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Unkurtash
Project Update
March 2017
Disclaimer
Certain statements within this presentation constitute forward looking statements. Such forward looking
statements involve risks and other factors which may cause the actual results, achievements or
performance of the Group to be materially different from any future results, achievements or performance
expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, but are
not limited to, general economic and business conditions, changes in government regulations, currency
fluctuations, the gold price, the Group’s ability to recover its reserves or develop new reserves,
competition, changes in development plans and other risks.
There can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward looking statements
contained in this presentation will, in fact, occur. These forward-looking statements are correct or
represent honestly held views only as at the date of delivery of this presentation.
The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward looking
statements to reflect events, circumstances and unanticipated events occurring after the date of this
presentation except as required by law or by regulatory authority.
Nothing in this presentation constitutes an offer, invitation, recommendation to purchase, sell or subscribe
for any securities in any jurisdiction or solicitation of any offer to purchase, sell or subscribe for any
securities in any jurisdiction and neither the issue of the information nor anything contained herein shall
form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into, any
investment activity.
2
Table of Contents
3
Content Pages
Investment Highlights 4
Project Summary 5
Unkurtash Overview 6
Acquisition & Development History 7
Licenses 8
Exploration 9
Geological Setting & Mineralisation 10
Mineral Resource Estimate 11
Geography & Climate 12
Mining 13
Processing & Infrastructure 14
General Layout 15
Financial Model Output 16 – 17
Appendices 19 – 21
Investment Highlights
4
Sizeable gold project with average annual gold production of >130 koz and 18 years of
mine life 1
Competitive development capex intensity of ~US$126/oz for total LOM gold production of
~2.4 mmoz 5
Favourable processing with predominantly free gold amenable for conventional processing 3
Located in existing mining area with access to infrastructure such as roads, power and
water supply and existing plans for upgrades 4
Top tier LOM AISC cash cost position of ~US$660/oz 2
Local mine management team with extensive experience in the Kyrgyzstan mining industry 6
Project Summary
Unkurtash Project (“Unkurtash” or the “Project”) is a large-scale gold project located in West Kyrgyzstan and is 100%
owned by Highland Gold (“Highland Gold” or the “Group”)
– The Project comprises three deposits: Unkurtash, Sarytube and Karatube
– The deposits’ licenses are held by Highland Exploration Kyrgyzstan LLC which is a 100% owned subsidiary of
Highland Gold
Since obtaining the assets’ licenses in 2006, Highland Gold has engaged in continuous exploration works
– In June 2013, IMC Montan prepared a JORC gold resources estimate of ~3.5 mmoz (~109 tonnes) contained
gold at a grade of 1.82 g/t
SRK completed a Scoping Study on Unkurtash in January 2017 with the following key economics:
– Project NPV of US$200 mm assuming a gold price of US$1,200/oz(1) and a discount rate of 10%
– Envisaged open pit mining with an average annual gold production of ~130 koz
– 18-year mine life
– Gravity concentration and gravity tailings CIL with 4 mtpa throughput as a favoured processing technology
– Initial estimated development capex of US$322 mm(2)
Additional drilling programme planned for 2017 will position project well for advancement to PFS / DFS stage
Highland Gold is considering various strategic alternatives for proceeding with the project, including partnering with
another strategic investor to co-develop Unkurtash
5 1. NPV of US$298 mm based on flat LT consensus price case of US$1,300/oz. 2. Includes contingencies of ~US$20 mm.
