MOKOPANE, SOUTH AFRICA – Ivanhoe Mines’ (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce that the company’s South African subsidiary, Ivanplats, has signed a non-binding term sheet with Orion Mine Finance, a leading international provider of production-linked stream financing to base and precious metals mining companies, for a US$300 million gold, palladium and platinum streaming facility.
Ivanplats also has appointed two prominent, international commercial banks – Societe Generale and Nedbank – as mandated lead arrangers for a senior project debt facility of up to US$120 million. Both the stream financing and project debt facility will be used to advance the development of Ivanplats’ tier one Platreef palladium, platinum, rhodium, nickel, copper and gold project in Limpopo province, South Africa, toward initial production.
The appointment and proposed financings follow the November 30, 2020 issuance of the outstanding findings of an independent Platreef Integrated Development Plan 2020 (Platreef IDP20) for the Platreef Project, which consists of an updated feasibility study (Platreef 2020 FS) and a preliminary economic assessment (Platreef 2020 PEA). The initial capital cost for the phased development plan envisaged under the Platreef 2020 PEA, starting at a mining rate of 700,000 tonnes per annum (700 ktpa), is estimated at US$390 million.
The US$300 million stream financing remains subject to completion of legal due diligence and structuring, as well as negotiation and execution of definitive documentation. The streaming facility is planned to be drawn down in four separate tranches, as needed, in parallel with the engineering studies to upgrade the Platreef 2020 PEA to a feasibility study and the changeover of Platreef’s Shaft 1 to a production shaft.
Detailed engineering is underway on the mine design, 770-ktpa concentrator and associated infrastructure for the phased development plan, which is scheduled to be incorporated into an updated feasibility study before the end of 2021. The Shaft 1 changeover is progressing well in preparation for permanent hoisting by early 2022.
Platreef’s budget for 2021 is US$59 million, which includes US$10 million for commencement of headframe construction for Shaft 2. The first draw from the streaming funds, which is expected to occur shortly after establishment of the facility, is expected to fully cover Platreef’s 2021 budget.
The senior project debt facility of up to US$120 million is scheduled to be utilized only after the streaming facility is fully drawn down. Definitive terms and conditions of the debt facility are subject to the completion of the feasibility study for Platreef’s phased development plan, completion of due diligence and structuring, as well as negotiation and execution of definitive documentation. Terms and conditions of the debt facility will be made available when finalized.
“This is very auspicious timing for the Platreef financing announcement as it coincides with the celebration of Chinese New Year, which signifies the start of spring, and the Year of the Golden Ox,” said Mr. Friedland. “The Ox is an animal that is symbolic of a silent hard worker who strives for self-improvement and endeavours to get out of 2020’s challenges. Tradition also says the Year of the Ox will bring prosperity and success in business.”
We are excited to work with Orion, Societe Generale, Nedbank and our other long-term investors to unlock Platreef’s world-scale potential. The production of key ‘green metals’ needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is at a critical inflection point as businesses are pressed to secure long-term supplies. We are confident that this project-level funding will be the catalyst needed to launch Platreef to become a leading, long-life supplier of palladium, platinum, rhodium, nickel, copper and gold.”
“Platreef’s Shaft 1 has been sunk to its final depth and is within a few hundred metres of the initial high-grade mining zone. The deposit has an enormous endowment of palladium, platinum, rhodium, nickel, copper and gold in a thick, high-grade, flat-lying underground orebody that is ideal for modern, bulk-scale, mechanized mining,” Mr. Friedland continued.
The Platreef 2020 PEA is an alternate, phased development plan that fast-tracks Platreef into production. The plan uses the project’s first shaft (Shaft 1) for initial hoisting and mine development, with 825-ktpa total rock-hoisting capacity, of which 700 ktpa are earmarked for ore hoisting and a further 125 kpta for development rock during the ore extraction phase. The phased plan envisions building an initial concentrator with a capacity of 770 ktpa for first concentrate production in mid-2024.
