Aftermath Silver: Update on Successful Metallurgical Test work on Berenguela Ag-Cu-Mn Mineralization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2024
(AAG2024 – NR #09)
Aftermath Silver: Update on Successful Metallurgical Test work on Berenguela Ag-Cu-Mn
Mineralization
Vancouver, BC, Aftermath Silver Ltd. (the “Company” or “Aftermath Silver”) (TSX-V: AAG) (OTCQB: AAGFF)
is pleased to provide an update on on -going metallurgical test work on mineralized rock from its
Berenguela Ag-Cu-Mn project in southern Peru underway at Kappes Cassiday and Associates' (KCA) Reno
facility.
The Company has prepared 16 composite samples of mineralized drill core from its 2021-2 drill program,
representing the key geometallurgical domains identified in the NI43 -101 resource estimate published
April 12, 2023 (see news release dated April 13, 2023 and Figure 1 below). Eight samples consist of crushed
drill core for direct leaching tests (Table 1 below) and a further 8 samples consist of uncrushed core
samples for possible ore sorting tests prior to leaching (Table 2 below). The initial test work was carried
out on sample RD2MINA, from geometallurgical domain 2 (see Aftermath NR dated February 29, 2024.)
Recent test work focused on sample RD4LOWA, from geometallurgical domain 4, which has roughly twice
the combined content of calcium and magnesium of RD2MINA, and approximately half the content of
manganese (see Table 1). Test results have successfully confirmed that, despite the wide range of metal
content, both samples can be processed using the same treatment route outlined for RD2MINA. Detailed
leaching and purification parameters derived from the first round of test work were successfully applied
to RD4LOWA indicating that the entire range of material of lower dolomite content in the resource
assaying <12% Ca+Mg can be processed by direct leaching methods, potentially without ore sorting – this
represents approximately 33% of the contained Mn in M&I. Production of HPMSM from the purified
solution of this second composite has not yet been attempted, but the chemistry at this point is identical
to the first composite so no problems are expected. Overall manganese recovery exceeds 94%.
Ralph Rushton, President and CEO of Aftermath commented: "The implications of the latest results for the
project are significant. We can potentially process the full range of mineralization types identified in last
year's resource estimate in zones of lower dolomite content using a single, robust flow sheet that can
accommodate a broad range of manganese grades and a range of Ca and Mg content. We also have some
flexibility in how we recover the contained copper. Further test work can now be advanced on differing
mineralization types using the experience gleaned from the positive results to date. "
The second round of test work was also used to evaluate the recovery of copper by sulphidation processes.
It was confirmed that the process can precipitate a copper sulfide which is 99+ percent pure copper sulfide,
and which can remove all iron and zinc as sulfides with only a few percent co-precipitation of manganese.
These results now enable planning for further test work to go ahead:
a) On combinations of the remaining samples listed in Table 1.
b) On a set of 4 drill composite samples in the 12-16% Ca+Mg grade ranges which represent
approximately another third of the contained Mn in M&I
In the short to medium term test work covering material that represents approximately two-thirds of the
contained Mn in M&I will be completed.
Sample
Name
Ag g/t Cu % Mn % Zn % Ca+Mg %
RD1MINA 224 1.60 16.22 0.50 7.37
RD1LOWA 205 1.21 12.96 0.48 11.42
RD2MINA 149 1.70 18.65 0.47 6.18
RD2LOWA 166 1.43 14.41 0.45 10.29
RD3MINA 106 1.31 11.53 0.46 6.48
RD3LOWA 83 1.46 9.53 0.44 10.28
RD4MINA 107 0.49 12.44 1.05 6.65
RD4LOWA 167 1.11 10.23 1.03 10.96
Table 1: Calculated head grades of 8 crushed core composites samples of
material <12% Ca+Mg from drill assays and sample weights in composites.