--
124 138 141
132 121
113 125 125
145 138 138
121 118
134
162
204
180
28
$732 $675 $659 $704 $748 $800 $694 $691
$576 $601 $597 $665 $673
$615 $512
$408 $435 $427
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19Year
Production (koz) TCC (US$/oz)
Unkurtash Overview
6
Overview JORC resources (IMC, 2013) of ~3.5 mmoz (~109 tonnes) contained
gold at a grade of 1.82 g/t
In March 2017, SRK completed a scoping study on the project,
demonstrating its robust economics(1):
– NPV of US$200 mm at 10% discount
– IRR of ~19%
– TCC of US$616/oz and AISC of US$662/oz
– Development capex of US$322 mm(2) with total LOM capex of
US$472 mm(3)
Project has access to significant supporting infrastructure:
– Locally situated in renowned mining district adjacent to Terekkan /
Perevalniy (to be commissioned in 2017), Ishtamberdy and
Bozymchak operating mines
– Good site access via extensive network of paved roads(4)
– Nearby village Tereksay serves as base camp
– 110 kV grid line along Kassan river valley(5)
Project Location
Production & Cash Cost Profile Resources(7) Ore Grade Contained Au Contained Au
(kt) (g/t Au) (kg) (koz)
Measured 19,256 1.83 35,324 1,136
Indicated 29,639 1.84 54,533 1,753
M&I 48,895 1.84 89,857 2,889
Inferred 11,137 1.74 19,416 624
Grand Total 60,032 1.82 109,273 3,513
1. Based on US$1,200/oz gold price assumption. 2. Includes contingencies of ~US$20 mm. 3. Includes reclamation costs of ~US$20 mm. 4. Only the last 25 km are unpaved; asphalt road to be completed in 2 years.
(1)
Kasansay
Sumsar
Ala-Buka
Dzhoy-Belent
Kyizyil-Tokoy
Ishtamberdy
Bozymchak
KYRGYZSTAN
Tereksay
Terek
Buzuk
Karatube \ Sarytube
Unkurtash
KAZAKHSTAN
KYRGYZSTAN
TAJIKISTAN CHINA
Bishkek
Dzhalal-Abad
Osh
Taskomur
Company Deposits
Operating Mine
Cities
Roads
Rivers
0 5 10km
(6)
5. Connection to the “Crystal” substation located ~150 km from the deposit is recommended to meet the estimated 23-25 MW power demand.
6. Project construction takes place during year 1. 7. As per IMC Mineral Resource Statement 2013.
Terekkan & Perevalniy
Acquisition & Development History
7
Unkurtash Acquisition through Highland Gold
The Unkurtash deposit was discovered during prospecting work that was carried out in 1980-1983
Barrick Gold acquired the Unkurtash licenses in 2002 with a subsequent exploration programme
Highland Exploration Kyrgyzstan LLC (former Barrick Gold Kyrgyzstan LLP), including the Unkurtash licenses, was acquired in
2006 as a result of an asset exchange transaction with Barrick Gold
Development History
From 2002-2012 the primary focus was on prospecting and exploring the Unkurtash and Karatube license areas
– 110,175 m drilled over 469 holes resulting in 99,890 core and RC samples being taken
From 2009-2012 test works were carried out by reputable industry contractors (TOMC, SGS, etc.), to determine an appropriate
process route and recovery rates
– Works identified gravity and gravity tailings CIL as the favourable processing method
In 2011, Highland Gold submitted “TEO Kondicii" (local PFS) to GKZ, with C1+C2 mineral reserves estimated of ~1.7 mmoz (51.7
tonnes) contained gold at a grade of 2.49 g/t
In 2013, IMC Montan prepared a JORC gold resource estimate of ~3.5 mmoz (~109 tonnes) contained gold at a grade of 1.82 g/t
# Prospects Type Issued Valid Through
2709 АП Kassansky area Prospecting May
2013
March
2018(1)
4564 AP Unkurtash - Karatube area Exploration January
2016
January
2021(2)
3121 AE Unkurtash Mining July
2012
December
2017(3)
3122 AE(4) Karatube Mining July
2012
December
2017(3)
Licenses
8
Overview of Licenses There are four licenses related to the Unkurtash gold project:
– Kassansky area Prospecting license
– Unkurtash – Karatube Exploration license
– Unkurtash Mining license
– Karatube Mining license
The licenses are held by Highland Exploration Kyrgyzstan LLC
All of the license holder’s commitments regarding the schedule of
prospecting, exploration and drilling as well as the submission of
project documentation and the receipt of government approvals have
been fulfilled in due course
The licenses will be extended, with the exception of the Kassansky
area license, which may be transferred back to the government
Licenses Location
1. Upon expiry, file for license extension or transfer license back to the government. 2. Informal commitment of increasing C1+C2 reserves by ~60 tonnes (1.9 mmoz) of contained gold by December 2018 following the submission of “TEO Kondicii” (equivalent to Western PFS). 3. Two-year extension expected in 2017. Technical Project Report (equivalent to Western feasibility study) to be prepared until December 2019. 4. The license is to be extended to include the Sarytube deposit following the submission of “TEO Kondicii” in 2018.