The recently-completed sinking of Shaft 1 creates the opportunity to access early, high-grade tonnes in this scenario. While the 700-ktpa initial mine is being operated using Shaft 1, there would be opportunities to refine the timing of subsequent phases of expanded production, which is driven by the sinking of Shaft 2. Once completed, two 2.2-Mtpa concentrator modules would be commissioned, and the initial concentrator would be ramped up to its full capacity of 770 ktpa – increasing the steady-state production to 5.2 Mtpa.
The Platreef IDP20 reflects the first phase of development for the Platreef Mine. It is designed to establish an operating platform to support potential future expansions up to 12 Mtpa, as demonstrated in previous studies. This would position Platreef among the largest platinum-group-metals producing mines in the world, producing in excess of 1.1 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold per year.
Ivanhoe Mines indirectly owns 64% of the Platreef Project through its subsidiary, Ivanplats, and is directing all mine development work. The South African beneficiaries of the approved broad-based, black economic empowerment structure have a 26% stake in the Platreef Project. The remaining 10% is owned by a Japanese consortium of ITOCHU Corporation; Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation; ITC Platinum Development Ltd., an ITOCHU affiliate; and Japan Gas Corporation.
Platreef operational update
The Shaft 1 changeover is progressing to plan and is on schedule for commencement of rock hoisting early in 2022. All equipment for the shaft changeover has been procured and is on site. The detailed engineering designs for the shaft changeover have been completed, reviewed and approved. The changeover work within the shaft will be conducted by Platreef’s experienced owners team.
The winder that was used to successfully sink Shaft 1 will be converted and re-equipped to function as the permanent rock, personnel and material winder for the life of mine. The shaft will be equipped with two 12.5-tonne skips (with hoisting capacity of 825,000 tonnes per year) and an interchangeable cage to accommodate the movement of personnel and materials up and down the shaft during the initial phase of mining.
The shaft will be equipped using rope guides for the main rock, personnel and materials conveyances. The stage and winder ropes used during the sinking phase have been removed, and the equipping stage, new permanent guide-ropes and the new permanent hoisting ropes have been delivered to site. Further to this, an auxiliary winder will be installed to mainly function as a man winder during the main rock-hoisting cycle.
The construction of the winder foundations is underway and will be completed in time for the auxiliary winder installation and commissioning. The head gear, both winders, equipping stage, conveyances and control systems will comply with the highest industry safety standards, with proven and tested safety and redundancy systems in place.
Newly-designed rock chutes will connect the conveyors feeding the concentrator plant and the waste rock area, from where the rock will be converted to cemented back-fill and also used for protection berms to contain storm water and reduce noise emissions.
The new ropes and the newly-designed and constructed equipping stage will be installed in the shaft by specialist contractors. The equipping in the shaft barrel is scheduled to commence at the end of March 2021 for completion by end of February 2022. Following the completion of the changeover work in the underground stations, and establishment of the ore and waste passes, lateral underground mine development will commence toward high-grade ore zones.
Inoccent Nchabeleng (Rigger) operating the rope reeler to remove the stage and winder ropes used during the sinking phase.
Murray Roberts, a South Africa-based engineering and mining contractor, removing the rock chutes from the headframe as part of Shaft 1 changeover.
Victor Skinner (Winder Technician) installing cables at Shaft 1 new winder house.
Qualified persons
In December 2020, Ivanhoe Mines filed a new National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) technical report titled “Platreef Integrated Development Plan 2020” with an effective date of December 6, 2020 (Platreef IDP20).
The Platreef IDP20, which includes the Platreef 2020 FS and Platreef 2020 PEA, was independently prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd. of Adelaide, Australia; Wood plc (formerly Amec Foster Wheeler) of Vancouver, Canada; SRK Consulting Inc. of Johannesburg, South Africa; Stantec Consulting International LLC of Phoenix, USA; DRA Global of Johannesburg, South Africa; and Golder Associates Africa of Midrand, South Africa.
Other scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, P.Geo., Ivanhoe Mines’ Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Torr is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Sample preparation, analyses and security
During Ivanhoe’s work programs, sample preparation and analyses were performed by accredited independent laboratories. Sample preparation is accomplished by Set Point laboratories in Mokopane. Sample analyses have been accomplished by Set Point Laboratories in Johannesburg, Lakefield Laboratory (now part of the SGS Group) in Johannesburg, Ultra Trace Laboratory in Perth, Genalysis Laboratories in Perth and Johannesburg, SGS Metallurgical Services in South Africa, Acme in Vancouver, and ALS Chemex in Vancouver. Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd assumed control of Ultra Trace during June 2007 and is responsible for assay results after that date.
