Steppe Gold Doubles the ATO Gold Mine Resource to 2.45Moz gold equivalent
1 | Page
Steppe Gold Doubles the ATO Gold Mine Resource to 2.45Moz
gold equivalent
ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA – February 24, 2021 – Steppe Gold Ltd (TSX: STGO) (“Steppe Gold” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce an updated independent Mineral Resource Estimate at its 100%
owned ATO Gold Mine. This estimate will form the basis of the upcoming bankable feasibility study
(“BFS”) due out in Q2 2021.
HIGHLIGHTS
Resources at the ATO Gold Mine have doubled to 2.45 M oz of Au Eq, up from 1.22M oz Au Eq
Increased ATO Measured and Indicated Resources (“M&I”) to 41.6 Mt at average Au Eq grade
of 1.67g/t
M&I resources have increased to 2.24 Moz of Au Eq, using a cut‐off grade of 0.15g/t for oxide
and 0.4g/t Au Eq for fresh rock ores
M&I resources show 1.39 M oz gold and 20.48M oz silver
Inferred Resources at ATO of 208,000 oz Au Eq.
Increase in the M&I resource is due primarily to significant expansion through drilling at the
ATO 4 Deposit and incorporation of a maiden resource at the Mungu Deposit
Increase in average grade across the resource to 1.67g/t Au Eq
The ATO 4 Deposit, where mining has recently commenced, shows M&I resource of 15.68 Mt
at 1.62g/t for total 819,000 oz Au Eq
The maiden resource at the Mungu discovery shows M&I resource of 7.57 Mt at 1.74g/t for
424,000oz Au Eq
Mr. Bataa Tumur‐Ochir, President and CEO, commented, “We are very pleased to report on the
significant update of the resources at our 100% owned ATO Gold Mine. Our drilling efforts since 2018
have clearly demonstrated the great promise shown for this project and the potential we saw at the
outset. With production commenced in April 2020, we have proven the low cost profile of the ATO Gold
Mine with market low cash costs below $600/oz. This dramatic increase in the ATO resource further
underpins the long life attributes of the project. Internal studies and our drilling analysis have long
2 | Page
supported the growth potential of ATO Gold Mine and sampling during mining has also shown strong
positive grade reconciliations. This resource update validates this.
The new Resource supports our Phase 2 expansion Project and shows ample resources for a circa 2.5 Mt
per annum fresh ore development. The Bankable Feasibility Study remains on schedule to be released
Q2 2021 and we are optimistic that this study will bear out a robust economic result and a further 10
plus years of production at 150k oz Au Eq with a focus on the fresh rock ores.”
Mr Matthew Wood, Executive Chairman also commented, “While the resource update is consistent with
the strong results of our definition and infill drilling programs in the past three years, we are very
pleased to see independent verification of the block model and zone extensions at ATO. I am
particularly pleased to see the results at ATO 4 and the Mungu discovery and the high percentage of
resources in the M&I category. The resource interpretations also show further potential zone
extensions, for which there are numerous targets. We plan to ramp up the exploration program in 2021,
with the aim of unlocking additional value on the ATO property with an internal target of 3 ‐ 5 M oz
across our licences.”
MINERAL RESOURCE UPDATE
The updated mineral resource estimate includes drill data as of December 2020. It includes 55 drill holes
for a total of 18,200m drilled in 2020. A total of 53,000m has been drilled since 2018. The drilling
information was used to update the interpretation of the geologic model, geometry of the mineralized
zones and domains resulting in a higher degree of confidence in the resource estimate.
