EX-99.1 2 a10-17812_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

September 13, 2010

 

EXPLORATION NEWS RELEASE

 

US GOLD NEVADA & MEXICO EXPLORATION UPDATE

POSITIVE GOLD BAR DRILL RESULTS

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TRACK

 

Toronto, Ontario (September 13, 2010) - US GOLD CORPORATION (NYSE.AMEX:UXG - TSX:UXG) is pleased to announce positive drill results from its Gold Bar Project in Nevada, and an update from regional prospects in Mexico. The best holes in Nevada encountered 0.133 opt (4.56 gpt) gold over 90 ft (27.4 m), 0.033 opt (1.14 gpt) gold over 240 ft (73.2 m) and 0.058 opt (2.01 gpt) gold over 120 ft (36.6 m). These results are encouraging and exploration is ongoing to test for extensions of this mineralization.

 

GOLD BAR PROJECT

 

Recent drilling at the Gold Bar Project focused on two areas known as Cabin Creek and North Gold Ridge, which are part of the Gold Bar resource estimate.

 

CABIN CREEK

 

The objective of US Gold’s drilling at Cabin Creek was to expand a higher-grade envelope in order to include the mineralization in a conceptual pit design. This objective was achieved, with the best hole (GB145) returning 0.133 opt (4.56 gpt) gold over 90 ft (27.4 m). Unexpectedly, a new zone was discovered approximately 200 ft (60 m) deeper in this hole (Figure 2). This lower zone returned 0.033 opt (1.14 gpt) gold over 240 ft (73.2 m) including 0.066 opt (2.27 gpt) gold over 65 ft (19.8 m). Drilling to expand this zone to the east and west encountered narrower intercepts of lower grade. Drilling is currently focused on testing for mineralization along strike to the north and south (Figure 1).

 

The exceptional length of the lower intercept appears to be related to a northeast-trending fault zone where it intersects the east-dipping McColley Canyon limestone, host to most of the mineralization at Cabin Creek as well as the nearby Gold Pick and Gold Ridge deposits. Gold mineralization in the lower zone is associated with silicification that appears to be associated with the fault (Figure 2). Drilling is underway to follow the fault zone north and south along strike.

 

NORTH GOLD RIDGE

 

The first hole at North Gold Ridge (GB152) encountered 0.058 opt (2.01 gpt) gold over 120 ft (36.6 m) in step-out drilling 210 ft (65 m) to the southwest of the known resource (Figure 3). This intercept is contained within a channel that developed on the surface of the basement, filled with porous McColley Canyon limestone, and probably acted as a preferred pathway for gold mineralization. A similar channel is present in the West Pick area where US Gold has encountered significant mineralization, including the best results announced last year of 0.085 opt (2.90 gpt) gold over 150 ft (45.7 m) and 0.065 opt (2.24 gpt) gold over 120 ft. (36.6 m). US Gold geologists believe this is an important observation that will assist in targeting similar mineralization. Results from three additional holes in this area are pending, and additional drilling is planned to the south and west where the intercept is open.

 

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Results from drilling at Cabin Creek and North Gold Ridge are as follows:

 

HOLE#

 

Gold

 

From

 

Length

 

Gold

 

From

 

Length

 

 

 

opt

 

ft

 

ft

 

gpt

 

m

 

m

 

GB143

 

0.024

 

400

 

55

 

0.82

 

121.9

 

16.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB144

 

0.023

 

595

 

25

 

0.80

 

181.4

 

7.6

 

And

 

0.037

 

655

 

25

 

1.28

 

199.6

 

7.6

 

And

 

0.065

 

705

 

10

 

2.24

 

214.9

 

3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB145

 

0.030

 

165

 

15

 

1.03

 

50.3

 

4.6

 

And

 

0.133

 

260

 

90

 

4.56

 

79.2

 

27.4

 

Including

 

0.219

 

285

 

40

 

7.52

 

86.9

 

12.2

 

And

 

0.033

 

550

 

240

 

1.14

 

167.6

 

73.2

 

Including

 

0.066

 

590

 

65

 

2.27

 

