French Government Report Very Positive on Columbus Gold's Montagne d'Or Gold Project in French Guiana
VANCOUVER, Oct. 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Columbus Gold Corp. (CGT: TSX, CGTFF: OTCQX) ("Columbus") is pleased to report on the conclusions of a French government report, which is highly favorable to the development of the Montagne d'Or gold project in French Guiana, France.
As referenced by Columbus in multiple news releases over the course of the past 12 months, in 2018 the French government commissioned a taskforce to assess the social and economic benefits of, and the impacts associated with, the development of the gold mining industry in French Guiana, with a particular emphasis on Montagne d'Or, the most advanced large-scale gold project in French Guiana.
The taskforce drew from the government ministries involved in mine permitting in France, and included individuals from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Interior. The taskforce consulted extensively with all stakeholders, including local administration and communities, indigenous groups, social and environmental NGOs, mining industry representatives, and socio-economic parties.
The report has not yet been officially released by the French government; however, its contents were published by French media very recently on Friday October 18th. A summary of the conclusions includes (source: Usine Nouvelle 18/10/2019):
- The taskforce was able to access a very large volume of technical documentation from studies carried out by reputable engineering firms;
- The Montagne d'Or mine project is designed and developed in accordance with international standards and adapted to the local setting;
- The project consumes 30 times less land than an alluvial mining project for the same amount of gold produced, alluvial mining being the only current mode of legal gold production in French Guiana;
- According to the French National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risk (INERIS), the use of cyanide is appropriate for gold extraction in French Guiana;
- The French Geological Survey (BRGM) confirms that there is no viable alternative to cyanide in gold mining, and that cyanide is used by more than 400 facilities worldwide, including in the most modern European mines;
- The environmental impacts and risks of the Montagne d'Or project are mitigated;
- The mine's fiscal impact would be significant, with total taxes paid (before tax credits) of 471 million euros, with the region of French Guiana being the principal beneficiary;
- Direct jobs would generate a total of 128 million euros to the public economy, and indirect jobs 385 million euros, for a total of about 500 million;
- The fiscal benefits to the French State and French Guiana significantly offset the available tax credit, which is granted systematically for investments in French overseas territories, to compensate for a number of undeniable regional shortcomings such as long delays for infrastructure development, difficulties with supply, high cost of labour, and low levels of education.
Montagne d'Or Project Permitting
The Montagne d'Or joint-venture (Columbus 44.99% and Nordgold 55.01%) is developing a gold mine that is compatible with, and meets the French government's expectations on environmental protection.
In this regard, additional engineering studies are currently underway for committed project improvements and modifications, which are anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2020. A US$18 million project permitting and stakeholder engagement budget was allocated for 2019-2020, which includes funds to complete engineering studies and for the submission of mining and environmental authorisations to the French government.
About Columbus
Columbus is French Guiana's leading gold exploration and development company. Columbus holds a major interest in the world-class Montagne d'Or gold deposit. A feasibility study for Montagne d'Or was filed in May 2017, and the mine permitting process is currently underway. In addition, Columbus has entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Rhea gold exploration property and is also earning into the Maripa gold exploration project, where past drilling has returned excellent near surface results, including 36 metres of 4.3 g/t gold. Columbus' objective is to assemble a portfolio of high-quality gold exploration projects in the highly prospective and underexplored Guiana Shield.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,
Rock Lefrançois
President & CEO
Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this and other press releases include but are not limited to statements and information regarding: its plans, or modifications thereunder, to develop Montagne d'Or, including corresponding budgets ; the construction and development plans for the Montagne d'Or gold mine, including anticipated timing thereof; the satisfaction of additional requirements to the construction of the Montagne d'Or gold mine, including but not limited to, the submission and processing of mine permit applications, including related engineering studies; the timing and rendering of a decision regarding the development of the gold mining industry in French Guiana; the development of a project that meets the French governments expectations; the timing of the French mining code reform; mine permitting milestones; and the earning into of the Maripa gold exploration project. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form of Columbus Gold Corp., available on SEDAR under Columbus' profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Columbus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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SOURCE Columbus Gold Corporation
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