Sample preparation and analytical procedures for samples that support Mineral Resource estimation have followed similar protocols since 2001. The preparation and analytical procedures are in line with industry-standard methods for platinum, palladium, gold, copper and nickel deposits. Drill program included insertion of blank, duplicate, standard reference material (SRM), and certified reference material (CRM) samples. The quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program results do not indicate any problems with the analytical protocols that would preclude use of the data in Mineral Resource estimation.
Sample security has been demonstrated by the fact that the samples were always attended or locked in the on-site core facility in Mokopane.
Information on sample preparation, analyses and security is contained in the Platreef Project NI 43-101 Technical Report titled “Platreef Integrated Development Plan 2020” with an effective date of December 6, 2020, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com.
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula discoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and at the Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydroelectricity and will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Information contacts
Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
Cautionary statement on forward-looking information
Certain statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company, the Platreef Project, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance and results, and speak only as of the date of this news release.
The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release include without limitation, (i) statements regarding the establishment of the stream financing facility and that it remains subject to legal due diligence and structuring, and negotiation and execution of definitive documentation; (ii) statements regarding the establishment of the senior project debt facility, and its term and conditions, and that it remains subject to completion of the feasibility study of Platreef’s phased development plan, completion of legal due diligence and structuring, as well as negotiation and execution of definitive documentation; (iii) statements regarding the timing of the first draw of the streaming facility and that the senior project debt facility would only be utilized after the streaming facility is fully drawn; (iv) statements regarding the Platreef budget for 2021 is US$59 million, which includes US$10 million for commencement of the construction of the headframe to the collar of Shaft 2; (v) statements regarding the Platreef IDP20 is designed to establish an operating platform to support potential future expansions up to 12 Mtpa producing in excess of 1.1 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold per year, as demonstrated in previous studies, which would position Platreef among the largest platinum-group-metals producing mines in the world; (vi) statements that the equipping of the shaft barrel is scheduled to commence at the end of March 2021 for scheduled completion by the end of February 2022; (vii) the timing of commencement of lateral underground mine development; and (viii) the timing of Shaft 1 changeover for the commencement of rock hoisting early in 2022.
In addition, all of the results of the Platreef IDP20, Platreef 2020 PEA and Platreef 2020 FS constitute forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements include metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, projected capital and operating costs, metal recoveries, mine life and production rates, and the financial results of the Platreef 2020 PEA and FS. These include estimates of internal rates of return after-tax of 20.0% (PEA) and 19.8% (FS) with payback periods of 8.4 years and 4.4 years respectively; net present values including a PEA NPV at an 8% discount rate of US$1.6 billion and a FS NPV at an 8% discount rate of US$1.8 billion; future production forecasts and projects, including average annual production of 512koz 3PE+Au in the PEA and 508koz 3PE+Au in the FS; estimates of net total cash cost, net of copper and nickel by-product credits and including stay-in-business (SIB) capital costs of US$460/oz. 3PE+Au in the PEA and US$442/oz. 3PE+Au in the FS; mine life estimates, including a 30 year mine life in the PEA and a 30 year mine life in the FS; initial capital costs of US$0.39 billion in the PEA and US$1.4 billion in the FS; average 3PE+Au grades of 4.4 g/t in the PEA and 4.4 g/t in the FS; cash flow forecasts; and estimates of 3PE+Au recoveries of 86.4% in the PEA and 86.4% in the FS. Readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from those presented.
All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Ivanhoe Mines’ management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, industrial accidents or machinery failure (including of shaft sinking equipment), or delays in the development of infrastructure, and the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s most recently filed MD&A as well as in the most recent Annual Information Form filed by Ivanhoe Mines. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Certain of the factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information and statements, and certain of the risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially are presented in the “Platreef Integrated Development Plan 2020”, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com.
