News Releases

LUNDIN GOLD REPORTS FURTHER HIGH-GRADE INTERCEPTS FROM ITS 2023 EXPLORATION PROGRAMS

August 3, 2023

Related Document

Lundin Gold (CNW Group/Lundin Gold Inc.)

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 3, 2023 /CNW/ - Lundin Gold Inc. (TSX: LUG) (Nasdaq Stockholm: LUG) (OTCQX: LUGDF) ("Lundin Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional results from its conversion and near-mine exploration programs at its 100% owned Fruta del Norte ("FDN") gold mine in southeast Ecuador. From the conversion program, drilling in the second quarter returned high grade results, while the near-mine program advanced the Bonza Sur and FDN South ("FDNS") targets with encouraging drilling intercepts confirming their significant prospectivity. Highlights from the conversion and near-mine programs are outlined below and detailed results are provided at the end of the release (see Appendix 1). View PDF version

Highlights from underground conversion holes drilled (not true widths):

  • Drill hole FDN-C23-016 intersected 10.19 g/t gold ("Au") over 23.3 m from 9.0 m and 7.58 g/t Au over 21.5 m from 191.5 m
  • Drill hole FDN-C23-021 intersected 12.48 g/t Au over 15.6 m from 7.0 m and 20.08 g/t Au over 12.8 m from 31.7 m
  • Drill hole FDN-C23-025 intersected 22.95 g/t Au over 16.4 m from 10.2 m, including:
    • 77.18 g/t Au over 1.9 m
  • Drill hole FDN-C23-028 intersected 11.33 g/t Au over 35.0 m from 69.0 m, including:
    • 76.04 g/t Au over 4.0 m

Highlights from near-mine surface exploration holes drilled (not true widths):

  • Drill hole FDNS-2023-024 (at FDNS) intersected 11.54 g/t Au over 7.1m from 412.4 m, including:
    • 76.5 g/t Au over 1.0 m
  • Drillhole BLP-2023-025 (at Bonza Sur) intersected 7.59 g/t Au over 5.1 m from 212.9 m, including:
    • 12.43 g/t Au over 2.1 m
  • Drillhole BLP-2023-026 (at Bonza Sur) intersected 4.53 g/t Au over 8.8 m from 264.7 m, including:
    • 7.36 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 264.7 m
    • 7.13 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 271.5 m

Ron Hochstein, President and CEO, commented, "I am pleased to announce additional results from Lundin Gold's 2023 exploration programs. The conversion program has successfully defined zones of high-grade mineralization within the FDN deposit that we expect will continue converting resources to reserves. Results from the near-mine program confirm the continuity and expansion potential of recent discoveries, Bonza Sur and FDNS, and improve our understanding of their mineralization geometry. Nine rigs are currently turning on our conversion and exploration programs and a minimum of 43,000 metres of drilling are planned in 2023. This represents the largest drill program in the district since 2007."

CONVERSION PROGRAM

Lundin Gold has been advancing its conversion program at FDN, with the objective of converting Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. In the past months, conversion drilling has focused on the southern extension of FDN, where high-grade intercepts are associated mainly to vein and/or veinlet zones hosted in volcanic or porphyritic intrusive rocks. Drilling results from the program have significantly increased confidence in the geologic model of the southern extension of the deposit and have revealed a vein type higher grade mineralization within the mineral inferred envelope (Figure 1). The 2023 program is planned to comprise of approximately 7,600 metres of drilling and since January, a total of 4,612 metres across 30 drill holes have been completed. Assay results received to date are presented in Tables 1 and 3 at the end of this release.

Figure 1: FDN long section showing selected conversion drilling results

Figure 1: FDN long section showing selected conversion drilling results (CNW Group/Lundin Gold Inc.)

NEAR-MINE EXPLORATION PROGRAM

The near-mine program focuses on exploring sectors located along trend of the FDN deposit and within extensions of its major controlling structures. Initial drill results published in January and May (see news releases published on January 26th and May 4th, 2023) discovered two new mineralized zones to the south of the FDN deposit, FDNS and Bonza Sur. In recent months, results from the near-mine program have confirmed continuity of mineralization at both targets, and have improved our understanding of the geometry of these vein systems (see Figures 1 and 3). In 2023, a total of 12,363 metres across twenty-four holes, from surface and underground, have been completed. The most recent assay results are presented in Tables 1 and 3 at the end of this release. Results are still pending for some of the reported drill holes.

FDN South (FDNS)

At FDNS, progress was made in delineating this buried epithermal mineralization located immediately south of the current resource envelope of FDN and to the west of the East Fault. Six new drill holes were completed during the quarter and reveal the occurrence of a series of subparallel mineralized veins disposed in the northeastern to southwestern direction, showing similar hydrothermal alteration to that found at FDN. This vein system remains open along strike to the southwest, as well as along the downdip continuity, below the Suarez Basin cover. Importantly, improvements in understanding the veins' geometry has allowed for a redefinition of the drilling program. Drilling at FDNS is ongoing with one rig turning.

