Copperstone Positive Feasibility Results
VANCOUVER, BC - American Bonanza Gold Corp. reported positive results of its NI43-101 compliant 2010 Feasibility Study at Bonanza's 100% owned Copperstone Gold Mine in Arizona. The Study, by Continental Metallurgical Services was prepared to present the results of a comprehensive evaluation of the Copperstone deposit and provide an economic evaluation of future underground mining operations at the past producing Copperstone mine. The Study indicates Copperstone will be a profitable gold mine with positive economics from the re-activation of mining, pursuing the gold mineralization from the past open pit to the future high grade underground mining. Re-activation of mining at Copperstone remains Bonanza's primary objective.
The Copperstone Gold Mine is estimated to produce on average 45,891 ounces of gold annually for the first 3 years, and have a capital investment payback period of only 13 months. The Study details a total capital cost of US$17.74 million, including working capital, G&A startup, reclamation bonding, and contingencies. The Study estimates the cash production cost to be US$415 per ounce of gold produced.
The Study results indicate a total of 256,430 ounces of gold can be mined from current known diluted Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves during the 6.3 year mine life at Copperstone. The Study also indicates a cash production cost of $415 per ounce of gold. Bonanza plans to continue the rapidly progressing permitting process, and move Copperstone to production during 2010.
The Study supports a trackless underground mining operation, delivering ore to an on-site crushing, grinding, gravity concentration and finally flotation concentration of the gold bearing ore. The flotation concentrate will be shipped off-site to a gold recovery plant in the southwestern
"This Feasibility Study represents another substantial milestone for the Copperstone Mine," said Brian Kirwin, President and CEO of Bonanza. "Copperstone has a very strong economic profile, significant infrastructure on-site, low capital costs, fast capital payback, a rapid permitting timeline, and excellent expansion potential near the proposed mine workings. Bonanza will stay focused on bringing Copperstone into production in 2010, to achieve production during these times of high gold prices."
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