179.8

 

19.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB146

 

0.020

 

125

 

60

 

0.67

 

38.1

 

18.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB149

 

0.027

 

295

 

55

 

0.91

 

89.9

 

16.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB150

 

0.025

 

590

 

50

 

0.85

 

179.8

 

15.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB151

 

0.020

 

650

 

40

 

0.69

 

198.1

 

12.2

 

And

 

0.050

 

755

 

20

 

1.70

 

230.1

 

6.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GB152

 

0.058

 

310

 

120

 

2.01

 

94.5

 

36.6

 

Including

 

0.096

 

345

 

35

 

3.29

 

105.2

 

10.7

 

 

(opt = Troy ounces per short ton, gpt = Grams per metric tonne. True width is not known at this time.)

 

GOLD BAR PROJECT PRE-FEASIBILITY

 

US Gold has received competitive bids from six engineering groups to complete a pre-feasibility study on Gold Bar, and anticipates awarding the contract by September 17th. Completion of that study expected in Q3 2011. The pre-feasibility will look to further advance the positive results announced earlier this year in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (1)(PEA). US Gold’s objective is to lengthen the projected mine-life through exploration and optimization concurrent with the completion of the pre-feasibility study. Highlights of the 2010 PEA are as follows:

 

·                  Projected annual production of approximately 60,000 ounces of gold over a 6 year mine life, at an estimated cash cost of $560 per ounce (oz).

·                  Pre-tax discounted Net Present Value (NPV) of $105 million at $1150 per oz gold and 6% discount rate, giving an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 60%.

·                  Estimated initial capital expenditure of $40 million, life-of-mine (LOM) capital expenditure of $47 million, and pay-back period of 3 years at $1150 per oz gold.

 

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MEXICO REGIONAL EXPLORATION UPDATE

 

In Mexico, US Gold has five core and two percussion drills operating.  These drills are focused on expanding the mineralization at El Gallo, where an updated resource estimate is due in October, as well as testing three promising regional prospects (Figure 4).

 

1. LOS MAUTOS

 

The Los Mautos prospect is located 6.5 miles (11 km) northeast of El Gallo and shares many similar geological features. Los Mautos is comprised of a number of breccia bodies that outcrop at surface. Like El Gallo, these are shallow-dipping zones characterized by strong silicification and have NW and NE structural trends.  Breccia bodies are the most important host for silver at El Gallo.  Over 3,000 rock chip samples and 6,450 soil samples have been taken on the project, covering an area 14,100 ft (4,300 m) long by 3,900 ft (1,200 m) wide. Selected rock chip samples are highlighted below. Drill permits for this project were received in late August and percussion drilling has been initiated.

 

Silver Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

Silver Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

(opt)

 

(opt)

 

(gpt)

 

(gpt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.8

 

0.005

 

302

 

0.16

 

12.1

 

0.012

 

414

 

0.42

 

49.9

 

0.028

 

1,710

 

0.94

 

36.6

 

0.015

 

1,260

 

0.50

 

38.8

 

0.011

 

1,330

 

0.39

 

35.3

 

0.08

 

1,210

 

2.71

 

 

2. CHAPOTILLO

 

Chapotillo is located 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northwest of El Gallo. The mineralization is structurally controlled in a northwest-striking vein and is typical of many gold-silver epithermal veins found throughout Mexico. A total of 1,100 rock chip samples have been taken on the project, covering a strike length of 4,925 ft (1,500 m). Selected rock chip samples are highlighted below. Drill permits for this project were received in late August and two core holes have been completed to date. Results from this drilling are expected in late September.

 

Silver Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

Silver Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

(opt)

 

(opt)

 

(gpt)

 

(gpt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.8

 

0.069

 

1,790

 

3.42

 

16.5

 

0.089

 

567

 

3.06

 

9.01

 

0.180

 

311

 

6.16

 

10.4

 

0.080

 

355

 

2.75

 

14.1

 

0.309

 

483

 

10.60

 

9.0

 

0.167

 

308

 

5.71

 

 

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3. PIEDRA DE ORO

 

Piedra de Oro is located 20 miles (32 km) northeast of El Gallo. Unlike the other two prospects, the primary focus of US Gold’s drilling here is for gold. A total of 24 samples were taken from historical underground workings. Each of the samples returned very encouraging gold values. Drill permits were received during the first week of September and core drilling has commenced.  Assays values for the 24 samples are shown below.

