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Borborema expansion lifts Aura Minerals (AUGO) gold reserves to 1.5 Moz

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Aura Minerals signed a cooperation agreement with Brazil’s DNIT to relocate a federal road that crossed its Borborema mine, unlocking access to additional ore. With the updated feasibility study, Probable Mineral Reserves rose 82% to about 1.5 million ounces of gold, or 40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t. The study estimates average annual production of 65 koz over a 20.5-year mine life and a Net Present Value between US$612.5 million and US$835.5 million, with an after-tax IRR of 42.8% at a gold price of US$2,274/oz. Initial project capital is about US$196.3 million, plus US$9.7 million to divert the road, and all-in sustaining costs of roughly US$954.42 per ounce.

Positive

  • Major reserve growth and long mine life: Borborema Probable Mineral Reserves increased 82% to about 1.5 Moz of gold (40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t), supporting a 20.5-year life with estimated annual output of 65 koz.
  • Strong project economics: The updated feasibility study shows an after-tax IRR of 42.8% and NPV between US$612.5 million and US$835.5 million, based on a US$2,274/oz gold price and BRL 5.70/US$1.00 exchange rate.
  • Manageable capital and cost profile: Initial project capex is about US$196.3 million plus US$9.7 million for the road deviation, with all-in sustaining costs estimated around US$954.42 per ounce, indicating potentially attractive margins at the assumed gold price.
  • Key infrastructure de-risked: The cooperation agreement with DNIT to relocate federal highway BR-226 removes a previous constraint on pit expansion, enabling conversion of Indicated Resources into Mineable Reserves and supporting the enlarged mine plan.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Borborema’s reserve upgrade and economics materially strengthen Aura’s growth profile.

The Borborema feasibility update shows Probable Mineral Reserves of 40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t Au, or about 1,479 koz, an 82% increase in the reserve base to roughly 1.5 Moz. Planned average production is 65 koz per year over 20.5 years, giving the asset long-duration cash flow potential.

Project economics are robust: NPV ranges from US$612.5 million to US$835.5 million depending on the discount rate, with an after-tax IRR of 42.8% using a US$2,274/oz gold price and FX of BRL 5.70/US$1. Initial capital is about US$196.3 million plus US$9.7 million for the road deviation, and AISC is estimated at US$954.42 per ounce.

The signed road-relocation agreement with DNIT removes a key physical constraint on pit expansion and underpins the larger reserve shell. Future disclosures may refine mine plans, cut-off grades and potential upside from exploration, but the current study already positions Borborema as a core asset within Aura’s portfolio.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of February 2026

 

Commission File Number: 001-42744

 

Aura Minerals Inc.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

3390 Mary St,
Suite 116, Coconut Grove,
Florida, 33133, United States
+1 (305) 239 9332

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ]      Form 40-F [   ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
99.1   Aura Signed the Agreement to Relocate Road at Borborema Mine, Unlocking an additional 670 Koz of gold in Mineral Reserves, totaling 1.5 Moz
99.2   S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Feasibility Study for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

        Aura Minerals Inc.    
    (Registrant)
     
     
Date: February 26, 2026       /s/ João Kleber Cardoso    
    João Kleber Cardoso
    Chief Financial Officer
     

 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

Aura Signed the Agreement to Relocate Road at Borborema Mine, Unlocking an additional 670 Koz of gold in Mineral Reserves, totaling 1.5 Moz

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aura Minerals Inc. (Nasdaq: AUGO) (B3: AURA33) (“Aura” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has signed the agreement of cooperation with DNIT (Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura Terrestre) to relocate the federal road, which crosses a portion of the Borborema mine in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Also, the Company is pleased to announce an updated Technical Report of Borborema, which is already available on www.sec.gov and SEDAR+.

This agreement allows the Company to immediately advance the conversion of a significant portion of the existing Indicated Mineral Resources into Probable Mineral Reserves. Following the completion of this Technical Report, Aura increased the Mineral Reserve base by 82% for approximately 1.5 million ounces of gold.

Highlights of the Updated Feasibility Study and the Project:

  • Strong Reserve Base: The Feasibility Study includes updated Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates under “SEC S-K 1300 definitions” for the comprising Probable Reserves of 40.7Mt at 1.13g/t Au containing approximately 1,479Koz. gold.
  • Life of Mine 20 Years and 5 months: Weighted average annual gold production is estimated at 65 koz, with an estimated LOM of 20.5 years, based on Mineral Reserves estimated in accordance with S-K 1300 guidelines.
  • Robust Project Economics: Net present value (“NPV”) of US$612.5 million (from 182 million of the previous FS) and after-tax IRR of 42.8% when using the weighted average gold price of USD 2,274/Oz considering all the operational years and the exchange rate used was BRL 5.70 for USD 1.00 in 2025 onwards.
  • Exploration Potential Remains: The ore body of the Borborema deposit remains open along strike and down dip. Aura believes the project will benefit from additional drilling both to extend the Mineral Resource’s footprint and also to add more contained ounces within the current envelope of mineralization.

Rodrigo Barbosa, President and CEO of Aura, comments, "This agreement is a major milestone that significantly accelerates value creation at Borborema. Since acquiring the project, we recognized its substantial upside potential — exactly why we designed and built a fully expandable plant from the outset. With the updated reserve now at 1.5 million ounces — 82% larger than our previous feasibility study — we are immediately advancing engineering and water-access solutions to increase capacity, while progressing the road relocation. Borborema perfectly demonstrates our strategy: start production as quickly as possible, generate positive cash flow in a de-risked environment, and then unlock further upside. Looking ahead, we continue to explore additional opportunities, including a review of the mine plan with new cut-off grades based on higher gold prices, which should further improve our reserves. A new Resources & Reserves report is expected by the end of Q1, concurrent with the publication of our 20F. We remain committed to executing the project responsibly and in full alignment with our Aura 360° Mining philosophy."

Updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates

The updated resource block model gold grade was modelled by SRK using Ordinary Kriging (OK) methodology constrained within nested grade shells at 0.2 g/t, 0.5 g/t, and 1.0 g/t indicatory grade shells.

SRK used a nested, soft-boundary grade shell technique with shells at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g/t Au to limit the influence of variable Au grades in the broader mineralized volume which displays general lower grade attributes. Raw drilling data was composted to 2 m lengths with upper capping applied at 20 g/t Au. Kriging neighborhoods and variography were determined for each nested grade shell. The Feasibility Study block model showed acceptable validation against composited and raw data with acceptable smoothing and is considered suitable for use in reporting of Mineral Resources.


Longitudinal View of Au Grade Shells, Viewing West (Source: SRK)

SRK utilized an oxidation boundary surface constructed in 2012 by Crusader (Cascar) to discriminate oxide from sulfide mineralization as the logging data was considered too variable and of lower confidence to construct this surface. The oxidation model is utilized to code bulk density as well.

Mineral Resources are classified in accordance with S-K 1300 definitions into Indicated and Inferred categories based on identified uncertainty and risks.

In order to establish reasonable prospects for economic extraction (RPEE) as per S-K 1300 definitions of Mineral Resources, SRK applied an economic cut-off grade (CoG) to blocks constrained within an economic pit shell on the Borborema property. This shell utilizes a 1.0 revenue factor, 37-degree slope on the west and 60-degree slope on the east, 2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) mining rate, and 5% discount rate. A long section of the resource pit shell is shown in figure below.


Long Section, Looking West of the Economic Pit Shell. Inset Image Shows Cross Section, Looking North (Source; SRK)

Below is a cross section show the Mineral Resource pit vs. the Mineral Reserve pit shell.


A Cross Section (Local Grid) of Reserve and Resource Pit Shell (Source: SRK)

The Feasibility Study includes Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates for the Borborema deposit under S-K 1300 guidelines. Only Indicated Mineral Resources was considered for purpose of the Feasibility Study. A summary of the Borborema Mineral Resources estimates which are used in the Feasibility Study are shown in table below.

Borborema Mineral Resource Estimate* as of January 31, 2023

CLASS Au Cut off Grade OXIDATION MASS
(Mt)
AVERAGE GRADE
(Au g/t)
TOTAL METAL
(Au koz)
INDICATED 0.33 g/t
OXIDE 0.3 0.69 6.9
  SULFIDE 16.4 0.80 419.2
  TOTAL 16.7 0.80 426.1
INFERRED 0.33 g/t
OXIDE 0.1 0.83 1.9
  SULFIDE 10.7 1.12 387.3
  TOTAL 10.8 1.12 389.4


* Notes:
  1. Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
  2. Mineral Resources have been categorized classified as Indicated or Inferred subject to the opinion of a Qualified Person based on the quality of informing data for the estimate, consistency of geological/grade distribution, data quality, and have been validated using visual and statistical analyses.
  3. Tonnage and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate, and numbers may not be added due to rounding.
  4. 100% metal recovery assumption is applied for the Mineral Resources statement.
  5. The economic CoG for Mineral Resources is based on the long-term outlook sale price of US$1,800/troy ounce of gold, 5% mine dilution, 92.1% recovery, average mining costs of US$2.00/t, processing costs of US$14.82/t, G&A of US$1.38, and sustaining capital costs of US$0.62/t.
  6. An overall 61° (east side) and 37° (west side) pit slope angle, 0% mining dilution, and 100% mining recovery.
  7. Mineral Resources were reported above the economic 0.33 g/t Au CoG and are constrained by an optimized pit shell.
  8. The Qualified Person for Mineral Resources is Erik Ronald, P. Geo. (PGO #3050), Principal Consultant with SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. based in Denver, USA.
     

Mineral Reserves suitable for open pit mining methods were estimated through a comprehensive optimization exercise, utilizing Indicated Mineral Resources from the block model provided by SRK Consulting. These Mineral Reserves are defined within detailed engineered pit designs and life-of-mine (LOM) plans that are based on the optimized pit shells. Mineral Reserves within these engineered pit designs were calculated using cut-off grades (COG) specific to each rock type, considering a gold price of US$ 1,472/oz with an exchange rate of R$ 5.2/US$ 1.0, with refining costs included. The Mineral Reserves are contained within two pits. A high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) limits the pit expansion to the north. However, the previously constraining paved highway (BR-226), as indicated in the prior Technical Report (TR), no longer restricts the pit to the south. A summary of the Borborema Mineral Reserves estimates included in the Feasibility Study are shown in table below.

   
Borborema Mineral Reserves Estimates* (P&P) as of July 31, 2023*
 
BORBOREMA PROVEN AND PROBABLE (P&P) MINERAL RESERVES  
Reserves
Classification
Tonnage (kt) Au (g/t) Au (koz) Metallurgical
Recovery (%)
Proven - - - -
Probable 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1
Proven + Probable 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1


Notes:
  9. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves. These definitions are consistent with the definitions in S-K 1300.
  10. Mineral Reserves have an effective date of October 1st, 2024. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc., FAusIMM, an employee of Deswik.
  11. Mineral Reserves are confined within an optimized pit shell that uses the following parameters: gold price including refining costs US$ 1,472/oz; mining costs US$ 2.40/t weathered material, US$ 2.80/t waste fresh rock, US$ 3.20/t ore fresh rock; processing costs US$ 14.82/t processed; general and administrative costs US$ 2.8 M/a; sustaining costs US$ 0.62/t processed; process recovery of 92.1%; mining dilution of 5%; ore recovery of 95%; pit inter-ramp angles that range from 36 – 64°. Average bulk density of 2.7 t/m³.
  12. The point of reference for Mineral Reserves is the point of feed into the processing facility.
  13. Tonnages and grades have been rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
     

Mine Plan

The current open pit mine life is twenty years and five months, not including the pre-stripping period. The envisaged site layout plan is shown in Figure below including all pits, waste rock storage facilities and the following limits: current road, road bypass (BR-226 road) and high voltage transmission line (HVTL).


Site General Layout (Source: Deswik)

At Borborema Project, the orebody lies near the surface and extends to greater depths. The 20 year and 5 months LOM is planned for open pit mining.

The proposed mining operations will employ hydraulic excavators and a fleet of haul trucks with conventional open-pit methods. Excavated material will be loaded into trucks and transported either the Run of Mine (ROM) pad, the low-grade stockpile, oxide ore stockpile or the Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF). Weathered material is considered to be free dig with transitional material to be lightly blasted to loosen it for digging. Fresh rock will be typically blasted on 5 m benches for ore domain and 10 m benches for the waste domain. Mine scheduling assumptions are as follows:

  • Plant capacity: 2.0 Mtpy
  • The maximum proportion of oxidized material in the plant is 10%
  • Total material movement: approximately 16 Mtpy
  • Sink rate: 100 meters (5 benches of 20 meters)
  • Maximum capacity of sulfide stockpile: 5.0 Mt
  • Maximum capacity of oxidized stockpile: 1.0 Mt

The stripping ratio is 5.13:1 waste to ore at 0.9=RF(revenue factor). The mine production schedule delivers 40.69 Mt of ore grading 1.13 g/t gold to the mill over the LOM. Waste tonnage totaling 224.7 Mt will be placed in the waste rock dumps.

Mining costs, including the mining contractor charges, stockpile re-handling and grade control, are estimated to average US$2.78/t mined over the LOM.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by the QPs who were involved with preparation of the Borborema study: Homero Delboni Jr., SRK (U.S,), Inc., Farshid Ghazanfari and Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli.

The QPs are not aware of any known political, legal, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the project development.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Analytical work was carried out by two Certified Brazilian laboratories were contracted by Crusader for sample analyses: Bureau Veritas Laboratory (BV) and ALS Laboratory. In addition, check sampling was undertaken at Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd (Acme) in Santiago, Chile and by Bureau Veritas’ Ultratrace Laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. Big River used SGS GEOSOL Laboratórios Ltda (Rodovia MG010, Km 24,5, bairro Angicos, CEP: 33206-240. Vespasiano/MG.) for 2021-2022 drilling campaign.

Crusader QA/QC program comprised submitting sample blanks, standard reference samples, sample duplicates, and inter‐laboratory check samples. The rate of sample submissions for blanks and reference materials was 1 in 20 samples, duplicates 1 in 25 samples (only for RC holes) and interlaboratory check assays 1 in 10 samples.

The Big River QA/QC program included submittal of both blind and non-blind control samples into the sample stream being analyzed by the SGS laboratory. Big River maintained Internal quality control by inserting minimum of one blank sample in each batch and mainly after each mineralized zone, two standards (one high grade and one low grade in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%) and a minimum of two core duplicates in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%); (Duplicate samples analysis were requested to the lab after received the original results - average of 5 samples per hole).

The control sample assay results of the internal QA/QC program were monitored, including the CRMs, Blanks, and coarse duplicates. Additionally, systematic checks of the digital database were conducted against the original signed Certificates of Analysis from the laboratory.

Mr. Ghazanfari has reviewed the sampling and QA/QC procedures and results thereof as verification of the sampling data disclosed above and approved the information contained in this news release.

About Aura 360° Mining

Aura is focused on mining in complete terms – thinking holistically about how its business impacts and benefits every one of our stakeholders: our company, our shareholders, our employees, and the countries and communities we serve. We call this 360° Mining.

Aura is a company focused on the development and operation of gold and base metal projects in the Americas. The Company's six operating assets include Minosa gold mine in Honduras; Almas, Apoena, Borborema and MSG gold mines in Brazil; and Aranzazu, a copper, gold, and silver mine in Mexico. Additionally, the Company owns Era Dorada, a gold project in Guatemala; Tolda Fria, a gold project in Colombia; and three projects in Brazil: Matupá, which is under development; São Francisco, which is in care and maintenance; and the Carajás copper project in the Carajás region, in the exploration phase.

Rodrigo Barbosa
President & CEO
305-239-9332

Caution Regarding Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates

The figures for mineral resources and reserves contained herein are estimates only and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved, that the indicated level of recovery will be realized or that the mineral resources and reserves could be mined or processed profitably. Actual reserves, if any, may not conform to geological, metallurgical or other expectations, and the volume and grade of ore recovered may be below the estimated levels. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating mineral resources and reserves, including many factors beyond the Company’s control. Such estimation is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve or resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation. Short-term operating factors relating to the mineral resources and reserves, such as the need for orderly development of the ore bodies or the processing of new or different ore grades, may cause the mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period. In addition, there can be no assurance that metal recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in larger scale tests under on-site conditions or during production. Lower market prices, increased production costs, the presence of deleterious elements, reduced recovery rates and other factors may result in revision of its resource and reserve estimates from time to time or may render the Company’s resources and reserves uneconomic to exploit. Resource and reserve data is not indicative of future results of operations. If the Company’s actual mineral resources and reserves are less than current estimates or if the Company fails to develop its resource base through the realization of identified mineralized potential, its results of operations or financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) which include, without limitation, mineral resources and mineral reserve estimates and the economic analysis resulting from the Feasibility Study (including NPV, IRR and payback periods); expected production from, and the further potential of the Company’s properties; the ability of the Company to achieve its longer-term outlook; the amount of future production over any period and LOM, capital expenditure, AISC and mine production costs, the Company’s target leverage ratio for the Project; and the completion of the conversion of Dundee’s equity interest in the Project into a net smelter returns royalty.

Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict or control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements if such risks, uncertainties or factors materialize. The Company has made numerous assumptions with respect to forward-looking information contain herein, including among other things, assumptions from the Feasibility Study, which may include assumptions on gold prices and exchange rates, which could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements if such assumptions prove wrong. Specific reference is made to the Company’s most recent AIF on file with certain Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and the Technical Reports for a discussion of some of the risk factors underlying forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation the ability of the Company to achieve its longer-term outlook and the anticipated timing and results thereof, the ability to lower costs and increase production, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve business objectives, copper and gold or certain other commodity price volatility, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic conditions and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea6c6f86-614e-4249-83f2-4092fe0bbce7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf4d2d7c-c360-410b-b7a9-f2d63299dbc8

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8dd6b8eb-a73b-49c2-93c8-28b9b7d3de45

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea225e3d-837f-4e3f-8fc7-c3d4990c868a

Exhibit 99.2

 

Technical Report Summary on the Feasibility Study for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos

Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Report Date:

February 25, 2026

Effective Date:

September 19, 2025

 

 

Reported by:

 

B. Tomaselli, B.Sc., FAusIMM (Deswik, Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. Denver, USA

F. Ghazanfari, P. Geo. (Aura Minerals, 360 Mining)

H. Delboni Jr., Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)

 

78 SW 7th STREET, MIAMI FLORIDA 33131 USA

Telephone +1 305 239 9332 e-mail info@auraminerals.com

 

 

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2
List of Figures 10
List of Tables 16
1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 21
1.1   PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION 21
1.2   GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 21
1.3   DRILLING, SAMPLING & ASSAYING 23
1.4   DATA VERIFICATION 26
1.5   MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING 27
1.6   MINERAL RESOURCES 28
1.7   MINERAL RESERVE 35
1.8   MINING METHOD 37
1.9   RECOVERY METHODS 37
1.10   PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE 38
1.11   ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS 40
1.12   CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS 41
1.13   ECONOMIC ANALYSES 42
1.14   CONCLUSION 44
1.15   RECOMMENDATIONS 44
2   INTRODUCTION AND TERMS of REFERENCE 45
2.1   PROJECT BACKGROUND 45
2.2   QUALIFIED PERSONS 46
2.3   QUALIFIED PERSONS SITE VISITS 47
2.4   TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 47
2.5   UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS 48
3   PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION 54
3.1   PROPERTY LOCATION 54
3.2   MINERAL RIGHTS, MINING CONCESSION AND PERMITTING 54
3.3   SURFACE RIGHTS: ACCESS TO LAND 58
3.4   ROYALTIES AND EXPLOITATION TAXES 59
4   ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PHYSIOGRAPHY 61
4.1   ACCESS 61
4.2   CLIMATE 61
4.3   PHYSIOGRAPHY 61
4.3.1   GEOMORPHOLOGY 61
4.3.2   HYDROGRAPHY 67
 2

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

4.3.3   VEGETATION 69
4.4   LOCAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE 69
5   HISTORY 71
5.1   Prior Ownership and Exploration Development 71
6   GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION 73
6.1   REGIONAL GEOLOGY 73
6.2   PROPERTY GEOLOGY 75
6.2.1   DEPOSIT LITHOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 75
6.2.2   STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND DEFORMATION HISTORY 82
6.2.3   STRCTUCTUAL AND DEFORMATION COMPONENTS OF SAO FRANSISCO PIT 84
6.2.4   MINERALIZATION AND ALTERATION 86
6.3   DEPOSIT TYPES 89
7   EXPLORATION 90
7.1   HISTORICAL Exploration 90
7.2   EXPLORATION BY CRUSADER 90
7.2.1   MAPPING AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS 90
7.2.2   GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLING 91
7.2.3   GEOPHYSICAL INTERPRETEATION 92
7.3   EXPLORATION BY AURA MINERALS 98
7.3.1   GEOPHYSICAL MODELING 98
7.4   HISTORICAL DRILLING 101
7.5   CRUSADER DRILLING 103
7.5.1   TYPE OF DRILLING 105
7.5.2   DRILLING GRID, COLLAR AND DOWN HOLE SURVEYS 105
7.6   BIG RIVER DRILLING 107
7.7   HYDROGEOLOGY 110
7.8   GEOTECHNICAL DATA 111
8   SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY 113
8.1   CORE HANDLING, LOGGING, AND SAMPLING PROTOCOLS 113
8.2   DENSITY DETERMINATIONS 115
8.3   SAMPLE ASSAYING 116
8.4   QA/QC PROGRAM 116
8.4.1   Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-Bureau Veritas Assay Data (2011-2012) 117
8.4.2   Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-ALS Assay Data (2011-2012) 123
8.4.3   Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-Inter-Laboratory Checks (2011-2012) 127
8.4.4   Internal QA/QC Analysis for Big River Drilling (2021-2022) 140
8.4.5   External QA/QC Analysis for Big River Drilling (2021-2022) 143
9   DATA VERIFICATION 146
9.1   SITE VISITE 146
 3

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

9.2   COLLAR AND DOWNHOLE SURVEY 146
9.3   LOGGING 146
9.4   ANALYTICAL VALIDATION 146
9.5   REVERSE CIRCULATION TWIN REVIEW 147
9.6   STATISTICAL DATA REVIEW 149
9.7   LIMITATIONS 149
9.8   OPINION ON DATA ADEQUACY 150
10   MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING 151
10.1   INTRODUCTION 151
10.2   2011-2013 Testing Campaigns 151
10.2.1   Selected Samples for Metallurgical Testing 151
10.2.2   Testwork – 2012 Campaign 155
10.2.3   HDA – 2013 Campaign 175
10.2.4   ALS Metallurgy Kamloops – 2013 Campaign 177
10.3   ALS METALLURGY – 2016 CAMPAIGN 180
10.4   WAVE INTERNATIONAL/ALS AMMTEC - 2019 CAMPAIGN 185
10.5   Opinion of Adequacy 196
11   MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES 197
11.1   RESOURCE DRILLHOLE DATABASE 197
11.1.1   Assay 199
11.1.2   Bulk Density 200
11.2   EXPLORATORY DATA ANALYSIS 201
11.2.1   Compositing and Outlier Analysis 201
11.2.2   Statistical Analyses 205
11.2.3   Spatial Continuity 208
11.3   GEOLOGIC MODEL 212
11.3.1   Oxidation Model 217
11.4   BLOCK MODEL 220
11.5   GRADE INTERPOLATION 222
11.6   MODEL VALIDATION 224
11.6.1   Visual Comparison 224
11.6.2   Comparative Statistics 227
11.7   REASONABLE PROSPECTS FOR EVENTUAL ECONOMIC EXTRACTION 230
11.8   MINERAL RESOURCE CLASSIFICATION 233
11.9   MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT 234
11.10   MINERAL RESOURCE SENSITIVITY 235
11.11   SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY 236
11.12   OPINION ON MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES 237
12   MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATION 238
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

12.1   INTRODUCTION 238
12.2   Mineral Reserve Statement 239
12.3   Mineral Reserve Estimation 240
12.3.1   Reserve Block Model 240
12.3.2   Open Pit Optimization 240
12.3.3   Dilution and Extraction 241
12.3.4   Cost Parameters for Pit Optimization 241
12.3.5   Pit Optimization Mill Recovery 242
12.3.6   Cut-off Grades 242
12.3.7   Pit Optimization Results 242
12.4   Factors That May Affect the Mineral Reserve Estimates 244
12.5   Comparison with Previous Estimate 245
13   MINING METHODS 246
13.1   OVERVIEW 246
13.2   Geotechnical Considerations 246
13.3   Hydrogeological Considerations 249
13.4   Engineered Pit Designs 249
13.5   Grade Control 250
13.6   Production Schedule 251
13.7   Blasting and Explosives 255
13.8   Mining Equipment 256
13.9   Labour 257
13.10   Pit Dewatering 257
14   RECOVERY METHODS 258
14.1   Process Flow Sheet Selection 258
14.2   Process Design CRITERIA 260
14.3   Process Plant Description 261
14.3.1   Crushing and Crushed Ore Stockpile 261
14.3.2   Grinding Circuit 262
14.3.3   Gravity Concentration 263
14.3.4   Intensive Leaching 263
14.3.5   Leaching and Adsorption Circuit (CIL) 264
14.3.6   Post-Leach Tailing Thickening 264
14.3.7   Cyanide NEUTRALIZATION System 264
14.3.8   Detox Tailings Thickener 265
14.3.9   Filtering System 265
14.3.10   Acid Wash, Elution and Electrowinning Circuit 265
14.3.11   Gold Room 266
14.4   Reagents 266
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

14.4.1   Lime 266
14.4.2   Flocculant 266
14.4.3   Sodium Hydroxide 266
14.4.4   Hydrochloric Acid 266
14.4.5   Sodium Cyanide 266
14.4.6   Sodium Metabisulphite 267
14.4.7   Copper Sulphate 267
14.4.8   Activated Carbon 267
14.4.9   Milk of Lime 267
14.5   WATER and utilities 267
14.5.1   Raw Water 267
14.5.2   Potable Water 268
14.5.3   Process Water 268
14.5.4   Air 268
14.6   Conclusions and Recommendations 268
14.6.1   Conclusions 268
14.6.2   Recommendations 268
15   PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE 269
15.1   GENERAL SITE PLAN 269
15.2   ROADS 271
15.2.1   Regional Site Access 271
15.2.2   Detour of the BR-226 Highway 271
15.2.3   Process Plant Site Access 273
15.3   POWER SUPPLY 275
15.3.1   Electrical Power Source 275
15.3.2   Electrical Distribution 275
15.3.3   Main Substation 275
15.3.4   Secondary Substations 275
15.3.5   Emergency Power 276
15.4   SUPPORT BUILDINGS 276
15.4.1   Primary Crushing Area 276
15.4.2   Grinding Area 276
15.4.3   Leach and Detox Areas 279
15.4.4   Gold Room 280
15.4.5   Hydraulic Circuit 280
15.4.6   Reagent Areas 280
15.4.7   Mine Support Area / Truck Shop / Truck Wash 281
15.4.8   Waste Material Warehouse 282
15.4.9   Warehouse 282
15.4.10   Maintenance Shops and Changeroom 283
15.4.11   Storage Shed for Reagents 284
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

15.4.12   Explosives Storage and Handling 284
15.4.13   Fuel Station 286
15.4.14   Plant Administration Building 286
15.4.15   Main Gatehouse 287
15.4.16   Administrative Building 287
15.4.17   Mess Hall 288
15.4.18   Laboratory 288
15.4.19   Medical Clinic and Fire Brigade 289
15.5   SITE GEOTECHNICAL 289
15.6   WATER MANAGEMENT 290
15.6.1   Project Water Balance 290
15.7   MINE WASTE, LOW-GRADE ORE AND TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES 290
15.7.1   Low-Grade Stockpiles 290
15.7.2   Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF) AND TAILINGS STOREGE FACILITIES (TSF) 291
15.8   WATER SYSTEMS 294
15.8.1   Raw Water Supply System 294
15.8.2   Potable Water Supply 294
15.8.3   Fire Suppression System 294
15.8.4   Sewage Collection 294
16   MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS 295
16.1   Markets 295
16.2   Contracts 295
17   ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS OR AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS 296
17.1   INTRODUCTION 296
17.2   GENERAL OVERVIEW 296
17.3   Environmental permiting 297
17.3.1   Brazilian Regulatory Scenario 297
17.3.2   Environmental Licensing Status 298
17.4   ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STUDIES 300
17.4.1   Climate 300
17.4.2   Water Resources 300
17.4.3   Cyanide Management 305
17.4.4   Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) 305
17.4.5   Flora 306
17.4.6   Fauna 307
17.4.7   Social and Community 309
17.4.8   ARCHEOLOGY 314
17.5   land acquisition and agreements 316
17.6   MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INTERFERENCES 318
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

17.7   ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS 319
17.8   RECLAMATION AND CLOSURE 320
18   CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS 322
18.1   CAPITAL COSTS 322
18.2   SERVICES 325
18.3   SUPPLIES 325
18.4   MINE, PILE AND TRANSMISSION LINE 325
18.5   INDIRECT COSTS 325
18.6   Expansion capex 325
18.7   TAXES 325
18.8   OPERATING COSTS 326
18.9   LABOUR 326
18.10   G&A 327
18.11   LABORATORY 327
18.12   ACCESS MAINTENANCE 328
18.13   EQUIPMENT RENTAL 328
18.14   ENERGY 328
18.15   REAGENTS AND CONSUMABLES 329
18.16   MAINTENCE 330
18.17   WATER AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT 330
18.18   PILE, MINE AND SUSTAINING 331
18.19   SELLING 331
18.20   SUSTAINING CAPEX 331
18.21   Mine Closure 331
19   ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 333
19.1   Introduction 333
19.2   Assumptions 334
19.2.1   Product 334
19.2.2   Production 335
19.2.3   Capital Investment 335
19.2.4   Operating Costs 336
19.2.5   Revenue 337
19.2.6   Taxation 338
19.2.7   All-In Sustaining Costs 338
19.2.8   DISCOUNT RATE 338
19.3   Financial Analysis 338
19.4   Sensitivity Analysis 339
19.4.1   TORNADO ANALYSIS 339
19.4.2   TWO PARAMETERS ANALYSIS 340
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

19.4.3   CONCLUSION 341
20   ADJACENT PROPERTIES 343
21   OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION 344
21.1   Operational Pit by Periods 344
22   INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS 364
22.1   Geology and Mineralization 364
22.2   Mineral Resource Estimate 364
22.3   Mining and Mineral Reserves 365
22.4   Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing 365
22.5   Recovery Methods 366
22.6   ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY IMPACT 366
22.7   INFRASTRUCTURE 366
23   RECOMMENDATION 367
23.1   MINERAL RESOUCES 367
23.2   MINING AND MINERAL RESERVES 367
23.3   MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING 368
23.4   ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITIES IMPACTS 368
24   REFERENCES 369
25   RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT 373
26   SIGNATURE PAGE 374

 

 9

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

 

List of Figures

Figure 1: Longitudinal view of Au grade shells, looking west (SRK, 2022). 30
Figure 2: Longitudinal section, looking west, of the economic pit shell. Insert image shows cross section, looking north (SRK, 2022). 33
Figure 3: Grade tonnage curve for Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves at Borborema 35
Figure 4: General site plan 39
Figure 5: Borborema Project Map Location, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. 54
Figure 6: Borborema Project area comprising three mining concessions and surrounding claims. 55
Figure 7: Regional Claims of Borborema Project comprising the near-mine concessions and surroundings, and the Seridó Belt claims. Further west is the Iron Ore claims (Saquinho Mine surroundings). 56
Figure 8: Small farms around the São Francisco farm. In red are the properties of the Aura Borborema. 59
Figure 9: Geomorphological domains of Rio Grande do Norte state. 62
Figure 10: Relief patterns of Rio Grande do Norte state. 62
Figure 11: Domain of ridges and low hills, Gargalheiras dam (Acari/RN). 63
Figure 12: Residual landform of Acari pluton detached from flattened surface (Border of BR-227: Currais Novos/RN). 64
Figure 13: North edge of Borborema Plateau (representing remaining residual landforms (municipality of Currais Novos/RN). 64
Figure 14: Erosive escarpment of Serra de Santana; flat top of the Plateau (Currais Novos Municipality/ RN is observed). 65
Figure 15: Domain of dissected hills with boulders field indicating predominance of physical weathering (Municipality of Cerro Corá / RN). 65
Figure 16: Location of the Colinas Dissecadas and Morros Baixos Unit (R4a2) in the state of Rio Grande do Norte; (b) dissected hills in the municipality of Lages. 66
Figure 17: Seridó Oriental hydrography (Fonte: BEZERRA JR. 2008). 68
Figure 18: Regional geological setting (after Brito Neves et al., 2000). 74
Figure 19: Borborema deposit geology map (after Stewart, 2011). 76
Figure 20: (a) Well-developed gneissic fabric in Quartzofeldspathic-rich biotite schist. Note the PGB partial melt that is oblique to S1. (b) Folded biotite schist with a strong muscovite overprint (Stewart, 2011). 77
Figure 21: (a) Porphyroblast-rich horizon (S0) within cordierite schist package. Cordierite is strongly altered at this locality. (b) Massive cordierite-schist (Stewart 2011). 78
Figure 22: Photograph and sketch of altered cordierite porphyroblast with internal S1 fabric. S1 shows clockwise rotation and cordierite strain shadow is indicative of dextral shear and suggests syn-shear mineral growth during the development of D2 shears. S3 crenulations overprint the asymmetric S1 fabric (Stewart, 2011). 78
Figure 23: Cordierite-rich partial-melt infilling asymmetric boudinage dilatational site within mylonitic biotite schist (typical of zone mapped as Staurolite Schist). Boudinage geometry is antithetic (sinistral) with respect to D2 dextral shearing. Note the strong muscovite alteration (Stewart, 2011). 79
Figure 24: (a) Coarse andalusite porphyroblasts in folded andalusite schist horizon. (b) Well-differentiated quartzofeldspathic-biotite S1 fabric within andalusite schist and biotite schist (Stewart 2011). 80
Figure 25: (a) Quartz ribbons in mylonitic biotite schist folded by F3 with axial planar S3 biotite. (b) D2 mylonite in cordierite schist with dextral syn-shear cordierite porphyroclast and layer of boudinaged cordierite (Stewart, 2011). 81
Figure 26: (a) Pegmatite dykes cross-cutting biotite- and cordierite-schist. Note the S3 axial planar cleavage. (b) Tourmaline parallel to S3. (c) Gneissic fabric within quartz-staurolite schist. Staurolite porphyroblasts are dark-coloured sub-mm flecks. (Stewart, 2011). 82
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 27: Interpreted deformation history at Borborema (Stewart: 2011). 84
Figure 28: Photograph of the SW end of the Sao Francisco Pit. 85
Figure 29: Modified structural domains inside Sao Francisco Pit-Borborema Project (Holcombe, 2012). 86
Figure 30: Map of Sao Francisco-Borborema mineralized trend (SRK, 2022). 87
Figure 31: Structural context for gold mineralisation (after Stewart, 2011). 88
Figure 32: Soil-sampling and resulting gold anomalies at Borborema Project. 92
Figure 33: Geophysical reinterpretation geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt, showing distribution of major rock packages and the major structural elements (Stewart, 2011). 93
Figure 34: Geophysical interpretation of the eastern Seridó Fold Belt in the region immediately surrounding the Borborema mine (Stewart, 2011). 94
Figure 35: Distribution of major faults delineated by their generations. The thick grey package represents a zone of distributed D3 shear zones interpreted with the aid of regional traverses (Stewart, 2011). 95
Figure 36: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major D2 thrust faults, A high density of D2 thrusts occur north of the Borborema Fault and to the immediate north of the Patos Fault Zone. (Stewart, 2011). 95
Figure 37: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major D3 faults (Stewart, 2011). 96
Figure 38: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major dextral D3b faults. These faults truncate D3 faults but are overprinted by D4 faults (Stewart, 2011). 96
Figure 39: Proposed areas for collection of new high-resolution magnetic data. (Stewart, 2011). 98
Figure 40: Total field aeromagnetic data showing the boundaries of the areas selected for 3-D inversion. 99
Figure 41: Magnetic inversion models in regional scale. 100
Figure 42: Magnetic inversion models in deposit scale. 100
Figure 43: Historic drill hole locations at Borborema Project. 102
Figure 44: The Crusader’s drilling at Borborema Project 104
Figure 45: Examples of drill hole collar markers at Borborema – Caraíba and Crusader drilling. 107
Figure 46: Crusader’s survey base station for differential GPS (2012). 107
Figure 47: Plan view showing the location of diamond drill hole collars for all drilling campaigns at Borborema Project, Big River`s 2021-2022 drill plan are shown in green. 108
Figure 48: Long section of Borborema Mineral Resource showing Big River`s drill targets (green circles) and previous pit outlines (background lines) (adopted from Big River`s Press Release- July 26, 2022). 108
Figure 49: Typical vertical Cross-section (20210N) showing diamond drill hole CRDD-182 (adopted from Big River`s Press Release- July 26, 2022). 109
Figure 50: On-site drill core storage at Borborema Project. 114
Figure 51: Borborema core boxes in core shack. 114
Figure 52: IQ-LOGGER Tool for identifying marked core from oriented drill holes. 115
Figure 53: Sample bags prepared and ready to be shipped to the lab (Cascar, 2022). 115
Figure 54: Field blanks performance (Crusader, 2012). 117
Figure 55: Lab blanks performance (Crusader,2012). 118
Figure 56: Lab blanks (quartz wash) performance (Crusader, 2012). 118
Figure 57: Field duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012). 120
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 58: Pulp duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012). 121
Figure 59: Coarse rejects duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012). 122
Figure 60: Field blanks (ALS lab) performance (Crusader,2012). 123
Figure 61: Lab blanks (ALS lab) performance (Crusader,2012). 123
Figure 62: Field duplicates performance in ALS lab (Crusader, 2012). 125
Figure 63: Pulp duplicates performance in ALS lab (Crusader, 2012). 126
Figure 64: Comparison between original and re-assayed samples in BV lab (Crusader, 2012). 128
Figure 65: QC analysis flow chart (Big River, 2019). 130
Figure 66: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - all data (Crusader, 2012). 131
Figure 67: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - Au<10g/t (Crusader, 2012). 131
Figure 68: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS- Field Duplicates (Crusader, 2012). 132
Figure 69: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - Blanks (Crusader, 2012). 132
Figure 70: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS-CAS1 and CAS3 Standards (Crusader, 2012). 134
Figure 71: Example of ALS Standards Performance - SH55 (Crusader, 2012). 134
Figure 72: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by Ultratrace (Crusader, 2012). 136
Figure 73: Comparison between original BV assays versus ACME Lab-Pulps (Crusader, 2012). 137
Figure 74: Comparison between original BV assays versus ACME Lab-Coarse Rejects (Crusader, 2012). 138
Figure 75: Comparison between ALS Lab assays versus ACME lab-pulps (Crusader, 2012). 139
Figure 76: Internal QA/QC- Blank samples. 141
Figure 77: Internal QA/QC- Standard samples. 142
Figure 78: Internal QAQC- Coarse rejects samples. 142
Figure 79: Internal QAQC - Re-assays. 143
Figure 80: External QAQC-Blanks. 143
Figure 81: External QA/QC - Lab standards. 144
Figure 82: External QA/QC - Lab replicates. 145
Figure 83: Q-Q plot of RC versus DDH assay less than 5 g/t Au.  (Source: Big River data room, 2021). 148
Figure 84: North-looking vertical cross section showing RC and DDH holes coloured by Au grade. (Source: SRK, 2021). 149
Figure 85: Variability Metallurgical Testing Sample Locations Map. 154
Figure 86: Variability Metallurgical Testing Sample Locations Longitudinal Section. 154
Figure 87: Leach Test Procedures - Variability Testing. 169
Figure 88: Distribution of Gold Occurrences by Type. 179
Figure 89: Distribution of Gold Occurrence and Mineral Association. 179
Figure 90: Kinetic Response for Gold Leaching. 180
Figure 91: Oblique view of the Borborema Project site showing drill collar locations. 198
Figure 92: Log histogram of total Au population on the Borborema Property. 200
Figure 93: Raw sample interval lengths. 201
Figure 94: Log histograms of Au (g/t) by composite length. 202
Figure 95: Capping analysis on raw data. 204
Figure 96: Capping analysis on 2 m composites. 204
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 97: Oblique view of 0.1 g/t Au grade shell with drilling. 206
Figure 98: Log-histogram of capped Au composite values within the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell. 207
Figure 99: Variography within the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell – capped at 20 g/t Au. 209
Figure 100: Variography within the 1.0 g/t Au grade shell – capped at 20 g/t Au. 210
Figure 101: Longitudinal view of Au grade shells, viewing west. 213
Figure 102: SRK interpretation of grade shell mineralization. 214
Figure 103: North looking, vertical cross section showing oxide and sulphide zones with drilling. 219
Figure 104: Borborema block model extents. 221
Figure 105: Vertical cross section looking north showing blocks and drilling coloured by gold values (ppm Au). 225
Figure 106: Vertical cross section looking north showing blocks and drilling coloured by Gold Values (ppm Au). 226
Figure 107: Distribution comparison between composites (Left) and blocks (Right). 228
Figure 108: Swath plot for Au estimation - Ordinary Kriging (OK) versus Nearest Neighbour (NN) estimation. 229
Figure 109: Economic assumptions for Mineral Resource Cut-off Grade and economic shell (Deswik, 2023). 230
Figure 110: Long section, looking west of the economic pit shell. Insert image shows cross section, looking North (Source: SRK, 2022). 231
Figure 111: Cross Section at 20,400 North (Local Grid) of Reserve and Resource Pit Shell 232
Figure 112: Grade - Tonnage curve for Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves at Borborema. 236
Figure 113: Site General Layout 239
Figure 114: Pit Optimization Results 244
Figure 115: Geotechnical Mapping and Plot Stereonet from Borborema Project 247
Figure 116: Stability analysis of the western slope (overall) 248
Figure 117: Stability analysis of the western slope (inter-ramp) 249
Figure 118: Final Pit Design 250
Figure 119: Pushbacks 251
Figure 120: The simplified processing flow sheet. 259
Figure 121: Overall site plan. Source: Aura (2025) 270
Figure 122: Site access (Source: Google Maps). 271
Figure 123: Detour of the BR-226 highway. Source: EAC (2024) 271
Figure 124: Interferences Detour of the BR-226 highway. Source: EAC (2024). 272
Figure 125: Internal project site accesses. Source: Aura (2025) 274
Figure 126: Grinding area schematic view. 277
Figure 127: Grinding area section view. 278
Figure 128: Leaching area schematic view. 279
Figure 129: DETOX area schematic view. 279
Figure 130: Gold room layout. 280
Figure 131: View of the reagent area - From right to left: hydrated lime, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, sodium metabisulfite, and copper sulphate. 281
Figure 132: View of the cyanide area. 281
Figure 133: View of the flocculant area. 281
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 134: Waste material warehouse. 282
Figure 135: Warehouse. 283
Figure 136: Maintenance shops. 283
Figure 137: Changerooms. 284
Figure 138: Storage shed for reagents. 284
Figure 139: Explosives warehouse. 285
Figure 140: Explosives accessories warehouse. 285
Figure 141: Emulsion yard and sodium nitrite storage. 286
Figure 142: Temporary and definitive fuel station location. 286
Figure 143: Plant administration building. 287
Figure 144: Main gatehouse. 287
Figure 145: Administrative building. 288
Figure 146: Mess Hall. 288
Figure 147: Laboratory and support area. 289
Figure 148: Ambulatory and fire brigade. 289
Figure 149: Diagram of the raw water supply. Source: PROMON (2023b). 290
Figure 150: Low-grade Stockpiles. 291
Figure 151: General Layout 293
Figure 152: Route of the Wastewater Pipeline. 302
Figure 153: Vegetation Cover at the Borborema Project Site. 307
Figure 154: Points of Field Survey of Terrestrial Fauna. 308
Figure 155: Location of Jesus Maria Farm, Legal Reserve of São Francisco Farm. 314
Figure 156: Rock Paintings at Pedra Branca. 315
Figure 157: Subsurface Surveying in the ADA. 316
Figure 158: Lands Involved in the Federal Road BR226 Deviation 317
Figure 159: Sensitivity Analysis Graph – NPV. 340
Figure 160: Adjacent properties in 25 km buffer showing the Aura's claims by status in ANM and all other claims. 343
Figure 161: Year 0 344
Figure 162: Year 1 345
Figure 163: Year 2 346
Figure 164: Year 3 347
Figure 165: Year 4 348
Figure 166: Year 5 349
Figure 167: Year 6 350
Figure 168: Year 7 351
Figure 169: Year 8 352
Figure 170: Year 9 353
Figure 171: Year 10 354
Figure 172: Year 11 355
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 173: Year 12 356
Figure 174: Year 13 357
Figure 175: Year 14 358
Figure 176: Year 15 359
Figure 177: Year 16 360
Figure 178: Year 17 361
Figure 179: Year 18 362
Figure 180: Year 19 363

 

 

 15

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

List of Tables

Table 1: Historical drilling (DDH & RC) statistics in Borborema Project. 23
Table 2: Crusader and Big River (DDH &RC) drilling statistics in Borborema Project. 23
Table 3: Crusader drilling detailed statistics in Borborema Project. 24
Table 4: Laboratory analysis techniques used by Crusader. 25
Table 5: Drilling database on the Borborema Property. 28
Table 6: Assigned bulk density for the Borborema resource block model. 29
Table 7: Borborema block model parameters (SRK, 2022). 31
Table 8:  Summary neighbourhood search parameters by estimation pass (SRK, 2022). 33
Table 9: Borborema Mineral Resource estimate as of January 31, 2023, prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc. 34
Table 10: Mineral Reserve Key Modifying Factors Used on Pit Optimization Run 36
Table 11: Mineral Reserves Borborema Project, Effective Date October 1st, 2024 36
Table 12: Overall CAPEX Estimation. 41
Table 13: Road deviation CAPEX Estimation. 41
Table 14: OPEX for the Borborema Project. 42
Table 15: Project Cash Flow. 43
Table 16: Qualified Person Responsibilities 46
Table 17: Units, symbols and abbreviations 48
Table 18: Borborema Inc. land holding status. 56
Table 19: Borborema Inc. Mine and Regional Claims. 57
Table 20: Historical drilling statistics in Borborema Project. 101
Table 21: Crusader and Big River Drilling Statistics, Borborema Project. 103
Table 22: Crusader Drilling Detailed Statistics, Borborema Project 103
Table 23: Grid Transformation coordinates (UTMS24 SAD69 to Local Grid). 106
Table 24: Big River significant intercepts from 2021-2022 drill campaign. 109
Table 25: Bulk density values statistics used in Mineral Resource Estimation. 116
Table 26: Laboratory analysis techniques used by Cascar. 116
Table 27: Sample submission rate by Cascar. 116
Table 28: Table of field and laboratory (BV) standards. 119
Table 29: Table of field and laboratory (ALS) standards. 124
Table 30: Summary of laboratory check samples by Crusader (2011). 127
Table 31: List of Standard Samples. 133
Table 32: List of field standard samples and respective values. 141
Table 33: 2011-2013 Test Reports. 151
Table 34: Summary of Samples Used for the Metallurgical Tests. 152
Table 35: CRMET-001 – Head Sample Analysis. 155
Table 36: Gold Grade Samples CRMET-001 and CRMET-002. 155
Table 37: Multi Element Analysis by ICP. 156
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 38: CRMET- 001 Size Distribution "As Received". 157
Table 39: Maximum Recovery Results CRMET-001. 157
Table 40: Size Distribution and Gold Recovery by Fraction – Sample CRMET-002. 157
Table 41: Gold Tailings – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Gravity. 158
Table 42: Silver Tailings – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing. 158
Table 43: Gold Recoveries – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing. 159
Table 44: Silver Recoveries – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing. 159
Table 45: Gold Gravity Concentration Testing. 159
Table 46: Gold Gravity Concentration - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm. 160
Table 47: Silver Gravity Concentration - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm. 160
Table 48: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.125 mm. 161
Table 49: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.105 mm. 161
Table 50: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm. 162
Table 51: Gravity Recovery - Gold and Silver. 162
Table 52: Gold Tailings - CRMET - 002 - Leaching after Gravity Testing. 162
Table 53: Gold Recovery - CRMET -002 - Leaching after Gravity Testing 163
Table 54: Summary of Settling Tests Results. 163
Table 55: Summary of Flotation Tests Results. 164
Table 56: CRMET–005 - Head Sample Analysis. 164
Table 57: Gravity Concentration Results – Gold, Silver and Tailing GRG. 165
Table 58: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon. 165
Table 59: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon. 166
Table 60: Leaching Test Results – With Activated Carbon. 166
Table 61: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon. 166
Table 62: CN Neutralization Using Sodium Metabisulfite (SMBS) as Oxidant. 167
Table 63: Samples Used in the Variability Tests. 167
Table 64: Variability Tests Results – Oxide Samples. 169
Table 65: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples. 169
Table 66: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples. 169
Table 67: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – South Area. 170
Table 68: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – Centre Area. 170
Table 69: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area. 170
Table 70: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area. 171
Table 71: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - North Area. 171
Table 72: Variability Tests Results – Oxide Samples. 171
Table 73: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples. 172
Table 74: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples. 172
Table 75: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – South Area. 172
Table 76: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – Center Area. 173
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 77: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area. 173
Table 78: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area. 173
Table 79: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - North Area. 174
Table 80: Pilot Plant Sample - Size Distribution. 174
Table 81: Pilot Plant Sample - Gold Distribution. 174
Table 82: Gold Recovery by Size Fraction. 175
Table 83: Gold Recovery in Gravity and Leaching Tests. 175
Table 84: Statistical Summary of Gold Head Assaying. 178
Table 85: Summary of Gold Search Statistics. 178
Table 86: Summary of Cyanide Leach Conditions. 180
Table 87: Borborema Project: Unconfirmed Compressive Strength Determination. 182
Table 88: Comminution Test work – Summary I. 182
Table 89: Comminution Test work – Summary II. 183
Table 90: Gold Grade by Size Results. 184
Table 91: Head Assays. 184
Table 92: Summary Direct Leach Testing - Master Composite. 185
Table 93: Summary Direct Leach Testing. 186
Table 94: Summary Direct Leach Testing - Variability Sample. 186
Table 95: Loading Carbon Testing - Master Composite Sample. 187
Table 96: Sequential Batch CIP Test – Master Composite Sample. 188
Table 97: Flotation Tests Conditions and Results. 189
Table 98: Head Assay - Master Composite 189
Table 99: Screen Fire Assay Results. 190
Table 100: Head Assay - Variability Composites. 191
Table 101: SO2/Air (INCO) Cyanide Detoxification Test Conditions and Results. 192
Table 102: Mica Screen Analysis. 192
Table 103: X-Ray Semi-Quantitative Assay. 193
Table 104: Summary of Sample Inventory and Composition Interval. 194
Table 105: Summary of the Comminution Tests. 195
Table 106: Statistical Analysis of the Comminution Test Results. 196
Table 107: Drilling database on the Borborema Property. 199
Table 108: Assigned bulk density for the Borborema Mineral Resource Block Model. 200
Table 109: Summary Au and SG descriptive statistics by composite length. 203
Table 110: Summary length statistics for composite length analysis. 203
Table 111: Summary descriptive statistics for raw assay data. 205
Table 112: Summary descriptive statistics for 2 m composited uncapped and capped Au by mineralization Shell. 207
Table 113: Summary modeled variography by estimation zone. 211
Table 114: Summary statistical evaluation of the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell. 215
Table 115: Summary statistical evaluation of the 0.5 g/t Au grade shell. 216
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 116: Summary statistical evaluation of the 1.0 g/t Au grade shell. 217
Table 117: 2022 Borborema block model parameters. 220
Table 118: Summary neighbourhood search parameters by estimation pass. 223
Table 119: Statistical comparison of block and composited Au grades. 227
Table 120: Borborema Mineral Resource estimate as of January 31, 2023, prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc. 234
Table 121: Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserve Grade-Tonnage Curve for Borborema 235
Table 122: Mineral Reserves Borborema Project, Effective Date October 1st, 2024 239
Table 123: Pit Optimization Parameters 241
Table 124: Pit Optimization Run Results (In Situ Values) 242
Table 125: Recommended Inter-ramp Slope Angles 248
Table 126: Ramp-up Target Production 252
Table 127: Mine Scheduling 253
Table 128: Explosives and Accessories Consumption by Year 255
Table 129: Major Open Pit Equipment Requirements 256
Table 130: Mine Labor Peak Number 257
Table 131: Ore characterization. 260
Table 132: Project design criteria. 261
Table 133: Implementation Schedule Highway Modification 273
Table 134: Plant substations. 275
Table 135: Structures and concepts developed. 292
Table 136: Summary of analysis results 294
Table 137: Borborema Project Licenses and Permits Held by Aura. 298
Table 138: Description of Surface Water Sources. 301
Table 139: Summary of the Water Balance for the Process Plant. 302
Table 140: Surface Water Parameters. 303
Table 141: Distance of Indigenous Lands and Conservation Areas of Rio Grande do Norte from the Borborema Project. 313
Table 142: Lands Involved in the Increase of the NW-02 Tailings Stockpile 318
Table 143: Social and Environmental Plans and Programs. 319
Table 144: List of Areas to be Recovered. 320
Table 145: Closure Costs Summary. 321
Table 146: Overall CAPEX Estimation. 323
Table 147: Road deviation CAPEX Estimation. 324
Table 148: OPEX for the Borborema Project. 326
Table 149: Labour Cost Estimations. 327
Table 150: G&A Cost Estimations. 327
Table 151: shows the energy consumption costs for the Borborema Project. 329
Table 152: Reagents and Consumables Cost Estimations 329
Table 153: Maintenance Cost Estimations. 330
Table 154: CAPEX Sustaining 331
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 155: Mine Closure - Calculation. 332
Table 156: Contributors and Their Roles in Developing the Total Economic Model. 333
Table 157: Summary Results of the Financial Model. 334
Table 158: Summary of Production Plan. 335
Table 159: Initial Capital Cost Summary and Disbursement Schedule 335
Table 160: Working Capital Summary. 336
Table 161: Operating Costs Summary. 337
Table 162: Annual Revenue. 337
Table 163: All-In Sustaining Costs. 338
Table 164: Project Cash Flow. 339
Table 165: Gold Price x Exchange Rate (USD/BRL) 340
Table 166: Gold Price x OpEx 340
Table 167: Gold Price x Discount Rate 341
Table 168: Gold Price x CAPEX. 341
Table 169: OpEx x CapEx. 341
Table 170: NPV Sensitivity 341
Table 171: Borborema Project Program Cost Estimate 367

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

1EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Aura Minerals has prepared this Technical Report Summary (TRS) on the Feasibility Study for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This TRS conforms to United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Modernized Property Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants as described in Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K, Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary.

 

The most recent technical report on the Project was prepared by Aura in accordance with Canadian National Instrument (NI) 43-101 and was entitled “Feasibility Study Technical Report (NI 43-101) for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil”, dated October 5, 2023 (the 2023 Technical Report). There has been no material change to the information contained in the 2023 Technical Report, and Aura considers the Technical Report to be current. This Technical Report Summary presents information from the 2022 Technical Report in compliance with United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Modernized Property Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants as described in Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K, Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary. Aura has prepared this TRS to support a listing on the NYSE.

1.1PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

The Borborema Gold Project (Borborema or the Project), located in the southern portion of the state of Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, is situated 26 km east from the well-established town of Currais Novos, which has good infrastructure and a population of approximately 45,000 people.

  

The Project comprises three (3) mining concessions totalling 2,907.2 hectares. Most of the gold (Au) Mineral Resource based on the January 2023 estimate by SRK Consulting (US) Limited (“SRK”) is in mining concession numbers 805049/1977 and 840152/1980, with a small remaining portion located in mining concession 840149/1980.

 

1.2GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION

 

The Borborema Project area is situated in the top of the Seridó Group stratigraphy (the Seridó Formation) within a sequence of banded arkosic metapelitic schists, subjected to upper-amphibolite facies regional metamorphism. Mineral assemblages are dominated by plagioclase, potassium feldspar (K-feldspar) and quartz, with subordinate biotite, garnet, sillimanite, cordierite, muscovite and andalusite. This assemblage is indicative of high temperature (650-700°C) and relatively low pressure (3-4 kb) conditions.

 

Quartzo-feldspathic bands resulting from partial melts both crosscut and parallel the schistosity, dominantly in the more pelitic cordierite schists. Widespread retrograde sericite overprints the prograde mineral assemblage. The schists are intruded by Brasiliano-age pegmatite bodies.

 

During the Neoproterozoic the region underwent a complex tectonic evolution involving thrusting (D2) and transcurrent shearing (D3), as indicated by the presence of both low-and high-angle structures (the S2 and S3 foliations, respectively).

 

The main Borborema ore body has overall dimensions of approximately 600 m in the down-dip direction, 3,500 m along the strike, and averages of 50 m in thickness in the central and 30 m in thickness in the southern and northern parts. The Borborema deposit is located within a northeast-southwest trending shear zone and displays a penetrative north-northeast-trending fabric, dipping southeast at around 40 degrees.

 

The Borborema deposit has been drilled out at nominal drill spacing of approximately 50 m x 50 m. A total of 303 diamond drill holes and 921 reverse circulation (RC) holes totalling 109,090 m were drilled between 1979 and 2022 and were used to generate the Borborema 3-D models.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

In the Borborema deposit area (Sao Francisco historical pit) four distinctive structural and strongly deformed domains were identified:

 

·A shallow dipping, leucosome-rich hanging-wall zone with strong deformation features which is metamorphosed under amphibolite facies. The folding is tight. Crenulations and S-C fabrics in shear zones are abundant.
·A mylonitic zone (retrograde zone) cut with faults (D2b) developed along the main Sao Francisco Shear zone (D3). Stratigraphy has been overturned and thrusted and retrograde alteration is strong and dominant. The mineralisation mainly developed in the retrograde zone.
·A moderate to strong shearing zone with wavy shear fabric mainly developed within quartz-muscovite-biotite schist and on the footwall side of the Sao Francisco shear zone. Crenulation cleavages are abundant and dips steeper than in the shear zone. This zone is mainly barren and represents the main metamorphic event in lower amphibolite facies.
·A quartz-feldspathic footwall schist with meta-sedimentary origin and bedding, which can be labelled as a footwall schist where layering and bedding are clearly preserved. The host rocks metamorphosed under lower amphibolite and upper greenschist facies.