1
2
3
1
2
3
Kassansky Area
4
4
Exploration
Overview
485 holes of different types were
drilled of total length of 102,473
m, with 109,173 core and RC
samples taken
3,070 m of trenches and cuts
completed at Sarytube with
2,139 linear chip samples taken
Underground development at
Unkurtash totaled 2,456 m and
4,912 channel samples were
taken
12 samples for metallurgical
testwork weighing ~106 tonnes
were taken
925 samples were taken for
studying physical and
mechanical properties
107,000 fire assays with AA
finish were conducted on
geological samples to identify Au
grades (fire assay)
The Andagul intrusive area to
the west of the Unkurtash
deposit is a high potential target
requiring further exploration
9
Drill Holes Location (Unkurtash)
Drill Holes Location (Sarytube, Karatube)
Cross Section (Unkurtash)(1)
Cross Section (Sarytube, Karatube)(1)
Note: Based on prospecting and exploration works carried out in 2003-2012. Data discrepancies between the SRK Scoping Study report and the Company’s data above are due to inclusion of works conducted
before 2003 into the Scoping Study.
1. Carried out by 20-60 x 80 m grid (RC), irregular diamond drilling grid on Unkurtash, Sarytube; 35-55 x 35-50x grid (diamond drilling) on Karatube, no RC drilling owing to difficult mountain-geological conditions.
Geological Setting & Mineralisation
10
Overview Geologic Map
Cross Section (Unkurtash)
80 m
NE SW
Unkurtash
The deposit is localised in the exo-contact zone of linear
Andagul intrusion of Late Carboniferous granodiorites intruding
folded formations of the Riphean crystalloid shales and granite
gneisses, as well as Paleozoic volcanogenic and terrigenous
carboniferous formations
The orebodies are represented by linear stockworks and
mineralised breccia areas
The predominant minerals are quartz, feldspars, sericite and
muscovite. The share of sulfides ranges between 1 and 5%
among which pyrite and arsenopyrite prevail, while secondary
minerals are represented by chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.
Gold is predominantly free. Native gold of 750-800 purity is
mostly associated with quartz, pyrite and arsenopyrite
The areas of commercial mineralization of Unkurtash, Sarytube
and Karatube have been delineated based on the results of
continuous trench, core and RC sampling and are characterized
by a considerable length (up to 1000 m), thickness (up to 250
m) and vertical span (up to 400 m)
Kyrgyzstan GKZ approved Unkurtash
C1+C2 reserves (only Unkurtash and
Karatube deposits) of ~51.7 tonnes (~1.7
mmoz) contained gold in 2011(1)
In 2013 IMC Montan prepared a JORC
gold resources estimate
~109 tonnes (~3.5 mmoz) contained
gold at a grade of 1.82 g/t, using a
0.85 g/t cut-off grade
In 2013, Oreall prepared an updated
resources estimate report for GKZ
accounting for ~110.4 tonnes (~3.5 mmoz)
contained gold (not submitted to GKZ for
approval)
Highland Gold plans to increase GKZ
approved reserves to ~110 tonnes (~3.5
mmoz) contained gold by December
2018(2)
The approval of these reserves will
trigger a signing bonus being paid to
the Government (US$60,000 per
incremental tonne approved or
~US$3.5 mm in total)
Mineral Resource Estimate
11
