Steppe Gold Announces Fourth Quarter 2022 Operations Update
Steppe Gold Announces Fourth Quarter 2022
Operations Update
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2023) -
Steppe Gold Limited (TSX: STGO)
(OTCQX: STPGF) (FSE: 2J9) ("Steppe Gold" or the "Company")
is pleased to provide an
operations update for the final quarter of 2022.
Gold production was 5,600 oz in the fourth quarter for a total of 33,500 oz for 2022
Mined 958,288 tonnes and 922,051 tonnes crushed and stacked in the year ended 2022
Strong reagent supplies at the year end and new supply routes functioning well
At December 31, 2022, total estimated recoverable gold from oxide ores is 80,000 oz
Construction start for Phase 2 Expansion is planned for Q2 2023
The Company is pleased to report a strong finish to 2022 with uninterrupted gold production since the
resumption of irrigation in the Spring.
Gold production was approximately 5,600 oz in the fourth quarter
for a total of 33,500 oz for 2022, and sales for the year was 33,700 oz.
We expect 2023 production to
come in at a similar level to 2022 with some potential for upside.
First quarter production is expected to
be approximately 6,000 oz.
The new boiler house has been working effectively through the winter to keep the solution above freezing
and this has allowed for cold weather production to continue through the quarter.
The Company has secured a strong inventory of reagent supplies and the new supply routes are
functioning well.
Mining activities decreased in the fourth quarter as the planned winter slowdown commenced, with
93,380 tonnes mined across ATO2, ATO1 and ATO4, and 230,399 tonnes crushed and stacked in the
third quarter. The Company mined 958,288 tonnes and 922,051 tonnes crushed and stacked in the year
ended 2022. We are now stacking Cell 1 of the second lift of the leach pad.
A reserve update has been prepared and we expect to release the details shortly.
As at December 31, 2022 the Company had mined 3.4 million tonnes, crushed and stacked 2.8 million
tonnes @ 1.92 g/t for approximately 173,958 ounces of gold on the leach pad and 498,000 tonnes of ore
at an average grade of 0.79 g/t on the ROM pad. At an estimated 70% recovery, the total inventory from
oxide ores is approximately 80,000 oz of recoverable gold inclusive of 16,000 oz in situ based on
internal reserve estimates.
President and CEO of Steppe Gold, Bataa Tumur-Ochir commented, "We are pleased to report that the
Company produced 33,500 ounces of gold in 2022, a 180% increase over 2021. The Company has
completed the construction of a new crushing unit and has a substantial inventory of mined ore to
continue active production in 2023. Our primary focus for 2023 is to complete the financing for the Phase
2 Expansion and start construction of the new flotation plant to increase annual production to over
100,000 oz Au Eq by the end of 2024."
Steppe Gold Limited
Steppe Gold is Mongolia's premier precious metals company.
For Further information, please contact:
Bataa Tumur-Ochir, CEO and President
Shangri-La office, Suite 1201, Olympic Street 19A, Sukhbaatar District 1, Ulaanbaatar 14241,
Mongolia Tel: +976 7732 1914
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
The above contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include:
changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the
mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry.
Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, statements regarding the
trading of the Common Shares and business, economic, and political conditions in Mongolia. Although
we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may
vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We
disclaim 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 applicable law.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of the content of this news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151000