The mineralisation is strongly controlled by regional structure with secondary structures providing the preferred host for gold. In addition to the main mineralised zone, several thinner sub-parallel zones of with gold mineralisation were identified.

 

Two distinct gold mineralisation types are identified in drill cores: 1) disseminated free gold, and 2) gold in association with sulphide mineralisation represented by pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Additionally, the sulphide mineralization was observed in the outer contact between chert boudins and schist along with or within schist foliation.

 

The continuity of mineralisation observed in select diamond drill core shows a highly discontinuous nature. Sulphide-hosted gold (Au) appears primarily along psammitic schist foliations and around the perimeter of quartz veins and boudins. The visual inspection of sulphide mineralisation in core with correlated analytical results appears to indicate a relatively high concentration of gold in pyrrhotite such that a sub-cm scale zone of sulphide mineralization resulted in grades commonly exceeding 1 g/t Au.

 

The mineralised sequence has been subjected to a complex, multi-stage deformational history, with folded, sheared, dismembered and boudinage quartz and quartz-carbonate veins and veinlets commonly associated with the gold mineralisation.

 

The genesis of gold mineralization is poorly understood on a property and regional scale Some geologists who studied the geology of the deposit area in the past associated the gold mineralisation with peak metamorphism adjacent to D2 shear zones (Stewart, 2011), while others believe that the deformational event which accompanied gold mineralisation was an extensional event forming a linear dilatational feature (Baars, 2011). It has been suggested that the base metal sulphide mineralisation event may be independent of the gold event; the lack of direct correlation between gold and silver also suggests deposition in separate events or pulses. Other geologists concluded that a second shallow-dipping structure was associated with mineralisation that was separate from and oblique to the main shear zone. The shallowly dipping ore system lies in a strongly attenuated axial plane-parallel zone within the overturned limb of a large, inclined fold (Holcombe, 2012).

 

The deposit at the Borborema Project is a classic mesothermal/orogenic gold deposit type in a sheared and deformed Archaean to Proterozoic age greenstone belt sequence comprised of metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks units intruded by slightly younger post-tectonic igneous bodies.

 

Orogenic gold deposits are among the most important sources of gold production in the world. The geology of the Borborema Project area and its gold occurrences are strikingly like many other gold-bearing schist belts throughout the world.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Several companies have completed various exploration programs at the Project and surrounding region including Itaperiba Mármores e Granitos LTDA (1979-1983), Mineração Xapetuba (1984), Mineração Santa Elina (1994-1997), Caraíba Metais LTDA (2007), Crusader (2009-2012), Big River (2021-2022), and Aura Minerals (2022).

 

Systematic exploration mainly was carried out by Crusader and later by Big River which included mapping and structural interpretations, geochemical sampling, and drilling. Aura since the acquisition of the project in 2022, carried out regional geophysical modeling and will start more systematic exploration work in the acquired claims from Big River.

1.3DRILLING, SAMPLING & ASSAYING

Historical drilling on the Borborema Gold Project has been completed in various campaigns since 1979 by several companies including Xapetuba, JICA, Santa Elina, and Caraíba.

 

Table 1 summarizes these different drilling campaigns. Figure 43 shows the location of these historical drillings.

Table 1: Historical drilling (DDH & RC) statistics in Borborema Project.

Campaign Diamond Drilling Reverse Circulation Total
Company Year Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Xapetuba 1984 - 1990 13 264 198 4,545 211 4,809
JICA 1991 2 400     2 400
Santa Elina 1995 15 1,185     15 1,185
Caraíba 2007 75 10,528     75 10,528
Total   105 12,377 198 4,545 303 16,922

 

The diamond drilling was completed by conventional and wireline techniques using HQ and NQ diameter core except for the JICA drilling which used AX diameter core.

 

Crusader began drilling on the Project in August 2010 and drilled consistently until the end of 2012. Crusader drilled 1,235 m in 10 diamond drill holes for a metallurgical study. Big River drilled 13 holes to extend the known mineralisation at depth and increase the inferred mineral resources. Table 2 summarizes these drilling programs.

Table 2: Crusader and Big River (DDH &RC) drilling statistics in Borborema Project.

Campaign Diamond Drilling Reverse Circulation Total
Company Year Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Crusader 2010 - 2014 185 41,001 723 46,026 908 87,027
Big River 2021 - 2022 13 5,141     13 5,141
Total   198 46,142 723 46,026 921 92,168

 

The drilling was completed in various stages and for various purposes. Table 3 shows the detailed statistics of each drilling campaign. Crusader drilled 1,235 m in 10 diamond drill holes for a metallurgical study which is included in the resource building category since the results was used also for Mineral Resource estimation.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 3: Crusader drilling detailed statistics in Borborema Project.

Drilling Program Diamond Drilling Reverse Circulation Auger Drilling Rotary Air Blast Total
Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Resource 172 39,131 380 23,794         552 62,925
Condemnation     267 13,984         267 13,984
Exploration 1 253 76 8,248         77 8,501
Geotechnical 2 382             2 382
Metallurgical 10 1,235             10 1,235
Heap Leach Piles         48 250     48 250
Grade Control             98 238 98 238
Total 185 41,001 723 46,026 48 250 98 238 1,054 87,515

 

The diamond drilling has been completed by the wire line technique using HQ and NQ diameter core. Each core run was approximately 3 Meters and the core recovery in un-weathered rock was excellent. On average the fresh rock recovery in each hole was 97.9% with an overall average recovery of 96.9%.

 

The RC drilling generally used 5.5” drill-bits and some completed with 4.5” bits. The theoretical sample mass for each metre was calculated using the volume of the metre drilled, depending on the bit size, and multiplying it by the density of the material obtained from test work using drill core. The minimum recovery in the drilling contract was 85%, but in general the RC drill-holes achieved well above this, with minimal to no groundwater or voids in the area to cause major drilling problems.

 

All of Crusader’s drill hole collars were surveyed using a differential GPS (DGPS) by the Crusader surveying team. The collar positions for all located historical drill holes (e.g., Caraíba drill holes) were also re-surveyed by Crusader. The drill holes were picked up using a DGPS to an accuracy of greater than 5 cm. Crusader has also compiled a surface topography file with a similar accuracy.

 

Downhole surveys for Crusader and Big River diamond drill-holes at the Borborema Project were completed using a Devico Peewee wellbore electronic single shot survey system. The instrument works the same as a Reflex Easy- Shot unit and is to industry standards.

 

There is a little information available for sample preparation and QA/QC measures for drilling and sampling prior to the Crusader acquisition of the Project.

 

Prior to the Crusader acquisition of the Project, diamond core was selectively sampled at intervals from 0.55 m up to 3 mI based on the interpreted geological contacts. Longer samples were taken where lithologies were not considered to be likely hosts for mineralisation. Due to subjective selection of lithological boundaries and the likely open pit mining methods, Crusader sampled uniform 1 metre intervals for both RC and diamond drill core.

 

The core was cut in half lengthways with a diamond core saw. Half core was sent for assay, and the remaining half core was stored at the Project core shed. The vast majority of RC sample splitting was done at the rig by a splitter attached to the cyclone.

 

Two Brazilian laboratories were contracted by Crusader for sample analyses: Bureau Veritas Laboratory (BV) and ALS Laboratory. In addition, check sampling was undertaken at Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd (Acme) in Santiago, Chile and by Bureau Veritas’ Ultratrace Laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. Big River used SGS GEOSOL Laboratórios LTDA (Rodovia MG010, Km 24,5, bairro Angicos, CEP: 33206-240. Vespasiano/MG.) for 2021-2022 drilling campaign.

 

The analyses carried out by the four laboratories are summarised in Table 4 below.

 

 24

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 4: Laboratory analysis techniques used by Crusader.

Lab Lab Code Sample
Digestion
Finish Company Main
Element
Limit of detection
(ppm)
Use
Bureau Veritas FA001 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.001 Normal
ALS Au-AA26 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.01 Normal
ACME G6-50 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.005 QC
Ultratrace FA002 Fire Assay ICPM Crusader Au 0.001 QC
SGS FAA505 Fire Assay AAS Big River Au   Normal

 

The entire sample preparation for Crusader 2010-2011 and 2021-2022 drilling campaigns was carried out in designated laboratories.

 

Crusader’s QA/QC programme comprised submitting sample blanks, standard reference samples, sample duplicates, and inter-laboratory check samples. The rate of sample submissions for blanks and reference materials was 1 in 20 samples, duplicates 1 in 25 samples (only for RC holes) and interlaboratory check assays 1 in 10 samples.

 

A series of QC analyses on the QA/QC data was done by third party consultants and Crusader geologists. The Bureau Veritas assay results showed poor accuracy for the standards and contamination of the blanks. Investigation of the Bureau Veritas re-assays showed no improvement of the QC data. The re-assaying of the pulps by Ultratrace was better. Key findings from this exercise are summarised below:

 

I.Field duplicates show good repeatability, with almost 60% of assays within 10% precision limits. All field duplicates are RC chips.

 

II.Lab repeats are fairly good (64% of data within 10% precision limits), with limited bias.

 

III.Lab checks are fair, better for RC samples than core, but both data sets show scatter at higher grades where original assays are significantly higher than subsequent checks. This may indicate that re-homogenization of the sample pulp has not occurred.

 

IV.Blanks are reporting above detection limits (0.001 g/t Au) for both the Crusader internal blank and the Bureau Veritas QZ blanks. However, the highest value reported is 0.06 g/t, and this is an improvement on the Bureau Veritas laboratory.

 

V.No Crusader standards have been submitted.

 

VI.Ultratrace internal standards report within acceptable limits of 2 standard deviations from the expected mean.

 

VII.Based on the available data, the Ultratrace data appears to be both accurate and reports acceptable levels of precision.

 

VIII.Comparison of the original Bureau Veritas assays with the Ultratrace assays is poor, with only 28% of data falling with 10% precision limits (after removal of assays <0.1 g/t Au). However, the relative precision is consistent across the grade range at approximately 30% (see the T&H plot) and the relative bias is less than 5%. The bias is in favour of the Bureau Veritas assaying.

 

This study indicated low confidence in the Bureau Veritas assay data, and therefore 1,166 samples from all batches (1 to 9) were sent to ACME Laboratory in Chile, for umpire checks. Summary findings of the ACME QC data are as follows:

 

I.Blanks show no indications of contamination.

 

 25

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

II.It is difficult to comment on laboratory precision as the internal checks have returned codes of insufficient sample for nearly half (13) of the original 28 samples. Of these, 7 samples have check assays within 10% difference.

 

III.ACME results compare poorly with both sets of Bureau Veritas assay data (i.e., original and re-assays).

 

IV.ACME results compare well with ALS assay results.

 

V.ACME results compare favourably (with a few exceptions at the data extremes), with the Ultratrace re-assays.

 

VI.There is no difference (where there are sufficient samples) between pulp and coarse reject samples.

 

VII.There is a slight negative bias for pulp samples (i.e., original results higher than ACME results, particularly at higher grades). 34% of pulp sample pairs are within 10% precision limits.

 

VIII.There is a slight negative bias (i.e., original results higher than ACME results, particularly at higher grades). 35% of sample pairs are within 10% precision limits.

 

Despite the relative lack of confidence in the Bureau Veritas results it was concluded that enough volume of samples had been re-analysed at ALS and ACME with reliable results to enable a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource to be estimated. It was recommended that all Bureau Veritas samples used in the estimate be re-assayed at an Umpire laboratory for inclusion in future resource and reserve estimates. This task was completed by the ALS laboratory.

 

The Big River QA/QC program included submittal of both blind and non-blind control samples into the sample stream being analyzed by the SGS laboratory. Big River maintained internal quality control by inserting a minimum of one blank sample in each batch mainly after each mineralized zone, two standards - one high grade and one low grade in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%), and a minimum of two core duplicates in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%). Duplicate sample analysis, averaging five samples per hole, was requested after the original results were received.

 

The control sample assay results of the internal QA/QC program were monitored, including the CRMs, blanks, and coarse duplicates. Additionally, systematic checks of the digital database were conducted against the original signed Certificates of Analysis from the laboratory.

1.4DATA VERIFICATION

As part of the mineral resource validation and estimation, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (“SRK”) performed a data verification exercise. This included a site visit by the Qualified Person, review of drilling data, Au assay and SG data, review of select drill core, review of twin drilling data, review of data acquisition procedures, and interviews with site geologist. It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the raw drilling data used for estimating Mineral Resources has been adequately reviewed and classified in accordance with S-K 1300 guidelines. Items identified as potential project risks, low confidence data, or lack of historical production data is accounted for in the Mineral Resource classification.

 

Data verification performed by SRK included comparison of the drilling database by sample ID of gold grade found in original laboratory certificate data against corresponding values for gold with matching IDs in the assay database. From the certificate files provided, SRK identified 57,912 sample IDs in the certificates provided containing gold values that SRK could match IDs for in the database, representing 79.71% of the gold values in the assay database. Of those 57,912 matching sample IDs, 211 mismatched values were identified representing an error rate of 0.37% (99.63% match rate). SRK identified a low (0.37%) error rate between original source data found in certificates and the data in the assay database. In summary, it is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the assay database has been verified and is appropriate for use in Mineral Resource estimation.

 

 26

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

SRK reviewed the use of reverse circulation (RC) sampling alongside diamond drill core (DDH) data in the deposit to determine reliability of the RC data on grade and potential biases that may incur from RC sampling in a highly variable – moderate to high nugget deposit. In summary, it is SRK’s opinion that minor biases and dilution is likely occurring in RC holes. Additional reviews of collar, downhole surveys, logging, SG, and supporting data resulted in SRK’s opinion that the Borborema drilling database is suitable for use in estimation of mineral resources.

1.5MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

In the initial test work and studies for the Borborema Project resource model, the metallurgical or lithological domains were not evaluated. Samples for metallurgical tests were developed by selecting a grade, i.e., oxide, transition, or fresh, and then targeting head grades within each zone for that grade. Composite samples were then developed by combining cores from identified holes that would achieve the stipulated head grade. Although this approach identifies material with respect to head content, it does not necessarily develop samples that reflect variations in mineralogical species and spatial distribution. The studies of metallurgical tests to evaluate the behaviour of the ore and the definition of the process route started in 2010 with samples CRMET-001 to CRMET-036, conducted by the company Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processos. These studies supported the development of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) in 2012, prepared by CRA/TetraTech, for a 4.0 Mtpy project. These studies were used until 2016 and included hydrometallurgical tests, and tests to define the parameters of comminution, sedimentation, and filtration.

 

Subsequently, new samples were collected based on the lithological characteristics of the ore, with the aim of revalidating the initial information. This new metallurgical test work, identified by A17445, was performed to validate the mineral processing flowsheet and to expand understanding of the metallurgical variability of the Borborema Project ore body. The program was completed by ALS Ammtec in Perth, Western Australia between July and September 2019. The test work program comprised:

 

·Test work to establish optimal leaching conditions (particle size and cyanide concentration) master composite sample.

 

·Determination of reagent consumption under optimal conditions.

 

·Leaching in master composite samples for sequential carbon-in-leach (CIL), loading carbon, and cyanide detoxification parameter setting.

 

·Hydrocycloning and screen test to determine the behavior of the mica.

 

·Leaching performance on 10 samples of variability in a grind size with P80 ≤106 μm.

 

In addition to these tests, ALS Ammtec also prepared samples to be sent to Outotec for thickening and filtration testing. OMC performed a study for the comminution circuit to confirm the comminution behaviour with the option selected to achieve 2.0 Mtpy at a P80 106 μm grind size.

 

Test work was completed on master composite and variability samples prepared by ALS from eight boreholes that crossed the ore below the existing pit, and the samples were considered representative of the ore and average grade of these composites that were aligned with the long-term average grade of the mine operation.

 

An optimization test program was performed on Sample Master Composite and included the following:

 

·Preparation of samples for master composition and analysis of composites.

 

·Determining the appropriate test method.

 

·Grind optimization – cyanide leaching tests were performed on three grind sizes (P80 ≤ 90 μm, 106 μm, and 125 μm) to establish an optimal grind size.

 

·Leach optimization for size P80 ≤ 106 μm, initial cyanide concentration of 350 ppm, and leaching time of 36 hours.

 

 27

 

Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Previous work identified a high degree of variability with head-grade content determination. Investigative work carried out at ALS/Ammtec in Perth-WA identified that this was due to a very high concentration of gold in coarse particles. The use of the “metallic screen fire assay” technique provided reasonable consistency in the determination of head contents. The results of tests to evaluate the adsorption kinetics of gold on carbon indicate an adsorption rate compatible with industrial practices. No unusual loading characteristics were observed. The results of the gold loading tests on the carbon in the steady state are also within the norms practiced in projects of similar size in the gold industry.

 

The cyanide detoxification test was performed using the SO2/air oxidation process to determine the consumption of reagents and conditions to achieve the destruction of sodium cyanide in tailings. Test results for cyanide neutralization indicate that:

 

·The Air/SO2/Cu2+ method successfully reduces cyanide weak acid dissociable (CNWAD) to levels below 1 ppm.

 

·The lime dosage at 1.7 kg/kg SO2 proved to be efficient to adjust the pH of the sodium metabisulfite/copper sulphate/cyanide SMBS/CuSO4/CN- reaction.

 

·The addition of copper proved to be effective in eliminating dissolved iron.

 

Ten leaching tests were carried out to evaluate gold recoveries between zones and head-grades in variability samples. Results showed a gold extraction in the range of 90.2% to 97.9% with residues in the range of 0.01 to 0.28 g/t Au. Reagent consumption was low in all evaluated tests. The average consumption of cyanide was 0.24 kg/t and 0.46 kg/t for lime, which is in line with the consumption observed in tests with master composite samples. The test for evaluation of the analysis test method was proposed to define a method to evaluate the gold content during the execution of specific tests on the bench. This work was carried out by ALS, in one master composite sample and eight samples for variability with different gold concentrations; for each sample the repeatability was defined. The results of the test work suggested that aqua regia extraction as a test method showed good results when gold contents are below 2.5 g/t Au.

 

The tailings disposal method proposes to include a thickener after the cyanide neutralization to recycle the water and produce a pulp with density favorable for filtration. The tailings sample tested reached densities around 54 to 55% solids (w/w). The Horizontal Vacuum Belt Filter technology was tested, and the flocculant application increased the filtration rate and, consequently, decreased the final cake moisture. It's possible to achieve higher filtration rates with cake moisture in the stipulated range.

1.6MINERAL RESOURCES

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (“SRK”), acting as third-party firm Qualified Person, performed the Mineral Resource Estimate in support of the Borborema Feasibility Study (FS) report with an effective date of 31 January 2023. All definitions for Mineral Resources comply with all disclosure standards for mineral resources under §§229.1300 through 229.1305 (subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K). All supporting drilling and geological data were provided by Aura and reviewed by the Qualified Person. SRK constructed the block model, performed grade shell modeling of mineralization, interpolation of gold concentrations, scripting of bulk density, assigning Mineral Resource classification based on SEC definitions, and calculated the Mineral Resource statement. The mineral resource block model was finalized in late 2022.

 

The drill hole database supporting the Mineral Resources contains 1,370 drillholes for 109,578 m across the entire property with 74,038 sample intervals utilized to inform the mineral resource estimate for Borborema. A breakdown of drilling method, number of holes and total meterage is presented in Table 5.

Table 5: Drilling database on the Borborema Property.

Drill Method No. Meters
AUG 48 250
RAB 98 238
DD 303 58,519

 

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

 

Drill Method No. Meters
RC 921 50,571
Total 1,370 109,578

Note: AUG = auger, RAB = rotary air blast, DD = diamond drilling, RC = reverse circulation.

 

There are 29,617 specific gravity (SG) measurements from drilling data in the database used in Mineral Resources. These measurements are collected from core by Crusader (Cascar) personnel using the immersion method via the specific gravity apparatus onsite. The SG data demonstrates low variance across all samples. Within the sulphide zone, the Qualified Person notes the generally unaltered nature and the lithologic similarity of the main two rock types hosting mineralization. Bulk density was applied to the resource block model by oxidation zone including allotment for the mineralised sulphide. The applied bulk density values utilized in the Mineral Resource block model by domain are shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Assigned bulk density for the Borborema resource block model.

Zone Bulk Density (g/cm3)
Oxide 2.65
Sulfide 2.76
Mineralized Sulfide 2.77

 

SRK reviewed raw, 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m composite lengths to determine material effect or bias on these various composite lengths. A 2 m composite was used for estimation of the 2022 Mineral Resource model. It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that use of a 2 m composite is considered appropriate based on the raw sampling intervals with the majority collected at 1 m length.

 

A comparative upper capping analysis was performed to review potential gold outliers and assess the potential estimation impact of gold capping. SRK selected multiple upper-end capping limits and various domains to assess local and global sensitivity and impacts of capping. Ultimately, a 20 g/t Au upper cap value from 2 m composited data was set as the upper capping limit within the broadly defined mineralised domain, defined by a numeric indicator model at a 0.1 g/t Au threshold. The impact of this upper cap resulted in capping of 54 composites, 3.3% total metal loss which obtained a 26% improvement in coefficient of variation (CV).

 

The Borborema Mineral Resource block model does not utilize a lithological model to confine the grade estimation but instead utilizes multiple gold grade shells to define estimation domains. This approach was used due to the inability to model lithostratigraphic correlations across the deposit. As the gold mineralisation is predominantly controlled by a primary structural zone trending north-south and dipping ~35 degrees to the east; it was this orientation that was used to define the grade shell directionality and trend.

 

The Mineral Resource block model utilized a minimum 0.2 g/t Au grade shell to constrain the estimation and thus, define the overall mineralisation envelop with potential for economic material. Within the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell, SRK has utilized two additional nested gold grade shells of 0.5 and 1.0 g/t Au that were also created in Leapfrog® Geo using the indicator numeric modeling tools (Figure 1). Parameters of the indicator grade shells include a 0.4 ISO value (probability), anisotropic trend aligned with the primary mineralisation zone at 35° dip and 90° dip direction. The indicator interpolant utilized a spheroidal model with a base range of 300 m.

 

SRK utilized an oxidation boundary surface constructed in 2012 by Crusader (Cascar) to discriminate oxide from sulphide mineralisation as the logging data was considered too variable and of lower confidence to construct this surface. The oxidation model is used to code bulk density in the Mineral Resource block model. SRK notes the surface is utilized to provide an approximate indicator of the transition but recognizes the confidence in the boundary is considered poor. Therefore, the simplicity of the oxidation boundary is in question and the Qualified Person has accounted for this uncertainly through Mineral Resource classification.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 1: Longitudinal view of Au grade shells, looking west (SRK, 2022).

The spatial continuity of gold grades across the Borborema deposit was assessed though experimental and modeled semi-variograms calculated using Leapfrog® Geo and Isatis software. SRK calculated multiple experimental semi-variograms investigating the sensitivity of continuity parameters to multiple thresholds on indicator grade shells and differences between drilling methods (DDH and RC).

 

Summary findings from the variography and grade shell sensitivity analyses includes:

 

·The nugget effect is relatively consistent across multiple sensitivity trials at 40% to 50% of the sill regardless of grade shell, capping, or exclusion of RC data. Given the known deposit style of orogenic gold, observed mineralisation in core, the two styles of gold mineralisation (free and sulphide hosted), and spatial distribution of grades, a high nugget effect is expected.
·Ranges are short, typically less than the 50 m. This is also the mean drill spacing across the deposit which indicates a relatively low range of continuity between samples. SRK notes that this is a common feature in some low continuity deposits where the range will appear correlated with drill spacing and may result in early-project over confidence at wider spacing.
·Anisotropy varies by grade shell with the lower grade shell thresholds (0.1 and 0.2 g/t Au) showing continuity trends along the main north-south structure while higher grade shell’s (0.5 and 1.0 g/t Au) show the major direction of continuity to be oblique of the north-south structure. This may support a theory of higher-grade, secondary shoots oriented oblique to the main structure.
·Use of the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell is considered satisfactory in delineating minimal mineralisation from areas of no or trace gold occurrences.
·A 0.2 g/t Au grade shell improves mean internal grade values by 20%, thus removing a material portion of low-grade material on the edges of the mineralised area.
·Overall, the mineralisation appears to be consistent along two main, sub-parallel zones with strike consistent with historical interpretation for the discrete two zones of higher grade.
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

SRK created a digital 3-D Mineral Resource block model using Leapfrog® Geo software. The model extents and block size were influenced by the property extents, geometry of mineralisation, previous block model (2012), expected selective mining unit (SMU), and mean data spacing across the deposit which is nominally 50 m. The updated Mineral Resource block model construction parameters are shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Borborema block model parameters (SRK, 2022).

Parameters (m) X Y Z
Origin 9745 19080 530
Offset 775 3350 400
Block Size 25 25 5
Sub-block size 5 5 2.5
Rotation None

 

The updated Mineral Resource block model gold grade was estimated using Ordinary Kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighted squared (IDW2) methodologies constrained within nested grade shells at 0.2 g/t, 0.5 g/t, and 1.0 g/t Au indicatory grade shells (Figure 1).

 

The aim of the nested grade shell approach is to constrain higher grade gold mineralisation into specific zones of occurrences while limiting the potential over-influence of outlier high grade composites to impact the mean block grades. Due to the lack of modeled structural and geological information, it is SRK’s opinion that the nested shell approach provides a satisfactory representation of gold distribution across the Borborema deposit.

 

SRK utilized a nested, soft-boundary grade shell technique with shells at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g/t Au to limit the influence of outlier data to the broader mineralised volume which displays general lower grade attributes. A multi-pass method was used for estimation based on domains defined by these grade shells. The pass method was implemented to ensure all blocks within the model contain grade and provide a quantitative means of assessing the relative confidence to aid in classification due to the less restrictive nature of each progressive pass search neighbourhood. Summary search neighborhoods by domain and pass are presented in Table 8: Summary neighbourhood search parameters by estimation pass (SRK, 2022).

 

No variable orientation was utilized due to the consistent planar nature of the mineralisation.

 

Mineral Resources are classified in accordance with definitions in S-K 1300 into Measured, Indicated, and Inferred classifications based on identified uncertainly and risks. Blocks are assigned a classification based on criteria listed below. The Borborema gold deposit does not contain Measured Mineral Resources at this time due to uncertainties related to:

 

·Lack of a lithostructural model in an orogenic gold deposit.

 

·Inherent variability of economic gold grades and relatively high nugget effect.

 

·Lack of supporting detail on the oxidation model supporting recovery assumptions for near-surface mineralisation.

 

·Lack of detailed topographic survey across the property.

 

·Lack of deposit-wide geochemical data to assess the potential for deleterious elements.

 

·Inconsistent geological logging across the property.

 

·Estimation not accounting for the two identified styles of gold mineralisation observed at the deposit.

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

The Borborema gold deposit contains Indicated Mineral Resources based on the following criteria:

·Validation of analytical gold data used in the estimate.

 

·Review of summary QA/QC supporting information.

 

·Use of diamond drill core for sample assay.

 

·Mean drill spacing less than or equal to approximately 75 m.

 

·Interpolated block gold grades supported by drilling data on all sides spatially.

 

·Volume within Qualified Person created Indicated classification volume.

The Borborema gold deposit contains Inferred Mineral Resources based on the following criteria:

·Validation of analytical gold data used in the estimate.

 

·Review of summary QA/QC supporting information.

 

·Use of diamond drill core or RC drilling for sample assay.

 

·Mean drill spacing less than or equal to approximately 100 m.

 

·Minor volume of mineralized material extrapolated at depth.

 

·Volume within Qualified Person created Inferred classification volume.

 

To establish reasonable prospects for economic extraction (RPEE) as per S-K 1300 definitions of Mineral Resources, SRK applied an economic cut-off grade (CoG) to blocks constrained within an economic pit shell on the Borborema Property. This shell utilizes a 1.0 revenue factor, 37-degree slope on the west and 60-degree slope on the east. A longitudinal section of the Mineral Resource pit shell is shown in Figure 2. Mineral Resources represent mineralized material within the Mineral Resource pit shell exclusive of Mineral Reserves and above an economic cut-off grade of 0.33 g/t Au.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 8: Summary neighbourhood search parameters by estimation pass (SRK, 2022).

General Ellipsoid Ranges (m) Ellipsoid Directions Number of Samples Outlier Restrictions Drillhole Limit Discretization
Interpolant Name Method Domain Max. Interm. Min. Dip Dip Azimuth Pitch Min. Max. Method Distance (m) Threshold Max Samples per Hole X
OK_Au_cap20_0.2GS_P1 OK 0.2 g/t Au grade shell 100 30 12 35 95 170 4 6 Clamp 50 10 3 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.2GS_P2 OK 0.2 g/t Au grade shell 100 40 10 35 95 170 3 6 Clamp 50 10 2 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.5GS_P1 OK 0.5 g/t Au grade shell 60 30 5 35 95 13 4 6 Clamp 50 10 3 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.5GS_P2 OK 0.5 g/t Au grade shell 80 60 10 35 95 13 3 6 Clamp 50 10 2 5
IDW2_Au_cap20_0.20GS_P3 IDW2 0.5 g/t Au grade shell 200 150 75 35 95 170 2 6 None       5
OK_Au_cap20_1.0GS_P1 OK 1.0 g/t Au grade shell 60 30 6 35 95 145 4 6 Clamp 25 10 3 5

Figure 2: Longitudinal section, looking west, of the economic pit shell. Insert image shows cross section, looking north (SRK, 2022).

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

The Mineral Resource statement is presented in Table 9 with an effective date of January 31, 2023.

Table 9: Borborema Mineral Resource estimate as of January 31, 2023, prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc.

CLASS Au COG OXIDATION

MASS

(Mt)

AVERAGE

(Au g/t)

TOTAL METAL

(Au Kt oz)

INDICATED 0.33 g/t OXIDE 0.3 0.69 6.9
SULFIDE 16.4 0.80 419.2
TOTAL 16.7 0.80 426.1
INFERRED 0.33 g/t OXIDE 0.1 0.83 1.9
SULFIDE 10.7 1.12 387.3
TOTAL 10.8 1.12 389.4

*Notes:

1.Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
2.Mineral Resources have been categorized subject to the opinion of a Qualified Person based on the quality of informing data for the estimate, consistency of geological/grade distribution, data quality, and have been validated using visual and statistical analyses.
3.Mineral Resources tonnages and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate, and numbers may not add due to rounding.
4.The economic CoG for Mineral Resources is 0.33 g/t Au based on the long-term outlook sale price of US$1,800/troy ounce of gold, 92.1% recovery, average mining costs of US$2.00/t, processing costs of US$14.82/t, G&A of US$1.38, and sustaining capital costs of US$0.62/t.
5.An overall 61° (east side) and 37° (west side) pit slope angle, 0% mining dilution, and 100% mining recovery have been used.
6.Mineral Resources were reported above the economic 0.33 g/t Au CoG and are constrained by an optimized resource pit shell with all material categorized as mineral reserves excluded from the resource calculation. The quantity of Indicated mineral resources listed above represents the Indicated mineral resources locationed outside the mineral reserve pit shell. The quantity of Inferred mineral resources represent Inferred located within the reserve pit shell and the resource pit shell. Inferred mineral resources are not considered to be of sufficient confidence for the application of reserve modifying factors.
7.The Qualified Person for Mineral Resources is the third party firm, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. based in Denver, USA.

 

The QP is of the opinion that with consideration of the recommendations summarized in Sections 1 and 23 of this TRS, any issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work.

 

The sensitivity of Mineral Resources to changes in the economic CoG is presented below through the grade-tonnage curve in Figure 3. As the economic CoG is at 0.33 g/t Au, any material changes to project economic assumptions may materially affect the Mineral Resource tonnage and average grades.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 3: Grade tonnage curve for Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves at Borborema

1.7MINERAL RESERVE

Borborema Project Mineral Reserve estimates as of October 1st, 2024, presented in this report, are based on the Mineral Resources provided by SRK. The key modifying parameters used to develop the open pit Mineral Reserves estimates as of October 1st, 2024 are summarized in Table 10.

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 10: Mineral Reserve Key Modifying Factors Used on Pit Optimization Run

Modifying Factor Value
Gold price US$ 1,500/oz
Gold Refining Charge US$ 28/oz
Royalties (CFEM¹) 1.5% of Gross Revenue
Exchange rate R$ 5.2:US$ 1
Costs  
Mining fixed US$ 0.20/t
Mining weathered US$ 2.20/t
Mining fresh rock ore US$ 3.00/t
Mining fresh rock waste US$ 2.60/t
Processing US$ 14.82/t processed
G&A US$ 2,753,173/year
Sustaining US$ 0.62/t processed
Plant recovery 92.1%
Mining recovery 95%
Total Dilution (planned and unplanned) 5%
Overall Pit Slopes 36.5 – 61.5°

¹ Note: CFEM is the Brazilian government royalty

Mineral Reserves within the engineered pit designs were reported using cut-off grades (COG) estimated by rock type, based on a gold price, including an allowance for refining costs, of US$ 1,472/oz and a R$:US$ exchange rate of 5.2.

A high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) limits the pit expansion to the north. However, the previously constraining paved highway (BR-226), as indicated in the prior Technical Report (TR), no longer restricts the pit to the south.

The Mineral Reserves are presented in Table 11. The Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with Canadian National Instrument (NI) 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of June 2011 and Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council on May 2014 (CIM, 2014), which are consistent with the definitions in S-K 1300.

Table 11: Mineral Reserves Borborema Project, Effective Date October 1st, 2024

Category

Ownership

(%)

Tonnage

(Mt)

Au Grade

(g/t)

Au Content

(koz)

Metallurgical Recovery (%)
Proven 100% - - - -
Probable 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1
Total 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1

 

Notes:

1.CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves. These definitions are consistent with the definitions in S-K 1300.
2.Mineral Reserves have an effective date of October 1st, 2024. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc., FAusIMM, an employee of Deswik.
3.Mineral Reserves are confined within an optimized pit shell that uses the following parameters: gold price including refining costs US$ 1,472/oz; mining costs US$ 2.40/t weathered material, US$ 2.80/t waste fresh rock, US$ 3.20/t ore fresh rock; processing costs US$ 14.82/t processed; general and administrative costs US$ 2.8 M/a; sustaining costs US$ 0.62/t processed; process recovery of 92.1%; mining dilution of 5%; ore recovery of 95%; pit inter-ramp angles that range from 36 – 64°. Average bulk density of 2.7 t/m³.
4.The point of reference for Mineral Reserves is the point of feed into the processing facility.
5.Tonnages and grades have been rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

The QP is not aware of any risk factors associated with, or changes to, any aspects of the modifying factors such as mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.

1.8MINING METHOD

The mine layout and operation are based on the following criteria:

 

·Two independent open-pit areas named Main Pit and North Pit

 

·Two independent Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF)

 

·Independent access from both pits to the mine run of mine (ROM)/crushing pad

 

·Low-grade stockpiling strategy near the ROM/crushing pad

 

·20-m height benches.

The life of mine (LOM) runs for twenty years and five months, disregarding the pre-stripping period. The basis for the scheduling includes:

·Plant capacity: 2.0 Mtpy

 

·Pre-stripping operation already started, considering an additional 5 months before plant start-up

 

·The maximum proportion of oxidized material in the plant is 10%

 

·Total material movement: approximately 16 Mtpy

 

·Sink rate: 100 meters (5 benches of 20 meters)

 

·Low-grade stockpile to increase head grade for initial years.
1.9RECOVERY METHODS

The proposed beneficiation plant design is based on metallurgical testing and designed for optimal gold recovery with low capital and operating costs. In its initial conception, a conventional circuit for feeding 4.0 Mtpy was foreseen, consisting of three-stage crushing, ball mill, CIL, and thickening and filtering for dry stacking of the tailings, including desorption by the Anglo American Research Laboratory (AARL) method and electrolysis. The current design is based on a nominal feed of 2 Mtpy of ore, assuming a crushing plant availability of 75% and 90% for milling/CIL and supported downstream operations by an emergency stockpile of crushed ore and reserve equipment in critical areas. The Project includes single-stage primary crushing with a single stage semi-autogenous grinding (SSSAG) mill circuit at the 2.0 Mtpy stage to obtain a P80 of 106 μm product for cyanide leaching in the presence of activated carbon in obtaining gold recovery of 92.1%.

 

The beneficiation plant design incorporates the following unit process operations:

 

·Single-stage primary crushing to produce a crushed product size with 80% pass (P80) in 122mm.

 

·Belt conveyor to transfer the crushing product to feed a surge bin with a storage capacity of 500 t of ore. The recovery of ore from this bin will be through vibrating feeders and the excess crushed ore will be stored in an emergency pile with the material being recovered by a front loader.

 

·Grinding SSSAG in a closed circuit with hydrocyclones to produce a grinding size P80 ≤ 106 μm.

 

·Gravimetric concentration and intensive leaching circuit for the recovery of coarse gold, with a feed of 30% of the circulating grinding load.

 

·A hybrid circuit, incorporating a leaching tank and six tanks for leaching in the presence of activated carbon for gold adsorption.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

·Zadra Pressure elution circuit divided into a column for acid washing and a column for elution, with a capacity of six tonnes of activated carbon, electrolyte tank, electrowinning extraction, and precious metals smelting to recover gold and silver from carbon charged to produce bullion.

 

·Thickening unit to recover water containing cyanide and reduce consumption of cyanide itself and reagents for neutralization.

 

·Tailing treatment incorporating tanks for cyanide destruction using sodium metabisulfite/air/copper sulphate.

 

·Final thickening unit for adapting the tailings slurry to the optimal density for filtering and recovering cyanide-free water for the process.

 

·Tailings filtering station to obtain a cake with a moisture content of around 20% that will be transported to an intermediate pile, and subsequently recovered by mechanical shovel and transported by trucks to the disposal shared with the mine waste.

 

The crushing plant will operate with a nominal production of up to 304 tph, with an availability of 75%. Excess ore from the mill feed bin will be stored and retrieved from the emergency stockpile (approximately 12,000 t capacity) via a front loader (FEL) and belt conveyor to transfer the material to the SSSAG mill feed. The mill design was selected to produce a P80 ≤ 106 μm product with a nominal feed rate of 254 tph. The SAG mill will be equipped with a variable speed drive and will operate in a single stage (SSSAG) in a closed circuit with a set of five hydrocyclones in operation. After metallurgical tests confirmation of the presence of coarse gold in the feed, a gravimetric concentration and intensive leaching circuit will absorb 30% of the circulating load for the concentration of gold by gravity.

 

Based on metallurgical test work, a configuration of one leach tank and six tanks containing leached activated carbon (CIL) was adopted to achieve 92.1% gold recovery with consistently low tailings grades. The tanks will be identical in size with cyanide added to the CIL tanks as needed. The residence time will be 30 hours with solids density of 35% w/w. Atmospheric air will be sparged to maintain an adequate level of dissolved oxygen for leaching into the CIL tanks.

 

A Zadra-type elution circuit under Pressure (ZP), with two columns, one for the acid washing of carbon and the other for the elution of this pregnant carbon, was designed with the capacity to treat six tonnes of loaded carbon based on the metallic content of the feeding and recovery from gold extraction. An AARL-type circuit would be the initial option for offering greater operational flexibility. However, due to the uncertainty of the quality of water, with low concentrations of salts because of the use of wastewater from the city of Currais Novos, the option for ZP was chosen. Two electrowinning cells will operate one dedicated to the gravimetry circuit and the other to the CIL circuit.

 

The Air/SO2 system was selected as the cyanide destruction method after the tailings slurry undergoes thickening to recover cyanide-containing water and decrease reagent consumption. Subsequently, this neutralized pulp will be thickened again to recover cyanide-free water and thicken the pulp to suitability for filtration. With a higher percentage of solids in the tailings slurry, the efficiency of the filtering system will be facilitated to obtain dry tailings or tailings with low humidity of 20%. After filtering, the material will be deposited by a conveyor to form a heap in the shape of a bean, and from there it will be recovered by a front loader and transported by bucket truck to the disposal shared with the mine waste dump.

1.10PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE

The general site plan (Figure 4) shows the planned locations of the main Project facilities, including the gatehouse and administrative areas, primary substation, processing plant, wastewater treatment plant (WTP), filtration, mine support area, access roads, pit and piles. Access to the facility is from the south side of the property from road BR-266. The main access will be through the security gate near the process plant. The site will be fenced off to prevent access by unauthorized persons. The process plant is located west of the pit. The site plan design considered the site geography and terrain, and optimization of soil movement from cutting and for embankments.

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Figure 4: General site plan

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

1.11ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS

The Borborema Project is in a semi-arid region with an average annual rainfall of 695 mm and an annual evaporation rate of around 2,600 mm, resulting in a large yearly water deficit. The Project site is located about 172 km from Natal, 30 km from Currais Novos, and about 1-4 km from the local communities São Luiz, São Rafael, São Sebastião and Maxixe.

The Project area is not located in Conservation Units (Parks, Forest Reserves) or Indigenous Lands. There is a Traditional Quilombola community, called Negros do Riacho, located about 20 km from the project site and 7.5 km from the wastewater pipeline (sewage), that will not be affected, however deserves actions for the development of a positive relationship, in view of the attention and importance that traditional communities are gaining in Brazil and in the world

Aura owns the São Francisco and Pedra Branca Farms, which were sufficient to house the project structures. However, with the expansion of the Pit, the increase in the NW-02 tailings stockpile and the deviation of Federal Road BR 226, other lands will be needed to house them. Negotiations are underway. Other Farm, Jesus Maria, was also acquired to be a Forestry Reserve area and conducting reforestation, according to the Brazilian Forest Code and IDEMA - State Environmental Regulatory Authority requirements.

The water demand for the annual productions is 75.6 m3/h of raw water for the operational process. This demand will be met by wastewater (sewage) from the municipality of Currais Novos, which will be treated at the Sewage Treatment Plant in the Project area, and by rainwater accumulated in the fines dike (Granted Flow rate of 1.270.200 m3/year), located inside São Francisco Farm, owned by Aura.

Previous results of acid rock drainage and metal leaching tests performed by former owner of Borborema Project, do not suggest a potential for acid or alkaline generation, however, Aura has resumed testing and there are still a few cycles of kinetic tests on waste rock, low-grade and oxidized ore samples to be completed, which will define the next tests and ARD monitoring plans. To date, metal leaching is not a significant concern.

The Environmental Impact Study (EIA) and Environmental Impact Report (RIMA) were prepared in 2011 in which the main impacts of the Borborema Project were identified and evaluated and mitigating measures, plans, and environmental programs were proposed. The Project's areas of influence were defined, and field studies were carried out on the terrestrial and aquatic fauna, flora, water resources, historical and archaeological heritage, socioeconomic diagnosis of the region, and traditional populations, among others.

The presentation of the Project and the environmental impact study was held at a Public Hearing in the city of Currais Novos on December 05th 2013, which was very well received by the local population. After the public hearing and analysis of the study by the regulatory authority (IDEMA -Institute for Sustainable and Environmental Development of Rio Grande do Norte), the Preliminary License -LP No. 2011-047788/TEC/LP-0136 was issued in April 2017. On April 15, 2019, Installation License No. 2018-129191/TEC/0083 was issued, which has already expired. In March 2023, an update Installation License - LI nº 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181 was issued for the construction of the project for an area of 490 hectares and is valid until March 2028. Currently, the Borborema Project is in the final phase of construction and meeting all requirements of the Installation License and already has the Operating License- LO No. 2024-219477/TEC/LO-0639 that authorizes the mining and processing of gold ore for an area of ​​490 hectares.

For the 5.3 km Federal Road BR 226 deviation the permitting process has been initiated at both the federal and state levels. The agencies involved are DNIT (National Department of Infrastructure and Transport) and IDEMA (State Environmental Regulatory Agency).

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

1.12CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

The capex study presented has a variation of +10% and -10%. The capex estimate presented in Table 12 includes the cost for project execution, acquisition, construction, and commissioning of all facilities. The estimate was based on basic engineering of the disciplines of mechanics, electrical, civil, instrumentation and pipes. In addition to the quantitative and definitions coming from the consolidated basic project, other definitions of scope were considered together with Aura, such as the values of pile construction, mine and other costs, including indirect.

Table 12: Overall CAPEX Estimation.

Item Total %
Services (US$ x 1,000) $49,878.18 25,41%
Supply (US$ x 1,000) $67,691.61 34,49%
Mine, Pile and LT (US$ x 1,000) $39,962.51 20,36%
Indirect Costs (US$ x 1,000) $29,082.00 14,82%
Contingency (US$ x 1,000) $9,648.43 4,92%
TOTAL CapEx (US$ x 1.000) $196,262.73 100%

 

To allow the expansion of the project, will be necessary an additional cost to change the federal road, including its indirect. The costs are detailed in Table 13:

Table 13: Road deviation CAPEX Estimation.

Item Total %
New Road Construction (US$ x 1,000) $7,486.70 77%
Indirect Costs (US$ x 1,000) $1,342.90 14%
Contingency (US$ x 1,000) $883.00 9%
TOTAL CapEx (US$ x 1.000) $9,712.60 100%

 

Operating costs are shown in Table 14, in which the unit costs per tonnes/year are presented for labor, G&A, laboratory, access maintenance, equipment rental, water and sewage treatment plant, pile and mine.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 14: OPEX for the Borborema Project.

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Unitary Costs 31.00 100% 954.42 100%
Labor (Fixed Costs) 2.83 9% 90.99 9%
G&A (Fixed Cost) 2.07 7% 63.64 7%
Laboratory (Fixed Cost) 1.1 4% 34,00 4%
Access Maintenance (Fixed Cost) 0,00 0% 0,00 0%
Equipment rental (Fixed Cost) 0.20 1% 0,00 0%
Energy (Variable Costs) 1.69 5% 52.01 5%
Reagents and Consumables (Variable Costs) 3.81 12% 122.40 13%
Maintenance 0.97 3% 30.07 3%
Water and sewage treatment plant 0.69 2% 21.13 2%
Pile 4.11 13% 126.77 13%
Mine 12.31 40% 379.47 40%
Selling 0.01 0% 0.31 0%
Sustaining – Informative 1.21 4% 37.20 4%
1.13ECONOMIC ANALYSES

The financial model adopts the concept of project free cash flow, in which all the project's cash generation capacity is evaluated by countering this flow with a weighted discount rate (“WACC”) which reflects the average cost of sources of funds (cost of equity and third parties). The amounts in the cash flow were expressed in thousands of United States Dollars (USD x 1,000) and on a real basis (without inflation).

Based on a WACC of 5.0%, adopted by Aura, the net present value (“NPV”) of Aura Minerals amounts to USD 835.5 million.

Based on a WACC of 8.9%, technically calculated by EY, the NPV of Aura Minerals amounts to USD 612.5 million.

In both scenarios, it is possible to conclude that the NPV maintains a positive value for the rates presented above.

The results are summarized in Table 15.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 15: Project Cash Flow.

 

Source: EY

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

1.14CONCLUSION

After the evaluation, the NPV, at a WACC rate between 5.0% and 8.9% per year, resulted in a range with a minimum value of USD 612.5 Million and a maximum value of USD 835.5 Million. For this scenario, the gold price adopted has an average value of USD 2,274/Oz considering all the operational years and the exchange rate used was USD 5.70 in 2025 onwards.

1.15RECOMMENDATIONS

This Report and the results herein have been verified and approved by the QPs Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc. (P.Geo.), Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D., (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy), Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM) and SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.

 

Specific recommendations can be found in Chapter 23.

 

 

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

2INTRODUCTION AND TERMS of REFERENCE

Aura Minerals has prepared this Technical Report Summary (TRS) on the Feasibility Study for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This TRS conforms to United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Modernized Property Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants as described in Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K, Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary.

 

The Borborema Gold Project is in the southern portion of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The Project comprises three active mining concessions for the last forty years, totaling 2,907 hectares, and was acquired by Aura from its previous owner, Big River Gold, in 2022.

 

Borborema Project has a long and continued historic exploration program carried out by different companies since 1980. Preliminary resource models were constructed based on the results of the exploration work. Mineração Xapetuba LTDA mined the São Francisco open pit between 1984 and 1991 and reported that approximately 100,000 ounces of gold were recovered.

 

Aura reviewed all information received from Big River Gold (Crusader Resources). Aura performed additional metallurgical work and a preliminary mining study. The results of these studies are incorporated into this TRS. Information used in this TRS is listed in the References section.

 

The most recent technical report on the Project was prepared by Aura in accordance with Canadian National Instrument (NI) 43-101 and was entitled “Feasibility Study Technical Report (NI 43-101) for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil”, dated October 5, 2023 (the 2023 Technical Report). There has been no material change to the information contained in the 2023 Technical Report, and Aura considers the Technical Report to be current. This Technical Report Summary presents information from the 2022 Technical Report in compliance with S-K 1300. Aura has prepared this TRS to support a listing on the NYSE.

2.1PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Borborema Project is in the municipality of Currais Novos, in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The gold deposit is the focus of this Feasibility Study and will be the primary source of potential ore.

 

The following activities and project developments were completed by Aura between 2022 and 2023:

 

·Database validation and QA/QC review.

 

·Mineral Resource and Reserves estimation updates.

 

·Mining studies and pit optimization.

 

·Improvements in the processing studies with elaboration of the definitive and adequate flowsheet: comminution, leaching in the presence of active carbon, carbon elution, electrolysis, and smelting.

 

·The beneficiation plant will have an operational capacity of 2.0 Mtpy. The process plant includes crushing, grinding, classification, gravity concentration, leaching and adsorption (CIL), acid washing and desorption, followed by electrolysis and smelting.

 

·Preliminary estimates of capital and operating expenditures for the project, a discounted cash flow for the life of the project, a project implementation plan, and a site rehabilitation plan for the decommissioning of the project.

 

·Acquiring permits for a wildlife survey and the EIA/RIMA (Environmental Impact Study and Environmental Impact Report) general field survey.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

2.2QUALIFIED PERSONS

The following individuals, by virtue of their education, experience, and professional association, are considered Qualified Persons as defined in S-K 1300 and are members in good standing of appropriate professional institutions.

 

The Qualified Persons are responsible for the specific sections as follows:

 

Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc. (P.Geo.), Member of the Association of Professional Geologists of Ontario, Canada (PGO), Aura Mineral Geology and Resource Director (Geology), is the Qualified Person responsible for Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, and 25 and related disclosures in Sections 1, 2, 22, 23, 24, and 26.

 

Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D., (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy), Independent Senior Consultant (Metallurgy), is the Qualified Person responsible for Sections 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, and related disclosures in Sections 1, 2, 22, 23, 24, and 26.

 

Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc., Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM), Mining Engineer employed as a Consulting Manager with Deswik Brazil., is the Qualified Person responsible for Sections 12, 13 and 21, and related disclosures in Sections 1, 2, 22, 23, 24, and 26.

 

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. based in Denver, USA., is acting as the third-party firm Qualified Person responsible for Sections 9 and 11, and related disclosures in Sections 1, 2, 22, 23, 24, and 26.

Table 16: Qualified Person Responsibilities

CHAPTER NUMBER SECTIONS QUALIFIED PERSONS (QP)
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
2 INTRODUCTION Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
4 ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PHYSIOGRAPHY Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
5 HISTORY Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
6 GEOLOGICAL SETTING, MINERALIZATION AND DEPOSIT Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
7 EXPLORATION Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
8 SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES AND SECURITY Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
9 DATA VERIFICATION SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
10 MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
11 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
12 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
13 MINING METHODS Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
14 PROCESS AND RECOVERY METHODS Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
15 INFRASTRUCTURE Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
16 MARKET STUDIES Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

CHAPTER NUMBER SECTIONS QUALIFIED PERSONS (QP)
17 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS OR AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
18 CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
19 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
20 ADJACENT PROPERTIES Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
21 OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
22 INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
23 RECOMMENDATIONS Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
24 REFERENCES Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
25 RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
26 DATE AND SIGNATURE PAGE Farshid Ghazanfari, M.Sc., (P.Geo)
Dr. Homero Delboni, Jr. Ph.D. (MAusIMM – CP Metallurgy)
Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc. (FAusIMM)
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.

2.3QUALIFIED PERSONS SITE VISITS

Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, Qualified Person (Aura, Geology and Mineral Resources) has been involved with the Borborema Gold Project since 2018, as well as during the due diligence prior to Aura’s acquisition. Mr. Ghazanfari visited the Borborema Gold Project on a few occasions during the past three years. His most recent site visit was from November 8 to 12, 2022.

 

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. staff visited Borborema property between November 19 to 21, 2021.

 

Mr. Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, QP (Mineral Reserves), visited the Borborema property for 2 days between February 13 to 14, 2023. During this period the following were evaluated: road conditions, possible accesses to the site, potential location for the processing plant and for infrastructure, existing infrastructure conditions, pit and stockpile locations.

2.4TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

All measurement units used in this report are metric and the currency is expressed in US dollars (US$) or Brazil Real (R$). Units of measurement are listed in Table 17.

 

Location coordinates are expressed in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid coordinates using the SIRGAS 2000 Datum, Zone 24M, unless otherwise noted.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

The following terms and definitions are used in this report.

 

·Aura refers to Aura Minerals 360 Mining.

 

·Deswik refers to Deswik Brasil (Belo Horizonte, Brazil).

 

·SRK refers to SRK Consulting do Brasil (Belo Horizonte, Brazil).

 

·ANM refers to the (Agência Nacional de Mineração do Brasil).

 

·Ausenco refers to Ausenco do Brasil Engenharia LTDA (São Paulo, Brazil).

 

·TWSP refers to TestWork Desenvolvimento de Processos LTDA (São Paulo, Brazil).

 

·ALS refers to ALS Metallurgy (São Paulo, Brazil).

 

·HDA refers to HDA Serviços S/S LTDA. (São Paulo, Brazil)

 

·Promon refers to Promon Engenharia LTDA (São Paulo, Brazil)
2.5UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Aura has based all measurements in the metric system, exceptions to this primarily list both English and Metric standards. Currencies are generally based on the July 32, 2023, US Dollar, with the conversion exchange rate of 5.0 Brazilian Reals per 1 US Dollar for the long-term exchange rate unless otherwise stated. Dollars are United States Dollars, and weights are in metric tonnes of 1,000 kilograms (2,204.62 pounds).

 

Location coordinates are expressed in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid coordinates using the SIRGAS 2000 Datum, Zone 24M, unless otherwise noted.

 

The abbreviations used in this report are described in Table 17.

Table 17: Units, symbols and abbreviations

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
% Percent(age)
Inch
$ / USD / US$ United States Dollars
AA/AAS Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy
AARL Anglo American Research Laboratories
Ai Abrasion index
AISC All-In-Sustaining Costs
AIG Australian Institute of Geoscientists
AusIMM Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
AFRIMM Additional of Freight
Ag Silver
ANM

National Mining Agency

(Agência Nacional de Mineração)  

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
As Arsenic
AT Assay Ton
Au Gold
R$ Brazilian Reais
BWI Bond Work Index
Ca(OH)2 Calcium hydroxide
CAERN Water and Sewage Company of Rio Grande do Norte State
CAPEX Capital Expenditure
CFEM Financial Compensation for the Exploration of Mineral Resources (Compensação Financeira pela Exploração de Recursos Minerais)
CIL Carbon-in-Leach
CIM CIM guidelines
CIP Carbon-in-Pulp
CN Cyanide
CNWAD Weak acid dissociable cyanide
CP Chartered Professional
CPG Certified professional geologist
CRM Certified reference material
CSLL

Social Contribution

(Contribuição Social Sobre o Lucro Líquido)

Cu Copper
DCF Discounted Cash Flow
DDH Diamond Drill Hole
DETOX Detoxification
Dique de finos Dam designed to contain the fines dragged by the drainages in the rainy season
DFS Definitive Feasibility Study
DWI Drop-Weight Index
EBIT Earnings Before Interest and Taxes
EBITDA Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
EEE Sewage Pumping Station
EIA Environmental Impact Study
ETA water treatment plant
ETE Sewage Treatment Station

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
FAIG Fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists
FCFF Free Cash Flow to Firm
F80 Feed- 80% passing particle size
Fe Iron
FEL Front End Loaded Project Evaluation Study
FS Feasibility Study
ft feet
ft3 cubic feet
g gram
Ga Gigaannum, a unit of time equal to one billion years
g/cc gram per cubic centimeter
g/cm3 gram per cubic centimeter
g/L gram per liter
g/t gram per metric ton
G&A General and Administrative
GO Goias state of Brazil
GPS Global Positioning System
GRG Gravity Recoverable Gold
Hg Mercury
HTS Code Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code
Hz Hertz
IBC Intermediate Bulk Container
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
ID2 Inverse Distance Squared
ILR Intensive Leach Reactor
in Inch
IRPJ

Income Tax

(Imposto de Renda de Pessoa Jurídica)

IRR Internal Rate of Return
IPI

Taxes over industrialized products

(Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados)

ISO International Standards Organization
ISU International System of Units
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ITR Independent Technical Report
JORC Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Ore Reserves
k thousands
K-feldspar Potassium-dominant feldspars
kg kilogram
kg/t kilogram per metric ton
km kilometer
kPag kilopascals, gauge
kV kilovolts
kW kilowatts
kWh/t kilowatt-hour per metric ton
LI

License of Installation

 

LMC Linear co-regionalization model
LO

License of Operation

 

LOM Life of Mine
LP

Preliminary License

 

M Millions
m meter
m/h meter per hour
m2/tpd square meter per tons per day
m3 cubic meter
Ma Megaannum, a unit of time equal to one million years
MCW Meters of Column of Water
mg/L milligram per liter
mm millimeters
Mt or mt Million metric tons
Mt/a Million metric tons per annum (year)
mtpy Million metric tons per year
mV millivolt
MW Megawatts
NI 43-101 Canadian National Instrument 43-101
NPI Net Profitability Index
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
NPV Net Present Value
OEAS-ICP Chemical analysis method by plasma
OK Ordinary Kriging
ONAN/ONAF Oil Natural Air Natural/Oil Natural Air Forced
OPEX Operational Expenditure
Oz or toz Troy ounces
P80 Product- 80% passing particle size (0.106 mm = 150# Tyler)
PB Paraiba state of Brazil
PIS and COFINS

Recoverable taxes

(Programa de Integração Social – Contribuição para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social)

ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
PSA Pressure Swing Adsorption
QA/QC Quality assurance/Quality control
QP Qualified person
R$ / BRL$ Brazilian Real
RC Reverse circulation drilling
RIMA Environmental Impact Report
RN Rio Grande do Norte state
ROM Run-of-Mine
SAG mill semi-autogenous grinding mill
S Sulphur or sulphide
SEC U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SI International System of Units
S-K 1300 Report for mining disclosure according to SEC regulations
SMC test SAG mill comminution test
SO2 Sulphur dioxide
st Short ton (tn) = 907.185 kg
SUDAM

Amazon Development Superintendent Agency

(Superintendência de Desenvolvimento da Amazônia)

T or t Metric Tonne (1,000 kg or 2,204.6 lbs)
t/a or tpa metric tons per annum
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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

UNITS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
t/d or tpd metric tons per day
t/h or tph metric tons per hour
t/m³ tons per cubic meter
TDA Total De-clustered Average
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TMF Tailings Management Facility
toz Troy Ounce
Tpa or tpy Metric tons per annum/year
tph/m2 Metric ton per hour per square meter
TSF Tailings Storage Facility
TSS Total Suspended Solids
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system
VAT Value-added tax
WACC Weighted Average Cost of Capital
w/v Weight by volume ratio
w/w Weight by weight ratio
XRF X-Ray Fluorescence
y Year
Zn Zinc
yd3 cubic yards
µm micron or micrometer

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

3PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
3.1PROPERTY LOCATION

The Borborema Project, located in the southern portion of the state of Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, is situated 26 km east from the well-established town of Currais Novos and 35 km west from the town of Santa Cruz. The town of Currais Novos has good infrastructure and a population of approx. 45,000 people. The Project site is strategically located to benefit from direct access to the BR-226 federal highway linking it to the state capital Natal (172 km east, population approximately 880,000). The highway is a single-lane paved road in excellent condition and usable all year round fed by a network of well-maintained dirt roads providing access to all major areas within the Project.