This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, copper, nickel or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
南非莫科帕内 — 艾芬豪矿业 (TSX: IVN; OTCQX:IVPAF) 联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德 (Robert Friedland) 与孙玉峰 (Miles Sun) 今天欣然宣布，公司的南非子公司Ivanplats 与猎户座矿业金融集团 (Orion Mine Finance) (以下简称“猎户座”) 已就3亿美元的黄金、钯及铂金属流融资签订非约束性协议。猎户座是世界领先的金融集团，为基础金属和贵金属矿企提供生产相关的金属流融资。
此外，Ivanplats已委托两家国际知名的商业银行 — 法国兴业银行和莱利银行担任受托牵头安排行，负责1.2亿美元的项目级高级债务融资。金属流融资和项目债务融资，将会用于全力推进Ivanplats位于南非林波波省的普拉特瑞夫钯-铂-铑-镍-铜-金矿一级项目，以尽快实现投产。
2020年11月30日，艾芬豪公布普拉特瑞夫项目的独立综合开发分案 (以下简称“普拉特瑞夫IDP20”) 令人鼓舞的研究结果，随后开始筹措融资安排。普拉特瑞夫IDP20包括项目的可研报告更新版 (以下简称“普拉特瑞夫2020 FS”) 以及初步经济评价 (以下简称“普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA”)。普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA分期开发方案预计的初期资本开支约3.9亿美元，年处理矿量70万吨。
3亿美元的金属流融资，仍需完成法律尽职调查和交易架构，以及最终文件的谈判和执行。金属流融资计划按需要分四期提款，同时进行工程研究以升级普拉特瑞夫 2020 PEA至可行性研究，并将普拉特瑞夫的1号竖井转换为生产井。
分期开发方案的矿山设计、77万吨/年选矿厂和相关基础设施的详细工程设计已经展开，将于2021年底前纳入更新版可行性研究。转换1号竖井为生产井的进展顺利，将于2022年初开始进行长期矿石提升。
普拉特瑞夫2021年的预算为5,900万美元，其中包括1,000万美元用于2号竖井井架的建设。设施建成后，预计随即获得金属流融资的首期资金，将足够支付普拉特瑞夫2021年的预算。
项目级的高级债务融资达1.2亿美元，仅在金属流融资全额提取后才能使用。债务融资的最终条款和条件，将取决于普拉特瑞夫分期开发方案的可行性研究完成、尽职调查和交易架构达成，以及最终文件的谈判和执行。债务融资的最终条款和条件，将在上述各项敲定后进行最终定夺。
弗里兰德先生说：“普拉特瑞夫公布融资安排，恰逢金牛新春佳节牛年生肖是默默勤劳的劳动者的象征，他们将努力自我提升并竭尽全力战胜诸多挑战。按照传统说法，牛年将带给我们：生意兴隆通四海，财源茂盛达三江。”
“我们期待与猎户座、法国兴业银行，莱利银行和其他长期投资者携手合作，全面释放普拉特瑞夫世界级项目的巨大潜力。由于行业面临金属长期稳定供应的压力，减少温室气体排放所需的关键“绿色金属”的生产正处于一个关键的转折点。我们相信，项目融资将会助力普拉特瑞夫成为领先的钯、铂、铑、镍、铜和黄金的长期供应商。”
弗里兰德先生续说﹕“普拉特瑞夫1号竖井的凿井工程已达到最终深度，位于高品位首采区几百米之内。矿床中厚大、高品位、平缓的地下矿体蕴藏着巨量的钯、铂、铑、镍、铜和金，适合先进的大规模机械化开采。”
普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA以替代性的分期开发方案，快速推进普拉特瑞夫投产。方案使用项目的首采井 (1号竖井) 进行初步提升作业和矿山开发，年提升产能达到82.5万吨岩石，其中70万吨为矿石提升，另外12.5万吨则为采矿阶段开拓掘进采出的围岩。分期方案计划建造一座产能77万吨/年的初始选矿厂，可于2024年中实现首批精矿生产。