Bonza Sur

At Bonza Sur, drilling is enabling expansion of this target located one kilometre south of FDN. Five new drill holes have been completed and results included multiple exciting intersections associated with veins/veinlets of quartz and sulfides (mainly sphalerite and galena), minor chalcedony and manganoan-carbonate. Mineralization has been intercepted for 500 metres along strike from north to south and 300 metres along the downdip and remains open in all directions. Drilling at Bonza Sur is planned to continue to focus on the 1.2 kilometre long soil geochemical anomaly to the south and a systematic follow up will be initiated focused on the higher-grade intercepts returned from this target. Two rigs are currently turning at Bonza Sur (see Figures 2 and 3).

Exploring for new targets

The near-mine exploration program has also discovered new targets of interest through a detailed geological interpretation of exploration data and additional surface work. A drill program was initiated in the second quarter and aims to test the high potential targets near the FDN deposit. Five drill holes, four from underground and one from surface, were completed in the second quarter and intercepted zones of hydrothermal alteration hosted along the downdip extension and to the east of FDN. The program is ongoing with two rigs turning and is currently testing the FDN North and FDN East targets.

Figure 2: Near-mine program showing FDN, targets, conversion and selected results

Figure 2: Near-mine program showing FDN, targets, conversion and selected results (CNW Group/Lundin Gold Inc.)

Figure 3: FDN-Bonza Sur long section (looking East) showing targets and selected results

Figure 3: FDN-Bonza Sur long section (looking East) showing targets and selected results (CNW Group/Lundin Gold Inc.)

REGIONAL EXPLORATION PROGRAM

The 2023 regional exploration program continues to advance in the southern region of the Suarez Basin with a total of 2,796 metres completed to date. Targets of interest, such as Quebrada La Negra and Crisbel, located along the Basin's western border have been the primary focus. The 2023 regional drilling program comprises 12,500 metres of drilling and a second rig was recently added to the program to advance exploration at additional targets.

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Andre Oliveira, P. Geo, Vice President, Exploration of the Company, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Samples consist of half HQ and NQ-size diamond core that are split by diamond saw on site, prepared at the ALS laboratory in Quito, and analysed by 50g fire assay and multi-element (ICP-AES/ICP-MS) at the ALS Laboratory in Lima, Peru. The quality assurance-quality control (QA-QC) program of Lundin Gold includes the insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blank and duplicate samples. The remaining half core is retained for verification and reference purposes. For further information on the assay, QA-QC and data verification procedures, please see Lundin Gold's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2023, filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

About Lundin Gold

Lundin Gold, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, owns the Fruta del Norte gold mine in southeast Ecuador. Fruta del Norte is among the highest-grade operating gold mines in the world.

The Company's board and management team have extensive expertise in mine operations and are dedicated to operating Fruta del Norte responsibly. The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. Lundin Gold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace and minimizing the environmental impact. The Company believes that the value created through the development of Fruta del Norte will benefit its shareholders, the Government and the citizens of Ecuador.

Additional Information

The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Lundin Gold under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This information was publicly communicated on August 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time through the contact persons set out below.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

Certain of the information and statements in this press release are considered "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" as those terms are defined under Canadian securities laws (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). 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, identified by words or phrases such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "pending", "intends", "plans", "forecasts", "targets", or "hopes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" "might", "will be taken", or "occur" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and information involve assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict, and are usually beyond the control of management, that could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed by these forward-looking statements and information. Lundin Gold believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. This information speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company will not necessarily update this information, unless required to do so by securities laws.

This press release contains forward-looking information in a number of places, such as in statements relating to the Company's exploration plans, activities and results. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as Lundin Gold's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in Lundin Gold's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2023, which is available at www.lundingold.com or on SEDAR.

Lundin Gold's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement or that could have a material impact on the Company or the trading price of its shares include: risks related to political and economic instability in Ecuador; risks associated with the Company's community relationships; risks related to estimates of production, cash flows and costs; risks inherent to mining operations; shortages of critical supplies; the cost of non-compliance and compliance costs; control of the Company's largest shareholders; volatility in the price of gold; failure of the Company to maintain its obligations under its debt facilities; risks related to Lundin Gold's compliance with environmental laws and liability for environmental contamination; the lack of availability of infrastructure; the Company's reliance on one mine; security risks to the Company, its assets and its personnel; risks related to illegal mining; exploration and development risks; the impacts of a pandemic virus outbreak; risks related to the Company's ability to obtain, maintain or renew regulatory approvals, permits and licenses; uncertainty with and changes to the tax regime in Ecuador; the reliance of the Company on its information systems and the risk of cyber-attacks on those systems; the imprecision of Mineral Reserve and Resource estimates; deficient or vulnerable title to concessions, easements and surface rights; inherent safety hazards and risk to the health and safety of the Company's employees and contractors; risks related to the Company's workforce and its labour relations; key talent recruitment and retention of key personnel; volatility in the market price of the Company's shares; measures to protect endangered species and critical habitats; social media and reputation; the adequacy of the Company's insurance; risks relating to the declaration of dividends; uncertainty as to reclamation and decommissioning; the ability of Lundin Gold to ensure compliance with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; the uncertainty regarding risks posed by climate change; limits of disclosure and internal controls; the potential for litigation; and risks due to conflicts of interest.