 

Figure 5 shows the location of the Borborema Project area and access routes.

Figure 5: Borborema Project Map Location, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil.

3.2MINERAL RIGHTS, MINING CONCESSION AND PERMITTING

The Project comprises three (3) mining concessions totalling 2,907.2 hectares. Most of the gold (Au) Mineral Resource based on the January 2023 estimate by SRK Consulting (US) Limited (“SRK”) is in mining concession numbers 805049/1977 and 840152/1980, with a small remaining portion located in mining concession 840149/1980 (Figure 6). The last two mining concessions are currently in suspense and mining is inactive. The suspension requested awaits response from the National Mining Agency (“ANM”). It is intended that these two concessions be reactivated once mining activities commence.

Mining concession No. 805.049/1977 has a valid and active operating license (“LO”) issued by IDEMA, the state environmental authority, related to prior mining and beneficiation activities on the property.

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

In addition, Borborema Inc. currently holds other six (6) claims around the mining concessions (Figure 6 and Table 18), some of which has Final Report approved by ANM, with right to apply for Mining Concession granted (848.093/2013 and 848.208/2016). Claim 848.011/2015 has Final Report under ANM analysis and the other three claims are exploration licenses valid trough 2026 and 2027 (see detail in Table 18).

Figure 6: Borborema Project area comprising three mining concessions and surrounding claims.

Borborema Inc. also holds more 23 exploration licenses in the Seridó Belt (located in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba) and two (2) claims around Iron Ore Saquinho Mine, in the municipality of Cruzeta, further west in state of Rio Grande do Norte. These two claims are in phase of Final Report analysis by ANM, with Iron Ore resource estimated by historical drilling. Borborema’s

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Claims are summarized in Table 18 and detailed in Table 19 below. The map in Figure 7 shows all these claims the company holds up to date, comprising Borborema mining concessions and near-mine claims, Seridó Belt claims and Iron Ore claims.

Table 18: Borborema Inc. land holding status.

Project State No of Tenements Mineral Area (Ha) Area (km2)
Borborema & Near-mine RN 9 Gold 11273.83 112.74
Iron Ore - Saquinho Mine RN 2 Iron 3867.32 38.67
Seridó Belt RN-PB 23 Lithium 17373.42 173.73
Total   34   32514.57 325.15

 

Figure 7: Regional Claims of Borborema Project comprising the near-mine concessions and surroundings, and the Seridó Belt claims. Further west is the Iron Ore claims (Saquinho Mine surroundings).

The table below details the claims of Borborema, Iron Ore and Seridó Belt, which has different phases and status. Most of them has valid exploration license and some has final reports under analysis by ANM. After the final report is approved, the company has 1 year period granted for apply for mining concession with a PAE report (“Plano de Aproveitamento Econômico”).

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

Table 19: Borborema Inc. Mine and Regional Claims.

Claim Project Area (ha) Phase Status Expiry Date Company Municipality
848.053/2021 Borborema 1923.05 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 30/09/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.052/2021 Borborema 1945.65 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 30/09/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.208/2016 Borborema 1854.69 Final Report approved; Right to Apply for Mining Concession Right to Apply for Mining Concession 03/01/2026 Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.011/2015 Borborema 1489.69 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.007/2015 Borborema 154.62 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 03/04/2026 Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.093/2013 Borborema 998.93 Final Report approved; Right to Apply for Mining Concession Request for deadline extension under ANM analysis 10/04/2025 Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
840.152/1980 Borborema 1000 Mining Concession Mining Concession no expiry Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
840.149/1980 Borborema 907.2 Mining Concession Mining Concession no expiry Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
805.049/1977 Borborema 1000 Mining Concession Mining Concession no expiry Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
848.055/2015 Iron Ore 1934.35 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Cruzeta/RN
848.281/2014 Iron Ore 1932.97 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Cruzeta/RN
848.029/2019 Seridó Belt 1200.35 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 28/09/2026 Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
846.124/2018 Seridó Belt 1777.27 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 18/04/2027 Crusader do Nordeste Mineracao Ltda Frei Martinho/PB
846.316/2012 Seridó Belt 226.86 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Nova Palmeira/PB
846.313/2012 Seridó Belt 131.68 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Frei Martinho/PB
846.131/2012 Seridó Belt 723.59 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 21/06/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.130/2012 Seridó Belt 632.61 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.654/2011 Seridó Belt 734.53 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 21/06/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda São Vicente Do Seridó/PB
846.651/2011 Seridó Belt 912.93 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 21/06/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.644/2011 Seridó Belt 716.42 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Pedra Lavrada/PB
846.643/2011 Seridó Belt 40.12 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.640/2011 Seridó Belt 210.06 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN
846.639/2011 Seridó Belt 1081.98 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 02/05/2026 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Nova Palmeira/PB
846.638/2011 Seridó Belt 877.32 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Nova Palmeira/PB
846.637/2011 Seridó Belt 397.69 Exploration Permit Exploration Permit deadline extension under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Pedra Lavrada/PB
846.635/2011 Seridó Belt 1245.37 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 21/06/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Parelhas/RN
846.604/2011 Seridó Belt 6.68 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB

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Claim Project Area (ha) Phase Status Expiry Date Company Municipality
846.506/2011 Seridó Belt 937.86 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 21/06/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Nova Palmeira/PB
846.505/2011 Seridó Belt 1677.63 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.504/2011 Seridó Belt 799.84 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.503/2011 Seridó Belt 6.41 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.502/2011 Seridó Belt 391.41 Exploration Permit Valid Exploration Permit 16/04/2027 Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Frei Martinho/PB
846.227/2011 Seridó Belt 1839.13 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Picuí/PB
846.158/2011 Seridó Belt 805.68 Exploration Permit Final report under ANM analysis TBD* Cascar Brasil Mineracao Ltda Currais Novos/RN

*TBD = to be defined after ANM analysis

 

Regarding Environmental Licensing follow de main Licenses granted for mining and processing of gold ore to date:

 

·The Environmental License (Licença Prévia - LP) in April 2017 and updated 30 July 2018.

·The Installation License (Licença de Instalação - LI) was approved one year later in April 2019 by the State Environmental Regulatory Authority (IDEMA). The Installation License (LI) granted in April 2019 covers most of the three ANM mining concessions at 805.049/1977, 840.149/1980, and 840.152/1980.

·In March 2023, upon request of Aura, the Installation License was updated by IDEMA for a total area of 490 hectares (LI Nº 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181) located in UTM coordinates (SIRGAS 2000 Datum): 9,314,875.56 m N; 800,289.00 m E and linked to No. 805.049/1977, 840.149/1980 and 840.152/1980 Mining Concessions.

·On February 03, 2025, IDEMA issued the Operation License – LO Nº 2024-219477/TEC/LO-0639 that authorizes the mining and processing of gold ore for an area of 490 hectares.

Approximately 16 additional environmental permits have been requested and granted by IDEMA to complete the environmental licensing process for the Borborema project. For more details, see section 17.3.2.

3.3SURFACE RIGHTS: ACCESS TO LAND

Borborema Inc became the owner of Fazenda São Francisco, which has an area of 752.06 hectares and covers the entire Project area. As well as the properties adjacent to Fazenda São Francisco, totaling 151.70 hectares, comprising the Pedra Branca site – western continuation of the São Francisco farm, the Santo André site and the Mulungu site located south of the São Francisco farm.

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Figure 8 shows the São Francisco Farm area, the new Aura properties and other properties surrounding the venture.

 

 

Figure 8: Small farms around the São Francisco farm. In red are the properties of the Aura Borborema.

 

3.4ROYALTIES AND EXPLOITATION TAXES

 

CFEM is a “royalty” payment, like a tax, created by the Brazilian Federal Constitution as compensation for states and municipalities for the economic use of mineral resources in their territory. It applies to any individual or entity qualified to extract mineral substances for economic purposes.

 

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CFEM is calculated on the revenue of the value of sales when the mineral product is sold. Net sales are the sales value of the mineral product, less taxes (ICMS, PIS, COFINS, IOF and ISS), and insurance expenses incurred at the time of sale.

 

The rates applied on net sales or on the sum of direct and indirect expenses vary according to the mineral substance. For gold mining the applicable CFEM rate is 1.5% (one integer and five tenths per cent).

 

CFEM will be distributed according to the following percentages and criteria:

 

·Seven per cent (7%) for the mining sector regulator;

 

·One whole and eight tenths’ percent (1.8%) for the Centre for Mineral Technology (CETEM), linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations, and Communications, created by Law No. 7,677 October 21, 1988, for research, studies, and projects for the treatment, processing and industrialization of mineral goods;

 

·Two tenths per cent (0.2%) for the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), for environmental protection activities in regions impacted by mining;

 

·Fifteen per cent (15%) for the federal district and states where production occurs;

 

·Sixty percent (60%) for the federal district and municipalities where production occurs;

 

·Fifteen percent (15%) for the federal district and municipalities when mining activity and production does not occur in their territories unless in the following situations:

 

·Crossed by infrastructure used for rail or pipeline transport of mineral substances;

 

·Affected by port operations and loading and unloading of mineral substances;

 

·Where waste piles, tailings dams and mineral processing facilities are located, and other facilities provided for in the Economic Recovery Plan (PAE).

As part of funding or negotiations with old owners of Borborema Project, Aura has agreements with:

 

1)Dundee:

 

·1,5% until the production of 1.500.000 oz

 

·1,0% from 1.500.001 to 2.000.000 oz

 

·No charge for production above 2.000.000 oz

 

2)Gold Royalty:

 

·2,0% until 725.000 oz of production

 

·0,5% for above 725.000 oz of production

 

 

 

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4ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PHYSIOGRAPHY
4.1ACCESS

Access to the Project from both Currais Novos and Natal is via the BR-226 federal highway which crosses the Property. The highway is asphalt, marked, single-lane road that is maintained in excellent condition and is useable throughout the year. A network of cleared dirt roads provides access to all the main areas within the Project.

4.2CLIMATE

The Project has a semi-arid climate, with little or no water surplus is characterized by hot summers extending from October to March and warm and generally dry winters. The average annual rainfall is 695 mm, with a rainy season predominantly from January to April, but generally irregular. The average annual temperature is 27.5°C, with a minimum average of 18°C and maximum average of 33°C. The variation between the warmest months (October to March) and the coldest month (July) is approximately 8°C. The prevailing wind direction is from the south-east at an average speed of 1.4 m/s.

4.3PHYSIOGRAPHY

The Project is located on the Western Borborema Plateau. Relief is predominantly undulating with ridges and hills aligned toward the north-east. The altitude in the immediate mine area varies from approximately 470 m to 490 m above sea level. The environment has predominantly low erosion, with steep-sided smaller drainage systems and flat-bottomed large drainage systems. The thin soil (generally less than 40 cm) is poorly drained with a sandy upper horizon and a clay-rich lower horizon with corresponding low permeability. The soil is classified as a natric planosol (Bezerra Junior and da Silva, 2007).

4.3.1GEOMORPHOLOGY

The state of Rio Grande do Norte has a wide variety of landforms carved in the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Potiguar Basin and the older crystalline basement rocks. Based on the classification of Brazil’s Morphoclimatic Domains (Ab Saber, 1969), the Potiguar landform is inserted in two domains and a transition range. Mares de Morros Domain, which corresponds to the Coastal Northeastern Trays. Domains of the Intermontane and Interplanaltic Depressions of the Caatingas in the state territory were formed by four sets of morphological features; the flattening surfaces of the Country Depression plateaus are supported by sedimentary rocks, isolated saws, and Borborema Plateau. Interspersing these domains is an important morphoclimatic transition range, from the humid coast to the semi-arid hinterland, called Agreste Potiguar (Dantas & Ferreira, 2010).

 

Based on analysis of remote sensing data, field profiles, and previous regional-geomorphological studies (IBGE, 1995; ROSS, 1985, 1997), the state of Rio Grande do Norte was divided into seven geomorphological domains (Figure 9).

 

The state of Rio Grande do Norte has a total of 17 relief patterns, which are inserted in the various morphoclimatic domains referred to and represented in the State of Rio Grande do Norte Relief Pattern Map and served as a base for the state geodiversity map (Figure 10). Individual relief information was obtained based on an analysis of SRTM images (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission), with a resolution of 90 m, and GeoCover images, where the relief units are interpreted according to texture analysis and image roughness.

 

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Figure 9: Geomorphological domains of Rio Grande do Norte state.

Figure 10: Relief patterns of Rio Grande do Norte state.

Degraded, flattened surfaces (R3a2) have formed a set of flat and gently undulating landforms resulting from generalized weathering processes on various types of lithologies. These vast flattened surfaces are dotted with inselbergs (R3b), which appear in the landscape as isolated hills, rising in many cases hundreds of Meters above the regional surface floor.

 

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At the northwest boundary of the state are a set of isolated mountain massifs (R4c) with elevations above 300 Meters from the adjacent flattened surface. In the eastern region of the state, that borders with the state of Paraíba, there is a set of hills and low mountains (R4b) with gaps below 300 Meters which together with the plateau morphology (R2b3) (Figure 10), located more to the north, form part of the northern rim of the Borborema Plateau representing remnant landforms (and Figure 12) of that plateau.

 

In contact with the plateau landform is the imposing escarpment of the Serra de Santana, which represents a transition landform between different surfaces raised to different elevation levels, with an unevenness of approximately 400 Meters, and deposition of colluvial ramps and deposits with talus at the base of the escarpment (R4d). Serra de Santana consists of a plateau (R2c) (Figure 13) representing a fragment of a past summit surface capped by Neogene sandstones of the Serra do Martins Formation, with elevations reaching 750 Meters in altitude.

 

At the northeast Rio Grande do Norte state are a set of dissected hills (R4a2) (Figure 14) with convex-concave slopes and sharp tops varying in height from 30 to 80 Meters located on the threshold of the plateau domain. On the regional floor there are some boulder fields, indicating a predominance of physical weathering.

 

Figure 11: Domain of ridges and low hills, Gargalheiras dam (Acari/RN).

 

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Figure 12: Residual landform of Acari pluton detached from flattened surface (Border of BR-227: Currais Novos/RN).

Figure 13: North edge of Borborema Plateau (representing remaining residual landforms (municipality of Currais Novos/RN).

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Figure 14: Erosive escarpment of Serra de Santana; flat top of the Plateau (Currais Novos Municipality/ RN is observed).

Figure 15: Domain of dissected hills with boulders field indicating predominance of physical weathering (Municipality of Cerro Corá / RN).

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4.3.1.1Borborema Plateau

The Planalto da Borborema (Borborema Plateau) (IBGE, 1995), is in the eastern portion of northeast of Brazil, occupying an extensive area that covers part of the states of Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Rio Grande. It is a relief of degradation in a Precambrian crystalline massif, general direction north-northeast–south-southwest, with vast plateau surfaces (R2b3) raised in elevations that vary between 450 and 1,000 m of altitude, clearly visible in relation to the surrounding areas (MORAES NETO and ALKMIN, 2001).

 

Situated in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the Borborema Plateau along its northern edge, where relief ranges from 300 to 700 m, consists of an area quite dissected by erosive processes. This plateau morphology comprises a diverse set of relief patterns composed of hills and mountains of lower elevations (R4b), small crests and sparse plateau surfaces (R2b3) with plateaus (R2c) covered by Cenozoic covers, delimited by erosive short ridges (R4e) and mountain slopes (R4d), with some mountainous segments (R4c), representing residual reliefs remaining from the eroded highland. At the extreme north of the plateau area, interspersing the mountain domain, lies a set of hills dissected (R4a2) by the lowest relief of the area (Figure 16).

Figure 16: Location of the Colinas Dissecadas and Morros Baixos Unit (R4a2) in the state of Rio Grande do Norte; (b) dissected hills in the municipality of Lages.

In the highlands, pedogenesis (formation of thick and well-drained soils, in general, with low to moderate susceptibility to erosion) processes predominates. Sporadic erosion occurrences are restricted to accelerated laminar or linear erosion processes (ravines and gullies).

 

The eastern slope of Borborema Plateau is drained by the Potengi, Salgado and Japi rivers towards the Zona da Mata, northeastern Brazil. This is a slightly wetter area located on the windward slope of the Borborema Plateau, in an of agreste (a geographical subregion of transition between the forest zone and the hinterland of the northeast characterized by the semi-arid climate and the vegetation of the Caatinga) with intensive subsistence agriculture.

 

Due to this orographic barrier, the easterly trade winds climb the eastern slope of Borborema Plateau, causing more rainfall, especially in winter. The western slope – or interior slope – is drained by the Piranhas-Açu River to the Sertaneja Depression in localities like Caico. This region is regionally known such as Seridó, an area of progressive desertification process due to the complete loss of the meager ground cover and irreversible exposure of the outcropping rock.

 

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The semi-arid region located on the eastern slope of the Borborema Plateau, where the trade winds flow over the area without humidity, results in caatinga (semi-arid tropical vegetation, meaning white vegetation) (DANTAS et al., 2008). In the Borborema Plateau, Luvisols soils predominate, Chromic, Eutrophic Litholic Neosols and Argisols Eutrophic red yellows.

 

In this region of the Borborema Plateau are the cities of Currais Novos, Campo Redondo, Cerro Corá and Jaçanã. The regional economy is predominantly agriculture, arable farming and animal husbandry, and the mining of the scheelite in the municipality of Currais Novos, an important economic activity that in the area since 1940. The production of scheelite concentrate comes from mines and garimpos (artisanal mining) that occur mainly in metamorphic rocks within the Seridó Group.

4.3.2HYDROGRAPHY

The Borborema Project area is part of the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which covers a territory of 42,900 km² distributed between the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, with an approximate population of 1,552,000.

 

The basin has a semi-arid climate with average rainfall ranging from 400 to 800 mm annually, concentrated between February and May. Rain occurs in a few months of the year combined with the region’s geomorphology, characterized by shallow soils formed on a crystalline substrate with low storage capacity, is responsible for the intermittent character of the region’s rivers. In addition, the rainfall pattern tends to present strong interannual variability, causing alternation between years of regular rainfall and years of severe water scarcity, leading to the occurrence of water droughts. However, evapotranspiration rates are quite high and can reach over 2,000 mm / year, which causes a significant water deficit and is a key factor to be considered in the operation of reservoirs in the region.

 

The Piranhas-Açu River rises from the Serra de Piancó in the state of Paraíba and flows near the city of Macau in Rio Grande do Norte. Like most of the north-eastern semi-arid rivers, except for the São Francisco and Parnaíba rivers, the Piranhas-Açu River is an intermittent river under natural conditions. The continuity of its flow is ensured by two regularisation reservoirs built by DNOCS: Firstly, Coremas - Mãe d’Água in Paraíba, with a capacity of 1,360 billion m³ and a regularised flow of 9.5 m³/s and dam; and secondly, Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves (ARG), in Rio Grande do Norte, with 2.400 billion m³ and regularised flow of 17.8m³/s (Q 90%).

 

Throughout the water system formed by the river channel and its reservoirs called the Sistema Curema-Açu, various uses have been developed such as diffuse irrigation, irrigation in public perimeters, human water supply, animal desensitization, leisure, energy production, and aquaculture.

 

The Cristalina geological formation comprises the bedrock for most of the basin, formed by impermeable rocks with low water storage capacity and often of low water quality. The sedimentary formations, with higher porosity and, therefore, greater water storage capacity, are present only in two locations of the basin: a smaller area in the Peixe river sub-basin near Souza-PB; and a second location where the bedrock is the Jandaíra Formation, covering the Lower Açu region.

 

Another important source of groundwater is alluvial aquifers, which in most cases provide good quality water for human, animal, and irrigation supplies.

 

The Piranhas-Açu Basin covers, in full or in part, 147 municipalities, 102 in Paraíba and 45 in Rio Grande do Norte. These municipalities have a population of approximately 1,280,000, 67% in Paraíba. The average rate of urbanisation in the Basin is around 66% with most municipalities (75%) having less than 10,000 inhabitants. The largest city in the Basin is Patos (population 88,000). Other important cities are Sousa, Cajazeiras, and Pombal in Paraíba, and Caicó, Assu, and Currais Novos in Rio Grande do Norte.

 

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In the Piranhas-Açu River Basin, including the reservoirs Curemas-Mãe d’água and Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves, are 46 reservoirs (dams) considered strategic because of a combined storage capacity of over 10 million m³. This water capacity is required to enable the reservoir to cope with periods of drought, permitting adequate water supply between rainy periods.

 

The Seridó Oriental region is bordered by the Piranhas - Açu River Basin, which occupies a surface area of 17,498.5 km², corresponding to about 32.8% of the land mass the state of Rio Grande do Norte, and covers 33 municipalities comprising the entire central mesoregion and part of the Agreste region. The Basin’s head waters are at Serra do Bongá, Paraíba, enter the Rio Grande do Norte through the municipality of Jardim de Piranhas, and flow into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Macau (GRUBEN and LOPES, 2001). In the Seridó Oriental, part of the Piranhas-Açu Basin, is the Seridó River sub-basin which covers the entire area studied. The Seridó River sub-basin’s main tributaries include: Acauã River, Carnauba, São José, Barra Nova, Cobras River and Sabugi.

 

According to Guerra and Cunha (2003), a drainage system is characterized by the formation of slopes, tops, valley bottoms, canals, and bodies of groundwater, amongst others. These characteristics interconnect to form a surface that drains water, sediment, and materials into the river channel. Thus, the Piranhas-Açu basin can be characterized in two different ways – drainage in the Planalto and Depression areas. In the Borborema Plateau, the Basin has a radial drainage that flows from a topographically high point, meaning that most of the rivers of the Seridó Oriental have their headwaters at the edge of the plateau. In the depression area, rivers have a dendritic drainage pattern, noticeable in maps, with a tree-root appearance.

 

These rivers are very rectilinear, denoting a structure markedly controlled by the contours of the Plateau (Figure 17).

Figure 17: Seridó Oriental hydrography (Fonte: BEZERRA JR. 2008).

Due to the crystalline formation of the Seridó soil, the Basin has low subsurface water potential and has a fragile system, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the removal of vegetation cover on river slopes, as the soil can erode and silt the Basin water. Other natural factors contributing to the low water potential, besides the soil, is the semi-arid climate with its high hour/day insolation rate. Thus, the water deficit is estimated at 2,022 l/s for 2010, but 90% of this deficit comes from the Seridó River sub-basin (Gruben and Lopes, op. cit).

 

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These elements explain how the basin is mostly formed by temporary rivers. The natural characteristics of the Seridó Basin means that the natural water supply is unable to meet the needs of the entire population. For this reason, the seridoense hydrography is marked by reservoirs, such as those in Cruzeta (located in the municipality of Cruzeta) that store 35,000,000 m³ of water. The São José Creek Dam, Cruzeta, supplies rural and urban communities in the region for irrigated agriculture and small crops located downstream, close to the river.

 

These reservoirs include:

 

·Zangarelhas in Jardim do Seridó, capable of storing 7,916.00 m³ of water and damming the Rio da Cobra, thus supplying local communities, ebb crops, fish farms and diffuse irrigation.

 

·Parelhas Cauldron in Parelhas, which stores 10,195,600 m³ of water.

 

·Riacho dos Quintos’s dam, supplying Santana do Seridó and serving for ebb cultivation and fish farming.

 

·Boqueirao de Parelhas, also in Parelhas, with a capacity of 85,012,750 m³ of water, helps to perpetuate the course of the Seridó River, supplying Parelhas and other communities and is useful for fish farming, agriculture, and leisure.

 

Water bodies in the study area include several small dams identified in the Project area of influence, most of these are located near rural communities, and two are in the direct Project area of influence near the old pit area. These are the Onça Dam and São Francisco Dam. The main uses of water are artisanal fishing and animal desedentation.

4.3.3VEGETATION

In the Project region, the Hyperxerophilous Caatinga predominates - drier vegetation, with abundance of cactaceans, and smaller and scattered plants; and the Seridó Subdesertic Caatinga - the driest vegetation in the state, with bushes and low trees, thinning and more severe xerophytism.

 

The main ecosystem of the city is the Caatinga do Seridó, which is in transition between the countryside and Caatinga Arbórea, with medium and low trees, and an abundance of cacti and bare patches. The Subcaducifolia Forest is still present in the region, in the Serra de Santana region.

 

In these types of vegetation (Caatinga), the most common species are: pereiro, faveleiro, facheiro, macambira, mandacaru, xique-xique and black jurema.

 

The National Plan to Combat Desertification (PNCD) in Brazil defines desertification as land degradation in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid zones, resulting from diverse factors like climate variations and human activities. Currais Novos’ susceptibility to desertification has been categorised by the PNCD of Brazil as serious.

4.4LOCAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The Project is located approximately 26 km east of the regional centre of Currais Novos, a town with a population of approximately 45,000. The regional town of Campo Redondo lies a similar distance east of the Project along highway BR-226 and is much smaller than Currais Novos. Several small communities and villages are found closer to the Project site but often comprise only a few houses and families. The more significant of these communities include Maxixe, São Luiz, São Sebastião, Santa Rita, Santo André and Pedra Branca.

 

None of these communities, however, lie close enough to the Project to be impacted to any significant extent and instead should benefit from the future employment possibilities and improvements in infrastructure.

 

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The Quilombola community of Negros do Riacho lies approximately 10 km east of the Project. Quilombolas are small communities originally settled by escaped slaves during the 19th Century. Today these communities are recognised as traditional communities and as such protected by Brazilian law.

 

Twin high-tension power lines (230 kV) cross the Project area in its northern section. Low-tension power lines also reach the Project area and provide power to all existing buildings and offices. Several buildings on the property date back to the previous project owners. Many are now run-down and beyond use. However, three main buildings close to the entrance to the Project remain in excellent condition. These buildings are currently being used by the Company for offices, mess facilities, sampling areas and storage. All buildings are complete with earthed power supplies, running water and bathroom facilities. Another large building has since been constructed by the Company for storing the drill core and samples from the extensive drilling programs (104,500 m) that have been completed.

 

 

 

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5HISTORY
5.1Prior Ownership and Exploration Development

The history of the Borborema Project prior to 1979 is unclear. The earliest reference to mining appears in the government records from the 1940s when prospectors (“garimpeiros”) discovered gold (Au) in the area; an estimated 150,000 ounces of gold are reported to have been recovered over the subsequent 50 years.

 

In 1979, the company Itaperiba Mármores e Granitos LTDA (“Itaperiba”) acquired the principal tenement of the Project (number 805049/1977), and completed mapping, sampling, trenching and drilling programs.

 

In 1984, Mineração Xapetuba LTDA acquired the Project from Itaperiba and through further sampling, trenching, mapping and drilling finalized the exploration of the principal tenement and two other neighbouring tenements comprising the Project (840149/1980 and 840152/1980). After approval by the National Mining Agency (ANM) of the positive exploration reports, Xapetuba commenced open-pit mining to extract the precious metal via heap leaching, the first time this process had been attempted in Brazil. It is reported that approximately 100,000 ounces of gold were recovered up to 1991, when Xapetuba requested a suspension of the mining licence from the ANM quoting poor recoveries and low gold prices as the reasons.

 

In 1991, the company METASA (Metais Seridó LTDA.) acquired the three tenements comprising the Project from Xapetuba. From 1991 until 1994, METASA re-processed the existing heap-leach piles using a simple gravity circuit. It is not stated in the DNPM (now ANM) records how much gold was recovered during this period.

 

In 1994, the company Mineração Santa Elina Indústria e Comercio S.A. acquired the mineral rights from METASA and reviewed all existing data. However, after undertaking a diamond-drilling programme it returned the mineral rights to METASA in 1997.

 

In 1998, MGP (Mineração e Agropecuária LTDA.) acquired the project, installed a simple gravity circuit, and began treating the existing heap-leach piles, processing at a rate of approximately 15 t/hr. Whilst under MGP ownership; Caraíba Metais LTDA (“Caraíba”) negotiated an option to buy the project in 2007. Caraíba completed a significant diamond drilling programme and resource estimate update but decided not to exercise their purchase option.

 

In 2009, Crusader Resources Limited (“Crusader”) negotiated a similar purchase option with MGP. After careful evaluation of the Project data and some significant fieldwork, in August 2010 Crusader exercised their option and acquired the Project together with the São Francisco farm upon which most of the Project is located.

 

In October 2011, Conestoga, Rovers and Associates (“CRA”) in Belo Horizonte was retained by Crusader to prepare a bankable feasibility study (“BFS”) for the Borborema Project. During this time CRA’s mining division was acquired by Tetra Tech Inc. who assumed the role of principal consultant for the study. Tetra Tech produced a Feasibility Study in 2013, the Tetra Tech Brazil’s Feasibility Study of 2013 that was based on a process plant throughput of 4.2 Mtpy. However, the Feasibility Study (“FS”) showed unsatisfactory financial returns and Crusader subsequently continued to optimise the Borborema development at a 2 Mtpy, completing several technical studies based on this scenario.

 

Further studies were commissioned in 2018 (TTP and Ausenco), based on a revised process plant throughput of 2 Mtpy. These studies were extrapolated from the completed BFS and presented a low level of engineering definition and cost accuracy (30% - 40%) with the expressed intent of attaining an order of magnitude capital estimate, revised economics, and environmental approval.

 

In mid-2019, Crusader Resources was delisted from the ASX and following corporate restructure, downsizing, and divestment of non-core assets, and relisted as Big River Gold Limited (ASX: BRV) (“Big River”). With a renewed focus on its core asset, the Borborema Gold Project, the company commissioned Perth, Australia, based Wave International to produce an “enhanced” Definition Phase Study.

 

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In November 2019, Big River published a definitive feasibility study (“DFS”) for the Borborema Project showing that the Project may be economically developed to mine 20Mt of gold ore reserves recovering an average of 72,564 oz of gold per year for 10 years. The average grade is estimated to be 1.2 g/t Au.

 

The operation was estimated to produce 2 Mtpy of ore with a cash cost of US$23.36 per tonne, the Internal Rate of Return on the of 41.8% and US$642 per ounce production cost. The Project NPV was at 8% discount rate equal to US$203M. The total capital cost estimated to be US$99.3M.

 

In July 2020, CPC Project Design (CPC) was commissioned by Big River to develop the design and estimate the cost differences brought about by recent post DFS design changes. The updated capital costs were estimated to be approximately US$101M.

 

In late 2021 and early 2022, Big River drilled 13 additional holes in the Project to prove down dip extension of the mineralized ore body. Big River announced the results of drilling in July 2022 and indicated that all holes intercepted elevated grades in projected zones of mineralization at 100 m down dip to the known mineralisation and along 1.2 km of strike.

 

On September 21, 2022, the Company concluded the acquisition of 100% of outstanding shares of Big River Gold Limited (“Big River”) through its recently created entity Borborema Inc (“Borborema” or “JV Company”). As part of the acquisition of Big River, Dundee Resources Limited (“Dundee”) has received 20% of the outstanding shares of Borborema in compensation for its previously owned shares of Big River (“project”), thus establishing the JV Company. After the conclusion of the acquisition, Aura and Dundee were the only shareholders of 80% and 20%, respectively of the issued and outstanding shares of the joint venture Borborema Inc, which is the indirect owner of all the rights, titles and interests in Big River. At this point, Borborema was accounted for as a joint venture in the Company’s financial statements, since according to the Shareholders’ Agreement, decision making was equally divided among the Company and Dundee.

 

On August 29, 2023, the Company and Dundee Resources Limited entered into a Transfer of interest and Borborema shareholder agreement termination agreement (“Borborema agreement”). The Borborema agreement states that Dundee desired to exit the Borborema joint venture and agreed to sell, transfer and otherwise convey all of their shares in the capital of the JV Company to Aura in exchange for the granting of a net smelter returns royalty under a Royalty agreement.

 

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6GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION
6.1REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The Project, located in the Borborema Province, sits within the domain of the Seridó Fold Belt in north-eastern Brazil (Figure 18).

 

The regional basement is comprised of Archaean and Paleoproterozoic gneisses and migmatites unconformably overlain by a sequence of supra-crustal rocks of Neoproterozoic age belonging to the Seridó Group. The basal unit of this group is the Jucurutu Formation, comprised of gneisses, amphibolites, marbles, and calc-silicate rocks. The middle unit is the Ecuador Formation of quartzites and meta-conglomerates, whilst the upper unit, the Seridó Formation, consists of mica- schists and phyllites. During the Brazilian Orogeny, the basement and sequence of super crustal rocks were intruded by granitic, granodioritic, and locally gabbroic and tonalitic stocks, sills and dykes.

 

During the Neoproterozoic the region underwent a complex tectonic evolution involving thrusting (D2) and transcurrent shearing (D3), as indicated by the presence of both low-and high-angle structures (the S2 and S3 foliations, respectively). During this deformation period the metamorphic conditions varied from greenschist facies in the western portion of the belt to upper amphibolite facies in the east, with some local contact metamorphism (localised granulite facies) and anatexis (partial melting) (Crusader Resources PFS 2011). A series of quartz vein-hosted or vein-related gold (Au) deposits occur within the Seridó Belt, concentrated along the eastern margin of the Seridó Group, in addition to several tungsten skarn-style deposits that are often associated with varying degrees of bismuth, copper, and gold mineralisation. The Borborema Project deposit is the largest known gold occurrence in the region.

 

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Figure 18: Regional geological setting (after Brito Neves et al., 2000).

Notes for

 

Figure 18: Major domains and terranes: CE ¼ Ceará Domain (Or: 1.8 Ga Orós fold belt); DZT: Domínio da Zona transversal; MCD: Médio Coreaú Domain; PEAL: Pernambuco-Alagoas Domain; RGND : Rio Grande do Norte domain (SFB: Seridó fold belt); SJC: São José do Campestre Archean nucleus); RPD: Riacho do Pontal domain; SD: Sergipano domain (C: Caninde complex; E: Estancia subdomain; M: Macurure subdomain; MPR: Maranco- Poco Redondo sub domain; VB: Vaza Barris sub domain); SFC: São Francisco Craton; SLC: São Luiz Craton. Zona Transversal subdivisions are: AMT: Alto Moxoto terrane; APT: Alto Pajeú terrane; CV: Cariris Velhos orogenic belt; PABT: Piancó-Alto Brígida terrane; RCT: Rio Capibaribe terrane; SJCT: SJC: São José do Caiano terrane; ZTTTN: Zona Tectônica Teixeira-Terra Nova. Faults and shear zones: PAsz: Patos shear zone; PEsz: Pernambuco shear zone; SMAsz: São Miguel do Aleixo shear zone. Cities and towns: Fo: Fortaleza; JP: João Pessoa; Na: Natal; Re: Recife; Sa: Salvador

 

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6.2PROPERTY GEOLOGY

The Borborema Project area is situated in the top of the Seridó Group stratigraphy (the Seridó Formation) within a sequence of banded arkosic metapelitic schists, subjected to upper-amphibolite facies regional metamorphism (Baars, et. al., 2011). Mineral assemblages are dominated by plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz, with subordinate biotite, garnet, sillimanite, cordierite, muscovite and andalusite.

 

This assemblage is indicative of high temperature (650-700°C) and relatively low pressure (3-4 kb) conditions. The sequence comprises alternating pelitic (cordierite-sillimanite) and more psammitic (garnet-sillimanite) units (Stewart, 2011). Quartzo-feldspathic bands resulting from partial melts both crosscut and parallel the schistosity, dominantly in the more pelitic cordierite schists. Widespread retrograde sericite overprints the prograde mineral assemblage. The schists are intruded by Brasiliano-age pegmatite bodies.

6.2.1DEPOSIT LITHOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY

The sequence of rocks at the map scale has been subdivided into several packages broadly correlating to protolith characteristics and metamorphic mineral assemblages (Stewart, 2011). Each of the following rock packages exhibits variable interlayering, generally observed on the metre-scale. The lithological units occurring in the greatest abundance in any given area of the property have been used to map out the sequences. Figure 7-2 shows the geology map of the Project as produced by PGN Geoscience (Stewart, June: 2011).

6.2.1.1Biotite Schist

In the quartz-feldspathic-biotite +/- sillimanite-garnet schist, biotite schist is the most abundant mapped lithological unit within the Project area and contains a varying proportion of biotite. Accessory minerals include sillimanite and garnet. This unit is generally fine to medium-grained and contains a well-preserved, early gneissic fabric (S1), sub parallel to the lithological layering. Lithological layering within this unit comprises differentiated millimetre to centimetre-scale, biotite-rich and granular quartz-feldspar-rich bands that often resembles rhythmic layering within a laminated sedimentary rock. Based on its outcrop character and lithology, this unit could be described as psammopelitic, which suggests it may have a sandy siltstone protolith (Figure 19 and Figure 20).

 

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Figure 19: Borborema deposit geology map (after Stewart, 2011).

 

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Figure 20: (a) Well-developed gneissic fabric in Quartzofeldspathic-rich biotite schist. Note the PGB partial melt that is oblique to S1. (b) Folded biotite schist with a strong muscovite overprint (Stewart, 2011).

6.2.1.2Cordierite Schist

In the quartz-feldspathic-biotite +/- cordierite-sillimanite-garnet schist, cordierite schist is the second most abundant lithology mapped in the Project area (Figure 19).

 

This map unit generally comprises metre-scale packages of interbedded cordierite-rich quartz-feldspathic-biotite schist and more psammitic quartzo-feldspathic-biotite schist. Cordierite-rich horizons are generally very coarse grained and defined by 20-100 mm diameter cordierite porphyroblasts, constituting up to ~50% of the rock mass within some horizons. Cordierite is variably altered to fine-grained muscovite and commonly weathered to an iron-rich clay mineral. The proportion of sillimanite within this unit increases towards D2 high-strain zones.

 

Two types of cordierites have been observed:

 

Large oblate to prolate porphyroblasts that overgrow S1, either late in D1, after development of the gneissic foliation, or during M2 (Figure 21)

 

Asymmetric porphyroblasts that clearly overgrow and rotate the S1 fabric (Figure 22). These cordierites are associated with concentrated feldspar and biotite. They also show characteristics of partial melt development (cordierite growth within M2 mineral assemblage with partial melt), correlated structurally to sites of extensional shearing and foliation boudinage. These cordierite porphyroblasts commonly develop north-northwest–south-southeast trending long axes and sigma-type geometries within D2 shear zones.

 

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Figure 21: (a) Porphyroblast-rich horizon (S0) within cordierite schist package. Cordierite is strongly altered at this locality. (b) Massive cordierite-schist (Stewart 2011).

Figure 22: Photograph and sketch of altered cordierite porphyroblast with internal S1 fabric. S1 shows clockwise rotation and cordierite strain shadow is indicative of dextral shear and suggests syn-shear mineral growth during the development of D2 shears. S3 crenulations overprint the asymmetric S1 fabric (Stewart, 2011).

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6.2.1.3STAUROLITE Schist

In the quartz-feldspathic-biotite +/- staurolite-garnet schist, this metamorphic mineral has possibly been misidentified in the field and likely constitutes D2 cordierite-potassium feldspar-biotite partial melt, which occurs within D2 high strain zones (Figure 23). Interpreted staurolite schist horizons are in the northwest of the mapped area (Figure 19), within the Project property, and identified at the southwest end of the main open-cut pit within the Borborema Shear Zone. The occurrence of this unit, which can be correlated with high-grade D2 shearing, corresponds to a tectonostratigraphic horizon that can be used as a marker and may control the distribution of mineralisation.

Figure 23: Cordierite-rich partial-melt infilling asymmetric boudinage dilatational site within mylonitic biotite schist (typical of zone mapped as Staurolite Schist). Boudinage geometry is antithetic (sinistral) with respect to D2 dextral shearing. Note the strong muscovite alteration (Stewart, 2011).

6.2.1.4Andalusite Schist

In the quartz-feldspathic-biotite +/- cordierite-andalusite-garnet schist the andalusite schists comprise a very small proportion of the mapped rocks in the Project area. These andalusite schists usually occur as thin centimetre- to metre-scale psammopelitic horizons within biotite schists and are mostly found within areas associated with high grade D2 shear zones (Figure 24. The andalusite porphyroblasts are generally 2-8 mm in diameter and are mostly replaced by mats of milky white, fine-grained sillimanite (fibrolite).

6.2.1.5Quartz-Staurolite Schist

Thin (<500 mm width) horizons of what appear to be felsic igneous rocks have been observed in two places within the Project area. Closer inspection reveals the presence of rare garnets and abundant millimetre-scale, randomly oriented, dark greenish-grey staurolite porphyroblasts that overgrow a quartzo-feldspathic S1 gneissic fabric, most likely associated with M2 peak metamorphism.

 

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Figure 24: (a) Coarse andalusite porphyroblasts in folded andalusite schist horizon. (b) Well-differentiated quartzofeldspathic-biotite S1 fabric within andalusite schist and biotite schist (Stewart 2011).

6.2.1.6Granitic Orthogneiss (PGB Lozenges)

Small lenses, lozenges and boudins of plagioclase-quartz-biotite+/-garnet (possibly after amphibole) are common throughout the mapped area and have mineralogy consistent with a dioritic protolith. The millimetre-to centimetre-scale clots of biotite may be pseudo-morphing hornblende. PGB lozenges are most hosted within more psammitic rocks with a higher quartzo-feldspathic component than adjacent schists. PGB lozenges are associated with increased proportions of garnet with higher concentrations at their margins. Garnets occurrence shows some correlation with the location of folded and boudinaged D1 quartzo-feldspathic leucosomes, suggesting its relationship between their respective productions.

6.2.1.7Mylonite

Mylonite has been interpreted by other workers (e.g., Araujo et al., 2002) as a widespread lithological association within the mapped area. Mylonite is interpreted in the mapped area where there is an association between intense foliation developments, shear-sense indicators such as rotated porphyroblasts, and development of quartz ribbon textures indicative of intense recrystallization. The abundance of true mylonite is less than previously suggested as much of the apparently “mylonitic” rock is lacking kinematic or shear sense indicators that would suggest shear zone development. Rather it is interpreted here that much of the previously interpreted mylonite is indicative of a more psammopelitic biotite schist, which is well-banded at the millimetre- to centimetre-scale, indicative of the S1 gneissic fabric (Figure 25).

 

Mylonites occur frequently and are generally associated with northeast–southwest oriented S2 foliations offset by D3 faults and reoriented into a more north-northeast–south-southwest trend within the Sao Francisco Shear Zone. However, mylonites do occur and are associated with high grade D2 shearing, the kinematics of which is described below. Also, some D3 faults exhibit narrow, centimetre-scale zones of mylonite development. This deformation is related to attenuation of the F3 long limb during folding.

 

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Figure 25: (a) Quartz ribbons in mylonitic biotite schist folded by F3 with axial planar S3 biotite. (b) D2 mylonite in cordierite schist with dextral syn-shear cordierite porphyroclast and layer of boudinaged cordierite (Stewart, 2011).

6.2.1.8Pegmatite

Pegmatite dykes are common across the Project area and appear to be focused into two northwest trending belts that cross the mapped area (Figure 26). Pegmatites are generally 1-5 m wide with strike lengths of several hundred Meters or more. Pegmatites primarily comprise quartz-potassium feldspar-plagioclase-muscovite, however, some also contain a tourmaline component that appears to have grown parallel to S3 (Figure 26). Tourmaline growth is axial planar to gentle-to-open F3 folds and commonly parallel to a centimetre-spaced muscovite-filled fracture cleavage. Axial planar muscovite alteration is particularly strong where pegmatite dykes crosscut biotite schist; the dykes are commonly accompanied by focused muscovite alteration within the schists along the dyke contacts. These pieces of evidence put pegmatite emplacement within a late-D3 position and indicate that M3 retrogression passed from the biotite field to the muscovite field at some stage during this deformation.

 

The mapped area comprises outcrop-scale, thinly alternating pelitic and psammitic layering that cluster into broadly psammitic packages (biotite schists) and pelitic packages (cordierite schists). This suggests that the protolith comprised of thinly alternating silt-rich and sand-rich layers is indicative of a relatively low-energy depositional environment or a distal sediment source. There may have been subtle stratigraphic relationships. If this was present in the sequence, high-grade metamorphism has obscured this within the Project area.

 

However, there may be a fundamental protolith contrast that has led to the partitioning of partial melt and vein-rich zones, features that are concentrated within and adjacent to D2 shear zones. This tectonostratigraphy may be crucial in future exploration and provides marker zones that can be used to assess the effect of D3 deformation and movement on the Sao Francisco Shear Zone and adjacent structures.

 

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Figure 26: (a) Pegmatite dykes cross-cutting biotite- and cordierite-schist. Note the S3 axial planar cleavage. (b) Tourmaline parallel to S3. (c) Gneissic fabric within quartz-staurolite schist. Staurolite porphyroblasts are dark-coloured sub-mm flecks. (Stewart, 2011).

6.2.2STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND DEFORMATION HISTORY

The Project consists of a garnet-biotite-schist package coarsely sub-dividable into alternating sequences of psammopelitic garnet-sillimanite schist and more pelitic cordierite-sillimanite schist. Localised horizons of andalusite-and staurolite-bearing schists occur proximal to high-grade shear zones approximately parallel to the stratigraphic layering and contain abundant partial melt products and early vein networks (Stewart, 2011).

 

The event and deformation framework are complex and is interpreted as follows:

 

·D0 - Deposition of fine-grained, siltstone-dominated, sedimentary package with minor medium-grained (sandy siltstone) intercalations (turbiditic);

·D1a - Thickening of the stratigraphic pile coincident with possible magmatism and high temperature, low-pressure metamorphism leading to the emplacement of a pervasive layer-parallel gneissic fabric.

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·D1b - Development of quartzofeldspathic dominated partial melt products oblique to the gneissic foliation and concentrated/confined to tectonostratigraphic horizons within the sedimentary package. These are generally found in more pelitic rocks such as the cordierite schists. Late M1 cordierite porphyroblasts overgrow the S1 foliation.
·D2a - The partitioning of high strain along rheological contrasts between partial melt-rich and partial melt poor/psammitic tectonostratigraphy, leading to mylonite development within the brittle-ductile transition zone. Progressive flattening and partitioned southerly-directed extensional shearing led to isoclinal folding of D1a partial melt products and boudinage of F2 fold limbs synchronous with top-to-south (clockwise in present orientation) rotation of cordierite porphyroclasts.
·D2b - Increased fluid pressures during peak amphibolite facies metamorphism (M2) late in D2 promoted localized brittle deformation and rapid pressure drops. Low pressure sites occurred within north-northeast trending, east-southeast dipping brittle zones that cross-cut S1 and S2 as fault-vein networks. Within these zones auriferous quartz was deposited in two primary orientations: 1) parallel to the east-southeast trending fault zones; and 2) in a Riedel, west-northwest dipping position. The laterally propagating Riedel quartz veins situated themselves preferentially in more psammitic lithologies, particularly within the footwall of D2 mylonite zones.
·D3 - Regional folding tilts the sequence and S1-2 fabrics shallowly to the southeast. This causes the cordierite porphyroclasts that were rotated during D2 to take on a dextral sense of movement, which is only an apparent sense within the Sao Francisco Shear Zone and is not representative of the D3 kinematics. East-southeast dipping, D2 quartz-veined faults are unrotated as they are in the extensional field with respect to the D3 stress orientation. The veined faults locally accommodate shallow reverse faulting or steep thrusting (~30-65° east-southeast) accompanied by project-wide northwest verging F3 asymmetric folds and development of a steeply east-southeast dipping axial planar biotite crenulation cleavage. Adjacent to some D3 faults, the stratigraphy becomes overturned and the F3 folds become southeast verging. The short-limb of these asymmetric fold structures represents the sites least- affected by D3 strain (generally within the footwall to D3 shear zones) and preserve crenulated, but un-sheared Riedel D2 Au-bearing quartz veins. Pegmatite dykes are emplaced within northwest–southeast oriented corridors synchronous with shortening and exhibit a variably developed S3 foliation. Biotite retrograde metamorphic reactions accompany D3.
·D4 - The fracture orientation initiated during pegmatite emplacement develops into a prominent fault trend accompanied by ~east–west to ~southwest–northeast conjugate faults. A pervasive west-northwest– east-southeast oriented extensional dissolution and/or fracture cleavage develops. The orientation of S4 forms “domains” bound by major north-northeast-trending D3 faults indicating that these structures were still active. Muscovite alteration accommodates this deformation and is focused along fault zones.

The deformation history at Borborema as interpreted by Stewart is summarised in Figure 27.

 

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Figure 27: Interpreted deformation history at Borborema (Stewart: 2011).

6.2.3STRCTUCTUAL AND DEFORMATION COMPONENTS OF SAO FRANSISCO PIT

Figures 28 and 29 show the southwest face of the Sao Francisco Pit and the four distinctive structural and strongly deformed domains. These domains are as follows:

 

·A shallow dipping, leucosome-rich hanging-wall zone with strong deformation features which is metamorphosed under amphibolite facies. The folding is tight and crenulations and S-C fabrics in shear zones are abundant. (Zone a Figure 28, Figure 29)

·A mylonitic zone (retrograde zone) cut with faults (D2b) developed along the main Sao Francisco Shear Zone (D3)., This mylonite zone is stratigraphy overturned and thrusted, retrograde alteration is strong and dominant. The eastern margin of the retrograde shear zone is the strongly silicified and chloritic (shown in greenish color). Stewart (2011) reported folded layering within this zone that has the same overturned limb vergence as in the hanging wall. Both Stewart (2011) and Holcombe (2012) interpret the host for this high strain zone as being within the deformed hanging all. the retrograde shear seems to be a structure truncating the main ore shoots (Holcombe, 2012). (Zone b Figure 28, Figure 29)

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·A moderate to strong shearing zone with wavy shear fabric mainly developed within quartz-muscovite-biotite schist and developed on the footwall side of Sao Francisco Shear Zone. Crenulation cleavages are abundant, and dips are steeper than the shear zone. This zone is mainly barren and represents the main metamorphic event in lower amphibolite facies. (Zone c Figure 28, Figure 29)
·A quartz-feldspathic footwall schist with meta-sedimentary origin and bedding. It can be labelled as footwall schist where layering and bedding clearly preserved. The ribbon-like (pressure solution) structures with accumulation of biotite and quartz-feldspar shows turbiditic origin of the host rocks. This zone is still strongly attenuated by D1-2 event. The host rocks were metamorphosed under lower amphibolite and upper greenschist facies. (Zone d Figure 28, Figure 29)

Figure 28: Photograph of the SW end of the Sao Francisco Pit.

Major structures are evident, and structural domains are separated into the following zones: (a) Shallowly SE-dipping D1 leucosome-rich hanging wall with strongly developed S1 fabric and increasing D3 fabric intensity towards the NW. F3 vergence to NW and steeply to SE approaching the shear zone; (b) D2 mylonite zone cut by SE-dipping primary D2b faults that are reworked by D3 Sao Francisco Shear Zone. Stratigraphy is locally overturned stratigraphy within the short limb of a major F3 fold. F3 vergence to SE; (c) ~NW-dipping hinge zone in the footwall of D2-3 shear zone containing abundant late-D2 Au-bearing quartz veins. Few D1 leucosomes are present. The S1-2 fabric is strongly developed. F3 W-folds and local vergence changes from SE- to NW-verging; (d) bedding and foliation dip SE. F3 vergence to NW (Stewart, 2011).

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Figure 29: Modified structural domains inside Sao Francisco Pit-Borborema Project (Holcombe, 2012).

Although the retrograde shear has associated lowermost amphibolite facies fabrics in its footwall, it also has a significant component of greenschist facies fabrics. That is, the entire retrograde shear system may have started evolving at lowermost amphibolite facies but has been exhumed during its development into greenschist facies.

 

The retrograde shear in the Sao Francisco Pit and local shears associated with the ore zone are dip-slip thrusts with no strike-slip components. The similar kinematics of both the shallow and the steeper zones suggest that they may be simply different parts of the same evolving D3 contraction. The faults are then kinematically coherent, the structure is commonly observed, and requires no rotation of crustal blocks (Holcombe, 2012).

6.2.4MINERALIZATION AND ALTERATION

The Borborema deposit is located within a northeast–southwest trending structure which forms part of the northern segment of the Santa Mônica dextral shear zone (Araujo et. al, 2002). The shear zone displays a penetrative north-northeast-trending fabric, dipping southeast at around 40 degrees. In the Project area the principal mineralised shear zone, termed the Morro Pelado Shear, is around 30 Meters thick.

 

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The mineralization is strongly controlled by regional structure with secondary structuring providing the preferred host for gold (Figure 30). In addition to the main mineralized zone, several thinner sub-parallel zones of increased gold mineralization (> 0.1 g/t Au) can be seen in drill core.

 

Genesis of the gold mineralizing event or events is poorly understood. Two distinct gold mineralization types are identified both by SRK and Aura Geologists in drill cores: 1) disseminated free gold, and 2) gold in association with sulphide mineralization represented by pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Additionally, the sulphide mineralization was observed in the outer contact between chert boudins and schist along with or within schist foliation.

Figure 30: Map of Sao Francisco-Borborema mineralized trend (SRK, 2022).

The continuity of mineralization observed in select diamond drill core shows a highly discontinuous nature to both types of observed gold mineralization. Sulphide-hosted gold appears primarily along psammitic schist foliations and around the perimeter of quartz veins and boudins. The visual inspection of sulphide mineralization in core with correlated analytical results appears to indicate a relatively high concentration of Au in pyrrhotite such that a sub-cm scale zone of sulphide mineralization resulted in grades commonly exceeding 1 g/t Au (SRK, 2022). Sulphide mineralization throughout the main mineralized zone is sporadic in nature. For example, a 10 cm zone of sulphides hosted the entirety of the metal for the 1 m sampling interval while the remaining core appeared barren was noted (SRK, 2022).

 

The mineralised sequence has been subjected to a complex, multi-stage deformational history, with folded, sheared, dismembered and boudinage quartz and quartz-carbonate veins and veinlets commonly associated with the gold mineralisation.

 

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Recrystallised sulphides, both finely disseminated and locally forming centimetre-scale patches, dominated by pyrrhotite with lesser pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena are common within the mineralised zones. Microscopic examination, however, does not appear to indicate a direct relationship between gold mineralisation and sulphide abundance. Magnetite closely associated with gold, post-dates the sulphides (Baars, 2011).

 

Stewart (2011) suggests that the gold mineralisation was emplaced at close to peak metamorphism adjacent to D2 shear zones, preferentially in the more psammitic units as shown in Figure 31.

 

Baars (2011) believes that the deformational event which accompanied gold mineralisation was an extensional event forming a linear dilatational feature. Limited analytical data for silver indicate overall a silver/gold ratio of approximately 2:1, although on an individual sample basis there appears to be little or no correlation between gold and silver values. Phillips (personal comm.) suggests that the base metal sulphide mineralisation event may be independent of the gold event; the lack of direct correlation between gold and silver also suggests deposition in separate events or pulses.

 

Holcombe (2012) concluded that the main host of mineralization developed along steeply dipping, retrograde reverse-sense shear that occurs within the Sao Francisco Pit. He concluded also that a second shallow-dipping structure was associated with mineralization that was separate and oblique to the main shear zone. The shallowly dipping mineralized system lies in a strongly attenuated, axial plane-parallel zone within the overturned limb of a large, inclined fold. The mineralization is locally sheared but the displacement between its hanging wall rocks, and its footwall rocks is not significant from a crustal point of view.

 

Mineralisation within the wide retrograde shear within the pit is dominantly within deformed veins. The mineralisation extracted from the eastern part of the main pit may have been from dissection of the pre-existing shallowly dipping mineralized zone that now forms the main mineralized orebody. Mineralisation within the remainder of the shear, within the pit, is likely from a separate source at depth.

 

Figure 31: Structural context for gold mineralisation (after Stewart, 2011).

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Evidence of alteration of the host rock in association with gold mineralization is not well understood. The retrograde metamorphism in the Sao Francisco Pit has not examined for altered minerals and low-temperature mineral assemblage. There is no or little geochemical analysis was done to identify the mineralogical and chemical signatures of gold bearings host rocks. Further analysis on alteration chemistry and mineralogy needs to be done to better clarify the genesis of gold in the Borborema deposit.

6.3DEPOSIT TYPES

The Borborema deposit, Borborema Project, is a classic orogenic-gold deposit type in a sheared and deformed Archaean to Proterozoic age greenstone belt sequence, that is comprised of metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks units intruded by slightly younger post-tectonic igneous bodies.

 

According to Goldfarb et al. (2005), the term orogenic gold deposit is used for a class of deposits formed during compressional to transgressional deformation processes at convergent plate margins in accretionary or collisional orogens. The single most consistent characteristic of this type of deposit is their association with deformed metamorphic terrains of all ages. Observations from preserved Archaean greenstone belts and most recently active Phanerozoic metamorphic belts throughout the world indicate a strong association of gold and greenschist-facies rocks, however, some significant deposits occur in higher metamorphic-grade terrains. Pre-metamorphic protoliths for the auriferous Archaean greenstone belts are predominantly volcano-plutonic terrains of oceanic back-arc basalt and felsic to mafic arc rocks; terrains dominated by clastic marine sedimentary rocks that metamorphosed to metagreywacke, slate, phyllite, and mica schist.