IMC, Mineral Resource Statement 2013 Unkurtash Ore Grade Contained Au Contained Au
(kt) (g/t Au) (kg) (koz)
Measured 16,996 1.77 30,007 965
Indicated 11,972 1.75 20,979 674
M&I Unkurtash 28,968 1.76 50,986 1,639
Inferred 9,615 1.78 17,143 551
Total Unkurtash 38,583 1.77 68,129 2,190
Sarytube Ore Grade Contained Au Contained Au
(kt) (g/t Au) (kg) (koz)
Measured --
Indicated 16,861 1.89 31,816 1,023
M&I Sarytube 16,861 1.89 31,816 1,023
Inferred 1,395 1.54 2,149 69
Total Sarytube 18,256 1.86 33,965 1,092
Karatube Ore Grade Contained Au Contained Au
(kt) (g/t Au) (kg) (koz)
Measured 2,260 2.32 5,317 171
Indicated 806 2.16 1,738 56
M&I Karatube 3,066 2.30 7,055 227
Inferred 127 0.98 124 4
Total Karatube 3,193 2.25 7,179 231
Grand Total Ore Grade Contained Au Contained Au
(kt) (g/t Au) (kg) (koz)
Measured 19,256 1.83 35,324 1,136
Indicated 29,639 1.84 54,533 1,753
M&I 48,895 1.84 89,857 2,889
Inferred 11,137 1.74 19,416 624
Grand Total 60,032 1.82 109,273 3,513
1. Balance and off-balance. 2. Informal commitment.
Geography & Climate
The surrounding geography is moderately mountainous
– Unkurtash and Sarytube-Karatube deposits are located
between 1,600 m and 2,500 m
The slope angles range from flat to low, causing no problems
for the construction of haul roads
12
Geography Climate
Continental climate, with considerable fluctuations in seasonal
temperatures
– In July-August the temperature rises to 30-35 degrees, in
winter months falls to a minus 8-20 degrees
– The mid-annual temperature is +4°С
Total precipitation of 500-700 mm a year. Snow cover appears
in the middle of November and remains till the middle of March
Depth of soils freezing in January / February usually does not
exceed 0.7-1.0 m
– No significant impact on mining operations
Mining
13
Pit optimisation studies demonstrate the viability of open pit mining
Mine plan envisages the development of two open pits with the
following average parameters:
– Width - 550 m, length - 1,300 m, depth - 280 m (Unkurtash)
– Width - 570 m, length - 1,200 m, depth - 150 m (Sarytube,
Karatube)
Optimal production rate determined at 4 mtpa applying bulk mining
method with all ore fed to the plant with an economic cut-off of 0.6 g/t
– 69% of LOM ore will come from Unkurtash, 26% from Sarytube
and 5% from Karatube
LOM stripping ratio of 4.5 t/t (~1.62 m3/t)
Mining activities will be carried out by conventional RoM ore
excavation, following drilling and blasting operations
12m3 hydraulic front-shovel excavators, operating jointly with 91-
tonne trucks are considered to be optimal main mining and stripping
equipment
Envisaged Mining Boundaries
Pit Shell – Sarytube, Karatube Pit Shell - Unkurtash
Overview
Processing & Infrastructure
14
Process Design Flow Sheet
Exisiting 110 kV grid line along Kassan river valley
Another significant power transmission installation is located at Taksomur (~150
km away) and comprises the 220/110/10 kV substation “Crystal”
Connection to the Crystal substation and the Kyrgyzstan national grid would be
the preferred option with estimated capital cost of US$36.1 mm
For water supply, planning to build a water intake from the Kassan-Say River at
the junction with Arykbulaksay stream
Good site access via extensive network of paved roads(1)
