within the ±20 range. (Figure 11.31)
Figure 11.32: Results of silver assays of ACTLABS and SGS laboratories. Note: a. Comparison of assay results from laboratories, b.
Assay results and variation of ACTLABS
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According to diagrams in Figure 11.32, there are small discrepancies in three to four samples with high silver
grades assayed by the two laboratories but the variation is within the acceptable range of ±20 for these
samples.
Figure 11.33: Results of copper assays of ACTLABS and SGS laboratories. Note: a. Comparison of assay results from laboratories, b.
Assay results and variation of ACTLABS
Copper grades were determined with very good quality by both ACTLABS and SGS laboratories, judging from
the correlation of R^2=.995 and the fact that most of the samples are within the ±20 range (Figure 11.33).
Figure 11.34: Results of lead assays of ACTLABS and SGS laboratories. Note: a. Comparison of assay results from laboratories, b.
Assay results and variation of ACTLABS
Correlation between assay results from ACTLABS and SGS have been very good for lead, with a correlation
of R^2=.993 and variation values within the ±20 range, as seen from the diagrams in Figure 11.34.
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Figure 11.35: Results of zinc assays of ACTLABS and SGS laboratories. Note: a. Comparison of assay results from laboratories, b.
Assay results and variation of ACTLABS
As per zinc, the correlation between the results from the two laboratories is R^2=0.997, which is quite close
to 1, and this signifies that confidence in these laboratories is high. The diagram of variation shows that most
of the samples are within the acceptable range, as shown in Figure 11.35.
According to the diagrams of variations, samples that are out of the ±20 range contain low grades in most
cases as for all elements. This is due to the lowest detection limits of the two laboratories.
It has been concluded that the assay results of the samples from drill holes made in the deposit can be used
in resource estimate considering that the samples that were used in quality control were able to represent
all samples of the exploration work and that the quality validation of samples collected from the deposit was
good, judging from the results of assays of standard samples and duplicate samples as well as external
control samples.
In the Author QP’s opinion, the QAQC procedure and analysis was well performed based on the information
above. The Author QP noted several problematic assays in the database. Most importantly cause of the error
was not mentioned and the author could not find any documentation about what action was taken.
A statistical analysis of the QAQC data provided by STEPPE was prepared by CGM and it did not reveal any
significant analytical issues. The Author QP is of the opinion that the sample preparation, analysis, QAQC and
security protocols used for the ATO Project follow generally accepted industry standards and that the data
is valid and of sufficient quality to be used for Mineral Resource estimation.
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12 DATA VERIFICATION
12.1 General
The Author QP conducted a review of the geological digital data supplied by STEPPE through GLOGEX for the
ATO Project to ensure no material issues could be found and there was no cause to consider that the data
was not accurate. The Author QP’s review included site visits undertaken at 23rd of August and 2nd of October
2017, and a desktop analysis.
GLOGEX supplied to the Author QP digital data including previous exploration database. Most geological
information was taken from the ATO exploration result 2010-2011 report prepared by CGM and GLOGEX in
2012. This report was submitted to Mongolian government under its guidelines. This report does not meet
NI 43-101 and NI 43-101F guidelines. CGM exploration reports for 2010-2014 were also intensely used for
geology sections of this technical report.
The Author QP reviewed all QAQC procedures carried out by CGM including a review of logging, sampling
and sample preparation procedures; reviewed all technical data including geophysical and geochemical data;
carried out an analysis of the analytical QAQC results; and compared data sets with observations made in
the field.
The Author QP is satisfied that QAQC procedures carried out by CGM confirm to generally accepted industry
standards and that the data used in this report is reliable. The reviewed drilling database formed the
underlying data for the independent NI43-101 Statement of Mineral Resources completed by the Author QP.
Drill hole database used for Mineral Resource estimation was supplied a digital Excel database with collar,
survey, lithology, oxidation and assay data. There was an issue pulling out a final database from the received
files took additional time.
The final database was cross checked with locations on the generated maps and sections internally prepared
exploration reports by CGM in 2014. Assays were cross checked files PDF and Excel files of original assay
certificates from the ACTLABS. The Author QP checked all grades and orientation of the drilling against the
original assay certificates and cross sections and found no inconsistencies. Original drill hole database was
prepared from the geological log sheets and they were used for a random drill hole cross checks conducted
against compiled drill hole data. No significant errors were found.
During this review the Author QP noted almost no inconsistencies in the provided data. Only noted that the
late mineralization barren dykes received with some significant grades and it was cross checked in loggings
and geological researches to decide what action to take during grade modeling filters. Barren diorite dykes
intrudes to the pipes in some places and triangulation was modelled and initialized for each metals low
background results based on the statistic information of the diorite.
A review of the drill hole digital data was imported to GEMS6.2 (GEMS) software for estimation. Validation
process was included a visual validation on screen in sections and drill hole validation module in GEMS to
check errors including:
Down hole survey depths did not exceed the hole depth as reported in the collar table;
Assay values did not extend beyond the hole depth quoted in the collar table; and
Assay and survey information was checked for duplicate records.
Interval for all tables missing data.
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The database review conducted by the Author QP shows that STEPPE has supplied a digital database that is
largely supported by verified certified assay certificates, original interpreted sections, and some report with
technical studies.
Based on the data supplied, the Author QP considers that the analytical data has sufficient accuracy to enable
a Mineral Resource estimate for the ATO deposit.
Metallurgical test samples were collected from the exploration drill core and bulk samples for both oxidized
and fresh zones within mineralized pipes of Pipe 1, Pipe 2 and Pipe 3. Metallurgical tests for ore samples
included a step-by-step leaching test carried out by the roll-up test (bottle-roll test) and granular ore test.
Tests were conducted in 4 phases:
1. Bottle-Roll tests of the Xstrata Process Support Center in Canada (from 4 April 2010 to June 30,
2011)
2. Destruction Testing and Analysis - Canadian Xstrata Process Support (September 2011)
3. Column leach tests with low diameter (75 mm) (conducted in crushed ore) - ALS Metallurgy in
AMMTEC laboratory in Perth, Australia (completed in November 2011 in April 2012)
4. Additional analysis of column tests with a large-scale diameter (280mm) - in CIL plant of Boroo
Gold LLC in Mongolia - September 2012)
Xstrata Process Support (XPS) undertook metallurgical testwork on composites from 5 zones from ATO
deposit including Upper Oxide Zone, Upper Transition Zone, Lower Transition Zone, Upper Sulphide Zone,
and Lower Sulphide Zone composites along with basic mineralogical characterization of the Upper Oxide,
Upper Transition and Lower Sulphide Zone composites. Samples were received at XPS in December 2010 and
work commenced shortly thereafter. The program used methods and practices developed at the Xstrata
Process Support Centre focused on providing quality and preliminary mineralogical and metallurgical data.
Phases of work completed are in accordance with the agreed scope of work issued October 13th 2010 and
include the following:
• QEMSCAN analysis
• Electron Probe Microanalysis
• Polished thin section by QEMSCAN
• Gravity Recovery Test (GRG) on Upper Oxide (ATO-01).
• Leaching tests on Upper Oxide (ATO-01).
• Data interpretation and reporting
QEMSCAN is an automated system that produces mineral maps (colour coded by mineral), through collection
of rapidly acquired energy dispersive x-rays (EDX). These maps describe the texture and mineral associations
in each of the samples. In addition to the coloured map, the output of the QEMSCAN measurement includes
a quantitative measure of modal mineralogy, mineral grain size, and elemental deportment.
Quantitative compositional analysis was completed using a Cameca SX-100 Electron Microprobe. Electron
Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) produces higher electron beam currents and increased beam stability, coupled
with higher resolution wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS). These features allow for improved
detection limits and accuracy of the resulting analysis. Detection limits can be as low as 200 ppm for some
elements which provides trace element compositions within the various mineral species in this study.
Resulting detailed compositional data is then input back into the QEMSCAN software, in order to refine the
final elemental deportment calculations. Compositional data from microprobe analysis can also be used to
update the “Species Identification Program” within QEMSCAN.
Figure 13.1: Modal Mineralogy of Oxide, Upper Transition and Lower Sulphide Zones
Table 13.1: Modal Mineralogy of Oxide, Upper Transition and Lower Sulphide Zones
Table13.2 summarizes the grain sizes obtained in both 6 mesh material and the thin section analysis. Grain
sizes for each individual sulphide is included along with the size of all sulphides combined. The size of this
last category is largest because there is often a textural association between different sulphides resulting in
larger composite grain sizes. Note that the finer grain sizes in the 6 mesh material compared to the polished
thin sections is due to the fact that some crushing has occurred and the in-situ textures have not all been
preserved.
Table 13.2: Average Grain Size Measurements in Polished Thin Sections and 6 Mesh Material
S Fe Cu Zn As Ag Au Pb Al Total
Chalcocite 25.49 0.33 72.25 0.04 0.07 0.12 -0.1 0.1 0.04 98.45
Galena 13.31 0.04 0 -0.01 0 -0.1 -0 86.9 0 100.3
Pb Carbonate -0.01 0 -0.02 -0.04 -0.02 -0.1 -0 80.53 0.01 80.55
Pyrite 51.1 46.33 0.06 0.01 0.28 0.01 -0 0.47 0.01 98.28
Sphalerite 32.51 0.6 0.06 63.94 0.02 0.01 -0.1 0.11 0.01 97.28
Na Mg Al Si K Ca Ti Cr Mn Fe Cu Zn Pb S As O Total
Biotite 0.02 0.81 10.29 14.61 4.73 0.25 0.03 0.01 0 22.38 0.24 0.12 0.67 0.06 0.27 34.13 88.63
Muscovite 0.06 3.24 15.03 22.87 4.87 0.11 0.06 0 0.07 1.84 0.03 0.59 0.01 0.01 -0.01 43.2 92.02
Fe Clay w Zn -0.15 4.27 5.21 6.33 0.01 0.38 0.01 0 0.14 37.14 0.48 1.91 0.53 0.03 -0.01 25.92 82.38
Chlorite 0 13.3 9.08 16.19 0.02 0.69 0.06 0 0.27 8.93 0.17 0.36 0.21 0.02 -0.01 37.69 87.07
Pb Sulph/Phos w Fe -0.06 0.01 1.64 1.2 0.12 0.06 0 0 0 11.05 5.51 1.05 23.99 3.79 0.02 13.3 61.74
Pb Sulph/Phos w As Fe -0.03 -0.1 2.31 1.34 0.3 0.07 0.02 0 -0.01 17.5 1.33 0.64 29.52 2.56 6.27 15.86 77.76
PbCarb -0.03 -0.02 0.02 0.08 -0.01 6.53 0 -0.01 -0.02 0.24 0.06 0.13 60.02 0.02 0.05 6.92 74.06
Siderite wPb -0.31 0.23 2.62 2.27 0.03 0.76 0.01 0 0.01 50.56 0.66 0.44 1.38 0.08 0.4 20.34 79.78
The following table summarizes the feed grades for the Upper Oxide composite: The Upper Oxide (ATO-01)
sample has arsenic and antimony at 0.030% and 0.006%, respectively.
Table 13.4: Oxide (ATO-01) Composite
A design of experiments (DOE) was used. The NaCN concentrations used were 150, 450 and 750 mg/l. The
grind sizes (P80) used were 38, 56 and 75 micrometers. A total of 8 tests were performed. Table 13.6 shows
the DOE.
Table 13.6: DOE for Leaching Tests on Upper Oxide (ATO-01)
The results show that recovery was not sensitive to grind or cyanide concentration. Cyanide consumption
increased with increasing concentration. The calculated head grades were very close to the assayed head
grade of 2.35 g/t Au, indicating that there is very little free gold. This is also supported by the gravity
recoverable gold test.
Cyanidation recoveries did not meet expectations in this phase. XPS recommends further tests to test the
impact of several parameters such pre-aeration, longer leaching time and possibly oxygen addition during
cyanidation.
Samples of the leach solution were taken at 2, 4, 24 and 48 hours. The Au recovery was computed at each
of these times. Figure 13.2 illustrates the Au recovery as a function of leaching time.
From Figure 13.2, the leach kinetics are slower at 150 mg/l NaCN (tests 4, 5 and 6). Also, there is some
indication that increased recovery can occur at longer than 48 hours of leaching. This is more pronounced at
lower NaCN concentration. Table 13.7 shows the results of the DOE at 48 hours of leaching.
Table 13.7: Results of the DOE at 48 hours of leaching
From the DOE analysis, the concentration of NaCN and grind size tested did not affect Au recovery at 48
hours of leaching. The maximum Au recovery obtained was 77.8% at 450 mg/l NaCN and P80 56
micrometers. The Au recovery for the tests is not high. One possible reason is that the gold particles may be
fine grained requiring finer grinding. Mineralogical analysis of the oxide sample would be required to confirm
this. Another possible reason is the arsenic and antimony in the feed.
The initial CN concentration had a significant impact on NaCN consumption after 48 hours of leaching. The
NaCN consumption increased with increasing initial NaCN concentration. The grind size did not have an
impact on NaCN consumption.
The lowest NaCN consumption at 1.1 g/t was obtained at 150 mg/l NaCN and a grind size of P80 75
micrometers. The highest NaCN consumption was 6.1 kg/t. This consumption was obtained at a NaCN
concentration of 750 mg/l and a grind size of P80 38 micrometers.
The composites (Table 13.8) tested in this program represented the oxide mineralization of the upper portion
of the pipes. This preliminary program was designed to study the ore characteristics and metallurgical
response of the oxide zone as part of the overall ATO property. The assessment included mineralogy, ore
hardness, gold and silver extraction response to grind size, and multi-stage diagnostic gold leach test work
in accordance to the scope of work directed by CGM.
Two composites were constructed for this program of study. The Master Composite 1 (MC 1) was assessed
by the following parameters:
The Column Leach Composite was utilized for the preliminary heap leach amenability test program.
The composites were constructed from half core samples, under the direction of Centerra Gold Inc (CGI).
The Master Composite 1 (MC 1) was created from 40 interval samples, whilst the Column Leach Composite
was created from 21 interval samples.
The program commenced in November 2011 and the test work was completed in April 2012. Following the
test work, the preparation of this technical report commenced.
Page 106 of 209
NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT
ATO GOLD PROJECT
The following technical brief summarizes the key technical points of the program. All of the test data
generated through the execution of this program can be reviewed in a series of appendices attached to this
brief. The appendices are arranged as follows:
13.2.1 Sampling
Samples for the ATO Project were received at G&T Metallurgical Services in two shipments. The first
shipment, received October 14, 2011, consisted of 40 individual half core samples. These were combined to
generate the Master Composite 1. It was then stage crushed to 20mm, homogenized, and rotary split into
sub-samples for subsequent comminution and extraction test work. Representative head assay cuts were
removed and assayed for elements of interest for this project. A sub-sample was split and sent to ALS
Metallurgy – Ammtec for diagnostic leach test work.
A second shipment, received November 1, 2011, consisted of 21 individual half core samples. These were
combined to generate the Column Leach Composite.
