VANCOUVER, Aug. 26 /CNW/ - (SGV.TSX) It has been a busy year for the team
at StrataGold and we are pleased to announce our projects remain on time and
on budget. This year, StrataGold continues to deliver value to shareholders
through a combination of discovery success and asset growth. The opportunity
is great.
In the environment in which we operate, world credit markets have
tightened. Gold is increasingly sought as both a currency hedge and a store of
value. Forecasts remain optimistic for gold prices. In this regard, we expect
increases in our gold resources from a combination of new discoveries on the
BRL Venture and expanding our existing gold deposit at Dublin Gulch. We also
expect to realize value for our other important assets including the Tassawini
and the Mar-Tungsten Deposits.
Our Global Assets
Over the past few years, through the BRL Venture, StrataGold and our
joint venture partner Newmont Overseas Exploration Limited, a subsidiary of
Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE & ASX: NEM; TSX: NMC) have acquired the
dominant land position in Northwest Guyana within the Arakaka Gold District.
This is an exciting project which has potential to add to our gold resources.
The district has been popular with local placer miners for the past 100 years,
but until recently, were not explored systematically using modern techniques.
StrataGold and Newmont were the first to implement an exploration program
which included regional and detailed stream sediment and soil geochemistry
surveys, induced polarization ground geophysical surveys, detailed structural
mapping, prospecting and trenching. These regional exploration efforts have
covered an area of over 4,000 square kilometres resulting in two key projects
areas: Monosse and White Creek.
In 2008, StrataGold and Newmont committed to a two phase program for
property acquisition and exploration. Phase 1 of the exploration program has
now been successfully completed. Over twenty-five priority gold exploration
targets were identified on the (greater than)32,000-hectare Monosse property,
all of which are characterized by coincident geophysical, geological and
geochemical anomalies. Three areas, Arakaka Trend, Aviao and Gomes, have been
chosen as top priority drill targets for the Phase 2 program. The Phase 2
program is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2008. We plan to continue
to build on the success of the Phase 1 program by drilling the priority
targets with the objective of discovering new gold deposits in this emerging
gold district.
At Tassawini we recently released a National Instrument (NI) 43-101
Mineral Resource completed by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. As recommended by
SRK, StrataGold intends to complete a desktop scoping study with an
independent engineering firm to determine if support for a Preliminary
Economic Assessment is warranted. This work is slated to begin in the third
quarter of 2008.
In 2004, StrataGold acquired the Dublin Gulch district-scale land
package, which included the Eagle Zone and Mar-Tungsten Deposits, for
approximately US$3 per compliant gold resource ounce (US$6 million and five
million StrataGold shares). Since acquisition, StrataGold has added to the
Mineral Resource at the Eagle Zone Deposit and released a NI 43-101 Mineral
Resource on the Mar-Tungsten Deposit.
A C$5 million exploration program began in early May 2008 aimed at
increasing the resource of both the Eagle Zone and Mar-Tungsten Deposits. The
previously scheduled updated Eagle Zone Mineral Resource has been deferred to
incorporate results from the 2008 drill program and should be completed in Q1,
2009. On the social/community relations front, StrataGold has completed an
Exploration Cooperation Agreement with the First Nation of NaCho Nyak Dun to
support development of Dublin Gulch and exploration of the Clear Creek and
Aurex properties. This agreement is the first of its kind negotiated between
an exploration company and NaCho Nyak Dun and represents a significant move
forward in a mutually beneficial community relationship.
This year we added the Mar-Tungsten Deposit to our compliant Mineral
Resources. StrataGold is evaluating opportunities to realize shareholder value
for the Mar-Tungsten Deposit and as recommended by SRK Consulting (US) Inc.,
has drilled the open up dip edge of the deposit and is conducting
metallurgical test work at SGS Laboratories. Additionally, SRK has been
engaged to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment and update the Mineral
Resource. This work is scheduled for completion in December 2008. Please visit
www.stratagold.com for additional information on tungsten.