 

Studies carried out in the Borborema Project area (Phillips, 2011) concluded that the gold deposit is classified as a mesothermal orogenic-gold type in view of its key characteristics.

 

Orogenic gold deposits are among the most important sources of gold production in the world. The geology of the Borborema Project area and its gold occurrences are strikingly like many other gold-bearing schist belts throughout the world. Orogenic gold deposits collectively account for more than 20 percent of the world’s total gold production.

 

This class of mineralisation, orogenic gold, is normally controlled by first-order faults that act as conduits for the auriferous fluids; second-and third-order faults are sites of mineral deposition (Robert et al., 2005). Additional favourable areas with low or minimum mean stress zones include regional fault intersections, areas of regional uplift or anticlines, and zones of competency contrast, such as along granitoid margins (Robert, 1989; Vearncombe et al., 1989; Groves et al., 2000). In compressional regimes, reverse faults in these zones have the highest degree of disorientation and the highest levels of fluid overpressure, making them most susceptible to a high fluid flux and deposition of gold (Sibson et al., 1988).

 

The mineralisation generally classified as “mesothermal,” means it is thought to have formed under relatively high temperature at considerable depth in the earth’s crust by hydrothermal and/or metamorphic processes. The deposits of this type may have great vertical extents (down-plunge), commonly two kiloMeters or more. In many deposits, the gold occurs in fissure veins, veinlets, stockworks and altered wall rock.

 

Gold mineralisation at the Borborema Project, Borborema Province, occurs in a succession of (meta) pelitic and psammopelitic schists intruded by minor occurrences of pegmatite and granitic orthogneiss (Stewart: 2011). Rocks are metamorphosed in upper greenschist facies to amphibolite conditions (Araújo et al., 2002; Stewart, 2011).

 

The pit in the São Francisco Mine exposes a greenschist facies retrograde shear zone and above this shear zone, gold mineralisation occurs within an overturned limb of an F3 fold (Holcombe, 2012). The kinematics on this shear zone is consistent with thrusting (Stewart, 2011; Holcombe, 2012), but how exactly this structure continues at depth is an unresolved question. One possibility, suggested by Holcombe (2012), is that gold mineralisation is localized along a shallowly dipping system parallel to the axial plane of these folds.

 

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7EXPLORATION
7.1HISTORICAL Exploration

Several companies have completed various exploration programs on the Project and surrounding region. Between 1979 and 1983, Itaperiba Mármores e Granitos LTDA completed 13 trenches on the Borborema Project area, totalling 3,250 Meters. The trenches were sampled and assayed by Geosol Laboratories for gold, silver and lead using OES-AA methods. A very primitive resource model was constructed based on the results. In 1984, Mineração Xapetuba continued the work of Itaperiba, completing 56 trenches across the project area, totalling 5,120 Meters of trenching. Geochemical soil-samples and surface rock chip samples were also taken. Along with drilling results, the trench sampling results were used to update the resource. Xapetuba used this resource to mine in an open-cut operation that was Brazil’s first gold extraction project using heap-leaching methods.

 

In 1991, Metasa-Metais Seridó acquired the project from Xapetuba to re-process the existing heap-leach piles and did not complete any further exploration work. In 1991, the Brazilian and Japanese governments formed an accord to explore for gold in the northeast of Brazil, known as JICA. JICA completed a five-phase regional exploration programme across the Seridó Belt, which incorporates the area of the Project. The programme included regional mapping, geochemical soil-sampling, stream-sediment sampling and pan concentrates, and eventually some minor drilling.

 

From 1994 to 1997, Mineração Santa Elina Indústria e Comercio S/A completed detailed mapping of the Project area, re-opened and re-sampled the existing trenches, surveyed the topographical surface, re-logged and re-sampled the existing drill-holes, and completed their own drilling program. In 2007, Caraíba Metais LTDA held an exploration option over the Project with the then-owners MGP - Mineração e Agropecuária LTDA.

 

Whilst a new drilling programme was the focus, Caraíba also re-mapped and re-sampled some of the existing data. In a more-regional sense, the CPRM - Brazil’s Geological Survey - completed several regional exploration programs across the Seridó Belt and Project area, including geological mapping (1:500,000), airborne geophysical radiometric and magnetic surveys, geochemical soil-sampling, and stream-sediment sampling and pan concentrates. None of the historic exploration data has been used by Crusader in the Project Mineral Resources estimation.

7.2EXPLORATION BY CRUSADER

In addition to drilling, brownfields exploration work by Crusader has concentrated on mapping and soil sampling within the deposit corridor covering approximately 4 kiloMeters of strike length. Mapping has been predominantly conducted by Australian-based consultants with extensive South American experience, assisted by site geologists and field technicians. Soil sampling has been performed using the Company’s site-based teams. The Company also commissioned a study of the public domain geophysical data which was integrated with both local and more regional (greenfields) mapping.

7.2.1MAPPING AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

In 2011, PGN Geoscience was engaged by Big River Gold to provide a lithological and structural interpretation of the Project, and an ore genesis model for the gold occurrence. Mapping was conducted over 14 days in March and June 2011 and covered an area of around 5 km2, focussing on an approximate 4 km strike length of the Sao Francisco and Morro Pelado Shear Zones associated with known gold mineralisation at Borborema. The mapping included integration of detailed field observations at GPS localities and inferred/interpolated structure in areas of no outcrop, with minor aerial photograph interpretation.

 

In Stewart’s (2011) summary there appear to be numerous factors that influenced the tectonic evolution of the rocks within the Project area, each of which contributed to the existence and preservation of significant gold mineralisation:

 

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·D0 decimetre-scale interlayering of pelitic and psammitic stratigraphy provides a heterogeneous primary rheology;

 

·Heterogeneous rheology focuses D1 partial melting and leucosome production;

 

·D2 shear zones develop at the interface between D1 leucosome-rich and D1 leucosome-poor stratigraphy;

 

·Mylonite- and gneiss-dominated D2 shear zones provide unique rheology suited for fracturing and propagation of secondary D2b quartz veins from major east-southeast-dipping brittle conduits;

 

·Fold vergence and scale plays a critical role implicated in the preservation and geometry of mineralized ore zones.

 

Holcombe (2012) also stated the shallowly dipping ore system, defined by drilling, is dominantly a strongly folded, and locally sheared, zone located in the overturned limb of a large fold but parallel to the axial plane of the fold. It is not within a single unit but crossed by the folded stratigraphy. Passive biotite accumulation related to the degree of deformation (pressure solution) has produced an artificially simple view of the structure in the current cross-sections. Lithological packages of alternating biotite schist and garnet schist form a stack of units parallel to the main ore zone, which is hosted in biotite schist. Rather than being stratigraphic units, the biotite-rich zones are zones of strong folding and deformation parallel to the axial plane of the main fold. The ore body is one such deformation zone, possibly with more intense folding than the others.

 

Currently only the lower biotite schist host zone is routinely sampled for assaying. Given the similarity of the upper biotite schist to the mineralised zone, Holcombe suggested that the higher-level zones should also be sampled for assaying. The assaying procedure was modified on this recommendation, but only sporadic mineralisation was found. The shear zone within the pit has some very distinctive characteristics (coarse, curved flaser fabrics, and a chloritic component) that were not recognised in the few drill-holes examined by Holcombe (2012). Given that this shear zone does host mineralisation in the old pit, one priority should be to define its location at depth.

 

The most important conclusion of Holcombe’s (2012) work is the observation that the shallowly dipping ore zone at depth is separate from, and cut by, the slightly more steeply dipping, retrograde reverse-sense shear that occurs within the pit and which was the main host for the extracted mineralisation.

7.2.2GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLING

Geochemical soil sampling has been conducted by Big River Gold on the Borborema tenements since 2009. Initially, samples were taken approximately every 100 Meters along lines spaced 1-2 km apart. The sample lines ran perpendicular to the regional shear zones and shear fabric, approximately northwest–southeast, forming a local grid that later became the Borborema Local Grid (“BLG”). The samples were taken from shallow pits 30-50 cm deep, intended to sample from the in-situ soil horizon B. The early samples were analysed on-site with a portable Niton XRF analyser, assayed semi-quantitatively for 32 elements.

 

Whilst gold was not included in the results, several key elements including Cu, As, Pb and Zn were perceived to have anomalous results consistent with the surface expression of the known gold mineralisation at Borborema. Hence, these anomalous soils results were used to map targets for follow-up work, in which case the sample spacing was reduced to better define the anomalies.

 

In April 2011, it was decided that all soil samples be assayed for gold and hence all existing samples, as well as all future samples, were sent to the ALS Brasil LTDA laboratory in Minas Gerais state for sample preparation and gold analyses by fire assay (with AA finish). To-date the entire three tenements of the Project have been covered by geochemical soil-sampling on a spacing of 50 Meters by 50 Meters or closer, except in the areas of previous workings in which the surface material was deemed to no longer be in situ.

 

The results have defined several broad anomalies along strike and parallel to the main Borborema deposit, the larger of which have been named Cobia, Remora and Northern Extension (Figure 32).

 

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Figure 32: Soil-sampling and resulting gold anomalies at Borborema Project.

7.2.3GEOPHYSICAL INTERPRETEATION

PGN Geoscience (2011) reviewed the public domain regional geophysical data. This data consisted of aeromagnetic and radiometric data collected on a 1,000 metre-spaced flight lines. The data was reprocessed and both structurally and lithologically modelled with the additional input of regional mapping traverses by Stewart to constrain the geophysical interpretation (Figure 33).

 

The magnetic response of the region appears to represent a combination of magnetic marker units within metamorphosed sedimentary successions and orthogneiss, as well as alteration along shear zones. Differentiation of stratigraphy and structure relied upon constraints from regional traverse mapping and offset of magnetic anomalies.

 

The interpretation indicates that the region can be divided into three general belts of rocks. The western part of the belt coincides with the Rio Grande do Norte domain of Van Schmus et al. (2011) and is dominated by a higher map abundance of orthogneiss and granitoid complexes within interleaved meta-sedimentary and calc-silicate rocks. This domain is less effected by fault repetitions related to D2 thrust development, but regional folds are more prevalent, possibly suggesting a difference in the mode in which crustal shortening occurred (Figure 33).

 

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Figure 33: Geophysical reinterpretation geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt, showing distribution of major rock packages and the major structural elements (Stewart, 2011).

A central belt coincides with the Seridó Fold Belt (Van Schmus et al., 2011) and is characterised by interleaving belts of schist, volcanoclastic rocks, and minor conglomeratic belts, orthogneiss and calc-silicate packages. These packages are repeated by regional D2 folds and thrust repetitions to give complex rock distributions (Figure 33). The far eastern part of the belt is a repetition of the Rio Grande do Norte domain of Van Schmus et al., (2011), and is characterised by higher map abundance of granitoid complexes and orthogneiss and along their margins (Figure 33).

 

The geophysical interpretation suggests that the rocks hosting the Borborema gold deposit are hosted in a generally non-magnetic package of rocks (Borborema Schist) that trend in a north-northeast orientation. This package of rocks is part of a larger belt of rocks located on the eastern limb of a regional, shallowly east-dipping, inclined, regional antiformal fold, interpreted to have formed during regional D2 (Stewart, 2011).

 

Magnetic data has insufficient resolution to map out individual units and is only effect at mapping broad packages of rocks and as a result no early deformation associated with D1 has been mapped.

 

The eastern part of the interpreted map is dominated by northeast to north-northeast trending faults that are interpreted as regional thrusts and reverse faults that duplicate rock packages and juxtapose orthogneiss packages with the psammitic and pelitic rocks of the Seridó Schist and Borborema Schist. These faults are correlated with the D2b low angle shear zones and mylonites documented in and surrounding the Borborema Mine and surrounding area (Stewart, 2011). The distributions of these structures suggest that they formed in response to regional northwest-directed tectonic transport (Figure 34).

 

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Figure 34: Geophysical interpretation of the eastern Seridó Fold Belt in the region immediately surrounding the Borborema mine (Stewart, 2011).

Several regional folds are also interpreted from the geophysical data. Fold axial traces trend in a general northeast direction parallel with the regional D2b thrust, although they have been locally modified during later deformation episodes, most likely refolding during D3. The regional map pattern suggests that the central part of the interpreted area is characterised by a regional antiformal fold that is doubly plunging (Figure 33). The fold is dismembered by later D3 and D4 shear zones and faults, suggesting they formed during D2. The Borborema Schist Belt is located on the eastern limb of this D2 antiform.

 

The third phase of deformation is characterised by a series of wide shear zones identified during regional traverses and from offsets in geophysical data. These shear zones are steeply dipping and trend in a north to north-northeast orientation. Stewart (2011) interpreted these structures as a zone of flattening strain. Regional data suggest that there may be a component of dextral apparent offset, although both sinistral and dextral kinematics are locally identified in the geophysical data. Small faults that are parallel with these shear zones are also interpreted to belong to this generation. D3 shear zones dismember the Borborema Belt. D3 shear zones are more prevalent in the central part of the belt (Figure 37 and Figure 38) and have duplicated and dismembered major orthogneiss and Seridó Schist packages. D3 shear zones are not identified in the mine area.

 

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Figure 35: Distribution of major faults delineated by their generations. The thick grey package represents a zone of distributed D3 shear zones interpreted with the aid of regional traverses (Stewart, 2011).

Figure 36: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major D2 thrust faults, A high density of D2 thrusts occur north of the Borborema Fault and to the immediate north of the Patos Fault Zone. (Stewart, 2011).

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Figure 37: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major D3 faults (Stewart, 2011).

Figure 38: Geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain and Seridó Fold Belt showing distribution of major dextral D3b faults. These faults truncate D3 faults but are overprinted by D4 faults (Stewart, 2011).

Stewart (2011) reported several structural implications for mineralisation as summarised below:

 

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·The presence of D2 shear zones within the Borborema Project area appears to be a fundamental controlling factor on the localization of gold. The mapping demonstrates that there is potential for identifying these structures at the local scale, as these structures have been mapped at the regional scale (Araujo et al., 2004). Thus, if these shear zones can be correlated to a regional structural pattern; this will be a powerful tool for targeting further exploration, provided that high-resolution data can establish some contrast between the early shear zones and the surrounding schists.
·Structures that appear at a local scale that are relevant to identifying D2 deformation in outcrop and drill holes include shallowly-dipping mylonite; shear-sense indicators within the shallowly-dipping fabric; apparent dextral shear sense related to the growth of high-grade metamorphic minerals such as cordierite; the localization of D1 leucosomes, which appeared to show a degree of conformity at the large scale with the position of D2 shearing.

Based on this observation three priority areas were identified by Stewart (2011) for further geophysical exploration (Figure 39):

 

Priority area 1: This area has all structural elements as it covers the mine and therefore it will be possible to constrain the magnetic response of the mine. This area also has a high density of D2 thrust faults and is located near the boundary between the Seridó Fold Belt and the Rio Grande do Norte Domain. Priority area 1 also has a significant component of interpreted Borberema Schist.

 

Priority area 2: Is located to the south of Priority area 1 and has many of the structural elements as Priority area 1. This area is also located near the boundary between the eastern Seridó Fold Belt and orthogneissic rocks and granitoid complexes of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain. The major issue is that this domain does not overlap with the deposit area and thus aeromagnetic characterisation of the mine will not be achieved. This domain also contains some interpreted Borborema Schist.

 

Priority area 3: This domain is located to the west of Priority area 1 and has several of the structural characteristics. It is located in the western Seridó Fold Belt and the orthogneissic rocks and granitoid complexes of the Rio Grande do Norte Domain. This area does not cover the deposit area and therefore aeromagnetic characterisation of the mine will not be achieved. This area also has Borborema Schist.

 

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Figure 39: Proposed areas for collection of new high-resolution magnetic data. (Stewart, 2011).

7.3EXPLORATION BY AURA MINERALS
7.3.1GEOPHYSICAL MODELING

At the request of Aura, a 3-D magnetic modeling over the Borborema Project was performed by Revo Geoscience (a consulting geophysical company from Belo Horizonte, Brazil) in November 2022. The modeling was done based on public aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys flown between 2007 and 2009 by Brazilian Geological Survey (CPRM).

 

The modeling areas selected by Aura are located within these surveys approximately 170 km away from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The areas are regional with a block scale of 100 x 100 km and a deposit scale with a block scale of 18 x 20 km (Figure 40).

 

The main goal of the modeling is quantifying the depths and geometries of the magnetics sources and support the interpretation of the regional structural framework.

 

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Figure 40: Total field aeromagnetic data showing the boundaries of the areas selected for 3-D inversion.

The inversion models are produced using MVI susceptibility solids or voxels in MVI-Si units for both regional and deposit scale blocks. MVI susceptibility at elevation slices at 0m, 40m, 200m, 400m, 600m, 1,000m, 2,000m, 3,000m, 4,000m, 5,000m, 7,500m and 10,000m in Geosoft and GeoTiff formats.

 

Iso-surfaces of the MVI susceptibility extracted from the 3-D voxel at 0.001SI, 0.003SI, 0.005SI, 0.007SI and 0.009SI. These are in 3-D DXF and Geosoft formats.

 

The results of this modeling are shown in Figure 41 and Figure 42 for regional and deposit scales, respectively.

 

The results of this modeling are preliminary. Aura intends to carry out drone-base and ground geophysical surveys over the target areas near the mine and on a regional scale. This will provide more comprehensive coverage to make more informed conclusions from previous geophysical surveys and generate some targets for drilling.

 

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Figure 41: Magnetic inversion models in regional scale. 

Figure 42: Magnetic inversion models in deposit scale. 

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7.4HISTORICAL DRILLING

Multiple phases of drilling have been completed by different companies broadly grouped as historical (Figure 43) (drilled prior to Crusader) and the more recently drilling programs managed by Crusader and Big River Gold.

 

Historical drilling on the Borborema Gold Project has been completed in various campaigns since 1979 by several companies including Xapetuba, JICA, Santa Elina and Caraíba. Table 20 shows the statistics of these different drilling campaigns and Figure 43 shows the locations of these historical drill holes.

Table 20: Historical drilling statistics in Borborema Project.

  DIAMOND DRILLING REVERSE CIRCULATION TOTAL
Company Year Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Xapetuba 1984 - 1990 13 264 198 4,545 211 4,809
JICA 1991 2 400     2 400
Santa Elina 1995 15 1,185     15 1,185
Caraíba 2007 75 10,528     75 10,528
Total   105 12,377 198 4,545 303 16,922

 

 

 

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Figure 43: Historic drill hole locations at Borborema Project.

The diamond drilling was completed by conventional and wireline techniques using HQ and NQ diameter core except for the JICA drilling which used AX diameter core. From these drilling campaigns, drill holes collars related to Itaperiba and JICA were not identified in the field by Crusader geologists. Therefore, these drill holes were not used in past and current Mineral Resource estimations. Xapetuba drill holes are mainly drilled in areas of historical production and the pit, therefore, most of the collars have been mined out. These drill holes, although located inside the historical pit and partially mined out, were drilled in close spacing and were used by SRK for the current, 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate.

 

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Between August and November 1995, Santa Elina completed 15 diamond drill holes of HQ diameter totalling 1,185.26 Meters. The core was logged, with half-core sampled for gold analyses by commercial labs using gravimetric (468 samples) and fire assay (626 samples) methods. Previous Mineral Resource Estimates by Crusader (Big River) did not utilise these 15 drill-holes as their locations had not been verified in the field. However, 13 of the 15 collars were located by Crusader (Big River) and their positions surveyed with a DGPS unit to an accuracy of greater than 5cm. No down-hole surveys were used for the Santa Elina drill-holes but given that the drill-holes were all relatively shallow (majority < 100 Meters deep) this is not a major issue. Since the quality of the Santa Elina data was consistent with industry-accepted standards, Crusader decided to use the data from these drill-holes in the July 2012 Mineral Resources Estimate for the Borborema Project. SRK also utilized these holes in the current, 2023 Mineral Resource estimation presented in this report.

 

In 2007, whilst exercising an exploration option over the Project, Caraíba completed a diamond drilling programme comprising 75 drill-holes totalling 10,528.47 Meters, using HQ and NQ diameter drill core. The collars of these drill-holes were readily located in the field. The drill core is in core trays on the Project site. Down-hole surveys for the Caraíba diamond drill-holes at the Project were completed using a Reflex Easy-shot wellbore electronic single shot survey system and are to industry standards. The drill-holes were re-logged by the Crusader’s geologists and sampled as half-core. The samples were assayed by SGS Geosol Laboratórios LTDA using conventional fire assay methods. The data quality is consistent with industry accepted standards, and hence the Crusader has used the data from these 75 drill-holes in all their historical Mineral Resource Estimates for the Project. SRK also utilized these holes in the current, 2023 Mineral Resource Estimation presented in this report.

7.5CRUSADER DRILLING

Crusader began drilling at the Project in August 2010, and drilled consistently until the end of 2012, having anywhere up to two RC drill-rigs and four diamond drill-rigs on-site at one time. In 2014, Crusader drilled 1,235m in 10 diamond drill holes for purpose of a metallurgical study.

 

Table 21 shows the statistics from Crusader and Big River drilling programmes for the Project. The drilling was completed in various stages which can be grouped into categories discussed below and summarized in Figure 44 and Table 22.

Table 21: Crusader and Big River Drilling Statistics, Borborema Project.

  Diamond Drilling Reverse Circulation Total
Company Year Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Crusader 2010 - 2014 185 41,001 723 46,026 908 87,027
Big River 2021 - 2022 13 5,141     13 5,141
Total   198 46,142 723 46,026 921 92,168

 

Table 22: Crusader Drilling Detailed Statistics, Borborema Project

Drilling Program Diamond Drilling Reverse Circulation Auger Drilling Rotary Air Blast Total
Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters Holes Meters
Resource 172 39,131 380 23,794         552 62,925
Condemnation     267 13,984         267 13,984
Exploration 1 253 76 8,248         77 8,501
Geotechnical 2 382             2 382
Metallurgical 10 1,235             10 1,235
Heap Leach Piles         48 250     48 250
Grade Control             98 238 98 238
Total 185 41,001 723 46,026 48 250 98 238 1,054 87,515

 

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Figure 44: The Crusader’s drilling at Borborema Project

 

·Resource building drilling

Crusader has drilled a combination of RC and diamond drill-holes (DDH) which were the principal drill-holes used in the historical Mineral Resource estimation in 2013 and were used in the current Mineral Resource Estimate. The drill-holes were cased and the drill-hole sites suitably rehabilitated. Casing consists of PVC tubes inserted down to the end of the HQ collar, generally, only a few Meters in depth.

 

·Condemnation drilling

During 2011 and 2012, Crusader undertook a dedicated condemnation drilling programme to confirm a lack of mineralization, to sterilize the areas immediately around the Borborema deposit where permanent infrastructure, waste dumps and tailings storage facilities are planned. The programme comprised vertical RC drill-holes, generally 50 Meters deep, with a drill-hole spacing of 100 Meters east-west by 250 Meters north-south (BLG local grid). The sterilization drill-holes were automatically sampled on metre intervals at the drill-rig. For analyses, 4 metre composites were made up from the individual metre samples. The condemnation drilling consisting of 267 drill-holes totalling 13,984 Meters and has indicated that no significant mineralisation exists in the proposed footprint of the Project.

 

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·Exploration drilling

In addition to the resource drilling and condemnation drilling, the main targets generated by the geochemical soil sampling were tested with relatively shallow RC drill-holes. The intention of this programme was two-fold: to delineate further gold mineralisation and add to the current resources; or to effectively sterilize these areas so that they could be used for future mining infrastructure. In general terms, significant intervals of gold mineralisation were encountered in several drill-holes in the Remora, Cobia, and Northern Extension targets. These intervals were modelled into geological shapes but were deemed to be uneconomic at this time, for example, too thin and/or too low-grade Further testing of these zones at depth may be warranted in the future.

 

·Auger drilling

Hand-held auger drills were used to complete a drilling programme of the existing heap-leach piles that were left from the Xapetuba operations. A total of 48 drill-holes totalling 249.6 Meters were drilled across the three main piles at roughly 25–30 metre spacings. The drill-holes were drilled from the surface of the pile until the true topographical surface was encountered with drill-hole depths varying from 0.3 to 16.4 Meters. Each drill-hole was sampled in its entirety as one sample and assayed for gold by the ALS laboratory, fire assay with AA finish. The average grade of these holes is about 0.28 g/t Au. There was no Mineral Resource Estimate calculated for the Heap Leach Pile.

7.5.1TYPE OF DRILLING

The diamond drilling has been completed by the wire line technique using HQ and NQ diameter core. The drilling contractor used since 2007, by Crusader and Caraíba, was Servitec Sondagem Geológica with industry standard MACH 1200 drill rigs produced by Maquesonda of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All diamond drill-holes were cored from surface, collaring with HQ diameter, and changing to NQ when fresh, competent rock was encountered which generally occurred within the first 15–20 Meters of the hole. Each core run was approximately 3 Meters and the core recovery in un-weathered rock was excellent. On average the fresh rock recovery in each hole was 97.9% with an overall average recovery of 96.9%.

 

For the shallower drilling required for resource, condemnation and brownfields exploration drilling, the reverse circulation (RC) drill method was utilised by Servitec Sondagem Geológica using an Atlas Copco Explorac 50 RC drill rig. In general, the RC drill-holes have a final depth of less than 150 Meters, the practical limit of the drill rig and its compressor. The RC drilling generally used 5.5” drill-bits and some were completed with 4.5” bits. The theoretical sample mass for each metre was calculated by calculating the volume of the metre drilled, depending on the bit size, and multiplying it by the density of the material that resulted from test work using drill core. The minimum recovery in the drilling contract was 85%, but in general the RC drill-holes achieved well above this, with minimal to no groundwater or voids in the area to cause major drilling problems.

 

At the start of the RC drilling programme, two diamond drill-holes were selected and twinned with RC drill-holes to verify the validity of RC drilling and results. The assays from the twin-holes were compared and assessed statistically. It was concluded that there were no material differences between the results of the two drilling techniques.

7.5.2DRILLING GRID, COLLAR AND DOWN HOLE SURVEYS

The Project lies within the UTM Zone 24 South using the SAD 69 Datum which refers to the 1967 International Ellipsoid (SGR-67). The Project is centred approximately at 6.205° South and 36.285° west. During the exploration and resource building phases, Crusader established a local grid with grid north rotated 37° east of True North to match the strike trend of the mineralized zone and surrounding tectono-stratigraphic trend.

 

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After completion of the June 2011 Mineral Resource Estimate, a surveying error was identified by qualified and experienced surveyors newly employed by Crusader. The error was related to differences between the regional government survey points and the local survey stations previously established at the Project. The relative positions and distances between the drill-hole collars at Borborema were not the issue, but as a precaution Crusader corrected the survey of the local survey stations against the government IBGE grid and resurveyed all drill-hole collar positions.

 

This change does not materially affect the June 2011 published, historical Mineral Resource by Crusader; however, the conversion between UTM24S SAD69 and the local grid was modified. To avoid any potential for confusion, the new local grid is referred to as the BLG (Borborema Local Grid).

 

All its drill-hole collars (Figure 45) were surveyed using a differential GPS (DGPS) by Crusader’s surveying team (Figure 46). The collar positions for all located historical drill holes, e.g., Caraíba drill-holes, were also re-surveyed by the Company. The drill holes were located using a DGPS to an accuracy of greater than 5 cm. Crusader has also compiled a surface topography file with similar accuracy.

 

Most of the drilling and site work has been completed using the local grid (BLG). Therefore, to improve both the geological interpretation process and block model generation, it was decided to utilise the local grid for the Borborema Mineral Resource model. The conversion to local grid is a simple two-point grid transformation from Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 24 South (UTM 24S) and SAD69 datum to BLG Local Grid using the two coordinates listed in Table 23. The elevation used is the same for both grid systems.

 

Down-hole surveys for the Company diamond drill holes on the Project were completed using a Devico Peewee wellbore electronic single shot survey system. The instrument works the same as a Reflex Easy-Shot unit and is to industry standards.

Table 23: Grid Transformation coordinates (UTMS24 SAD69 to Local Grid).

Point UTMS24 SAD69 (IBGE) BORBOREMA LOCAL GRID (BLG)
Easting Northing Easting Northing
1 800,316.15 9,314,144.89 9,568.75 20,977.21
2 799,524.11 9,313,147.62 9,536.39 19,704.90

 

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Figure 45: Examples of drill hole collar markers at Borborema – Caraíba and Crusader drilling.

Figure 46: Crusader’s survey base station for differential GPS (2012).

7.6BIG RIVER DRILLING

Big River drilled 5,141m in 13 holes in late 2021 and early 2022 to investigate the down dip extension of the ore body. The drilling target was the central zone of the mineralized ore body (Figure 47). All holes were drilled 60° westward (Grid Datum: UTM24S_SAD69_IBGE).

 

All holes intercepted elevated gold grades in zones of mineralization 100 12m down dip to the known mineralized ore body and along 1.2 km of strike. Drilling of the central zone has confirmed thick zones of significantly high grades over 300m of strike extending below the depth of previous drilling. Figure 48 shows the location of these holes in longitudinal section (Big River Press Release, July 26, 2022), and Figure 49 shows a representative vertical cross-section from this drilling.

 

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Figure 47: Plan view showing the location of diamond drill hole collars for all drilling campaigns at Borborema Project, Big River`s 2021-2022 drill plan are shown in green.

Figure 48: Long section of Borborema Mineral Resource showing Big River`s drill targets (green circles) and previous pit outlines (background lines) (adopted from Big River`s Press Release- July 26, 2022).

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Figure 49: Typical vertical Cross-section (20210N) showing diamond drill hole CRDD-182 (adopted from Big River`s Press Release- July 26, 2022).

All samples from the 2021-2022 drill campaign were analyzed in SGS GEOSOL Laboratórios LTDA (Rodovia MG010, Km 24,5, bairro Angicos, CEP: 33206-240. Vespasiano/MG, Brazil) and the significant assay intercept results are listed in Table 24.

Table 24: Big River significant intercepts from 2021-2022 drill campaign.

Hole ID Total depth From (m) To (m) Apparent width (m) Au g/t
CRDD-174 334.35 248.00 268.00 20.00 1.21
CRDD-175 353.05 287.00 321.00 34.00 0.95
CRDD-176 448.85 401.00 432.00 31.00 1.38
CRDD-177 435.30 362.00 380.00 18.00 1.10
CRDD-178 394.50 320.00 357.00 37.00 1.11
CRDD-179 382.50 294.00 334.00 40.00 1.25
CRDD-180 385.25 246.00 286.00 40.00 0.74
CRDD-181 343.90 260.00 297.00 37.00 0.71
CRDD-182 421.42 351.00 395.00 44.00 1.38
CRDD-183 410.10 326.00 386.00 60.00 0.78
CRDD-184 421.30 345.00 388.00 43.00 3.27
CRDD-185 400.25 336.00 377.00 41.00 1.58
CRDD-186 410.00 334.00 371.00 37.00 0.65

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7.7HYDROGEOLOGY

FMD Geologia Aplicada was contracted to conduct a hydrogeological study and develop a numerical flow model for the Borborema Project region. The study, titled "Hydrogeological Assessment for Mining Activity," began in January 2022 with the objective of evaluating the project's feasibility from a hydrogeological perspective. The initial analysis considered aquifer recharge estimates based on climatic data from 2013 to 2020, adopting a conservative scenario of prolonged drought in the region. The results indicated that recharge could potentially meet the project's water demand but highlighted critical gaps regarding the quantity and quality of existing monitoring and supply wells.

To enhance understanding of the regional hydrogeological behavior and reduce uncertainties, several activities were proposed and executed, including hydraulic testing in monitoring wells, geophysical data acquisition to analyze faults and fractures, water sample collection for isotopic analyses, refinement of the conceptual hydrogeological model, and construction of a mathematical model to evaluate pumping rates and the impacts of aquifer drawdown. The study covered an area of approximately 570 km² and involved literature reviews, data acquisition from specialized platforms, and field campaigns conducted between July and September 2023. Numerical flow modeling and dewatering simulations were carried out between September and November 2023.

The adopted methodology followed the three-dimensional geological modeling and mathematical modeling approach proposed by D’Affonseca et al. (2020), allowing the integration of multiple data sources and iterative evaluation of hydrogeological scenarios. The digital elevation model (DEM) was generated using data from the ALOS satellite and PALSAR sensor, complemented by geological and hydrographic maps from CPRM and detailed satellite image analyses. Additionally, climatological data were obtained from INMET and ANA, and drainage networks were modeled in ArcGIS® software to support the definition of the numerical model’s calculation domain.

The conceptual hydrogeological model considered four main domains: granito-gneissic, schistose, sedimentary, and alluvial, incorporating hydrodynamic parameters, groundwater flow dynamics, and recharge estimates. Geophysical characterization identified weathering layer thicknesses ranging from 5 to 10 meters, consistent with the casing depth of local wells, in addition to relevant geological structures such as shear zones and faults predominantly oriented NNE-SSW and WNW-ESE. Hydro chemical and isotopic tests revealed the existence of two distinct groundwater circulation systems: a shallow system, associated with the weathering mantle and alluvium, characterized by short residence times, and a deep system, marked by higher electrical conductivity and low connectivity with the shallow system.

Drawdown simulations indicated that wells within the mine would be completely depleted and that at least eight external wells registered in SIAGAS would be impacted under higher dewatering scenarios. The depletion cone would extend to the São Sebastião reservoir, south of the project site, with estimated drawdowns ranging between 5 and 20 meters. Since the simulations were conducted under steady-state conditions, the results represent an equilibrium scenario without considering seasonal or temporal effects, which may overestimate the impacts.

The study identified several limitations inherent to the mathematical modeling of fractured aquifers in crystalline bedrock, given the high heterogeneity and anisotropy of the medium. The lack of detailed data on hydrodynamic parameters and the absence of a consolidated piezometric monitoring network generates additional uncertainties regarding the representativeness of the results. Consequently, further investigations were recommended, including aquifer and slug tests distributed across the study area, as well as the installation of piezometers at different depths for continuous groundwater level monitoring.

Additionally, a detailed structural survey is recommended to map the location, extent, and geometry of major faults and their associated damage zones, which are linked to low-resistivity anomalies and potentially control groundwater flow. Transient groundwater flow modeling was also suggested to improve the predictability of dewatering impacts over time.

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The hydrogeological study conducted by FMD represents a significant advancement in understanding the hydrodynamic behavior of the Borborema Project, providing essential insights for pit dewatering planning and sustainable water resource management in the region. However, the continuation of hydrogeological investigations and the implementation of a groundwater monitoring network are crucial for reducing uncertainties and refining predictions regarding the impact of dewatering on local aquifers.

7.8GEOTECHNICAL DATA

TEC3 Engenharia conducted a comprehensive geotechnical study for the Borborema mine to characterize the geomechanical conditions of the rock mass and assess the key structural factors influencing the stability of the final pit slopes. The fieldwork was carried out between October 29 and November 14, 2024, and included a series of in situ geotechnical surveys and tests.

TEC3’s approach involved analyzing a wide range of data, including the Technical Report of the Borborema Gold Project Feasibility Study (NI 43-101), the structural geology map of the pit, geological and geotechnical drill hole descriptions, and geological models provided by Aura Minerals. The team also utilized updated orthophotos and recent topographic surveys to build a comprehensive geomechanical context of mine.

During the field campaign, geomechanical and structural mapping activities were conducted to determine the rock mass characteristics and the primary slope failure mechanisms. Sampling windows were opened throughout the accessible pit areas, including natural outcrops that had not yet been mined. Measurements included roughness parameters (JRC), digital Schmidt hammer tests for determining the uniaxial compressive strength of discontinuity walls (JCS), and geomechanical descriptions of exploratory drill cores to assess rock mass behavior at depth.

Geomechanical mapping was carried out using 20-meter-wide windows, enabling the identification of predominant lithologies, major geological structures, and relevant geomechanical parameters. The rock mass classification followed the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) methodology based on the criteria established by Bieniawski (1989; 2011), as well as the Jr and Ja parameters from the Q' classification system (Barton, 1974), in accordance with ISRM (International Society for Rock Mechanics) guidelines.

A total of 2,315 meters of drill core were geomechanically described to evaluate subsurface conditions. The surveys covered parameters related to intact rock strength and alteration, as well as discontinuity characteristics such as type, spacing, fracture intensity, roughness, infill material, weathering, and Rock Quality Designation (RQD). Tilt tests were conducted on drill cores to determine the basic friction angle of the lithologies present in the final pit.

The geological and geotechnical survey identified that the pit slopes are predominantly composed of schists, with quartz schist (QX) being the dominant lithology in the final pit. Biotite schist (BX) will also be extensively mined as part of the mineralized orebody. Geological structures such as Sn-2 and Sn-3 schistosities, fracture families, and structural lineaments were analyzed. The geomechanical characterization of discontinuities was restricted to rocks with a strength rating of R2 or higher, following ISRM standards.

Rock mass classification was performed using both field mapping data and drill core descriptions, ensuring a representative assessment of the pit at different depths. Some parameters were estimated based on observed field trends, considering the limitations of direct measurements in drill cores.

The results provide critical information for characterizing the rock mass and its geomechanical conditions, supporting future geotechnical assessments related to pit stability. Understanding the geomechanical and structural conditions enables the geotechnical zoning of the mine and the prediction of potential failure modes, directly contributing to pit stability planning.

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Despite some limitations related to accessibility in certain areas of the pit and the quality of some drill cores, the data obtained is consistent and reliable to support technical and operational decision-making. As such, the work conducted by TEC3 represents a significant advancement in the geotechnical understanding of the Borborema mine, playing a key role in ensuring the continuity of operations and the safety of mineral extraction at the site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY

To date Aura has completed no drilling at the Borborema Project. There is no information available for sample preparation and QA/QC measures for drilling and sampling prior to Crusader and Big River Gold. This section is partly taken from the Big River/Cascar Definitive Feasibility study (2019) report and summarizes the sample preparation, analyses and security practices of Cascar/ Big River on the Project. The Qualified Person has also reviewed the Cascar monthly quality assurance/ quality control (QA/QC) reports.

 

In the QP’s opinion, the QA/QC program as designed and implemented by Aura Minerals is adequate and the assay results within the database are suitable for use in a Mineral Resource estimate.

8.1CORE HANDLING, LOGGING, AND SAMPLING PROTOCOLS

The drilling contractor (Servitec for Crusader) was responsible for transporting and delivering core boxes to the Borborema core shed. Drill cores and RC samples are stored in the core sheds at the Borborema site as shown below in Figure 50 and Figure 51.

 

After receiving the core boxes, the headers (labels) are checked for the purpose of the depth, progress, and core recovery, length or meterage, drilled by the drill rig. When carrying out measurements of drill cores, the boxes are marked with the number of the box, the beginning and end of the length of the box and drill hole ID. At the end of measuring and closing the boxes, the information was passed to the drill contractor to make the individual front panels for each box. After the measurement was completed, photographs of the dry and wet core boxes are taken.

 

Logging of diamond core and RC chips was detailed, identifying main mineral assemblages (and hence basic rock types), colour alteration, structure/fabric, quartz veining and percentage, and sulphide assemblages and abundance.

 

Geological logging is completed using standard nomenclature and is to be considered high quality. Basic geotechnical logging (RQD, etc.) was completed for all diamond holes, and detailed structural logs were completed for several holes. Core orientation was limited to selected holes, and generally only through the zone of the mineralized envelope.

 

Discontinuities (mechanical or natural breakage), foliation of layers and veins is determined by marking with crayons and with the help of a REFLEX device (IQ-LOGGER). The measurements were done by aligning the device in the orientation which was provided by the drilling contractor to indicate the actual orientation of the core. Data was transferred to the REFLEX software program and exported as a csv file. Rock Quality Index (RQD), is calculated at each drilled interval, adding all the cores in the interval, with a size greater than 10 cm and converted into percent value (Figure 52).

 

Prior to the Cascar/Crusader acquisition of the project, diamond core was selectively sampled at intervals from 0.55 Meters up to 3 Meters based on the interpreted geological contacts. Longer samples were taken where lithologies were not considered to be likely hosts for mineralisation. Due to subjective selection of lithological boundaries and the likelihood of open pit mining methods, Cascar sampled uniform 1 metre intervals for both RC and diamond core.

 

The core was cut in half lengthways with a diamond core saw. Half core was sent for assay and the remaining half core was stored at the project core shed. The vast majority of RC sample splitting was done at the rig by a splitter attached to the cyclone.

 

Cascar personnel then prepared plastic bags and labelled the bags with drill holes identification and information. Samples are accompanied by a worksheet for proper checking with information including hole ID, sample number and interval designation in Meters. One label was inserted inside the sample bag and one attached to outside of the bag (Figure 53). Sample bags were also marked by hand in permanent ink. The sample numbers were electronically entered into the database, according to the proper sample intervals. This system then provided an electronic sample submittal form.

 

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Figure 50: On-site drill core storage at Borborema Project.

Figure 51: Borborema core boxes in core shack.

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Figure 52: IQ-LOGGER Tool for identifying marked core from oriented drill holes.

 

Figure 53: Sample bags prepared and ready to be shipped to the lab (Cascar, 2022).

8.2DENSITY DETERMINATIONS

Bulk densities of geological materials encountered in drill core are required to determine mass for Mineral Resource estimation. Density data must be representative of the lithologies found in the deposit and determined on replicate samples.

 

Cascar had completed 36,444 bulk density samples during 2011 and 2012 drilling campaigns using the Archimedes method. This test is based on a 10 cm length of diamond core which is dried, weighed, waxed, and weighed dry and in water to determine the volume. Samples from within the oxide zone have been analysed separately from the fresh rock. The drill database provided has limited bulk density measurements for oxide samples however this represents a relatively small proportion of the deposit.

 

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Table 25 shows the bulk density values used to populate the block model for fresh versus oxidised material in the 0.1 g/t Au envelope. These were calculated as a mean of the results falling within a 90% confidence range for the fresh and oxidised samples, which excluded those data clearly erroneously high. For the fresh material, the bulk density values for the fresh material within the mineralised zones (0.3 g/t Au) are also shown for comparison.

Table 25: Bulk density values statistics used in Mineral Resource Estimation.

Zone No. Samples Min. Max. Mean St. Dev. CV
Oxidised 1,806 1.440 3.410 2.650 0.174 0.066
Fresh 35,693 1.080 9.330 2.757 0.097 0.035
Fresh Mineralised 4,665 2.390 7.720 2.773 0.100 0.036
8.3SAMPLE ASSAYING

Two Brazilian laboratories were contracted by Crusader for sample analyses: Bureau Veritas Laboratory (BV) and ALS Laboratory. In addition, check sampling was undertaken at Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd (Acme) in Santiago, Chile and by Bureau Veritas’ Ultratrace Laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. Big River used SGS GEOSOL Laboratórios LTDA (Rodovia MG010, Km 24,5, bairro Angicos, CEP: 33206-240. Vespasiano/MG.) for the 2021-2022 drilling campaign.

 

The analyses carried out by the four laboratories are summarised in Table 26 below.

Table 26: Laboratory analysis techniques used by Cascar.

Lab Lab Code Sample
Digestion
Finish Company Main
Element
Detection
Limit ppm
Use
Bureau Veritas FA001 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.001 Normal
ALS Au-AA26 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.01 Normal
ACME G6-50 Fire Assay AAS Crusader Au 0.005 QC
Ultratrace FA002 Fire Assay ICPM Crusader Au 0.001 QC
SGS FAA505 Fire Assay AAS Big River Au   Normal

 

The entire sample preparation for Crusader 2010-2011 and 2021-2022 drilling campaigns was carried out in designated certified laboratories.

8.4QA/QC PROGRAM

Crusader’s QA/QC programme comprised submitting sample blanks, standard reference samples, sample duplicates, and inter-laboratory check samples. The approximate rate of sample submissions is summarised in Table 27.

Table 27: Sample submission rate by Cascar.

Sample Type Frequency
Blanks 1/20
Reference Material 1/20
Duplicates 1/25 (RC only)
Interlab Check Assays 1/10

 

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8.4.1Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-Bureau Veritas Assay Data (2011-2012)

Between August 2010 and February 2011, the Bureau Veritas Laboratory in Brazil was used for sample assaying.

 

Blanks

 

Crusader submitted blanks (pure quartz) inserted every 20 samples. Laboratory blanks consist of fused flux only. The Bureau Veritas laboratory also randomly inserted pure quartz samples at the crushing stage. Blanks were used to test for contamination during the sample preparation process. Internal and laboratory blanks both show signs of contamination (Figure 54 and Figure 55).

 

The quartz wash samples have improved over time, but still report values above detection (Figure 56).

Figure 54: Field blanks performance (Crusader, 2012).

 

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Figure 55: Lab blanks performance (Crusader,2012).

Figure 56: Lab blanks (quartz wash) performance (Crusader, 2012).

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Standards

 

Certified Reference samples were also inserted every 20 samples to check the accuracy of the assay laboratory. The reference samples were labelled CAS1 through to CAS6 (Table 28). The first three were sourced from Geostats Pty Ltd and are as follows: G909-6, G908-7, and G907-7. The standards CAS4 to CAS6 were sourced from CDN Resource Laboratory in Canada but were only used for batches 1 to 7. These are CDN-GS-2E, CDN-GS-P8, and CDN-GS-5E respectively.

 

The CAS standards CAS1 (3% bias low and 30% of data in tolerance), CAS2 (11% bias low and 47% of data in tolerance), CAS3 (12% bias low and 39% of data in tolerance) all show results falling below the expected mean, and also lower than 2 standard deviations from that mean.

Table 28: Table of field and laboratory (BV) standards.

STD ID Mean Au ppm Exp. Value Exp. Range
CAS1 0.55 0.57 0.513 0.627
CAS2 4.25 4.82 4.338 5.302
CAS3 1.35 1.54 1.386 1.694
CAS4 1.4 1.52 1.368 1.672
CAS5 n/a 0.78 0.702 0.858
CAS6 4.91 4.83 4.347 5.313
OxF65 0.81 0.81 0.725 0.886
OxG83 0.99 1.00 0.902 1.102
Sj53 2.58 2.64 2.373 2.901
OxG60 1.01 1.02 0.92 1.13

 

Field Duplicates

 

Field duplicates are duplicate samples sent to the laboratory as original samples to test precision and repeatability of the sampling process. Field duplicates were taken at a rate of 1 in every 25 samples for the RC drilling only. The field duplicates taken from RC chips were riffle split. Field duplicates show significant scatter at all grade ranges. Only 43 % of the data are within =/-10 % precision limits (Figure 57).

 

Duplicate Pulp Samples

 

Duplicate Pulp Samples are duplicates generated after pulverisation of the coarse sample and during the stage of weighing before fusion with the flux. They are routinely inserted to the sample stream as part of the laboratory’s internal QC. The Bureas Veritas repeat pulp samples are given a suffix of DFA, ALS samples given the prefix Ch and Ultratrace the suffix RPT.

Overall, the relative accuracy, measured in terms of mean half relative difference (HRD), is acceptable with a mean HRD of 1.67% returned. 61% of data is within +/- 10% precision limits (Figure 58).

 

Duplicate Coarse Rejects

 

Duplicate Coarse rejects are duplicates split after the crushing stage. Bureau Veritas refers to these samples as splits with the suffix of DUP. The duplicate core samples submitted to ALS are all coarse crush duplicates. 309 coarse reject duplicates (or laboratory splits) were undertaken by Bureau Veritas. These show significant scatter (r=0.91), but no relative bias (HRD = -0.33). 58% of data are within 10% precision (Figure 59).

 

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Figure 57: Field duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012).

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Figure 58: Pulp duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012).

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Figure 59: Coarse rejects duplicates performance in BV lab (Crusader, 2012).

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8.4.2Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-ALS Assay Data (2011-2012)

ALS was used to assay core samples drilled prior to August 2010, and then for all core and RC samples from sample batch 9 onwards.

 

Blanks

 

Crusader submitted blanks (pure quartz) inserted every 20 samples. Both field and lab blanks show no signs of contamination (Figure 60 and Figure 61).

Figure 60: Field blanks (ALS lab) performance (Crusader,2012).

Figure 61: Lab blanks (ALS lab) performance (Crusader,2012).

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Standards

 

Crusader sent the certified field standards listed in Table 29 (CAS1 to CAS5) to ALS for quality assurance and quality control purposes. The CAS standards (CAS1 to CAS5) all plot within acceptable limits. The laboratory standards are generally within acceptable limits.

Table 29: Table of field and laboratory (ALS) standards.

STD ID Mean Au ppm Exp. Value Exp. Range
CAS1 0.57 0.57 0.513 0.627
CAS2 4.80 4.82 4.338 5.302
CAS3 1.50 1.54 1.386 1.694
CAS4 1.49 1.52 1.368 1.672
CAS5 0.76 0.78 0.702 0.858
OxP76 14.97 14.98 14.40 15.45
SQ36 29.80 30.0 28.24 31.84
OxJ68 2.33 2.33 2.1 2.56
OxD87 0.41 0.42 0.38 0.46
GLG304-2 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.08

 

Duplicates

 

The charts in Figure 62 show that field duplicates have a low relative bias, but a poor correlation (r=78); 3% of data are within +/- 10% precision tolerance.

 

The ALS laboratory pulp duplicates (Figure 63) all show good correlation, with a low relative bias. Nearly 70% of the data are within 10% precision limits.

 

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Figure 62: Field duplicates performance in ALS lab (Crusader, 2012).

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Figure 63: Pulp duplicates performance in ALS lab (Crusader, 2012).

 

 

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8.4.3Crusader Drilling QA/QC Analysis-Inter-Laboratory Checks (2011-2012)

 

Laboratory checks were carried out on individual samples where the assays have returned anomalous or very high readings. These checks consist of a 30 g to 50 g sample depending on the laboratory method which is analysed by fire assay. The results are generally reported as AuCheck by ALS together with the original Au result.

 

The following inter-laboratory assay checks have been completed by Crusader:

 

·9 work orders were re-assayed by Bureau Veritas Laboratory accounting for 670 samples;

 

·work orders were re-assayed by Ultratrace - some 900 samples;

 

·1,166 samples were sent to ACME laboratory;

 

Table 30 summarizes the number of check assay samples from each of the assay laboratories. Note that 59 pulps submitted to ACME were not returned.

 

In September 2011, an additional 674 samples were sent to ACME Laboratory for umpire checks, and in February 2012 a further 662 samples were sent.

 

Table 30: Summary of laboratory check samples by Crusader (2011).

 

Type ACME BV Original BV Re-Assays ALS Original Ultratrace Re-Assays Samples Not Returned
Pulp 1012 789 71 235 71 59
Coarse Reject 95 95 3   12  
Total 1107 884 74 235 83 59

 

In December 2010, Crusader undertook a QA/QC analysis of batches 1 to 3 which had been analysed by the Bureau Veritas Lab (BV) in Brazil. In the QA/QC report, Crusader highlighted some significant problems mainly with poor accuracy results for the standards and contamination of the blanks. As a result of this review, nine (9) work orders were selected to be re-assayed by the BV laboratory.

 

Key findings from the re-sampled batches in Bureau Veritas (Brazil) are summarized below:

 

I.  Field duplicates compare poorly with original results, which is probably due to the nature of the mineralisation. There are also only 31 sample pairs, which are not enough data to draw any meaningful conclusions, particularly when you are dealing with a low-grade deposit, and many samples are below the detection limit. It was recommended that additional field duplicates are inserted into the sampling stream to try and address this issue.
     
II.  Lab repeats show better correlation, with some spurious values.
     
III.  Lab splits show good correlation, with some scatter at higher grades. Sparse data is possibly due to the nature of the Au mineralisation.
     
IV.  Blanks generally plot below detection limit of 0.001 g/t Au, the Bureau Veritas quartz blank samples show signs of contamination.
     
V.  CAS standards CAS1, CAS2, CAS5 and CAS6 show inconsistencies. This is probably attributable to the fact that there was insufficient sample available for re-assay.
     
VI.  Internal laboratory standards report within acceptable limits.
     
VII.  Comparison of the original assays with the re-assay is very poor, with only 22% of the data falling within 10% precision limits. There is an overall relative bias of about 25% towards the original Bureau Veritas assays; this bias seems to be consistent at all grade ranges (Figure 64).

 

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Figure 64: Comparison between original and re-assayed samples in BV lab (Crusader, 2012).

 

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A series of QC analyses on the QA/QC data was done by third party consultants and Crusader geologists. The history of these QC analyses is described below. The flow chart in Figure 65 illustrates the workflow.

 

In January 2011, Crusader hired a consultant (Lauritz Barnes) to undertake another review of all QC data from batches 4 to 7 including some data which pre-dated batches 1 to 3. The findings were similar to those of December 2010. It was decided to take the pulps from 13 work orders (batches 4–7) and submit them for analyses at the Bureau Veritas – Ultratrace Laboratories in Perth, Western Australia. Subsequent batches from number 9 onwards have been analysed by ALS in Brazil.

 

Investigation of the Bureau Veritas re-assays showed no improvement of the QC data. The re-assaying of the pulps by Ultratrace was better. Key findings from this exercise are summarised below:

 

I.  Field duplicates show good repeatability, with almost 60% of assays within 10% precision limits. All field duplicates are RC chips.
     
II.  Lab repeats are fairly good (64 % of data within 10% precision limits), with limited bias.
     
III.  Lab checks are fair, better for RC samples than core, but both data sets show scatter at higher grades where original assays is significantly higher than subsequent checks. This may indicate that re-homogenisation of the sample pulp has not occurred.
     
IV.  Blanks are reporting above detection limits (0.001 g/t Au) for both the Crusader internal blanks and the Bureau Veritas quartz blanks. However, the highest value reported is 0.06 g/t, and this is an improvement on the Bureau Veritas laboratory.
     
V.  No Crusader standards have been submitted for QC.
     
VI.  Ultratrace internal standards report within acceptable limits of 2 standard deviations from the expected mean.
     
VII.  Based on the available data the Ultratrace data appears to be both accurate and reports acceptable levels of precision.
     
VIII.  Comparison of the original Bureau Veritas assays with the Ultratrace assays is poor, with only 28% of data falling with 10% precision limits (after removal of assays < 0.1 g/t Au). However, the relative precision is consistent across the grade range at approximately 30% and the relative bias, is less than 5%. The bias is in favour of the Bureau Veritas assaying.

 

This study indicated low confidence in the Bureau Veritas (BV) assay data, and therefore 1,166 samples from all batches (1 to 9) were sent to ACME Laboratory in Chile, for umpire checks. Summary findings of the ACME QC data are as follows:

 

I.  Blanks show no indications of contamination.
     
II.  It is difficult to comment on laboratory precision as the internal checks have returned codes of insufficient sample for nearly half (13) of the original 28 samples. Of these, 7 samples have check assays within 10% difference.
     
III.  ACME results compare poorly with both sets of BV assay data (i.e. original and re-assays).
     
IV.  ACME results compare well with ALS assay results.
     
V.  ACME results compare favourably (with a few exceptions at the data extremes), with the Ultratrace re-assays.
     
VI.  There is no difference (where there are sufficient samples) between pulp and coarse reject samples.
     
VII.  There is a slight negative bias for pulp samples (i.e. original results higher than ACME results, particularly at higher grades). 34% of pulp sample pairs are within 10% precision limits.
     
VIII.  There is a slight negative bias (i.e. original results higher than ACME results, particularly at higher grades). 35% of sample pairs are within 10% precision limits.

 

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Despite the relative lack of confidence in the BV results it was concluded that enough volume of samples had been re-analysed at ALS and ACME with reliable results to enable a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate. It was recommended that all BV samples used in the estimate be re-assayed at an umpire laboratory for inclusion in future Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates. This task was completed by the ALS laboratory.

 

 

Figure 65: QC analysis flow chart (Big River, 2019).

 

In September 2011, 4541 original Bureau Veritas samples (coded as 1XX XXX and 3XX XXX series) were selected for re-assay by the ALS laboratory. These were re-numbered with code 9XX XXX sample numbers. 394 of these were standards (BLANK, CAS1, CAS2, CAS3). Of the original sample numbers chosen, 245 were standards, and 144 were QC samples (CHP-SPL3 duplicates). The direct comparison of the sample pairs shows that the correlation is poor with a correlation coefficient of r2=0.47 (Figure 66 and Figure 67). However, this was expected given the re-assays were undertaken due to low confidence in the original data.

 

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Figure 66: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - all data (Crusader, 2012).

 

 

Figure 67: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - Au<10g/t (Crusader, 2012).

 

The re-assayed field duplicates showed a high degree of scatter and very poor repeatability (Figure 68). These field duplicates were all flagged with a sample type of CHP_SPL3 which indicates they were RC holes, and the samples were split using a 3-tier riffle splitter. It is not known whether these duplicates were also riffle split. This poor duplicate correlation is probably a combination of high nugget effect and poor duplicate sampling method.

 

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Figure 68: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS- Field Duplicates (Crusader, 2012).

 

Several blanks appear to have been mislabelled in the sample renumbering process (Figure 69). These samples are all original BV standards, so there may have been insufficient sample for the resubmission, and they were replaced with other standards. The blanks submitted with the re-assays all appear to be reporting below or at detection.

 

 

Figure 69: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS - Blanks (Crusader, 2012).

 

Standards samples are all original BV standards, so there may have been insufficient sample for the resubmission, and they were replaced with other standards. Internal Crusader standards are all within expected limits. ALS standards all plot within acceptable limits. CAS1 is consistently biased low (7.2%) (Figure 70). The results are within acceptable tolerances. CAS2 results are good, with little bias. CAS 3 has a sample which appears to be mislabelled. Removing this outlier shows there is still one sample just outside of two standard deviations from the mean. This standard is also biased low (3.5%).

 

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Table 31 shows all gold standards that were submitted with original assays to ALS lab. ALS standards all plot within acceptable limits (Figure 71).

 

Table 31: List of Standard Samples.