– Nearby village Tereksay serves as base camp
Infrastructure
1. Only the last 25 km are unpaved; asphalt road to be completed in 2 years.
Sufficient testwork has been performed to
evaluate a number of different processing
options
The presence of coarse free gold in the ore
justifies preliminary gravity concentration
Optimal processing plant has a capacity of 4
mtpa RoM feed and will produce dore metal
Design is based on single stage crushing and
a two stage milling circuit with gravity recovery
followed by a CIL circuit, carbon acid wash,
elution and regeneration, gold electrowinning
and smelting
Gravity followed by flotation concentrate may
add value at certain payability levels, however
commercial concentrate terms cannot be
forecast with sufficient levels of certainty
Initial capital cost for the 4 mtpa plant is
~US$121 mm with modelled processing costs
of US$9.56/t (including US$1.65/t tailing
operating costs)
Gold recovery rates from the process are
modelled at 81%
Multiple tailings facility options considered,
with dry stack proving most favourable
General Layout
15
Financial Model Output
16
Key Operating Metrics Commentary
Operating Profile
Valuation as of end of year of first capital spending
Model is in real terms; real pricing and mainly flat opex assumed
Operating and financial assumptions based on scoping study model completed by SRK in
January 2017
– Pricing base case in financial model is US$1,200/oz
Assumed royalty of 5%
Assumed income tax of 1%(1)
Initial capex assumed of US$322 mm(2) of which key items are processing plant, mining fleet,
infrastructure, tailings structure set up
– Significant follow-up investment in mining fleet scheduled for Year 9
Cash flows have been modelled on an unlevered basis and no asset-level debt is assumed
LOM Assumptions Unit
Waste Mined (mt) 306.7
Avg. Material Mined (mtpa) 17.0
Strip Ratio (waste t /ore t) 4.5
Ore Mined (mt) 68.8
Total Head Grade (g/t Au) 1.34
Contained Gold (koz) 2,954
Mine Life (years) 18
Avg. Recovery (%) 81%
Total Gold Production (koz) 2,388
Avg. Annual Gold Prod'n (kozpa) 133
--
124 138 141 132 121 113 125 125 145 138 138 121 118 134 162 204 180
28
$732 $675 $659
$704 $748
$800
$694 $691
$576 $601 $597 $665 $673
$615
$512 $408 $435 $427
$734 $702 $669 $706
$796 $819 $732
$931
$612
$737 $692 $701 $701
$656
$526
$419 $465 $440
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Year
Production (koz) TCC (US$/oz) AISC (US$/oz)
1. Based on US$1,200/oz gold price assumption; income tax is based on revenue, applicable rate is based on sliding scale linked to the gold price. 2. Includes contingencies of ~US$20 mm.
(1) (1)
Financial Model Output (Cont’d)
17
Key Financial Metrics NPV Sensitivities (US$ mm)(1)
Cash Flow Summary (US$ mm)(5,6)
$58 $72 $76
$65 $55 $45
$63 $64
$91 $82 $83 $65 $62
$78 $111
$162
$138
($115)
($4) ($2) ($0) ($6) ($2) ($5) ($33)
($6) ($21) ($14) ($5) ($4) ($6) ($2) ($2) ($6)
($218)
($58)
$67 $73 $64 $47
$41
$57
$29
$83 $60 $67 $58 $57 $71
$107
$157 $130
$21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Year
EBITDA Capex FCF
1. All gold price levels are flat in the model for all years, “Consensus LT” uses flat long-term consensus price case of US$1,300/oz. See appendices for details of street consensus. 2. Includes contingencies of ~US$20 mm. 3. Exclusive of ~US$20 mm contingencies allocated to development capex. 4. Includes reclamation costs of ~US$20 mm. 5. US$1,200/oz gold price assumption. 6. FCF includes income taxes.
