U.S. Silver Reports Fifth Consecutive Year-End Increase in Proven and Probable Reserves to 23.2 million ounces of silver
The exploration program continues to be cost effective at adding reserves at modest expenditure levels. In addition, the rate of reserve addition is expected to increase as the drilling program is expanded still further in 2012. Since 2006, the Company has more than doubled proven and probable reserves and extended the mine life.
'Our exploration program at the Galena mine complex continues to deliver positive results in terms of adding additional silver reserves very cost effectively at modest activity levels.' Commented Gordon Pridham, Executive Chairman of U.S. Silver. 'In 2012, we plan to increase our drilling footage by over 40% both in terms of underground reserve expansion and a surface drilling program in pursuit of new areas of mineralization. The development and drilling of the Coeur Mine area in 2012 is also expected to result in increases in our reserve base.'
Reserve highlights include:
- Proven and Probable silver reserves increased by 1,263,941 million ounces over 2010
- Copper-Silver ore reserves at 19.2 million ounces of silver, 5,860 tons of copper
- Lead-Silver ore reserves at 4.0 million ounces of silver, 45,576 tons of lead
- Total proven and probable ore reserves at 23.2 million ounces of silver
- Copper reserves up 6.5% relative to the December 31, 2010 reserve
- Lead reserves up 6.2% relative to the December 31, 2010 reserve
- Reserves do not include those expected to be added from the Couer mine currently under re-development
U.S. Silver retained Chlumsky, Armbrust & Meyer, LLC (CAM) to independently review and audit the reserve methodology, updated reserves, and updated resources, for the Galena mine complex. The Qualified Persons who prepared the technical report for CAM are Fred Barnard PhD., and Steve Milne P.E. CAM′s technical report on reserves and resources for the Galena mine was prepared in compliance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The report will be filed on SEDAR.
Reserves and resources were estimated using metal prices of $22.00 per ounce for silver, $2.50 per pound of copper and $0.70 per pound of lead. These prices are below the three year historical average and well below the current prices.
Proven and Probable Reserves by Ore type – December 31, 2011
Short Silver Copper Lead
Vein Type Tons Ounces Ag opt Tons Grade Tons Grade
Silver-Copper Veins
Proven Reserves 553,045 9,091,830 16.44 2,921 0.53% -- --
Probable Reserves 547,774 10,116,554 18.47 2,939 0.54% -- --
Total Silver-Copper
Veins 1,100,819 19,208,383 17.45 5,860 0.53% -- --
Silver-Lead Veins
Proven Reserves 234,652 1,862,123 7.94 -- -- 22,053 9.40%
Probable Reserves 285,006 2,101,834 7.37 -- -- 23,523 8.25%
Total Silver-Lead
Veins 519,659 3,963,957 7.63 -- -- 45,576 8.77%
Total Reserves 1,620,478 23,172,341 14.30 5,860 0.53% 45,576 8.77%
* Copper and lead values refer to only their respective vein types, not combined totals.
Measured and Indicated Resources by Ore Type – December 31, 2011 (Exclusive of Reserves)
Silver Copper Lead
Vein Type Short Tons Ounces Ag opt Tons Grade Tons Grade
Silver-Copper Veins
Measured Resources 142,719 2,072,307 14.5 908 0.64% -- --
Indicated Resources 532,326 8,204,583 15.4 2,806 0.53% -- --
Total Silver-Copper
Veins 675,045 10,276,890 15.2 3,713 0.55% -- --
Silver-Lead Veins
Measured Resources 17,048 150,019 8.8 -- -- 1,632 9.57%
Indicated Resources 182,983 1,542,113 8.4 -- -- 15,029 8.21%
Total Silver-Lead
Veins 200,031 1,692,133 8.5 -- -- 16,661 8.33%
Total M&I Resource 875,076 11,969,022 13.7 3,713 0.55% 16,661 8.33%
* Copper and lead values refer to only their respective vein types, not combined totals of both vein types.
Inferred Resources by Ore Type – December 31, 2011
Silver Copper Lead
Vein Type Short Tons Ounces Ag opt Tons Grade Tons Grade
Total Silver-Copper Veins 506,503 9,059,794 17.89 3,242 0.64% -- --
Total Silver-Lead Veins 467,637 4,077,631 8.72 -- 44,574 9.53%
Total Inferred Resource 974,139 13,137,425 13.49 3,242 0.64% 44,574 9.53%
* Copper and lead values refer to only their respective vein types, not combined totals of both vein types.
Notes:
- Mineral resources are exclusive of reserves
- Mineral reserves have demonstrated economic viability whereas mineral resources do not
- The quantity and grade of reported inferred resources in this estimation are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define an indicated mineral resource on the property and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in discovery of an indicated or measured mineral resource in areas classified as inferred.
- Cutoff grade used for reserves and resources was 8.0 opt Ageq
- Metals prices used in the cutoff calculations were US$22.00 per ounce for silver, $2.50 per pound for copper, and $0.70 per pound for lead
- The cutoff grade is based on a cost of production of $171 per ton including mining, milling, administration, and general costs. In addition, costs for smelting, refining, and, transportation amount to $43 per ton
- Process recovery is 96.3% for silver, 96.3% for copper, and
- 92.3% for lead
- Veins are diluted to a minimum mining width for resources . The minimum mining width varies from 4 feet to 8 feet depending on the mining method
- Additional dilution, at zero grade, is added to reserves in some cases, to account for ground conditions, equipment availability, and other factors.
- The reserve and resource estimation is based on data and mining as of December 31, 2011
- Mine production rate of 230,000 to 270,000 tons per year, and 2.5million to 3.0 million ounces of silver per year, was assumed for calculations for economic viability
- In addition, copper production of 660 to 770 tons per year, and lead production of 3,500 to 6,500 tons per year were utilized
- The reserves are sufficient for 8 years of production
- Measured and Indicated resources include 3,320,000 ounces at the Coeur mine. Inferred resources include 2,083,000 ounces at the Coeur mine.
Steve Milne, P.E. and Fred Barnard Ph.D., of Chlumsky, Armbrust & Meyer, LLC (CAM), are the Qualified Persons who reviewed this news release. He also supervised the updated reserve and resource estimation prepared by Galena mine personnel.
ABOUT U.S. SILVER CORPORATION
U.S. Silver, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and/or operates the Galena, Coeur, Caladay and Dayrock silver-lead-copper mines in Shoshone County, Idaho, with the Galena mine being the second most prolific silver mine in US history. Total silver production from U.S. Silver's mining complex has exceeded 220 million ounces of silver production since 1953. U.S. Silver controls a land package now totaling approximately 14,000 acres in the heart of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District. U.S. Silver is focused on expanding the production from existing operations as well as exploring and developing its extensive Silver Valley holdings in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.
Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.
Contact
U.S. Silver Corporation
Heather Foster, IR Manager
(208) 556-1535 ext. 2
www.us-silver.com