 

Au Standard(s) No. of Samples Calculated Values
StandardCode Value SD Mean Au SD CV Mean Bias
BlankLab 0.00 0.000 283 0.01 0.0 0.17 0
GLG304-2 0.07 - 85 0.06 0.005 0.077 -8.7395
OxD87 0.42 - 25 0.40 0.010 0.024 -4.2857
SH55 1.38 0.045 4 1.37 0.017 0.013 -0.7273
OXJ68 2.33 - 16 2.32 0.040 0.017 -0.6170
SL34 5.89 0.140 34 5.87 0.064 0.011 -0.4652
SL61 5.93 0.057 6 6.02 0.095 0.016 1.4725
OxP91 14.82 0.100 9 15.11 0.646 0.043 1.9268
OxP76 14.98 0.295 75 14.93 0.277 0.019 -0.3115
SQ36 30.04 0.703 11 29.55 0.623 0.021 -1.6463

Note: SD = standard deviation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 70: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by ALS-CAS1 and CAS3 Standards (Crusader, 2012).

 

 

 

Figure 71: Example of ALS Standards Performance - SH55 (Crusader, 2012).

 

QA/QC analysis of the ALS laboratory for 2011 and 2012 samples indicated that inserted standards and blanks are within expected tolerances although the standards consistently have a low bias. Laboratory standards are generally within expected limits; however, some standards do have values outside of these limits. Laboratory repeats are good. Field duplicates and coarse crush duplicates have only been submitted from late 2011 and it is difficult to comment on the repeatability of the Au assays with a small sample population. Laboratory pulp repeats are good with 70% of repeat samples falling within a 10% range of the original results. Field duplicates are poor and with wide scatter. Coarse crush duplicates of core are better with 65% repeating within 10% of the original results. Laboratory checks (Au checks) are consistent with two results from 29 showing extreme differences (i.e., greater than 50%).

 

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Approximately 900 sample pulps from 13 work orders prepared by Bureau Veritas laboratory in Brazil were sent to Ultratrace in Perth for re-analysis by Fire Assay. Included in the pulps were Bureau Veritas splits (duplicate samples) and Bureau Veritas quartz washes (Lab Blanks).

 

Field duplicates showed good repeatability, with almost 60% of assays being within 10% precision limits. All field duplicates are RC chips. Lab repeats are fairly good, 64 % of data within 10% precision limits, with limited bias. Blanks are reporting above detection limits (0.001 g/t Au) for both the Crusader internal blanks and the Bureau Veritas quartz blanks. However, the highest value reported is 0.06 g/t Au, and this was an improvement on the Bureau Veritas laboratory.

 

Comparison of the original BV assays with the Ultratrace assays is poor, with only 28% of data falling with 10% precision limits, after removal of assays <0.1 g/t Au. However, the relative precision is consistent across the grade range at approximately 30% (see the T&H plot Figure 11-23) and the relative bias, as measured in terms of the MRD, is less than 5%. The bias is in favour of the Bureau Veritas assaying (Figure 72).

 

In September 2011, 674 assays were sent to ACME for re-assays; only 48% of these checks are within 10% difference to the original ALS assay results. This result may reflect the nature of the mineralisation. Ongoing QC for the ALS assay results shows that field duplicates and coarse crush laboratory duplicates have poor repeatability. The results showed that ACME results compare poorly with both sets of BV assay data (i.e. original and re-assays). ACME results compare well with ALS assay results. ACME results compare favourably, with a few exceptions at the data extremes, with the Ultratrace re-assays. There is no difference, where there are sufficient samples, between pulp and coarse reject samples (Figure 73 and Figure 74).

 

A second set of checks on the ALS results was undertaken in February 2012. A total of 662 samples were sent to ACME for re-assays; only 49% of these checks are within 10% difference of the original ALS assay results, a similar result to the first set of checks carried out in September 2011 (Figure 75). Ongoing QC for the ALS assay results shows that field duplicates and coarse crush laboratory duplicates have poor repeatability.

 

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Figure 72: Comparison between original BV assays and re-assay by Ultratrace (Crusader, 2012).

 

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Figure 73: Comparison between original BV assays versus ACME Lab-Pulps (Crusader, 2012).

 

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Figure 74: Comparison between original BV assays versus ACME Lab-Coarse Rejects (Crusader, 2012).

 

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Figure 75: Comparison between ALS Lab assays versus ACME lab-pulps (Crusader, 2012).

 

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8.4.4Internal QA/QC Analysis for Big River Drilling (2021-2022)

 

Big River drilled 14 diamond drill holes on the Project between December 2021 and April 2022. The Big River QA/QC program included the submittal of both blind and non-blind control samples into the sample stream being analyzed by the SGS laboratory. Big River maintained internal quality control by inserting blind control samples into the sample stream whilst external quality control was established by the laboratories who insert their own control samples into the sample stream being analyzed. The results of the internal and external QA/QC program are discussed below.

 

The following types of control samples were routinely analyzed as part of QA/QC program.

 

·Certified Reference Materials (CRM, “standards”).

 

·Blanks.

 

·Coarse Crush duplicate.

 

The following summary is the minimum number of control samples to be inserted into the sample stream being submitted to the laboratory:

 

·One high ore-grade and one low ore-grade CRM (or medium grade) in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%).

 

·A minimum of one blank inserted in each batch mainly after mineralized zones.

 

·A minimum of two core duplicates in each analytical batch of 40 samples (5%). Duplicate samples analyses were requested to the lab after received the original results, an average of 5 samples per hole.

 

·The control sample assay results of the internal QA/QC program were monitored, including the CRMs, blanks, and coarse duplicates. Additionally, systematic checks of the digital database were conducted against the original signed Certificates of Analysis from the laboratory.

 

The following criteria were used to establish acceptance and rejection thresholds for internal control samples analyzed for the Project.

 

For CRMs:

 

·Automatic batch failure if the CRM assay result is greater than three standard deviations of the accepted mean value of the CRM, then re-assay the batch.

 

·Contact the laboratory if trends on CRM plots suggest possible bias, work with lab to resolve the problem.

 

·For Blanks:

 

·If assays on field blanks exceed three times the detection limit of 0.005 ppm Au, then automatic re-assaying of 20 samples surrounding the blank sample in the batch.

 

·For Duplicate Samples:

 

·Assays from duplicates were not used to determine failed batches.

 

 

Blank Samples

 

A total of 77 blank samples were analysed by the laboratories for which no contamination was observed. The blank sample 329130 failed in the QA/QC with a value above 3 detection limits (0.015 ppm Au) and 24 samples surrounding the blank sample position in the batch were re-assayed, but the reanalysed samples returned with consistent results and the original data was considered to be preferable. Figure 76 shows a chart and statistics for the final blank samples results.

 

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Figure 76: Internal QA/QC- Blank samples.

 

Standards

 

A total of 77 purchased certified standards were inserted into the sample stream during the 2022 drill program, including high, medium, and low gold grades, purchased from Geostats Pty Ltd. The summary details of these standards are shown in the Table 32 and Figure 77.

 

Table 32: List of field standard samples and respective values.

 

Standard ID Gold Grade ppm Standard Deviation Expected Min Expected Max
High (G315-7) 4.82 0.22 4.16 5.48
Medium (G319-4) 1.54 0.07 1.33 1.75
Low (G916-6) 0.57 0.03 0.48 0.66

 

 

The Standard performance was acceptable with only one instance of failure beyond the three standard deviation thresholds. The high-grade Standard sample 329300 was re-assayed and the original results were confirmed and kept as preferred. A minor positive bias is apparent in high standards G315-7 but is not considered to be significant. Figure 11-28 shows the charts for the 2021-2022 drill campaigns set of field standards and the statistics for the same samples.

 

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Figure 77: Internal QA/QC- Standard samples.

 

Coarse Rejects Duplicate Samples

 

A total of 77 coarse duplicate samples were analysed in the SGS laboratory as part of QA/QC program. Figure 78 shows in a scatter plot the performance of field duplicates samples and their statistics. A good correlation is shown between the duplicates and the original assays as defined by a correlation value of 0.97.

 

   

 

Figure 78: Internal QAQC- Coarse rejects samples.

 

Check Assays

 

A total of 50 samples were reanalyzed in 2022, due to the failure of one standard and one blank sample. The original results were kept as preferred for these samples. Figure 79 shows the chart and statistical information for the re-assays.

 

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Figure 79: Internal QAQC - Re-assays.

 

8.4.5External QA/QC Analysis for Big River Drilling (2021-2022)

 

Commercial laboratory contracted for the Project QA/QC, SGS Geosol Laboratórios LTDA, routinely inserted blanks, standards and replicates into each batch of samples to be analyzed. SGS Geosol includes the results of their internal QA/QC analyses with their analytical reports. The results of control sample analyses were stored in the laboratory’s files while a copy was also stored in the Borborema’s digital database. All analytical results were delivered in digital format to Big River’s database manager while the Certificates of Analysis were provided separately. Copies of the digital assay files and certificates are stored in the Borborema digital database.

 

Blank Samples

 

The total of 48 blank samples were analysed by SGS laboratory as part of your QA/QC program. All returned results were approved with values below three times the detection limit for the method (0.015 ppm Au). Figure 80 shows a summary chart and statistics for the SGS blank samples.

 

 

Figure 80: External QAQC-Blanks.

 

Standards

 

The SGS Geosol Laboratory included 28 CRMs in the sample batches sent during the 2022 drilling programs, as shown in the Figure 81 displaying a variation plot and statistical information for these samples. The charts show a good degree of analytical accuracy and precision as all CRM analyses were well within the threshold of three standard deviations of the mean. Therefore, no analytical batch was rejected by virtue of external CRM performance.

 

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Replicates

 

Replicate pulp samples were used as external controls at the SGS laboratory as part of QA/QC program. As shown in Figure 82, a total of 39 accumulated duplicate samples were analyzed. A good degree of correlation is shown between the replicates and the original assays as defined by a correlation value of 0.99.

 

 

Figure 81: External QA/QC - Lab standards.

 

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Figure 82: External QA/QC - Lab replicates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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9DATA VERIFICATION

 

This section provides an overview of data verification and validation methods employed by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (SRK) in reviewing the foundational geological, drilling, and gold analytical data used in support of Mineral Resource estimation. The Qualified Person conducted a site visit to the Project property and has reviewed the raw drilling data including assay and density information for the Project. SRK received the Borborema Project Access database which included four commas separated variable (.csv) files: collar, survey, assay, and geology. These files represent the base of verification.

 

9.1SITE VISITE

 

The Qualified Person has conducted a personal site inspection of the Project as part of data verification. SRK visited the project site November 19 to 20, 2021. During the site visit, SRK staff inspected the historical open pit, toured the general layout of the site, inspected the core shed and logging procedures, reviewed select drill core, and conducted interviews with site geological staff.

 

9.2COLLAR AND DOWNHOLE SURVEY

 

In 2011, all drill hole collar locations were re-surveyed using differential global positioning system (DGPS) measurements after Borborema personnel discovered a minor error. After 2011, all drilling completed includes collars surveyed by DGPS, it is the opinion of the Qualified Person that all collars in the drilling database used for Mineral Resource calculations are considered accurate and reliable. The Qualified Person did not perform a validation check in the field to confirm collar locations.

 

Downhole surveys have been completed on all diamond drill holes based on historical documentation. No details were provided relating to the downhole survey tool(s) used during historical drilling campaigns. Many historical reverse circulation (RC) holes focused in the pit area do not include downhole surveys (prefix CRRC holes). Due to the relative shallow nature of the RC holes, tight spacing, and concentration in one area, it is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the lack of downhole data for these RC holes does not represent a material risk, but this potential uncertainty is considered as part of the Mineral Resource classification.

 

9.3LOGGING

 

Geological logging is completed onsite by geological staff with the data logged including rock type, color, alteration, fabric, veining, and notes if sulphides are present. During the Qualified Person site visit, logged core was reviewed at the on-site core shed. As part of the logging review, the Qualified Person observed mineralization styles and noted that alteration and mineralization is subtle, with minor differences observed in both the psammite and pellitic host lithology. The Qualified Person notes two observed styles of mineralization represented as disseminated free gold and sulphide-hosted gold mineralization, typically observed within schistose planes and augens. The geological logging is considered satisfactory but notes that this data is not utilized for geological modeling or Mineral Resources.

 

9.4ANALYTICAL VALIDATION

 

SRK performed a validation exercise for the drill hole database that covered all analyses performed at independent laboratories prior to 2022. Laboratory certificates were obtained from Aura to validate the original data against the drilling database. The validation exercise was performed in mid-2022 prior to the completion of the 2022 drill program.

 

Data verification efforts performed by SRK included comparison by sample ID of gold grade found in original laboratory certificate data against corresponding values for gold with matching IDs in the Aura-provided Microsoft Access assay database. Only gold values were provided and reviewed. SRK was provided scanned pdf certificate files from SGS laboratories and Excel (xls and csv) certificate files from ALS Laboratories.

 

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From the certificate files provided, SRK identified 57,912 sample IDs in the certificates provided which contained values for gold to which SRK could match IDs in the database representing 79.71% of the values for gold in the assay database. Of those 57,912 matching sample IDs, 211 mismatched values were identified representing an error rate of 0.37% (99.63% match rate). Of the mismatching values, 151 can be traced to one scanned pdf (Caraíba.pdf) which includes all the SGS certificates indicating that many of the mismatched values may be the result of optical character recognition limitations due to the poor quality of the supplied pdf document.

 

Further, some of the mismatched values may have been transcription errors. For example, sample ID 901101 was found in the certificates with a value of 4.72 ppm but was found in the assay at 0.72 ppm. Sample ID 901100 was found in the database with a value of 0.72 ppm Au leading to our belief that a transcription error was at fault for this and many of the other 60 errors found for certificates not from the Caraíba.pdf file.

 

Of interest is the treatment in the assay database of values below detection threshold. Customarily, values identified in certificates as below detection threshold are clearly indicated in assay databases as being below the threshold. In this case, however, many values in the certificates identified as below detection threshold were included in the assay at the detection threshold. This is not considered good practice but has no material impact on the Mineral Resources.

 

SRK identified a low (0.37%) error rate between original source data found in certificates and the data in the assay database. Obvious errors which could be corrected were corrected prior to data use in estimation. In summary, it is the Qualified Persons opinion that the assay database has been verified and is appropriate for use in Mineral Resource Estimation.

 

9.5REVERSE CIRCULATION TWIN REVIEW

 

SRK reviewed the use of reverse circulation (RC) sampling alongside diamond drill core (DDH) data in the deposit to determine reliability of the RC on grade and potential biases that may incur from RC sampling in a highly variable – moderate to high nugget deposit. In summary, it is SRK’s opinion that minor biases and dilution is likely occurring in RC holes. That stated, the use of RC drilling does not represent a material risk to the deposit and close-spaced RC drilling can add value in identifying short range variability in mineral resources. SRK notes that RC drilling does represent most data used to inform the early mining period (years one through five) and as such, recommends additional diamond core drilling be completed in initial mining phases to provide additional support for tonnes and grade prediction using the robust method as validation during early mine start up.

 

SRK reviewed the previously completed RC versus DDH Q-Q plots and a twin analysis provided by Aura conducted by the property’s previous owners (Figure 83). These summary reports and data indicate minor dilution in RC holes but given the discontinuous nature of gold mineralization, it is unclear how representative samples are and whether a true “twin” hole can be completed. Performing a visual validation of an area containing both drilling methods shows inconclusive results, in some locations there appears to be continuity of high grade while other areas show material differences (Figure 84).

 

Overall, it is SRK’s opinion that Aura conduct diamond core drilling for all future Mineral Resource evaluation work on the Borborema deposit. This will eliminate the potential for sample loss and grade contamination known to be associated with the RC drilling method and exasperated by the high nugget nature of the Borborema deposit.

 

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Figure 83: Q-Q plot of RC versus DDH assay less than 5 g/t Au. (Source: Big River data room, 2021).

 

 

 

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Figure 84: North-looking vertical cross section showing RC and DDH holes coloured by Au grade. (Source: SRK, 2021).

 

9.6STATISTICAL DATA REVIEW

 

SRK performed a statistical review of the drilling database as part of the validation. The review included calculation of descriptive statistics, multiple charts, and review of potential outlier and erroneous data. This validation check aimed to identify errors common amongst databases including the use of zero values, treatment of below detection limits, negative or non-numeric values, extreme outlier identification, and interpretation of the distribution of gold values across the property. It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the statistical review did not identify major errors not already identified in associated validation steps as described in this section.

 

9.7LIMITATIONS

 

The following are the known limitations on data verification as identified by the Qualified Person:

 

·Only gold analytical data was reviewed and validated.

 

·The Qualified Person did not supervise or oversee data acquisition of any drilling, logging, or analytical data used in the determination of Mineral Resources. Instead, the Qualified Person reviewed summary data, technical reporting, and supporting documentation that summarize procedures and protocols. All descriptions of procedures and methods used in the collection of data supporting Mineral Resources were provided by Aura, a trusted source. Based on these documents, it is the Qualified Person’s opinion that drilling and analytical data used in support of Mineral Resources were collected in a manner aligned with good industry practices sufficient for Mineral Resource classification.

 

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·The Qualified Person has not conducted a visit or inspection to the analytical laboratories which provided the baseline analytical data supporting Mineral Resources. The laboratories used are considered reputable and independent laboratories suitable for the analyses performed.

 

·QA/QC summary data reviewed represented summary documentation and did not include a detailed review of raw quality control sample data. As such, errors may have been introduced or omitted prior to the Qualified Person’s review.

 

·No independent duplicate samples were collected nor analyzed for verification purposes by the Qualified Person.

 

·The Qualified Person did not verify drill hole collar locations in the field but relied on historical collar surveys as accurate in X, Y, and Z coordinates. Collar locations were checked against LiDAR topography and satellite imagery and deemed acceptable.

 

·Historical open pit mining production data was not available for the Qualified Person to review.

 

9.8OPINION ON DATA ADEQUACY

 

It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the raw drilling data used for estimating Mineral Resources has been adequately reviewed and classified in accordance with SEC S-K 1300 guidelines. Items identified as potential project risks, low confidence data, or lack of historical production data are accounted for in the Mineral Resource classification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

 

10.1INTRODUCTION

 

The ore processing and metallurgical testing described in this section for the Borborema Project included various campaigns carried out during 2011 to 2019. Each campaign comprised different aspects such as ore characterization, comminution assessment, gold liberation and metallurgical testing. Selected aspects of each campaign are described in the following sections.

 

10.22011-2013 Testing Campaigns

 

The technological reports summarizing the Borborema Project ore processing and metallurgical testing campaigns are listed in Table 33.

 

Table 33: 2011-2013 Test Reports.

 

Title Author Document Date
Metallurgical Test work for Mineral Processing Flowsheet Determination for Borborema Project – Final Report Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processo LTDA TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-001-R0 August 2011
Testes de Sedimentação Com Minério Do Projeto Borborema” Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processo LTDA TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-002-R0 March 2012
Gravity Concentration, Leaching, Equilibrium Isotherm, Carbon Kinetic Test work Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processo LTDA TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-003-R0 August 2012
Final Report Variability Leaching Tests with Borborema Ore Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processo LTDA TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-004-R1 January 2013
Final Report Size Distribution and Leaching Tests with Borborema Ore” Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processo LTDA TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-005-R1 January 2013
Characterisation of Borborema Ore Samples” HDA Serviços S/S LTDA. HDA-BORB-B-0012-RL-D21-001-R2 27 Mar 2013
Design of Borborema Industrial Comminution Circuit HDA Serviços S/S LTDA. HDA-BORB-B-0012-RL-D21-002-R2 30 Mar 2013
Survey of Gold Occurrences Borborema Classifier Overflow ALS Metallurgy, Kamloops KM3686 8 February 2013
Preliminary Assessment of Borborema Gold samples ALS Metallurgy, Kamloops KM3720 5 April 2013

 

 

Selected aspects of the reports listed in Table 33 are described in the following sections.

 

10.2.1Selected Samples for Metallurgical Testing

 

Detailed description of the metallurgical composite samples (met samples) used, and the tests carried out, in the 2011-2013 metallurgical testing campaigns are shown in Table 34.

 

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Table 34: Summary of Samples Used for the Metallurgical Tests.

 

Metallurgical Sample ID Drill Hole Type Sample Weight (kg) Average Grade Au (ppm) Date Sampled Zone Ore Type Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-001 RC 27.0 1.22 Nov-2010 All Oxides PFS Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-002 RC 45.0 1.67 Dec-2010 All Fresh (Sulphides) PFS Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-003 DD 25.0 1.67 Feb-2011 All Fresh (Sulphides) PFS Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-004 RC 21.0 1.70 May-2011 All Fresh (Sulphides) Post-PFS Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-005 DD 25.0 NA Aug-2011 Central Trans / Fresh WI & Comminutions
CRMET-006 DD 25.0 NA Aug-2011 Northern Trans / Fresh WI & Comminutions
CRMET-007 DD 25.0 NA Aug-2011 Southern Trans / Fresh WI & Comminutions
CRMET-008 RC 10.0 6.03 Nov-2011 Central Transition Granulometry Test of RC Sample
CRMET-009 DD 7.0 4.94 Nov-2011 Central Fresh (Sulphides) WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-010 DD 6.0 0.41 Dec-2011 Central Transition WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-011 DD 6.0 0.80 Dec-2011 Southern Fresh (Sulphides) WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-012 DD 6.0 0.79 Dec-2011 Central Fresh (Sulphides) WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-013 DD 6.0 0.58 Dec-2011 Northern Fresh (Sulphides) WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-014 DD 100.0 NA Jan-2012 All All WI & Comminutions - BFS
CRMET-015 DD 5.0 NA Jan-2012 All All Pilot Plant Comminutions Tests
CRMET-016 RC 5.0 0.91 Jul-2012 Southern Oxides Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-017 RC 5.0 2.39 Jul-2012 Central Oxides Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-019 RC 5.0 0.95 Jul-2012 Northern Oxides Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-020 RC 5.0 1.06 Jul-2012 Southern Transition Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-021 RC 5.0 1.17 Jul-2012 Central Transition Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-022 RC 5.0 1.56 Jul-2012 Central Transition Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-023 RC 5.0 1.69 Jul-2012 Central Transition Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-024 RC 5.0 1.50 Jul-2012 Northern Transition Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-025 DD 5.0 1.33 Jul-2012 Southern Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-026 RC 5.0 1.33 Jul-2012 Southern Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-027 RC 5.0 1.59 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-028 RC 5.0 2.28 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-029 DD 5.0 1.09 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-030 DD 5.0 1.39 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests

 

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Metallurgical Sample ID Drill Hole Type Sample Weight (kg) Average Grade Au (ppm) Date Sampled Zone Ore Type Metallurgical Test work
CRMET-031 DD 5.0 2.12 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-032 DD 5.0 1.87 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-033 DD 5.0 1.68 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-034 DD 5.0 1.16 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-035 RC 5.0 1.76 Jul-2012 Central Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests
CRMET-036 DD 5.0 1.20 Jul-2012 Northern Fresh (Sulphides) Zone Variation Leach Tests

 

 

In July 2012, CRMET-016 to CRMET-036 metallurgical samples were chosen to assess variability aspects. These samples, weighing approximately 5 kg each, were obtained from slurries and coarse tailings from drilling campaigns as representative of respective ore type and zone within the Mineral Reserves. The locations of these samples are shown in Figure 85 in plan view and Figure 86 in longitudinal section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 85: Variability Metallurgical Testing Sample Locations Map.

 

 

Figure 86: Variability Metallurgical Testing Sample Locations Longitudinal Section.

 

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10.2.2Testwork – 2012 Campaign

 

This section discusses the results of the tests carried out by TESTWORK in their laboratories at Nova Lima, MG, Brazil, from the report entitled “Gravity Concentration, Leaching, Equilibrium Isotherm, Carbon Kinetic” issued by TESTWORK on 09/05/2012 (2012b). The campaign supported the bankable feasibility study (BFS) prepared by Tetra Tech company, for a 4 Mtpy circuit capacity.

 

The campaign included gravity and cyanidation testing to assess the performance of carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing; Bond Ball Mill Work index (“BWi”) determination for comminution characterization, together with sedimentation and flotation testing.

 

The summary of tests carried out in each sample is as follows:

 

·Sample CRMET – 001: Laboratory scale column leach for oxidized ore; roller bottle leach test for ore ground to P80 = 0.106 mm (150# Tyler) to determine maximum gold recovery;

 

·Sample CRMET – 002: Exploratory flotation tests; leach test (kinetic) without gravity concentration and varying griding size; leach in grinding test; size distribution and leaching test per fraction; gravity concentration curve; gravity concentration, followed by leach tests (kinetic) varying grain size; leach tests to optimize cyanide concentration; preliminary flotation test; sedimentation tests.

 

·Sample CRMET – 003: Determination of the BWi of the sample. This test was carried out at SGS laboratories in MG, Brazil.

 

The selected results obtained are listed in the following tables.

 

Head Sample Analysis: Table 35 to Table 37

 

Table 35: CRMET-001 – Head Sample Analysis.

 

Element Unit Data
S % 0.14
Fe % 5.5
Au g/t 1.07
Ag g/t 2.33
As ppm 10.7
Hg ppm 0.026
Cu ppm 173.3

 

Table 36: Gold Grade Samples CRMET-001 and CRMET-002.

 

Sample CRMET - 001   Sample CRMET - 001
Gold (g/t) Average Std Gold (g/t) Average Std
1.037 1.07 0.034 2.411 1.59 0.459
1.067 1.357
1.105 1.448
Silver (g/t) Average Std 1.419
2.0 2.33 0.577 1.337
2.0 Silver (g/t) Average Std
3.0 3.0 2.40 0.548

 

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Table 37: Multi Element Analysis by ICP.

 

Element Unit CRMET - 001 CRMET - 002
C (CO3) % <0.005 0.054
C (Elemental) % <0.005 0.009
C (Organic) % 0.074 0.031
Al % 7.67 7.64
Ca % 1.25 1.39
Fe % 4.91 4.77
K % 2.04 2.2
Mg % 1.63 1.69
Mn % 0.19 0.11
Na % 1.5 1.51
P % 0.07 0.08
S % N.A. 0.61
Ti % 0.44 0.42
As ppm 39 102
Ba ppm 432 431
Be ppm <3 <3
Bi ppm <20 <20
Cd ppm <3 <3
Co ppm 15 16
Cr ppm 45 49
Cu ppm 151 127
La ppm 22 21
Li ppm 13 13
Mo ppm <3 <3
Ni ppm 49 52
Pb ppm 87 163
Sb ppm <10 <10
Sc ppm 16 17
Se ppm <20 <20
Sn ppm <20 <20
Sr ppm 129 130
Th ppm <20 <20
Tl ppm <20 <20
U ppm <20 <20
V ppm 126 129
W ppm <20 <20
Y ppm 12 13
Zn ppm 117 103
Zr ppm 85 94
Hg ppm N.A. 0.013

 

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Laboratory Leach Tests for Oxide Ore: Table 38 to Table 40

 

Table 38: CRMET- 001 Size Distribution "As Received".

 

Mesh tyler Size (mm) Retained (%) Retained Accum. (%) % Passing Accum.
65 0.212 45.6 45.6 54.4
100 0.150 11.1 56.7 43.3
150 0.106 12.3 68.9 31.1
200 0.075 9.4 78.3 21.7
270 0.053 4.67 83.0 17.0
325 0.045 1.9 84.9 15.1
-325 -0.045 15.1 100 -

 

The CRMET-001 sample was ground to P80 = 0.075 mm and leached under the following condition:

 

Concentration: 50% of solids; pH = 10.5 – 11.0; 1000 g/t of NaCN and 24 hours contact time.

 

The results are listed in Table 39.

 

Table 39: Maximum Recovery Results CRMET-001.

 

Test n° Reagents (g/t) Gold
NaCN
Initial
NaCN
Consumption
Lime Calculated
Feed (g/t)
Tailing
(g/t)
Recovery (%) Recovery
Average (%)
1 1000 647 1160 0.96 0.06 94.3% 90.1%
2 1000 684 1140 1.03 0.06 93.9%
3 1000 583 1540 1.47 0.26 82.0%

 

The following gold recovery tests were carried out on sample CRMET-002, Table 40.

 

Table 40: Size Distribution and Gold Recovery by Fraction – Sample CRMET-002.

 

Size Distribution Gold Recovery by Fraction
Mesh Tyler Size (micron) Mass (g) %
Retained
% Retained Accumulated % Passing Accumulated Au Feed (g/t) Au Tailing (g/t) Au Recovery
(%)
100 150 119.26 11.8 11.8 88.2 0.50 0.07 85.7
115 125 72.17 7.2 19.0 81.0 0.86 0.10 88.9
150 106 46.47 4.6 23.6 76.4 1.17 0.15 87.7
200 75 187.55 18.6 42.3 57.7 0.58 0.10 82.6
270 53 149.20 14.8 57.1 42.9 0.95 0.09 90.5
-270 -53 431.83 42.9 100.0 0.0 1.57 0.05 97.1
  TOTAL 1006.48       1.10 0.07 93.3

 

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Leaching Curves without Gravity: Table 41 to Table 44

 

Parameters of the kinetic test: 50% of solids: slurry pH adjusted to 10-11; Size P80 of 0.125; 0.106, and 0.075 mm; total residence time of 36 hours; sampling at 2, 6, 8, 20, 24, 36 hours; elements analysis for Au, Ag, CN, pH; cyanide initial concentration of 1,000 g/t: and carbon concentration 18 g/L of slurry (when used).

 

Table 41: Gold Tailings – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Gravity.

 

Leaching without Gravity Concentration - Tailings Gold Grade (g/t)
Time (h) P₈₀ = 125
micron without C
P₈₀ = 125 micron
with C
P₈₀  = 106
micron without C
P₈₀ = 106
micron with C
P₈₀  =  75
micron without C
P₈₀ = 75 micron
with C
0 1.06 1.06 1.39 1.59 1.49 1.59
2 0.39 0.83 0.44 0.86 0.58 3.03
6 0.21 0.12 0.15 0.37 0.14 0.13
8 0.11 0.11 0.14 1.78 0.75 0.13
20 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.09 0.06 0.05
24 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.07 0.06
36 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.06 0.04

 

 

Table 42: Silver Tailings – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing.

 

Leaching without Gravity Concentration - Tailings Silver Grade (g/t)
Time (h) P80 = 125
micron without C
P80 = 125
micron   with C
P80 = 106
micron without C
P80 = 106
micron
with C
P80 = 75
micron without C
P80 = 75 micron with C
0 1.82 1.82 2.12 2.12 1.99 2.40
2 2.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00
6 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.00
8 1.00 <1.00 1,00 1,00 1.00 1.00
20 1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 1.00 <1.00
24 1.00 1.00 1.00 <1.00 1.00 1.00
36 1.00 <1.00 <1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

 

 

 

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Table 43: Gold Recoveries – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing.

 

Leaching without Gravity Concentration - Gold Recovery (%)
Time
(h)
P80 =125micron without C P80=125 micron with C P80 = 106micron without C P80 = 106 micron with C P80 = 75 micron without C P80 = 75 micron with C
Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve
0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 68.8 58.8 21.9 51.6 67.0 61.1 46.0 43.4 61.3 61.3   58.3
6 77.8 88.4 88.8 85.3 84.4 91.8 76.7 80.4 86.4 92.2 91.9 91.2
8 87.2 91.3 89.6 89.9 89.4 94.8   87.6   95.2 92.1 94.9
20 92.0 93.0 91.5 93.7 94.4 96.6 94.3 96.1 97.0 97.0 97.1 97.5
24 93.0 93.0 92.6 93.8 96.6 96.6 96.3 96.2 95.7 97.0 96.3 97.5
36 87.2 93.0 93.8 93.8 92.9 96.6 94.8 96.3 94.0 97.0 97.5 97.5
K   0.5   0.4   0.5   0.3   0.5   0.456

 

Table 44: Silver Recoveries – CRMET-002 – Leaching Without Previous Gravity Testing.

 

Leaching without Gravity Concentration - Silver Recovery (%)
Time (h) P80 = 125
micron without C
P80 = 125
micron   with C
P80 = 106
micron without C
P80 =    106
micron with C
P80 = 75
micron without C
P80 = 75
micron with C
0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 23.7 44.9 44.2 52.7 26.7 16.7
6 35.5 44.9 51.9 52.7 36.8 16.7
8 36.3 44.9 47.5 52.7 43.6 58.3
20 46.9 44.9 48.9 52.7 55.1 58.3
24 36.1 44.9 70.3 52.7 48.2 58.3
36 41.5 44.9 37.5 52.7 41.2 58.3

 

GRG/GRS (Gravity Recoverable Gold and Silver): Table 45

 

Table 45: Gold Gravity Concentration Testing.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):                                            4000 g
ID Weight
(g)
Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade (g/t) Au (mg) Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%)  Au Cumulative Recovery (%) Milling time
(min)
Conc. 1 47.25 1.18 1.12 50.15 2.370 50.15 35.60 35.60 5
Conc. 2 23.9 0.60 1.8 45.79 1.094 48.69 16.44 52.04 10
Conc. 3 50.4 1.26 3.0 14.86 0.749 34.66 11.25 63.29 19
Tailing 3878.5 96.96   0.63 2.443 1.08 36.71 100  
Feed Recalculated 4000.0     1.66 6.656        
Feed Anal. 4000.0     1.59          

 

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Gravity Concentration Curve: Table 46 and Table 47

 

Table 46: Gold Gravity Concentration - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):           4000 g
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade
(g/t)
Au
(mg)
Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%) Au Cumulative Recovery (%)
Pan 6.59 0.16 0.2 316.45 2.085 316.45 33.72 33.72
Conc. 2 11.94 0.30 0.5 23.27 0.278 127.54 4.49 38.21
Conc. 3 5.83 0.15 0.6 105.07 0.613 122.16 9.90 48.11
Conc. 4 28.50 0.71 1.3 18.42 0.525 66.23 8.49 56.60
Conc. 5 19.34 0.48 1.8 7.80 0.151 50.58 2.44 59.04
Tailing 3927.8 98.20   0.64 2.533 1.55 40.96 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     1.55 6.185      
Feed Anal.       1.59        

 

 

Table 47: Silver Gravity Concentration - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):           4000 g
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade
(g/t)
Au
(mg)
Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%) Au Cumulative Recovery (%)
Pan 6.59 0.16 0.2 1210 0.797 121.00 8.52 8.52
Conc. 2 11.94 0.30 0.5 9.0 0.107 48.83 1.15 9.67
Conc. 3 5.83 0.15 0.6 39.0 0.227 46.48 2.43 12.10
Conc. 4 28.5 0.71 1.3 9,0 0.257 26.27 2.74 14.84
Conc. 5 19.34 0.48 1.8 6,0 0.116 20.84 1.24 16.08
Tailing 3927.8 98.20   2.0 7.856 2.34 83.92 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     2.34 9.36      
Feed Anal.       2.40        

 

 

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Gravity Concentration followed by Kinetic Leaching Tests: Table 48 to Table 50.

 

Table 48: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.125 mm.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):           4000 g
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade
(g/t)
Au
(mg)
Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%) Au Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 54.06 1.35 1.4 62.031 3.353 62.03 52.40 52.40
Tailing 3945.9 98.65   0.772 3.046 1.60 47.60 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0   1.47 1.60 6.400      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     1.59        
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Ag Grade
(g/t)
Ag
(mg)
Cumulative Ag Grade (g/t) Ag Recovery (%) Ag Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 54.06 1.35 1.4 18,0 0.973 18.00 10.98 10.98
Tailing 3945.9 98.65   2,0 7.892 2.22 89.02 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     2.22 8.865      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     2.40        

 

 

Table 49: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.105 mm.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):           4000 g
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade
(g/t)
Au
(mg)
Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%) Au Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 44.96 1.12 1.1 55.847 2.511 55.85 45.78 45.78
Tailing 3955.0 98.88   0.752 2.974 1.37 54.22 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     1.37 5.485      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     1.59        
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Ag Grade
(g/t)
Ag
(mg)
Cumulative Ag Grade (g/t) Ag Recovery (%) Ag Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 44.96 1.12 1.1 19 0.854 19.00 9.75 9.75
Tailing 3955.0 98.88   2.000 7.91 2.19 90.25 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     2.19 8.764      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     2.40        

 

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Table 50: Gold and Silver Gravity Concentration Before Leaching - CRMET - 002 - P80 of 0.075 mm.

 

SAMPLE WEIGHT (g):           4000 g
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Au Grade
(g/t)
Au
(mg)
Cumulative Au Grade (g/t) Au Recovery (%) Au Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 29.15 0.73 0.7 84.368 2.429 84.37 43.64 43.64
Tailing 3970.9 99.27   0.800 3.177 1.41 56.36 100.00
Feed Calc. 4000.0     1.41 5.636      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     1.59        
ID Weight (g) Mass (%) Cumulative Mass (%) Ag Grade
(g/t)
Ag
(mg)
Cumulative Ag Grade (g/t) Ag Recovery (%) Ag Cumulative Recovery (%)
Conc. 1 29.15 0.73 0.7 20 0.583 20.00 6.84 6.84
Tailing 3970.9 99.27   2.000 7.942 2.13 93.16 100.00
Feed Calc 4000.0     2.13 8.525      
Feed Anal. 4000.0     2.40        

 

 

Summary of Gold and Silver Gravity Recovery by grinding size - Sample CRMET-002: Table 51

 

Table 51: Gravity Recovery - Gold and Silver.

 

Size P80 125
micron
106
micron
75
micron
Mesh Tyler 115 150 200
Au Recovery (%) 52.4 45.8 43.64
Ag Recovery (%) 10.98 9.75 6.84

 

 

Leaching after Gold Gravity Recovery: Table 52 and Table 53

 

Table 52: Gold Tailings - CRMET - 002 - Leaching after Gravity Testing.

 

Leaching with Gravity Concentration - Tailings Gold Grade (g/t)
Time (h) P80 = 125 micron
without C
P80 = 125
micron with C
P80 = 105 micron
without C
P80 = 105 micron
with C
P80 = 74 micron
without C
P80 = 74
micron with C
0 0.64 0.64 0.58 0.58 0.75 0.75
2 0.16 0.15 0.12 0.11 0.08 0.07
6 0.14 0.13 0.10 0.09 0.07 0.06
8 0.12 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.05
20 0.13 0.09 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.08
24 0.09 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.04 0.05
36 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.07 0.05

 

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Table 53: Gold Recovery - CRMET -002 - Leaching after Gravity Testing

 

Leaching without Gravity Concentration - Gold Recovery (%)
Time
(h)
P80 =125micron without C P80=125 micron with C P80 = 106micron without C P80 = 106 micron with C P80 = 75 micron without C P80 = 75 micron with C
Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve Real Curve
0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 78.8 65.9 77.3 77.4 82.7 81.3 81.0 81.7 88.3 77,0 90.1 77.9
6 72.3 86.1 80.3 86.9 85.5 89.3 85.0 89.8 91.4 91.9 92.3 92.9
8 82.1 87.1 85.8 87.0 89.0 89.4 86.7 89.8 91.5 92.2 93.7 93.3
20 77.8 87.4 85.9 87.0 88.5 89.4 87.8 89.8 92.3 92.3 89.6 93.3
24 86.9 87.4 86.3 87.0 89.4 89.4 99,0 89.8 93.7 92.3 93.3 93.3
36 87.4 87.4 87,0 87.0 89.0 89.4 89.8 89.8 90.8 92.3 94.0 93.3
K   0.7   1.1   1.2   1.2   0.9   0.9

 

 

Bond Ball Mill Work index (BWi):

 

The BWi result obtained for the CRMET -003 sample was as 15.8 kWh/st equivalent to 17.4 kWh/t.

 

Settling Tests Results: Table 54

 

The settling testing campaign was carried out using the ore ground to a P80 of 0.075 mm, aiming to obtain a 40% solids slurry for the thickening prior to pulp leaching. The test summary is listed in Table 54, which shows that the targeted solids concentration was obtained in all the tests.

 

Table 54: Summary of Settling Tests Results.

 

Flocullant % Solids
Feed
Settling Rate
(m/h)
Unit area
(m2/t/d)
O/F
Characteristic
Final % Solids Thickener
Diameter (m)
Type (gpt)
H2O - 20A 5 15 6.22 0.106 clear 52 37
10 15 5.45 0.107 clear 44 38
20 15 8.71 0.118 clear 47 37
15 5 43.56 0.205 clear 40 39
15 11 21.78 0.106 clear 50 52
15 15 4.84 0.106 clear 40 37
15 15 7.26 0.079 clear 49 32
15 20 5.45 0.073 clear 50 31

 

Flotation Tests: Table 55 and Table 56

 

Three exploration flotation tests were carried out to assess the respective gold recoveries. The adopted test conditions were as follows:

 

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The flotation test results are listed in Table 55.

 

Table 55: Summary of Flotation Tests Results.

 

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3
Parameter Feed Conc. Tail Parameter Feed Conc. Tail Parameter Feed Conc. Tail
Ore (g) 1.000 48.1 951.9 Ore (g) 1.000 57.1 942.9 Ore (g) 1.000 56.5 943.5
% solids 30 18 27 % solids 30 18 27 % solids 30 18 27
Au Grade (g/t) 1.59 26.74 0.32 Au Grade (g/t) 1.59 22.7 0.31 Au Grade (g/t) 1.59 24,0 0.25
Mass Pull (%) 100 4.81 95.19 Mass Pull (%) 100 5.71 94.29 Mass Pull (%) 100 5.65 94.35
Recovery (%) - 80.8 19.2 Recovery (%) - 81.6 18.4 Recovery (%) - 85.2 14.8

 

 

Further testing was carried out with sample CRMET 005 by TESTWORK, including gold gravity concentration, leaching and adsorption on activated carbon, together with cyanide neutralization. The obtained results are listed in Table 56. The sample head grades as obtained by SGS-Geosol are listed in Table 56.

 

Table 56: CRMET–005 - Head Sample Analysis.

 

ID Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
CAS-AL 1-T1 1.00 1.8
CAS-AL 2-T1 4.83 2.4
CAS-AL 3-T1 1.15 3.3
CAS-AL 4-T1 1.21 2.0
CAS-AL 5-T1 0.86 1.9
Average 1.06 2.03
SD 0.16 0.26

 

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Gravity Concentration Tests: Table 57

 

Table 57: Gravity Concentration Results – Gold, Silver and Tailing GRG.

 

Gold Silver Tailing
ID Weight (kg) Mass (%) Au Grade (g/t) Au (mg) Au Recovery (%) ID Weight
(kg)
Mass (%) Ag Grade
(g/t)
Ag
(mg)
Ag Recovery (%) ID Au (ppm) Ag (ppm)
Concentrate 0.076 0.33% 209.5 15.834 44,5% Concentrate 0.076 0.33% 60,0 4.536 9.8% CAS-RG1-CT1 0.90 1.7
Tailing 22.92 99.67% 0.86 19.715 55,5% Tailing 22.924 99.67% 1.83 41.952 90.2% CAS-RG2-CT1 0.81 1.6
Calculated Feed 23.0   1.55 35.549   Calculated Feed 23.0   2.02 46.488   CAS-RG3-CT1 0.88 2.2
Analyzed Feed 23.0   1.06     Analyzed Feed 23.0   2.03     Average 0.86 1.83

 

Kinetic Leaching Test without Activated Carbon: Table 58 and

 

Table 59

Table 58: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon.

 

Conditions of tests: Parameters
% of solids 50% solids
Slurry pH 10.5 -11.0 (adjusted with lime)
P80 105 microns
Residence Total Time 24 hours
Sampling 2, 4, 6, 16, 22, 24 hours.
Analysis Au, CN, pH
Cyanide Initial Conc. 1,000 g/t
Activated Carbon in the slurry No carbon in pulp

 

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Table 59: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon.

 

 

Kinetic Leaching Test with Activated Carbon: Table 60 and

 

Table 61

 

Table 60: Leaching Test Results – With Activated Carbon.

 

 

Table 61: Leaching Test Results – No Activated Carbon.

 

 

Cyanide Neutralization: Sample CRMET-005: Table 62 to Table 71, Figure 87

 

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Table 62: CN Neutralization Using Sodium Metabisulfite (SMBS) as Oxidant.

 

 

The TESTWORK report (2012b) also included leach testing of different samples for assessing variability in gold extraction as a function of ore type and gold grade. The first testing route comprised both gravity and leaching tests while the second route involved leaching test only. Twenty samples identified as CRMET 16 to 36 were classified in three ore types, i.e., oxides, transition, and sulfide, as shown in Table 63.

 

Table 63: Samples Used in the Variability Tests.

 

 

The conditions adopted in the leaching tests were as follows:

 

·          P80 of 0.105 mm.

 

·          Carbon-in-pulp concentration: 18 g/L.

 

·          Solids concentrations: 50% of solids.

 

·          pH: 10.5 to 11.0.

 

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·          Initial NaCN concentration: 700 ppm.

 

·          Leaching time: 16 hours.

 

Figure 87 shows the adopted leach test procedures.

 

 

Figure 87: Leach Test Procedures - Variability Testing.

 

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The variability test results are presented in Table 64 to Table 71.

 

Table 64: Variability Tests Results – Oxide Samples.

 

 

Table 65: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples.

 

 

 

Table 66: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples.

 

 

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Table 67: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – South Area.

 

 

Table 68: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – Centre Area.

 

 

 

Table 69: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area.

 

 

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Table 70: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area.

 

 

Table 71: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - North Area.

 

 

Leaching Testes with Gravity Concentration: Table 72 to Table 79.

 

Table 72: Variability Tests Results – Oxide Samples.

 

 

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Table 73: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples.

 

 

Table 74: Variability Tests Results – Transition Samples.

 

 

Table 75: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – South Area.

 

 

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Table 76: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples – Center Area.

 

 

Table 77: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area.

 

 

Table 78: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - Centre Area.

 

 

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Table 79: Variability Tests Results – Sulphite Samples - North Area.

 

 

Final report, size distribution and leaching tests: Table 80 to Table 83

 

The TESTWORK (2013b) report also included leaching test results of a sample obtained in the pilot plant test work carried out on sample CRMET – 015 at the facilities of the Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas – IPT, in São Paulo, SP. The size distribution of the sample is listed in Table 80.

 

Table 81 and Table 82 show, respectively, gold distribution by size and gold recovery from the leaching test by size.

  

Table 80: Pilot Plant Sample - Size Distribution.

 

 

Table 81: Pilot Plant Sample - Gold Distribution.

 

 

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Table 82: Gold Recovery by Size Fraction.

 

 

The same sample obtained from the ball milling pilot plant was further ground and used in a gravity test performed in a Knelson MD3 Gravimetric Concentrator under the following conditions:

 

·          Sample mass: 5.0 kg.

 

·          Dilution water flow rate: 5.0 L/minute.

 

·          Applied G-force: 60 Gs.

 

Tailings from the gravity test were leached according to the following conditions:

 

·          Activated carbon concentration: 18.0 g/L.

 

·          PH adjusted to 10-11.

 

·          Solids concentration: 50% solids.

 

·          Leaching Time: 16 hours.

 

·          Initial NaCN concentration: 700 ppm.

 

The results obtained in the gravity and the leaching tests are shown in Table 83.

 

Table 83: Gold Recovery in Gravity and Leaching Tests.

 

 

10.2.3HDA – 2013 Campaign

 

The work carried out by HDA Serviços in 2013 comprised the following:

 

·          Ore characterization assessments.

 

·          Pilot plant campaign.

 

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·          Simulations of comminution circuits - Base Case - mass balance, equipment design, and selection.

 

·          Comminution circuit simulations - six additional scenarios - mass balance, equipment design, and selection.

 

·          Comparison of the Base Case and additional simulated scenarios – equipment, installed power, energy consumption, and consumption of balls and coating.

 

The samples used in the HDA characterization campaign were as follows:

 

 

The results of the tests carried out by HDA are summarized as follows:

 

Impact Resistance Test – DWT, Sample: Full DWT:

 

·          A*b = 60.39 (moderately low).

 

·          A = 61.6.

 

·          b = 0.99.

 

·          ta = 0.73 (moderately high).

 

·          Specific weight = 2.64.

 

·          Ai = 0.23 (samples: CRMET005, 006 and 007).

 

 

 

Bond Work Index (BWi):

 

·          Sample: CRMET005 - Closing screen: 0.105 mm (150# Tyler) → WI = 23.3 kWh/t.

 

·          Sample: CRMET006 - Closing screen: 0.105 mm (150# Tyler) → WI = 22.9 kWh/t.

 

·          Sample: CRMET007 - Closing screen: 0.105 mm (150# Tyler) → WI = 23.5 kWh/t.

 

·          Average CRMET005 to CRMET007 - Closing screen: 0.105 mm (150# Tyler) → WI = 23.2 kWh/t.

 

 

 

Sample: Pilot Plant:

 

·          Closing screen: 0.297 mm (48# Tyler) → WI = 11.9 kWh/t.

 

·          Closing screen: 0.210 mm (70# Tyler) → WI = 14.0 kWh/t.

 

·          Closing screen: 0.149 mm (100# Tyler) → WI = 20.8 kWh/t.

 

·          Closing screen: 0.105 mm (150# Tyler) → WI = 23.6 kWh/t (predicted).

 

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The comments and conclusions derived from the Borborema Project characterization campaign at this stage of the studies are that the main sample ("Full DWT") indicates moderately low resistance to high-energy particle breakage. Such a characteristic would be suitable for a milling medium such as autogenous or semi-autogenous, as a single particle would be resilient in a high-energy environment. The same characteristics indicate that there will be no particular need to crush pebbles in AG/SAG grinding, as the grinding energy will balance the accumulation of grinding media and consumption within the mill load.

 

The variability assessment indicates two samples with similar characteristics (CRMET 11 and 12), two relatively more resistant (CRMET 009 and 013), along with one significantly less resistant to high particle breakage energy (CRMET 010).

 

The average value of the Bond Index obtained for samples CRMET 005, 006, and 007 are considered very high (23.2 kWh/t). However, the three tests performed on the "Pilot Plant" sample indicated a notable reduction in the BWi value as the test screen opening was increased. Such a bias often results from the combination of grain size and the opening of the BWi test screen. In this case, the intensity of such a reduction, 20.8 kWh/t to 11.9 kWh/t for screen openings of 0.149 mm and 0.297 mm respectively, indicates that high resistance to the type of mineral grinding is driving the balance between grain size and test screen opening. Such a situation is supported by information provided by Crusader that the Borborema material has a significant mica mineral content, which generally show exponentially high BWi values. Although the Abrasion Index was considered average for the three samples tested (CRMET 005, 006, and 007).

 

The above test results indicated that material from the Borborema Project could be suitable for grinding in autogenous or semi-autogenous mills, and it would be unlikely that there would be a need to include a pebble crusher.

 

10.2.4ALS Metallurgy Kamloops – 2013 Campaign

 

In April 2013, ALS METALLURGY KAMLOOPS, Canada prepared a report on the mineralogical study program for the Borborema Project. The objective of this program was to determine the mineralogical status of gold in the Borborema selected samples. To achieve these goals, five composite samples were examined for gold and scanned by QEMSCAN using the Trace Mineral Search (TMS) protocol to locate and quantify occurrences of gold. This system uses a scanning electron microscope to identify the gold, but it can quickly scan the millions of minima needed to complete the analyses. Samples were also tested using a cyanide leaching procedure in bottles on rollers for 48 hours to determine the cyanide leach response. In summary, the unoptimized cyanide leaching tests achieved between 82 and 97 percent gold inheritance for the five Exceptions. Gold search routines, performed on all samples, located 18 occurrences of gold, which on average were small, but mostly susceptible to cyanide leaching. The relatively small population of gold occurrences located for each composite sample has rendered the relationship between metallurgy and gold mineralogy inconclusive. Additional particle surveys could increase the gold occurrence population, but this would not be recommended. Relatively good leaching performance and evidence of coarse gold from various head-content analyses warrant testing on coarse evidence roller bottles to determine whether leaching gold recovery may be a viable process for this deposit.

 

Chemical composition:

 

The gold grade of the five composite samples was determined by fire assay digestion with AA finish. A summary of the gold head grade data is shown in Table 84.

 

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Table 84: Statistical Summary of Gold Head Assaying.

 

 

As shown in the Table 84, the average gold content in the samples ranged from 0.96 to 1.37 g/t Au. Analysis data for a single-head sample exhibited considerable variation. The variation was beyond the standard deviation typical of the analytical method. This suggests sampling errors are often related to the presence of some coarse gold.

 

Gold occurrence:

 

Gold occurrence data for the composites are presented in Table 85, together with Figure 88 and Figure 89. Data were generated by ADIS scans of the composite samples. The following comments may be of interest when reviewing the data:

 

·          A total of around 10 million particles were searched for all composites. Eighteen occurrences of gold were located. On average, gold occurrences had a mean circular diameter of 0.006 mm, which is relatively small. There was evidence of coarse gold, and an occurrence of gold with a diameter greater than 0.022 mm was observed.

 

·          By sample, the gold occurrence data did not indicate a specific trend, however, it is expected that gold will be observed as released or as adhesions that behave well under leaching.

 

·          The population occurrence of gold per sample was relatively low and the analysis may not be indicative of the true distribution of gold. To improve the gold mineralogy statistics, additional particle searches would be needed.

 

·          Gold is associated with quartz and feldspar. Part of the gold was observed with biotite.

 

Table 85: Summary of Gold Search Statistics.

 

 

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Figure 88: Distribution of Gold Occurrences by Type.

 

 

 

Figure 89: Distribution of Gold Occurrence and Mineral Association.

 

Leaching test results:

 

Each composite sample was milled to a P80 of 0.105 mm. Forty-eight-hour bottle tests on rollers with the presence of cyanide were carried out on the ground sample. Tests were conducted at pH 11, modulated by lime. Cyanide levels of the leach solution were accepted at 1,000 ppm. Oxygen was sprayed into the bottle at the beginning of each leaching period. Table 86 shows the respective reagent consumption, while Figure 90 shows a graph representing the kinetic leaching curves.

 

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Table 86: Summary of Cyanide Leach Conditions.

 

 

 

Figure 90: Kinetic Response for Gold Leaching.

 

The following comments were highlighted:

 

·          Cyanide consumption was relatively inexpensive, except for the Composite Oxidized sample;

 

·          Lime consumption was relatively high, without optimization, on average around 1.3 kg/t;

 

·          Gold recovery ranged from 82% to 97%;

 

·          The results were relatively good considering that the tests were on individual samples without optimization;

 

·          Bottle testing on rolls with thick material should be considered as a possible process option for this deposit.

 

10.3ALS METALLURGY – 2016 CAMPAIGN

 

In August 2016, Crusader Resources Ltd, the previous owner of the Borborema Project, requested ALS Metallurgy, Australia to carry out a defined program for metallurgical testing (ALS, 2016), except for geological drill holes. Samples were received in September 2016, and the following test work was carried out:

 

·                    Sample preparation and composition.

 

·                    Comminution test work including:

 

o         Determination of resistance to uniaxial resistance (UCS).

 

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o         Determination of the specific gravity (SG);

 

o         Determination of the crushing work index (CWi); the JK Drop Weight Test (JKDWT).

 

o         SMC Test (definition of parameters for the SAG mill calculator (Mia; Mic; Mih), A*b; ta;

 

o         Determination of the Bond abrasion index (Ai).

 

o         Determination of the work index for rod mill (RWi).

 

o         Determination of work index for ball mill (BWi).

 

o         Levin test for open circuit grinding.

 

·                    Analysis of granulometric distribution by size.

 

·                    Determination of the head-grade of the composite sample.

 

·                    Mineralogical analysis of samples.

 

Tests to determine comminution parameters were conducted by JKTech in Australia and are contained in the JKDW AND SMC TEST® REPORT (JKTech Job No: 16001/P73) prepared for ALS Metallurgy WA Perth, Western Australia. JKDW (JK drop weight) and SMC (SAG mill comminution) test analysis data for fourteen samples from the Borborema Project were received from ALS Metallurgy, WA, on January 9, 2017, by JKTech for the JKDW and SMC test analysis. The samples were identified as MET 12-1F (26-29m), MET 12-1F (41-44m), MET 12-2F (41-44m), MET 12-3G (131-135m), MET 12-3G ( 141-145m), MET 12-4F (61-64m), MET 12-4F (73-77m), MET 12-5F (125-128m), MET 12-5F (133-136m), MET 12-6F ( 62-65m), MET 12-6F (72-75m), MET 12-7F (101-104m), MET 12-8F (57-60m) and MET 12-8F (62-65m). Data were analyzed to determine the JKSimMet and SMC Test comminution parameters.

 

SMC test results were forwarded to SMC Testing Pty Ltd for SMC test data analysis. The samples tested were:

 

·          JKDW test - (MET 12-3G (131-135m), MET 12-3G (141-145m) and MET 12-4F (73-77m); and

 

·          SMC test - (MET 12-1F (26-29m ), MET 12-1F (41-44m), MET 12-2F (41-44m), MET 12-3G (131-135m), MET 12-3G (141-145m), MET 12-4F (61- 64m ), MET 12-4F (73-77m), MET 12-5F (125-128m), MET 12-5F (133-136m), MET 12-6F (62-65m), MET 12-6F (72-75m ), MET 12-7F (101-104m), MET 12-8F (57-60m) and MET 12-8F (62-65m)).

 

The analysis and report were completed on January 13, 2017. Summary of test results are described below.

 

Unconfirmed Compressive Strength Determination (UCS):

 

Twenty-seven (27) Exception (full and ¾) were tested for determining the respective unconfined compression strength (UCS), The results are listed in Table 87.

 

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Table 87: Borborema Project: Unconfirmed Compressive Strength Determination.

 

 

Comminution Test Work:

 

A summary of all comminution testing results is presented in Table 88 and Table 89.

 

Table 88: Comminution Test work – Summary I.

 

Drill Hole ID UCS (MPa) Bond Work Indices Bond Ai
kWh/t
CWi RWi BWi  (*)
1F 5.212 - 54.076 8.2 - 8.6 12.1 - 14.3 16.0 - 17.6 0.0804 - 0.1227
2F - - 11.9 - 13.3 16.8 - 17.7 0.1034 - 0.1134
3G 7.753 - 47.924 9.4 - 9.8 10.5 - 12.4 17.4 - 17.6 0.0792 - 0.0946
4F 4.873 - 16.641 7.2 - 8.4 - 17.2 - 18.1 -
5F 26.019 - 54.559 5.9 - 8.0 11.7 15.1 - 17.0 0.1137
6F 6.498 5.2 11.9 17.0 - 18.8 0.1288
7F 24.852 5.9 - 8.4 - 15.1 - 19.1 -
8F 3.644 4.1 - 6.9 - 17.6 -
Note: (*) mesh closure 150 µ        

 

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Table 89: Comminution Test work – Summary II.

