K92 Mining Announces Strong Q3 Production Results with Stage 2 Expansion Run-Rate Throughput Achieved IN September
Suite 488 – 1090 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6E 3V7
Telephone: +1 (604) 687-7130
Facsimile: +1 (604) 608-9110
www.k92mining.com
NEWS RELEASE
K92 MINING ANNOUNCES STRONG Q3 PRODUCTION RESULTS WITH STAGE 2
EXPANSION RUN-RATE THROUGHPUT ACHIEVED IN SEPTEMBER
• Record quarterly plant throughput with 87,621 tonnes processed, representing a 35%
increase from Q3 2020. During the month of September, Kainantu achieved Stage 2
Expansion run-rate processing throughput, averaging 1,100 tonnes per day (“tpd”),
while also delivering a notably finer than required product size.
• Following the performance of the existing process plant, K92 announced the approval
for a Stage 2A Expansion to increase annual throughput +25% to 500,000 tonnes per
annum (“tpa”) or 1,370 tpd with commissioning in Q3 2022.
• Quarterly production in Q3 of 24,122 oz of gold equivalent (“AuEq”) (1) or 21,908 oz
gold, 802,545 lbs copper and 19,736 oz silver and quarterly sales of 24,057 oz AuEq
or 21,675 oz gold, 868,175 lbs copper and 20,444 oz silver.
• Positive reconciliation for gold grades vs resource model, with an average head grade
of 9.0 g/t gold and 0.48% copper in Q3 (9.82 g/t AuEq) partially offset below budget
mined grades due to impact of COVID-19 challenges in PNG during the first half of
2021.
• A +50% increase in development metr es in Q3 vs Q2 set to improve access to high
grade stoping areas going forward, including establishment of first stope from the
Judd #1 Vein (“J1”).
• Quarterly development advance of the twin incline +16% above budget, with incline
#2 (6m x 6m) advanced a total of 638 metres and #3 (5m x 5m) advanced a total of 680
metres as of September 30, 2021.
Note (1): Gold equivalent for 2021 is based on the following prices: gold $1,800 per ounce;
silver $25 per ounce; and copper $4.35 per pound.
Vancouver, British Columbia, October 18, 2021 - K92 Mining Inc. (“K92” or the “Company”)
(TSX: KNT; OTCQX: KNTNF) announces production in the third quarter (“Q3”) at its Kainantu
Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea, of 24,122 oz AuEq or 21,908 oz gold, 802,545 lbs copper and
19,736 oz of silver. Sales for the third quarter totaled 24,057 oz AuEq or 21,675 oz gold, 868,175
lbs copper and 20,444 oz of silver.
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During the third quarter, the process plant delivered record throughput of 87,621 tonne s and
importantly, d uring the month of September, achieved Stage 2 Expansion design throughput ,
increasing to an average of 1,100 tonnes per day, with 20 days processing more than 1,100 tonnes
and a single day record of 1,408 tonnes processed on September 22, 2021. Following the
performance of the existing plant and the ability of the mill to deliver a notably finer than required
product size, the Stage 2A Expansion to increase annual throughput from 400,000 tpa (1,100 tpd)
to 500,000 (1,370 tpd) was approved (see October 7, 2021 press release: K92 Mining Announces
Stage 2A Expansion to Increase Throughput +25% to 500,000 Tonnes Per A nnum at Kainantu
Gold Mine).
Importantly, the record quarterly material movements were achieved despite short-term challenges
related to the COVID -19 pandemic. In the first half of 2021, Papua New Guinea experienced
record levels of COVID-19 cases, resulting in significant short staffing due to COVID-19 related
absenteeism in addition to an increase in quarantine length and enhanced quarantine control
measures. Additionally, from mid -March to mid -May, expatriate travel was suspended between
Australia and P apua New Guinea. Th ese operational challenges had a notable impact on
underground development and the mining sequence by delaying access to higher -grade stoping
areas at Kora in Q3, resulting in below budget material movements and gold head grades in
addition to sub-optimal process plant blending. These challenges have been significantly addressed
through: i) a +50% increase in development metres in Q3 vs Q2, increasing access to more stoping
areas at Kora, and; ii) mining ramping up at a new, major mining front at the Judd Vein System.
In the second half of Q3, flat backing commenced at the J1 Vein, providing a considerable boost
to underground productivities. In September, production of 11,095 oz Au, 284,002 lbs Cu, 7,871oz
Ag or 11,891 oz AuEq was achieved. Production stoping at Judd is planned for Q4 and is expected
to provide a significant boost to operational flexibility and material movement s. Judd is located
~150-200m from exi sting infrastructure at Kora, making it highly efficient to access going
forward.
During the quarter, long hole stoping continued to p erform to design, with operations focused on
Kora’s K1 and K2 veins and also Judd’s J1 veins for a total of 6 levels mine d. Mining on Kora
was conducted on the 1150, 1170, 1205, 1225 and 1265 levels and Judd on the 1235 and 1265
levels.
The new twin incline development resumed in late May, after the COVID-19 Papua New Guinea
and Australia travel restrictions were lifted and the COVID -19 situation in Papua New Guinea
improved. Twin incline development advance was + 16% above budget in Q3 , the #2 (6m x 6m)
incline has now advanced a total of 638 metres and the #3 (5m x 5m) incline has now advanced a
total of 680 metres as of September 30, 2021.