 

Gold Grade

 

Gold Grade

 

(opt)

 

(gpt)

 

 

 

 

 

0.576

 

19.75

 

0.744

 

25.5

 

0.274

 

9.41

 

0.141

 

4.85

 

0.309

 

10.6

 

0.322

 

11.05

 

0.031

 

1.06

 

0.650

 

22.3

 

1.012

 

34.7

 

0.314

 

10.75

 

0.340

 

11.65

 

0.305

 

10.45

 

0.012

 

0.404

 

0.147

 

5.05

 

0.960

 

32.9

 

0.913

 

31.3

 

1.068

 

36.6

 

0.433

 

14.85

 

0.481

 

16.5

 

1.018

 

34.9

 

1.234

 

42.3

 

1.476

 

50.6

 

0.360

 

12.35

 

0.939

 

32.2

 

 

ABOUT US GOLD (www.usgold.com)

 

US Gold’s goal is to qualify for inclusion in the S&P 500 within the next 5 years. US Gold explores for gold and silver in the Americas, has an exciting silver discovery called El Gallo in Mexico, and is advancing its Gold Bar Project in Nevada towards production. US Gold has a strong treasury and is debt free. The company’s shares are listed on the NYSE Amex and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol UXG, trading 1.2 million shares daily. US Gold’s shares are also included in S&P/TSX and Russell indices.

 

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QUALIFIED PERSON

 

Disclosure for Nevada projects in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by Robert L. Kastelic, CPG, US Gold’s Senior Consulting Geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of mineral exploration undertaken by the company at its Nevada exploration properties. All assays are uncut, with analysis conducted by ALS Chemex utilizing a 30 gram fire assay charge with an AA finish. Samples returning greater than 10 ppm gold were re-analyzed using gravimetric fire assay. Drilling was performed with a standard reverse circulation (RC) rig, and samples are 5 feet in length. Quality assurance/quality control is assured by inserting standards and blanks every 40th sample and check assays sent to a second lab every 20th sample.

 

Disclosure for Mexico projects in this news release has been viewed and approved by John Read, US Gold’s consulting geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by the Company at its Mexican exploration properties. Samples were shipped to ALS Chemex in Hermosillo for sample preparation and analysis by 4-acid digestion with ICP determination for silver and fire assay for gold. Samples returning greater than 1500 ppm silver or 10 ppm gold were re-analyzed using gravimetric fire assay.

 


(1) The PEA was prepared by Telesto Nevada Inc. (“Telesto”) of Reno, Nevada in accordance with the requirements of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”). It contemplates a conventional open pit mining operation and heap leach gold recovery. The mine plan calls for the extraction of 13.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.0 gram gold per tonne (gpt) containing 421 thousand ounces of gold. The PEA is based on the mineral resource estimate announced on March 31, 2010 also by Telesto. The PEA is an estimate of the economic viability of the project and does not contemplate a number of important engineering and regulatory factors. Further study is required prior to making a production decision.

 

Certain statements contained herein and subsequent oral statements made by and on behalf of the Company may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects” and “hopes” and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s results of exploration, plan of business operations, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption “Risk Factors”. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

U.S. investors should be aware that the issuer has no “reserves” as defined by Guide 7 and are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the potential target mineral resources will ever be confirmed or converted into Guide 7 compliant “reserves.”

 

This press release also contains information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine.  We advise U.S. investors that the SEC’s mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC.  U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties.

 

For further information contact:

 

Stefan M. Spears

Vice President, Projects

Tel: (647) 258-0395

Toll Free: (866) 441-0690

Fax: (647) 258-0408

Mailing Address

99 George Street, 3rd Floor

Toronto, ON M5A 2N4

E-mail: info@usgold.com

 

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