<<
NI 43-101 Compliant Mineral Resource Summary - 100% StrataGold
--------------------------------------------------------------
Eagle Zone Deposit(*), Dublin Gulch, Yukon Territory
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category of Mineral Resource Tonnes Gold Grade Contained Gold
(g/t) (troy ounces)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resource 66,540,000 0.916 1,960,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resource 14,390,000 0.803 371,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) Using cut-off grade of 0.5 grams per tonne gold
Tassawini and Sonne Deposits,(*)(*) Guyana
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category of Deposit Tonnes Gold Grade Contained Gold
Mineral Resource (g/t) (troy ounces)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Tassawini 10,766,000 1.3 436,600
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Tassawini 614,000 1.7 32,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Sonne - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Sonne 1,312,000 0.7 29,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*)(*) Using 0.5 gram per tonne gold cut off.
Mar-Tungsten Deposit(*)(*)(*), Dublin Gulch, Yukon Territory
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contained MTU
Category of Tonnes % WO(3) WO(3) (metric
Mineral Resource Grade (pounds) tonne units)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated 5,310,000 0.39 45,590,000 2,070,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred 2,170,000 0.36 17,220,000 781,200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*)(*)(*) Using cut-off of 0.10% WO(3)
>>
Looking Ahead
StrataGold is conscious of the difficult current market conditions. We
plan to meet our ongoing joint venture obligations and continue to focus our
efforts on projects with the best potential to create shareholder value. We
have a strong management team, a solid resource base and prospective new
discovery targets in geopolitically stable parts of the world. Building on the
strong foundation we have established over the past five years, we are
optimistic that we will continue to deliver encouraging results from our
exploration and development programs.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
STRATAGOLD CORPORATION
Terry Tucker
President and CEO
Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release of StrataGold Corporation (the "Company") contains
statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or
developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are
not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the
words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates,"
"projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions
"will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Information inferred from
the interpretation of drilling results and information concerning mineral
resource estimates may also be deemed to be forward looking statements, as
such information constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present
when and if a project is actually developed. Forward-looking statements in
this document include statements regarding: the Company's expectations
regarding drilling and exploration activities on properties in which the
Company has an interest; and the Company's statements regarding estimates of
resources on properties in which the Company has an interest. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements that speak only as of their respective dates.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
the Company's expectations include among others, risks related to fluctuations
in mineral prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to
fund planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in
planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors;
the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize
the perceived potential of the Company's properties; uncertainties involved in
the estimation of resources; the possibility that required permits may not be
obtained on a timely manner or at all; the possibility that capital and
operating costs may be higher than currently estimated and may preclude
commercial development or render operations uneconomic; the possibility that
the estimated recovery rates may not be achieved; risk of accidents, equipment
breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or
interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in
the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting
from the Company's operations; risks associated with title to mineral
properties; and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading
"Risk Factors" in Section 5.2 of the Company's Annual Information Form filed
on SEDAR and elsewhere in the Company's documents filed from time to time with
the Toronto Stock Exchange and Canadian securities regulators. These
statements are based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions
regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for
proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of
outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely
manner. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and
opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made.
Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, the Corporation
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the
event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors,
should change.
This news release uses the terms "Inferred Resource", "Indicated
Resource" and "Mineral Resource". The Company advises readers that although
these terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations
(under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects"), the US Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize these
terms. Readers are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral
deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. In
addition, "Inferred Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their
existence, and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any
part of an Indicated or Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a
higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources
may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic
studies except for a Preliminary Assessment as defined under National
Instrument 43-101. Readers are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an
inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. The Mineral
Resources stated in this news release are not mineral reserves and, in the
absence of a current feasibility study, do not demonstrate economic viability.
The determination of mineral reserves can be affected by various factors
including environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political,
and marketing issues on the estimate.