SampleName Ag g/t Cu % Mn % Zn % Ca+Mg %
CD1MEDA 166 0.93 9.08 0.41 14.63
CD1HIA 85 0.52 4.03 0.20 20.90
CD2MEDA 82 1.09 7.42 0.40 14.65
CD2HIA 62 0.85 4.22 0.24 19.68
CD3MEDA 58 1.12 5.32 0.32 13.15
CD3H1A 49 0.63 3.32 0.29 22.79
CD4MEDA 73 1.16 12.28 1.04 15.89
CD4HIA 39 0.67 4.73 0.50 21.41
Table 2: Calculated head grades of 8 uncrushed core composite samples of
material >12% Ca+Mg from drill assays and sample weights in composites
Fig.1 – Geometallurgical Domains Berenguela Resource (source Aftermath Technical Report "Berenguela
Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43-101 Aftermath Silver Ltd. Province of Lampa, Department of Puno,
Peru", dated March 30, 2023, prepared by AMC Consultants available here or on Aftermath's website)
Berenguela Project: Background
• The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement
with SSR Mining.
• Berenguela hosts a potentially open -pittable silver-copper-manganese resource close to Santa
Lucia in Puno province, southern Peru.
• Silver, copper and manganese have crucial industrial applications in the clean energy and battery
spaces. Copper and manganese have been designated critical metals by the US government and
the European Union.
• The project is less than 6km from road, rail and power lines and 4 hours from Arequipa by sealed
road.
• Aftermath published a resource estimate in March 2023 based on over 300 core and RC holes.
• Metallurgical test work is underway adding to historic work, with the goal of producing silver and
copper metal and a commercial battery-grade or fertilizer-grade manganese product.
In March 2023, Aftermath published an updated resource estimate for Berenguela which included
manganese in addition to substantial silver and copper resources across the Measured, Indicated and
Inferred categories. Mineral Resources are stated at a cut-off grade of 80 g/t silver equivalent. The relative
value in the Mineral Resource by metal is as follows, Ag=26%, Mn=44%, Cu=26%, Zn=4%, however the
estimate used pricing for agricultural grade MnSO 4 which trades at a considerable discount to battery
grade manganese sulphate. The model is depleted for historical mining activities. Please refer to Aftermath
Technical Report "Berenguela Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43 -101 Aftermath Silver Ltd. Province of Lampa,
Department of Puno, Peru", dated March 30, 2023, prepared by AMC Consultants available here or on Aftermath's
website at this link https://www.aftermathsilver.com/site/assets/files/5843/722031 -aftermath-berenguela-mineral-
resource-estimate.pdf
Berenguela Ag-Cu-Mn deposit Mineral Resource as of 31 January 2023
Resource Classification Tonnage
Mt
Grade Contained Metal
Ag Mn Cu Zn Ag Mn Cu Zn
g/t % % % Moz Mt Mlb Mlb
Measured 6.152 101 8.89 0.85 0.30 20.0 0.55 115.3 41.2
Indicated 34.024 74 5.60 0.63 0.34 81.2 1.90 473.7 258.1
Measured and
Indicated 40.176 78 6.10 0.67 0.34 101.2 2.45 589.0 299.3
Inferred 22.287 54 3.57 0.42 0.25 38.8 0.80 204.3 122.8
Notes:
• CIM Definition Standards (2014) were used for reporting the Mineral Resources.
• The effective date of the estimate is 31 January 2023.
• The Qualified Person is Dinara Nussipakynova, P .Geo., of AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd.
• Mineral Resources are constrained by an optimized pit shell using the assumptions in Table 2.
• No dilution or mining recovery applied.
• Cut-off grade is 80g/t AgEq.
• Bulk density used was estimated and variable. but averaged 2.30 tonnes/m3 for mineralized material
and 2.25 tonnes/m3 for waste.
• Drilling results up to 13 October 2022.
• Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
• The numbers may not compute exactly due to rounding.
• Mineral Resources are depleted for historic mined out material.
• The relative value in the Mineral Resource by metal is as follows, Ag=26% Cu=26%, Mn=44%, Zn=4%.
Source: AMC, (2023).
Assay protocol
For the purposes of calculating head grades of the eight composites referenced in this press release,
individual intersection grades were used as reported in the Berenguela drill program of 2021/2 with a brief
description of assay QA/QC protocols below. Individual bags of coarse rejects from the drill program per
Ca+Mg interval per domain were weighed and composited to produce a sample with a similar grade as
reported in the resource block model of the 2023 NI 43-101 report (see link below). Some coarse rejects
were split to achieve acceptable grade ranges. A calculation of the weight of the sample and its
contributing grades resulted in the calculated composite head grade. Composite samples for this press
release ranged in mass from 59kg to 1005kg depending on the amount of coarse reject sample available.
Four composite samples were collected for each geometallurgical domain 1-4.