The composite was staged crushed to 12.5mm, homogenised, packaged, and sent to ALS Metallurgy –
Ammtec for preliminary heap leach amenability test work.
Tables 13.8 and 13.9 display the mass and identification of the samples received.
Table 13.8: Master Composite 1
Drill Hole Number Sampling From, m Sampling To, m Weight (kg) Form
ATO 93 38.75 39.75 3.4 Half Core
ATO 93 37.75 38.75 2.9 Half Core
ATO 93 36.75 37.75 2.2 Half Core
ATO 93 35.75 36.75 2.8 Half Core
ATO 93 34.75 35.75 2.9 Half Core
ATO 93 33.75 34.75 3.4 Half Core
ATO 93 32.75 33.75 2.3 Half Core
ATO 93 31.75 32.75 3.2 Half Core
ATO 93 30.75 31.75 3.3 Half Core
ATO 92 29.40 30.40 4.1 Half Core
ATO 92 28.40 29.40 3.1 Half Core
ATO 92 27.40 28.40 3.8 Half Core
ATO 92 26.30 27.40 4 Half Core
ATO 92 25.20 26.30 3.7 Half Core
ATO 92 24.10 25.20 2.5 Half Core
ATO 92 23.00 24.10 3 Half Core
ATO 92 21.90 23.00 3.5 Half Core
ATO 92 20.80 21.90 3.8 Half Core
ATO 80 26.00 27.00 3.3 Half Core
ATO 80 25.00 26.00 3.3 Half Core
ATO 80 24.00 25.00 3.4 Half Core
ATO 80 23.00 24.00 2.9 Half Core
ATO 80 22.00 23.00 3.6 Half Core
ATO 80 21.00 22.00 3.4 Half Core
ATO 80 20.00 21.00 3 Half Core
ATO 74 55.55 56.80 5 Half Core
ATO 74 54.30 55.55 4.5 Half Core
ATO 74 53.05 54.30 4.3 Half Core
ATO 74 51.80 53.05 4.4 Half Core
ATO 74 50.55 51.80 4.2 Half Core
ATO 116 9.40 10.40 2.7 Half Core
ATO 116 11.40 12.40 2.7 Half Core
ATO 116 10.40 11.40 2.7 Half Core
ATO 110 24.80 25.80 3.5 Half Core
ATO 110 23.80 24.80 4.1 Half Core
ATO 110 21.80 22.80 2.7 Half Core
ATO 110 20.80 21.80 2.9 Half Core
ATO 110 19.80 20.80 1.4 Half Core
ATO 110 18.80 19.80 3.4 Half Core
Total 132.4
Drill Hole Number Sampling From, m Sampling To, m Weight (kg) Form
ATO-35 13.00 14.00 3.6 Half Core
ATO-35 14.00 15.00 3.4 Half Core
ATO-35 15.00 16.00 3.5 Half Core
ATO-35 16.00 17.00 2.4 Half Core
ATO-35 17.00 18.00 2.7 Half Core
ATO-35 18.00 19.00 3.6 Half Core
ATO-35 19.00 20.00 1.8 Half Core
ATO-35 20.00 21.00 3.1 Half Core
ATO-35 21.00 22.00 3.1 Half Core
ATO-35 22.00 22.95 3.2 Half Core
ATO-35 22.95 23.95 2.9 Half Core
ATO-35 23.95 24.95 3.5 Half Core
ATO-35 24.95 25.95 3.3 Half Core
ATO-89 16.10 17.30 3.5 Half Core
ATO-89 17.30 18.50 4 Half Core
ATO-89 18.50 19.70 4 Half Core
ATO-89 19.70 20.90 3.6 Half Core
ATO-89 20.90 22.10 3.8 Half Core
ATO-89 22.10 23.30 3.5 Half Core
ATO-89 23.30 24.50 2.1 Half Core
ATO-89 24.50 25.70 3.8 Half Core
Total 68.4
Master Composite 1
The mineral composition data was generated by conducting a Bulk Mineral Analysis with Liberation (BMAL)
on the unsized (nominal 75μm K80) composite sample using QEMSCAN. The mineral composition data is
summarized in Table 13.10 and Figure 13.2. The following comments relate to the data:
- Sulphide mineral content was approximately 1.5 percent by weight of the feed.
- Pyrite represented about 61 percent by weight of the sulphide minerals.
- Pyrite, sphalerite, and galena are mainly associated with gangue, whilst the copper sulphides tend
to be mainly associated with the pyrite and to a lesser extent sphalerite and gangue.
- The liberation data indicates that, at the 78µm K80 sizing, between 20 and 45 percent of pyrite,
sphalerite, galena, and the copper sulphides were liberated.
- At these liberation levels, flotation of a sulphide concentrate might be viable. However, the presence
of talc and barite might cause dilution of the concentrate if not appropriately controlled.
- The initial work completed included mineralogical evaluation of the composite sample. The
predominant gangue mineral are silica and silicates (77% of sample). Oxide minerals account for 4%
of the identified minerals while sulphides account for 1.5% of the sample.
Table 13.10: Mineral Composition and Elemental Deportment of the Oxide Composite
Sulphide Minerals Mass Gangue Minerals Mass Sulphur Minerals Mass Lead Minerals Mass
Copper Sulphides 0.1 FePb Oxide 1.4 Copper Sulphides 2.2 Galena 42.9
Galena 0.3 FePb Sulphate 1.1 Galena 5.6 Pyromophite (PbPOx) 5.6
Sphalerite 0.1 Pyromophite (PbPOx) 0.1 Fe Pb Sulphate 9.9 Fe Pb Sulphate 37.4
Pyrite 1.0 Quartz/ 77.3 Sphalerite 5.2 FePb Oxide 14.0
Feldspars
Arsenopyrite 0.01 Chlorite 11.7 Pyrite 60.6
Iron Oxides 1.4 Arsenopyrite 0.2
Micas 1.4 Barite 16.3
Talc 1.2
Barite 1.1
Smithstonite 0.3
Other Gangue 1.4
Total 1.5 Total 98.5 Total 100 Total 100
Note: 1) Copper Sulphides includes Chalcopyrite, Chalcocite and Covellite. 2) Other Gangue includes Kaolinite (clay),
Calcite, Apatite and trace amounts of garnet and other unresolved mineral species.
Figure 13.2: Mineral distribution by class of association Master composite 1, (78μm k80).
The distribution or deportment of gold in various minerals is determined by a series of selective leaches,
usually by increasingly stronger oxidative acid leaches. Between each stage, cyanide leaching is used to
extract the released gold. In this study a total of ten analysis stages were carried out for the composite at a
grind size of 150μm. A summary of the results can be seen in Table 13.11. This test work was conducted at
ALS Metallurgy – Ammtec in Perth, Australia.
Recovered Distribution
Description
Au (g/t) (%)
Gravity/Free Cyanidable Gold 1.28 79.3
Carbonate Locked Gold Content 0.14 8.7
Iron Oxide Locked Gold Content 0.04 2.2
Arsenical Mineral Locked Gold Content 0.11 7.1
Pyritic Sulphide Mineral Locked Gold Content 0.007 0.5
Silicate (Gangue) Locked Gold Content 0.036 2.2
The diagnostic results indicate that the bulk of the gold content occurred as free (gravity/cyanidable) old,
being 79.3 percent of the total gold content. There was a moderate amount of gold associated with iron
oxide minerals and arsenical minerals, being 8.7 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively.
The remainder of the gold content was distributed in various categories, but these were generally quite low
concentrations, being less than 0.05 g/t.
Ore hardness was measured using a standard Bond abrasion index, Bond rod mill work index (BRWI), and
bond ball mill work index (BBWI) test procedure. A closing sieve aperture of 106µm was utilized for the Bond
ball mill work index determination. The results of the tests are summarized in Table 13.12.
Table 13.12: Ore hardness data
Bond
BBWI
BBWI Abrasion BRWI
Composite Closing
kWh/ton Index kWh/ton
Screen mm
Ai
MC 1 106 15.6 0.2802 13
The Bond ball mill work index is nearly identical to the Master Composite ball mill work index. Although the
material tested is oxidized it is still classified as moderately hard. The high content of silica and silicates that
will not readily oxidize provides the hardness. This is also confirmed by the relatively high abrasion index.
The sample is quite competent despite its oxidized state.
100
90
80
Mineral Distribution (wt. %)
70
60
50
40
30
20 Multiphase
Binary - Gangue
Binary - Pyrite
10 Binary - Sphalerite
Binary - Galena
0
Copper Sulphide Galena Sphalerite Pyrite Gangue
A schematic of the test flowsheet, along with the test results, are displayed in Figure 13.4 and Table 13.14.
The results of these tests reveal the following points of interest:
- Gold extraction appears to be insensitive to grind size, with recovery being approximately 80 percent
for a range of grind sizes; from 78μm K80 to crush size of K100 3,350μm.
- Silver extraction increased markedly, from about 50 percent to 69 percent, when the feed size to the
cyanidation was decreased from 3,350µm K100 to 299µm K80. Below this sizing, there was no
significant improvement in silver extraction.
- Sodium cyanide consumption levels are moderate, being less than 2.0 kg/t. Lime consumption
decreases as grind size increases, being 4.3 kg/t at 78μm K80 and 1.6 kg/t at 3,350μm K100.
The Column Leach Composite was subjected to a preliminary heap leach amenability test work program. A
crush size of 12.5 mm was selected by the client. This test work was conducted at ALS Metallurgy – Ammtec
in Perth, Australia.
Consumption
Gold and Silver Extractions Percent at Day
Sample Test Element (kg/t)
1 2 5 10 20 30 40 Final* NaCN Lime
MC 1 JS1059 Au 30.9 44.3 59.2 68.6 76 80.3 81.9 82.5 4.6 1.6
Ag 3.2 7.7 19.3 33.4 48 57.4 61.5 62.5
Note: * Forty days of leaching plus seven days of water wash.
The results of the column leach cyanidation reveal the following points of interest:
- Column leach cyanidation test work resulted in an excellent gold extraction level of 81.9 percent
after 40 days of leaching. The extraction level of silver at 61.5 percent, would be considered good
for a column leach cyanidation test.
- Gold dissolution kinetics were relatively rapid with the bulk of exposed cyanidable gold being
solubilised within ten days from the start of column leaching process.
- Sodium cyanide consumption was relatively high, being 4.6 kg/t; this may be due to the open
environment to which the column leach is exposed as compared to the closed environment for the
earlier bottle roll leach tests.
Boroo Gold Mine site metallurgical section received 1300 kg samples from ATO oxidized ore. The composites
crushed by 3 categories, such as 12.5 mm, 25 mm and 50 mm. Each column diameters were 280mm.
The natural percolation rate of the composite, 200 L/h/m2, indicated by ALS Metallurgy/G&T Metallurgical
that agglomeration was not necessary.
All samples classified and Au, Ag grade determined by ACTLABS in UB before loading to column. Leaching
solution PН10,0-10,5 stabilized by hydrated lime Ca(OH)2 after the loaded to column 10 % Cyanide solution
added to column ore level to 300-500 mg/l after stabilized solution PН10,0-10,5 Solution cycle rate was 12
L/h/m2.
Column test continue 57 days and recoveries reached maximum level on 35th day. Solution and ore ratio
was 2.38-2.6:1 end of the test. After column testing, Au and Ag grade in each class determined by lab. Fresh
water added to column for 4 days after test stops.
79 kg left
621 kg left
BLEND
SPLIT
SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Recovery (%)
Feed grade Ratio Cyanid in solution,
Test Bottle roll pH
(g/tn) Column test mg/l
24 h
-12.5 мм 1.25 36.8 72.65 2.5 370 10.53
-25 мм 1.34 58.1 72.23 2.6 488 10.75
-50 мм 1.12 42.0 58.47 2.38 628 10.86
Lime, NaCN,
Test
kg /t kg/t
-12,5 мм 3.45 1.48
-25 мм 2.71 1.34
-50 мм 2.75 1.10
13.5 Conclusions
A preliminary assessment metallurgical test program aimed to investigate ore characteristics and cyanidation
response of gold mineralized composites from the ATO deposit was undertaken. The composites tested in
this program were constructed from half core samples.
The gold grade for the Master Composite 1 was 1.45 g/t, whilst the silver grade was 27 g/t.
Mineralogy, conducted on MC 1, indicates the sulphide mineral content was 1.5 percent by weight of the
feed, with pyrite representing about 61 percent by weight of the sulphide minerals. The liberation data
indicates between 20 and 45 percent of the sulphides were liberated.
Bond ball and rod mill work index tests indicated the MC 1 had values of 15.6 kWh/t and 13.0 kWh/t,
respectively. The Bond abrasion index returned a value of 0.2802.
The initial bottle roll cyanidation tests indicated the gold extraction was insensitive to grind size, being
approximately 80 percent after 48 hours. However, silver extraction increased markedly, from about 50
percent to 69 percent, when the feed size to the cyanidation was decreased from 3,350µm K100 to 299µm
K80. Below this sizing, there was no significant improvement in silver extraction. A preliminary heap leach
amenability test work program was undertaken on the Column Leach Composite at a crush size 12.5mm. The
natural percolation rate of the composite, 10,689 L/h/m2, indicated that agglomeration was not necessary.
The gold extraction after 40 days of column cyanidation leaching was excellent at 81.9 percent, whilst the
silver extraction was good at 61.5 percent.
Large-scale column tests result / Boroo gold /: Elements of oxide ore production are gold and silver.
Results of the Large-scale column tests Boroo gold mining recovery have 72.23% for gold and 64.24% for
silver metal. The chemical reagent is 1.34 kg of sodium cyanide and 2.71 kg of lime for 1 t mineralized
material.
Specific software used for the resource estimation were GEMS6.2 (GEMS) for modeling, resource estimation
and volumetric reports, SNOWDEN Supervisor8.7 for exploratory data analysis, spatial data analysis and
block model (BM) validation, Leapfrog GEO4.0 for grade shell modelling.
The following subsections describe the methods used for and results of the mineral resource estimation for
the ATO deposit.
14.1 Databases
All mineral resource estimation work conducted by the Author QP was based on the data received May 2017
from GLOGEX. Data information and supportive reports were received from several backup sources in
different days. Database checkup to choose a right information from the backup files took significant time
than expected.
The initial database contained 265 diamond drill holes including distant holes from the deposit. Thus, 27
distant holes were excluded from the further estimation stages.
The database for resource estimation contains the records from 238 diamond drill holes for a total of
44,284.2 m and detail records are shown in Table 14.1.
Table 14.1: Drill hole database information
Bulk density data was classified by sample oxidation level for resource estimation. Thus, oxidized samples
returned with an average of 2.46 g/cm3, transition level of samples returned with an average of 2.59 g/cm3
and fresh samples returned with an average of 2.64 g/cm3 (Figure 14.1B, 14.1C, 14.1D).
Bulk density samples were sampled from all rock types with different grades and alteration of the samples
had regular spatial distribution. The Author QP considers these samples could represent the deposit in this
estimation.
