04:38:12 EDT Thu 02 May 2024
Enter Symbol
or Name
USA
CA



Thor Explorations Ltd (2)
Symbol THX
Shares Issued 643,733,413
Close 2023-07-12 C$ 0.36
Market Cap C$ 231,744,029
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Thor produces 23,078 oz Au from Segilola in Q2

2023-07-12 06:57 ET - News Release

Mr. Segun Lawson reports

THOR EXPLORATIONS ANNOUNCES Q2 2023 OPERATING UPDATE

Thor Explorations Ltd. has provided an operational update for the Segilola gold mine, located in Nigeria, and for the company's mineral exploration properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso for the three months to June 30, 2023 (the quarter or Q2).

Highlights

Segilola production

  • Gold production of 23,078 ounces (oz) during the quarter at an average grade of 2.99 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold (Au).

Segilola exploration

  • Focus of exploration activities within a 25-kilometre (km) radius from the Segilola operations;
  • Continuation of diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling on identified high-grade quartz-vein-style mineralization at Igala and Ayelle prospects within 15 km of Segilola with several significant intersections obtained;
  • Initial identification of new mineralized trend located 23 km south of Segilola with an RC drilling campaign under way to assess both primary and saprolite gold mineralization.

Douta project

  • Prefeasibility study (PFS) work streams are continuing.
  • Environmental and social impact assessment continuing and dry season biodiversity survey completed.
  • Metallurgical and geotechnical drilling programs have been completed and metallurgical samples have been delivered to the laboratory.
  • Resource drilling continuing targeting upgrades to the higher-grade parts of the existing inferred resource to indicated classification together with stepout drilling at Sambara which commenced in the quarter.
  • Mineralization remains open along strike between the known prospects with further growth potential along 20 kilometres of underexplored prospective strike length covered by the Douta exploration permit.

Thor lithium exploration

  • Acquisition of over 500 square kilometres of tenure in southwest Nigeria covering both known lithium-bearing pegmatite deposits and a large unexplored prospective pegmatite-rich belt.
  • As previously announced, initial field inspection and selective sampling of key sites have returned significant lithium grades from both spodumene and lepidolite mineralization. Sampling of part of a key pegmatite deposit that falls within Thor's tenure returned an analysis of between 1.34 per cent lithium oxide (Li2O) and 9.31 per cent Li20.
  • Location six is the site of the largest known spodumene-lepidolite pegmatite in Nigeria. The pegmatite outcrops over a strike length of several hundred metres averaging 20 metres true thickness. The full extent of this pegmatite body is yet to be determined. A small-scale mining operation is currently extracting a variety of spodumene known as kunzite for its gemstone qualities.
  • An initial drill program of 5,000 m, utilizing three RC drilling rigs, is continuing at the company's priority target -- location six. To date, the main pegmatite has been intersected in five holes averaging 20 m true thickness over 150 m of strike. Samples have been dispatched for analysis.
  • A metallurgical sampling program is due to commence in Q3 2023.

Corporate

  • Final payment of the 1.5-per-cent net smelter royalty pursuant to the acquisition of the Segilola gold project in 2016 was made to VOX Royalty Corp. Final payments of the remaining 1.5-per-cent net smelter royalty to all other royalty holders will be made in Q3 2023 following which all royalties payable pursuant to the Segilola gold project acquisition agreements will be complete.

Outlook

  • Fiscal year 2023 production guidance range of 85,000 to 95,000 oz of gold maintained;
  • Second half 2023 drilling programs:
    • Continuation of stepout drilling at Douta gold project in Senegal;
    • Continuation of drilling at Segilola gold regional targets;
    • Continuation of drilling at L06 lithium prospect in Nigeria.
  • Completion of the Douta PFS;
  • Continued assessment of prospective exploration properties in Nigeria;
  • Continued exploration programs across exploration portfolio in Nigeria.

Segun Lawson, president and chief executive officer, stated:

"I am pleased to report another solid quarter of gold production at Segilola for Q2 2023. The planned step-up in mining operations has been achieved and we are well positioned to meet our targets for H2 2023.

"We are also encouraged by ongoing exploration in Nigeria, where drilling has been continuing on two priority targets. We look forward to updating the market with drill results from Nigeria and Senegal in the coming weeks.

"In Senegal, the Douta prefeasibility study work streams are progressing and remain on track for completion by the end of the year.

"The standout highlight of the quarter has been the acquisition of a potentially significant and prospective lithium exploration portfolio and the commencement of an initial drilling program where visual inspection of the RC drill chips has been very encouraging, with 20 m true thickness of pegmatite intersected over 150 m of strike."

Production and sales update

In Q2 2023, mined and processed ore were 278,600 tonnes and 255,200 tonnes respectively. The average mined grade was 2.43 g/t and mill head grade 2.99 g/t, blended from mining and existing stockpile.

Gold recovery of 23,078 oz during the quarter was in line with expectation.

Mining operations increased over Q1 and the planned step-up in production target of 5.5 million tonnes per quarter was achieved in Q2. Mining is forecast to remain at this level for the next three quarters.

The process plant throughput continued to operate above design during the quarter. Equipment for the conversion of the carbon-in-leach (CIL) to carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and leaching circuit upgrade has been shipped from China and is expected to arrive in Q3 2023 and enhancements to the circuit are to be completed in Q4 2023. The enhancements are aimed at further improving process plant recoveries above the 94 per cent achieved in Q1 and Q2 2023.

Ore stockpile of 297,060 tonnes of ore grading 1.06 g/t containing approximately 10,090 oz and gold in-circuit of approximately 3,203 oz.

During the quarter, Segilola exported 20,852 oz of payable gold and 2,884 oz of payable silver.

Further details can be found on the company's website.

About Thor Explorations Ltd.

Thor Explorations is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Thor Explorations holds a 100-per-cent interest in the Segilola gold project located in Osun state, Nigeria, and has a 70-per-cent economic interest in the Douta gold project located in southeastern Senegal. Thor Explorations trades on the Alternative Investment Market and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol THX.

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