1号竖井的凿井工程最近完工，创造了提前进入高品位矿段的可能性。年处理矿量70万吨的方案利用1号竖井开展生产，根据2号竖井的凿井工程进度，将可完善后续扩产阶段的时间表。一旦完工，两座220万吨/年的选矿厂模块将会正式投产，而初始选矿厂将会扩大至77万吨/年的总产能，将稳态产能提升至520万吨/年。
普拉特瑞夫IDP20反映了普拉特瑞夫矿山的第一序列开发。如过往的研究所示，关键在建立一个作业平台，以支持将来可能提升至1,200万吨/年的扩建方案，这将使普拉特瑞夫成为全球最大型的铂族金属生产矿山之一，年产超过110万盎司的钯、铂金、铑和黄金。
艾芬豪矿业通过其子公司 Ivanplats 间接持有普拉特瑞夫项目64%的权益，并指导项目的所有矿山开发作业。普拉特瑞夫项目26%的权益由《全面提高黑人经济实力法案》的南非受益人持有。余下的10%权益由伊藤忠商事株式会社、日本石油天然气和金属国家公司和日本天然气公司组成的日本财团持有。
普拉特瑞夫的运营更新
1号竖井转换为生产井的进展顺利，将按计划于2022年初开始进行矿石提升。竖井转换所需的设备已经完成订购并已送达现场；详细的工程设计已完成并获得审批。竖井以内的转换工作将由普拉特瑞夫的资深业主团队负责。
在1号竖井成功进行凿井工程的卷扬机将被改造装配，在矿山服务年限内进行矿石提升，以及用于运送工作人员和物料。竖井将配备两个12.5吨的箕斗 (提升产能达每年82.5万吨) 以及可转换的罐笼，以配合在首采阶段运送工作人员和物料出入竖井。
竖井将配备钢索导轨，进行主要岩石、工作人员和物料的输送。凿井阶段使用的平台钢索和卷扬机钢索已被拆除，而在装配阶段新的永久导轨钢索以及新的永久提升钢索已经运抵现场。此外，还将安装辅助卷扬机，在岩石提升阶段用于载人。
卷扬机地基的施工正在进行中，将会在辅助卷扬机进行安装和调试之前及时完工。竖井的井架、两座卷扬机、装备平台以及输送和控制系统，将符合行业的最高安全标准，并经过安全验证和测试，且设有备援系统。
新设计的溜槽将会连接输送系统，将岩石运输至选矿厂和废石厂，岩石将被加工为水泥回填物，并用作护堤储存雨水及降低噪音排放。
新的钢索和新设计及建造的装备平台，将由专业承包商在竖井中进行安装。竖井将于2021年3月底开始进行装配，并计划于2022年2月底完成。在地下工作站建设完工及矿石和废石通道建成后，地下水平开拓工程将会启动，向高品位矿区推进。
操作员Inoccent Nchabeleng正在操作卷扬机，拆除凿井阶段使用的平台和卷扬机钢索。
南非工程和采矿承包商Murray Roberts正在移除井架的溜槽，作为1号竖井转换工程的一部分。
卷扬机技工Victor Skinner在1号竖井新建成的卷扬机房安装电缆。
合资格人士
艾芬豪矿业于2020年12月提交一份名为 “2020年普拉特瑞夫综合开发方案” 的加拿大矿产项目披露标准43‐101 (以下简称 “NI 43-101”) 最新技术报告，该报告自2020年12月6日起生效。
普拉特瑞夫IDP20，包含普拉特瑞夫2020 FS和普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA，由澳大利亚阿德莱德的OreWin Pty Ltd.、加拿大温哥华的Wood plc (前为Amec Foster Wheeler)、南非约翰内斯堡的SRK Consulting Inc.、美国凤凰城的Stantec Consulting International LLC 、南非约翰内斯堡的DRA Global以及南非米德兰的Golder Associates Africa独立编撰。
本新闻稿载有的其他科学和技术信息，已经由艾芬豪矿业项目地质及评估副总裁Stephen Torr审阅和批核。Torr先生是符合“国家第43‐101号文件”条件的合资格人士。由于Torr先生是艾芬豪矿业项目地质及评估副总裁，因此并不符合NI 43-101 对独立人士的界定。Torr先生已核实本新闻稿所披露的技术数据。
样品制备、分析和安全