Figure 14.1: Histogram of Bulk Density of ATO. A: All; B: Oxidized; C: Transition; and D: Fresh samples
To improve future modeling efforts, the Author QP recommends that the lithology type be less and specific
for mining needs. Current lithology database has 24 different lithology codes. Some of those lithology types
were similar and combined based on the available information ended up with 10 lithology types for further
analyses in this report. However, ore body was not significantly controlled by lithology, therefore only late
mineralization barren diorite and quaternary sediment surface were modelled.
The block model was rotated by 55 degrees along clockwise direction adjusting to the exploration cross
sections created based on the deposit geology. Table 14.2 presents the properties of the block model and
illustrated in Figure 14.4.
Table 14.2: ATO Block model properties
The block models were tagged by excavation solid wireframe models of diorite and grade shells, wireframe
surfaces of topography, quaternary sediments and rock types (oxidation level). The wireframes were
assigned a priority to ensure that the blocks were tagged in the correct order in the case of overlaps.
The tagged block models were validated against the drill hole data in cross sections visually as shown in
Figure 14.5.
Figure 14.5: Rock type block model with drill hole oxide information (Cross section 9SE)
14.4.1 Compositing
Original samples were of varying size, which makes their grades not directly comparable. Hence a first
operation that needs to be done was to standardize sample size by drill hole sample compositing. 75% of the
samples were sampled less than 1.5 m length (Figure 14.6). Thus, the assays were composited into fixed-
length to downhole, with the length of 1.5 m. This is a safeguard against the inclusion of an insufficient
amount of dilution during compositing. Provisions were taken that incomplete composites would be
maintained as is if they were larger than 1 m or merged with an adjoining downhole composite (if they were
shorter).
The composites were checked for spatial correlation with the shells and possible zero composite values.
Total composite sample after processing was counted 29,653 records.
Raw and composited samples of Au grade were compared by their statistics and histograms shown in Table
14.3 to 14.5.
Compositing process reduced variation of the raw data and it indicates raw sample distribution error become
less in in composite samples. Generally all pipes have similar results in composite data. Histogram shapes
have no significant changes and it means overall characteristics of raw and composite data are almost the
same and it is good to continue further analysis using composite samples in this estimation.
Table 14.3: Raw and composite sample statistics for Pipe 1
Au Pipe 1
Au Pipe 2
Au Pipe 4
Analysis of the descriptive statistics indicate that the metals within each pipe appear to have a moderate to
high variability. A large range, coefficient of variation (CV) and variances were seen in the base metals. This
was further supported when the log histograms are analyzed (Figure 14.7-10).
The histograms for all metals have a log-normal distribution. Au grade distribution in Pipe 1 indicates there
are possibly 2 distinct distributions to interpret compare to Pipe 2 and Pipe 4. Au grades in Pipe 2 and Pipe
4 have similar characteristics.
Generally metals distributed differently in pipes and these will consider for further analysis in this report.
Box and Whisker plots for each metals are shown in Figure 14.11-14.
The evaluation of the extreme grades was completed by interpreting probability plots and mean-variance
plots. The extreme grades were examined for each mineralized pipes for all metals individually and Au results
are shown in Figure 14.15-17.
Extreme grade examination plots were competed for Ag, Pb and Zn respectively and results for top capping
parameters for all pipes are shown in Table 14.9. Average metal loss factor is 4.5%. Metal loss factor for gold
in Pipe 4 indicates higher than other pipes but compering data density and accuracy, and higher cut to other
pipes, cupping remained as 20 for further estimates.
High %
Uncut Cut # %
Max Grade Loss
Pipe Metal Sample Mean Mean Samples Samples
(ppm) Capping Metal
(ppm) (ppm) Capped Capped
(ppm) Factor
Pipe 1 Au 6,786 49.86 1.24 12.5 1.21 34 0.50 2.4
Ag 6,786 1,578 7.3 60 6.8 33 0.49 6.8
Pb 6,786 181,307 7,357 70,000 7,234 35 0.52 1.7
Zn 6,786 294,980 11,213 115,000 11,053 34 0.50 1.4
Pipe 2 Au 795 30.88 0.58 11 0.54 5 0.63 6.9
Ag 795 103.3 4.8 40 4.7 4 0.50 2.1
Pb 795 146,707 6,357 70,000 6,136 4 0.50 3.5
Zn 795 184,640 8,390 125,000 8,266 4 0.50 1.5
Pipe 4 Au 3,641 87.08 1.02 20 0.91 18 0.49 10.8
Ag 3,641 820.8 11.7 240 10.9 18 0.49 6.8
Pb 3,641 122,680 2,596 55,000 2,468 19 0.52 4.9
Zn 3,641 216,080 4,514 100,000 4,269 18 0.49 5.4
This section will discuss the correlations of Au, Ag, Pb and Zn assays. The results are shown in Table 14.10.
Table 14.10: Resource Metals Correlation Matrix of the ATO Deposit
The correlation matrix suggests that Au is often moderately associated with Pb and Zn in all pipes. However,
general Ag association to Au in the deposit is low, Ag association with Au in Pipe 2 was strong. Typical strong
correlation of base metals of Pb and Zn indicates the deposit type of mineralization.
Mineralization of each pipes has significant differences like Ag of Pipe 2 and Pip 4 correlations to Pb.
Explanation of the differences were explained in Section 7 to Section 9 of this report.
Due to the style of mineralization found within the deposit, geospatial analysis was completed for
composites within the pipes separately. Understanding the grade continuity and determining extend and
orientation of the continuity is achieved through interpreting and modeling the experimental variograms.
The experimental variograms were calculated for Au, Ag, Pb and Zn within each pipes in Supervisor8.7
Software.
The model parameters fitted to the Au, Ag, Pb and Zn variograms are provided in Table 14.11 and the
variograms are described in Figure 14.18 – 14.21.
Different search ellipsoids were created for each metals in each pipes based on the variogram analysis. The
ellipsoid radiuses from pass 1 were established using the ranges from the geostatistical analysis and the
ellipsoid radiuses from pass 2 were fixed at values equivalent to 2x the ranges of the first pass (Pass 1) to
interpolate blocks that were not interpolated in the first pass. Third pass (Pass 3) was established using
ellipsoid radiuses from Pass 2 doubled to interpolate remaining block from Pass 1 and Pass 2 within
wireframes of the pipes.
Table 14.11: Variogram Analysis Parameters
The geostatistical results summarized in above sections provided the parameters to interpolate the grade
models using 1.5 m composites from the capped grade data in order to produce the best possible grade
estimates for the defined resources in the ATO deposit. The interpolation was run on a GEMS point area
workspace extracted from the drill hole dataset.
The interpolation profiles were customized to estimate grades separately for each metals within pipes. The
Ordinary Kriging (OK) method was selected for the final resource estimation for all pipes.
OK was in 3 passes, with an increased search ellipsoid in each pass to ensure sufficient samples. The minimum
number of samples required within the search neighborhood in order for an estimate to be interpolated and
a maximum number was specified. The minimum number of samples from any one drill hole was also
specified. The interpolation of blocks within a particular mineralized pipes were constrained to use only
composites that fell within that pipe. This constraint ensures that sample values are not smeared across the
pipe boundaries. The parameters for interpolations by Passes are as follows:
Pass 1
Minimum of six (6) and maximum of twelve (12) composite samples in the search ellipse
Octant search, minimum three (3) octants and maximum three (3) composite samples per octant
Pass 2
Minimum of four (4) and maximum of twelve (12) composite samples in the search ellipse
Octant search, minimum three (3) octants and maximum three (3) composite samples per octant
Page 136 of 209
NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT
ATO GOLD PROJECT
Pass 3
Minimum of two (2) and maximum of twelve (12) composite samples in the search ellipse
The estimated Au grade is illustrated on a cross section in Figure 14.22 and in 3D view in Figure 14.23.
Figure 14.22: A Cross Section view showing estimated block grades of the ATO Pipes
The validity of grade estimates is subject to every decision made and it is essential to validate the final model
to ensure that the estimated grades reflect the input information. The ATO block model was validated
throughout several processes on all grade estimates.
Figure 14.25: Swath Plots for Au, Ag, Pb and Zn for the deposit: Red-composites, blue-OK Model, green-ID Model
Table 14.12: Global Mean Table for OK and ID Blocks versus composites
In order to assess the value of the total suite of minerals of economic interests in the mineral inventory,
formulae have been developed to calculate gold equivalency (AuEq) based on given prices and recoveries
from GLOGEX through the issuer.
The base gold equivalent formula incorporates gold, silver, lead and zinc. The assumed metal prices are
$1,306/oz for gold, $21.6/oz for silver, $1,844/t for lead and $1,944/t for zinc. Gold and silver are expressed
in block grades in the form of grams per ton (g/t). Lead and zinc are expressed in block grades in the form of
percentages (%). Metallurgical recovery for gold, silver, lead and zinc are expressed as percentage where
silver, lead and zinc percentages are relative to gold recovery. The unit conversion used in the calculation for
g/t to oz/t was 31.103477 and pound to gr was 453.359237.
Under potential mining circumstances, the issuer requested gold and silver to use for oxide material AuEq
calculation and gold, silver, lead and zinc to use for fresh material AuEq calculation.
𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑃𝑏(𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠ℎ) = 0.6
𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑃𝑏(𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠ℎ) = 0.55
Different metallurgical assumptions for the oxide and fresh materials and these assumptions are based on
metallurgical testwork and confirmed and supplied by GLOGEX.
Measured Resources are those estimated in the first pass. The ranges utilized in the first pass correspond to
those of the first spherical component of the variogram used in the Au interpolations.
Indicated Resources are those estimated in the second kriging pass. The ranges utilized in the second pass
variogram components.
Note that although the mineralized pipes generally enclose only material considered to be Measured and
Indicated, that there are a small number of blocks that were generated in the third interpolation pass, and
are considered as Inferred material.
The Mineral Resource classifications in Section 9SE are shown in Figure 14.26.
Figure 14.26: Mineral Resource classification block model, Pipe 1: Red – Measured; Blue – Indicated; Green – Inferred resources.
Measured Mineral Resource: that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities,
shape, physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient
to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning
and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable
exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such
as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological
and grade continuity.
Indicated Mineral Resource: that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities,
shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the
appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of
the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing
information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably
assumed.
Inferred Mineral Resource: that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be
estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified,
geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
14.9.3 Estimation
Given the density of the processed data, the search ellipse criteria, and the specific interpolation parameters,
the ATO deposit can be classified as Measured Mineral Resources, Indicated Mineral Resources and Inferred
Mineral Resources. The estimate is compliant with CIM standards and guidelines for reporting Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves.
Classified resources were estimated within the three mineralized pipes of Pipe 1, Pipe 2 and Pipe 4 using
above 0.1 g/t AuEq cut-off grade. Table 14.13 shows resource for oxide material and Table 14.14 shows
resources for fresh material. Volumetrics for the resource estimate have been constrained using the
Quaternary surface as the top surface and the mineralized pipe solids as the bottom constrain.