COVID-19 Operational Resiliency
The Kainantu Gold Mine operates under a comprehensive COVID -19 Management Plan and has
continuously operated during the pandemic. A considerable focus is on health and safety and risk-
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mitigation. Under the COVID -19 Management Plan, K92 has established a Government
recognized testing lab facility utilizing qualified medical personnel on site, established quarantine
and isolation facilities for incoming staff, and implemented enhanced hygiene, disinfecting and
training systems and procedures. Additional controls were implemented in 2021, requiring external
COVID-19 testing prior to travel to quarantine at s ite, in addition to on arrival at site before
reporting to quarantine. A focus has also been supporting Government efforts at a national,
provincial and local level through the 1.5 million PGK COVID-19 Assistance Fund and a further
1.0 million PGK of additional assistance funding to Eastern Highlands Province.
In addition to various control measures, K92 has made considerable progress increasing our
resiliency through vaccinations of our expatriate and PNG national workforce, with vaccinations
administered on site well underway. The Company is in close communications with the provincial
and national health authorities of Papua New Guinea and the Government of Australia, in addition
to communications with the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum t o deliver an
effective pandemic response.
Table 1 – Q3 2021 & 2020 Annual Production Data
Q3 2020 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021
Tonnes Processed T 64,702 230,365 73,221 75,667 87,621
Feed Grade Au g/t 11.3 14.0 8.5 10.3 9.0
Feed Grade Cu % 0.38% 0.40% 0.31% 0.76% 0.48%
Recovery (%) Au % 90.7% 91.80% 88.9% 88.3% 86.1%
Recovery (%) Cu % 90.2% 90.90% 86.2% 87.2% 87.2%
Metal in Conc Prod Au Oz 21,298 95,109 17,774 22,153 21,908
Metal in Conc Prod Cu T 221 841 193 498 364
Metal in Conc Prod Ag Oz 7,127 36,067 7,925 14,914 19,736
Gold Equivalent Production Oz 22,261 98,872 18,912 25,015 24,122
Gold Sold Oz 19,265 93,273 21,879 18,939 21,675
Note - Gold equivalent for 2021 is based on the following prices: gold $1,800 per ounce; silver $25 per ounce; and
copper $4.35 per pound. Gold equivalent for 2020 is based on the following prices: gold $1,500 per ounce; silver
$17.75 per ounce; and copper $2.70 per pound.
John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated, “Achieving Stage 2 design
throughput of 1,100 tpd in September, a doubling from Stage 1, is a major operational
accomplishment and one that is particularly impressive as it was achieved shortly after a
particularly challenging COVID-19 environment in the first half of 2021.
The strong performance of the process plant, achieving daily records well in excess of 1,100 tpd
and at a notably finer product size has led to the formal approval for the Stage 2A Expansion,
increasing throughput by another +25% to 1,370 tpd. The c apital cost for the plant expansion is
estimated to be US$2.5 million, with commissioning in Q3 2022. Several key components have
already arrived on site.
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While the headwinds from COVID-19 have persisted for longer than expected, we remain pleased
that the operation continues to progress on multiple fronts. Over the past year, Judd has emerged
from an exploration target to a new, major mining front, with production stoping planned to start
in Q4, providing a notable boost to operational flexibility. The exploration success at Judd was
also a key driver for approving the Stage 2A Expansion.
On exploration, the infill program at Kora is nearing completion for our updated resource estimate
later this year and Stage 3 Expansion Definitive Feasibility Study in the first half of 2022 .
Currently there are 5 underground rigs on Kora and 1 underground rig on Judd. By the beginning
of November, we expect to have at least two thirds of our underground drill rigs on Judd, marking
a major pivot from infill to step-out drilling for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.
We are also very pleased with the development performance of the twin incline, achieving +16%
above budget advance during the Q3. In the first half of 2022, the twin incline advance is expected
to be sufficiently close to the resource at Kora , enabling drill platforms from the twin incline to
commence testing Kora Deeps.
Lastly, I would like to once again thank the K92 workforce for their continued dedication and
resourcefulness. Their commitment and loyalty to the operation during the pandemic has been
extraordinary. The support of the Government of Papua New Guinea, and also the Australian
Government has been a major factor in our success as well.”
Qualified Person
K92 Mine Geology Manager and Mine Exploration Manager, Andrew Kohler, PGeo, a qualified
person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects, has reviewed and is responsible for the technical content of this news rel ease.
Data verification by Mr. Kohler includes significant time onsite reviewing drill core, face
sampling, underground workings, and discussing work programs and results with geology and
mining personnel.
On Behalf of the Company,
John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director
For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA at +1-604-687-7130.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news
release includes certain “forward -looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities
legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward -looking statements. All statements
that address future plans, activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects
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or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information, including statements regarding
the realization of the preliminary economic analysis for the Kainantu Mine, expectations of future
cash flows, the planned plant expansion, production results, cost of sales, sales of production,
potential expansion of resources and the generation of further drilling results which may or may
not occur. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain
factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the market price of the Company’s
securities, metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and a mount of future
exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt
of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes, failure of plant, equipment or
processes to operate as anticipated, accidents , labour disputes, claims and limitations on
insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry, changes in national and local
government regulation of mining operations in PNG , mitigation of the C OVID-19 pandemic,
removal of travel restrictions, continuation of the lifted state of emergency, and regulations and
other matters. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward -looking statements. The
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward -looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required
by law.