在艾芬豪的工作计划中，样品制备和分析由独立认证的实验室进行。样品制备由莫科帕内的Set Point Laboratories 完成。样品分析则由约翰内斯堡的Set Point Laboratories、约翰内斯堡的Lakefield Laboratory (目前是SGS集团成员)、珀斯的Ultra Trace Laboratory、珀斯及约翰内斯堡的Genalysis Laboratories、南非的SGS Metallurgical Services、温哥华的Acme，以及温哥华的ALS Chemex负责。 Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd从2007年6月起掌控Ultra Trace，并从该日起负责分析结果。
用作支持矿产资源估算的样品制备和分析程序，从2001年起一直遵循相似的规程。制备和分析程序符合铂金、钯、黄金、铜和镍矿床的行业标准方法。钻孔计划包括加入空白分析、重复标准的参考物质，以及认证的参考物质样品。质量保证和控制程序的结果并不显示分析规程存在任何问题，将会影响在矿产资源估算中使用数据。
样品经常由员工看管或锁在莫科帕内的现场核心设施，足以证明样品的安全性。
关于样品制备、分析和安全的信息载于一份名为“2020年普拉特瑞夫综合开发方案” 的NI 43-101” 技术报告(自2020年12月6日起生效)。该报告载于SEDAR (www.sedar.com) 及艾芬豪矿业网站(www.ivanhoemines.com)。
关于艾芬豪矿业
艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大的矿业公司，目前正推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大合资企业项目﹕位于刚果民主共和国 (以下简称“刚果(金)”) 的卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) 铜矿和位于南非的普拉特瑞夫钯-铂-镍-铜-铑-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程，以及同样位于刚果(金)、久负盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。卡莫阿-卡库拉和基普什将使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为全球每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果 (金) 境内其全资拥有、毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的西部前沿探矿权内寻找新的铜矿资源。
联系方式
投资者﹕Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / 媒体﹕Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
前瞻性信息的警戒性声明
本新闻稿载有的某些陈述可能构成适用证券法所订议的“前瞻性陈述”或“前瞻性信息”。这些陈述及信息涉及已知和未知的风险、不明朗因素和其他因素，可能导致本公司的实际业绩、表现或成就、普拉特瑞夫项目或行业的业绩，与前瞻性陈述或信息所表达或暗示的任何未来业绩、表现或成就产生重大差异。这些陈述可通过文中使用“可能”、“将会”、“会”、“将要”、“打算”、“预期”、“相信”、“计划”、“预计”、“估计”、 “安排” 、“预测”、“预言”及其他类似用语，或者声明“可能”、“会”、“将会”、“可能会”或“将要”采取、发生或实现某些行动、事件或结果进行识别。这些陈述仅反映本公司于本新闻稿发布当日对于未来事件、表现和业绩的当前预期。
本新闻稿载有的前瞻性陈述或前瞻性信息包括但不限于﹕(i) 关于金属流融资的安排，以及仍有待法律尽职调查和项目结构完成，并取决于最终文件的谈判和执行的陈述；(ii) 关于项目的优先债务融以及其条款和条件，仍有待普拉特瑞夫分期开发方案的可研报告编制完成、尽职调查和项目结构完成，并取决于最终文件的谈判和执行的陈述；(iii) 关于金属流融资首次提款的时间点，以及项目的优先债务融资仅在金属流融资全额提取后才能使用的陈述；(iv) 关于普拉特瑞夫2021年的预算为5,900万美元，其中包括1,000万美元用于2号竖井井架和井环建设的陈述；(v) 关于普拉特瑞夫IDP20如过往的研究所示，旨在建立一个作业平台，以支持将来可能提升至1,200万吨/年的扩建方案，年产超过110万盎司的钯、铂金、铑和黄金，这将使普拉特瑞夫成为全球最大型的铂族金属生产矿山之一的陈述；(vi) 关于竖井筒将于2021年3月底开始进行装备，并计划于2022年2月底完成的陈述；(vii) 关于地下开拓工程开始水平扩展的时间点的陈述；以及(viii) 关于1号竖井的转换时间点，将于2022年初开始永久进行矿石提升的陈述。