 

 

Size by Size Test Work:

 

Three composed sub-samples (2F 12, 3G 15 e, 6F 29) were prepared for gold grade by size determinations. The results are shown in Table 90.

 

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Table 90: Gold Grade by Size Results.

 

 

Sub-samples were selected for assaying the elements listed in Table 91.

 

Table 91: Head Assays.

 

 

 

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10.4WAVE INTERNATIONAL/ALS AMMTEC - 2019 CAMPAIGN

 

Wave International (WAVE, 2019) was contracted to conduct a metallurgical testing campaign to validate the mineral processing flow sheet, as well as to enhance the variability studies. The program was conducted by ALS Ammtec in Perth, Australia between July and September 2019. The testing program comprised the following items:

 

·          Test work to establish optimal leaching conditions (particle size and cyanide concentration) in composite samples.

 

·          Determination of reagent consumption under ideal conditions.

 

·          Leach tests on master composite samples for sequential CIL/CIP (carbon-in-leach/carbon-in-pulp) circuit simulation, equilibrium charging and cyanide detoxification, and establishing operating parameters.

 

·          Cycloning test and investigation to determine the behavior of mica present in the ore.

 

·          Leaching performance on 10 samples for variability study at a grind size of P80 <106 µm.

 

In addition, ALS Ammtec also prepared samples for shipment to Outotec for thickening and filtration tests. OMC - ORWAY MINERAL CONSULTANTS (OMC, 2019) was contracted for the comminution testing.

 

ALS Metallurgical Tests Program

 

Tests were performed with "Master Composite" and Variability samples, according to the following program:

 

·          Direct Cyanide Whole of ore test work Master Composite sample.

 

·          Flotation Tests, Reagents Scheme and Results.

 

·          Direct Cyanide Whole of ore test work Variability sample.

 

·          Equilibrium Carbon Loading test work Master Composite sample.

 

·          Sequential Batch CIP test – Program: JR5276 – gold adsorption data.

 

·          Head Assay – Master Composite and Variability samples.

 

·          SO2/Air (INCO) Cyanide Detoxification test work.

 

·          Borborema Mica Screen Analysis P80 < 0.106 mm.

 

·          Variability Composites: Gravity Separation/Direct Cyanide Leaching test work.

 

·          Semi-quantitative XRD analysis.

 

The obtained results are listed in Table 92 to Table 102.

 

Table 92: Summary Direct Leach Testing - Master Composite.

 

 

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Table 93: Summary Direct Leach Testing.

 

 

 

Table 94: Summary Direct Leach Testing - Variability Sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table 95: Loading Carbon Testing - Master Composite Sample.

 

 

 

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Table 96: Sequential Batch CIP Test – Master Composite Sample.

 

 

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Table 97: Flotation Tests Conditions and Results.

 

 

Table 98: Head Assay - Master Composite

 

 

 

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Table 99: Screen Fire Assay Results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table 100: Head Assay - Variability Composites.

 

 

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Table 101: SO2/Air (INCO) Cyanide Detoxification Test Conditions and Results.

 

 

Table 102: Mica Screen Analysis.

 

 

 

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Semi-quantitative XRD analysis

 

A master composite sample was submitted to ALS Metallurgy for semi-quantitative X-ray analysis. Table 103 shows the results.

 

Table 103: X-Ray Semi-Quantitative Assay.

 

 

 

Comminution Testing Results

 

Comminution tests were performed by JKTech under the supervision of ALS Metallurgy. The following parameters for comminution were evaluated: uniaxial compressive strength (UCS); Bond crushing work index (CWi); Bond ball mill work index (BWi); Bond rod mill work index (RWi), SMC, JKDWT and Bond Abrasion Index (Ai).

 

A summary of the sample inventory and composition ranges is shown in Table 104.

 

 

 

 

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Table 104: Summary of Sample Inventory and Composition Interval.

 

Table 105 summarizes the comminution test results.

 

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Table 105: Summary of the Comminution Tests.

 

 

 

 

 

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The statistical analysis of the comminution test results is presented in Table 106.

 

Table 106: Statistical Analysis of the Comminution Test Results.

 

 

 

10.5Opinion of Adequacy

 

It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the data described throughout of this chapter were obtained according to conventional industry practice, therefore here considered adequate as for the purposes used in the technical report summary.

 

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11MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

 

The Mineral Resource Estimate in support of the Borborema Feasibility Study (FS) report has an effective date of 31 January 2023. Mineral Resource work was performed by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (SRK) acting as a third-party firm Qualified Person (QP) for Mineral Resources with work completed in late 2022 resulting in a mineral resource effective date in early 2023. All definition of terms used in relation to mineral resources comply with SEC Subpart 229.1300.

 

All supporting drilling and geological data were provided by Aura and reviewed by the Qualified Person. SRK constructed the block model, performed grade shell modeling of mineralization, interpolation of gold concentrations, scripting of bulk density, assigning Mineral Resource classification based on CIM (2014) guidelines, which are consistent with S-K 1300, and calculating the Mineral Resource statement.

 

The Mineral Resource block model and all supporting drilling and modeling data are projected in the Borborema local grid (BLG).

 

11.1RESOURCE DRILLHOLE DATABASE

 

The drill hole database (DHDB) supporting the Mineral Resources contains 1,370 drill holes totalling 109,578 m across the entire property. Drilling on the property includes auger, rotary-at-bit (RAB), reverse circulation (RC), and diamond drill core (DDH) drill methods. The RC and DDH drill collar locations are focused on evaluating the north-south trending mineralisation while other methods were used further afield for exploration purposes (Figure 91).

 

A breakdown of drilling method, number of holes and total meterage is presented in Table 107. Within the broader property-wide database, 1,041 drill holes intercept the broad gold-mineralization zone, defined as greater than 0.1 g/t Au and are thus utilized in the determination of Mineral Resources. Drilling was conducted from 1985 through 2022 on the Borborema Property.

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 91: Oblique view of the Borborema Project site showing drill collar locations.

 

 

 

 

 

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Table 107: Drilling database on the Borborema Property.

 

Drilling Method No. Meters
Auger 48 250
RAB 98 238
DD 303 58,519
RC 921 50,571
Total 1370 109,578

Source: SRK, 2023

 

11.1.1Assay

 

The property drilling database contains 74,038 sample intervals within the drilling database that used for the Mineral Resource estimation. There is limited multi-element analytical data via ICP including:

 

·74,038 samples analyzed for Au.

 

·2,053 samples analyzed for Ag.

 

·666 samples analyzed for As.

 

·666 samples analyzed for S.

 

For model construction and estimation, only gold (Au) values were provided to SRK from Aura for data validation and Mineral Resource modeling with the expanded database provided to SRK post-model completion. SRK has recommended re-assay of historical samples for multi-element analyses as well as all future drilling to include an expanded suite of elements for deposit characterization.

 

The average raw sampling interval length is 1 m with some samples at 4 m and 2 m lengths.

 

The Qualified Person notes that there are minor silver occurrences on the property of greater than 10 g/t Ag which should be assessed for their economic potential, in addition to a detailed review of deleterious materials. The lack of incorporating fundamental geochemical data, both potentially economic and deleterious, introduces uncertainly into the model and the ability to predict recoverability, zones of elevated deleterious materials (As, Fe, S, etc.), and the ability to evaluate exploration targets. The Qualified Person has accounted for this lack of data and certainly through Mineral Resource classification.

 

The gold population distribution is shown in Figure 92 as a log-normal chart. Gold values across the property are represented by a log-normal distribution characterized by most samples being low grades (<0.1 ppm Au) with a long tail of extreme high grades (>10 ppm Au). Given the type of deposit and nature of mineralization, this is the expected distribution for the gold population which includes targeted holes in the mineralized area along with regional exploration data.

 

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Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 92: Log histogram of total Au population on the Borborema Property.

 

11.1.2Bulk Density

 

There are 29,617 specific gravity (“SG”) measurements from drilling data in the database used for the Mineral Resource Estimate. These measurements are collected from drill core by company personnel using the immersion method via the specific gravity apparatus onsite. The SG data demonstrates low variance across all samples. Within the sulphide zone, the Qualified Person notes the generally unaltered nature and the lithologic similarity of the main two rock types (biotite schist and quartz schist) hosting mineralization. Bulk density was applied to the Mineral Resource block model by oxidation zone including allotment for the mineralized sulphide zone. The applied bulk density values utilized in the Mineral Resource block model by domain are shown in Table 108.

 

Table 108: Assigned bulk density for the Borborema Mineral Resource Block Model.

 

Zone Bulk Density (g/cm3)
Oxide 2.65
Sulfide 2.76
Mineralized Sulfide 2.77

Source: SRK, 2023

 

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11.2EXPLORATORY DATA ANALYSIS

 

Exploratory data analysis (“EDA”) was performed focused on gold values in the drilling database as provided by Aura. EDA included an assessment of composite length, high-end outlier analysis, descriptive statistics, and domain assessment within the mineralized grade shells.

 

11.2.1Compositing and Outlier Analysis

 

SRK reviewed raw, 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m composite lengths to determine material effect or bias on these various composite lengths. A 2 m composite was used for estimation of the Mineral Resource model. It is this Qualified Person’s opinion that use of a 2 m composite is considered appropriate based on the raw sampling intervals, with the majority collected at 1 m length and other campaigns which used up to a 4 m sample for analyses (Figure 93). This composite length is the same as the previous 2012 model. Table 109 illustrates differences in the compositing lengths reviewed.

 

The population distribution of gold grades is shown in Figure 94. The mean value does not materially vary while the variance is reduced with increasing composite length, as expected.

  

 

Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 93: Raw sample interval lengths.

 

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Source: SRK, 2021

 

Figure 94: Log histograms of Au (g/t) by composite length.

 

Summary descriptive statistics are provided in Table 109 showing minor differences between raw data and the three composite lengths.

 

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Table 109: Summary Au and SG descriptive statistics by composite length.

 

Raw data (Leapfrog project export)
Column Count Mean Median Min Max Variance StDev CV IQR Outlier
AuPPM 72116 0.353 0.031 0.001 208 3.9 1.975 5.6 0.18 0.46
SG 29617 2.724 2.74 2.63 2.74 0 0.039 0.01 0 2.74
1m comp
Column Count Mean Median Min Max Variance StDev CV IQR Outlier
AuPPM 84799 0.304 0.02 0.001 208 3.21 1.792 5.9 0.139 0.3575
SG 35988 2.723 2.74 2.63 2.74 0 0.04 0.01 0 2.74
2m comp
Column Count Mean Median Min Max Variance StDev CV IQR Outlier
AuPPM 42925 0.303 0.03 0.001 119.1 1.97 1.405 4.64 0.182 0.463
SG 18125 2.723 2.74 2.63 2.74 0 0.04 0.01 0 2.74
3m comp
Column Count Mean Median Min Max Variance StDev CV IQR Outlier
AuPPM 28772 0.301 0.033 0.001 82.12 1.43 1.195 3.97 0.205 0.5205
SG 12152 2.723 2.74 2.63 2.74 0 0.038 0.01 0 2.74

Source: SRK, 2021

 

Table 110: Summary length statistics for composite length analysis.

 

  COUNT AVG ENGTH MIN MAX MEDIAN CV
raw 72786 1.181 0.2 200 1 1.07
1 m 85322 1.000 0.5 1.49 1 0.02
2 m 43084 1.988 0.5 2.48 2 0.06
3 m 28845 2.958 0.5 3.48 3 0.09

Source: SRK, 2021

 

A comparative, upper capping analysis was performed to review potential gold outliers and assess the potential estimation impact. Figure 95 and Figure 96 illustrate the log probability charts used to assess the impact of Au capping on both raw and composited Au data, respectively. SRK selected multiple upper-end capping limits and various domains to assess local and global sensitivity and impacts of capping. Ultimately, a 20 g/t Au upper cap value from 2 m composited data was set as the upper capping limit within the broadly defined mineralized domain defined by a numeric indicator model at a 0.1 g/t Au threshold. The impact of this upper cap resulted in the capping of 54 composites, 3.3% total metal loss while obtained a 26% improvement in the Coefficient of Variation ("CV”) (Figure 95). It is the QP’s opinion that application of this upper capping limit is appropriate, provides a higher confidence in the estimated values, at an immaterial loss of metal across the entire Borborema block model.

 

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Source: SRK, 2021

 

Figure 95: Capping analysis on raw data.

 

 

Source: SRK, 2021

 

Figure 96: Capping analysis on 2 m composites.

 

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11.2.2Statistical Analyses

 

SRK performed statistical analyses on the drilling database provided by Aura. The database initially only contained gold (Au) values, but additional multi-element analyses were provided after the model was completed in 2022. Table 111 provides summary descriptive statistics for the entire Borborema drilling database for several key elements. Elements in addition to Au were assessed as part of the EDA but the Qualified Person notes these data are not incorporated in the modeling but are for general informational purposes only.

 

Table 111: Summary descriptive statistics for raw assay data.

 

  Au_ppm Ag_ppm As_ppm S_pct W_ppm Sb_ppm
Mean 0.353 0.91 81.01 0.199 7.43 2.83
Median 0.03 0.5 2.5 0.095 5 2.5
Mode 0.005 0.25 2.5 0.01 5 2.5
Standard Deviation 2.0 2.1 194.0 0.3 38.8 1.8
Sample Variance 3.9 4.6 37634.4 0.1 1505.2 3.2
Minimum 0.0005 0.03 0.2 0.005 0.6 0.02
Maximum 208 43 1775 2.71 930 9
Count 74038 2053 666 666 666 666

Source: SRK, 2023

 

As part of the EDA, SRK performed a variety of grade shell modeling analyses to assess a reasonable volume which represents the broad mineralized envelop across the deposit. Ultimately, a gold mineralization grade shell was constructed at a 0.1 g/t Au threshold using the indicator numeric modeling function in Leapfrog® Geo software (Figure 97). This volume was generated based on the 2 m composited, uncapped samples, a probability value (ISO value) of 0.4, spheroidal interpolant with a 350 m base range. The resultant volume is a satisfactory representation of gold mineralization across the Borborema Property. This mineralized shell was used to evaluate zones of continuous gold mineralization and negate the influence of anomalous samples outside the main mineralized area of interest. Summary statistics are provided in Table 112 for data in and out of the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell as well as the capped gold data population.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 97: Oblique view of 0.1 g/t Au grade shell with drilling.

 

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Table 112: Summary descriptive statistics for 2 m composited uncapped and capped Au by mineralization Shell.

 

Variable Volume 0.1 g/t shell Count Mean Min Max Median Variance StDev CV IQR Outlier
Au capped (g/t) All   75,769 0.333 0.001 20 0.04 1.42 1.19 3.58 0.18 0.46
Au capped (g/t) mineralized Inside 31,282 0.642 0.001 20 0.20 2.48 1.58 2.45 0.49 1.30
Au capped (g/t) mineralized Outside 29,859 0.064 0.001 20 0.01 0.13 0.36 5.65 0.03 0.09
Au (g/t) All   75,769 0.355 0.001 208 0.04 3.87 1.97 5.54 0.18 0.46
Au (g/t) mineralized Inside 31,282 0.673 0.001 120 0.20 4.89 2.21 3.29 0.49 1.30
Au (g/t) mineralized Outside 29,859 0.071 0.001 202 0.01 1.54 1.24 17.44 0.03 0.09

Source: SRK, 2023

 

A histogram showing the log normal distribution of capped gold values within the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell is shown in Figure 98. The capped and composited gold values contained within the 0.1 g/t Au mineralized grade shell represent the baseline data used in the Mineral Resource Estimate.

 

 

Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 98: Log-histogram of capped Au composite values within the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell.

 

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11.2.3Spatial Continuity

 

The spatial continuity of gold grades across the Borborema deposit was assessed though experimental and modeled semi-variograms calculated using Leapfrog® Geo and Isatis software. SRK calculated multiple experimental semi-variograms investigating the sensitivity of continuity parameters to multiple thresholds on indicator grade shells and differences between drilling methods (DDH and RC).

 

Summary findings from the variography analyses includes:

 

·The nugget effect is relatively consistent across multiple sensitivity trials at 40% to 50% of the sill regardless of grade shell, capping, or exclusion of RC data. Given the known deposit style of orogenic gold, observed mineralization in core, the two styles of observed gold mineralization (free and sulphide hosted), and spatial distribution of grades, a high nugget effect is expected.

 

·Ranges are short, typically less than the 50 m. This is also the mean drill spacing across the deposit which indicates a relatively low degree of continuity between samples. SRK notes that this is a common feature in some low continuity deposits where the range will appear correlated with drill spacing and may result in early-project over confidence at wider spacing drilling.

 

·Anisotropy varies by grade shell with the lower grade shell thresholds (0.1 and 0.2 g/t Au) showing continuity trends along the main north-south structure while higher grade shell’s (0.5 and 1.0 g/t Au) show the major direction of continuity to be oblique of the north-south structure. This finding may support a theory of higher-grade, secondary shoots oriented oblique to the main structure.

 

Example variography is shown at two grade shells for the same capped composites in Figure 99 and Figure 100 with summary variography parameters shown in Table 113. Ultimately, the spatial continuity analysis was conducted on composited and capped data constrained by grade shells as no geological domain model has been constructed at Borborema. Final modeled variography used for estimation purposes is shown in Table 113.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2021

 

Figure 99: Variography within the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell – capped at 20 g/t Au.

 

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Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 100: Variography within the 1.0 g/t Au grade shell – capped at 20 g/t Au.

 

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Table 113: Summary modeled variography by estimation zone.

 

Search Neighborhood Direction Nugget Structure
Variogram Name Dip

Dip

 

Azimuth

 

Pitch Variance Nugget

Normalized

 

Nugget

 

Sill

Normalized

 

Sill

 

Structure Major Semi-major Minor
Variomodel_0.2GS_2m_cap20 35 95 170 2.1 1.0 0.5 1.4 0.66 Spherical 50 16 6
Variomodel_0.5GS_2m_cap20 35 95 75 3.9 2.1 0.55 2.0 0.51 Spherical 50 45 6
Variomodel_1.0GS_2m_cap20 35 95 175 7.7 3.9 0.5 5.3 0.69 Spherical 50 30 6

Source: SRK, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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11.3GEOLOGIC MODEL

 

The Borborema Mineral Resource block model does not utilize a lithological model to confine the grade estimation but instead, utilizes multiple gold grade shells to define estimation domains. This approach was used due to the inability to model lithostratigraphic correlations across the deposit due to a lack of detailed structural data from drill core. As the gold mineralization is predominantly controlled by a primary structural zone trending north-south and dipping ~35° to the east, it was this orientation which was used to define the broad grade shell directionality and trend.

 

The Mineral Resource block model utilized a minimum 0.2 g/t Au grade shell to constrain the estimation and thus, define the overall mineralization envelop with potential for economic material. Within the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell, SRK has utilized two additional nested gold grade shells of 0.5 and 1.0 g/t Au, also created in Leapfrog® Geo using the indicator numeric modeling tools. Parameters of the indicator grade shells include a 0.4 ISO value (probability), anisotropic trend aligned with the primary mineralization zone at 35° dip and 90° dip direction. The indicator interpolant utilized a spheroidal model with a base range of 300 m.

 

As a check, SRK calculated indicator grade shells at the following thresholds: 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 2.0 g/t Au using 2 m composited data. These indicator shells were assessed for sensitivity by varying the input parameters (range, probability, etc.), and reviewing the spatial continuity of grade (Figure 101). From these shells, a generalized zonation of gold grades can be inferred (Figure 102) but SRK notes that these areas of interpreted mineralization are not considered conclusive nor are they supported by robust field observational data but represent one potential interpretation of grade distribution based solely on statistics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2023

 

Figure 101: Longitudinal view of Au grade shells, viewing west.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In addition to reviewing how spatially continuous the multiple grade shells appear, summary statistics (Table 114 through Table 116) from each shell were compared to determine the percentage of internal dilution or robustness (how many samples of below-threshold were incorporated in each grade shell).

 

Summary findings from the grade shell sensitivity analysis include:

 

·Use of the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell is considered satisfactory in delineating minimal mineralization from areas of no or trace gold occurrences.
·A 0.2 g/t Au grade shell improves mean internal grade values by 20%, thus removing a material portion of low-grade material on the edges of the mineralized area.
·Spatial continuity of all grade shells appears satisfactory up to 1.0 g/t Au, after which the high-grade portion appears highly discontinuous.
·Overall, the mineralization appears to be consistent along two main, sub-parallel zones with strike consistent with historical interpretation (Figure 102) for the discrete two higher-grade zones.

 

Additionally, based on the spatial continuity observed across the various grade shells, a secondary structural component controlling higher-grade mineralization is possible along with potential separation of the pellitic and psammitic lithology (Figure 102). Whether these zones correspond to receptive lithology or increase in secondary structures amenable for gold deposition is unknown based on the limited data provided, but it is recommended that further analyses be conducted.

 

 

Source: SRK, 2021

 

Figure 102: SRK interpretation of grade shell mineralization.

 

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Table 114: Summary statistical evaluation of the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell.

 

  ISO Threshold
0.2 g/t Au Grade Shell 40%  0.30
Indicator Statistics    
Total number of samples 30,455  
Cut-off value 0.3  
  ≥ cut-off < cut-off
Number of points 7,511 22,944
Percentage 24.66% 75.34%
Mean value 1.29436 0.0660627
Minimum value 0.3 5.00E-04
Maximum value 101.021 0.29715
Standard deviation 2.54742 0.0739537
Coefficient of variance 1.96808 1.11945
Variance 6.48932 0.00546914
Output Volume Statistics    
Resolution 20  
Iso-value 0.4  
  Inside Outside
≥ cut-off    
Number of samples 5,705 1,806
Percentage 18.73% 5.93%
< cut-off    
Number of samples 2,689 20,255
Percentage 8.83% 66.51%
All Points    
Mean value 1.00631 0.126501
Minimum value 0.0005 5.00E-04
Maximum value 79.45 101.021
Standard deviation 2.15857 0.784754
Coefficient of variance 2.14504 6.20354
Variance 4.65944 0.615838
Volume 30,851,303 486,168,985
Number of parts 6 4
Dilution 32.0%  
Exclusion 24.0%  
Model vs. Bound Volume % Diff 517,020,288 6%

Source: SRK, 2021

 

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Table 115: Summary statistical evaluation of the 0.5 g/t Au grade shell.

  ISO Threshold
0.5 g/t Au Grade Shell 45% 0.50
Indicator Statistics    
Total number of samples 30,455  
Cut-off value 0.5  
  ≥ cut-off < cut-off
Number of points 5,055 25,400
Percentage 16.60% 83.40%
Mean value 1.73549 0.0970391
Minimum value 0.5 5.00E-04
Maximum value 101.021 0.49979
Standard deviation 3.00757 0.119263
Coefficient of variance 1.73298 1.22902
Variance 9.04548 0.0142236
Output Volume Statistics    
Resolution 20  
Iso-value 0.45  
  Inside Outside
≥ cut-off    
Number of samples 2,491 2,564
Percentage 8.18% 8.42%
< cut-off    
Number of samples 987 24,413
Percentage 3.24% 80.16%
All Points    
Mean value 1.56858 0.214338
Minimum value 0.015 5.00E-04
Maximum value 79.45 101.021
Standard deviation 2.95829 0.88891
Coefficient of variance 1.88597 4.14724
Variance 8.75151 0.790162
Volume 11,153,160 505,867,128
Number of parts 4 2
Dilution 28.4%  
Exclusion 50.7%  
Model vs. Bound Volume % Diff 517,020,288 2%

Source: SRK, 2021

 

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Table 116: Summary statistical evaluation of the 1.0 g/t Au grade shell.

 

  ISO Threshold
1.0 g/t Au Grade Shell 40% 1.00
Indicator Statistics    
Total number of samples 31,598  
Cut-off value 1  
  ≥ cut-off < cut-off
Number of points 2,578 29,020
Percentage 8.16% 91.84%
Mean value 2.72687 0.147062
Minimum value 1 5.00E-04
Maximum value 101.021 0.9964
Standard deviation 3.96387 0.209367
Coefficient of variance 1.45364 1.42367
Variance 15.7123 0.0438346
Output Volume Statistics    
Resolution 20  
Iso-value 0.4  
  Inside Outside
≥ cut-off    
Number of samples 527 2,051
Percentage 1.67% 6.49%
< cut-off    
Number of samples 298 28,722
Percentage 0.94% 90.90%
All Points    
Mean value 2.35567 0.303973
Minimum value 0.02 5.00E-04
Maximum value 79.45 101.021
Standard deviation 4.24774 1.12963
Coefficient of variance 1.8032 3.71621
Variance 18.0433 1.27606
Volume 2,738,051 755,675,242
Number of parts 2 1
Dilution 36.1%  
Exclusion 79.6%  
Model vs. Bound Volume % Diff 758,413,293 0%

Source: SRK, 2021

 

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11.3.1Oxidation Model

 

SRK utilized an oxidation boundary surface constructed in 2012 by the previous site owner to discriminate oxide from sulphide mineralization as the logging data was considered too variable and of lower confidence to construct this surface. The oxidation model is used to code bulk density in the resource block model, shown in Figure 103. The boundary surface provided was not reviewed prior to use in the 2022 model as lithologic logging was deemed unreliable for an assessment. SRK notes the surface is utilized to provide an approximate indicator of the transition but recognizes the confidence in the boundary is considered poor. Additionally, no transition zone between the oxidation and reduced areas was modeled. Therefore, the simplicity of the oxidation boundary is in question and the Qualified Person has accounted for this uncertainly through Mineral Resource classification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 103: North looking, vertical cross section showing oxide and sulphide zones with drilling.

 

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11.4BLOCK MODEL

 

SRK created a digital 3-D Mineral Resource block model using Leapfrog® Geo software in 2023. The model extents and block size were influenced by the property extents, geometry of mineralization, previous block model (2012), expected selective mining unit (SMU), and mean data spacing across the deposit which is nominally 50 m. The 2022 Mineral Resource block model construction parameters are shown in Table 117 with Figure 104 illustrating the spatial extents of the model. The block model and supporting data are in the local Borborema deposit grid.

 

Table 117: 2022 Borborema block model parameters.

 

Parameters (m) X Y Z
Origin 9745 19080 530
Offset 775 3350 400
Block Size 25 25 5
Sub-block size 5 5 2.5
Rotation None

Source: SRK, 2022

 

Variables in the 2022 Mineral Resource block model include:

 

·Broad zone of mineralization based on the 0.2 g/t Au grade shell.

 

·Oxidation model domain: oxidized or reduced (sulphide).

 

·Assigned bulk density (g/cm3).

 

·Estimated gold grade (g/t Au).

 

·Economic pit shell (as provided to SRK by Aura).

 

·Mineral Resource classification.

 

The Qualified Person notes that the model may be improved based on multiple recommendations as summarized in Section 26 of this technical report.

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 104: Borborema block model extents.

 

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11.5GRADE INTERPOLATION

 

The 2023 Mineral Resource block model gold grade was estimated using Ordinary Kriging (“OK”) and inverse distance weighted squared (“DW2”) methodologies constrained within soft-boundaried, nested grade shells at 0.2 g/t, 0.5 g/t, and 1.0 g/t Au indicatory grade shells (Figure 14-12). This method was selected as preferred after multiple trials of various grade shells, alternative estimation methods, and changing search neighborhood parameters were reviewed by SRK. The aim of the nested grade shell approach is to constrain higher grade gold mineralization into specific zones of occurrences while limiting the potential over-influence of outlier high-grade composites to impact the mean block grades. Due to the lack of modeled structural and geological information, it is SRK’s opinion that the nested shell approach provides a satisfactory representation of gold distribution across the Borborema deposit.

 

The 2012 historical Mineral Resources utilized a multiple indicator kriging (“MIK”) estimation method. This method utilized multiple indicator bins across the gold distribution for the deposit and aims to account for spatial continuity differences between domains to reproduce the input histogram. SRK reviewed this methodology but determined that MIK may result in an over-estimate of high-grade samples due to limited data in upper indictor bins and an over-reliance on modeled indicator variography, which commonly display poor robustness or well-structured semi-variograms. It is the Qualified Persons opinion, that the 2022 estimation approach is an improvement over the MIK estimation method because it utilizes more data in less bins, resulting in robust spatial continuity assumptions, is constrained within multiple grade shells assessed for continuity and quality and maintains the ability to control the extreme high-grade samples that may bias Mineral Resource estimation.

 

The near surface oxidized zone domain is not utilized for gold grade domains but are utilized to account for differences in recovery assumptions and bulk density. There is limited evidence of different gold grade distributions between the oxide and reduced zones, no mineralogical supporting data suggesting the spatial continuity of oxide gold zones, and a relatively low confidence in the oxide-reduced zone boundary, as discussed in the previous section.

 

SRK utilized a nested, soft-boundary grade shell technique with shells at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g/t Au to limit the influence of outlier data to the broader mineralized volume which displays general lower-grade attributes. A multi-pass method was used for estimation based on domains defined by gold grade shells as described in Section 14.3. The pass method was implemented to ensure all blocks within the model contain grade and provide a quantitative means of assessing the relative confidence to aid in classification due to the less restrictive nature of each progressive pass search neighborhood. Summary search neighborhoods by domain and pass are presented in Table 118. No variable orientation was utilized due to the consistent planar nature of the mineralization.

 

It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the 2022 Mineral Resources for the Borborema deposit represents a satisfactory evaluation of the quantity and quality of material as it pertains to gold mineralization. The model is considered acceptable for use in mine planning and the reporting of Mineral Resources under SEC S-K 1300 guidelines.

 

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Table 118: Summary neighbourhood search parameters by estimation pass.

 

General Ellipsoid Ranges (m) Ellipsoid Directions Number of Samples Outlier Restrictions Drillhole Limit Discretization
Interpolant Name Method Domain Boundary Composites Max. Interm. Min. Dip Dip Azimuth Pitch Min. Max. Method Distance (m) Threshold Max Samples per Hole X Y Z
OK_Au_cap20_0.2GS_P1 OK 0.2 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 100 30 12 35 95 170 4 6 Clamp 50 10 3 5 5 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.2GS_P2 OK 0.2 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 100 40 10 35 95 170 3 6 Clamp 50 10 2 5 5 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.5GS_P1 OK 0.5 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 60 30 5 35 95 13 4 6 Clamp 50 10 3 5 5 5
OK_Au_cap20_0.5GS_P2 OK 0.5 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 80 60 10 35 95 13 3 6 Clamp 50 10 2 5 5 5
IDW2_Au_cap20_0.20GS_P3 IDW2 0.5 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 200 150 75 35 95 170 2 6 None       5 5 5
OK_Au_cap20_1.0GS_P1 OK 1.0 g/t Au grade shell Soft Au_ppm_cap20 60 30 6 35 95 145 4 6 Clamp 25 10 3 5 5 5

Source: SRK, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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11.6MODEL VALIDATION

 

The 2022 Mineral Resource block model was validated by SRK using a combination of visual and statistical comparisons to raw drilling and composited as spatially de-clustered data in a nearest neighbor estimation. Validation was performed using a combination of Leapfrog® Geo and X-10 Geo software. It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the 2022 Mineral Resource block model is satisfactory for use in the prediction of quantity and quality of material for mine planning, economics, and associated studies as well as for the application of Mineral Resource classification and reporting.

 

Though the Borborema deposit was historically mined, no production reconciliation data was available to SRK for model validation purposes. SRK notes that given the high variability of the gold mineralization, challenges with lack of lithological-based domains, and the nested grade shell approach to estimation, future model updates would be improved if production data can be utilized for both model calibration of estimation parameters and in reconciliation of the block model.

 

11.6.1Visual Comparison

 

The estimated block gold grades and raw drilling intervals were compared visually along west to east vertical cross sections on the property. The Qualified Person notes challenges in visual block validation due to the high nugget effect, block geometry, and low continuity of gold grades across the deposit but also notes that detailed visual inspection appears satisfactory for block volume estimates considering drill sample variance. Example cross sections used in the visual validation are presented in Figure 105 and Figure 106.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 105: Vertical cross section looking north showing blocks and drilling coloured by gold values (ppm Au).

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 106: Vertical cross section looking north showing blocks and drilling coloured by Gold Values (ppm Au).

 

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11.6.2Comparative Statistics

 

The 2022 Mineral Resource block model was validated using a variety of statistical comparisons and analyses. These include general descriptive statistics comparing composite grades and estimated block grades along with swath plots for mean spatial comparisons of data. It is the Qualified Person’s opinion that the 2022 Mineral Resource model provides acceptable validation and correlation with de-clustered composite grades to support confidence in Mineral Resource classification. Differences in observed grades between raw, composited, spatially de-clustered composites (represented as the nearest neighbour (“NN”) estimate), and block gold values are explained by a combination of volume-variance differences, locally clustered drilling data, and the discontinuous nature of the deposit (i.e., high nugget effect and short ranges).

 

In reviewing general statistics of estimated blocks (Table 119), the estimated block grades show a lower variance than the de-clustered composited values which is expected given the volume-variance relationship of comparing point composite data with estimated block volumes (Figure 107). Comparing mean values between the spatially de-clustered composites with estimated block gold grades show satisfactory comparison.

 

A swath plot analysis was performed to assess conditional bias or smoothing and demonstrates that when comparing the estimated block grades via OK to the NN estimate, the mean values show strong correlation (Figure 108). Given that NN represents spatially de-clustered composites, this suggests only minor clustering of data, evident in the historical pit area.

 

Table 119: Statistical comparison of block and composited Au grades.

 

Estimated Au (g/t) Block Grades Nearest Neighbor Au (g/t) Grades
Blocks within Econ Shell De-clustered within Econ shell
Block Count 260,381 Block Count 260,381
Volume 33,766,812 Volume 33,766,813
Mean 0.875 Mean 0.876
SD 0.755 SD 1.577
CV 0.863 CV 1.800
Variance 0.570 Variance 2.486
Minimum 0.025 Minimum 0.0005
Q1 0.381 Q1 0.182
Q2 0.635 Q2 0.420
Q3 1.093 Q3 0.940
Maximum 8.25 Maximum 20.00

Source: SRK, 2022

 

Note: Spatially de-clustered composited data is assessed using the nearest neighbor estimate.

 

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 107: Distribution comparison between composites (Left) and blocks (Right).

 

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Source: SRK, 2022

 

Figure 108: Swath plot for Au estimation - Ordinary Kriging (OK) versus Nearest Neighbour (NN) estimation.

 

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11.7REASONABLE PROSPECTS FOR EVENTUAL ECONOMIC EXTRACTION

 

To establish reasonable prospects for economic extraction (“RPEE”) as per S-K 1300 of Mineral Resources, SRK applied an economic cut-off grade (“CoG”) to blocks constrained within an economic pit shell on the Borborema Property. The economic assumptions for establishing the Mineral Resource CoG were provided by Aura and shown in Figure 109. Pricing and other assumptions are considered long-term in nature for establishing Mineral Resources, and it is the opinion of the QP that these numbers are acceptable for use in Mineral Resources.

 

 

Figure 109: Economic assumptions for Mineral Resource Cut-off Grade and economic shell (Deswik, 2023).

 

The constraining Mineral Resource pit shell was constructed by Bruno Tomaselli from Deswik, Brazil, and provided to SRK. This shell utilizes a 1.0 revenue factor, 37° slope on the west and 60° slope on the east, 2 Mtpy mining rate, and 5% discount rate. A long section of the Mineral Resource pit shell is shown in Figure 110.

 

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Figure 110: Long section, looking west of the economic pit shell. Insert image shows cross section, looking North (Source: SRK, 2022).

 

 

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Figure 111: Cross Section at 20,400 North (Local Grid) of Reserve and Resource Pit Shell

 

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11.8MINERAL RESOURCE CLASSIFICATION

 

Mineral Resources are classified in accordance with CIM (2014) definitions, which are consistent with S-K 1300, into Measured, Indicated, and Inferred classifications based on identified uncertainly and risks. Blocks are assigned a classification based on the following criteria:

 

Measured Mineral Resources – the Borborema gold deposit does not contain Measured Mineral Resources at this time due to uncertainties related to:

 

·Lack of a lithostructural model in an orogenic gold deposit.

 

·Inherent variability of economic gold grades and relatively high nugget effect.

 

·Lack of supporting detail on the oxidation model supporting recovery assumptions for near-surface mineralization.

 

·Lack of detailed topography survey across the property.

 

·Lack of deposit-wide geochemical data to assess the potential for deleterious elements.

 

·Inconsistent geological logging across the property.

 

·Estimation not accounting for the two identified styles of gold mineralization observed at the deposit.

 

Indicated Mineral Resources – the Borborema gold deposit contains Indicated Mineral Resources based on the following criteria:

 

·Validation of analytical gold data used in the estimate.

 

·Review of summary QA/QC supporting information.

 

·Use of diamond drill core for sample assay.

 

·Mean drill spacing less than or equal to approximately 75 m.

 

·Interpolated block gold grades supported by drilling data on all sides spatially.

 

·Volume within Qualified Person created Indicated classification volume. This volume utilized the spatial distribution of higher quality estimated blocks while removing volumes supported but limited data, extrapolated estimates, and a combination of the items listed above.

 

Inferred Mineral Resources – the Borborema gold deposit contains Inferred Mineral Resources based on the following criteria:

 

·Validation of analytical gold data used in the estimate.

 

·Review of summary QA/QC supporting information.

 

·Use of diamond drill core or RC drilling for sample assay.

 

·Mean drill spacing less than or equal to approximately 100 m.

 

·Minor volume of mineralized material extrapolated at depth.

 

·Volume within Qualified Person created Inferred classification volume. This volume represents material deemed by the QP to be of higher risk than Inferred Mineral Resources as they do not meet the criteria outlined under Indicated Mineral Resources but still demonstrate RPEE with satisfactory confidence to meet the definition of Inferred Mineral Resources. The QP notes that the volume of Inferred Mineral Resources is considered of lower confidence and not appropriate for use to apply modifying factors for the conversion to Mineral Reserves.

 

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11.9MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT

 

The Mineral Resource statement is presented in Table 120, with an effective date of January 31, 2023. The Mineral Resource Estimate and classification were performed by SRK with resources reported exclusive of mineral reserves.

 

Table 120: Borborema Mineral Resource estimate as of January 31, 2023, prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc.

 

CLASS Au COG OXIDATION

MASS

(Mt)

AVERAGE

(Au g/t)

TOTAL METAL

(Au Kt oz)

INDICATED 0.33 g/t OXIDE 0.3 0.7 7.1
SULFIDE 17.0 0.8 445.3
TOTAL 17.3 0.8 452.4
INFERRED 0.33 g/t OXIDE 0.1 0.8 2.3
SULFIDE 10.7 1.1 389.5
TOTAL 10.8 1.1 391.9

*Notes:

 

1.Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
2.Mineral Resources have been categorized subject to the opinion of a Qualified Person based on the quality of informing data for the estimate, consistency of geological/grade distribution, data quality, and have been validated using visual and statistical analyses.
3.Mineral Resources tonnages and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate, and numbers may not add due to rounding.
4.The economic CoG for Mineral Resources is 0.33 g/t Au based on the long-term outlook sale price of US$1,800/troy ounce of gold, 92.1% recovery, average mining costs of US$2.00/t, processing costs of US$14.82/t, G&A of US$1.38, and sustaining capital costs of US$0.62/t.
5.An overall 61° (east side) and 37° (west side) pit slope angle, 0% mining dilution, and 100% mining recovery have been used.
6.Mineral Resources were reported above the economic 0.33 g/t Au CoG and are constrained by an optimized resource pit shell with all material categorized as mineral reserves excluded from the resource calculation. The quantity of Indicated mineral resources listed above represents the Indicated mineral resources locationed outside the mineral reserve pit shell. The quantity of Inferred mineral resources represent Inferred located within the reserve pit shell and the resource pit shell. Inferred mineral resources are not considered to be of sufficient confidence for the application of reserve modifying factors.
7.The Qualified Person for Mineral Resources is the third party firm, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. based in Denver, USA.

 

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11.10MINERAL RESOURCE SENSITIVITY

 

The sensitivity of Mineral Resources to changes in the economic CoG is presented below through the grade-tonnage data in Table 121. As the economic CoG is at 0.33 g/t Au, any material changes to the Project economic assumptions may materially affect the Mineral Resource tonnage and average grades. The Mineral Resources listed in the grade-tonnage curve to demonstrate sensitivity to changes in CoG include both Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources exclusive to Mineral Reserves.

 

Table 121: Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserve Grade-Tonnage Curve for Borborema

 

Cut-off grade (g/t) Tonnes ≥ cut-off (Mt) Average grade ≥ cut-off (g/t)
0.10 34.4 0.81
0.15 34.0 0.82
0.20 33.0 0.84
0.25 31.5 0.86
0.30 29.6 0.90
0.31 29.2 0.91
0.32 28.7 0.92
0.33 28.1 0.93
0.34 27.7 0.94
0.35 27.2 0.95
0.40 25.4 0.99
0.45 23.3 1.05
0.50 21.5 1.09
0.60 17.3 1.23
0.70 14.4 1.34
0.80 12.0 1.46
0.90 10.1 1.58
1.00 8.7 1.68
1.10 7.5 1.78
1.20 6.6 1.87
1.30 5.9 1.95
1.40 5.1 2.03
1.50 4.5 2.11
1.60 4.0 2.18
1.70 3.3 2.29
1.80 3.0 2.36
1.90 2.4 2.49
2.00 2.1 2.55

Source: SRK, 2025

 

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Source: SRK, 2024

 

Figure 112: Grade - Tonnage curve for Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves at Borborema.

 

 

11.11SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY

 

Factors that may affect the Mineral Resource statement at Borborema include:

 

·Ability to accurately perform grade control for short-range mine planning and reconcile production data.

 

·Changes to metal price assumptions in long-term outlook.

 

·Changes to the input assumptions on the economic CoG and pit shell including mining, process, capital, and G&A costs, recovery assumptions, and mining dilution.

 

·Future identification and assessment of potentially deleterious materials or elements that may materially affect the ability to mine or the recovery of gold to the baseline assumptions.

 

·Changes to the assumptions on the ability for the site to operate related to water, dump and tailings storage, environmental permitting, land title, social license to operation in the local community, and other regulatory or governance changes.

 

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11.12OPINION ON MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

 

The QP is of the opinion that with consideration of the recommendations summarized in Sections 1 and 23 of this TRS, any issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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12MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATION

 

12.1INTRODUCTION

 

The Mineral Reserve estimate for the Borborema Project deposit was reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. These definitions are consistent with the definitions in S-K 1300.

 

Mineral Reserves suitable for open pit mining methods were estimated through a comprehensive optimization exercise, utilizing Indicated Mineral Resources from the block model provided by SRK Consulting. These Mineral Reserves are defined within detailed engineered pit designs and life-of-mine (LOM) plans that are based on the optimized pit shells. Mineral Reserves within these engineered pit designs were calculated using cut-off grades (COG) specific to each rock type, considering a gold price of US$ 1,472/oz with an exchange rate of R$ 5.2/US$ 1.0, with refining costs included. The Mineral Reserves are contained within two pits. Probable Mineral Reserves that have an effective date of October 1st, 2024 are estimated to be 40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t Au grade.

 

There are two waste rock disposal areas that will be located on site. Both waste rock storage facilities will be used to dispose of waste from both pits. They are named Waste Rock Storage Facility 1 and 2 (WRSF1 and WRSF2).

 

A high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) limits the pit expansion to the north. However, the previously constraining paved highway (BR-226), as indicated in the prior Technical Report (TR), no longer restricts the pit to the south.

 

Aura owns the surface rights in the constrained pit area, which considers the current road design, and previous infrastructures, including the processing plant, which hasn’t changed on this report. Aura has already been granted the Environmental Installation License (LI) for the processing plant and the constrained pit. It is in the process of obtaining the required permits for the bypass road and the acquisition of the extension area for the road and the extended WRSF 1.

 

The current open pit mine life is twenty years and five months, not including the pre-stripping period.

 

The envisaged site layout plan is shown in Figure 113 including all pits, waste rock storage facilities and the following limits: current road, road bypass (BR-226 road) and high voltage transmission line (HVTL).

 

 

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Source: Deswik, 2025

 

Figure 113: Site General Layout

 

Test work and processing results indicate that the Mineral Reserves are all amenable to processing using a conventional gold processing route, which includes comminution, carbon-in-leach (CIL), elution and refining.

 

12.2Mineral Reserve Statement

 

The Mineral Reserves are presented in Table 122. Estimated waste tonnage is 225 Mt.

 

Table 122: Mineral Reserves Borborema Project, Effective Date October 1st, 2024

 

Category

Ownership

(%)

Tonnage

(Mt)

Au Grade

(g/t)

Au Content

(koz)

Metallurgical Recovery (%)
Proven 100% - - - -
Probable 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1
Total 40.7 1.13 1,479 92.1

 

Notes:

 1.CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves. These definitions are consistent with the definitions in S-K 1300.
2.Mineral Reserves have an effective date of October 1st, 2024. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, B.Sc., FAusIMM, an employee of Deswik.
3.Mineral Reserves are confined within an optimized pit shell that uses the following parameters: gold price including refining costs US$ 1,472/oz; mining costs US$ 2.40/t weathered material, US$ 2.80/t waste fresh rock, US$ 3.20/t ore fresh rock; processing costs US$ 14.82/t processed; general and administrative costs US$ 2.8 M/a; sustaining costs US$ 0.62/t processed; process recovery of 92.1%; mining dilution of 5%; ore recovery of 95%; pit inter-ramp angles that range from 36 – 64°. Average bulk density of 2.7 t/m³.
 4.The point of reference for Mineral Reserves is the point of feed into the processing facility.
 5.Tonnages and grades have been rounded in accordance with reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

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The QP is not aware of any risk factors associated with, or changes to, any aspects of the modifying factors such as mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

12.3Mineral Reserve Estimation

 

12.3.1Reserve Block Model

 

The mining engineering work related to pit optimizations and engineered pit designs was carried out using the block models prepared by SRK Consulting in December 2022 for the Borborema Project deposit. A parent block size of 25 m x 25 m x 5 m (X, Y, Z) meters was used for the Borborema Project deposit. The models contain blocks coded with the following information:

 

·Au grade
·Weathering information (weathered and fresh rock)
·Resource category (Measured, Indicated, and Inferred)
·Density

 

Life of mine (LOM) final designs have been compiled for the open pits, and these were the basis of estimating the Mineral Reserves for the Borborema Project.

 

12.3.2Open Pit Optimization

 

The open pit optimizations were carried out by means of the Pseudoflow algorithm in Deswik.CAD software (version 2024.2). Using mining costs, processing costs, selling costs, gold recovery values and an overall pit slope, the pit optimizer determines an ultimate pit shell that delineates the volume of material that can be extracted to maximize value.

 

A series of pit optimizations shells were produced using a range of revenue factors in order to produce an industry standard pit-by-pit graph. This process was used to evaluate the sensitivity of pit optimizations to changes in mineral selling prices, as well as to evaluate the effect of the pit size and stripping ratios on the project net present value (NPV). The optimization process produces a series of nested pit shells that prioritize the mining of the most economic material. Less profitable material (lower grade and / or high strip ratio) is by definition only mined in later pit shells as the input commodity selling price is increased.

 

From these results, appropriate pit shells for the deposit were selected as a basis for the engineered pit designs and Mineral Reserve estimates. All pit optimizations were run using reasonable and relevant economic, cost, recovery, and pit slope assumptions, and were run on diluted gold grades. Only resource blocks classified as Indicated were allowed to drive the pit optimizer for Mineral Reserve reporting purposes. The model does not contain any blocks classified as Measured. All inferred material was considered as waste for the optimization and interrogation process.

 

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12.3.3Dilution and Extraction

 

Total dilution is calculated as the sum of planned and unplanned dilution:

 

·Planned dilution: non-ore material (below cut-off grade) that lies within the designed boundaries (mining lines) as determined by the selectivity of mining method, the continuity of the orebody along strike and along dip and the complexity of the orebody shape;

 

·Unplanned dilution: additional non-ore material (below cut-off grade) which is derived from rock outside the boundaries (mining lines), incorporated due to blast induced over break and/or the difficulty to separate ore/waste during mining excavation.

 

Taking into consideration the geometry of the ore body and the operational shape of the open pit, 5% dilution was assumed.

 

Mining recovery was assumed to be 95% of in situ ore material.

 

12.3.4Cost Parameters for Pit Optimization

 

The key pit optimization parameters used to derive the economic pit shells for the deposits are summarized in Table 123. The optimizations were based on parameters and cost data projected for the project and based on current quotations for the project.

 

Table 123: Pit Optimization Parameters

Modifying Factor Value
Gold price US$ 1,500/oz
Gold Refining Charge US$ 28/oz
Royalties (CFEM¹) 1.5% of Gross Revenue
Exchange rate R$ 5.2:US$ 1
Costs  
Mining fixed US$ 0.20/t
Mining weathered US$ 2.20/t
Mining fresh rock ore US$ 3.00/t
Mining fresh rock waste US$ 2.60/t
Processing US$ 14.82/t processed
G&A US$ 2,753,173/year
Sustaining US$ 0.62/t processed
Plant recovery 92.1%
Mining recovery 95%
Total Dilution (planned and unplanned) 5%
Weathered rock pit design parameters  
Face angle 43.5°
Bench height 20 m
Berm width 6 m
Inter ramp angle 36.5°
Fresh rock pit design parameters  
Face angle 55 – 80°
Bench height 20 m
Berm width 6 m
Inter ramp angle 45 – 64.5°
Ramp width 13.2 m

¹ Note: CFEM is the Brazilian government royalty

 

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Mining costs were based on the Mining Contract rates quoted for this project and on current mine scheduling and transportation profiles submitted to the contractor.

 

12.3.5Pit Optimization Mill Recovery

 

Test work indicated that a gold product is achievable with a metallurgical recovery of 92.1% based on samples collected on site and test work conducted by ALS.

 

12.3.6Cut-off Grades

 

The cut-off grade is the lowest average grade that a selective mining unit must have before it is considered for mining. Both planned and unplanned dilutions are included. The minimum cut-off grade that defines boundary material which should be mined is the mine cut-off grade, and is estimated using the following formula:

 

COG = (M + P + O) / [r * (V – R)]

 

Where:

 

M = mining cost difference between mining as ore and waste material

 

P = processing cost

 

O = overhead (general & administrative) cost

 

r = proportion of valuable product recovered from the mined material

 

V = value of one unit of valuable product

 

R = refining costs, defined as costs that are related to the unit of valuable material produced

 

Considering the parameters and assumptions presented on Table 123, the cut-off grade calculated for the Borborema Project is 0.39 g/t gold.

 

12.3.7Pit Optimization Results

 

A series of pit shells were run using revenue factors ranging from 40% to 100% of the estimated selling price at an R$ / US$ exchange rate of 5.2:1 and using the other parameters listed in the sections above. The results of the pit optimization are presented in Table 124 and Figure 114.

 

Table 124: Pit Optimization Run Results (In Situ Values)

 

Phase RF Tonnage (kt) Waste (kt) Au Grade (g/t) NPV (US$ 000) Strip Ratio
Best Case Worst Case
1 40% 1,371 2,213  1.59 53,934 53,934 1.61
2 41% 1,707 3,231  1.60 66,503 66,387 1.89
3 42% 2,014 3,967  1.57 75,821 75,539 1.97
4 43% 2,182 4,338  1.55 80,455 80,068 1.99
5 44% 2,357 4,686  1.54 85,212 84,704 1.99
6 45% 2,424 4,768  1.53 86,804 86,249 1.97
7 46% 5,618 14,222  1.48 174,305 172,035 2.53
8 47% 5,905 14,654  1.47 180,814 178,147 2.48

 

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Phase RF Tonnage (kt) Waste (kt) Au Grade (g/t) NPV (US$ 000) Strip Ratio
Best Case Worst Case
9 48% 6,063 14,848  1.46 184,045 181,136 2.45
10 49% 6,400 15,202  1.44 190,799 187,368 2.38
11 50% 6,557 15,515  1.44 193,931 190,224 2.37
12 51% 6,681 15,793  1.43 196,551 192,626 2.36
13 52% 7,004 16,572  1.42 203,013 198,497 2.37
14 53% 7,786 19,384  1.42 219,961 214,022 2.49
15 54% 7,943 19,811  1.42 222,852 216,589 2.49
16 55% 8,581 22,465  1.41 235,935 228,446 2.62
17 56% 8,883 23,393  1.41 240,756 232,462 2.63
18 57% 9,086 23,740  1.40 243,635 234,845 2.61
19 58% 11,857 31,959  1.34 281,763 265,582 2.70
20 59% 12,115 32,425  1.33 284,830 267,824 2.68
21 60% 12,452 33,289  1.33 288,777 270,763 2.67
22 61% 12,639 33,585  1.32 290,727 272,100 2.66
23 62% 13,005 34,559  1.31 294,952 275,181 2.66
24 63% 13,185 34,848  1.31 296,657 276,293 2.64
25 64% 13,491 35,506  1.30 299,916 278,586 2.63
26 65% 14,050 36,397  1.28 304,401 280,872 2.59
27 66% 16,231 47,228  1.28 328,634 299,747 2.91
28 67% 16,424 47,615  1.28 330,091 300,448 2.90
29 68% 16,677 48,427  1.27 332,403 301,797 2.90
30 69% 16,887 48,961  1.27 334,022 302,569 2.90
31 71% 17,101 49,463  1.26 335,674 303,331 2.89
32 72% 17,344 50,287  1.26 337,624 304,308 2.90
33 73% 17,797 51,949  1.25 340,686 305,371 2.92
34 74% 17,977 52,280  1.25 341,702 305,611 2.91
35 75% 18,181 52,923  1.25 343,000 305,974 2.91
36 76% 18,289 53,159  1.24 343,469 305,934 2.91
37 77% 18,993 55,071  1.23 346,962 305,699 2.90
38 78% 19,338 56,334  1.23 348,867 305,961 2.91
39 79% 19,466 56,686  1.22 349,434 305,864 2.91
40 80% 19,708 57,304  1.22 350,352 305,506 2.91
41 81% 20,036 58,086  1.21 351,401 304,810 2.90
42 82% 20,196 58,461  1.21 351,949 304,507 2.89
43 83% 20,656 59,733  1.20 353,469 303,566 2.89
44 84% 20,774 60,029  1.20 353,771 303,209 2.89
45 85% 33,944 162,012  1.21 375,665 266,760 4.77
46 86% 34,311 162,728  1.21 376,241 265,093 4.74
47 87% 34,653 164,408  1.21 377,127 263,864 4.74
48 88% 37,544 183,892  1.20 382,534 246,356 4.90
49 89% 37,950 185,485  1.20 383,091 243,950 4.89
50 90% 41,189 211,155  1.20 388,092 224,087 5.13
51 91% 41,388 212,067  1.19 388,286 222,792 5.12
52 92% 41,594 212,816  1.19 388,478 221,604 5.12

 

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Phase RF Tonnage (kt) Waste (kt) Au Grade (g/t) NPV (US$ 000) Strip Ratio
Best Case Worst Case
53 93% 41,885 214,208  1.19 388,822 219,865 5.11
54 94% 42,053 214,876  1.19 388,922 218,761 5.11
55 95% 42,275 215,937  1.19 389,064 217,294 5.11
56 96% 42,465 216,690  1.19 389,196 216,053 5.10
57 97% 42,602 217,243  1.19 389,209 215,111 5.10
58 98% 42,748 217,848  1.18 389,252 214,116 5.10
59 99% 42,912 218,697  1.18 389,254 212,758 5.10
60 100% 43,106 219,617  1.18 389,274 211,205 5.09

 

 

Source: Deswik, 2025. (US$ MM = millions of United States dollars)

 

Figure 114: Pit Optimization Results

 

The 90% revenue factor price shell was selected as the base case for design. NPV beyond this pit has a marginal increase, waste is minimized, and ore extraction is maximized.

 

12.4Factors That May Affect the Mineral Reserve Estimates

 

The main factors that may impact the mineral reserve estimates are as follows:

 

·Metal prices and exchange rate assumptions

 

·Mining, process, and operating cost

 

·Recovery assumptions

 

The QP is not aware of any environmental, legal, title, taxation, socioeconomic, marketing, political or other relevant factors that would materially affect the estimation of Mineral Reserves that are not discussed in this Report.

 

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12.5Comparison with Previous Estimate

 

Several factors may contribute to changes in mineral reserves between two fiscal years:

 

·Depletion Due to Production

 

·Changes in the Resource Model

 

·Changes in Commodity Prices and Operating Costs

 

·Methodological Updates

 

·Acquisition or Disposal of Properties

 

The net change in mineral reserves is primarily attributed to the expansion on the southern side of the pit, following the removal of the road constraint. All other assumptions and the block model remain unchanged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13MINING METHODS

 

13.1OVERVIEW

 

At Borborema Project, the orebody lies near the surface and extends to greater depths. The 20 year and 5 months LOM is planned for open pit mining.

 

The proposed mining operations will employ hydraulic excavators and a fleet of haul trucks with conventional open-pit methods. Excavated material will be loaded into trucks and transported either the Run of Mine (ROM) pad, the low-grade stockpile, oxide ore stockpile or the Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF). Quality control personnel from the Geology department will monitor the excavation and haulage of ore, with material movements tracked through a radio dispatch system. Weathered material is considered to be free dig with transitional material to be lightly blasted to loosen it for digging. Fresh rock will be typically blasted on 5 m benches for ore domain and 10 m benches for the waste domain.

 

13.2Geotechnical Considerations

 

Deswik utilized the same slope angles suggested by Cascar (Cascar do Brasil, 2019) to run all pit optimization analysis and designs.

 

For the preparation of this study a full assessment of the available technical data was made. A site visit to confirm the main structural features of the pit, check drill hole descriptions for location, geotechnical mapping, depth and validation of previous descriptions were performed.

 

The Borborema Project pit is composed by foliated, bent and transposed, slightly fractured, basically groundless schist rocks, having two distinct rock masses. The upper portion, to an average depth of 40 meters, is Class III/IV massive schist, ranging from regular to poor. At 40 meters the rock changes to Class II/I schist, ranging from good to very good. The pit is aligned with the main local structural features of the Morro Pelado and São Francisco Shear Zone, that are parallel to the schistosity/foliation of the lenses of the different schist types.

