LOM
3.3 Moz
Q4 | 2017
Optioned Eskay Creek From Barrick
Eskay Creek
The open-pit Eskay Creek resource contains 2.6 million ounces at 5.9 g/t AuEq in the Indicated category and 1.4 million ounces at 3.0 g/t AuEq in the Inferred category. Skeena released a PEA in November 2019 which highlights an NPV5% of C$638M, 51% IRR and a 1.2-year payback at US$1,325/oz Au. The company is aggressively advancing Eskay towards a Pre-Feasibility Study with a target to release in H1 2021.
2019 Mineral Resource Estimate
| Grade | Contained Ounces | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes (000) |
AuEq g/t |
Au g/t |
Ag g/t |
AuEq oz (000) |
Au oz (000) |
Ag oz (000) |
|
| INDICATED MINERAL RESOURCES | |||||||
| Pit Constrained | 12,650 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 110 | 2,340 | 1,740 | 44,660 |
| Underground | 819 | 8.2 | 6.4 | 139 | 218 | 169 | 3,657 |
| Total Indicated | 13,469 | 5.9 | 4.4 | 112 | 2,558 | 1,909 | 48,317 |
| INFERRED MINERAL RESOURCES | |||||||
| Pit Constrained | 14,420 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 47 | 1,340 | 1,050 | 21,720 |
| Underground | 295 | 8.2 | 7.1 | 82 | 78 | 68 | 778 |
| Total Inferred | 14,715 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 48 | 1,418 | 1,118 | 22,498 |
Pit constrained resources are quoted at a 0.7 g/t AuEQ cut-off. Underground resources are quoted at a 5.0 g/t AuEQ cut-off.
AuEQ = Au (g/t) + {Ag (g/t) /75]
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves.
Resources are reported in-situ and undiluted for both pit constrained and underground scenarios and are considered to have reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
In accordance with NI 43-101 recommendations, the number of metric tonnes was rounded to the nearest thousand. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects.
PEA Highlights
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
306,000 oz AuEq
OPEN-PIT AVERAGE GRADE
4.17 g/t AuEq
AFTER-TAX IRR
51%
AFTER-TAX NPV5%
C$638M
AISC (Au)
US$615/oz
MINE LIFE
9-year
*Based on US$1,325/oz Au and US$16/oz Ag
Learn MoreHistory of Eskay Creek
Eskay Creek is a precious metal-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit. The mineralization at Eskay has been the focus of considerable exploration activity dating back to 1932. During exploration in 1988, the 21A and 21B zone were first discovered which eventually led to the opening of the Eskay Creek Mine in 1994.
Eskay was the highest-grade gold mine in the world when in production. The mine produced 3.3 million ounces of gold and 160 million ounces of silver at average grades of 45 g/t gold and 2,224 g/t silver from 1994 -2008.
Read MoreHistoric Production
LOM
160 Moz
45 g/t
LOM Au GRADE
2,224 g/t
LOM Ag GRADE
> 50 g/t AuEq
DSO CUTOFF
> 30 g/t AuEq
MILL CUTOFF
Eskay Creek Accomplishments & Milestones
Q3 | 2018
Maiden Underground Resource Estimate Released
Q1 | 2019
Upgraded 4 Moz, 4.4 g/t AuEq Pit Constrained Resource Released
Q4 | 2019
Robust Preliminary Economic Assessment Completed
Q3 | 2020
Skeena Renegotiated Agreement with Barrick to acquire 100% of Eskay
Infrastructure in the Golden Triangle
Eskay is endowed with excellent infrastructure including all-weather road access and proximity to the new 287-kV Northwest Transmission Line. The Volcano Creek Hydroelectric Power Station is 7 km away from Eskay.
Since Eskay was in production, over $2 billion has been invested in infrastructure in the area.