LOM
3.3 Moz
Q4 | 2017
Optioned Eskay Creek From Barrick
Eskay Creek
The open-pit Eskay Creek reserves contain 3.88 million ounces at 4.57 g/t AuEq in the Proven and Probable category. Skeena completed a Prefeasibility Study (PFS) in July 2021 on Eskay Creek which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.4B, 56% IRR and a 1.4-year payback at US$1,550/oz Au and US$22/oz Ag. The company is aggressively advancing Eskay Creek towards a Feasibility Study which is expected to be released in Q1 2022.
2021 Reserve Statement
| Grade | Contained Ounces | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve Class | Tonnes (Mt) |
AuEq (g/t) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
AuEq (Moz) |
Au (Moz) |
Ag (Moz) |
| Proven | 13.5 | 5.81 | 4.25 | 124 | 2.53 | 1.85 | 53.7 |
| Probable | 12.9 | 3.26 | 2.46 | 64 | 1.35 | 1.02 | 26.5 |
| Total | 26.4 | 4.57 | 3.37 | 94 | 3.88 | 2.87 | 80.2 |
Note: This mineral reserve estimate is as of June 30th, 2021 and is based on the mineral resource estimate dated April 7, 2021 for Skeena Resources by SRK Consulting. The mineral reserve calculation was completed under the supervision of Willie Hamilton, P.Eng. of AGP, who is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Mineral reserves are stated within the final design pit based on a US$1,475/oz gold price and US$20.00/oz silver price. The NSR cut-off grade of C$30.56/t was used to define the marginal cut-off material. The life-of-mine mining cost averaged C$3.14/t mined, preliminary processing and G&A costs are C$24.50/t ore and C$6.06/t ore respectively. The ore recoveries were varied according to gold head grade and concentrate grades. Gold concentrate grades varied from 20 to 60 g/t gold. The gold equivalent grades are based on 79.3 Ag ounces yielding similar value to an Au ounce.
2021 PFS Highlights
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
352,000 oz AuEq
OPEN-PIT AVERAGE GRADE
4.57 g/t AuEq
AFTER-TAX IRR
56%
AFTER-TAX NPV5%
C$1.4B
AISC (Au)
US$548/oz
MINE LIFE
9.8-year
*Based on US$1,550/oz Au and US$22/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
> 30 g/t AuEq
DSO CUTOFF
> 15 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
Q2 | 2021
Upgraded 5.1 Moz, 4.2 g/t AuEq M&I Pit Constrained Resource Released
Q3 | 2021
Positive Prefeasibility Study Completed
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.