VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 31, 2017) - Golden Arrow Resources Corporation (TSX VENTURE:GRG) (GAC.F) (GARWF), "Golden Arrow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has received the required notice from Silver Standard Resources Inc. (SSO.TO) (SSRI) ("Silver Standard") to exercise its option on the Chinchillas project and form a joint venture to combine the Chinchillas project with the producing Pirquitas Mine into a single new operation. The joint venture will be owned on a 75% / 25% basis by each company, respectively. Silver Standard will be the operator.
"This is a landmark achievement for our Company," stated Joseph Grosso, Executive Chairman, President and CEO of Golden Arrow. "As Golden Arrow transitions an exploration discovery into a mining operation, our shareholders stand to benefit from this profile and strengthened financial position."
"I wish to thank management, the board of directors and our shareholders for their patience and support during this 18 month wait. In particular thanks go to our VP Exploration and Development, Brian McEwen and his technical team for developing Chinchillas to the current permitting stage. We look forward to working with Silver Standard's proven and skilled operational team. We thank all levels of federal and provincial authorities as well as the communities and their leaders in Argentina for their support. We can all benefit with this outcome."
Transaction Highlights
The full details of our Business Combination Agreement with Silver Standard dated September 30, 2015, setting out the terms and conditions for the formation of the joint venture were set out in our news release dated October 1, 2015. The following is a summary of the key provisions and benefits of the transaction:
- Creates a joint venture comprised of the Pirquitas operation and the Chinchillas property with Silver Standard and Golden Arrow holding 75% / 25% interest, respectively, with Silver Standard being the operator.
- Provides Golden Arrow an opportunity to fast-track development of the Chinchillas property, in a capital efficient manner, through use of the existing production facilities at the Pirquitas Mine and establishment of common infrastructure.
- Near-term production from Chinchillas based on construction beginning in the third quarter of 2017, followed by ore delivery to the mill in the second half of 2018.
- Immediately benefits from existing infrastructure, operating capabilities and cash flow generated by the currently producing Pirquitas Mine.
- Option exercise payment by Silver Standard to Golden Arrow of 25% of Pirquitas mine earnings less certain expenditures incurred since October 1, 2015 until closing, currently estimated at approximately US$15 million, payable on closing, which is expected on or before May 30, 2017.
- A pre-feasibility study ("PFS") has been completed for the development of Chinchillas, as detailed in Golden Arrow's new release dated March 31, 2017. The PFS contemplates a joint venture project requiring an initial investment of US$81 million to develop a mine to deliver ore to the existing Pirquitas mill that has an operating life of eight years, producing an annual average of 8.4 million silver equivalent ounces. The supported National Instrument 43-101 technical report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.
- The combined operation will be managed and overseen by Silver Standard's proven operational management team with extensive mine construction and operational expertise.
Production Decision and Next Steps
Subject to permitting and closing of the transaction, Silver Standard has approved the development decision on the Chinchillas project. The permitting process continues to advance with positive support from the local communities and government authorities. The Chinchillas Environmental and Social Impact Assessment has been prepared and submitted to the Argentine regulatory authorities, and is in the consultation process. Work is in progress with local communities on social programs and understanding of the Chinchillas project as it advances to production.
Based on and subject to the permitting process, construction at Chinchillas is anticipated to begin during the third quarter of 2017 with ore delivery to the Pirquitas mill expected in the second half of 2018.
Golden Arrow will ensure that its representative for the joint venture will have extensive experience in mining and production.
Qualified Persons
Except as otherwise set out herein, the scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating has been reviewed and approved by Brian McEwen, P.Geol., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. McEwen is Vice President of Exploration and Development to the Company.
About TSX Venture 50™
The TSX Venture 50™ are the top 10 companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, in each of the five major industry sectors - mining, oil & gas, clean technology & life sciences, diversified industries and technology - based on a ranking formula with equal weighting given to return on investment, market cap growth, trading volume and analyst coverage. All data was as of December 31, 2016.
About Golden Arrow:
Golden Arrow Resources is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits at its more than 200,000 hectares of properties in Argentina. The Company's pre-feasibility level Chinchillas Silver-Lead-Zinc Project is moving towards production via a joint venture with Silver Standard Resources Inc. Golden Arrow is now actively exploring the new Antofalla silver-gold-base metal project, an exciting new exploration opportunity with similarities to Chinchillas.
Golden Arrow was recognized as a TSX Venture 50™ company in 2017. TSX Venture 50™ is a trademark of TSX Inc. and is used under license.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Mr. Joseph Grosso
Executive Chairman, President and CEO
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. federal and state registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.
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