 

Schist lenses have subparallel direction to the shear zones, but have a smaller dip around 45°, and are extremely bent (corrugated), while the transposition of the bending axes have parallel direction, with sharp dips around 60°. The main ruptures occur in the transpositions. Throughout, foliation and slabbing occur due to foliation waving and cycling (periods of saturation and drying with expansion of placoid minerals). These foliations were mapped by TEC3 in 2025, which determine failures and foliations with altitude / angle of 125/46° and inferred of 125/60°.

 

There are two important structural features: schistosity/foliation and faults (transposition) with similar directions, but with different dips. The schistosity has a lower dip and is very bent, corrugated and may be responsible for slabbing the face of the individual slopes. Perpendicular joints (fractures) to foliation with high dips (80°) are uncommon and of little persistence, at most 2 meters.

 

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Source: Aura Minerals, 2025.

 

Figure 115: Geotechnical Mapping and Plot Stereonet from Borborema Project

 

Strength parameters were obtained through laboratory tests consisting of simple compression tests, Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), and triaxial tests performed on drill hole samples. For the UCS tests, two series of tests were made, the first perpendicular to foliation and another parallel to foliation. Due to the high degree of bending, samples that characterized both foliation positions were selected, but do not necessarily represent the behavior of the rock mass.

 

Average UCS was 94 MPa for the perpendicular to foliation samples and 26 MPa for the parallel to foliation samples.

 

Seven samples were collected for triaxial tests, four perpendicular to foliation and three parallel to foliation. The test results are:

 

·Samples parallel to foliation

 

oCohesion (C): 2.7 Mpa

 

oAngle of internal friction (φ): 39°

 

·Samples oblique to foliation

 

oCohesion (C): 16 Mpa (Maximum Envelope), 10 Mpa (Minimum Envelope)

 

oAngle of internal friction (φ): 58° (Maximum Envelope), 33° (Minimum Envelope)

 

 

As expected for massive Class II schists, the results show very high cohesion and friction angles, even for the minimum envelope.

 

The Borborema Project mine pit has an elongated geometry in the direction of the main regional structures, i.e., in a northeast/southwest direction. Sectorization was made according to the material change state, structural spatial arrangement, and mechanisms of expected ruptures.

 

Inter-ramp angles (IRA) used for this study are based on geotechnical sectors and are summarized in Table 125.

 

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Table 125: Recommended Inter-ramp Slope Angles

 

Sector IRA Face Angle

Bench Height

(m)

Berm Width

(m)

Oxide 36.5 43 20 6
North wall 45 55 20 6
South wall 64 80 20 6

 

 

For the stability analysis of the open pit mine, the Rocscience Slide2 software (version 9.024) was used aiming to obtain the Factor of Safety for the evaluated geotechnical structure. The generalized strength criteria of Hoek and Brown (2002), Mohr Coulomb, and Barton-Bandis were applied to the regions of shale, saprolite, and foliation zones, respectively. The geotechnical parameters adopted for these regions were obtained based on the reports from BVP Engenharia (2012), GE21 Consultoria Mineral (2019) and TEC3 Engenharia (2024), and the assumed failure mechanism was non-circular due to the presence of discontinuities. Figure 116 and Figure 117 show the factors of safety for the western portion of the pit, which is considered the most critical section in geotechnical terms.

 

Source: Aura Minerals, 2025

 

Figure 116: Stability analysis of the western slope (overall)

 

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Source: Aura Minerals, 2025

 

Figure 117: Stability analysis of the western slope (inter-ramp)

 

All the obtained factors of safety in the stability analysis indicated satisfactory safety conditions (FS ≥ 1.30), in accordance with international best practices in geotechnical engineering.

 

13.3Hydrogeological Considerations

 

According to Cascar 2019, the occurrence of a regional aquifer at the pit region is not expected. Some minor, isolated, low flow springs that do not influence the stability of the slopes may occur, but these will be managed by mining operations, without the need for dewatering wells. Water will simply be collected and directed to areas where it can be pumped out of the pit, without interfering with mining operations.

 

Precipitation in the basin is in the order of 695 mm and evapotranspiration is 2,645 mm, before infiltration.

 

13.4Engineered Pit Designs

 

The engineered pit designs were completed using the pit optimization shells as a guide to maximize the value and gold recovered inside the ultimate pits. The resulting pit designs include practical geometry that is required in an operational mine, such as the haul road to access all the benches, recommended pit slopes with geotechnical berms, proper benching configuration, and smoothed pit walls.

 

The following parameters were used to design the final pit.

 

·Bench height: 20m

 

·Ramp width 2 lanes: 13.2m

 

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·Ramp maximum gradient: 10%

 

·Berm width: 6m

 

·Face angle: 43.5° (oxide), 55° (east wall), 80° (west wall)

 

·High voltage transmission line north: 20m from center line for each side

 

 

The resulting engineered pit designs were used to estimate the Mineral Reserves in this Report and are shown in Figure 118.

 

 

Source: Deswik, 2025

 

Figure 118: Final Pit Design

 

13.5Grade Control

 

Although the project mineralization is disseminated, a grade control method should be applied to improve the accuracy and confidence level over the mined grades. A reverse circulation drill is intended to be used in mine to perform grade control activities.

 

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13.6Production Schedule

 

Pushbacks or pit phases were designed to drive the mine scheduling. Pushbacks were designed based on pit shells from the pit optimization. Figure 119 shows the designed phases of mine development.

 

 

Source: Deswik, 2025

 

Figure 119: Pushbacks

 

Mine scheduling assumptions are as follows:

 

·Plant capacity: 2.0 Mtpy

 

·5 months of additional pre-stripping operation, running from October/24 to February/25

 

·The plant's ramp-up should be without oxidized material, respecting the proportion shown on Table 126

 

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Table 126: Ramp-up Target Production

 

Month % of Full Production Mass of sulfide ore (t)  
 
1 40% 66,667  
2 60% 100,000  
3 80% 133,333  
4 90% 150,000  
5 100% 166,667  

 

 

·Plant operation begins on March/25
·The maximum proportion of oxidized material in the plant is 10%
·Total material movement: approximately 16 Mtpy
·Sink rate: 100 meters (5 benches of 20 meters)
·Maximum capacity of sulfide stockpile: 5.0 Mt
·Maximum capacity of oxidized stockpile: 1.0 Mt
·Year of bypass road release: July/2027

 

 

Table 127 presents the mine scheduling plan for the Borborema Project. The first three years of operation adhere to Aura's medium-term mining plan, which accounts for the road constraint in the southern area. The figures are derived from operational designs specific to each period. The end-of-period operational pits are illustrated in Chapter 21.

 

 

 

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Table 127: Mine Scheduling

 

Period

(Year)

ROM

(Mt)

Au

(g/t)

Waste

(Mt)

Pit to Stockpile Pit to Plant Stockpile to Plant Plant Feed

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Mass

(Mt)

Au

(g/t)

Au Rec

(koz)

Oxide

(%)

0 0.49 1.01 2.7 0.16 0.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.0 0.0
1 1.66 1.08 12.6 0.17 0.60 0.04 0.84 0.03 0.54 1.45 1.07 46.2 5.0
2 3.27 1.26 11.6 0.00 1.89 0.00 1.38 0.04 0.58 2.00 1.45 86.0 2.1
3 3.54 1.28 11.8 0.42 1.66 0.06 1.40 0.00 0.54 2.00 1.53 90.7 3.1
4 3.18 0.99 11.1 0.02 2.34 0.00 0.82 0.00 1.18 2.00 1.74 103.3 0.0
5 2.22 1.17 12.6 0.27 0.62 0.10 1.23 0.00 0.67 2.00 1.33 78.6 4.9
6 2.27 0.87 13.4 0.05 0.72 0.06 1.43 0.08 0.43 2.00 1.01 59.5 6.8
7 2.43 0.86 12.2 0.03 0.85 0.01 1.54 0.14 0.30 2.00 0.98 58.2 7.7
8 1.83 0.90 13.2 0.07 0.32 0.01 1.43 0.19 0.37 2.00 0.90 53.3 10.0
9 1.30 0.84 13.6 0.11 0.06 0.01 1.12 0.19 0.68 2.00 0.71 42.2 10.0
10 1.98 1.25 13.4 0.00 0.33 0.00 1.65 0.20 0.15 2.00 1.22 72.1 10.0
11 0.38 1.32 14.6 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.32 0.20 1.48 2.00 0.63 37.4 10.0
12 0.42 0.98 14.3 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.26 0.20 1.54 2.00 0.68 40.1 10.0
13 1.95 1.04 12.7 0.00 0.11 0.00 1.83 0.03 0.14 2.00 1.18 69.6 1.5
14 1.77 1.03 12.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.77 0.00 0.23 2.00 1.03 60.7 0.0
15 1.88 1.24 13.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.88 0.00 0.12 2.00 1.19 70.3 0.0
16 2.09 1.13 13.3 0.00 0.15 0.00 1.94 0.00 0.06 2.00 1.13 66.9 0.0
17 3.33 1.18 11.9 0.00 1.37 0.00 1.96 0.00 0.04 2.00 1.54 90.9 0.0
18 3.53 1.41 3.6 0.00 1.56 0.00 1.97 0.00 0.03 2.00 1.89 112.2 0.0
19 1.17 1.44 0.3 0.00 0.05 0.00 1.12 0.00 0.88 2.00 1.23 73.1 0.0

 

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Period

(Year)

ROM

(Mt)

Au

(g/t)

Waste

(Mt)

Pit to Stockpile Pit to Plant Stockpile to Plant Plant Feed

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Oxide

(Mt)

Sulfide

(Mt)

Mass

(Mt)

Au

(g/t)

Au Rec

(koz)

Oxide

(%)

20 0.00 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 0.58 34.4 0.0
21 0.00 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.23 1.23 0.44 16.2 0.0
TOTAL 40.69 1.13 224.7 1.30 13.18 0.30 25.91 1.30 13.18 40.69 1.13 1,362.0 3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13.7Blasting and Explosives

 

The drill and blast requirements will include:

 

·Operational bench height: 10 m waste, 5 m ore
·Hole diameter for both ore and waste is 5 inches
·Ore parameters
oburden and spacing are estimated at 3.0 m x 3.5 m respectively
ohole length 6.0 m, including 1.0 m subdrill
ostemming 2.0 m
opowder factor of 0.44 kg/t
·Waste parameters
oburden and spacing are estimated at 3.5 m x 4.0 m respectively
ohole length 11.2 m, including 1.2 m subdrill
ostemming 2.1 m
opowder factor of 0.37 kg/t

 

 

In Brazil the blasting activities for an open pit are generally performed by a contractor, who manages the explosives magazine, down the hole delivery truck fleet and completes all the paperwork for operational control and for presentation before the authorities to abide by the law and maintain good practice.

 

Estimated explosive and accessories consumption per year of operation is presented on Table 128.

 

Table 128: Explosives and Accessories Consumption by Year

 

Type Unit Year
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Emulsion t 780 3,481 3,675 3,768 3,497 3,601 3,789 3,557 3,620 3,574
Booster 340G units 10,528 44,847 53,321 55,260 50,879 48,290 50,563 48,617 47,018 44,422
Delay Detonators - 9M units 3,450 11,576 22,885 24,518 22,022 15,360 15,724 16,814 12,707 8,994
Delay Detonators - 12M units 7,078 33,270 30,437 30,742 28,857 32,930 34,840 31,803 34,310 35,428
Connection 6m - 17ms units 2,106 8,969 10,664 11,052 10,176 9,658 10,113 9,723 9,404 8,884
Connection 6m - 25ms units 2,106 8,969 10,664 11,052 10,176 9,658 10,113 9,723 9,404 8,884
Connection 6m - 42ms units 3,790 16,145 19,196 19,894 18,317 17,384 18,203 17,502 16,926 15,992
Connection 6m - 65ms units 421 1,794 2,133 2,210 2,035 1,932 2,023 1,945 1,881 1,777
Fuse-Detonator units 211 897 1,066 1,105 1,018 966 1,011 972 940 888
Detonating cord NP10 m 2,500 6,250 7,500 7,500 7,000 6,750 7,000 7,000 6,500 6,250
Detonating cord NP5 m 15,000 62,500 75,000 75,000 70,000 67,500 70,000 70,000 65,000 62,500

Packaged emulsion

2 1/2" x 24"

units 10,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000

 

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Type Unit Year
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Emulsion t 3,721 3,561 3,509 3,536 3,538 3,587 3,718 3,725 1,831 388
Booster 340G units 48,694 40,720 40,287 46,520 45,846 46,832 49,100 53,966 33,874 8,815
Delay Detonators - 9M units 13,722 2,641 2,886 13,475 12,235 13,039 14,507 23,056 24,438 8,094
Delay Detonators - 12M units 34,972 38,080 37,401 33,045 33,611 33,793 34,592 30,910 9,436 721
Connection 6m - 17ms units 9,739 8,144 8,057 9,304 9,169 9,366 9,820 10,793 6,775 1,763
Connection 6m - 25ms units 9,739 8,144 8,057 9,304 9,169 9,366 9,820 10,793 6,775 1,763
Connection 6m - 42ms units 17,530 14,659 14,503 16,747 16,505 16,859 17,676 19,428 12,195 3,173
Connection 6m - 65ms units 1,948 1,629 1,611 1,861 1,834 1,873 1,964 2,159 1,355 353
Fuse-Detonator units 974 814 806 930 917 937 982 1,079 677 176
Detonating cord NP10 m 6,750 6,000 6,000 6,500 6,500 6,500 6,750 7,500 5,000 1,500
Detonating cord NP5 m 67,500 60,000 60,000 65,000 65,000 65,000 67,500 75,000 50,000 15,000

Packaged emulsion

2 1/2" x 24"

units 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 10,000

 

 

13.8Mining Equipment

 

The open pit mining activities were assumed to be primarily undertaken by a contractor-operated fleet.

 

The proposed annual material movement is approximately 16 Mt, which is suitable for on-highway trucks. For both ore and waste, an excavator of 4.4 m³ (CAT 374 or similar) was selected to load 40 t class trucks (Actros 8x4 or similar). Five passes of the excavator can entirely load the truck in a total of 1.8 minutes. Wheel loaders (CAT 980 or similar) will be used on both stockpiles, the ROM pad and to load dry tailings.

 

The proposed mining fleet, and peak fleet numbers, is summarized in Table 129.

 

Table 129: Major Open Pit Equipment Requirements

 

Description Equipment Type Class Number of Units
Loading Hydraulic Excavator 4.4 m³ 4
Hauling On-Highway Trucks 40 t 41
Drilling Drill Rotary Drill 5” 5
Anciliary Track Dozer 325 HP 3
Motor Grader 12 ft 2
Hydraulic Excavator Small 2.1 m³ 1
Wheel Loader 4.4 m³ 3
RC Drill   1
Support Lube/ Fuel Truck   2
Water Truck   2
Maintenance Truck   1
Munck Truck   2
Low Bed Truck   1
Hydraulic Excavator – Breaker   1
Lighting Tower   8
Pick-ups   10
TOTAL 87

 

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13.9Labour

 

The mine personnel will work three shifts with four crews to provide coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The production and maintenance will be carried out by contractors. The total labor force for the mine is presented in Table 130 for the peak and represents a total of 540 people.

 

Table 130: Mine Labor Peak Number

 

Company Position Peak Number
Aura Minerals Manager 2
Engineer 7
Geologist 6
Technician 8
Contractor Manager 1
Engineer 10
Technician 26
Operator 209
Maintenance 157
Assistant 114
TOTAL 540

 

 

13.10Pit Dewatering

 

In the pits, any water drainage will be directed through the benches to the bottom of the pit where it will be collected in a sump and pumped to the surface. The pit sump and pump system will have to be re-established for each sinking cut. Water from the pits will be used for haul road dust suppression and/or requirements in the crushing facility.

 

Groundwater is not expected inside the pit limits. If there is any groundwater, it will not be possible to separate the surface runoff in the base of the pit from groundwater. Any water that cannot be diverted would have to be pumped from the sump at the base of the pit, or from diversion sumps on haul ramps.

 

Each WRSF will have its own sedimentation pond that will collect runoff from the WRSF. The ramps and benches will be constructed in order to facilitate the drainage to this pond. Cleaning of these ponds will occur during the dry season.

 

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14RECOVERY METHODS

 

14.1Process Flow Sheet Selection

 

The design of the Borborema Project process plant was based on the metallurgical test work carried out combined with best practices for the gold industry. The ore is essentially a combination of biotite schist, schist in quartz veins, and garnet schist. Gold characterization campaigns indicated that gold is distributed from relatively coarse to fine grained. Therefore, gravity concentration was included in the industrial circuit flow sheet, followed by gold cyanidation, the latter was adopted as metallurgical testing resulted in adequate extraction and kinetics.

 

The processing plant sequence, in order comprises primary crushing, crushed material stocking, and a single stage grinding in a close configuration with hydrocyclones together with gravimetric concentration, followed by cyanidation (carbon-in-leach - CIL) of the grinding circuit product. After the CIL circuit, the pulp still containing residual cyanide is thickened to recover cyanide-containing water, which is recirculated into the circuit. The cyanide neutralization of the thickened pulp underflow is carried out by using the INCO process (air/SO2 in the presence of copper sulfate as a catalyst). Lime milk is used to adjust the pH. The detoxified slurry is further thickened, followed by filtering and subsequent dry stacking of tailing (DST). A simplified flow sheet of the described process is shown in Figure 120. According to Figure 120, the CIL stage, here referred as hybrid, consists of a leaching tank ahead of six tanks containing leaching pulp in the presence of activated carbon. This configuration is an industry common practice for enhancing CIL performance, as well as reducing capital cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source: PROMON (2023c)

 

Figure 120: The simplified processing flow sheet.

 

 

 

The adopted flow sheet was designed to accommodate circuit capacity. Further details of the adopted flow sheet, with processes listed in sequence, are listed below.

 

·Primary crushing of the run-of-mine (ROM)
·Crushed ore stock in a dedicated bin to provide adequate transition between crushing and grinding circuits
·Single-stage semi-autogenous grinding circuit (SSSAG) with trommel screen and cyclone classification to provide a grinding circuit product P80 of 0.105 mm

 

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·Activated carbon leaching and adsorption circuit (CIL)
·Thickening the CIL tailing pulp for recovering water containing cyanide
·Cyanide detoxification system (SMBS – Detox) for the CIL thickened pulp
·Neutralized pulp thickening for cyanide-free water recovery
·Filtration of the tailing slurry for process water recovery
·Acid washing circuit and elution of activated carbon loaded by the Zadra process under pressure (ZP); and
·Gold room for electrolysis; cathode washing and casting.

 

14.2Process Design CRITERIA

 

The main processing design criteria adopted for the Borborema Project are described in Table 131 and Table 132.

 

Subsequent sections include detailed process descriptions designed for the industrial plant.

 

Table 131: Ore characterization.

 

Criteria Units 2 Mtpy Source: PROMON
Mining - Open Pit E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-09
Lithology - Biotite-Garnet- Schist E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FLO9
Natural Moisture % 3.0 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-12
Nominal Head Grade g/t 1.22 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FLO9
Project UCS 85th Mpy 40.2 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-09
JKTech Axb 85th - 54 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
SMC-JKTech Mia 85th kWh/t 15.4 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
SMC-JKTeCh Mih 85th kWh/t 10.7 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
SMC-JKTech Mic 85th kWh/t 5.5 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
SMC-JKTech DWi  85th kWh/m3 5.1 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
JKTech RWi  85th kwh/t 13.3 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
JKTech BWi  85th kwh/t 18.1 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-10
JKTech Ai 85th g/t 0.123 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-11
JKTech SG 85th t/m3 2.8 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-11
ROM Size mm 700 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007-FL-11

 

 

 

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Table 132: Project design criteria.

 

Criteria Units 2 Mtpy Source: PROMON
Crushing Circuit Annual Operating h 6,570 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Availability % 75 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Throughput (DB) h 304.4 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Grinding Circuit Operating hours h 7,884 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Availability % 90 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Throughput (DB) h 253.7 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Gravity Recovery Gold (GRG) % 20 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Leach/CIL Recovery Gold % 90.1 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Global Gold Recovery % 92.1 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Crusher Feed Size F80 mm 319.5 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
SSSAG Mill Feed Size F80 mm 122 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Ball Mill Feed Size F80 mm - E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Grinding product Size P80 pm 105 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Mill Installed Power SAG Mill kW 8,000 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Ball Mill kW - E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Total Mill kW 8,000 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Residence Time Leach h 4.3 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
CIL h 25.7 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Total h 30 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Number of Tanks Leach - 1 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
CIL - 6 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Total - 7 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Leach Feed % Solid 35 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Solution Losses g Au/t 0.10 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Carbon Regeneration - No E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Elution Type - Zadra - (ZP) E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Elution Size t 6 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Frequency of Elution Strips / week 5 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007
Cyanide Detox - Air/SO2 E.AURA003-EQ1-00007

 

 

14.3Process Plant Description

 

14.3.1Crushing and Crushed Ore Stockpile

 

Run-of-mine (ROM) will be hauled and dumped in stockpiles and reclaimed with front-end loaders into the crushing feed hopper, equipped with a static grizzly for retaining the oversize material, while a mobile rock breaker is used to break these oversize rocks. From the hopper, a vibrating grizzly feeder modulates the feeding flow rate, stipulated as 304 t/h nominal throughputs. The same vibrating grizzly separates the feed in coarse (oversize) and relatively fine (undersize) fractions. The former flows by gravity to the primary jaw crusher chamber, while the latter, together with the primary crusher discharge, is conveyed to a surge bin. Given that the crushing and milling circuits are designed according to different availabilities, an excess crushed material will result when the crushing plant is fully operational. Excess material will be piled in a dedicated stockpile and reclaimed by a front-end-loader to a reclaim bin equipped with a vibrating feeder that also feeds the milling circuit. Based on selected ROM size distribution, equipment design, and circuit simulations, the predicted crushing circuit P80 is 122 mm.

 

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The mains equipment associated with the handling and crushing circuit are as follows:

 

·ROM hopper equipped with a 0.7 m aperture static grizzly
·Vibrating grizzly feeder
·Primary jaw crusher – Metso C150 or equivalent
·Surge bin
·Mill vibrating feeders equipped with variable speed device
·Suspended conveyor magnet and magnetic detectors
·Material handling equipment

 

14.3.2Grinding Circuit

 

The single stage grinding circuit will include a semi-autogenous (SAG) mill operating in a closed configuration with hydrocyclones. The grinding circuit was designed based on feed and product with a P80 of 122 mm and 0.105 mm respectively. The fresh feed reclaimed from the crushing plant surge bin is conveyed to the SAG mill, whose discharge pulp flows to a dedicated trommel screen. The material retained in the trommel screen (pebbles) is conveyed back to the SAG mill feed, whereas the trommel undersize gravitates to an underneath sump, from which it is pumped to a single hydrocyclones nest. The relatively coarse fraction (underflow) will be split in two fractions. The first will flow through the gravity concentration stage, whose tailings will flow to the SAG mill feed. The second fraction will flow straight back to the SAG mill feed. The gravity concentration circuit will include a scalp screen, a centrifugal concentrator, and an intensive leaching reactor. The hydrocyclones nest overflow is the grinding circuit product. Water is added at the SAG mill feed and sump for adjusting the pulp dilution, respectively to 72% and 60% w/w. The hydrocyclones overflow at a solid concentration of 35% w/w will be directed to a trash screen, whose undersize will flow to the CIL circuit.

 

The main equipment designed to the grinding circuit is as follows:

 

·SAG mill - 7.9 m diameter x 7.0 m effective grinding length (EGL) equipped with an 8 MW electric motor
·Hydrocyclones sump-pumps
·Hydrocyclones – 5 units of 500 mm in diameter
·Trash screen
·Centrifugal concentrator

 

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·Intensive leaching reactor
·Material handling equipment

 

14.3.3Gravity Concentration

 

The gravity circuit comprises one centrifugal concentrator, complete with a feed scalping screen. Feed to the circuit is directed from the cyclone underflow to the scalping screen. Gravity scalping screen oversize material at +2 mm reports to the gravity tails pump box, from where the gravity tails pump directs the material back to feed the SAG mill. Scalping screen undersize material is fed to the centrifugal concentrator. Operation of the gravity concentrator is semi-batch, and the gravity concentrate is collected in the concentrate storage cone and subsequently leached by the intensive cyanidation reactor circuit. The tails from the gravity concentrator also report to the gravity tails pump box.

 

The gravity recovery circuit includes the following key equipment:

 

·Gravity feed scalping screen
·Gravity concentrator – KC QS40 ore equivalent
·Gravity tails sump and pump

 

14.3.4Intensive Leaching

 

Concentrate from the gravity circuit reports to the intensive leach reactor (ILR) to extract the contained gold by intensive cyanidation. The concentrate from the gravity concentrator is directed to the ILR gravity concentrate storage cone and is deslimed before transfer to the ILR.

 

ILR leach solution is prepared in the heated ILR reactor vessel feed tank. From the feed tank, the leach solution is circulated though the reaction vessel, then drained back into the feed tank. The leached residue within the reaction vessel is washed, with recovered wash water in the reaction vessel feed tank, and then the solid gravity leach tailings are pumped to the CIL circuit.

 

The ILR pregnant leach solution is pumped from the reaction vessel feed tank to the ILR pregnant solution tank, located in the gold room, where it is treated for gold recovery, as gold sludge, using a dedicated electrowinning cell. The sludge is combined with the sludge from the carbon elution electrowinning cells and smelted. The gold sludge, originating from the ILR pregnant solution, can also be smelted separately for metallurgical accounting purposes.

 

The ILR circuit includes the following key equipment:

 

·Gravity concentrate storage cone;
·Intensive leaching reactor - ILR;
·ILR pregnant solution tank; and
·ILR electrowinning cell.

 

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14.3.5Leaching and Adsorption Circuit (CIL)

 

Trash screen undersize material feeds the CIL circuit, which will consist of leaching tanks and six carbon-in-leach (CIL) tanks. Air will be sparged to each tank for maintaining dissolved oxygen at adequate levels required for leaching. Hydrated lime will be added to adjust the operating pH to the required set point. Cyanide solution will be added to the first leach tank. Mechanical agitation installed in all tanks will maintain the suspension of solids, as well as an adequate reagent homogenization. Fresh carbon and carbon from the carbon regeneration circuit will be added to the last tank of the CIL circuit at an average concentration of 16 g/L of pulp for adequate gold adsorption. Carbon will flow counter-currently to the slurry flow by pumping slurry and carbon. Slurry from the last CIL tank will gravitate to the cyanide detoxification tanks. Once a day, the pulp from the first carbon tank will be pumped into a dedicated screen to separate the gold loaded carbon from the pulp, followed by transferring of the former to the acid washing and elution circuit. After regeneration, the carbon will return to the circuit passing through a dewatering screen. The slurry from the last tank will gravitate to the cyanide detoxification tanks. The leach and carbon adsorption circuit includes the following key equipment:

 

·Leach/CIL tanks and double impeller agitators
·Loaded carbon screen
·Intertank carbon screens
·Carbon sizing screen
·Carbon transfer pumps
·Cyanide concentration and dosage control system
·Lime dosage and pH control system
·Air injection system

 

14.3.6Post-Leach Tailing Thickening

 

A high-rate thickener was designed for thickening the tailings from the CIL circuit in annual production plan. Further dilution will occur in the thickener feedwell where flocculant will be added at concentration of 40 g/t. Thickener overflow will recirculate to the grinding circuit, whereas the underflow material will be pumped to the Detox circuit.

 

14.3.7Cyanide NEUTRALIZATION System

 

The thickened pulp from the tailing thickener leaching will flow to the cyanide neutralization (Detox) circuit, which will consist of two tanks each with a 60-minute residence time for reducing weak acid dissociable cyanide (CNwad) from 63.4 mg/L to less than 1 mg/L by using the SO2/air method.

 

The required reagents for the Detox process are as follows:

 

·Sodium metabisulfite (source of SO2)
·Copper sulphate pentahydrate (source of copper ions - reaction catalyst) hydrated lime to adjust pH and o Eh required for the reaction

 

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·Enough air (O2 source) will be injected in spargers into the tanks for reaction purposes. Tanks will be equipped with agitators to ensure that the oxygen and reagents are thoroughly mixed with the tailing

 

The Detox circuit will include the following key equipment:

 

·Neutralization tanks equipped with double impeller agitators
·Air injection system
·In-line samplers for measuring the CNwad level at both circuit of at the entrance and exit of the circuit, thus establishing the dosage of reagents and the efficiency of the treatment
·Tailing box and pumps.

 

14.3.8Detox Tailings Thickener

 

After detoxification, the neutralized tailings slurry will be thickened again to recover cyanide-free process water, most of which will be used as process water for operations where the presence of cyanide is incompatible. Thickening of the detoxified tailings slurry will be carried out in high-rate equipment. The second neutralization tank pulp will be pumped at solids concentration of 45% w/w. Thickener overflow will be pumped to the raw water tank, whereas the underflow at 54% solids w/w will be pumped to the filtering system tank.

 

14.3.9Filtering System

 

The 54% w/w pulp at thickener underflow will be pumped to the filtering circuit. Due to different availabilities stipulated to grinding/leaching/thickening and filtering circuits, a dedicated tank will be installed to receive the thickened pulp for equalizing the daily basis operating.

 

The filtration circuit will include three horizontal vacuum filters for reducing the cake moisture to 20-21%. Filtering water, together with thickening resulting water will be recirculated within the processing plant, whereas the filtered product will be transferred to disposal piles. Water runoff from piles will also be recirculated in the processing plant.

 

14.3.10Acid Wash, Elution and Electrowinning Circuit

 

The elution circuit is designed to recover adsorbed gold from activated carbon. The elution circuit will be a ZADRA-type circuit under pressure (ZP) in batch operation. The acid wash and elution processes description are as follows:

 

·Transferring of loaded carbon from the carbon screen to the acid washing column
·Injecting the 3% w/w HCl solution at the bottom of the elution columns (2.2 BV/h)
·Carbon washing and subsequent neutralization of the diluted acid with caustic soda at 10% w/w (4BV)
·Heating the eluate solution to 90°C
·The eluate solution will be prepared at 1% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and 0.1% Sodium Cyanide (NaCN), then heated up to 110°C and injected at 2 BV/h to the bottom of the elution column at a pressure of 300 kPa

 

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·The eluted solution will be pumped to the pregnant solution tank for feeding the electrowinning stage, whose solution will be recirculated to the eluate tank through heat exchangers and tanks
·Carbon cooling with raw water
·Carbon transferring to the last CIL tank

 

The eluted solution will be pumped to the pregnant solution tank for feeding the electrowinning stage, whose solution will be recirculated to the eluent tank through heat exchangers and tanks. An electrolytic cell will be installed. At the end of each elution cycle, a third of the electrowinning barren solution will be transferred to the CIL circuit.

 

14.3.11Gold Room

 

The sludge gold-rich cathodes will be washed, filtered and dried. The dry material obtained will be mixed with smelting fluxes (borax, nitrate, carbonate, and silica) and smelted in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) furnace at 1,100°C to produce gold doré (bullion).

 

14.4Reagents

 

14.4.1Lime

 

The lime system will be a supplier package consisting of a silo, dust collector, rotary valve, and variable speed rotary valve. Lime will be delivered in 30-ton trucks and pneumatically transported to the dedicated 80-t capacity storage silo. Lime will be transported to the SAG Mill feed conveyor by a variable-speed rotary valve.

 

14.4.2Flocculant

 

Flocculant will be received in bags and stored in the warehouse. From the warehouse the reagent will be transferred to the preparation area, where it will be diluted and dosage by pumping to high-rate thickeners.

 

14.4.3Sodium Hydroxide

 

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) will be used to adjust the pH in the: (a) preparation of sodium cyanide solution and (b) elution and electrowinning processes. The 50% solution of sodium hydroxide will be received in tank trucks, stored in the reagent storage tank, and pumped to the dosing area from which the solution will be directed to the consumption points.

 

14.4.4Hydrochloric Acid

 

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) will be used in carbon washing, prior to the elution process. The main purpose of acid washing is to remove Calcium (Ca) ions from carbon. The 32% solution of hydrochloric acid will be received in tank trucks and stored in the reagent storage tank. From the warehouse the reagent will be transferred to the dosing area, from which the solution will be directed to the acid washing by a centrifugal pump.

 

14.4.5Sodium Cyanide

 

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) will be received in a 33% solution using a 22-ton capacity tank truck or as a solid briquette/powder 98% 1 t bags and stored in the warehouse following the International Cyanide Management Institute – ICM guidelines. In the case of solid received alternative, the reagent will be transferred to the preparation area, where it will be diluted in a basic solution to a 33% w/w solution in a stirred tank. The diluted solution will be transferred to the cyanide dosage tank using a transfer pump. Dedicated pumps will distribute the solution. The resulting solution will be pumped to leach/adsorption and elution circuits.

 

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14.4.6Sodium Metabisulphite

 

Sodium metabisulphite - NaMBT or SMBS (Na2S2O5) is used in the cyanide detoxification (Detox) as a source of SO2. The 97.5% solid SMBS will be supplied in 1 t bags and stored in the warehouse. The reagent will be transferred to the preparation area, where it will be diluted to a 20% w/w solution in a stirred tank. The resulting solution will be pumped to a dosing tank, from which it will be pumped to the Detox circuit.

 

14.4.7Copper Sulphate

 

The 99.5% solid copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) will be supplied in 1 t bags for using in the Detox system. From the warehouse the reagent will be transferred to the preparation area, where it will be diluted to a 20% w/w solution in a stirred tank. The resulting solution will be pumped to a dosing tank, from which it will be pumped to the Detox circuit.

 

14.4.8Activated Carbon

 

Solid granular activated carbon will be received in 0.5 t bulk bags. The fresh carbon will be transferred directly to the final CIL tank.

 

14.4.9Milk of Lime

 

Hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2), will be used to ensure the basic pH required for the reactions occurring in the leaching/adsorption. The granular solid reagent will be received in 1 t bags and stored in the warehouse. The solid reagent will be diluted in the mixing/storage agitated tank to a 20% w/w solution, then pumped through distributing points to the leaching/adsorption and Detox systems.

 

14.5WATER and utilities

 

14.5.1Raw Water

 

Among the sources of water to supply the plant, the main one will be the capture of wastewater from the sewage pumping station in the city of Currais Novos, called “Caça e Pesca”. It will be pumped at a flow rate of 83 m3/h through a pipeline to the water treatment plant (ETA). The discharge of this pumping supplies the wastewater tank for a specific treatment process. The other source of supply would be the transfer of rainwater dammed in the fines dike that will be provided as a water reserve when needed. This wastewater tank is equipped with water discharge pumps that take the wastewater to the Water Treatment Plant. The Water Treatment Plant is a supplier package consisting of filtration, chlorination or UV disinfection, and reverse osmosis (RO). The RO plant produces a saline waste stream that will be discharged to a specific pond, while desalted produced water is incorporated as process water. This tank is equipped with RO water discharge pumps that supply quality water for the elution circuit and a WAD cyanide analyzer. The treated water in the ETA is sent by raw water feed pumps to the raw water pond which will be equipped with raw water discharge pumps, sealing water pumps, and diesel-powered fire-fighting water pumps. The raw water pond will supply the various raw water users, including equipment cooling systems, gravimetric concentrators, reagent composition, screen sprays, dust suppression, fire water tank composition, etc.

 

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14.5.2Potable Water

 

Potable water will be supplied by tank truck at an average of 30 m3/day to serve the administrative areas and their dependencies and will be reserved in a 100 m3 tank. Water Tower will be supplied in the various operational areas and then distributed to buildings and places personal hygiene. Drinking water from the tank located in the administration area is supplied by a pressure pump to a main supply ring to the safety showers located around the plant. To ensure that this water is not heated by the remains of stagnant water in pipes exposed to the sun, the main ring water is continuously returned to the potable water tank.

 

14.5.3Process Water

 

Recycled water from the CIL tailings thickener containing cyanide, recycled water from the thickener overflow after detoxification, and the filtration filtrate make up the supply flow to the process water pond. There will be two different ponds, one for raw water with a capacity of 5,300 m3 and the other for recycled water without cyanide with a capacity of 3,000 m3. The recycled water from the tailing’s thickener overflow is directed to a passing tank and completely recycled in a closed circuit with the grinding. The raw water pond is equipped with a weir that allows any excess water to overflow into the cyanide-free process water pond. The spillway is designed to protect the water system and flow will only occur during emergency periods. The cyanide process water pumps draw water from the bypass tank to serve the SAG Mill, trash screen, loaded carbon recovery screen, and carbon safety screen. Detox thickener water and filtrate will supply acid wash, elution, reagent preparation, and services. To complement the plant's water balance, the water reserved in the fines dike in the rainy season will be taken up and incorporated as raw water.

 

14.5.4Air

 

High-pressure air will be produced by compressors to meet plant needs. Drying devices will be installed for supplying the instrument air demand. Industrial air blowers will generate the necessary air flow to the CIL and Detox circuit tanks. The purpose of injecting air into the tanks is to supply oxygen to the cyanide gold complexation reaction, as well as in cyanide neutralization.

 

14.6Conclusions and Recommendations

 

14.6.1Conclusions

 

The Borborema Project processing plant is similar to several industrial operations in the gold mining industry. The exception is the wastewater processing from the city of Currais Novos which requires additional testing and further engineering work.

 

Risks to raising capital include:

 

·Additional investment for the new sewage receiving lines; and
·Possible capital reductions include the simplification of the water treatment plant, provided that the accumulation of water in the rainy seasons is consistent and reliable.

 

14.6.2Recommendations

 

Further assessment on water supply alternatives.

 

 

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15PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE

 

15.1GENERAL SITE PLAN

 

The general site plan (Figure 121) shows the planned locations of the main Project facilities, including the gatehouse and administrative areas, primary substation, processing plant, wastewater treatment plant (“WTP”), filtration, mine support area, access roads, pits, and piles. Access to the facility is from the south side of the property from road BR-226. The main access will be through the security gate near the process plant. The site will be fenced off to prevent access by unauthorized persons. The process plant is located west of the pit.

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 121: Overall site plan. Source: Aura (2025)

 

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15.2ROADS

 

15.2.1Regional Site Access

 

The access to Project site from the municipality of Currais Novos is via 28 km paved-road (BR-226), Figure 122.

 

 

Figure 122: Site access (Source: Google Maps).

 

15.2.2Detour of the BR-226 Highway

 

With the expansion of the Borborema pit, the BR-226 highway, under the jurisdiction of DNIT (National Department of Transport Infrastructure), will have its route altered between KM 146 and KM 150. The new detour route, as illustrated in Figure 123, is 6.0 km long.

 

 

Figure 123: Detour of the BR-226 highway. Source: EAC (2024)

 

 

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Traffic studies were conducted to determine vehicle flow and count. In the study of the BR-226 detour route, natural watercourses, areas to be acquired, and the expansion of the pit were considered.

 

For the new route, the measurements of the existing BR-226 highway were adopted:

 

·Roadway width: 7.00 meters;
·Traffic lanes: 2 x 3.50 meters;
·Shoulder width: 2.50 meters;
·Lateral drainage devices: 2 x 1.50 meters;
·Cut slopes: 1.5 (V) : 1.0 (H);
·Embankment slopes: 1.0 (V) : 1.5 (H).

 

For the BR-226 detour, drawings, details, and sections of the geometric, intersection, earthworks, drainage, pavement, signage, interferences, and complementary works projects were developed.

 

Interferences were identified in the BR-226 detour (Figure 124), including two telecommunication lines (optical fiber) along the highway, on the opposite side of the Borborema Project — one aerial and one underground — belonging to TIM and HUGHES. A 13.8 kV power line was also identified along the highway.

 

 

Figure 124: Interferences Detour of the BR-226 highway. Source: EAC (2024).

 

 

 

A total of 327,831 cubic meters of excavation and 269,730 cubic meters of embankment are planned.

 

Drilling was carried out for geotechnical studies and analysis of pavement support conditions. A flexible pavement structure was designed, with an asphalt coating of 7.5 centimeters in thickness.

 

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According to the implementation schedule, Table 133, the estimated execution time is 14 months.

 

Table 133: Implementation Schedule Highway Modification

 

Highway Modification   December 18, 2023 May 30, 2027
   Engineering   December 18, 2023 April 14, 2026
      Approval of the Basic Project by DNIT 371 days December 18, 2023 May 17, 2025
      Development of the Detailed Project 120 days May 17, 2025 September 14, 2025
      Approval of the Detailed Project 212 days September 14, 2025 April 14, 2026
   Simplified License   August 21, 2024 August 24, 2025
   Construction of BRR 226 Road   April 14, 2026 May 30, 2027
    Mobilization 15 days April 14, 2026 April 30, 2026
    Road Execution 365 days April 30, 2026 April 30, 2027
    Demobilization 30 days April 30, 2027 May 30, 2027

 

 

The project to modify the road detour is in the approval phase by DNIT (No. 50614.003359/2023-93). Currently, the detailed engineering of the detour is in the contracting phase. The highway detour construction will be contracted by AURA, following DNIT standards.

 

15.2.3Process Plant Site Access

 

The process plant internal accesses are approximately 5 m and 10 m wide, are designed with primary covering (gravel), drainage, and appropriate signage. On the road edges, where there is risk of vehicles falling, barriers will be built with a minimum height of half the diameter of the largest vehicle tire that will use that access road. The internal roads will allow access between the administrative and operational facilities, the construction site, the processing plant, the crushing area, filtering, magazine, mining services, waste dumps and low-grade stockpiles as shown in Figure 125.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 125: Internal project site accesses. Source: Aura (2025)

 

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15.3POWER SUPPLY

 

15.3.1Electrical Power Source

 

Power will be provided from a new sub-station, which will receive a 69 kV new transmission line from the local energy distribution company COSERN. The new sub-station will be located on the west side of the process plant, close to the administrative area for transforming and will be responsible for transforming the voltage level from 69 kV to 13.8 kV.

 

The 69 kV transmission line will be contracted to Aura in a turn-key package, by and according to the standards of the local energy concessionaire COSERN and later will be donated to COSERN for its maintenance and operation.

 

The 69/13.8 kV substation site will be provided as a package, which will include all the necessary civil construction, and contain an incoming structure and isolation switch, main circuit breaker, provision for utility metering, bus work to deliver 69 kV power to a 30 MVA stepdown transformer complete with primary circuit breaker, and isolating switches. This transformer will feed associated secondary switchgear and is arranged to provide 13.8 kV power to the main processing plant, the filtering plant, the administration area, and other remote areas. Provision is included for automatically switched capacitor banks to assist with site power factor correction.

 

15.3.2Electrical Distribution

 

The primary distribution voltage will be radial, at 13.8 kV, three phase, 60 Hz, from the main substation. Feed distribution from the main substation will be via three-phase powerlines and power poles for the secondary substations. Distribution from the secondary substations to the loads and panels in the field will be via cable rack or conduits, as required. The conventional three-phase powerlines and power poles network will be supplied as a turn-key, including pole-mounted transformers.

 

15.3.3Main Substation

 

The main substation will include an electrical room and the associated high-voltage equipment. The substation will have a 30 MVA ONAN transformer from 69 to 13.8 kV. The main substation will be provided as a Hybrid solution (GIS + AIS) on SKID.

 

15.3.4Secondary Substations

 

Site electrical power supply was selected and designed around the major load centers summarized in Table 134.

 

Table 134: Plant substations.

 

TAG NUMBER TYPE CHARACTERISTICS POWER DISTRIBUTION FROM MAIN SE
3015-SE-0001
(Metallurgy)
E-room Feed: 13.8 kV-25 kA
Process loads: 480 V-50 kA
Lighting: 380/220 V-50 kA
Conventional aerial network - 700 m
3060-SE-0001
(Filtering)
E-room Feed: 13.8 kV-25 kA
Process loads: 480 V-50 kA
Lighting: 380/220 V-50 kA
Conventional aerial network – 1,500 m

 

 

The substations will feed the following areas:

 

·3015-SE-0001: Grinding, thickening, gravity, leach, detox, elution and electrowinning, reagents, compressed air system, primary crushing, stockpile/surge bin, and water distribution systems.

 

·3060-SE-0001: Waste filtering system and Magazine area.

 

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15.3.5Emergency Power

 

Three diesel generators group will be provided to feed critical process loads, administrative buildings and security systems. Each diesel generator group will be located near the designated electrical room, or administrative building and will be connected to the motor control centre or automatic transfer panel.

 

15.4SUPPORT BUILDINGS

 

15.4.1Primary Crushing Area

 

The primary crushing area will be located to the east of the process plant. The crushing stage will comprise a stationary crushing unit, which includes a linear feeder, vibrating screen, primary jaw crusher, chutes, and a discharge conveyor. Process equipment maintenance will be handled by mobile cranes as required, while a monorail crane will be used specifically for jaw crusher and vibrating screen maintenance.

 

15.4.2Grinding Area

 

The grinding area has been designed for a SAG mill, cyclone feed sump, pumps, waste screen, and gravity circuit equipment, including a liner manipulator. The grinding building will be 19.9 m long by 13 m wide and 25-m tall, steel frame building. The main structure comprises five floors beyond the ground floor, and will contain the following equipment: cyclone, sieves, and gravimetric concentrator as shown in Figure 126 and Figure 127. The ground floor will have a raised concrete floor and several platforms for access to equipment. The process equipment will be serviced by a dedicated winch. Any heavier loads will require use of the mobile crane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 126: Grinding area schematic view.

 

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Figure 127: Grinding area section view.

 

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15.4.3Leach and Detox Areas

 

The carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) area will be 80 m long by 37 m wide, include a leach tank with dimensions 14.5 m in diameter by 16.3 m high, and six carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) tanks with the same dimensions, including tank platforms. The area will be limited by a containment compartment with a volumetric capacity equivalent to 102% of the largest contained tank. The maintenance and cleaning of sieves, which is a separate operation, will occur in a separate structure inside the containment compartment/area. The area will be serviced by a 15-ton winch on a monorail to access the tank, pumps, and screens. A mobile crane will be required for maintenance of the agitator. Figure 128 shows a schematic view of the leaching area.

 

 

Figure 128: Leaching area schematic view.

 

The Detox Area will be 31 m long by 40 m wide and will include two detoxification tanks measuring 9 m in diameter and 9.45 m in height. An 18 m diameter thickener, cyanide water tank, sieve, and transfer box are also part of the Detox area. Figure 129 shows a schematic view of the Detox area.

 

 

Figure 129: DETOX area schematic view.

 

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15.4.4Gold Room

 

The gold room building is designed as a rectangular area of 286 m2 in two integrated blocks: the production area, the higher block, and the support area, the smaller block. The building will be constructed from concrete with concrete block walls to enclosure the different work areas, except for the technical room, chamber and safe room that will have structural concrete walls for security purposes. The roof will be structural steel supported by a concrete slab and finished with lightweight galvanized roof panels.

 

 

Figure 130: Gold room layout.

 

15.4.5Hydraulic Circuit

 

The hydraulic circuit building was designed to accommodate the hydraulic units for the milling process, and has a simple structure composed of concrete block walls, structural steel for the roof structure, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. The building will be equipped with double aluminum louver doors and louver windows to facilitate air circulation and ventilation within the premises.

 

15.4.6Reagent Areas

 

The reagent preparation and storage systems will be separate, located within the process plant according to the reagent dosing location, as shown in Figure 131. The area for the hydrated lime system will be 11.5 m long by 7.5 m wide, including the preparation and storage system. The sodium cyanide storage area will include a 4.1 m diameter by 4.5 m high tank and will be a fenced off area with restricted access. The containment and equipment area will be 9.5 m long by 8.5 m wide. The flocculant area will also be separate from the other reagents to be closer to the thickener and minimize piping and will be 11.5 m long by 6.5 m wide. The area allocated for sodium metabisulphite and copper sulfate reagents is southeast of the detoxification tanks and leach tanks, and the contained area will be 14.8 m long by 13.7 m wide. The area destined for the caustic soda and hydrochloric acid reagents is also located to the southeast of the tanks, the enclosed area will be 15.1m long by 7.8 m wide. Figure 189 shows a schematic view of the reagent area, while Figure 132 and Figure 133 include respectively the views of cyanide and flocculant areas.

 

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Figure 131: View of the reagent area - From right to left: hydrated lime, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, sodium metabisulfite, and copper sulphate.

 

 

 

 

Figure 132: View of the cyanide area.

 

 

 

 

Figure 133: View of the flocculant area.

 

15.4.7Mine Support Area / Truck Shop / Truck Wash

 

The operation of the mine will be outsourced, so the Project's engineering team does not foresee the construction of a support structure for the mine by Aura. In the mine operation outsourcing contract, it will be stipulated that the contractor will build its own required support structure, in addition to using the existing area to be made available by Aura. This will allow the contracted company to adapt the installations according to the size of the equipment in its fleet. Aura will supply water and electricity to the contracted company's premises at the mine site.

 

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15.4.8Waste Material Warehouse

 

The Waste Material warehouse is designed with a built area of 237 m2, as shown in Figure 134. The building is composed of structural steel with concrete blocks, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. This building will be equipped with louver windows to provide air circulation and ventilation inside the building.

 

 

Figure 134: Waste material warehouse.

 

15.4.9Warehouse

 

The warehouse building is designed with a built area of 469 m2, in two integrated blocks: the storage area with the administrative office area as an attachment, as shown in Figure 135. The storage area of the warehouse building is composed of structural steel, with concrete blocks, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. This building will be equipped with louver windows and a roof vent to provide air circulation and ventilation inside the building. The administrative office will be built from structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels as part of the walls and internal partitions, the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

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Figure 135: Warehouse.

 

 

 

15.4.10Maintenance Shops and Changeroom

 

The maintenance shops building was designed with a built area of 586 m2 as three integrated blocks: the maintenance area, the administrative office area, and equipment area; these last two will be attachments to the main block maintenance area, as shown in Figure 136.

 

The construction of the main block, the maintenance area, will be from structural steel with concrete blocks, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. This building will be equipped with louver windows and a roof vent to provide air circulation and ventilation inside the building. The administrative office will also be composed of structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, while the roof will be built from galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

 

 

 

Figure 136: Maintenance shops.

 

 

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The changeroom building was designed with a built area of 210 m2, as an attachment to the maintenance shops building to be close to the operational area, as shown in Figure 137. The structure for this building is structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof is finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

 

Figure 137: Changerooms.

 

15.4.11Storage Shed for Reagents

 

The storage shed for reagents was designed with a built area of 384 m2, as shown in Figure 138. The structure will be built from structural steel with concrete blocks, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. This building will be equipped with louver windows and a roof vent to provide air circulation and ventilation inside the building.

 

 

Figure 138: Storage shed for reagents.

 

15.4.12Explosives Storage and Handling

 

The construction of the explosives warehouse was designed with a built area of 155 m2, with a storage capacity of 32,000 kg of explosives, equivalent to approximately 1,600 boxes of explosive materials, as shown in Figure 139. Due to the risk associated with the stored materials in the building, as well as the compliance with minimum requirements demanded by specific regulations, its structure has been designed using cast-in-place concrete elements with double masonry walls made of concrete blocks. The roof will use metal and 8 mm thick corrugated asbestos-cement sheets. To provide natural ventilation, the building is equipped with openings near the floor on the internal walls and with concrete louver windows.

 

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Figure 139: Explosives warehouse.

 

The construction of the explosive accessories warehouse follows the same concept as the explosives warehouse, and was designed with a built area of 108 m2, and a storage capacity of 70 kg of explosive accessories, which corresponds to approximately 628 accessory boxes, as shown in Figure 140.

 

 

Figure 140: Explosives accessories warehouse.

 

The Emulsion Yard was designed with a built area of 214 m2 of concrete flooring and space for the placement of emulsion tanks. However, the area also includes a small Sodium Nitrite storage facility, which has been designed with a built area of 29 m2, at the right hand end in Figure 141.

 

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Figure 141: Emulsion yard and sodium nitrite storage.

 

15.4.13Fuel Station

 

For the definitive fuel station, Aura will hire a specialized company for the implementation of the station. Figure 142 provides the site location. Item 63 is the definitive station.

 

 

Figure 142: Temporary and definitive fuel station location.

 

15.4.14Plant Administration Building

 

The plant administration building was developed and sized, with a built area of 151 m2, to allocate the workers who will have direct contact with the operational areas. The building structure will be structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels, as shown in Figure 143.

 

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Figure 143: Plant administration building.

 

15.4.15Main Gatehouse

 

The main gatehouse building controls site access and was designed with a built area of 66 m2 in two parts: vehicle control access area, and the gate control access areas for pedestrians, as shown in Figure 144. The building structure will be structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

 

Figure 144: Main gatehouse.

 

15.4.16Administrative Building

 

The administrative building was developed with a built area of 537 m2 and sized to allocate the workers that have no contact with the operational areas, as shown in Figure 145. The building structure will be structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

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Figure 145: Administrative building.

 

15.4.17Mess Hall

 

The mess hall was designed with a built area of 283 m2 to accommodate 76 workers per shift for a total of 149 people, and is located close to the administrative, medical care clinic, and fire brigade buildings. The building structure will be structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels, as shown in Figure 146.

 

 

Figure 146: Mess Hall.

 

15.4.18Laboratory

 

The laboratory building was designed with a built area of 643 m2, and two integrated blocks: the laboratory area and support area, the latter being an attachment similar to the warehouse. The structure for the laboratory is composed of structural steel with concrete blocks, and lightweight galvanized roof panels. This building will be equipped with louver windows to provide air circulation and ventilation inside the building. The administrative office will also be built from structural steel with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels, as shown in Figure 147.

 

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Figure 147: Laboratory and support area.

 

15.4.19Medical Clinic and Fire Brigade

 

The medical clinic and fire brigade building was designed with a built area of 256 m2 and will have three sections: medical clinic building, fire brigade building and, in between will be the emergency vehicle parking, as shown in Figure 148. The building structure will be composed of structural steel, with thermoacoustic panels for walls and internal partitions, and the roof will be finished with galvanized thermoacoustic roof panels.

 

 

Figure 148: Ambulatory and fire brigade.

 

15.5SITE GEOTECHNICAL

 

Geotechnical investigations were carried out in two stages on the Project property in the proposed site area. The first stage was to provide information for earthmoving services consisting of 21 mixed drill holes and 21 test pits. The second stage focused on the proposed building foundation areas, consisting of nine more mixed drill holes. The drilling program showed a soil with high support capacity, allowing direct foundations to be built.

 

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15.6WATER MANAGEMENT

 

15.6.1Project Water Balance

 

The Borborema Project plant will demand water at the following flows: 83.0 m³/h of raw water, 811.51 m³/h of process water, and 278.45 m³/h of process water with cyanide.

 

The raw water to supply the process plant will come from treated sewage coming from the Currais Novos ETE, with a flow of 55.0 m³/h, and from the pumping of the Dique de Finos (Fines Dike), at a flow of 28.0 m³/h.

 

The Figure 149 shows the raw water supply diagram.

 

 

Figure 149: Diagram of the raw water supply. Source: PROMON (2023b).

 

15.7MINE WASTE, LOW-GRADE ORE AND TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES

 

15.7.1Low-Grade Stockpiles

 

Two low-grade stockpiles are envisaged for the Project to improve grades for the initial years and control the rate of oxide ore on the plant feed. Low grade ore will be stocked during the operation of both pits and reclaimed at the end of the LOM or when required. The oxide stockpile is also planned to control the maximum rate of oxide material that can be fed to the plant. Both stockpiles are located close to the Main Pit exit and the ROM pad.

 

The sulfide stockpile will have a total capacity of 4.44 Mm³ and the oxide stockpile a total capacity of 0.81 Mm³, as shown in Figure 150.

 

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Figure 150: Low-grade Stockpiles.

 

15.7.2Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF) AND TAILINGS STOREGE FACILITIES (TSF)

 

The waste rock or below cut-off grade and will not be processed will either be stored or used on site (within the mine or on surface). Waste rock will mainly be deposited on the WRSFs.

 

A concept that considers the TSF1 and TSF2 piles as dry stack structures was chosen, since the tailings filtration plant is located on the edge of TSF1 in the master plan and the volume of other tailings added to the waste rock would exceed the volumetric capacity of these structures.

 

For pile WRSF1, therefore, a waste rock concept was chosen with the earth waste being surrounded by rock waste in such a way that the pile of earth material develops with the geometry of 1V:2.5H and the pile of rocky material covers the first with final external geometry of 1V:1.5H. In this way, the internal pile will be able to receive the volume of the first five years of earthen material, while in the year 2028 the rocky waste will have to back up the internal pile.

 

In the proposed concept, the TSF2 and WRSF2 pile should receive the excess volumes of tailings and waste, respectively. Given the uncertainty surrounding waste rock quality, the WRSF2 Pile was designed considering sterile waste geometry.

 

The low-grade piles were designed as waste rock piles with the largest volume accumulated along the LOM of each (generation plan available) as a volumetric assumption.

 

The designed structures, their respective concepts and the volume obtained in each are presented in Table 135 and illustrated in Figure 151.

 

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Table 135: Structures and concepts developed.

 

Structure Name Description Geometric Characteristics
TSF1

Dry Stack to serve the first 5 years

 

Slope: 1V:2.5H;
Width: 7.5 m;
Height: 10.0 m
TSF2 Dry Stack to serve the rest of the LOM Slope: 1V:2.5H;
Width: 7.5 m;
Height: 10.0 m
WRSF1 Waste Rock to cover the first 5 years

Internal Pile

Slope: 1V:2.5H;

Width: 7.5 m;

Height: 10.0 m

External Pile

Slope: 1V:1.5H;

Width: 10.0 m;

Height: 20.0 m

WRSF2 Waste Rock to meet the remainder of the LOM

Slope: 1V:2.5H;

Width: 7.5 m;

Height: 10.0 m

Stock Oxi Low Grade Stockpiles

Slope: 1V:1.5H;

Width: 10.0 m;

Height: 20.0 m

Stock Sulf Low Grade Stockpiles

Slope: 1V:1.5H;

Width: 10.0 m;

Height: 20.0 m

 

 

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Figure 151: General Layout

 

 

 

Stability analyzes were carried out using Slide2 software, from Rocscience, using the limit equilibrium method. The assumptions considered in the stability analysis are described below.

 

• Isotropic and homogeneous materials.

 

• Assessment of safety factors using the GLE/Morgenstern-Price method.