另外，普拉特瑞夫IDP20、普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA及普拉特瑞夫2020 FS的所有结果均构成前瞻性陈述及前瞻性信息。前瞻性陈述包括金属价格假设、现金流量预测、资本和运营成本估算、金属回收率、矿山寿命及开采率，以及普拉特瑞夫2020 PEA和普拉特瑞夫2020 FS的财务业绩。这些包括税后内部收益率20.0% (PEA) 和19.8% (FS) 以及项目回报期分别为8.4年和4.4年的估算；净现值 (包括PEA预测净现值为16亿美元 (折现率8%) 及FS预测净现值为18亿美元 (折现率8%)；未来产量的预测及项目 (包括PEA预测平均年产量为51.2万盎司3PE+Au，以及FS预测平均年产量为50.8万盎司3PE+Au)；估计总现金成本净值 (扣除铜及镍副产品收入，并已计入营商资本开支) 为每盎司3PE+Au 460美元 (PEA)及为每盎司3PE+Au 442美元 (FS)；估计矿山全寿命 (包括PEA的矿山全寿命为30年及FS的矿山全寿命为30年)；初步资本开支3.9亿美元 (PEA) 及14亿美元 (FS)； 3PE+Au平均品位4.4克/吨 (PEA) 及4.4克/吨 (FS)；现金流量预测；估计 3PE+Au 回收率 86.4% (PEA) 及 86.4% (FS)。读者请注意实际业绩与本新闻稿所述的可能会有所差异。
所有该等前瞻性信息和陈述乃基于艾芬豪矿业管理层就他们的经验和对于过往趋势、目前条件和预期未来发展的看法，以及管理层在此情况下认为恰当的其他因素而作出的某些假设和分析。然而，这些陈述涉及不同风险和不明朗因素以及其他因素，可能导致实际事件或业绩与前瞻性信息或陈述所预测的有重大差异，包括但不限于有关部门实施的法例、法规或规章或其无法预计的修订、合约各方未能根据协议履行合约、社会或劳资纠纷、商品价格的变动、基础设施出现无法预计的故障或设施不足、工业事故或机械故障(包括竖井凿井设备)、或延迟开发基础设施；以及勘探计划或其他研究未能达到预期结果或用作证明和支持继续研究、开发或运营的结果。可能导致实际业绩与前瞻性陈述有差异的其他重要因素包括本公司最近提交的管理层讨论与分析报告内以及艾芬豪矿业最近提交的周年信息报告内“风险因素”部分所指的因素。读者请注意不应过度依赖前瞻性信息或陈述。用作编撰前瞻性信息和陈述的某些因素和假设，以及可能导致实际业绩产生重大差异的某些风险均载于SEDAR (www.sedar.com) 及艾芬豪矿业网站 (www.ivanhoemines.com ) 内的“普拉特瑞夫2020年综合开发方案”。
本新闻稿还载有矿产资源和矿产储量估算的参考信息。矿产资源和矿产储量估算未能确定，并涉及对许多有关因素的主观判断。矿产资源并非矿产储量，并不显示具有经济潜力。任何该等估算的准确性是可用数据的数量和质量函数，并根据工程和地质诠释的假设和判断而作出，可能被证明是不可靠，在一定程度上取决于钻孔工程结果和统计推论的分析，而最终可能证明是不准确的。矿产资源或矿产储量估算可能需要根据下列因素作出重新估算﹕(i) 铂金、钯、黄金、铑、铜、镍或其他矿产价格的波动；(ii) 钻孔工程的结果；(iii) 冶金测试和其他研究的结果；(iv) 更改建议采矿作业，包括贫化；(v) 在任何估算日期后作出的采矿计划评估；以及(vi) 未能取得所需准许、批准和许可证的可能性。
虽然本新闻稿载有的前瞻性陈述是基于本公司管理层认为合理的假设而作出，但本公司不能向投资者保证实际业绩会与前瞻性陈述的预期一致。这些前瞻性陈述仅是截至本新闻稿发布当日作出，而且受本警戒性声明明确限制。根据相应的证券法，本公司并无义务更新或修改任何前瞻性陈述以反映本新闻稿发布当日后所发生的事件或情况。