Table 14.13: Mineral Resource Estimate for Oxide material in Pipe 1, 2 and 4
Contained Metal
AuEq (g/t) Tonnage Au Ag
Pipe # Classification Au Ag
Grade Group (mt) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz)
0.1 - 0.3 0.15 0.17 3.84 0.8 18.2
0.3 - 0.6 0.31 0.33 6.68 3.4 67.1
0.6 - 0.9 0.30 0.59 9.20 5.6 87.9
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.32 0.89 8.96 9.2 92.7
1.2 - 1.5 0.34 1.21 8.60 13.1 93.1
1.5 < 1.35 2.26 10.18 97.7 440.8
Total 2.76 1.46 9.01 129.7 799.8
0.1 - 0.3 0.06 0.16 4.04 0.3 8.4
0.3 - 0.6 0.10 0.35 6.46 1.1 19.8
Pipe 1
0.6 - 0.9 0.08 0.56 9.67 1.5 26.2
Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 0.06 0.84 11.28 1.5 20.3
1.2 - 1.5 0.04 1.15 11.69 1.6 16.1
1.5 < 0.13 2.11 11.26 8.9 47.6
Total 0.47 0.98 9.07 14.9 138.4
0.1 - 0.3 0.00 0.19 3.42 0.0 0.1
0.3 - 0.6 0.00 0.24 5.14 0.0 0.1
Inferred
0.6 <
Total 0.00 0.21 3.97 0.0 0.3
0.1 - 0.3 0.11 0.19 3.02 0.7 10.8
0.3 - 0.6 0.17 0.34 4.39 1.9 24.2
0.6 - 0.9 0.05 0.63 5.43 1.1 9.5
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.03 0.93 5.20 0.8 4.3
1.2 - 1.5 0.01 1.21 5.83 0.3 1.5
1.5 < 0.03 2.32 8.73 2.5 9.4
Total 0.40 0.56 4.59 7.3 59.7
0.1 - 0.3 0.46 0.19 2.89 2.7 42.4
0.3 - 0.6 0.62 0.35 4.15 7.0 83.0
0.6 - 0.9 0.16 0.61 5.36 3.1 27.1
Pipe 2 Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 0.05 0.95 5.53 1.5 8.8
1.2 - 1.5 0.03 1.25 5.55 1.4 6.2
1.5 < 0.07 2.27 7.05 5.0 15.5
Total 1.39 0.46 4.10 20.7 183.0
0.1 - 0.3 0.09 0.19 3.35 0.6 9.8
0.3 - 0.6 0.14 0.38 3.67 1.7 16.7
0.6 - 0.9 0.06 0.62 3.51 1.1 6.4
Inferred 0.9 - 1.2 0.01 0.96 4.46 0.3 1.4
1.2 - 1.5 0.00 1.30 4.07 0.2 0.6
1.5 < 0.04 2.35 3.95 3.2 5.3
Total 0.34 0.64 3.62 7.1 40.1
0.1 - 0.3 0.03 0.19 3.60 0.2 2.9
0.3 - 0.6 0.10 0.33 6.23 1.1 21.0
0.6 - 0.9 0.09 0.61 7.74 1.7 21.3
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.04 0.86 9.93 1.2 13.7
1.2 - 1.5 0.03 1.11 14.13 1.2 15.6
1.5 < 0.15 2.24 30.13 10.9 146.9
Total 0.44 1.14 15.49 16.3 221.5
0.1 - 0.3 0.01 0.19 4.65 0.0 1.2
0.3 - 0.6 0.10 0.31 8.73 1.0 26.9
Pipe 4 0.6 - 0.9 0.12 0.57 10.57 2.2 41.2
Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 0.09 0.79 13.58 2.2 37.4
1.2 - 1.5 0.05 1.03 18.46 1.8 32.6
1.5 < 0.22 2.39 31.47 16.9 222.3
Total 0.59 1.28 19.22 24.1 361.5
0.1 - 0.3 0.00 0.23 3.25 0.0 0.1
0.3 - 0.6 0.00 0.26 9.26 0.0 0.5
Inferred 0.6 - 0.9 0.00 0.23 27.40 0.0 0.5
0.9 <
Total 0.00 0.24 11.41 0.0 1.1
Measured + Indicated 6.06 1.09 9.05 213.0 1,763.9
TOTAL
Inferred 0.35 0.63 3.69 7.1 41.4
Table 14.14: Mineral Resource Estimate for Fresh material in Pipe 1, 2 and 4
Contained Metal
AuEq (g/t) Tonnage Au Ag Pb Zn
Pipe # Classification Au Ag Pb Zn
Grade
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (koz) (koz) (mlb) (mlb)
Group
0.1 - 0.3 0.03 0.14 1.63 0.07 0.20 0.1 1.3 0.0 0.1
0.3 - 0.6 0.75 0.20 2.29 0.17 0.47 4.9 55.4 2.8 7.8
0.6 - 0.9 1.00 0.31 2.99 0.30 0.74 10.1 95.7 6.7 16.3
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.99 0.46 3.66 0.45 0.99 14.8 116.3 9.8 21.6
1.2 - 1.5 0.91 0.60 4.59 0.60 1.25 17.4 134.0 12.1 25.0
1.5 < 4.47 1.65 8.10 1.11 1.93 237.1 1,164.1 109.8 190.7
Total 8.14 1.09 5.99 0.79 1.46 284.3 1,566.9 141.3 261.6
0.1 - 0.3 0.01 0.14 1.23 0.08 0.18 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
0.3 - 0.6 0.17 0.22 2.22 0.16 0.45 1.2 12.4 0.6 1.7
0.6 - 0.9 0.24 0.32 3.05 0.30 0.73 2.5 23.2 1.6 3.8
Pipe 1 Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 0.28 0.45 3.37 0.49 1.02 4.1 30.2 3.0 6.3
1.2 - 1.5 0.24 0.56 4.23 0.65 1.29 4.4 33.2 3.5 6.9
1.5 < 0.66 1.28 7.27 1.11 2.13 27.4 155.5 16.3 31.2
Total 1.61 0.77 4.93 0.70 1.41 39.6 254.9 25.0 50.0
0.1 - 0.3
0.3 - 0.6 0.01 0.28 3.75 0.10 0.31 0.1 1.6 0.0 0.1
0.6 - 0.9 0.02 0.37 4.39 0.21 0.61 0.3 3.2 0.1 0.3
Inferred 0.9 - 1.2 0.03 0.49 3.30 0.54 0.97 0.5 3.6 0.4 0.7
1.2 - 1.5 0.04 0.55 4.01 0.74 1.22 0.8 5.8 0.7 1.2
1.5 < 0.06 0.57 6.18 1.06 2.59 1.0 11.3 1.3 3.3
Total 0.17 0.50 4.62 0.69 1.48 2.8 25.5 2.6 5.6
0.1 - 0.3 0.00 0.16 1.15 0.09 0.18 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.3 - 0.6 0.01 0.20 2.90 0.31 0.40 0.1 1.0 0.1 0.1
0.6 - 0.9 0.03 0.24 2.80 0.34 0.88 0.3 2.9 0.2 0.6
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.02 0.39 3.45 0.49 1.10 0.3 2.3 0.2 0.5
1.2 - 1.5 0.02 0.49 4.05 0.67 1.50 0.3 2.6 0.3 0.7
1.5 < 0.08 0.73 6.58 1.18 2.94 2.0 17.8 2.2 5.4
Total 0.17 0.53 4.93 0.82 1.98 2.9 26.6 3.0 7.3
0.1 - 0.3 0.00 0.16 0.92 0.10 0.18 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.3 - 0.6 0.02 0.19 2.32 0.26 0.53 0.1 1.5 0.1 0.2
0.6 - 0.9 0.05 0.25 3.03 0.34 0.83 0.4 4.7 0.4 0.9
Pipe 2 Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 0.03 0.39 3.91 0.49 1.14 0.4 3.9 0.3 0.8
1.2 - 1.5 0.03 0.45 4.90 0.69 1.56 0.4 4.2 0.4 0.9
1.5 < 0.18 0.95 7.21 1.42 2.86 5.6 42.8 5.8 11.6
Total 0.31 0.69 5.71 1.02 2.11 6.9 57.2 7.0 14.5
0.1 - 0.3
0.3 - 0.6 0.00 0.26 2.59 0.24 0.31 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0
0.6 - 0.9 0.01 0.28 4.07 0.51 0.65 0.1 1.4 0.1 0.2
Inferred 0.9 - 1.2 0.01 0.44 3.48 0.47 1.11 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.2
1.2 - 1.5 0.01 0.62 3.75 0.59 1.26 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.2
1.5 < 0.09 0.81 13.57 2.00 4.72 2.5 41.0 4.1 9.8
Total 0.12 0.72 11.40 1.67 3.88 2.8 44.2 4.4 10.3
0.1 - 0.3 0.30 0.16 2.32 0.04 0.09 1.6 22.7 0.3 0.6
0.3 - 0.6 1.31 0.26 4.65 0.10 0.19 10.8 196.5 2.9 5.6
0.6 - 0.9 0.86 0.44 6.44 0.18 0.33 12.2 177.9 3.4 6.3
Measured 0.9 - 1.2 0.56 0.64 8.51 0.25 0.44 11.5 152.0 3.0 5.3
1.2 - 1.5 0.41 0.87 11.44 0.28 0.47 11.4 149.3 2.5 4.2
1.5 < 1.49 2.24 10.81 0.57 0.94 107.3 517.9 18.8 30.8
Total 4.93 0.98 7.68 0.28 0.49 154.8 1,216.3 30.9 52.8
0.1 - 0.3 0.40 0.16 2.25 0.05 0.10 2.0 29.1 0.5 0.9
0.3 - 0.6 1.80 0.25 4.44 0.12 0.22 14.4 257.3 4.7 8.6
0.6 - 0.9 1.35 0.42 7.45 0.18 0.33 18.4 324.4 5.5 10.0
Pipe 4 Indicated 0.9 - 1.2 1.03 0.62 11.70 0.21 0.39 20.5 385.9 4.8 8.8
1.2 - 1.5 0.77 0.82 16.59 0.25 0.41 20.1 408.2 4.2 6.9
1.5 < 2.16 2.05 15.99 0.45 0.76 142.4 1,112.3 21.7 36.2
Total 7.52 0.90 10.42 0.25 0.43 217.7 2,517.3 41.3 71.3
0.1 - 0.3 0.05 0.17 1.90 0.05 0.08 0.3 2.9 0.0 0.1
0.3 - 0.6 0.31 0.26 6.42 0.08 0.15 2.6 64.7 0.6 1.1
0.6 - 0.9 0.33 0.43 12.15 0.11 0.20 4.6 129.8 0.8 1.5
Inferred 0.9 - 1.2 0.31 0.61 18.51 0.11 0.21 6.1 185.4 0.8 1.4
1.2 - 1.5 0.24 0.74 28.76 0.10 0.20 5.6 220.9 0.5 1.0
1.5 < 0.47 1.40 32.59 0.44 0.89 21.4 496.8 4.6 9.3
Total 1.72 0.73 19.92 0.19 0.38 40.6 1,100.5 7.3 14.3
Measured + Indicated 22.67 0.97 7.74 0.50 0.92 706.2 5,639.1 248.5 457.5
TOTAL
Inferred 2.01 0.71 18.11 0.32 0.68 46.1 1,170.1 14.3 30.2
Gold equivalent (AuEq) Cut-off grades for oxide and fresh ore were calculated for the ATO using following
equation:
Contained Metal
Tonnage Au Ag
Classification Au Ag
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz)
Pipe 1 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Oxide
Measured 2.61 1.53 9.30 129 782
Indicated 0.41 1.11 9.87 15 130
Measured + Indicated 3.02 1.48 9.37 144 912
Inferred 0.00 0.24 5.14 0 0
Pipe 2 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Oxide
Measured 0.29 0.70 5.19 7 49
Indicated 0.93 0.60 4.69 18 141
Measured + Indicated 1.23 0.62 4.81 25 190
Inferred 0.25 0.80 3.72 7 30
Pipe 4 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Oxide
Measured 0.42 1.20 16.20 16 219
Indicated 0.58 1.30 19.42 24 360
Measured + Indicated 1.00 1.25 18.06 40 579
Inferred 0.00 0.25 14.11 0 1
ATO Deposit (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off) - TOTAL Oxide
Measured 3.33 1.42 9.81 152 1,049
Indicated 1.92 0.92 10.22 57 631
Measured + Indicated 5.25 1.23 9.96 208 1,680
Inferred 0.26 0.79 3.81 7 31
Contained Metal
Tonnage Au Ag Pb Zn
Classification Au Ag Pb Zn
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (koz) (koz) (mlb) (mlb)
Pipe 1 (1.1 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Fresh
Measured 5.71 1.41 7.30 1.00 1.77 260 1,340 126 224
Indicated 1.01 1.03 6.17 0.94 1.82 33 200 21 41
Measured + Indicated 6.72 1.36 7.13 0.99 1.78 293 1,541 147 264
Inferred 0.12 0.56 4.95 0.87 1.84 2 19 2 5
Pipe 2 (1.1 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Fresh
Measured 0.11 0.67 5.96 1.05 2.58 2 21 3 6
Indicated 0.22 0.86 6.79 1.29 2.64 6 48 6 13
Measured + Indicated 0.33 0.80 6.52 1.21 2.62 9 69 9 19
Inferred 0.10 0.79 12.69 1.87 4.42 3 42 4 10
Pipe 4 (1.1 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Fresh
Measured 2.06 1.85 10.86 0.49 0.81 122 718 22 37
Indicated 3.24 1.63 15.88 0.38 0.64 169 1,652 27 46
Measured + Indicated 5.29 1.71 13.93 0.42 0.70 292 2,370 50 82
Inferred 0.81 1.12 30.09 0.30 0.60 29 785 5 11
ATO Deposit (1.1 g/t AuEq Cut-off) - TOTAL Fresh
Measured 7.88 1.52 8.21 0.87 1.53 385 2,080 150 266
Indicated 4.47 1.46 13.24 0.55 1.01 209 1,900 55 99
Measured + Indicated 12.35 1.50 10.03 0.75 1.34 594 3,980 205 366
Inferred 1.04 1.02 25.44 0.52 1.12 34 847 12 26
Notes:
1. Estimate of Mineral Resources has been estimated by the Author QP.
2. ATO Mineral Resources are as at August 21, 2017.
3. Mineral Resources include Mineral Reserves.
4. Contained gold estimates have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
5. Mineral Resources are estimated using a 0.3 g/t AuEq cut-off grade for oxide material and a 1.1 g/t AuEq.cut-off grade for fresh material.
6. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability for heap leaching.
7. A conversion factor of 31.103477 grams per ounce 453.59237 grams per pound are used in the resource estimates.
8. AuEq has been calculated using assumed metal prices ($1,306.6/oz for gold, $21.6/oz for silver, $1,844/t for lead and $1,944/t for zinc).
Oxide ore calculation: AuEq(g/t) = Au(g/t) + (Ag(g/t) x 21.6 x 0.0321507 x 0.4) / (1,306.6 x 0.0321507 x 0.7)
Fresh ore calculation: AuEq(g/t) = Au(g/t) + ((Ag(g/t) x 21.6 x 0.0321507 x 0.75) + (Pb% x 1,844 x 10-6 x 0.6) + (Zn% x 1,944 x 10-6 x 0.55))
/ (1,306.6 x 0.0321507 x 0.71)
9. Totals may not match due to rounding.
Areas of uncertainty that could materially affect the Mineral Resource estimates include the following in
general:
Commodity pricing.
Interpretations of fault geometries.
Effect of piping system as a control on mineralization.
Lithological and structure interpretations on a local scale, including dyke modelling.
Pit slope angles.
Metal recovery assumptions.
Dilution considerations.
Estimates of operating costs used to support reasonable prospects assessment.
Changes to drill spacing and number of drill hole composites used to support classification
categories.
The QPs are not aware that there is a known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, social-
economic, marketing or political issue to materially affect the resource estimation. The environmental
permit granted to CGM in 2011 is currently under update by STEPPE and will be finalized before mine
commencement permit by the Fourth Quarter of 2018.
Mining, geotechnical, and hydrological factors have been considered in the estimation of the Mineral
Reserves, including the application of dilution and ore recovery factors, where appropriate. The QPs notes
that other modifying factors (such as metallurgical, environmental, social, political, legal, marketing, and
economic factors) have also been considered to the required standard, and that they each demonstrate the
viability of Mineral Reserves in their own regard.
The Mineral Reserve definition is done by first identifying ultimate pit limits using economic and geometrical
parameters with pit optimization techniques. The resulting optimized pit shells were then used for guidance
in pit design to allow access for equipment and personnel. Several phases of mining were defined to enhance
the economics of the project, and GLOGEX used the phased pit designs to define the production schedule to
be used for cash-flow analysis for the feasibility study.
Pit optimization was done using Gemcom Whittle software (version 4.6) by GLOGEX to define pit limits with
input for economic and slope parameters. Optimization used only Measured and Indicated Resources for
oxide ore processing. All material under 0.3 g/t AuEq ore was considered as waste.
Varying gold prices were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the deposit to the price of gold as well as to
develop a strategy for optimizing project cash flow. To achieve cash flow optimization, mining phases or push
backs were developed using the guidance of Lerchs-Grossman pit shells at lower gold prices.
Mining and processing costs are reflective of the final costs determined for this study. General and
administrative (“G&A”) costs are assumed to be fixed at $ 0.8 per ton processed oxide ore.
A base price of $ 1,306.6 per ounce of gold was used for cutoff grade calculations and Whittle project
evaluations. Other gold prices were also used for sensitivity analysis.
Where:
Table 15.1 shows the input parameters used in the Cut-off grade calculations for the Mineral Reserve
estimates. In this report 0.3 g Au/t cutoff for pit definition, scheduling, and Proven Reserve and Probable
Reserve statement.
GLOGEX used these recommendations to develop parameters for pit design and pit optimization. The
recommendations allow for up to a 50 degree inter-ramp angle.
Table 15.2: Whittle Pit Optimization Result (AuEq cut-off 0.3 g/t)
Detailed pit design was completed, including an ultimate pit. The ultimate pit was designed to allow mining
of economic resources identified by Whittle pit optimization while providing safe access for people and
equipment. Internal pits or phases within the ultimate pits and were designed to enhance the project by
providing higher-value material to the leach pad earlier in the mine life.
Slope recommendations were given as a single set of parameters for all walls in the pit as follows:
The Author QP’s grade model with block sizes of 5 m by 5 m by 2.5 m was used to estimate resources. The
model was estimated based on this block size, and this model was used to define the ultimate pit limit and
to estimate Proven Reserves and Probable Reserves. While the pit design is based on max 2.5 m bench
heights, in areas of high/waste grade variability, the benches could be mined at the meter block heights as
required. Thus, GLOGEX believes that the block size is reasonable with respect to a selective mining unit and
it is not more than 3% and 2%. GLOGEX further believes that this represents an appropriate amount of
dilution for statement of reserves for the ATO deposit.