LOM Assumptions Unit
Mining Costs (US$/t mined) $1.10
Stripping Cost (US$/t waste) $1.10
Processing Costs (US$/t milled) $9.56
Avg. Annual G&A (US$/t milled) $2.5
Transport & Refining (US$/oz) $12
Royalties (US$/oz) $60
Local Tax (US$/oz) $24
Total Cash Cost (TCC) (US$/oz) $616
Sustaining Capex (US$/oz) $45
All-In-Sustaining Cost (AISC) (US$/oz) $662
Development Capex(2) (US$ mm) $322
Sustaining Capex (US$ mm) $109
Contingency(3) (US$ mm) $21
Closure Costs (US$ mm) $20
Total Capex(4) (US$ mm) $472
IRR(5) (%) 18.7%
Gold Price (US$/oz)
$1,100 $1,150 $1,200 $1,250 Consensus LT $1,350 $1,400 $1,450 $1,500
5.0% $299 $369 $440 $510 $580 $609 $678 $702 $769
5.5% $273 $341 $409 $476 $544 $571 $637 $660 $725
6.0% $249 $314 $379 $445 $510 $536 $600 $622 $684
6.5% $227 $289 $352 $415 $477 $503 $564 $585 $645
7.0% $205 $266 $326 $387 $447 $472 $531 $551 $609
7.5% $185 $244 $302 $360 $418 $442 $499 $519 $575
8.0% $167 $223 $279 $335 $392 $414 $469 $488 $542
9.0% $132 $185 $237 $290 $342 $363 $415 $433 $483
10.0% $102 $151 $200 $249 $298 $318 $366 $383 $430
Dis
co
un
t R
ate
(%
)
0 Appendices
Model Output
19
Years
UnitsLOM Total /
Average1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Mining and Processing
Ore Mined (mt) 68.8 -- 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 0.7 --
Head Grade (g/t Au) 1.3 -- 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.8 1.7 1.6 --
Recovery (%) 81% -- 82% 79% 79% 79% 80% 81% 80% 83% 76% 80% 80% 82% 82% 82% 79% 86% 82% 82% --
Production (koz Au) 2,388 -- 124 138 141 132 121 113 125 125 145 138 138 121 118 134 162 204 180 28 --
Financials
Revenue (US$ mm) $2,865 -- $149 $166 $169 $158 $146 $136 $150 $150 $174 $165 $165 $145 $142 $161 $194 $245 $216 $34 --
Operating Costs (US$ mm) ($1,472) -- ($91) ($93) ($93) ($93) ($91) ($90) ($87) ($86) ($84) ($83) ($82) ($80) ($80) ($82) ($83) ($83) ($79) ($12) --
TCC (US$/oz) $616 -- $732 $675 $659 $704 $748 $800 $694 $691 $576 $601 $597 $665 $673 $615 $512 $408 $435 $427 --
AISC (US$/oz) $662 -- $734 $702 $669 $706 $796 $819 $732 $931 $612 $737 $692 $701 $701 $656 $526 $419 $465 $440 --
EBITDA (US$ mm) $1,393 -- $58 $72 $76 $65 $55 $45 $63 $64 $91 $82 $83 $65 $62 $78 $111 $162 $138 $22 --
Income Tax (US$ mm) ($29) -- ($1) ($2) ($2) ($2) ($1) ($1) ($2) ($1) ($2) ($2) ($2) ($1) ($1) ($2) ($2) ($2) ($2) ($0) --
Total Capex (US$ mm) ($472) ($218) ($115) ($4) ($2) ($0) ($6) ($2) ($5) ($33) ($6) ($21) ($14) ($5) ($4) ($6) ($2) ($2) ($6) ($0) ($20)
Free Cash Flow (US$ mm) $893 ($218) ($58) $67 $73 $64 $47 $41 $57 $29 $83 $60 $67 $58 $57 $71 $107 $157 $130 $21 ($20)
NPV10% (US$ mm) $200
IRR (%) 18.7%
Overview of Kyrgyzstan & Local Gold Industry
Regulatory Environment
Overview
Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country; capital is Bishkek
Population of 6.4 mm, including Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian and other nationalities
– Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages
– ~75% of the population is Muslim, ~20% Russian Orthodox and ~5% other
Kyrgyzstan is parliamentary republic (democracy)
Economy
2016 GDP of US$21.0 bn(1) (145th in world) at growth rate of 2.2% (128th in world)
– GDP composed of agriculture (~18%), industry (~26%) and services (~56%)
Ranks 75th out of 190 countries in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index
~80% of the country’s energy is generated from hydroelectric plants
Moody’s rates Kyrgyzstan’s sovereign debt as B2, which corresponds to highly
speculative
20
Kyrgyzstan Overview Gold Industry Regulatory Environment
Source: the World Factbook, World Bank 1. 2016 US$. 2. Highland Gold has paid the signing bonus for the GKZ approved reserves of 2011; incremental signing bonus will become payable within 1 month after submission of updated report targeted for December 2018.