APPENDIX 1

Table 1: Drillhole assay results from the conversion underground drilling program reported for thickness versus grade intervals above 14 (m x g/t Au >14). Drill hole intercepts are reported in drill core lengths

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (g/t)

Ag (g/t)

Target

Zone

FDN-C23-011

No Significant Results

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-012

161.4

183.3

21.9

4.46

2.62

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-013

No Significant Results

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-014

11

15

4

5.53

6.23

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-015

19

44.9

25.9

4.55

3.99

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-015

54.9

67.9

13

14.19

21.09

FDN-C23-016

9

32.3

23.3

10.19

5.95

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-016

191.5

213

21.5

7.58

3.78

FDN-C23-017

44.55

55

10.45

5.02

16.48

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-018

No Significant Results

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-019

4.9

11.3

6.4

19.17

9.78

Southern

Underground

Including

6.7

7.6

0.9

130

48.5

FDN-C23-020

4.2

9

4.8

11.64

8.27

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-020

79.5

92.25

12.75

8.53

14.16

FDN-C23-020

115.75

168.8

53.05

3.85

1.84

Including

145.75

168.8

23.05

7.07

2.09

FDN-C23-021

7

22.6

15.6

12.48

9.31

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-021

31.7

44.5

12.8

20.08

9.49

FDN-C23-022

0.8

4.5

3.7

13.24

11.32

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-022

137.3

146.3

9

6.25

4.84

FDN-C23-023

2

5.6

3.6

23.17

18.32

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-023

106.3

110.3

4

6.06

6

FDN-C23-023

175.1

181.1

6

3.96

2

FDN-C23-024

3.5

7.7

4.2

6

18.44

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-024

54.1

63

8.9

3.98

2.48

FDN-C23-025

10.2

26.6

16.4

22.95

13.6

Southern

Underground

Including

10.2

12.1

1.9

77.18

26.84

FDN-C23-025

51.1

58.1

7

13.82

11.56

FDN-C23-026

1.9

9.7

7.8

16.53

12

Southern

Underground

FDN-C23-027

1.9

17.2

15.3

10.28

10.47

Southern

Underground

Including

2.9

4.95

2.05

51.93

50.51

FDN-C23-027

105

124

19

4.77

7.64

FDN-C23-027

162.1

172.9

10.8

3.89

2.28

FDN-C23-028

69

104

35

11.33

7.14

Southern

Underground

Including

87

91

4

76.04

22.48

FDN-C23-029

55.3

87.5

32.2

4.12

15.2

Southern

Underground

Including

82.7

87.5

4.8

19.19

15.62

FDN-C23-030

51.6

54.4

2.8

153

52.2

Southern

Underground


Table 2: Drillhole assay results from the near mine drilling program reported for thickness versus grade intervals above 14 (m x g/t Au >14). Drill hole intercepts are reported in drill core lengths

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (g/t)

Ag (g/t)