“MIN” samples - <8% Ca+Mg range (this press release)
“LOW” samples – 8-12% Ca+Mg range (this press release)
“MED” samples – 12-16% Ca+Mg range (not yet reported)
“HI” samples - >16% Ca+Mg range (not yet reported)
Berenguela drill program QA/QC: Sample preparation and assaying was carried out in Peru by ALS Peru S.A
(“ALS”). ALS preparation facilities in Arequipa and assaying facilities in Lima both carry ISO/IEC 17205
accreditation. Logging and sampling were carrie d out by Aftermath geological staff at the Limon Verde
camp in Santa Lucia. Samples were transported to Arequipa and delivered to ALS for preparation and
subsequent assaying of pulps in Lima.
During the preparation stage, quartz -washing was performed after each sample to prevent carry -over
contamination. Initial assaying was done using a four-acid digestion and ICP-AES multielement analysis for
31 elements. Over limit samples (Ag > 100 g/t, Cu/ Mn/Zn >10,000 g/t) were reanalysed using 4 acid -
digestion and ore -grade ICP-AES analysis. Any Ag samples reporting >1,500 g/t Ag are further analysed
using fire assay with gravimetric finish.
A selection of pulps was submitted to an umpire laboratory to perform check analyses and verify QA/QC
implemented in the project. Every batch of 20 samples submitted for assay contained 1 certified reference
material (CRM), 1 coarse blank, 1 pulp blank and 1 duplicate core sample, OR 2 CRMs, 1 coarse blank, 1
duplicate core sample. Aftermath commissioned OREAS to prepare 3 different CRMs made from samples
of Berenguela mineralization so they are compositionally matched to the mineralized core. Results of the
QA/QC were reported in:
Aftermath Technical Report "Berenguela Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43 -101 Aftermath Silver Ltd.
Province of Lampa, Department of Puno, Peru", dated March 30, 2023, prepared by AMC Consultants
available here or on Aftermath's website at this link
https://www.aftermathsilver.com/site/assets/files/5843/722031-aftermath-berenguela-mineral-
resource-estimate.pdf
Qualified person
Michael Parker, a fellow of the AusIMM and a non -independent director of Aftermath, is a non -
independent qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43 -101. Mr. Parker has reviewed the
technical content of this news release and consents to the information provided in the form and context
in which it appears.
Dan Kappes, a Registered Professional Engineer (Mining Engineer #3223, Metallurgical Engineer #3223) in
the State of Nevada, USA, and Founder and President of Kappes, Cassiday & Associates, is the qualified
person set out in National Instrument 43 -101 (NI 43-101) responsible for overseeing the design and
execution of the metallurgical test program and has reviewed and approved the contents of this release.
About Aftermath Silver Ltd.
Aftermath Silver is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver and aims to deliver
shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable
jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipel ine of projects at various stages of advancement. The
company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Ralph Rushton”
Ralph Rushton
CEO and Director
604-484-7855
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute “forward -looking information”
within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. Any statements or information that
express or involve discussions with respect to interpretation of exploration programs and drill results,
predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or
performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategies”, “targets”, “goals”,
“forecasts”, “objectives”, “budgets”, “schedules”, “potential” 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 or information.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual
results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although
the Company believes the expectations express ed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or
developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, changes in commodities prices; changes in expected mineral production performance;
unexpected increases in capital costs; exploitation and exploration results; continued availability of capital
and financing; differing results and recommendations in the Feasibility Study; and general economic,
market or business conditions. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to various risks,
including but not limited to operational risk; political risk; currency risk; capital cost inflation risk; that data
is incomplete or inaccurate. The reader is referred to the Company’s filings with the Canadian securities
regulators for disclosure regarding these and other risk factors, accessible through Aftermath Silver’s
profile at www.sedar.com.
There is no certainty that any forward-looking statement will come to pass and investors should not place
undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to provide updates to
any of the forward-looking statements in this release, except as required by law.
Cautionary Note to US Investors - Mineral Resources
This News Release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian National
Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (''NI 43-101'') and the Canadian Institute
of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standard s, which differ from the requirements of U.S.
securities laws. NI 43 -101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes
standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning
mineral projects. Canadian public disclosure standards, including NI 43 -101, differ significantly from the
requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and information
concerning mineralization, deposits, mineral reserve and resource information contained or referred to
herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies.