OceanaGold Continues to Demonstrate Exploration Upside at Wharekirauponga Ahead of Upcoming NI 43-101 Pre-feasibility Study
November 14, 2024
News Release
OceanaGold Continues to Demonstrate Exploration Upside at
Wharekirauponga Ahead of Upcoming NI 43-101 Pre-feasibility Study
(VANCOUVER) OceanaGold Corporation (TSX : OGC ; OTCQX: OCANF ) (“OceanaGold” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce results from the ongoing exploration and resource conversion program
at Wharekirauponga, located ~10 kilometres from the Waihi operation, New Zealand. The Company is
planning to release a NI 43-101 pre-feasibility study for the Waihi North Project and existing Waihi operation
on December 11, 2024, details of which are provided later in this release.
Highlight Drill Intercepts (estimated true width):
• 34.7 g/t Au over 4.2 m from 563.5 m, EG vein (WKP124B)
• 16.8 g/t Au over 5.7 m from 644.3 m, EG FW vein (WKP124C)
• 11.4 g/t Au over 7.7 m from 453.5 m, EG vein (WKP134A)
• 13.0 g/t Au over 6.6 m from 233.4 m, EG vein (WKPP15D)
• 54.9 g/t Au over 1.4 m from 531.6 m, EG vein (WKP124D)
• 29.3 g/t Au over 2.4 m from 589.9 m, EG FW vein (WKP124D)
• 11.1 g/t Au over 2.8 m from 549.8 m and 21.4 g/t over 3.8 m from 603.9 m, EG FW veins
(WKP124D)
Gerard Bond, President & CEO of OceanaGold, said “ Today’s results demonstrate the phenomenal
exploration upside potential at Wharekirauponga with new intercepts along the EG vein zone continuing to
return high-grade over excellent widths. We are preparing the results of the NI 43-101 pre-feasibility study
which is planned to be released in December, and we expect will highlight the value, longevity and potential
of this exceptional deposit.”
Results Overview
Since the August 8, 2024 Wharekirauponga news release, extensional drilling has intersected significant
mineralization in all six holes on the East Graben (EG) vein and associated hanging-wall and foot-wall veins
(EG vein zone) in both the high- grade southern and northern zone (Table 1, Figures 1 and 2). Results
demonstrate the continued potential of extensions to the EG vein and numerous hanging wall (HW) and
footwall (FW) veins and definition of high- grade shoots. The NI 43-101 pre-feasibility study, planned for
release in December, will be based on the resource model as at the end of May 2024. The exploration
results released today, and in August, represent further upside potential to the outcomes of the upcoming
study.
Extensional Drilling
Drilling highlighted in this release was completed from four sites including drill site 9 which was
commissioned in March 2024. Drill site 9 has enabled drill testing of ~800m of southern strike extension of
the EG vein zone. Four holes targeted resource extensions to the high- grade southern EG zone with 1
hole drilled from site 9, 2 holes drilled from site 8 and 1 hole drilled from site 1, all of which intersected
significant high-grade mineralization (Figure 2).
Holes WKP124B, WKP124D and WKP134A demonstrate excellent grade and width in the unconstrained
up-dip and strike dimensions of the southern limb while hole WKP133C extends grade continuity at depth.
These high-grade intercepts demonstrate geological and grade continuity of the EG vein with geological
continuity further supported by intersection of 6.3m (true width) of vein in WKP135, the southernmost hole
from drill site 9 (results pending, Figure 3).
Hole WKP124C is the southernmost hole drilled across the footwall vein providing an 85m extension south
from previous results (Figure 4). Although this hole intersected modest grade and width in the EG vein,
high-grade and relatively wide mineralization of 16.8 g/t Au over 5.7 metres (true width) was intersected in
the footwall. Hole WKP124D also intersected a wide zone of veining in the footwall with high- grade
intersections across multiple footwall vein structures, including 11.1 g/t Au over 2.8 metres (true width,
Figure 4) and 29.3 g/t Au over 2.4 metres and 21.4 g/t over 3.8 metres with in newly identified veins,
confirming further significant upside in the footwall to the EG vein as we step out to the south. Opportunity
remains for up-plunge, down-plunge, and along-strike extensions on this and other attendant hanging and
footwall veins.
Within the northern shoot of the EG vein, hole WKPP15D intersected 13 g/t Au over 6.6 metres and
demonstrates ongoing potential for growth via definition of high-grade shoots within the existing resource
footprint. Drilled from site 5, this hole supports the model with significant grade and width, remaining open
for further testing of a ~200 metre down- plunge extension in the central EG vein at elevations favourable
for high-grade mineralization (Figure 2).
The EG vein zone remains the primary, near-term drill target for the 2024 growth and conversion program
and will continue through 2025.
2024 Exploration Program
Exploration drilling for the remainder of the 2024 program will target resource growth from drill sites 8 and
9, testing beyond the current southern extent of drilling, and up and down- dip of both current and future
extension holes in the south. A further hole from drill site 5 will target the down-dip extension of WKP15D
in the EG northern shoot.
The NI 43-101 pre-feasibility study that is planned to be released in December 2024 will be based on the
resource model as at the end of May 2024. Subsequent drill results will be captured in an end- of-year
resource model update to be released with the 2024 end of year resource statement.
For maps and sections see Figures 1-4 and Table 1 for full results.
Figure 1: WKP plan view of geology and drill traces highlighting the EG vein Zone, T-Stream vein,
and Western veins, and drill platform locations.
Figure 2: Long section of the EG vein with geology and drill intercepts (blue font = new holes).
Figure 3: Inset image from Figure 2. Long section of the EG vein with geology and drill intercepts
(blue font = new holes)
Figure 4: Long section of the EG footwall vein #1 (430) with geology and drill intercepts
highlighting WKP124B, WKP124C and WKP124D (blue font = new holes).
Table 1: Wharekirauponga drill intersections subsequent to the August 8, 2024 exploration update
Drillhole ID From (m) To (m) True width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Vein Purpose
WKP124C 612.8 614.5 1.5 1.3 1.6 EG Extension
WKP124C 644.3 652.4 5.7 16.8 11.7 EG FW (430) Extension
WKP133C 487.9 491.9 3.3 3.3 6.8 EG Extension
WKP134A 453.5 462.4 7.7 11.4 11.7 EG Extension
WKP124B 563.5 569.5 4.2 34.7 24.8 EG Extension
WKP124B 575 578.2 1.4 22.1 14.5 EG FW (430) Extension
WKP124D 531.6 533.6 1.4 54.9 39.8 EG Extension
WKP124D 549.8 553.5 2.8 11.1 12.5 EG FW (430) Extension
WKP124D 589.9 593.3 2.4 29.3 14.7 EG FW
(unmodelled)
Extension
WKP124D 603.9 610.6 3.8 21.4 19.7 EG FW
(unmodelled
Extension
WKPP15D 233.4 241.4 6.6 13.0 30.6 EG Conversion
For further information relating to drill hole data for W KP, please refer to the Company's website
at https://investors.oceanagold.com/additional-drillhole-data.
About Wharekirauponga and the Waihi North Project
The Wharekirauponga low-sulphidation epithermal Au- Ag vein system is located approximately 10
kilometres north of the Company’s Waihi operation. The Wharekirauponga Indicated Resource stands at
2.0 million tonnes grading 15.9 g/t Au for 1.01 million ounces of gold with a further 1.2 million tonnes grading
9.0 g/t Au for 0.35 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category as of December 31, 2023.
Wharekirauponga is part of the Waihi North Project, which has the potential to create significant socio-
economic contributions for the communities in the Waihi region and for New Zealand. This includes
significant in- country investments and a substantial increase to di rect and indirect employment
opportunities, with the project having the potential to extend operation of the Waihi mine beyond the next
decade. OceanaGold operates to the highest environmental and social standards which has enabled it to
run a successful and responsible mining business in New Zealand for over three decades. The Company
has lodged a resource consent application for its proposed Waihi North Project with Hauraki District Council
and Waikato Regional Council and has recently been listed as a proposed project under the F ast-track
Approvals Bill in New Zealand.
NI 43-101 Pre-Feasibility Study Release Date
The Company plans to release the results of the NI 43-101 pre-feasibility study for the Waihi North Project
after market close on Wednesday December 11, 2024. The results will be made available on the Company's
website at www.oceanagold.com. Senior management will host a webcast to discuss the results on
Thursday December 12, 2024 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.