Mineral Reserves for the project were developed by applying relevant modifying factors in order to define
the economically extractable portions of the resource. The QPs estimated and reviewed the Mineral reserves
based on the Cut-off grades by GLOGEX study and the Mineral Reserves meet NI 43-101 standards. The NI
43-101 standards rely on the 2014 CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
adopted by the CIM council. CIM standards define modifying factors as:
Modifying Factors: Modifying Factors are considerations used to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral
Reserves. These include, but are not restricted to, mining, processing, metallurgical, infrastructure, economic,
marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors.
Probable Mineral Reserve: A Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated,
and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. The confidence in the Modifying Factors applying
to a Probable Mineral Reserve is lower than that applying to a Proven Mineral Reserve.
Proven Mineral Reserve: A Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral
Resource. A Proven Mineral Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying Factors.
Table 15.3 reports the Proven and Probable Reserves within oxide ore based ultimate pit designs discussed
above. The reserves are shown to be economically viable based on the cash-flow model provided by GLOGEX.
The Mining QP has reviewed the cash-flow model and believes that it is reasonable for the statement of the
Proven and Probable Reserves for oxide pit reserve. Note that there are some fresh (or transition) material
above cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t AuEq inside of the ultimate oxide pits reported as oxide pit reserve in Table
15.3.
Table 15.3: ATO Deposit Mineral Reserves for Oxide Pits
Contained Metal
Tonnage Au Ag
Classification Au Ag
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz)
Pipe 1 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off)
Proven 2.74 1.54 9.29 136 818
Probable 0.41 1.13 9.93 15 132
Total Reserve - Pipe 1 3.15 1.49 9.38 151 950
Pipe 2 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off)
Proven 0.24 0.74 5.13 6 40
Probable 0.82 0.60 4.70 16 124
Total Reserve - Pipe 2 1.06 0.63 4.80 22 164
Pipe 4 (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off)
Proven 0.39 1.25 17.22 16 219
Probable 0.57 1.33 19.98 25 367
Total Reserve - Pipe 4 0.97 1.30 18.85 40 586
ATO Deposit (0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-off)
Proven 3.37 1.45 9.92 157 1,076
Probable 1.80 0.96 10.74 55 623
TOTAL RESERVE - ATO 5.18 1.28 10.21 213 1,700
Table 15.4 represents the Proven and Probable Reserves including mining dilution and ore loss. The total ore
tonnage before dilution and ore loss is estimated at 5.18 Mt at an average grade of 1.28 g/t Au for 213
thousand oz. The dilution tonnage 0.15 Mt represents 3% of the ore tonnage before dilution.
Table 15.4: Mining dilution and Ore loss Reconciliation for ATO Deposit Mineral Reserves
Contained Metal
Tonnage Au Ag
Classification Au Ag
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz)
Ore before ore loss and dilution 5.18 1.28 10.21 213 1,700
Less: Ore loss - 2% 0.10 1.28 10.21 4 34
Ore before mining dilution 5.07 1.28 10.21 209 1,666
Add: Mining dilution - 3% 0.15 0.18 3.22 1 16
TOTAL RESERVE - ATO 5.23 1.24 9.91 210 1,681
The final ATO Deposit Mineral Reserves represents in the Table 15.5. The total ore tonnage is estimated at
5.23 Mt at an average grade of 1.25 g/t for 147 thousand oz of recovered Au and at an average grade of
10.00 g/t for 673 thouand oz of recovered Ag.
Table 15.5: ATO Deposit Mineral Reserves Statement as at August 21, 2017
The QPs are not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing,
political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.
An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are
estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply
but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity.
Table 15.4 shows the Inferred Resources inside of the pit designs for each pipe.
Contained Metal
Classification Tonnage Au Ag
Au Ag
Inferred Reserve
(mt) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz)
Pipe 1
Pipe 2 0.21 0.78 3.71 5 25
Pipe 4
Total Inferred 0.21 0.78 3.71 5 25
16 MINING METHODS
16.1 Material Types
Material was broken into ore and waste categories for the purpose of scheduling. Waste consists of material
that is not included into Proven and Probable Reserves. Ore is categorized by grade, classification, and
metallurgical type.
All ore material is considered to be economic and is either feed directly to the crusher or in stockpiles near
the crusher.
The ATO project has been planned as an open-pit truck and shovel operation. The truck and shovel method
provides reasonable cost benefits and selectivity for this type of deposit. Only open-pit mining methods are
considered for mining at ATO.
The waste dump is intended to be built as a flat surface extending through the valley to the north. The dump
height is not expected to exceed 10 m between the dumping crest to the underlying topography. Waste
material would be dumped against a berm on the dump face, and dozers would be used to maintain the
dumping face.
The waste dump has a total capacity of more than 20 million tons of the required 2,846 thousand tons of
waste, though there is suitable space to expand the dump to the north or upward.
Proven and Probable Reserves were used to schedule mine production, and Inferred Resources inside of the
pit were considered as waste. The final production schedule uses trucks and shovels as required to produce
the ore to be fed into the process plant and maintain stripping requirements for each case.
1,400,000
1,212,138 1,215,459 1,212,138 1,212,138
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000 693,975
656,185 637,815
583,311
600,000
400,000 302,204
241,968
200,000
73,180
32,399
-
1 2 3 4 5 6
500
439
450 408 400
400
337
350
300
250
200
150
86
100
50.1 50.3 51.5 44.6
50 11.3 12 1.7
-
2018-IY 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Ag, K Oz Au, K Oz
The following Section contains equipment selection and fleet requirements in order to carry out the mine
plan for the open pit. The mine will be operated with a Contractor fleet which is presented in Table 16.2.
GLOGEX uses Sherpa surface mine software for equipment optimization and fleet selection.
Table 16.2: Mining Equipment Fleet
Fleet size
Equipment’s and production segment Equipment Specifications
2018- IY 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023-I
Hydraulic Shovel-Ore 2.3 cubic meter 1 1 1 1 1 1
Rear-Dump Truck-Ore 32 metric ton 2 2 2 2 2 2
Front-End Loader-Waste 1.5 cubic meter 1 1 1 1 1 1
Rear-Dump Truck-Waste 32 metric ton 1 1 1 1 1 1
Rotary Drill-Ore 17.15 centimeter 1 1 1 1 1 1
Rotary Drill-Waste 17.15 centimeter 1 1 1 1 1 1
Bulldozers 60 kilowatt 2 2 2 2 2 2
Graders 115 kilowatt 1 1 1 1 1 1
Water Tankers 9500 liter 1 1 1 1 1 1
Tire Service Trucks 1800 gvw 2 2 2 2 2 2
Bulk Trucks/Powder Buggies 275 kilogram/minute 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lighting Plants 7.8 kilowatt 4 4 4 4 4 4
Pick-up Trucks 680 kilogram 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total 21 21 21 21 21 21
The mine production schedule is based on a 7 day per week schedule, with two 12 hour shifts per day. There
are four crews planned to cover the rotating schedule. Each 12 hour shift contains a half-hour down for
blasting and miscellaneous delays, a half-hour for shift start up and shutdown and an hour for lunch breaks
for a total of 10 effective working hours.
Each year contains unscheduled time for nine holidays and two non-productive weather shifts, equivalent to
330 days of mine operation per year. Because the mine contract is based on production targets, GLOGEX
has not included any equipment availabilities nor utilization rates for any mine equipment in this report
determined as a function of the largest truck width to be used during mining. Design criteria accounts for 3.5
times the width of the truck for running room in areas using two-way traffic. An additional width was added
to the ramp for a single safety berm at least half of a tire height inside of the pit. For roads designed outside
of the pit, an additional safety berm is accounted for in the road widths.
Contract mining has been assumed, using 32 ton capacity trucks. The operating width of the trucks was
assumed to be 4.5 m. Ramps are designed to allow 3.5 times the operating width of the trucks along with
room for sufficient safety berms. The ramp width used for design is 15 m.
Salaries for mine-staffs positions were estimated based on information received from Khishig Arvin,
Mongolian biggest contract mining company. Salaries include an allowance for benefits at a rate of 20% of
the base salary for each position.
Table 16.3: Contractor’s mine operating personnel Requirements
17 RECOVERY METHODS
This section describes the recovery methods used for the ATO Project for the crushing, heap leach and
process facilities. Flowsheet development, operating parameters and design criteria were based on results
from metallurgical test work presented in Section 13. The gold recovery process was designed on the basis
of leaching 1.2 Mt of ore per year with an average gold grade of 1.25 g/t, average silver grade of 10.0 g/t at
an overall gold recovery of 70%, silver recovery 40%.
The three-stage crushing plant will operate at a nominal 5860 t/d throughput, 275 days per year.
The process plant, located near to and down-gradient from the heap leach facility HLF to minimize the
pumping and pipeline requirements for pregnant and barren solutions, will operate 365 days per year. The
pregnant solution will flow to the plant at a nominal rate of 200 m3/h and a design flowrate of 250 m3/h. The
plant is designed to process 5 ton of carbon per day using an adsorption, desorption and refining (ADR)
process to extract gold from the pregnant solution to produce the gold doré. The gold ore processing facilities
will include the following unit operations:
Primary crusher: a vibrating grizzly screen and jaw crusher in open circuit producing a final product
P80 of approximately 190 mm;
Secondary and tertiary crusher: a vibrating screen and cone crushers operating in reverse closed
circuit producing a final product P80 of 25 mm, and;
Heap placement: crushed ore stacked to a 3,000 ton - capacity stockpile, reclaimed by a radial
stacker.
Heap Leach Pad
The process design criteria and mass balance detail the annual ore production, major flows, and plant
availability. Several considerations to mitigate the Tsagaan Ovoo climate, especially with respect to the
severe winter conditions, have been included in the general design criteria:
Pregnant solution will be heated as required to maintain a minimum discharge temperature at the
heap leach pad of 60C;
The drip emitter lines will be buried in the winter to provide a degree of insulation;
Barren and pregnant solution–feed pipelines will be buried a minimum depth of 2.5 m;
Dedicated standby generators will be installed for backup power supply to the barren solution
pumps;
The crushing and process plant buildings will be pre-engineered steel structures with insulated steel
roofs and walls.
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A gold and silver production schedule has been prepared based on the mining plan and head grades as
discussed in mining section as well as the expected recoveries determined from the metallurgical data
review. These are shown in table below.
Table 17.2: Production plan
Gold in ROM Silver in ROM ore, Silver Gold produced, Silver produced,
Period Gold recovery
ore, oz oz recovery oz oz
2019 49,834 337,583 70% 40% 34,883.56 135,033
2020 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754
2021 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754
2022 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754
2023-I 10,193 138,059 70% 40% 7,135 55,224
Total 209,527 1,681,295 70% 40% 146,669 672,518
A block flow diagram and a schematic flowsheet for the plant and process flows are shown in Figure 17.1
and Figure 17.2.
17.3.1 Crushing
A single crushing circuit will be utilized for preparation of the heap leach feed comprised of a conventional
closed-circuit jaw / cone / cone crusher flow sheet.
Run-of-mine ore (ROM) will be trucked from the open pits and dumped directly into a primary feed hopper.
Primary crusher feed will be drawn from the feed hopper by a feeder discharging onto a vibrating grizzly
screen. The grizzly screen oversize will feed the primary jaw crusher. The grizzly undersize and jaw crusher
product are to be transported to the secondary screen by a secondary screen feed conveyor, which is
equipped with a metal detector and magnet.
The crushing plant will operate 275 days per year. If the crushing plant is down, the mine haul trucks will
dump onto the ROM stockpile. A FEL (Front end loader) will be used to reclaim the ROM material and deliver
the material to the dump pocket. The ROM stockpile will also be used to feed the crusher if the mining
operations are suspended.
Ore from the secondary screen feed conveyor will be transported to the secondary vibrating screen. Screen
undersize material will be conveyed to the 3,000 ton heap leach feed stockpile. Lime will be added to the
stockpile feed conveyor from the 200 ton lime silo by screw conveyor for pH control at a rate of 2.7 kg/t.
Screen oversize material will be conveyed to the secondary cone crusher. The secondary cone crusher
discharge and jaw crusher product combine on the secondary screen feed conveyor back to the secondary
screen. The crushing circuit is designed to handle all ore types and comprises a primary jaw crusher, a
secondary and an optional tertiary cone crushers operating in closed circuit with a final product screen.
Conventional, three stage lift (nominally 8 m per lift), free-draining heap over a gently sloping heap
leach pad (HLP) along the axis of the ridgeline west of the ADR plant;
The leach pad will be graded and constructed in a nominally balanced cut-and-fill manner using
locally borrowed (within the heap boundary) rock for structural fill, supplemented as needed by
mine waste including waste rock and, if available, thaw-stable soil for lining the pad subgrade before
placement of the liner system;
Permanent and interim perimeter diversion channels and berms to manage surface water flows;
Perimeter access and ore haulage roads;
Leach pad liner system will be constructed in the steps described below:
o Graded subgrade to provide a non-puncturing surface for the geosynthetic liner;
o Leak detection using horizontal wick drains to operate as large-scale lysimeters;
o Reinforced clay liner (500mm);
o Primary geomembrane liner, 1.5 mm thick linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), bottom side
aggressively textured, and
o Overliner gravel (crushed ore), 700 mm thick, with drainage pipes, to protect the liner from
ripping during initial ore stacking and to minimize the hydraulic head directly over the
geomembrane;
Gravity drainage from the leach pad to the pregnant tank at the ADR plant or (in the case of an upset) the
events ponds in double-contained and buried pipes;
Cyanide solution, caustic solution, antiscalant and make-up water are added to the barren tank as needed.
Barren solution will be heated to increase solution temperature by 8oC before being pumped back to the
leach pad in order to maintain the thermal integrity of the heap leach pad. On average, 5 ton of loaded
carbon from the first carbon column will be pumped to the acid wash and stripping circuits each day. The
carbon-in the second column will be advanced to the first and the process will be continued down the train.
The carbon from the fifth column will advance to the fifth column and then freshly reactivated carbon will
be added.
A recessed impeller pump will transfer acid washed carbon from the acid wash tank into the strip or elution
vessel. Carbon slurry will discharge directly into the top of the elution vessel. Under normal operation, only
one elution will take place each day.
To compensate for carbon losses by attrition, new carbon will be added to the carbon attrition tank.
New carbon and fresh water are mixed to break off any loose pieces of carbon prior to being combined with
the reactivated carbon in the carbon holding tank.
17.3.3.5 Refining
Pregnant solution will flow by gravity to a secure gold room. The solution will flow through one of two 3.54
m3 electrowinning cells. Gold will be plated onto knitted-mesh steel wool cathodes in the electrowinning
cell. Loaded cathodes will be power washed to remove the gold-bearing sludge and any remaining steel wool.