Table 1: ATO ‐ Preliminary 43‐101
Classified Resources by Oxidation
surface level
CLASS BY Deposit Cut‐off SG Tonnes Au Ag Pb Zn Au
Eq
Au
metal
Ag
metal
AuEq
metal
OXIDATION
LEVEL
AuEq(g/t) (kg/m3) (M t) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (g/t) (k oz) (k oz) (k oz)
MEASURED
Oxide 1 0.15 2.46 2.62 1.22 9.34 0.59 0.33 1.70 103 786 143
(above
OX_SF)
2 0.15 2.46 1.13 0.46 3.58 0.40 0.33 0.79 17 130 29
4 0.15 2.46 0.72 0.99 20.49 0.17 0.28 1.46 23 471 34
Mungu 0.15 2.46 0.32 0.66 25.21 1.01 7 258 10
TOTAL 0.15 2.46 4.78 0.97 10.71 0.44 0.30 1.40 149 1,645 216
Transition 1 0.40 2.59 3.43 1.45 6.46 0.72 1.16 2.31 160 712 255
2 0.40 2.59 0.42 0.33 4.07 0.64 1.40 1.25 4 55 17
3 | Page
(between
OX/TR_SF)
4 0.40 2.59 2.45 1.41 17.24 0.21 0.39 1.90 111 1,356 149
Mungu 0.40 2.59 0.35 0.69 39.49 0.01 1.25 8 448 14
TOTAL 0.40 2.59 6.65 1.32 12.03 0.49 0.83 2.04 283 2,570 435
Fresh 1 0.40 2.64 3.76 0.78 5.25 0.75 1.52 1.80 94 635 218
(below
TR_SF)
2 0.40 2.64 0.11 0.42 5.64 1.07 2.73 2.12 2 21 8
4 0.40 2.64 4.36 1.32 8.53 0.36 0.63 1.85 185 1,197 260
Mungu 0.40 2.64 4.27 1.41 45.16 0.01 0.03 2.06 194 6,206 283
TOTAL 0.40 2.64 12.52 1.18 20.03 0.36 0.71 1.91 475 8,058 768
MEASURED TOTAL 23.94 1.18 15.95 0.41 0.66 1.84 907 12,274 1,419
INDICATED
Oxide 1 0.15 2.46 1.11 0.84 8.80 0.50 0.25 1.25 30 314 45
(above
OX_SF)
2 0.15 2.46 1.03 0.44 3.55 0.33 0.26 0.72 15 118 24
4 0.15 2.46 0.90 0.85 20.28 0.13 0.22 1.28 25 587 37
Mungu 0.15 2.46 0.20 0.43 15.30 0.65 3 99 4
TOTAL 0.15 2.46 3.24 0.69 10.72 0.31 0.23 1.05 72 1,118 110
Transition 1 0.40 2.59 1.34 1.04 5.96 0.64 1.08 1.83 45 256 79
(between
OX/TR_SF)
2 0.40 2.59 0.31 0.44 4.67 0.64 1.35 1.34 4 46 13
4 0.40 2.59 1.94 1.26 21.78 0.13 0.29 1.74 79 1,359 109
Mungu 0.40 2.59 0.09 0.55 24.55 0.01 0.90 2 75 3
TOTAL 0.40 2.59 3.68 1.09 14.67 0.35 0.66 1.72 129 1,737 203
Fresh 1 0.40 2.64 2.96 0.66 4.54 0.69 1.44 1.62 63 433 154
(below
TR_SF)
2 0.40 2.64 0.15 0.54 5.96 1.14 2.98 2.38 3 29 11
4 0.40 2.64 5.31 0.86 12.06 0.27 0.49 1.35 147 2,060 231
Mungu 0.40 2.64 2.33 0.93 37.85 0.01 0.03 1.47 70 2,830 110
TOTAL 0.40 2.64 10.75 0.82 15.48 0.34 0.69 1.46 282 5,351 506
INDICATED TOTAL 17.68 0.85 14.44 0.34 0.60 1.44 483 8,206 819
MEASURED
+
INDICATED
Oxide TOTAL 0.15 2.46 8.02 0.86 10.72 0.39 0.27 1.26 221 2,763 325
Transition TOTAL 0.40 2.59 10.33 1.24 12.97 0.44 0.77 1.92 412 4,307 638
Fresh TOTAL 0.40 2.64 23.27 1.01 17.93 0.35 0.70 1.70 757 13,409 1,274
MEAS + IND TOTAL 41.62 1.04 15.31 0.38 0.63 1.67 1,390 20,479 2,238
INFERRED
Oxide 1 0.15 2.46 0.16 0.45 6.10 0.28 0.22 0.73 2 32 4
(above
OX_SF)
2 0.15 2.46 0.26 0.28 3.26 0.21 0.24 0.51 2 27 4
4 0.15 2.46 0.21 0.73 10.83 0.10 0.16 0.99 5 74 7
Mungu 0.15 2.46 0.07 0.37 9.41 0.50 1 22 1
TOTAL 0.15 2.46 0.71 0.46 6.83 0.17 0.19 0.70 11 155 16
Transition 1 0.40 2.59 0.11 1.16 6.49 0.63 1.24 2.03 4 23 7
(between
OX/TR_SF)
2 0.40 2.59 0.10 0.39 8.12 1.17 2.21 1.91 1 26 6
4 0.40 2.59 0.07 0.66 16.15 0.08 0.23 1.02 1 36 2
Mungu 0.40 2.59 0.05 0.45 14.84 0.01 0.66 1 25 1
TOTAL 0.40 2.59 0.33 0.71 10.34 0.58 1.12 1.56 8 110 17
4 | Page
Fresh 1 0.40 2.64 0.88 0.44 3.88 0.58 1.36 1.32 12 109 37
(below
TR_SF)
2 0.40 2.64 0.10 0.17 9.45 1.45 3.27 2.29 1 31 8
4 0.40 2.64 2.01 0.59 15.30 0.20 0.37 1.04 38 989 67
Mungu 0.40 2.64 1.59 0.85 26.11 0.01 0.02 1.23 44 1,339 63
TOTAL 0.40 2.64 4.58 0.64 16.75 0.23 0.50 1.19 95 2,468 175
INFERRED TOTAL 5.62 0.62 15.13 0.25 0.50 1.15 113 2,732 208
Notes for ATO Property Resource Estimate, February 22, 2021.
