TRX Gold Advances Mill Expansion to Increase Gold Production New Ball Mill Arrived on Site
TRX Gold Advances Mill Expansion to Increase Gold Production
New Ball Mill Arrived on Site
TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2023 -- TRX Gold Corporation (TSX: TNX) (NYSE American: TRX) (the “Company” or “TRX Gold”) is
pleased to announce that the new 1,000 tonne per day (“tpd”) capacity ball mill has arrived on site at the Buckreef Gold
Project (“Buckreef Gold”). Over the last few months, technical teams on site have commenced preparatory works in
anticipation of receiving key equipment for this mill expansion. Targeting an expected commercial production delivery date in
the second half of fiscal 2024, TRX Gold’s management team is on track and on budget towards delivering its third mill
expansion within a 24-month period.
Mill expansion highlights:
• Significant increase in gold production: The mill expansion is expected to increase processing capacity from 1,000 tpd
to 2,000 tpd, and on an average annual basis, increase ore throughput from 75% to 100%. The near doubling of milling
capacity is expected to enable Buckreef Gold to increase gold production beyond the Company’s fiscal 2023 annual
guidance of 20,000-25,000 ounces of gold.
• Expansion is fully funded: The capital expenditures required for the expanded 2,000+ tpd processing plant are
estimated to be approximately US$6.0 million. The mill expansion is expected to be funded from a combination of
existing cash resources, cash flow from operations, ore stockpiles, gold forward sales and bank financing. Buckreef
Gold is currently in advanced discussions with Tanzanian banks for both operating and term loan facilities. The
management team continues to demonstrate superior capital management capabilities, internally funding growth
activities in a high cost of capital market.
• A proven milling process: The newly expanded mill is expected to process both oxide and sulphide ore from the
Buckreef Gold deposit. As previously outlined in the June 15, 2023 press release, following a bulk sample test of 6,500
tonnes of sulphide ore, and the continued processing of sulphide ore from current operations, the deposit’s overall
metallurgy allows the milling operation to benefit from a simple, straightforward flowsheet consisting of crushing,
grinding, and carbon in leach. This allows for operational flexibility and advantageous mine planning. As part of the mill
expansion, the crushing circuit will also be upgraded to process sulphide ore more efficiently.
• Locally built: The manpower, material and equipment involved in this third expansion is predominantly locally sourced,
benefitting regional communities and economies while reinforcing a local supply chain and avoiding delays and cost
overruns.
Stephen Mullowney, TRX Gold Chief Executive Officer states, “We are very pleased with the on-time arrival of the new ball mill
at Buckreef Gold. Other long-lead items have also been ordered and we will be focused on getting the 2,000 tpd operation
online as soon as possible so that we can reap the benefits of increased gold production. The market can expect updated
production guidance as this expansion approaches commercial operation.”
Figure 1: The new 1,000 tpd ball mill arriving at Buckreef Gold.
Qualified Person
Andrew M. Cheatle, P.Geo. is the Company’s Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 who has reviewed and assumes
responsibility for the technical content of this press release.
About TRX Gold Corporation
TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 20201, the project
currently hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 35.88 million tonnes (“MT”) at 1.77 grams per tonne
(“g/t”) gold containing 2,036,280 ounces of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t gold for 635,540
ounces of gold. The leadership team is focused on creating both near-term and long-term shareholder value by increasing gold
production to generate positive cash flow. The positive cash flow will be utilized for exploratory drilling with the goal of
increasing the current mineral resource base and advancing the larger project development which represents 90% of current
mineral resources. TRX Gold’s actions are led by the highest environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”)
standards, evidenced by the relationships and programs that the Company has developed during its nearly two decades of
presence in the Geita Region, Tanzania. Please refer to the Company’s Updated Mineral Resources Estimate for Buckreef
Gold Project, dated May 15, 2020 1 and filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ and with the SEC on June 23, 2020 (the
“Technical Report”) for more information.
__________________________
1 See Cautionary Note
Investors
Christina Lalli
Vice President, Investor Relations
TRX Gold Corporation
+1-438-399-8665
www.TRXgold.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities laws. All statements,
other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not
always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimated”, “potential”, “possible”
and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect TRX Gold management’s expectations or
beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the purchase, installation and
operation of the additional ball mill within the projected timeframe, the operation of the proposed ball mill at projected capacity,
the anticipated average annual throughput of oxide ore, estimation of mineral resources and gold production, and ability to
develop value creating activities.
Although TRX Gold believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. The actual achievements of TRX Gold or other
future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties and factors include general business, legal, economic,
competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of exploration activities and economic evaluations;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold and other minerals; mining method, production
profile and mine plan; delays in exploration, development and construction activities; changes in government legislation and
regulation; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely manner or at all; contests over title to properties;
employee relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the
exploration, development and mining business. These risks are set forth in reports that TRX Gold files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian Securities Administrators. You can review and obtain copies of these filings
from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.ca.
Investors are advised that the terms mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates disclosed in this press release have
been calculated pursuant to Canadian standards which may differ from SEC reporting standards.
The information contained in this press release is as of the date of the press release and TRX Gold assumes no duty to
update such information.
The TSX and NYSE America have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents
of this press release, which has been prepared by the management of TRX Gold.
Cautionary Note
TRX Gold Corporation has taken all reasonable care in producing and publishing information contained in this press release.
TRX Gold does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use, validity, accuracy, completeness or reliability of
any claims, statements or information in this press release. The information is not a substitute for independent professional
advice before making any investment decisions. Furthermore, you may not modify or reproduce in any form, electronic or
otherwise any information in this press release. The disclosure contained in this press release of a scientific or technical
nature relating to the Company’s Buckreef Project has been summarized or extracted from the technical report entitled The
“National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Buckreef Gold Mine
Project, Tanzania, East Africa For TRX Gold Corporation with an effective date (the “Effective Date”) of May 15, 2020 (the
“2020 Technical Report”).
The 2020 Technical Report was prepared by or under the supervision Mr. Wenceslaus Kutekwatekwa (Mining Engineer, Mining
and Project Management Consultant) BSc Hons (Mining Eng.), MBA, FSAIMM, of Virimai Projects, and, Dr Frank Crundwell,
MBA, PhD, a Consulting Engineer each of whom is an independent Qualified Person as such term is defined in NI 43-101.
The information contained herein is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2020
Technical Report and reference should be made to the full details of the 2020 Technical Report which has been filed with the
applicable regulatory authorities and is available on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company did not
complete any new work that would warrant reporting material changes in the previously reported Mineral Resource (“MRE”) and
Mineral Reserve statements during the prior reporting period. The Company has engaged two globally recognized and
respected mining consulting groups to undertake a comprehensive review of the MRE, and economic analysis which was
previously conducted under the 2003 CIM code. This in turn follows significant infill and exploration drilling, plus other required
technical work undertaken over the prior 18 months. This work is currently being undertaken to be compliant with the
November 2019 CIM Code for the Valuation of Mineral Properties, which are different with respect to the 2003 guidelines.
There can be no assurance that there will not be a change in the MRE and Mineral Reserve as disclosed in the 2020
Technical Report after such work has been updated (in accordance with the 2019 CIM code).
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1fcd7811-bfa9-4492-ac23-c4a4578c9357