The gold-bearing sludge and steel wool will be filtered to remove excess moisture and then retorted to
remove any mercury. The retort residue will be mixed with fluxes consisting of borax, silica and soda ash
before being smelted in an induction furnace to produce gold doré and slag. The doré will be transported to
an off-site refiner for further purification. Slag will be processed to remove prills for re-melting in the furnace.
The gold bars will be stored in a vault located in the gold room prior to secure off-site transportation by
aircraft.
17.3.3.5 Reagents
Sodium cyanide briquettes will be delivered to site in containers and in 1 ton super sacks contained in a wood
frame. The briquettes will be mixed in the cyanide mix tank and subsequently transferred to the cyanide
solution storage tank. The concentrated cyanide solution will be added to the barren tank at a rate of 0.2
kg/t of ore. Cyanide will be used in the carbon strip circuit at a concentration of 0.1%.The principles and
standards of practice for the transport to site and handling of cyanide on site will be in accordance with the
guidelines set out in the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC).
Sodium Hydroxide (caustic) will be supplied to site in 1 ton totes. The caustic will be mixed and stored for
distribution to the acid wash and strip circuits. The caustic will be used to neutralize the acid in the acid wash
circuit. A solution of 1.0% caustic will be mixed with barren solution in the carbon strip circuit.
Hydrochloric acid and antiscalant solutions will be supplied to site in 1 ton totes. The solutions will be
metered directly from the totes for distribution in the plant.
Hydrated lime will be delivered to the site in bulk by trucks and stored in a 200 ton lime silo. The lime will be
delivered at a rate of 2.7 kg/t of ore by screw feeder onto the heap leach feed conveyor during heap loading
operations.
17.3.3.6 Laboratory
An assay and metallurgical laboratory will be equipped to perform sample preparation and assays by atomic
absorption, fire assay, and CN soluble analyses. The facility will be equipped to prepare and analyze up to
3,600 samples per month. The laboratory facility will support exploration, mining, minor environmental
sampling, TSS monitoring and processing. The majority of the environmental samples will be sent off-site to
an accredited laboratory for third party reporting. The laboratory has space available for process
optimization and test program.
18 PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE
The ATO property is situated in the eastern side of the Mongolia, which located in Tsagaan Ovoo soum of
Dornod aimag. 660 km east of the Ulaanbaatar city, northwest of the Choibalsan city and 38 km east of
Tsagaan Ovoo soum. The closest town, Tsagaan ovoo soum is located on shore of Hoovor nuur is medium
developed infrastructure.
The both of Infrastructure and construction building are designed for Mongolian harsh weather. Following
Construction facilities would build in the project site:
Process-related facilities
Laboratory
Warehouse and maintenance areas
Office building
Fuel storage
Explosives storage
Power supply
Water supply
Heap leach facilities and ponds
Camp
18.1 Facilities
Following major buildings constructed at the ATO polymetallic mine project include:
18.1.2 Laboratory
Laboratory building locates close to Processing plant. Office building next to laboratory building. The both
building are single storey, office building 400m2 to house some administrative and technical staffs.
There are following fuel tanks will constructed at project site. All tanks are made by steel
18.1.7 Camp
The mining camp constructed at the ATO project which has capable for 300 staffs include:
Kitchen capacity for 250 people. Building space is also allocated for restroom, cold storage area and staff
room.
Laundry building
Heating plant
Septic system
RPS Aquaterra done all water exploration and found capable source of water 420 l/sec for 20 years. The
Project uses water rights with a total consumptive of 11.02 litres per second.
Table 18.1: Water usage
Total usage
No User
l/sec м3/hour
1 Camp 0.6 2.16
2 Open pit 2.65 9.54
3 Processing plant 7.77 27.97
Total 11.02 39.67
The project’s normal operating demand load is estimated to be 2.4 megawatts. The project will connected
to Diesel Power generator /CAT 3512B/ which are generates 3.6 mWt.
18.4 Roads
The mine access road connects the project site to Choibalsan city 120 km, approximately 660 km from the
Ulaanbaatar city. The road is constructed as a gravel embankment.
18.5 Communications
A communication system is on site to support internet, VOIP, and data communications necessary for daily
operation of the mine, plant, and office. The mine site also has good cell phone coverage. Plant operators,
survey crews, supervisors, and the mine contractor all have portable hand-held radios for operational
communications. Closest town Tsagaan ovoo’s population is 3,800.
19 MARKET STUDIES
Gold and silver production can be competitively sold to numerous reputable smelters and refiners
throughout the world on a regular and predictable basis. Demand for gold and silver is presently high, with
December 2016 gold and silver spot prices ranging from approximately $1,275 to $1,334 per ounce and
$17.68 to $22.11 per ounce, respectively.
The large number of available markets for ATO allows gold and silver to be readily sold on the spot market.
STEPPE expects that the production from ATO will be marketed through the contracts currently in place for
producing mines.
The gold and silver prices used in the economic analyses are $1,306.6 per Au oz and $21.6 per Ag oz.
Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 average
Gold 972.35 1224.53 1571.52 1668.98 1411.23 1266.4 1160.06 1250.74 1233.46 1,306.6
USD/oz
Silver 14.67 20.19 35.11 31.14 23.79 19.07 15.68 17.14 17.38 21.6
USD/oz
This chapter contains project implementer’s monitoring system on environmental protection, legal
environment, protection plan, revision program and mine closure and rehabilitation plan which are
estimated to have expenditure of 20.6 million tugrik (MNT).
Table 20.1: Details on the cost for environment
76.9% of the total environmental cost is for mine closure and restoration while 25.5% is estimated for
environmental protection and revision work during mining process.
STEPPE shall comply with MNS ISO 14001:2005 standard that provides requirements for the design,
implementation and certification of an environmental management system and MNS ISO 14004:2005”, a
“General Guidelines On Principles, Systems And Supporting Techniques environmental management
system” when preparing guidance of monitoring system on environmental protection. Environmental
management system shall include:
• To identify environmental policy concerning special features of project activities and environmental
condition of the region where the project is proposed to be implemented.
• To identify the workers’ duties and environmental objectives in corporate level
• Activities and implementation of the objectives
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The project implementer shall comply with the relevant legislation and standards of Mongolia.
Table 20.2: List of environmental laws relevant to placer gold and mixed metal deposit mining project.
Date of Date of
№ Name of law
enactment amendment
1 Minerals law 2006.07.08 2012.05.27
2 Law on air pollution payment 2010.06.24 2012.05.27
3 Law on air 2010.06.24 2012.05.27
4 Law on fauna 2000.05.05 2012.05.27
5 Environmental protection law 2012.05.17
6 Law on environmental impact assessment 2012.05.17
7 Law on natural resource use fee 2012.05.17
8 Law on land 2002.06.07 2012.05.17
9 Law on disaster protection
10 Law on subsoil 1988.11.29 1995.04.17
11 Law on land fee 1997.04.24 2005.07.01
12 Law on Prohibiting Mineral Extraction and Exploration in Headwaters of Rivers 2009.07.16
and Forest Resource Areas
13 Law on Soil Protection and Prevention of Desertification 2012.05.17
14 Law on special protected areas 1994.11.15 2008.12.19
15 Law on water 2004.04.22 2012.05.17
16 Law on water pollution fee 2012.05.17
17 Law on culture 1988.11.19 1995.04.17
18 Law on protecting cultural heritage 2001.06.08 2005.06.02
Some standards relevant to environmental protection and rehabilitation work is listed below.
Table 20.3: List of standards
№ Standard Title
1 MNS 5914:2008 Environment. Land reclamation
2 MNS 5915:2008 Environment. Classification of land destroyed due to mining activities.
3 MNS 5916:2008 Environment. Requirements for fertile soil removing and its temporary storage during the earth
excavation.
4 MNS 5917:2008 Environment. Reclamation of land destroyed due to mining activities. General technical
requirements.
5 MNS 5918:2008 Environment. Re-vegetation of destroyed land. General technical requirements.
6 MNS 0900:2005 Environment. Health protection, Safety. Drinking water. Hygienic requirements and control.
7 MNS 4943:2011 Water quality. Waste water
8 MNS 4586:1998 Water quality. General requirements.
9 MNS 3597:1983 Environmental protection, Water space. Common requirement protection of surface and
underground water from fertilizer pollution.
10 MNS 3342:1982 Environmental protection, Common requirement of protection of underground water from
pollution.
11 MNS 5885:2008 Acceptable concentration of air pollutant elements.General Technical requirements.
12 MNS 3297:1991 Environmental protection. Soil. Soil sanitary index norm of populated area.
13 MNS 6148 2010 Water quality. Maximum limit of substance contaminating the ground water.
This section contains activities of the detection process of environmental impact which may arise from ATO
activity. Environmental baseline research was made on the basis of geo-ecological research statement
carried out by “Eco Trade LLC” made in “Urd Tsagaan Ovoo” exploration area with “6727X” mining license.
Environmental adverse impacts are categorized as follows:
• Surface, soil
• Plants
• Surface and underground water
• Fauna
• Air
• State and local special protected areas
• Memorable pieces of historical and cultural value
• Seminars for public on Environmental issue
• Other issues
• Artificial landshaft will be formed instead of natural landshaft of 164.2 hectare out of 362 hectare to be
damaged by the project operations. Following objects will be included in the process.
- 44.5 hectare mining winning with depth of 240-260 meter
- 66.5 hectare outside waste dump
- 33.2 hectare lean ore dump
- 20 hectare oxidized ore dump will be formed in the surface.
• Due to emergence of household and factory originated liquid or hard waste and the absence of
measurements of collecting, eliminating and disinfecting them, it may have adverse impact on plants,
soil fertility, physical and chemical parameters, surface and soil water, air quality as well as human and
animal health.
• Attempts to establish ditch or canal by outside waste dump and fertile soil dump in order to protect
objects may flow and erode by ran water may cause surface erosion.
• Project operations may cause healthy soil to be pressed down under the facilities and grind down owing
to traffic.
• In the framework of the project, 1,529,298 cubic meter fertile soil will be removed and due to wrong
method of soil conservation, fertile soil may flow and to be lost by the rainwater, and then may form
dust.
• Adverse impacts from the project operations may include bunch of crossroads among mine facilities.
• Transportation will be made through 260km dirt road from ATO, placer gold and composite metal
deposit to Undurkhaan city of Khentii province and then 200km asphalt road from Undurkhaan to
Baganuur. A soil may be grinded down while transporting through 260km improved dirt road and due to
high dust rate, air quality may be affected. However, during the mining period, maximum 2 trucks a day,
minimum 2 trucks in 10 days go through the road. Thus, impacts related to transportation is relatively
low. Number of trucks to be used for concentrate transportation is demonstrated below.
• Landshaft formed by human activities will be restored to its approximate original contour and undergo
technical rehabilitation according to MNS 5917:2008 standard-“Reclamation of land destroyed due to
mining activities. General technical requirements”
• Replanting work will be made in 44.5 hectare area equal to open pit mine area.
• Concentrate will be transported through 260km dirt road from project area to Undurkhaan city and the
related works to be made are:
- to create landfill sites along the road
- To locate traffic signs and do modification every year.
- To establish flood control channel in parts of the road susceptible to water flooding.
- To make plant baseline research along the road and to make supervision every year.
• In the framework of ATO project, we will create centralized landfill site and make waste management
program.
• Temporary waste storage area will be created.
• The area where the project is proposed to be implemented is a pasture land and issues of the pasture of
the herders living around the area will be solved prior to beginning of the project implementation.
20.3.2 Plants
Future adverse impacts on plants
214 plant species of 41 families were recorded in the project area and among them, 6 are rare plants while
2 are very rare plants. Thus, these plants may be pressed down and destroyed by facilities and other objects.
Table 20.4 Rare and very rare plants species recorded in project area
• To begin planting research and experiments since the first year of the project implementation and carry
out biological rehabilitation under successful experiment.
• If those rare plant species are to be pressed down by the facilities, plants will be installed in different
location.
• To collaborate with the locals in collecting the seeds of aboriginal plant species and use them in
rehabilitation experiment and research work.
• To ensure plant sustainability in outside waste dump areas.
20.3.3 Water
Manual and drilled well waters are used in daily water use of animal and human and we will work in securing
them every year. Location of water sites made during baseline research in 2011 is demonstrated in picture
below.
Research on drinking water quality of the households living near the project area will be made not less than
1 time in 3 months. Location of the sites where inspection will be made are shown in the picture below while
parameters for comparison are described in table below. Inspection sites of the projects will not be limited
as sites shown the picture.
20.3.5 Fauna
As mentioned above, earth works will not be done in any area except 362 hectare area susceptible to erosion
and we will perform to be environmental impacts as low as possible.
Measures will be taken against hunting and workers and people who may come to the area related to the
project will be introduced with regulations about illegal hunting.
• To limit traffic near the sites where animals drink water and protect them in order to ensure their
tranquility.
• To protect aboriginal animals of the region.
• To study animal species of the region through households living in the area for a long time.
Study on animal species, their population, abundance and living condition will be carried out not less than
once a year.
Mongolian Science Academy, carried out detailed advanced exploration for two times, in 2011 and 2012
respectively.
7 out of 37 archeological artifacts which were discovered through the exploration are located in license area
of the mining, however, are not expected to have direct impact from project activities.
Archaeological findings cannot be moved without authorization of the relevant administration. Thus,
protective exclusive zone will be created around 7 archaeological sites.
In the case of finding something of historical and cultural value at the time of project implementation, a
person shall comply with Article 38.3 “If tangible cultural heritage is discovered during the possession and
use of subsoil, the subsoil user shall stop the work, and urgently inform the Governors of the soum and
district, police, and the organizations responsible for the issue.”
The intent of this waste handling plan is to ensure that the management of mining activities and the
implementation of mine closure at the ATO and it will be conducted according to best practice
methodologies to eliminate the potential for contamination of the surrounding soil and water resources
from the generation of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD).
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• A high level of understanding of the ARD characteristics and potential of the various rock types
encountered during mining to allow effective operational identification and management of ARD
hazards;
• The appropriate design and construction of waste rock landforms and ore stockpiles;
• ARD management controls will be integrated with mine planning and operational grade control;
• ARD management and mitigation measures will be clearly communicated and understood by
mine management, supervisors and operators;
• Monitoring programs will be designed and implemented that allows for the performance of ARD
controls to be measured, and corrective actions applied in a timely manner when monitoring
indicates ineffective ARD control;
• Installation of appropriate water management features to ensure water captured from waste
rock landform does not interact with natural water resources; and
• The effective development and implementation of mine reclamation and closure plans that
ensure ARD potential is minimized including the use of backfilling and flooding of mine pits upon
cessation of mining activities.
Leco Sulfur Analysis will be used to assess the percentage of unoxidized sulfur in the test material. The value
of the Leco Analyzer lies in the fact that it produces accurate results in a relatively short period of time. This
would allow almost immediate knowledge of critical chemical values that the rock possesses and therefore
allows suitable placement of the rock (to limit the potential for double handling of material). The use of
onsite sulfur analysis represents Good International Industry Practice and provides a real time tool to validate
ARD risk and confirm the appropriate management controls.