(1) The mineral resource estimate follows CIM definitions and guidelines for mineral resources
(2) Results are presented in situ and undiluted and considered to have reasonable prospects for
economic extraction.
(3) Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves have not demonstrated economic viability.
(4) Contained gold estimates have not been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries.
(5) Mineral Resources are estimated using a 0.15 g/t Au Eq cut‐off grade for oxide material and a 0.4
g/t Au Eq cut‐off grade for fresh material.
(6) A conversion factor of 31.103477 grams per ounce 453.59237 grams per pound are used in the
mineral resource estimates
(7) Au Eq has been calculated using metal prices ($1,880/oz for gold, $26/oz for silver)
(8) The QP is not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title‐related, taxation, socio‐
political or marketing issues, or any other relevant issue not reported in this release that could
materially affect the mineral resource estimate.
5 | Page
Map 1: it is looking 350 and down 10. Pipe 1 red, Pipe 2 green, Pipe 4 cyan, Mungu to right
multicolours. Blue coordinate grid 100 m spacing. Topo contoured at 2 m intervals grey, 10 m red.
Map 2: E/W cross‐section at 5,367,000 N. Pipes 2 (left) and 4 (right). Coloured on Au_Eq grades. Topo
green line, oxidation base black, transition base red. Coordinate grid at 50 m spacing. Holes projected
15 m either side of section.
Map 3: Same section with resource classes. Measured orange, Indicated yellow, Inferred blue.
6 | Page
Map 4: E/W cross‐section 5,367,627 N through Mungu.
Map 5: Same Mungu section with resource classes
7 | Page
QUALIFIED PERSONS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The updated block model mineral resource estimate was prepared by Robin Rankin MSc DIC MAusIMM
(CP) and a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI‐43‐101 and is considered to be “independent” of Steppe
Gold for purposes of NI‐43‐101.
The full technical report, which is being prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43‐101 ‐
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI‐43‐101”), will be available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com)
under the Company’s issuer profile within 45 days from this news release. The effective date of the
current mineral resource estimate is February 22, 2021.
The technical and geoscientific content of this release has been compiled, reviewed and approved by
Enkhtuvshin Khishigsuren, Vice President of Exploration Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined in
NI‐43‐101.
COVID‐19
The health and safety of our employees, contractors, vendors, and consultants is the Company’s top
priority. In response to the COVID‐19 outbreak, Steppe Gold has adopted all public health guidelines
regarding safety measures and protocols at all of its mine operations and corporate offices. In addition,
8 | Page
our internal COVID‐19 Taskforce continues to monitor developments and implement policies and
programs intended to protect those who are engaged in business with the Company.
Through care and planning, to date the Company has successfully maintained operations, however there
can be no assurance that this will continue despite our best efforts. Future conditions may warrant
reduced or suspended production activities which could negatively impact our ability to maintain
projected timelines and objectives. Consequently, the Company’s actual future production and
production guidance is subject to higher levels of risk than usual. We are continuing to closely monitor
the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
About Steppe Gold
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 Statements Regarding Estimates of Mineral Resources
This news release uses the terms measured, indicated and inferred resources as a relative measure of
the level of confidence in the resource estimate. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources are not
economic mineral reserves and that the economic viability of resources that are not mineral reserves
has not been demonstrated. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology,
environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio‐political, marketing or other relevant issues. It cannot be
assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to an indicated or
measured mineral resource category. The mineral resource estimate is classified in accordance with the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s “CIM Definition Standards on Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves” incorporated by reference into NI 43‐101. Under Canadian rules,
estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre‐feasibility studies or
economic studies except for Preliminary Assessment as defined under NI 43‐101. Readers are cautioned
not to assume that further work on the stated resources will lead to mineral reserves that can be mined
economically.