Mining of precious metals is subject to licensing in accordance with the procedure
established by the Subsoil Law dated September 17, 2012
The State is the beneficial owner of all mineral resources in Kyrgyzstan
The State Agency on Geology and Mineral Resources (GKZ) is responsible for the
implementation of the state policy on use of natural resources
The maximum terms are 5, 10 and 20 years for geological research, exploration
and production (mining) licenses respectively with the subsequent extension for
the expected operational life based on a feasibility study
Licenses are awarded through a tendering, auctions or direct negotiations (for
smaller deposits)
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan has a priority right to buy all gold mined
Major gold mining taxes:
– Royalty: calculated as a percentage of the value of the minerals extracted (5%)
– Income Tax: in essence, another form of royalty with a tax rate ranging from 1
to 20% subject to the gold price
– Signing Bonus(2): the amount subject to the Mineral Reserves estimates
submitted to the GKZ for award of the license (US$60,000 per tonne of gold
reserves, balance and off-balance)
All mineral resources and reserves in Kyrgyzstan are formally classified according
to an established system and administered by the GKZ. The GKZ applies strict
control over the estimation and reporting of minerals reserves and utilizes a
prescribed protocol for their calculation
Mineral Reserves estimates are submitted to the GKZ for the approval in the form
of TEO (broadly, an equivalent to the western pre-feasibility study), followed by
TER, a document, which details the calculation of Mineral Reserves
YSYK-KOL
NARYN
OSH
JALAL-ABAD
TALAS CHUY
UZEBEKISTAN
KAZAKHSTAN
CHINA
Bishkek
Unkurtash
Dzhalal-Abad
Osh
Taskomur
Deposit Complexity
Group
Russian Resource / Reserve Category
Extent of Geological Exploration
A B C1 C2 P1 P2
Incre
ase o
f G
eolo
gic
al
Com
ple
xity
I Measured Measured Measured Indicated Inferred
II Measured Measured Indicated Inferred
III Measured Indicated Inferred
IV Indicated Indicated Inferred Not
Classified
Level of geological exploration
Explored
Reserves
Preliminarily
Estimated Reserves
Prognostic
Resources
A B C1 C P1 P2 P3
Pote
ntial
Econom
ically
Effective
Utilis
ation
Balance Reserves
(Economic)
Out-of-Balance Reserves
(Potentially Economic)
Reconciliation of GKZ & JORC Code Resource /
Reserve Classification
21
Overview GKZ Reporting System Kyrgyz GKZ system is mostly similar to Western classification
system
The level of detail of information required to support a submission
of mineral reserves to GKZ is more systematic and comprehensive
than is required under JORC code
GKZ utilises a similar set of geological, economical and technical
factors to the ones used in JORC code
Similarly to JORC Code, the GKZ standard requires demonstration
of the economic viability of a reserve base
In the GKZ system, mineral resources and reserves are recognised
as either Prognosticated Resources or Mineral Reserves
Prognosticated Resources, in contrast to Mineral Reserves, refer
to mineral resources that range from inferred to potential and
speculated resources and are not recognised as quantifiable in
Western terms
In September 2010, the Committee for Mineral Reserves Reporting
Standards (CRISCO), which includes representatives of GKZ,
approved a unified procedure for aligning Kyrgyz reserves
statements with the international system
CRIRSCO System – Reconciliation