Neutralization must be carried out prior to all cyanide used in industrial process go to waste storage facility.
Cyanide will be extracted by double sulfur oxide.
When the package damaged and leak, if deemed necessary, wear face mask, eye and face shed from dust,
PVC gloves and chemical resistant booth. If it’s dangerous for respiration, wear full-face air purifying
respirator.
Storage
• All chemical products must be stored in dry, clean environment with good air conditioning and labelled
in accordance with the instructions on the safety sheet.
Store all chemicals in cold, dry places with air conditioning and keep them away from acids, metals, and sun
light and food products. Prevent chemicals from polluting and damage. Always be sure if they are leaking.
When the package damaged and leak, if deemed necessary, wear face mask, eye and face shed from dust,
PVC gloves and chemical resistant booth. If it’s dangerous for respiration, wear full-face air purifying
respirator.
Storage
Store all chemicals in cold, dry places with air conditioning and keep them away from acids, metals, and
sunlight and food products. Prevent chemicals from polluting and damage. Always be sure if they are leaking.
When chemical leaks, workers must wear chemical resistant clothes by standing above wind. When hard
material is spread, sweep them and transport to waste or put in proper package. If a little bit of liquid spilled,
infiltrate them in sand or other similar material then transport to waste upon washed by water.
Storage
Store copper sulfate in cold, dry places with good air conditioning and keep them away from heat emitting
or mitigating substance.
Most of the industrial processes are conducted inside and oxidized ore leaching and dressing area, pond and
waste embankment of the primary ore will operate under special methods and international regulations.
In heap leach facility, usually geomembranes such as high-density polyethylene, linear low-density
polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride are used. We have chosen to use 1.5 mm thick LLDPE geomembrane in
internal layer of the facility on the basis of its potential, its design as well as international experience.
Bore holes will be settled around basement foundation of the leach field in order to monitor water
infiltration during its building process. Sampling of the monitoring bore holes will be made daily and identify
infiltration of solution into ore leaching.
Basement system of pregnant solution pond comprises of 2 mm thick HDPE geomembrane which allows
detection of loss and comprises of compacted soil which formed 300 mm thick layer, 1.5mm thick LLDPE
liner and geonets.
Storm water pond foundation will be constructed with 2 mm thick HDPE liner which covering 300 mm thick
compacted soil.
In the occasions of neither power goes off or pump is broken or strong wind and heavy rainfall, solution from
pregnant solution pond may flow into near storm pond which consists of LLDPE liner. This storm water pond
potential is estimated to hold highest rainfall of 104 mm for 24 hours.
In the case of over loading and heavy rainfall, pregnant solution pond will transfer its overflow to storm
water pond.
• To have sufficient storage capacity for waste arise during total mining period of the processing plant.
• To have no adverse impact on environment as well as public safety.
• To ensure sustainability both during mining period and closure.
• To be located distant from rivers and water resources.
• to be protected from possible danger of flooding
• To be distant from settled or high populated areas.
• To ensure and monitor condition that does not allow waste water infiltration into underground water
• To have low construction cost of waste storage facility
• To have low exploitation cost
• To ensure minimum environmental impact relevant to waste transportation
• To have low cost of closure
Inspection and monitoring of production process will be made for technological waste of the ore processing
plant according to Mongolian and international standards.
There are two factors which have high possibility of affecting environment during exploitation period of the
waste storage facility:
1. Small particles of waste accumulated in waste storage facility spread through surrounding
environment and become dust when dry climate or wind occurs.
2. Waste water may leak from waste storage facility and infiltrate into soil and underground water.
Thus, these common issues must be solved in research and design planning level. There are several ways to
prevent from dust and these are as shown below:
Mine emergency response plan shall be complied mine wide for special conditions. The mine manager shall
develop and maintain a Mine Emergency Response Plan. The mine manager is responsible for its
implementation. Mine emergency response plan outlines the response procedures and preventive measures
that are essential for effective and timely management of an emergency situation. Prompt action and
advance preparation can help save lives and protect financial investments in the event of emergencies such
as mine fires, explosions or inundations.
Emergency response procedures help to organize and prepare personnel for emergency situations by
establishing a common set of rules for training all emergency response personnel. The mine manager is
responsible for providing training to all personnel involved in emergency operations.
Total 362 hectare area is estimated to be damaged from project activities. 34% waste embankment, 18%
outside waste dump, 12% open mine, 9% poor ore pile.
The following operations are proposed to be held under the mining closure management plan of ATO gold-
base metal mining project.
• To remove all mining facilities and equipment from the projected area
• To build 2.5m tall lattice fence 5m away from upper bench of the mine in order to ensure animal and
human safety according to guidelines for conducting technical and biological rehabilitation work in
damaged land due to project operations and to locate signs on it.
Measures shall be taken for preventing animal and human to enter in the mining area and to get involved in
accident.
• Technical rehabilitation
• Biological rehabilitation
362 hectare area is expected to be damaged during project implementation. Its 360 hectare fertile soil will
be removed and stored according to MNS 5916:2008 standard.
Due to ecological situation of the soil layer, 5 types of soil are categorized in mining license area of the
project. But 3 types of soil are spread in the area for mining planning and construction of mining facilities
and the soil layer varies by their attributes.
Thickness of the removal is determined on the basis of morphological features of each type of soil and the
removing process was made according to that measurement.
As a result of the removal of fertile soil with above mentioned thickness in 360 hectare area, 1,529,298 м3
soil will be formed. Here are the measures to take in storing fertile soil.
• During earthwork process, fertile soil pile will be removed and stored according to MNS 5916:2008,
Standard for fertile soil removal and storage.
• Prevention work should be conducted to prevent fertile soil pile from blow down, to be destroyed by
flood, to be covered with salt, to be contaminated and to be pressed down by solid body, stone and
construction material or waste. Fertile soil pile should be located and shaped to provide best condition
for storage as well as piled according to wind direction with the height less than 5 meters. 30.6 hectare
area is needed for up to 5 meter-tall pile.
• If there is deemed necessary to store fertile soil for more than 2 years, windshield should be built and
plant perennial grassy plants in the shaped upper surface and sides of the pile.
• Permanent works for the pile include monitoring of its storage, protection as well as maintaining.
Technical rehabilitation
Technical rehabilitation work shall be carried out through several machineries such as CAT 962H wheel
loader, CAT 773G off-highway truck, CAT 390CL excavator, and CAT 773G bulldozer and CAT D8T off-highway
truck.
Biological rehabilitation
Following works shall be conducted within rehabilitation work of ATO mining project. Biological
rehabilitation work is projected in 362.1 hectare area which had undergone erosion and its expenditure has
estimated to be 7 billion tugriks (MNT).
Training courses or take guidance from specialists and professional organizations on successful
biological rehabilitation and maintaining the area recently rehabilitated.
To place covering upon improving and processing the fertile soil.
To conduct biological soil rehabilitation experiment.
Planting
To consider on maintaining the area where planting was made.
Biological soil rehabilitation work should be conducted and monitored according to preprocessed project
including relevant professional organizations and specialists (agronomist, botanist, biologist, etc.)
Biological soil rehabilitation work shall begin by relocating fertile soil stored in pile upon all technical phases
conducted and soil of the pile or area had stabilized and compacted.
Before directly using fertile soil in biological soil rehabilitation work, laboratory testing of soil fertility,
physical and chemical property, soil composition and heavy metal inspection shall be made. When the soil
does not meet requirements for proper condition of covering, measures to improve soil and use mineral
fertilizer can be taken.
Experiments shall be made under following directions during ATO project implementation process and the
successful experiments will be introduced.
• Experiments on soil
1. To use soil without improvement measures
2. To initiate planting and take different improvement measures with bio-pulp, peat, dung or fertilizer.
• Experiments on plants
1. To perform planting by choosing plants that can adapt to the weather condition of the region such
as perennial plants.
2. To collect aboriginal plant seeds with the help of local people and use collected seeds in planting.
3. To set up greenhouse and create seedlings for rehabilitation work.
4. To conduct rehabilitation work with seeds and seedlings and compare the results
5. To study rare and very rare plant species of the project area and collect their seeds for the
rehabilitation testing
Planting work
There are some plants appropriate for using in planting work of the ATO project considering weather
condition and environment of the projected area. They are: wheat grass, brome grass, Lucerne, melilot, pea,
bush, oat, barley, soy, pea, rapes, etc. Also, growing aboriginal perennial plants considering appetite of the
livestock live in area would be effective.
Perennial plant species should be planted in biological rehabilitation work and monocyclic plant species
should be chosen as covering plant. 3 years of maintaining and protection is needed for perennial plant
species.
Monitoring cost and additional cost or cost for possible situation must be calculated in total rehabilitation
expenditure. Local community shall take the money upon receiving rehabilitated area from mining company.
The project monitoring expenditure is calculated as Environment and Tourism Minister and Mineral
Resources and Energy Minister's consolidated order enclosure No.А-132/112 dated May. 17th 2010.
With this above calculation rate, monitoring expenditure of the rehabilitation work is calculated to 737.1
million tugriks. Monitoring is deemed necessary in following areas.
Page 186 of 209
NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT
ATO GOLD PROJECT
Investment will not be required since the open pit mining operation is contracted as a contractor. For
Processing plant’s operation management will be contracted out. A total Investment of $ 19.59 million will
be required for the whole project. Investment for ROM per ton will be $ 3.75 in ore. The investment amount
includes VAT, customs duties, transportation costs and installation costs.
Table 21.1: Project investment summary
TOTAL INVESTMENT
Pre-mining
Engineering Plant
overburden
design drawings construction Camp and Working capital
and ore stock Total,
and permits and equipment’s infrastructures, (60 days need),
preparation 1,000 USD
expenses, cost, 1,000 USD 1,000 USD
expenses,
1,000 USD 1,000 USD
1,000 USD
2017-III 500 500
2017-IV 500 1,500 2,000
2018-I 500 6,007 1,000 7,507
2018-II 500 3,604 1,000 5,104
2018-III 1,201 645 1,846
2018-IV 1,317 1,201 114 2,632
Total 1,317 2,000 12,015 4,145 114 19,591
Working capital
In the third quarter of 2018, earthworks will be commenced and 241.9 thousand tons of soil will be removed
until 302.4 thousand tons of ore will be removed and the heap leach area will be prepared. The contractor’s
price will be $ 2.42 per ton and the total cost will be $ 1.32 million.
The cost of consulting and construction design and approval is based on price offered by local companies.
The work is estimated to cost $ 0.5 million every three months from the third quarter of 2017, totaling $ 2.0
million.
The investment for processing plant is based on the price offered by China's equipment manufacturers and
suppliers. Total $ 12.01 million will be required, with Leach pad of $ 3.07 million or 26%, Adsorption-
Desorption-Recovery (ADR) Plant $ 2.38 million or 20%, Carbon regeneration $ 1.57 million or 13%
respectively. Contingency is 13%.
Table 21.3: Plant construction and equipment cost
The project will need investment a total of $ 4.14 million for camps and infrastructure costs. Billing
calculations are shown in the table below.
Table 21.4: Camp and infrastructures cost
Mining cost
The operation of the open pit will be operated by the contractor. The price of a contract from local
contracting companies will be $ 2.42 per ton. The cost structure of contractor is as follows.
The contractor’s fuel price $ 0.734 per liter for the price quotation, while the main contractor operators
calculated on a monthly basis salary and other engineers and technicians on a monthly basis. Estimated
salaries of local mine workers. Salary expense includes Social Insurance and incentives. The salaries of
operators, except for basic workers, are estimated at $ 3.5 per hour.
Table 21.6: Salaried labor operating cost
Processing cost
The management of the processing plant will be contracted by a professional company. The company's price
quotation is $ 5 per ton of concentrates, including the following costs.
Table 21.8: Processing contractor cost per ton of ROM ore
Chemicals
The cost of chemicals was calculated as a result of a technological test using unit cost of the local supply
company.
Table 21.9: Usage of chemicals
Total salary
Total salary
Total Salary per month Social insurance, and social
per month,
Job position position each person USD 13%, USD insurance,
USD
USD/year
PLANT GENERAL
Plant Manager 2 2,041 4,082 531 55,347
Senior Metallurgist 2 1,551 3,102 403 42,064
Mechanical Engineer 2 1,551 3,102 403 42,064
Electrical Engineer 2 1,551 3,102 403 42,064
Safety Engineer 2 1,551 3,102 403 42,064
Safety officer 2 816 1,633 212 22,139
Plant Secretary 2 612 1,224 159 16,604
Total 14 19,347 2,515 262,344
OPERATIONS
Shift Supervisors 5 1,428.6 7,143 929 96,857
Crusher / Unloading Operator 5 816.3 4,082 531 55,347
Leach Pad Operator 5 816.3 4,082 531 55,347
Elution operator 10 816.3 8,163 1,061 110,694
Reagent / Services Operator 10 816.3 8,163 1,061 110,694
Day & Relief Operators 10 734.7 7,347 955 99,624
Total 45 38,980 5,067 528,563
MAINTENANCE
Mechanical Supervisor 3 1,428.6 4,286 557 58,114
Welder 3 653.1 1,959 255 26,567
Electrician 3 734.7 2,204 287 29,887
Shift electrician 3 653.1 1,959 255 26,567
Operator /generator/ 3 653.1 1,959 255 26,567
Total 15 12,367.3 1,608 167,701
LABORATORY
Laboratory Supervisor 2 1,429 2,857 371 38,743
Laboratory Analysts 5 1,020 5,102 663 69,184
Metallurgical Technician 5 653 3,265 424 44,278
Samplers 5 531 2,653 345 35,976
Total 17 13,878 1,804 188,180
Grand total 91 84,571 10,994 1,146,789
General administrations
Total cost of general project management (G&A) is $ 4.18 million and $ 0.8 per ton. The main expenditure
for general management is the salary cost and is calculated as a local standard.
Table 21.11: Head office staff salary
The total cost of the project is $ 48.81 million of which the open pit mine operating costs $ 18.22 million, the
total cost of the processing is $ 26.14 million and the general administration cost is $ 4.18 million. The total
cost per ton of ore is $ 9.3 or $ 332.8 per ounce. (Table 21.12)
8.0
6.2
6.0
4.0
2.0
-
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Pre -
2018
544.2 2.42 - - - - 1,317 mining
IY stage
Mining
2019 1,868.3 2.42 4,521 1,200.0 5.0 6,000 0.8 960 55 11,536 9.6 330.7
stage
Mining
2020 1,909.4 2.42 4,621 1,200.0 5.0 6,000 0.8 960 55 11,636 9.7 333.6
stage
Mining
2021 1,795.4 2.42 4,345 1,200.0 5.0 6,000 0.8 960 55 11,360 9.5 325.7
stage
Mining
2022 1,850.0 2.42 4,477 1,200.0 5.0 6,000 0.8 960 55 11,492 9.6 329.4
stage
2023- Mining
105.6 2.42 255 427.3 5.0 2,136 0.8 342 55 2,789 6.5 390.8
I stage
Total 8,072.9 2.42 18,220 5,227.3 5.0 26,136 0.8 4,182 275 48,812 9.3 332.8
22 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
22.1 Revenue
The gold production will begin in the first quarter of 2019 and will produce 146,669 ounces of gold and
672,518 ounces of silver during the project period. Based on market research, gold price was valued at $
1306.6 and silver price was $ 21.6 per ounce. The total gross revenue of the project will be $ 206.16 million
of which gold revenue is $ 191.64 million and silver revenue will be $ 14.53 million.
