Dia Bras Announces Results From its Bolivar and Cusi Pilot-Mining Programs
posted on
Oct 19, 2009 10:29AM
Breaking News
10:18 EDT Monday, October 19, 2009
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 19, 2009) - Dia Bras Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE:DIB) is pleased to announce results from its Bolivar and Cusi pilot-mining programs in Chihuahua, Mexico, for the third quarter ending September 30, 2009, and cumulative results for the first nine months of the year.
Bolivar
During the quarter, the Company processed 21,032 tonnes of material from the Bolivar Mine property with grades averaging 2.26% Cu and 12.44% Zn, compared with the third quarter of 2008 when the Company processed 32,727 tonnes of material with grades averaging 1.18% Cu and 5.72% Zn. The third quarter 2009 production of 935,718 pounds of copper and 5,210,398 pounds of zinc represented a 33.92% increase in copper and a 44.62% increase in zinc produced, compared to the third quarter of 2008. The 2009 cumulative nine month production of 2,358,685 pounds of copper and 13,388,545 pounds of zinc represented a 24.03% reduction in copper and a 0.41% increase in zinc produced during the same period of 2008.
Daniel Tellechea, President & CEO of Dia Bras, stated, "Our short term operating strategy for Bolivar is working as originally planned, where grades and recoveries have increased over the last year, as we move to complete the new mill at the Bolivar mine site."
Table 1 - Bolivar Pilot Mining Summary of the Comparative Statistics for Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- % Actual Actual % Nine Nine Varia- Variation Months Months tion 2009 Cumula- Cumula- 2009 Actual Actual over tive tive over Q3-2009 Q3-2008 2008 2009 2008 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnes processed 21,032 32,727 (35.74) 67,967 99,202 (31.49) Daily throughput 240 374 (35.74) 259 378 (31.49) Copper grade 2.26% 1.18% 91.53 1.82% 1.68% 8.33 Zinc grade 12.44% 5.72% 117.48 9.90% 6.99% 41.63 Copper recovery 89.11% 83.01% 7.35 86.65% 83.80% 3.40 Zinc recovery 89.89% 88.52% 1.55 88.56% 86.45% 2.44 Total production of copper (pounds) 935,718 698,725 33.92 2,358,685 3,104,715 (24.03) Total production of zinc (pounds) 5,210,398 3,602,827 44.62 13,388,545 13,333,843 0.41 Average price of copper per pound, $US $2.66 $3.48 (23.56) $2.11 $3.62 (41.71) Average price of zinc per pound, $US $0.80 $0.80 0.00 $0.67 $0.96 (30.21) Operating cash costs/DMT (including development) (1)(2) $106.14 $105.60 0.51 $90.03 $103.48 (13.00) Operating cash costs per pound $0.36 $0.80 (55.00) $0.39 $0.62 (37.10) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Non-GAAP measures: The Company reports operating cash costs (including development) even if they are non-GAAP measures to isolate the measure of pilot-mining operation cost activities less amortization and depreciation. The Company believes this is useful supplemental information. However, it should not be considered as a substitute for measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. (2) Before amortization
During the first nine months of 2009, the Company successfully implemented cost reduction programs which resulted in a $4.2 million (40%) reduction of direct operating cash cost for the production at Bolivar, compared to the first nine months of 2008. This cost reduction was achieved by processing lower tonnage with higher grade material, and by reducing ore transportation costs in the first nine months of 2009 by 43.94%, compared to the first nine months of 2008, however, the production remained at almost the same levels.
The Company expects to produce a total of about 2,900,000 pounds of copper and 17,500,000 pounds of zinc in 2009 from the Bolivar mine.
Cusi
During the third quarter of 2009, Dia Bras produced 9,465 ounces of silver, 34,143 pounds of zinc and 22,858 pounds of lead from its Cusi mine, compared with 13,028 ounces of silver, 17,008 pounds of zinc and 128,617 pounds of lead produced in the third quarter of 2008. The cyanidation project to reach 85% recovery of silver is scheduled to commence the production of silver dore on November 15, 2009. Dia Bras continues to grow and develop the resource through ongoing exploration, with an updated NI 43-101 planned to be released by year end.
Table 2 - Cusi Pilot Mining Summary of the Comparative Statistics for Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- % Actual Actual % Nine Nine Varia- Variation Months Months tion 2009 Cumula- Cumula- 2009 Actual Actual over tive tive over Q3-2009 Q3-2008 2008 2009 2008 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnes processed 1,723 2,264 (23.90) 2,287 3,994 (42.74) Daily throughput 30 26 14.18 26 34 (23.53) Lead grade 1.59% 4.39% (63.78) 1.81% 4.07% (55.53) Zinc grade 0.91% 2.63% (65.40) 1.46% 2.63% (44.49) Silver grade in grams per tonne (g/t) 258 291 (11.34) 273 247 10.53 Lead recovery 69.95% 63.44% 10.26 66.15% 63.72% 3.81 Zinc recovery 41.76% 39.73% 5.11 40.17% 39.73% 1.11 Silver recovery 66.72% 66.49% 0.35 64.88% 65.01% (0.20) Total production of Lead (pounds) 22,858 128,617 (82.23) 39,330 200,477 (80.38) Total production of Zinc (pounds) 34,143 17,008 100.75 45,895 17,008 169.84 Total production of Silver (oz) 9,465 13,028 (27.35) 12,827 16,232 (20.98) Average price of Lead per pound, $US $0.93 $0.87 6.90 $0.87 $0.91 (4.40) Average price of zinc per pound, $US $0.80 $0.80 0.00 $0.67 $0.96 (30.21) Average price of Silver per ounce, $US $15.37 $15.03 2.26 $15.11 $15.57 (2.95) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consistent with the Company's goal to enhance shareholder value, Dia Bras announced on September 30, 2009, that it has completed the acquisition of EXMIN Resources Inc. and has increased its portfolio of advancing, high potential, precious metal projects to explore and develop. The Company looks forward to announcing its work programs on these newly acquired projects in the near future.
About Dia Bras
Dia Bras is a Canadian exploration mining company focused on precious and base metals in the State of Chihuahua, in Northern Mexico. The Company is committed to developing and adding value to its assets - the Bolivar copper-zinc project and the Cusi silver mining camp. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange, under the symbol "DIB".
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning Dia Bras's 2009 guidance respecting pilot-mining production, and potential plans for Bolivar and Cusi projects. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in the mining industry including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; actual rocks mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of pilot-mining activities and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; and other risks and uncertainties. Refer to "Risk and Uncertainties".
Forward-looking information is, in addition, based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of zinc, copper, lead and silver; the regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's projects and other operations on a timely basis; access to financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this MD&A, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required under applicable securities regulations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Dia Bras Exploration Inc. Daniel Tellechea President & CEO 514-393-8875 ext. 241or
Dia Bras Exploration Inc. Karl J. Boltz Vice President, Corporate Development 1-866-493-9646 www.diabras.com