CALGARY, ALBERTA - (March 27, 2018) - Antioquia Gold Inc. ("Antioquia Gold" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:AGD)(OTCQX:AGDXF) is pleased to announce the results of the mineralized material sorting tests performed at the laboratory of Steinert Inc., in Cologne, Germany.
The analyzed samples were obtained from the development workings of the Guaico and Nus veins with average grades close to the expected grades of production including dilution factors. Two fractions of each vein were prepared at SGS in Medellin to obtain the desired homogeneous sizing of between 10-30 mm (mid size fraction) and between 30-70 mm (coarse fraction). The sample sizes were 288 kilograms of mid size particles and 153 kilograms of coarse fraction from Guaico, and 225 kilograms of mid size particles and 269 kilograms of coarse fraction from Nus.
Three different types of sensors were used (X ray, laser and induction) in combination with one another, to separate the particles with higher mineralization or quartz and sulphide altered material from the unaltered particles from the wall rocks of the veins that were included in the material as a result of dilution due to the mining method. For each sample, the material was passed through the sensors and the machine separated the most mineralized particles first. The entire reject portion was passed through the system, calibrating the machine with more flexible levels of the sensors to include more material, thus obtaining a larger part of the sample, and generating a second sub-sample that was later analyzed. This was done in several steps for every sample, to understand how the material behaves with the sensors. Following sorting, the gold grade of every sub-sample was analyzed. The cumulative grade of a sample was calculated as the weighted average grade of two or more combined sub-samples (i.e. the cumulative grade of gold of Step 3 is the weighted average grade of gold of the not sorted fines, plus the products of Steps 1, 2 and 3). Some gold is lost in the rejected particles, thus generating a ratio of cumulative gold content sorted in, shown in the last column of Tables 1 to 4. This cumulative gold content sorted in is prior to any metallurgical treatment of the material.
Mid size fraction from Guaico (10-30mm): the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 9.93 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 19.73 g/t Au representing 47% of the mass (representing 94% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 1.14 g/t Au, representing 53% of the mass (representing 6% of the total gold content of the original sample). Alternatively, the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 9.93 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 15.21 g/t Au representing 63% of the mass (representing 97% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 0.86 g/t Au, representing 37% of the mass (representing 3% of the total gold content of the original sample). Table 1 below shows the detailed results of this test.
Coarse fraction from Guaico (30-70mm): the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 4.27 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 10.83 g/t Au representing 37% of the mass (representing 94% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 0.4 g/t Au, representing 63% of the mass (representing 6% of the total gold content of the original sample). Alternatively, the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 4.27 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 7.24 g/t Au representing 59% of the mass (representing 99% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 0.05 g/t Au, representing 41% of the mass (representing 1% of the total gold content of the original sample). Table 2 below shows the detailed results of this test.
Mid size fraction from Nus (10-30mm): the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 5.68 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 7.45 g/t Au representing 72% of the mass (representing 95% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 1.03 g/t Au, representing 28% of the mass (representing 5% of the total gold content of the original sample). Table 3 below shows the detailed results of this test.
Coarse fraction from Nus (30-70mm): the test showed that the sorting system was able to separate the original sample with a grade of 5.05 g/t Au into two separate sub-samples: one with a grade of 7.11 g/t Au representing 65% of the mass (representing 92% of the total gold content of the original sample), and another with a grade of 1.14 g/t Au, representing 35% of the mass (representing 8% of the total gold content of the original sample). Table 4 below shows the detailed results of this test.
Given the positive results, the Company has decided to order one sorting machine for the Cisneros Project from the supplier.
"The application of this sorting technology allow users to separate particles that have distinct visual and/or density variations, thus allowing to remove particles with physical characteristics that differ from those present in the mineralized particles, from the metallurgical process", said Gonzalo de Losada, President and CEO of the Company.
The tables below present the detail of each of the steps tested, where the results obtained are shown for gold grades, cumulative percentage of the weight in each step, and the cumulative percentage of the gold content for each step. Each step represents a combination of one or more sensors (X-ray, laser and induction).
This press release has been prepared under the supervision of Dr. Roger Moss, Ph.D., P.Geo a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are made as of the date of this press release and the Corporation does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the completion of the Rights Offering and the use of proceeds of the offering. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "schedule" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions by the Corporation and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Antioquia to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business prospects and strategies and the environment in which Antioquia will operate in the future, including the accuracy of any resource estimations, the price of gold, anticipated costs and Antioquia's ability to achieve its goals, anticipated financial performance, regulatory developments, development plans, exploration, development and mining activities and commitments. Although management considers its assumptions on such matters to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Additional risks are described in Antioquia's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim MD&A and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation's profile at: www.sedar.com.
Readers should also be cautioned that the Corporation's decision to move forward with the construction and production of the Cisnero Mine is not based on the results of any pre-feasibility study or feasibility study of mineral resources demonstrating economic or technical viability. Readers are referred to the Cisneros Report for details on independently verified mineral resources on the Cisneros Project. Since 2013, the Corporation has undertaken exploration and development activities; and after taking into consideration various factors, including but not limited to: the exploration and development results to date, technical information developed internally, the availability of funding, the low starting costs as estimated internally by the Corporation's management, the Corporation is of the view that the establishment of mineral reserves, the commissioning of a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study at this stage is not necessary, and that the most responsible utilization of the Corporation's resources is to proceed with the development and construction of the mine. Readers are cautioned that due to the lack of a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study, there is increased uncertainty and higher risk of economic and technical failure associated with the Corporation's decision. In particular, there is additional risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected, the risk that construction or ongoing mining operations will be more difficult or more expensive than management expected. Production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. Project failure may materially adversely impact the Corporation's future profitability, its ability to repay existing loans, and its overall ability to continue as a going concern.