Gold produced, oz
40,000.00
34,883.56 34,884 34,884 34,884
35,000.00
30,000.00
25,000.00
20,000.00
15,000.00
10,000.00 7,135
5,000.00
-
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023-I
Silver produced, oz
180,000
160,754 160,754 160,754
160,000
135,033
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
55,224
60,000
40,000
20,000
-
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023-I
2019 49,834 337,583 70% 40% 34,883.56 135,033 1306.6 21.6 45,579 2,917 48,496
2020 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2021 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2022 49,834 401,884 70% 40% 34,884 160,754 1306.6 21.6 45,579 3,472 49,051
2023-I 10,193 138,059 70% 40% 7,135 55,224 1306.6 21.6 9,322 1,193 10,515
Total 209,527 1,681,295 70% 40% 146,669 672,518 1306.6 21.6 191,638 14,526 206,164
Selling cost
Selling cost is comprised of royalties and refining costs. According to Article 47.3.3 of the Minerals Law of
Mongolia, gold royalties are estimated at 2.5% of sales revenues and 5% for silver royalties. The refinery cost
was $ 6 per ounce of gold and $ 0.6 per ounce of silver. During the project period, the selling cost will be $
6.8 million.
Total net revenue from the project is $ 206.16 million, EBIDTA is $ 150.55 million and total non-discounted
net cash flow is $ 130.96 million.
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
-
2017-III 2017-IY 2018-I 2018-II 2018-III 2018-IY 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023-I
(20,000)
(40,000)
Table 22.2: Non-Discounted cash flow before tax, interests, and depreciations (non-discounted)
Pre-mining Engineering
overburden design Plant Working
and ore drawings construction capital Total Periodical
Total Selling Net stock and and (60 days cash Cash
revenue, cost, revenue, OPEX, EBIDTA, preparation permits equipment Camp and need), outflow, flow, Accumulated Project
1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 expenses, expenses, cost, infrastructures, 1,000 1,000 1,000 Cash flow, development
Period USD USD USD USD USD 1,000 USD 1,000 USD 1,000 USD 1,000 USD USD USD USD 1,000 USD stages
2017- Pre-mining
III - - 500 500 (500) (500) stage
2017- Pre-mining
IY - - 500 1,500 2,000 (2,000) (2,500) stage
2018- Pre-mining
I - 500 6,007 1,000 7,507 (7,507) (10,007) stage
2018- Pre-mining
II - 500 3,604 1,000 5,104 (5,104) (15,112) stage
2018- Pre-mining
III - - 1,201 645 1,846 (1,846) (16,958) stage
2018- Pre-mining
IY - - 1,317 1,201 114 2,632 (2,632) (19,591) stage
Operation
2019 48,496 1,576 46,920 11,536 35,384 - 35,384 15,793 stage
Operation
2020 49,051 1,619 47,432 11,636 35,797 - 35,797 51,590 stage
Operation
2021 49,051 1,619 47,432 11,360 36,072 - 36,072 87,662 stage
Operation
2022 49,051 1,619 47,432 11,492 35,940 - 35,940 123,602 stage
2023- Operation
I 10,515 369 10,147 2,789 7,358 - 7,358 130,960 stage
Total 206,164 6,801 199,363 48,812 150,551 1,317 2,000 12,015 4,145 114 19,591 130,960
EBIDTA of the project is $ 150.55 million, net profit after tax is $ 105.09 million and profit margin is 51%.
Table 22.3: Income statement and profit ratios
Financial costs - - - - - -
GROSS PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS 33,046 33,459 33,735 33,603 5,021 138,865
Extraordinary income - - - - - -
Extraordinary loss - - - - - -
Depreciation allowances - - - - - -
Investment allowances - - - - - -
Dividends 0 0 0 0 0 -
Discounted cash flow calculates as discount rate at 10% per year, depreciation for 5 years, and scrap value
is 40% at the end of the project and income tax is estimated 10% on under 3 billion MNT revenue
(1usd=2,400MNT) up to 25% on above 3 billion MNT (or $1.25 million) revenue or more.
DCF analysis was carried out by Comfar Expert-III software. Net present value is calculated by September 27,
2017. As a result of the calculation, the net present value of the project is $ 67.78 million, the repayment
period is 2.81 years and the IRR is 118%.
thousand USD 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Scrap
TOTAL CASH OUTFLOW 2,500 16,977 21,659 21,437 21,215 21,329 3,865 -
Marketing costs - - - - - - - -
NET CASH FLOW (2,500) (16,977) 26,836 27,614 27,836 27,722 6,650 7,905
CUMULATIVE NET CASH FLOW (2,500) (19,477) 7,359 34,973 62,810 90,532 97,182 105,086
Net present value (2,441) (15,070) 21,656 20,258 18,565 16,808 3,665 4,357
Discounted Cash Flow (2,441) (17,511) 4,145 24,404 42,968 59,776 63,442 67,799
140%
130%
120%
110%
100%
90%
80%
-20% -16% -12% -8% -4% 0% 4% 8% 12% 16% 20%
If the Revenue decreased by 20%, IRR 87% and if Investment increased 20%, IRR 99%. The IRR is 109%
while operating cost increased by 20%.
The economic analysis (Tables 22.1 and 22.4) does not consider the impacts of the obligations of the STEPPE
under the Stream Agreement to sell a certain amount of the gold and silver produced from the ATO Project.
The obligations of the STEPPE under the Stream Agreement could make the actual economics of the ATO
Project materially less favorable than the results of the economic analysis appearing in this report and could
materially reduce the estimates for ATO Project revenue, net profit, net present value and internal rate of
return.
Table 22.6 indicates revenue net of stream. 2017 and 2018, there is $11.5 Million of stream deposit for each
year and then production years indicated. The ounces produced were divided into two revenue groups,
revenue group one is 25% of the gold ounces and 50% of the silver ounces produced times 30% of the metal
prices used in this report to get the streamer sales and group two revenue is the remaining produced ounces
times the metal prices. These are added together to obtain the total revenue.
Table 22.6: The Cash Revenue
The cash revenue in production years shown in the Table 22.7 and add to it the recognized/earned revenue
from the upfront metal purchase price paid by the streamer in 2017 and 2018 to calculate a proper
recognized revenue for each production year.
Table 22.7: Profit with stream
Discounted cash flow with stream calculated in Table 22.8 and graph shown in Figure 22.5.
80,000 76,966
70,921
70,000 67,360
60,000
52,482
50,000
40,000 36,765
30,000
20,458
20,000
9,222
10,000
3,878
-
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Scrap
Adjustments to subtract fees associated with the stream from funds received and pay taxes on the purchase
net of equity raise finds were calculated and shown in Table 22.9.
23 ADJACENT PROPERTIES
There are no adjacent properties with similar publically well-known mineralization to provide comparative
mineralization characteristics in ATO project area.
The QPs and GLOGEX are not aware of any other relevant data.
In the opinion of the QPs, the ATO Project that is outlined in this report has met its objectives. Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves have been estimated and a mine plan for oxide material was developed.
The financial analysis based on the mine plan indicates the project that is viable and has a 5 year mine life
for oxide ore. This indicates the original project objective of identifying mineralization that could support
mining operations has been achieved. Work completed to date supports the project proceeding to detailed
engineering leading to construction of the Project.
Mineral Resource was estimated based on the 32,791 raw samples from 238 diamond drill holes. Total length
of the samples was 44,284.2 m. A total of 226 bulk density data was involved for the estimation. Grade shells
for all three pipes were created based on the 0.1 g/t Au grade outlines. Validated topo surface, newly created
quaternary sediment, oxide and transition surfaces were applied to tag rock codes for the estimate.
Exploratory data analysis and spatial data analysis were performed on the raw and composite data. Grade
capping was done for all metals and validated. Resource block model was created by 5 m x 5 m x 2.5 m
blocks. Grade block models for Au, Ag, Pb, Zn and AuEq were estimated by OK and ID interpolations. Mineral
Resource classification block model was tagged using interpolation parameters used for grade estimation
with three passes. The resultant block models were validated by swath plots and global mean statistics
against composite samples, grade block data of OK and ID results. OK block model was the initial grade
estimation method to use resource estimate.
The QP estimates the ATO Mineral Reserve totals 5.23 Mt at an average of 1.25 g/t Au containing 210
thousand ounces of Au and at an average of 10.0 g/t Ag containing 1,681 thousand ounces of Ag within oxide
pit; and combined Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources in addition to Mineral Reserves total 12.23
Mt at an average of 1.49 g/t Au containing 587 thousand ounces of Au, at an average of 9.99 g/t Ag containing
3,927 thousand ounces of Ag, at an average of 0.75 % Pb containing 202 million pound of Pb and at an
average of 1.34 % Zn containing 362 million pound of Zn for fresh material. Estimated Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources are based on a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t AuEq for oxide and a cut-off grade of 1.1 g/t AuEq
for fresh materials.
In order to comply with the CIM Definitions requirement of “reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction”, a preliminary Whittle pit shells and ultimate pit designs for Pipe 1, Pipe 2 and Pipe 4 were used
to constrain the Mineral Resource estimate using process recovery of 70% for Au and 40% for Au, a gold
price of $1,306.6 and a silver price of $21.6, and other assumed pit parameters. Only blocks located within
the pit designs are reported in the Mineral Reserve estimate.
The ATO deposit can be treated with heap leach methods. The HLP is designed to process oxide ore from
three open pits. The proposed ATO process plant design will be based on gold heap leach technology, which
will consist of crushing, stacking, and heap leaching with cyanide solution, adsorption from the pregnant
solution onto carbon, carbon elution, and smelting.
Financial analysis of the ATO has determined that the Project will be economically viable and profitable. The
target ore production rate during the life of the mine is 1.2 Mt per year.
Discounted cash flow calculates as discount rate at 10% per year, depreciation for 5 years, and scrap value
is 40% at the end of the project and income tax is estimated 10% up to 25% on above $1.25 million revenue
or more. Net present value of the project is $ 67.78 million, the repayment period is 2.81 years and the IRR
is 118%.
Resource – Resource infill drilling may result in changes to the mineral resources, both in negative and
positive.
Recovery – Although the expected performance of the leach pads and gold recovery appear reasonable given
current experience, knowledge and previous test work, there still exist elements which have no specific test
work to address. Ongoing metallurgical test work will be needed.
STEPPE’s current operation plan is to continue leaching the existing ore on the heap leach pad at the rate
that it will accept solution. There is a risk that the current permeability cannot be maintained and that could
cause the time for recovery of these ounces will be extended.
Rock Density - Based on an inadequate density data, a density block model was not interpolated. There could
be a risk to reflect the resource number.
Gold Price - The issuer has no plans to hedge the gold production from the ATO Project. Therefore, the
project will be fully exposed to the risk and reward associated with the market fluctuations in the price of
gold.
Financing and Liquidity - In order to develop and operate the project the issuer will have to raise the required
financing. There is risk associated with an inability to raise the funds necessary to upgrade and continue the
ATO operation.
Predicted NPV – The predicted NPV is a direct function of most of the factors included in the feasibility study.
The aggregate risk to the NPV is deemed to be low as there is not a compendium of low risk factors, or of
medium to high risk factors.
26 RECOMMENDATIONS
The ATO Project shows positive economic potential, and should continue in operation with a new mining in
the end of 2018.
• Assess the block model to determine if there are regions within the resource area limits,
currently defined as inferred resource owing to the influence of Au assays that could potentially
be upgraded for gold grade and confidence levels by additional drilling. Positive upgrades may
result in addition to the measured and indicated resources, if areas of significance are identified.
Especially Pipe 2 needs resource infill drilling.
• To improve future modeling efforts, the Author QP recommends that the lithology type be less
and specific for mining needs. Current lithology database has 24 different lithology codes. Some
of those lithology types were similar and combined based on the available information ended
up with 10 lithology types for further analyses in this report.
• Near pit exploration drilling where mineralization is open along the trend to add resource to the
model. Recommendation applies to especially Pit 4.
• Continuing work on refinement of bulk density estimate of ore material.
• Conduct a significant check assay program utilizing a number of labs in addition to ALS. While
standard and blank analysis results of CGM QAQC program do not raise questions relative to
ALS’s results, the check assay program ensures a test of any potential bias in the existing results.
This recommendation applies to production sampling as well as for exploration data.
• Additional metallurgical test work was needed for both Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 4 ore material. This
will include bulk samples in large columns investigating crush size, agglomeration and leach rates
as the mine advances.
27 REFERENCES
2016 Annual Information Form, Centerra Gold Inc. SEDAR, March 31, 2017.
Altan Tsagaan Ovoo (ATO) Pilot Plant, Xstrata Process Support, 09 November 2012.
Estimate of mineral resources, potential mineral reserves and preliminary production and
economic assesment of the ATO project, Eastern Mongolia, Centerra Gold Inc,
January 19, 2012.
Findings from Groundwater Exploration works undertaken in the Altan Tsagaan Ovoo area
(Estimated Exploitable Groundwater Reserves) for supply to the ATO Mine Prospect,
by RPS Aquaterra, August 2012.
High-Level Legal Due Diligence Report relating to the mineral licenses of Centerra Gold
Mongolia LLC for STEPPE Gold LLC, by ELC LLP Advocates, May 25, 2017.
Khurelsukh S., Munkhbayar L., 2011, Detailed archeological exploration report in the
exploration license 6727X in Tsagaan-Ovoo, Dornod province for Centerra Gold
Mongolia.
Large Scale Column Test Report by Boroo Gold at Boroo Mill Plant, 2012.
L.Baasandolgor et al., Report on exploration work conducted at ATO precious and base metal
deposit in Altan Tsagaan Ovoo area in 2010-2011, Ulaanbaatar 2012.
Preliminary Assessment of Oxide gold ore composites from the Altan Tsagaan Ovoo (ATO)
gold project, ALS Metallurgy, G&T Metallurgical services, May 15, 2012
T.R. Raponi, 2012, Metallurgical Testing and Preliminary Process Design, Centerra Gold Inc.,
Toronto, Canada.
Social Baseline Assessment, Altan Tsagaan Ovoo, Dornod Aimag, Mongolia by AATA
International Inc with association of Eco Trade LLC, Denver, Colorado, USA, February
2012.
Victor Vdovin, October 17, 2011, Geotechnical Assessment of ATO slopes, Centerra Gold Inc,
Toronto, Canada.