Target

Zone

FDNS-2023-023

No Significant Results

FDNS

Surface

FDNS-2023-024

412.4

419.5

7.1

11.54

16.21

FDNS

Surface

Including

413.5

414.5

1

76.5

41.4

BLP-2023-025

91.25

116

24.75

1.46

30.78

BLP

Surface

Including

97.4

99

1.6

5.17

50.68

Including

109.6

111.3

1.7

9.25

81.85

BLP-2023-025

188.9

192.9

4

3.15

134.38

BLP-2023-025

212.9

218

5.1

7.59

25.81

Including

215.9

218

2.1

12.43

29.37

BLP-2023-026

200.7

201.7

1

20.3

16.85

BLP

Surface

BLP-2023-026

264.7

273.5

8.8

4.53

138.38

Including

264.7

266.7

2

7.36

23.28

Including

271.5

273.5

2

7.13

295.5

FDNS-2023-027

No Significant Results

FDNS

Surface

FDNS-2023-028

380.8

456.75

75.95

2.35

14.14

FDNS

Surface

Including

437.7

440.75

3.05

7.4

26.12

FDNS-2023-028

478.55

575.85

97.3

2.92

11.45

Including

478.55

491.4

12.85

6.34

13.8

Including

543.8

548.4

4.6

7.64

23.88

BLP-2023-029

29.9

34.9

5

7.9

9.09

BLP

Surface

Including

31.9

32.9

1

36.8

26.1

FDNS-2023-030

No Significant Results

FDNS

Surface

FDNS-2023-031

No Significant Results

FDNS

Surface

FDNS-2023-032

170.45

197.5

27.05

2.39

13.88

FDNS

Surface

Including

179.45

185.45

6

4.3

31.21

FDNS-2023-032

274.3

276.3

2

6.45

5.91

FDNS-2023-032

307.2

309.2

2

7.94

5.31

BLP-2023-033

No Significant Results

BLP

Surface

UGE-DD-23-034

No Significant Results

FDN-Depth

Underground

BLP-2023-035

No Significant Results

BLP

Surface

UGE-DD-23-036

No Significant Results

FDN-Depth

Underground

UGE-DD-23-037

No Significant Results

FDN-Depth

Underground

BLP-2023-038

Pending Results

BLP

Surface

FDNS-2023-039

Pending Results

FDNS

Surface

UGE-DD-23-040

Pending Results

FDN-Depth

Underground

FDNNW-2023-041

Pending Results

FDN-NW

Surface


Table 3: Collar locations of reported drill holes

Hole ID

Prospect

Easting

Northing

Elevation

Azimuth

Dip

EOH (m)

Zone

Year

FDNS-2023-023

FDNS

778174

9581879

1628

70

-75

721.25

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-024

FDNS

778548

9582083

1631

250

-58

592.60

Surface

2023

BLP-2023-025

Bonza Sur

778574

9580793

1514

270

-78

300.15

Surface

2023

BLP-2023-026

Bonza Sur

778454

9581060

1458

90

-80

352.30

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-027

FDNS

778548

9582083

1631

250

-65

597.50

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-028

FDNS

778520

9582319

1630

260

-60

575.85

Surface

2023

BLP-2023-029

Bonza Sur

778550

9580630

1496

90

-44

269.25

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-030

FDNS

778548

9582083

1631

270

-69

598.10

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-031

FDNS

778520

9582319

1630

260

-75

961.70

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-032

FDNS

778445

9581819

1498

245

-60

560.85

Surface

2023

BLP-2023-033

Bonza Sur

778550

9580630

1496

270

-70

317.80

Surface

2023

UGE-DD-23-034

FDN - Depth

778092

9583173

1049

245

-60

241.25

Underground

2023

BLP-2023-035

Bonza Sur

778682

9580448

1578

270

-45

538.80

Surface

2023

UGE-DD-23-036

FDN - Depth

778178

9582889

1078

315

-74

380.50

Underground

2023

UGE-DD-23-037

FDN - Depth

778177

9582888

1078

260

-69

328.25

Underground

2023

BLP-2023-038

Bonza Sur

778550

9580630

1496

90

-70

369.55

Surface

2023

FDNS-2023-039

FDNS

778445

9581819

1498

245

-70

1161.00

Surface

2023

UGE-DD-23-040

FDN - Depth

777989

9583142

1076

92

-48

467.80

Underground

2023

FDNNW-2023-041

FDN - NW

777954

9583789

1397

310

-55

531.40

Surface

2023

FDN-C23-011

FDN - Conversion

778173

9582797

1081

237

-3

211.90

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-012

FDN - Conversion

778173

9582798

1082

274

20

191.00

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-013

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582526

1180

318

8

110.80

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-014

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582526

1182

315

40

61.90

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-015

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582526

1179

315

-41

100.00

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-016

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582525

1180

300

-36

224.90

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-017

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582525

1179

300

-50

100.20

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-018

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582525

1182

295

40

75.90

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-019

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582525

1179

285

-43

221.80

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-020

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582524

1179

270

-46

210.10

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-021

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582524

1181

270

20

71.00

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-022

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1179

255

-58

170.50

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-023

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1179

255

-44

200.90

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-024

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1180

255

-14

110.50

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-025

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1182

255

40

81.30

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-026

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1179

240

-42

230.50

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-027

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1180

239

-28

200.20

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-028

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1180

239

-5

120.35

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-029

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1181

239

20

111.20

Underground

2023

FDN-C23-030

FDN - Conversion

778174

9582523

1182

240

40

100.00

Underground

2023

LUNDIN GOLD REPORTS FURTHER HIGH-GRADE INTERCEPTS FROM ITS 2023 EXPLORATION PROGRAMS (CNW Group/Lundin Gold Inc.)

 

SOURCE Lundin Gold Inc.

Ron F. Hochstein, President and CEO, Tel (Ecuador): +593 2-299-6400, Tel (Canada): +1-604-806-3589, ron.hochstein@lundingold.com; Finlay Heppenstall, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Development, Tel: +1 604 806 3089, finlay.heppenstall@lundingold.com

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