To register, please copy and paste the link into your browser: https://app.webinar.net/DdjR72Pnakx
If you are unable to attend the webcast, a recording will be made available on the Company's website.
About OceanaGold
OceanaGold is a growing intermediate gold and copper producer committed to safely and responsibly
maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from our operations and delivering strong returns for our
shareholders. We have a portfolio of four operating mines: the Haile Gold Mine in the United States of
America; Didipio Mine in the Philippines; and the Macraes and Waihi operations in New Zealand. For further
information please contact:
Investor Relations:
Rebecca Henare, Director, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 (604) 678-4095
Media Relations:
Louise Burgess, Director, Communications
Tel: 1 (604) 403-2019
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) at Wharekirauponga, Waihi Gold Mine
All exploration samples are assayed for gold by 30g fire assay with AAS finish. Since mid- 2022 drill core
sample intervals where visible electrum is logged are followed up by a subsequent screen fire assay after
the routine 30g fire assay. Holes WKP40- 45 had core samples shipped for sample preparation to SGS in
Westport (New Zealand). Prepared pulps were then shipped to independent Australian Laboratory Services
Pty Ltd (ALS) in Brisbane, accredited to ISO/NATA 17025 for gold analysis by fire assay and 4-acid digest,
and 42 element ICP geochemical analysis. Holes drilled after WKP45 (i.e., WKP46 to WKP134) were
prepared and analyzed at SGS Waihi NZ Ltd (Au by 30g fire assay and Ag by aqua regia digest and 0.3gm
AAS finish). Selected pulps are periodically sent to ALS in Brisbane for a 4- acid digestion and 42 or 48
element ICP geochemical analysis.
Quality of exploration assay results has been monitored in the following areas:
• Sample preparation at the SGS Waihi and Westport labs through sieving of jaw crush and pulp
products.
• Monitoring of assay precision through routine generation of duplicate samples from a second split
of the jaw crush and calculation of the fundamental error.
• Monitoring of accuracy of the primary SGS assay and ALS results through insertion Certified
Reference Materials (CRM’s) and blanks into sample batches.
Blank, duplicate and CRM results are reviewed prior to uploading results in the AcQuire database and again
on a weekly basis. The protocol at Waihi requires CRMs to be reported to within 2 standard deviations of
the certified value. The criterion for preparation duplicates is that they have a relative difference (R-R1/mean
RR1) of no greater than 10%. Blanks should not exceed more than 4 times the lower detection value of the
assay method. Failure in any of these thresholds triggers an investigation and if appropriate re- assay. Drill
core is stored within secure facilities on site to which access is controlled. Site employees transport samples
to the analytical laboratory which is also a secured facility. The SGS Waihi NZ Ltd laboratory is an
independent commercial geochemistry and energy assay laboratory with ISO 17025: 2017 accreditation,
audited by an external consultant in 2020, and is inspected on an annual basis by OceanaGold geologists. No
sampling risks have been recorded during these visits.
Qualified Person Statement
The exploration results in this press release were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101
– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43- 101").
Information relating to Waihi exploration results in this document has been verified by, is based on and
fairly represents information compiled by or prepared under the supervision of Leroy Crawford- Flett, a
Chartered Professional Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and an employee of
OceanaGold. Mr Crawford-Flett has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of minerali zation and
type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as Qualified Persons for
the purposes of the NI 43-101. Mr Crawford-Flett consents to the inclusion in this public report of the matters
based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
Technical Reports
For further information, please refer to the following NI 43- 101 compliant technical report available on the
SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.com under the Company's name and the Company’s news release
titled “OceanaGold Reports Mineral Reserves and Resources for the Year Ended 2023” dated February
21, 2024:
(a) “Waihi District Study - Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43- 101 Technical Report” dated August
30, 2020, prepared by T. Maton, Study Manager and P. Church, Principal Resource Development
Geologist, both of Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Limited, and D. Carr, Chief Metallurgist, of OceanaGold
Management Pty Limited.
Cautionary Statement for Public Release
Certain information contained in this public release may be deemed “forward- looking” within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future performance and
reflect the Company’s expectations regarding the generation of free cash flow, execution of business
strategy, future growth, future production, estimated costs, results of operations, business prospects and
opportunities of OceanaGold Corporation and its related subsidiaries. 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" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or
"intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken,
occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-
looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward- looking statements and information. They