 

• Assessment of safety factors for circular and non-circular surfaces.

 

• Drained resistance of materials characterized by the Mohr-Coulomb rupture criteria, with the effective resistance envelope parameters c’ and ϕ’.

 

• Seismic acceleration coefficients: kv: 0.08 g and kh 0.053 g (item 9.4.2).

 

• Minimum permissible safety factors as per Table 136.

 

• For the partially saturated stability condition, using RU (0.29), FS > ANALYSIS SECTIONS was adopted as the criteria.

 

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Table 136: Summary of analysis results

 

 

15.8WATER SYSTEMS

 

15.8.1Raw Water Supply System

 

The primary water source for the Borborema Project will be the raw sewage pumped from a nearby town Currais Novos (EEE Caça e Pesca) to Borborema site. The raw sewage will be received via a 27 km pipeline, treated at Borborema sewage treatment station, and directed to the raw water pond and raw water tank from which it will be distributed to the required points in the plant, for example, gland water, reagent preparation, dust suppression, fire water, and make-up water for the process water system. The raw water pond will serve as a water reserve for the mine site in the event of water shortage for the water pumping system.

 

The design also considers an alternative source of raw water from a nearby rainwater reservoir named dam of fines (fines dike), which will be used as much as possible to reduce the requirement of pumping sewage from EEE Caça e Pesca.

 

15.8.2Potable Water Supply

 

The potable water quality requirements for the potable water treatment plant match the local drinking water guidelines. The potable water will be sourced by the local water treatment company (Companhia de Água e Esgotos do Rio Grande do Norte – CAERN) via truck from Macaiba, approximately 130 km from the Borborema site. This water will feed all safety showers and administrative buildings.

 

15.8.3Fire Suppression System

 

The fire suppression systems planned for the process plant site will be supplied from the raw water storage tanks which have a volume dedicated to fire suppression water. The fire water system will consist of electric water pumps that will be supported by the jockey fire water pump to maintain pressure in the fire water main. In the event of a power outage, a diesel fire water pump will start to ensure continued fire water availability. All facilities will have a fire suppression system in accordance with the structure’s function. Fire water will be distributed throughout the plant via dedicated pipework to supply hydrants and hose reels strategically located throughout the site. All buildings will have hose cabinets and handheld fire extinguishers. Electrical and control rooms will be equipped with dry-chemical fire extinguishers. Ancillary buildings will be provided with automatic sprinkler systems. For the reagents areas, appropriate fire suppression systems will be included according to the reagent material safety datasheets.

 

15.8.4Sewage Collection

 

The office and domestic waste collected at the site will be treated in the local sewage treatment station, which is dedicated to the raw water production from Currais Novos sewage. The collection network will be underground. Depending on the type of chemical waste from the laboratory, it will be either recycled to the plant or stored for off-site disposal.

 

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16MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS

 

16.1Markets

 

The principal commodity at Borborema is gold, which is freely traded at widely known prices, thus, prospects for sale of any production are virtually assured. The terms contained within any future sales contracts are expected to be typical and consistent with standard industry practice and similar to contracts for the supply of doré elsewhere in the world.

 

A gold price of US$1,500 /oz was used for the Mineral Reserve Estimates. This gold price is lower than the long-term gold price of the February 2025 market Consensus Report of $2,184/oz gold and is higher than Aura’s selected price by 46%.

 

Gold prices in the model use Aura’s internal price outlook, which is determined based on consensus market price forecasts. It should be noted that metal prices can be volatile and that there is the potential for deviation from the LOM forecasts.

 

16.2Contracts

 

There are no material contracts or agreements in place as of the effective date of this TRS. Refining contracts are typically put in place with well-organized international refineries and sales are made based on spot gold prices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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17ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS OR AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

 

17.1INTRODUCTION

 

This section presents the studies and impact assessment carried out to support both the environmental licensing and the production of a baseline data to support the environmental and social issues of the Borborema Project, which is in the final phase of construction in accordance with the guidelines of IDEMA - Institute for Sustainable Development and Environment of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, and the requirements of Installation License No. 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181.

 

17.2GENERAL OVERVIEW

 

The Borborema Project is located in the municipality of Currais Novos, on the side of Federal Road BR226, in the interior of the Rio Grande do Norte state, at latitude 6°12' S and longitude 36°17' W on the São Francisco Farm, in a semi-arid region with an average annual rainfall of 695 mm and an annual evaporation rate of around 2,600 mm, resulting in a high seasonal water deficit.

 

The Project is 172 km from the capital Natal, 32 km from the city of Currais Novos and about 1-4 km from the villages of São Luiz, São Rafael and Maxixe.

 

The Project area is not located within Conservation Units (Forest Reservation) or Indigenous Lands. There is a Traditional Community (“Quilombola”) called Negros do Riacho that is located approximately 20 km from the project site and 7.5 km from the wastewater pipeline, which will not be affected by the Borborema Project.

 

The São Francisco and Pedra Branca Farms were acquired due to their large areas, which would be sufficient to house all the structures of the Borborema Project. However, with the expansion of the pit, the increase in the NW-02 tailings stockpile and the deviation of Federal Road BR226, other lands will be needed to house them. Negotiations are ongoing.

 

Other Farm, Jesus Maria, was also acquired to be a Forestry Reserve Area (Legal Reserve) and conducting reforestation, according to the Brazilian Forest Code and IDEMA - State Environmental Regulatory Authority requirements

 

The Environmental Impact Study (“EIA”) and Environmental Impact Report (“RIMA”) were prepared in 2011, in which the main impacts of the Borborema Project were identified and evaluated, and mitigation measures, plans, and environmental programs were proposed. The Project’s areas of influence were defined, and field studies were carried out on the terrestrial and aquatic fauna, flora, water resources, historical and archaeological heritage, socioeconomic diagnosis of the region, and traditional populations.

 

The presentation of the Project and the environmental impact study was held at a Public Hearing in the city of Currais Novos on 05/12/2013 and was well received by the local population. After the public hearing and analysis of the study by the State Environmental Regulatory Authority, IDEMA (Institute for Sustainable and Environmental Development of Rio Grande do Norte), the Preliminary License, LP No. 2011-047788/TEC/LP-0136, was issued in April 2017. On April 15, 2019, Installation License No. 2018-129191/TEC/0083 was issued for the implementation of the Borborema Project facilities in an area of 490 hectares and has already expired. With the acquisition of the Borborema Project by Aura Minerals, the application for the renewal of the Installation License was filed with IDEMA and the LI Nº 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181 was issued in March 2023, valid until March 2028.

 

The Borborema project is currently in the final phase of construction and already has the Operating License - LO No. 2024-219477/TEC/LO-0639 that authorizes the mining and processing of gold ore for an area of ​​490 hectares. For the expansion of the pit, it will be necessary to construct a 5.3 km Federal Road BR 226 deviation and, for this purpose, permitting with the federal and state governments are already in progress.

 

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17.3Environmental permiting

 

17.3.1Brazilian Regulatory Scenario

 

Mining activities require preliminary Environmental Permitting, regardless of the necessary procedures with ANM (National Mining Agency), as defined by Brazilian Federal Law No. 6,938/81 (BRAZIL, 1981), which established the National Environmental Policy.

 

Annex I of CONAMA Resolution (National Environmental Council) No. 237/97 (CONAMA, 1997) lists the activities and undertakings that use environmental resources, effectively or potentially polluting, that are subject to Environmental Permitting. The Federal Law No. 6,938 / 81 and CONAMA Resolution No. 237/97 define three (3) types of environmental license, namely:

 

·Preliminary License (Licença Prévia-LP) - Issued in the preliminary stage of the project planning. It validates the location and design, attesting to the environmental feasibility and establishing the basic requirements and conditions to be met in the next phases of its implementation.
·Installation License (Licença de Instalação – LI) - Authorizes the installation of the enterprise in accordance with the specifications of the approved plans, programs, and projects, including environmental control measures and other conditions.
·Operation License (Licença de Operação – LO) - Authorizes the operation of the enterprise, after verifying the effective fulfillment of previous licenses, environmental control measures, and conditions determined for the operation.

 

The Brazilian Federal Law No. 6,938/81 also assigned to the States the power to license activities located within their regional limits. If the undertaking develops activities in more than one state, or if the environmental impacts exceed the territorial limits, IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) is the body responsible for granting permits.

 

In the case of the Borborema Project, which is located entirely in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and does not exceed state boundaries, the authority responsible for environmental licensing, issuing licenses and inspection is the Institute for Sustainable Development and the Environment of Rio Grande do Norte – IDEMA, that acts based on the State Complementary Law no. 272/2004 and its subsequent amendments such as Complementary Law no. 723/2022.

 

In addition to the main Licenses highlighted above, other additional Permits (“accessories”) are required to complete the licensing process, such as: Native Vegetation Clearing Permit, Special Wildlife Permit, Special Permit for Construction Site, Water Resources Use Grant, Archaeological Heritage Permit, amongst others.

 

As requested by IDEMA, other government agencies participate in licensing by issuing accessory licenses or as interveners, issuing technical opinions to support licensing, such as:

 

·IGARN (Institute of Water Management of Rio Grande do Norte) - Responsible for issuing permits for the use of state waters.
·ANA (National Water Agency) - Responsible for issuing permits for the use of federal waters.
·IPHAN (National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute) - Responsible for issuing permits for field studies, rescue of archaeological heritage and Technical Opinions that are added to the environmental licensing process.
·FUNAI (National Indian Foundation) - Responsible for issuing permits for anthropological studies in case the project is in Indigenous lands or in their Area of Influence.

 

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·INCRA (National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform) - Responsible for issuing permits for anthropological studies if the project is located on land belonging to traditional communities or in the Area of Influence.
·DNIT (National Department of Infrastructure and Transport) – Responsible for issuing Technical Opinions regarding interference on federal highways, amongst others.

 

17.3.2Environmental Licensing Status

 

Before Installation License No. 2018-129191/TEC/0083 expired on 04/15/2023, the application for an updated Installation License was filed with IDEMA and on 03/02/2023 it was issued with a validity of 5 years.

 

The updated Installation License, LI nº 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181, authorizes the construction of the Borborema Project in an area of 490 hectares, linked to mining rights 805.049/1977, 840.149/1980 and 840.152/1980 of the National Mining Agency (ANM), and other additional Permits that are presented in Table 137.

 

Table 137: Borborema Project Licenses and Permits Held by Aura.

 

LICENSES DESCRIPTION ISSUANCE VALIDITY STATUS
LI Nº 2023-197407/TEC/LI-0150 Installation License for a Sewage Treatment Plant with a capacity of up to 1,680m³/day (ETE). 05/26/2024 05/26/2030 *Application for Operating License has not yet been filed with IDEMA. It is estimated for February March 2025. The issuance of the LO is expected to be 60-120 days after the filing.
LI Nº 2023-202914/TEC/LI-0218 Installation License for Wastewater Pipeline with extension of about 27.5 km a long of BR-226 highway 08/16/2024 08/16/2030 Application for Operating License filed with IDEMA on 02/05/2025 under No. 2025-239939/TEC/LO-0031. The LO is expected to be issued within 60-120 days.
RLO nº 2020-149610/TEC/RLO-0243 Operating license - LO for the extraction and processing of gold in an area of 8.00 ha (former leach piles) and a volume of 1,200m³/month. 06/07/2020 06/07/2026 Valid License - It will be added to the LO of the Aura Borborema Project
LO Nº 2024-224430/TEC/LO-0737 Operation License for a Power Distribution Line of 69kV and 35 km. 01/28/2025 01/28/2031 Valid License
LO Nº 2024-223181/TEC/LO-0719 Operation License for the Electric Power Substation (69kV/13.8kV) and total power of 20 MVA, which will connect the 69 kV Power Distribution Line (SE). 01/27/2025 01/27/2031 Valid License
LS Nº 2024-206097/TEC/LS-0630 Simplified License for the opening of 2 access roads totaling 1,700 m 07/08/2024 07/08/2030 Valid License
RLS nº 2021-174272/TEC/RLS-0459 Simplified License for opening access road to the Aura Borborema Project with an extension of 653.87 meters. 07/10/2022 07/10/2028 Valid License
ASV 2024.5.2024.39641 Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) for 382.27 ha  06/03/2024  06/03/2025 Valid Permit for clearing native vegetation in the project construction area
2024-210881/TEC/ACMB-0273 Special Permit for capturing, collecting and transporting biological material from fauna (ACMB) linked to the NVCP (ASV 2024.5.2024.39641) 03/06/2024  03/06/2025 Valid Permit for the rescue of wild animals during the clearing of native vegetation in the project construction area
ASV 2024.5.2024.44114 Native Vegetation Clearing Pemit (NVCP) for 4.1150 ha 07/02/2024 07/02/2025 Valid Permit for the clearing of native vegetation to open access roads.

 

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LICENSES DESCRIPTION ISSUANCE VALIDITY STATUS
2024-211224/TEC/ACMB-0280 Special Permit for capturing, collecting and transporting biological material from fauna (ACMB) linked to the NVCP (ASV 2024.5.2024.44114) 07/02/2024 07/02/2025 Valid Permit for the rescue of wild animals during the clearing of native vegetation
ORH nº 02179/2024 Grant to capture 1,270,200 m3/year of water from rainwater reservoir of fines dam 10/29/2024 10/29/2028 Valid License
N.º 2023-198184/TEC/DL-0403 **A 15m3 diesel oil tank exempt from environmental permitting - support construction and plant start up     Valid License
LI Nº 2024-222783/TEC/LI-0395 Installation License for Definitive Fuel Station 01/27/2025 01/27/2031 The application for LO will be filed when the construction of the Fuel Station is 80% complete.
Nº 2024-206096/TEC/AE-0126 Special Permit for Power Line and wastewater pipeline Construction Site of de Project 03/21/2024 03/21/2027 Valid Permit
Nº 2023-197893/TEC/AE-0055 Special Permit for de Project Construction Site   12/11/2023 12/11/2025 Valid Permit

Notes:

LP, LI and LO - Preliminary License, Installation License and Operating License

*The LO for the Sewage Treatment Plant has not yet been requested because it is awaiting approval of process improvements

** It was used during the construction and will continue to supply the start of operation with diesel supplementation coming from Natal (capital of RN)

 

 

The application for the Project Operating License with IDEMA was filed in September 2024 and, on February 3, 2025, it was issued the Operation License – LO No. 2024-219477/TEC/LO-0639 that authorizes the mining and processing of gold ore for an area of ​​490 hectares.

 

The Operation License includes changes and improvements made during construction in the 490-hectares polygon area. However, according to IDEMA, expansions or changes that exceed the 490-hectares polygon but, occupy up to 100 ha of area, will be subject to an Expansion License application and will be added to the current Operation License. Future changes or expansion that exceed 100 hectares will be subject to separate licensing.

 

Regarding the additional Permits, most have been issued and those few that have not yet been issued are in the final phase of evaluation by IDEMA and should be issued within 60-120 days.

 

For the 5.3 km Federal Road BR 226 deviation, the permitting process has been initiated at both the federal and state levels. The agencies involved are DNIT (National Department of Infrastructure and Transport) and IDEMA (State Environmental Regulatory Agency).

 

According to the Official Letter - OFÍCIO No. 198683/2024/SRE – RN from DNIT, the geometric design of the road deviation was previously approved and the Federal Prosecutor's Office of DNIT issued a Legal Opinion related to the viability of the road deviation confirming that it is feasible, thus allowing mining activity.

 

Currently, the technical analysis by DNIT is in the final phase and a Technical Opinion should be issued between February and March 2025.

 

Regarding environmental licensing, IDEMA reported that the Federal Road deviation is a Simplified Permitting with the issuance of two main licenses: Simplified Primary License - LSP and Simplified Installation and Operation License - LSIO. The application for the LSP was already filed in November 2024 and is under analysis by IDEMA. To complete the environmental licensing process, additional permits are required, such as the Permit for Clearing Native Vegetation and the Special Wildlife Permit for rescuing wild animals before and during vegetation clearing. Requirements such as land ownership documents are prerequisites to instruct the process and to obtain the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit and LSIO. Land mapping and negotiations with landowners are already underway. The entire land negotiation and licensing process is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.

 

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17.4ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STUDIES

 

Comprehensive environmental studies were conducted to support the EIA/RIMA and create a baseline in the Project area. The main themes and issues studied in the environmental impact study are presented in this section.

 

17.4.1Climate

 

The climate in the Borborema Project region is characterized as semi-arid with little or no excess water, with hot summers extending from October to March and warm and generally dry winters. The average annual precipitation is 695 mm, with a predominantly rainy season from January to April, but generally irregular.

 

Evapotranspiration rates within the project area are higher, reaching more than 2,000 mm/year, which causes a significant water deficit and is the main factor to be considered in the operation of the Borborema Project.

 

The average annual temperature is 27.5°C, with a minimum average of 18°C and a maximum average of 33°C. The variation between the warmest months (October to March) and the coldest month (July) is approximately 8°C. The predominant wind direction is from the southeast with an average speed of 1.4 m/s.

 

17.4.2Water Resources

 

17.4.2.1Regional Context

 

According to the EIA/RIMA, the area of the Borborema Project is in the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which covers a territory of 42,900 km² distributed between the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, where approximately 1,552,000 people live. The basin is fully inserted in the semi-arid territory, with average annual rainfall between 400 and 800 mm concentrated between February and May. This condition, combined with the occurrence of shallow soils formed on crystalline bedrock, with low storage capacity, is responsible for the intermittent character of rivers in the region. In addition, the precipitation pattern tends to show high variability between years, with alternating regular rainfall and severe water scarcity, leading to water droughts in the Project region.

 

The Piranhas-Açu River rises in the Serra de Piancó, situated in Paraíba state, and flows out near Macau city, in Rio Grande do Norte state. Under natural conditions, it is an intermittent river. However, its continuity is ensured by two regularization reservoirs built by DNOCS (National Department of Works against Drought), the Coremas-Mãe d´Água, in Paraíba (capacity of 1.36 billion m3 and regulated flow of 9.5 m3/ s, Q95%) and the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Dam (ARG), in Rio Grande do Norte (capacity of 2.4 billion m³ and regulated flow of 17.8 m3/s, Q 90%). Along the water system formed by the river channel and its regularization reservoirs, referred as the Coremas-Açu System, various water has developed, such as diffuse irrigation, irrigation in public perimeters, human supply, animal watering, leisure, energy production, and aquaculture.

 

The geological formation of most of the basin is crystalline rock, which is characterized by impermeable rocks with low water storage capacity, which is often of low quality. The sedimentary formations, with greater porosity and, therefore, greater water storage capacity, are present only in two points of the basin: a smaller one, in the sub-basin of the "do Peixe" river, close to Sousa (Paraiba state) and another, part of the Jandaíra Formation, covering the Baixo-Açu. Another important source of groundwater are the alluvial aquifers, which in most cases provide good quality water for human and animal consumption, and irrigation.

 

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Due to the intermittent nature of the rivers in this region, surface water is contained in dams, which is the Brazilian government's strategy to deal with the recurrent drought. In addition to the aforementioned “Coremas- Mãe d’água” and "Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves" reservoirs, there are 46 reservoirs considered strategic as they have a storage capacity of over 10 million m3.

 

In the Project area, several dams were identified in the Project's area of influence, most of them located close to rural communities and two in the area directly affected by the Project, close to the former pit area, as shown in Table 138.

 

Table 138: Description of Surface Water Sources.

 

Structure Property Distance to the Borborema Project (km) Status
Onça Dam Aura Borborema Located on the Aura property Dam decommissioned and water directed to the fines dike
São Francisco Dam Aura Borborema Located on the Aura property Dam decommissioned and water directed to the fines dike
Aterro Dam Aura Borborema Located on the Aura property  Discarded for use
Fines Dyke Aura Borborema Located on the Aura property Water Use Grant - Flow rate of 1,270,200 m³/year (valid for 14 years)
ARG Dam Federal Government 42 km1 Requires a Federal Permit (ANA) multiple users
Gargalheiras Dam Federal Government 87 km1 Requires a Federal Permit (ANA) multiple users

1Distance to the Dam to the Borborema Project

 

 

The ARG and Gargalheiras reservoirs were both discarded due to their distance and the difficulty in obtaining Permit for industrial use, as they are designated by ANA (National Water Agency) as the primary source of public supply. The São Francisco and Onças reservoirs, located at the project site, were also discarded since they were decommissioned during construction of the project and their waters were directed to the new reservoir of the fines dike, which has become an important source of supply to complement the plant's operation.

 

17.4.2.2Water Demand

 

The studies carried out by Aura for the Borborema Project - 2 Mtpy identified the need for 75.6 m3/h of raw water that will be used in specific processing demands, as well as to replace losses and/or create a reserve to guarantee the continuity of the operation.

 

As the supply alternatives presented above were discarded, the solution chosen by the company was to develop a project focused on saving water, prioritizing the maximum recirculation of process water, and minimizing the collection of raw water. For this purpose, the possibility of using wastewater (sewage) from the city of Currais Novos, about 27 km away from the Project, was identified, to be complemented by the accumulation of rainwater in the fines dike.

 

For the use of wastewater, a contract was signed between Aura and CAERN (“Companhia de Águas e Esgotos do Rio Grande do Norte”) for the supply of up to 70 m3/h of untreated wastewater. This “water” will be pumped from CAERN's Sewage Pumping Station (EEE) “Caça e Pesca” in Currais Novos, covering about 27 km, to the Sewage Treatment Plant (ETE) at the Borborema Project, which is designed to treat 150 m3/h of wastewater based on CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 – Class II (Brazilian Water Quality Standard).

 

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The standard of Class II waters, according to Resolution CONAMA-357/2005, can be used for:

 

·Supply for human use, after conventional treatment.
·The protection of aquatic communities.
·Primary contact recreation, such as swimming, water skiing, and diving, by CONAMA Resolution No. 274 of 2000.
·Irrigation of vegetables, fruit plants, parks, gardens, sports, and leisure fields, with which the public may come into direct contact.
·Aquaculture and fishing activity.

 

Figure 152 shows the route of the wastewater pipeline from Currais Novos to the Borborema Project.

 

 

Figure 152: Route of the Wastewater Pipeline.

 

As mentioned above, rainwater accumulated in the fines dike will be an important source of water to complement the plant's operation with a Granted Flow Rate of 1,270,200 m3/y.

 

Potable water will be purchased and supplied by tank trucks coming from the municipalities of Parnamirim and Macaíba, both located within the metropolitan region of Natal city.

 

17.4.2.3Water Balance

 

The project was designed for maximum process water recirculation and minimization of raw water (section 18.6.1). According to the PROMON (2023) report, a nominal flow of 1,282.1 m³/h of water will be required in the production process; the total recycled water will be 1,199.1 m³/h. The three solid-liquid separation operations will recycle the water to the beneficiation plant as follows: CIL tailings thickener (278.45 m³/h), DETOX thickener (533.05 m³/h), and waste filtrate (387.16 m³/h). Table 139 presents the water balance summary for the beneficiation plant.

 

Table 139: Summary of the Water Balance for the Process Plant.

 

Water Type Water Process Water Flowrate Units
Total consumption of process water Total flow of circulated water 1,282.1 m³/h
Raw water Flow 83,0 m³/h
Process Water Flow 1,199.1 m³/h
Total water recirculated in the process Tailings thickener OL 278.45 m³/h
Thickener DETOX 533.05 m³/h
filtered from the Tailings 387.16 m³/h
Inlet and outlet of water in the process Water intake by ETE 55.0 m³/h
Water intake by fine dike 28.0 m³/h
Final filter cake moisture 65.4 m³/h

 

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In steady state operation, the plant will require 65.4 m³/h of raw water, operating at approximately 90% of capacity, corresponding on average to 21.6 hours per day. This flow corresponds to water contained in the cake generated by the filtering system. However, for the operational safety of the plant, raw water will be supplied from the treatment of reuse water at the Caça e Pesca Sewage Pumping Station in Currais Novos.

 

To find out the average flow that the Caça e Pesca Pumping Station could provide, systematic flow measurements were carried out between January-December 2021 and January-August 2022, which showed averages of 46 m³/h and 56 m³/h, respectively. Therefore, the water balance availability considered for treatment in the ETE of the Borborema Project is 55 m³/h, with a deficit of 28.0 m³/h that will be supplied by the accumulation of rainwater from the fines dike.

 

17.4.2.4Water Management

 

As there is a significant water deficit in the region of the Borborema Project, since construction phase, water management is focused on minimizing losses, and which is fundamental for the operation. Based on this premise, the Borborema Project foresees that rainwater collected from waste rock and tailings stockpiles, pit, and accesses will be directed through drainage channels to the fines dike, which is used as a large sedimentation basin and reservoir providing supplementary water to the plant operations.

 

17.4.2.5Surface Water Quality

 

During the field studies for the preparation of the EIA/RIMA, surface water samples were collected at 10 different locations in the Project's area of influence, including the Onça and São Francisco dams located within the Borborema Project area. The parameters analyzed are listed in Table 140, whose limits are described by the former Ordinance No. 518/2004 related to the control and surveillance of water quality for human consumption and potability standards.

 

Table 140: Surface Water Parameters.

 

Physical-Chemical and Microbiological Parameters
Taste Total Ammonia Nitrogen
Odor Magnesium
Color Chlorine
Turbidity Biological Oxygen Demand
pH Dissolved Oxygen
Electrical Conductivity Mercury
Alkalinity Thermotolerant Coliforms
Hardness Total Coliforms

 

 

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The analysis results indicated a low water quality for human consumption, with great potential for parasites, skin diseases, worms, etc. Only one sample of the 10 samples taken was below the maximum limit for total coliforms and thermotolerant. For the results relate to the Dissolved Oxygen parameter, only two samples were within the allowed limits, meaning unsatisfactory conditions for the development of aquatic life. According to the results of the physical-chemical analyses, the water samples were classified as brackish.

 

Water monitoring during the construction of the project followed the procedures established in the Liquid Effluent and Surface Water Monitoring Plan presented and approved by IDEMA (State Regulatory Environmental Agency). Surface water collections began in October 2023 and were collected and analyzed by the Senai Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energy – ISI-ER laboratory, located in Natal - RN, for the parameters established in the Plan and with reference to CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 (Brazilian Water Quality Standard) that establishes the classification of water bodies. All points with water availability were monitored: Old Pit, Onça, São Francisco and Aterro reservoirs. No significant changes in the waters have been detected to date.

 

17.4.2.6Hydrogeology

 

According to GE21 (2019) two distinct aquifer systems exist in the Borborema Project area, which are hydraulically connected. The first one is the upper porous free aquifer, characterized by alluvial deposits that exist on the edges of riverbeds and local drainage systems, as well as by the soil cover and alteration mantle of Neoproterozoic schist rocks, where water flow and storage occur underground. The second is the fissured or fractured aquifer that fills at discontinuities (fractures, faults, diaclases, joints, etc.) in the underlying crystalline rock.

 

The alluvial aquifer within the project area shows small dimensions and the storage capacity is conditioned to the rainfall regime. The schist rocks present in the area present a certain degree of alteration up to an average depth of 30 meters, where the presence of small fractures with millimeter thicknesses, sub-verticals with angles of 75° to 85° and preferred directions northeast and northwest can be observed. Such an aquifer controls small local drainages such as Bugi Creek, Pedra Branca Creek, and other tributaries.

 

The GE21 report (2019) also describes years with above-average rainfall, according to which the aquifer remains saturated for longer, supplying water as verified in the Amazon well PA – 02 in 2012, which is within the Project area. On the other hand, in years with below-average rainfall, as in 2019, the aquifer cannot maintain storage, as observed in the same PA – 02, in July 2019, and was completely dry. In a few cases water was limited to 1.50 m³/h, especially those where the water assessment was carried out either assessed by the flume flow during drilling or reported by former employees.

 

Most of wells drilled in the crystalline region of northeastern Brazil reach maximum depths of around 50 to 60 Meters, and according to regional studies below this depth, discontinuities in the rocks are not detected.

 

In addition to the points examined by GE21 (2019), another study, Hydrogeological Assessment for Mining Activities, Currais Novos (RN), Brazil, carried out in 2022 by FMD Geologia Aplicada (FMD, 2022), identified two types of risks associated with protected waters in the Borborema Project: quantity and quality. The results of this study demonstrate that the recharge of the local aquifer can supply the water demand of the Project. However, the location of producing wells is complex and fissure aquifers behave very heterogeneously. The study suggests that a detailed analysis should be performed to mitigate risks related to water quantity and quality.

 

Regarding the design studies for dewatering the pit and based on the hydrogeological characteristics of the area where the Borborema Project is located, the GE21 (2019) report states that neither water percolated from the surroundings into the pit, nor from effluent flows to adjacent areas is foreseen.

 

An additional hydrogeological survey focus on the entire project area is underway to assess the potential use of groundwater and the possible impacts that may arise from the deepening of the pit.

 

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17.4.3Cyanide Management

 

The Borborema project will require approximately 75 tons of sodium cyanide per month, which will be transported by road from the state of Bahia by a company certified by the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC), ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

 

The sodium cyanide, in the form of a 33% concentration solution, will be stored in a storage tank with restricted and controlled access. The site has containment basins sized to cover the entire area where cyanide handling, loading and unloading activities will take place. In addition, the site has HCN systems and monitors installed, which will ensure that, in the event of an HCN leak, alarms will be activated, allowing the team to go to a safe location, following the guidelines of the emergency response plan.

 

The plant designs were evaluated by a consultant certified by the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMI), ensuring that they meet safety, health and environmental standards, increasing safety in their operations.

 

17.4.4Acid Rock Drainage (ARD)

 

As of 2012, the Geochemical Characterization Program for the Borborema Project started with the assessment of the acid mine drainage potential through the hiring of Global Resource Engineering (GRE, 2013) who report the geochemical tests results.

 

The geochemical tests for predicting and confirming acid mine drainage are static and kinetic. Static tests assess the acid drainage potential through the balance between acid consumption and acid production from the mineral components of certain samples. Kinetic tests, performed on columns and moisture cells, provide estimates of acidity generation concentrations or reaction rates. These estimates indicate the severity and duration of acid mine drainage and metal leaching.

 

A total of 33 waste rock samples were collected and sent for static tests (Acid-Base Accounting – Modified-Sobek Method, SOBEK, 1978), whole rock and metal analysis, and SLPC (Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure) testing. The results indicated that 91% of the samples (30) had a low potential for acid drainage. Among all 33 samples, 24 were tested to assess the respective kinetics for 45 weeks. The results indicated that 22 samples had low generating potential and 2 samples with possible acid generation (low pH and high sulphate concentration). The results did not indicate metal leaching; however, it was detected that arsenic (As) mobilizes in low concentrations during the kinetic tests.

 

In 2013, a 20 L sample of tailings was sent to the SGS CEMI Laboratory in Burnaby, British Colombia, Canada, for static tests (acid base accounting – ABA), analysis of whole rock and metals, SPLP (synthetic precipitation leaching procedure), as well as supernatant solution testing. The results indicated low potential for generation of acid drainage and no significant risk of metal leaching. The only point of concern is the high concentration of sulphates and total dissolved solids in the supernatant solution. No easily soluble metals were detected in the waste rock sample.

 

In general, it can be concluded that the results of the tests carried out so far do not suggest the generation of acid or alkaline drainage associated with tailings materials and waste rock from the Borborema Project. Leaching of metals is not a significant concern.

 

Despite the good results, in 2022, Aura contracted the company GEONVIRON, from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to continue the geochemical studies and deepen the investigation of the potential for generation of acid mine drainage (DAM) and leaching of metals from tailings of the Borborema Project over 24 months. For Static and Kinetic tests Aura hired SGS/GEOSOL Laboratory from Belo Horizonte.

 

Thus, three (3) tailings samples were collected from metallurgical tests, sixty-four (64) waste rock samples, twenty-five (25) low-grade ore samples and sixteen (16) oxidized ore samples from drill cores. All samples were subjected both to Static - MABA and NAG and kinetic tests.

 

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The three (3) tailings samples were also subjected to 40 weeks of kinetic tests and the waste rock, low-grade ore and oxidized ore samples are in the 3rd cycle of kinetic tests.

 

The results of the Static tests of the three tailings samples were considered as having uncertain potential for acidity generation. The results of the kinetic tests showed that the pH remained very close to neutrality for the three samples evaluated and the leaching of metals presented trace elements with tiny concentrations, often below the detection limit.

 

Regarding the results of the Static tests on the waste rock, oxidized ore and low-grade ore samples, it is worth noting that most of the waste rock samples evaluated in the Static tests presented insignificant levels of sulfides (<0.1%), with no potential for generating acidity. Despite this, a small group of the samples evaluated presented sulfide levels greater than 0.3%, where all the samples in this group were either in the uncertainty zone (2<NPR>1) or were classified as generating (NPR<1). Despite the uncertainties, which are characteristic of the tests, the results suggest that most of the waste rock samples evaluated are not acidity generators, and less than 20% of the samples either presented a suggested potential for generating acidity, or presented an uncertain potential for generation, which will be better evaluated in the kinetic tests that are currently underway. Regarding the samples of oxidized ore and low-grade ore, the results of the Static tests suggest that most of the samples of oxidized ore are not acid-generating, and less than 6% of the samples showed a suggested potential for acidity generation. Regarding the low-grade ore, the results suggest uncertain potential.

 

Currently, Kinetic tests of 20 samples of waste, low-grade and oxidized ore are underway at the SGS/GEOSOL laboratory in Belo Horizonte. So far, three monthly cycles have been completed, and the results show that only two samples of the oxidized material exhibit acidic pH in the tests. For both samples, the Static tests indicated potential for acidity generation, indicating a correlation between the Static and Kinetic tests. The results obtained in the remaining cycles will allow this correlation to be validated or not and define the complementary tests and the preparation of ARD monitoring plan for operation.

 

17.4.5Flora

 

According to the EIA/RIMA, the Borborema project is within the Ecoregions of Depressão Sertaneja and Planalto da Borborema, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, dominated by the Caatinga (white forest) Biome.

 

The Caatinga, according to the Brazilian Institute of Forests, covers 11% of the Brazilian national territory, resulting in an area of 844,453 km². It has a semi-arid climate and has vegetation with few leaves and adapted to dry periods, in addition to great biodiversity. The Caatinga includes the entire state of Ceará and partially the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe.

 

The main characteristics of the Caatinga vegetation are shallow and stony soil, low trees, crooked trunks that have thorns, and leaves that fall during the dry season (except for some species, such as the Juazeiro). It is a plant formation with very simple flowering, where the jurema (Mimosa malacocentra), Aspidosperma pyrifolium, the jurema (Mimosa tenuiflora), the catingueira (Poincianella pyramidalis), the facheiro (Pilosocereus gounellei) and the mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru) are predominant species.

 

The directly affected area, where the Borborema Project is located, is dominated by Caatinga, but species of riparian forest such as oiticicas (Licania rigida) and Juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) are found within the Directly Affected Area (“ADA”).

 

In the assessed area, there is an abundance of taxa such as Prosopis juliflora (algaroba) and Euphorbia turicalli (aveloz). The algaroba is an invasive species from the northeast region that has adapted very well to the semi-arid climatic conditions of the region. Aveloz is of African origin, found throughout the north and northeast of Brazil, and has pharmacological potential.

 

The species Myracrodruon urundeuva and Amburana cearensis are on the endangered species list (MMA, 2008 and IUCN, 2010), and only adult specimens were found in the project area.

 

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Other important species found in the study area as mature plants were Croton blanchetianus, Poincianella Pyramidallis, Pilosocereus Piauhiensis, and Mimosa Tenuiflora.

 

Despite the change in the master plan, the Figure 153 shows the map of the original vegetation cover “caatinga” both in the directly affected area and in the area of influence of the project.

 

 

Figure 153: Vegetation Cover at the Borborema Project Site.

 

To implement the project, it was necessary to clear approximately 380 hectares of native vegetation in directly affected area (São Francisco Farm) in accordance with the provisions of the Permit ASV 2024.5.2024.39641

 

17.4.6Fauna

 

17.4.6.1Terrestrial Fauna

 

According to the EIA/RIMA, most of the species observed in the Borborema Project area and areas of influence are reptiles and birds. Figure 154 shows the fauna field survey points.

 

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Figure 154: Points of Field Survey of Terrestrial Fauna.

 

In the EIA/RIMA it is highlighted that among the species observed in the field, two of them are endemic to the Caatinga biome, namely: Phyllopezus periosus (Rodrigues, 1986) (Phyllodactylidae) and Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) (Tropiduridae).

 

Some species of reptiles such as iguanas and teiids are of interest to local communities, some of whom consider these reptiles as food. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists the following Brazilian species observed in the field: Boa constrictor Linnaeus, 1758; iguana Iguana Linnaeus, 1758; and Tupinambis merriani (Duméril & Bibron, 1839). CITES comments that while these animals are not yet endangered, they could become so if not monitored.

 

The avifauna is diversified mainly near the watercourses. CITES lists the following bird species observed in the field: Heliomaster squamosus (Shaw, 1812); Caracara plancus (Miller, 1777); Aratinga cactorum (Kuhl, 1820); Athene cunicularia (Molina, 1782); Glaucidium brasilianum (Gmelin, 1788); and Tyto Alba (Scopoli, 1769). All these species are not currently endangered.

 

Mammals observed in the Project area consist of very small indigenous animals as well as introduced species such as goats, cattle and donkeys from some farms within the study area. Only one species of the mammalian fauna observed in the field is included in the Brazilian CITES list; this is the crabeater fox, Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), but it is not threatened with extinction.

 

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The rescue of wildlife, authorized by IDEMA through the Special Wildlife Permit (Table 137), before and during the clearing of vegetation to begin construction of the Borborema project, was carried out and there were no records of injuries to wild animals during this period (2023-2024). All monitoring and rescue reports of wildlife during the vegetation clearing process were approved by IDEMA.

 

17.4.6.2Aquatic Flora and Fauna

 

Ten collection points were selected based on maps and images of the EIA/RIMA study area, prioritizing the most abundant watercourses both in the Project area (ADA) and in the Indirect Influence Area (“AID”) of the enterprise. At each of these ten points, the following indicators were sampled and analyzed: cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, phytobenthos, zoobenthos, and aquatic macrophytes; in addition, chemical analyses and microbiological analyzes were completed on sediments. The collection points were also used as water sampling points for physical-chemical and bacteriological analyses.

 

The results of the analysis of the aquatic flora and fauna suggest that the aquatic environments in the EIA/RIMA study area are already under stressful environmental conditions that can be explained by the anthropic influence and the fact that some of the dams and other water bodies are under water stress due to the drought that is common in the region studied.

 

17.4.7Social and Community

 

17.4.7.1History

 

Historically, the Seridó region is marked by livestock activity that dates back to the 17th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, mineral resources were found in the region and the process of exploring these minerals began, mainly beryl, columbite, tantalite, crystalline rocks, and mica related to pegmatite deposits. In the 1940s, scheelite, a tungsten ore, was found and started to contribute significantly to the local economy of Currais Novos.

 

During the 1970s, mining activity reached its peak and employed thousands of people, mainly in the municipality of Currais Novos, with emphasis on the mines of Brejui, Barra Verde, and Boca de Laje. At that time, the region was the main source of scheelite in South America. In the 1980s, scheelite mining was negatively impacted by the increase in production costs and the reduction in the international price of tungsten.

 

Gold in Borborema was discovered in the 1920s by Brazilian prospectors (known locally as garimpeiros) and was successfully exploited until the 1970s when the Itaperibá Company incorporated the rights to the ore. Subsequently, the project area was owned by several companies, including Xapetuba which recovered approximately 3 tonnes of gold using Brazil’s second heap leach processing operation. Other companies included Metasa Metais Seridó, Mineração Santa Elina, MGP, and currently Aura.

 

The fact that Currais Novos has its recent history linked to mining activity makes the population favorable towards the implementation of the Borborema Project, which is directly linked to the development of the municipality and region.

 

17.4.7.2Towns and Villages

 

The Borborema Project is located in the rural area of the municipality of Currais Novos, approximately 172 km from the state capital, Natal, about 30 km east of Currais Novos and 12 km west of Campo Redondo.

 

The closest neighboring communities to the Project area are São Luiz, São Rafael, Maxixe, Pedra Branca, Santo André, and São Sebastião, which are approximately 1 to 4 km from the boundaries of the São Francisco and Sítio Pedra Branca farms. Other communities relevant to the Project are the District of Cruz and Liberdade, located about 11 and 21 km from the Project respectively.

 

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These communities have in common an economy based on family farming and precariously raising livestock due to the scarcity of water, lack of sewage treatment and water supply, public transport, culture, education, and few job opportunities.

 

Among the communities located in the Project region, the most prominent is the District of Cruz. According to local representatives, the community has around 500 families and plays an important role in the region, as it functions as a regional service center with educational and health support facilities. The village has been considered locally as the most developed one with the best structure in the region.

 

The communities closest to the Borborema Project are smaller in terms of population: São Luiz – 15 families; São Rafael – 10 families; Pedra Branca – 2 families; Santo André – 50 families; São Sebastião – 56 families; Maxixe – 20 families.

 

In the field survey carried out by the consulting firm INTEGRATIO in October 2019, a high expectation was found in these communities for the Borborema Project on topics such as job and income generation, hiring local labour, and water supply.

 

17.4.7.3Traditional Communities

 

There are no indigenous lands in the affected area or in ​​influence area of the Borborema project. The closest Indigenous land is located about 140 km away. However, there is a Quilombola Community in area of indirect influence of the project site.

 

Quilombolas are the descendants and remnants of communities formed by fugitive enslaved people, who formed the “Quilombos” between the 16th century and 1888 (when slavery was abolished in Brazil) and, according to Brazilian legislation, are now considered traditional and protected.

 

The closest Quilombola community is called “Negros do Riacho” which is located approximately 20 km away from the Project area and about 7.5 km from the wastewater pipeline. According to the situational assessment carried out in 2019 by the consulting firm INTEGRATIO, the community is extremely poor and consists of 90 families and about 350 inhabitants, mostly children, due to the high birth rate. This community lost part of its culture after the death of its leader who encouraged handicrafts among the population, producing ceramic vases for local sale. Craft production has ceased, and the community subsists on small agricultural activities, financial aid from the federal government (“Bolsa Familia” system), and charity. As a result, the incidence of alcoholism among men in the community has increased.

 

According to Federal Interministerial Ordinance No. 60 of 2015, for traditional communities that are located at a distance greater than 8 km from the Area of ​​Direct Influence (Mining Projects) and greater than 3 km (pipelines), there is no legal obligation to carry out studies, plans and compensations. Both the Borborema project and the wastewater pipeline are located at greater distances, such as 20 km and 7.5 km, however as they are located in the Area of ​​Indirect Influence (AII) of the project, it is advisable that Aura involve the community in its local and cultural development projects, contributing to the improvement of the social well-being and cultural maintenance of this group.

 

17.4.7.4Stakeholders

 

Between September and October 2019, an extensive data survey was carried out, which aimed to map and analyze the stakeholders in the Project area. This work indicated that stakeholders have a superficial knowledge and many concerns about how the enterprise will be developed in the territory; but, at the same time, given the scenario of shortages in the municipality, there is also a positive expectation and acceptance in relation to the company’s performance, based mainly on the perception that the Project will bring benefits to the region. This mapping exercise included mainly local community leaders and representatives of the municipal government (executive and legislative).

 

In order to update/validate the conclusions of the 2019 assessment, a new data survey was undertaken with strategic stakeholders in the territory between April 18 and 23, 2022, which also included local community leaders and government representatives municipal (executive and legislative). The results of the work corroborated the conclusions shown in the 2019 mapping, reinforcing them, both from the point of view of the low level of knowledge of the stakeholders about the Project, as well as the positive expectation in relation to it. This study also reassured the population of Currais Novos in the belief that the Borborema Project development will happen, which was being doubted due to the long period of project development and licensing process, and the non-completion installation of the enterprise since this possibility started to be discussed in the municipality.

 

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With the acquisition of the Borborema Project by Aura, the initial perception of the population and local leaders was that, yet another company was arriving and the level of disbelief in the development of the Project increased. However, with Aura approaching the main stakeholders (state, municipal and legislative governments, and local leaders) and with the holding of the Project's Cornerstone event in May 2023, with the presence of the State Governor and Mayor of Currais Novos, among other stakeholders, this perception of disbelief was reversed into belief in the implementation of the Project, which is already in the final construction phase.

 

The continuous updating of communication and relationship processes is based on the parameters of monitoring, informing, relating, and engaging the community in Aura’s dynamics. Therefore, a new survey of the socioeconomic situation of Currais Novos, neighboring municipalities, and local communities, with mapping of stakeholders and updating of the Social Communication Plan is underway and the purpose is to define the new initiatives that will be implemented for the operational phase starting in the first quarter of 2025.

 

17.4.7.5Population and Demographic Aspects of Currais Novos

 

According to data from the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), the population of Currais Novos in 2010 was 42,652 inhabitants, with an estimated population for 2021 of 45,022, which represents a population growth of 5.5% per year over the last decade, while in Brazil the growth was 11.8%.

 

The urbanization rate of Currais Novos in 2010 was 88.57%, showing an almost complete presence of inhabitants in the urban area. The population located in the vicinity of the Project has rural characteristics.

 

The age distribution of the population of Currais Novos defined in 2010 showed a strong concentration of people up to 29 years old, characterizing a young population, in which the majority are female. The largest contingent of inhabitants is between 10 and 14 years old, projecting a pyramid whose base is wider than the top, which is a characteristic of places with a mainly young population.

 

In this regard, during the interviews carried out for the Stakeholder mapping in 2019, the need to promote actions aimed at young people, such as leisure activities, but also others such as professional training, entrepreneurship, and innovation, was pointed out.

 

17.4.7.6Local Economy and Vocation of Currais Novos

 

Currais Novos has its origins linked to the period known as the Cattle Cycle, in the 18th century. In 1808, due to agricultural development, several families of settlers occupied the region, constituting a village. Raising cattle was the city’s first economic cycle, followed by the cotton and mining cycles.

 

Until the end of the 1980s, Currais Novos was the largest producer of scheelite, a mineral from which tungsten is obtained, which is widely used in the manufacture of aircraft, rock drill bits, ballpoint pen tips, and electric lamp filaments. Currais Novos was also once the most important mining town in the Seridó region.

 

In addition to the pastoral and mineral vocation, tourism, technology and services deserve special mention.

 

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Due to its geographic location, Currais Novos has great tourist potential, mainly because the Seridó Geopark is part of the UNESCO Global Network – which comprises an area in the Potiguar Seridó, completely involving the territories of the municipalities of Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas, Cerro Corá, Currais Novos, Lagoa Nova, and Parelhas. The municipality of Currais Novos presents a set of natural and cultural potential, such as geosites, which include: Cânions dos Apertados, Morro do Cruzeiro, Mina do Brejuí, Lagoa do Santo and Pico do Totoró.

 

In 2020, the Rio Grande do Norte Mineral Technology Center (IFRN research unit) was inaugurated, which aims to encourage the creation of innovative processes and products that generate value for the mineral production chain, a great potential in the municipality and which tends to gain with the implementation of the Borborema Project.

 

The municipality of Currais Novos has a good level of development that can be related, in part, to its long history of mining, which contributed to a positive environment of economic growth, favoring the improvement of human resources and the levels of professional training of the population. This dynamic resulted in a well-organized municipality from the point of view of service provision, being an important health support center and an education hub in the Seridó region.

 

17.4.7.7Community Expectation

 

The main positive community expectation for the Project is the potential increase in the municipality’s employment levels, as well as in the increase in income and, consequently, in the improvement of the local economy. The local population’s perception of the Borborema Project is driven by Currais Novos’ history with mining activity and the need currently experienced by the municipality to improve its economic condition.

 

It is important to emphasize that even if the scenario is favorable to the Project, as indicated by the surveys carried out by INTEGRATIO in 2019 and 2022, the public may express interest and feel the need to be informed about the next steps and the positive and negative points of the impacts that the Project will bring. It is necessary to consider that expectations regarding “employment and income generation” and “prioritization of local labor” – the main themes pointed out by the public – are very high and must be well managed since local expectations will initially exceed vacancies offered and the arrival of workers from other locations is always an aspect of tension for the corporate reputation.

 

Another important point is the local concern with the availability of water, which is evident in the statements of the interviewees, especially by rural communities that have a precarious supply of water, motivated by Currais Novos being in a region of climatic vulnerability. Thus, concerns about the water supply for the Project and its impact on water resources in the region are present in discussions with the public and must be clarified with local communities to build a positive relationship.

 

To varying degrees, the Project can be expected to have politically, environmentally, economically, and culturally impacts. Any conflicts generated by the Project related to issues such as compensation demands, environmental recovery and maintenance, public infrastructure construction and maintenance support, access to land, etc., will require careful attention from Aura. These realities will require clear policies and good communication strategies in order to promote effective mediation between the parties involved. The definition of strategies must follow Aura’s policies and values and consider local characteristics. These strategies will be of great importance in the development of the Project and in managing the expectations generated by its size and potential social impact.

 

17.4.7.8Social Risks

 

The main social risks identified by INTEGRATIO, based on the interviews carried out in 2019 and 2022, are listed below.

 

·The issue of water, both for use in the beneficiation process and possible contamination, is the main concern of stakeholders.

 

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·São Luiz community, located about 2 km from the boundary of São Francisco farm, is concerned about the contamination of water resources and dust generation by the mining operation.
·Although the INTEGRATIO interviews did not identify reactions against the installation of the Borborema Project, rural communities very close to the project (1-4 km) should be a point of attention.
·“Negros do Riacho Quilombola” community, despite being located about 20 km from the Borborema Project and 7.5 km from wastewater pipeline, deserves actions for the development of a positive relationship, in view of the attention and importance that traditional communities are gaining in Brazil and in the world.

 

It should be noted that since the acquisition of the Borborema Project by Aura Minerals in September 2022, there has been a change in the perception of the main stakeholders regarding the use of water in the production process, since Aura will capture and treat wastewater (sewage) from Currais Novos for using in the process. This innovative initiative is approved by the main government agents (Department of Development of the RN, Secretary of the Environment of the RN, IDEMA, City Hall of Currais Novos, Water and Sewage Company of Rio Grande Norte, etc.).

 

Currently, Aura is promoting effective and transparent relationships and communication with local communities to create an environment of trust and engagement with the local population and these actions should be intensified during the operation phase.

 

17.4.7.9Legally Protected Areas

 

According to the EIA/RIMA, there are no Conservation Units (SNUC-National System of Conservation Units), neither full protection nor sustainable use (Parks, National Forests, Environmental Protection Areas, Ecological Stations, Biological Reserves, etc.) in the ADA-Directly Affected Area of the Borborema Project. No Indigenous Lands were registered either. Table 141 shows the distance between the Conservation Units and Indigenous lands of the Borborema Project.

 

Table 141: Distance of Indigenous Lands and Conservation Areas of Rio Grande do Norte from the Borborema Project.

 

Conservation Area Distance (km)
National Forest of Apu 99
Mata de Pipa State Park -PEMP 133
Salobro Farm Private Natural Heritage Reserve 81
Piquiri-Una Environmental Protection Area   101
Seridó Ecological Station   110
   
Indigenous Land Distance (Km)
Baia das Traíras Indigenous Land * 180
Sagi Indigenous Land* 200  
Potiguara e Jacare Indigenous Land** 141
Monte Mor Indigenous Land 140
*Rio Grande do Norte State
** Paraíba State
Source: MMA- Ministry of the Environment of Brazil and FUNAI - National Indian Foundation

 

According to Law 12.651/2012 (Brazilian Forest Code, 2012), all rural properties in the Caatinga Biome must maintain at least 20% of their area as preservation areas for native flora and fauna. These areas are referred as Legal Reserves (“RL”). The RL for the São Francisco farm, owned by Aura and the Project headquarters, was relocated to another site, Jesus Maria farm, which was acquired by the former owner of the Project, Crusader, so that the entire area of São Francisco farm could be used for project infrastructure. Thus, Jesus Maria farm fulfills the role of preservation, bringing together its legal reserve and that of the São Francisco farm. The relocation of Legal Reserves is provided for by law and the entire process was carried out following IDEMA’s instructions and technical assessment. Figure 155 shows the location of Jesus Maria farm, the RL designated farm.

 

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Figure 155: Location of Jesus Maria Farm, Legal Reserve of São Francisco Farm.

 

17.4.8ARCHEOLOGY

 

As part of the analysis and environmental impact assessment (EIA/RIMA) of the Borborema Project, an archaeological study was carried out on the Project area and areas of influence. The scope of this study was defined by the “Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN)” of Brazil and was carried out by Arqueologia Brasileira Consultoria LTDA resulting in the Castro (2020) report. The study was submitted to IPHAN and subsequently approved, following Official Letter No. 302/2021/IPHAN-RN/IPHAN (IPHAN, 2021), which favored the issuance of the Operating License for the Borborema Project.

 

The main findings and conclusions of the above-mentioned study, Castro (2020) report, can be summarized as follows:

 

·Most of the Directly Affected Area (ADA) of the Borborema Project has been significantly disturbed by past mining activities and associated infrastructure.

 

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·Pre-colonial rock archaeological sites were discovered in the Project’s Indirectly Affected Area (AID). The two pre-colonial sites at Pedra Branca and Pedra do Letreiro are in deep valleys cut by streams and comprise red cave paintings of anthropomorphic representations of animals (see Figure 20-7).

 

Sites containing figures created from granite blocks were identified along the Acauã River channel downstream of the Gargalheiras Dam in Acari and within Project AID. These sites can be related to the cave engravings commonly called Itacoatiaras, which are usually found on rocks along river channels and contain figures in the form of dotted lines, as well as geometric and dome-shaped figures. Lithic work where small rock artifacts have been formed by chipping, smoothing, and polishing is also common. Figure 156 shows an example of rock paintings at Pedra Branca.

 

 

Figure 156: Rock Paintings at Pedra Branca.

 

Subsurface surveys were performed to aid in the preliminary stratigraphic characterization of the Project ADA subsurface, Figure 157. The surveys were also used to delineate areas of potential archaeological interest near drainage systems in low-lying areas of the Project site. The surveys indicated some artifacts and other traces of significant past human activity within the ADA.

 

 

 

 

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Figure 157: Subsurface Surveying in the ADA.

 

It is worth noting that during the construction of the project, no relevant artifacts or objects were found within the Directly Affected Area - ADA.

 

17.5land acquisition and agreements

 

With the expansion of the pit, additional land will be needed to house the deviation of a section of Federal Road BR 226 and the increased NW-02 tailings stockpile.

 

To expand the pit, it will be necessary to relocate a 5.3 km stretch of Federal Road BR226. The deviation project and the works will be in accordance with the regulatory guidelines of DNIT (National Department of Infrastructure and Transport). The construction of this new stretch of road will affect part of 13 rural properties. Figure 158 shows the deviation of the road and the properties that will be affected.

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 158: Lands Involved in the Federal Road BR226 Deviation

 

As mentioned above and shown in Figure 158, it will be necessary to acquire part of each of the 13 properties to use the necessary portion of land to carry out the road relocation/deviation activities. Approximately 159 hectares need to be negotiated out of a total of 1200 hectares. Negotiations with the landowners are already underway.

 

After the construction of the road deviation, it must be donated to the National Department of Infrastructure and Transport – DNIT.

 

To accommodate the increase in the NW-02 tailings stockpile, which exceeds the limits of the São Francisco Farm, owned by Aura, it will be necessary to acquire part of two properties or enter into a lease agreement with the two owners. Approximately 67.58 hectares need to be negotiated out of a total of 1,132.38 hectares. Negotiations with the landowners are already underway. Table 142 below shows the total areas of the farms, the landowners and the areas required to accommodate the excess portion of the tailings stockpile.

 

 

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Table 142: Lands Involved in the Increase of the NW-02 Tailings Stockpile

 

 

It is worth noting that all the lands presented here are located within the perimeter of the Mining Right (Mining Concession) of the Borborema Project, which will be subject to the application of a Mineral Easement with the ANM (National Mining Agency), facilitating negotiation with the landowners.

 

17.6MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INTERFERENCES

 

According to the Environmental Impact Study (EIA), the positive and negative impacts listed are summarized below:

 

·Dynamization of the local and regional economy.
·Tax collection.
·Increase in land prices needed both to relocate a section of Federal Road BR 226 and to accommodate the increase in the NW-02 tailings stockpile
·Employment and income generation.
·Improvement of socioeconomic indices.
·Pressure/interference on urban and road infrastructure.
·Pressure on essential service infrastructure.
·Interference in the daily life of the local population.
·Interference in soil surface dynamics processes.
·Risk of water and soil contamination.
·Change in environmental quality due to the generation of noise and vibration.
·Loss and fragmentation of vegetation.
·Disturbance of wildlife.
·Loss of habitats and alteration in ecological processes.
·Landscape modification.
·Change in air quality due to dust generation and gas emission.

 

The positive impacts identified for the Borborema Project are those related to the socioeconomic environment, such as boosting the local and regional economy, tax collection, and generation of employment and income. As well as improvement of socioeconomic indices that will benefit not only Currais Novos, but the entire region of influence of the Project.

 

Among the negative impacts, those related mainly to the suppression of vegetation, disturbance of wild fauna, water and soil contamination, interference in the daily life of the local population, and alteration in air quality due to the generation of dust and gas emissions, which can be minimized with measures such as:

 

·Establish and implement a vegetation suppression procedure with the release of areas by Aura’s Environment Department.
·Systematic surveillance of deforestation to restrict suppression only to strictly necessary and permitted areas.
·Forest replacement, for Borborema there is already a replacement project underway at Jesus Maria farm.

 

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·Establish an ecological escape corridor for fauna in contiguous areas.
·Establish operational procedures for the proper handling of chemical reagents for both the unloading area and the preparation of solutions to avoid spills.
·Waterproof containment basins and drainage systems in areas where chemical reagents are used.
·Effective and transparent communication with the local communities about the environmental and social aspects of the Project.
·Aura must increase its social interactions by initiating community programs that enhance the development and well-being of local communities.
·Use of dust-suppressing polymers in the accesses and stockpiles of tailings and waste rock to prevent or reduce dust pollution.
·Watering the accesses with water truck or spraying polymers to prevent ou reduce dust.

 

17.7ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS

 

For each environmental impact identified in the EIA/RIMA for the Borborema Project, measures were proposed for the prevention, control, minimization, and compensation of negative impacts, as well as the enhancement of positive impacts.

 

These measures are organized in Environmental Plans and Programs that must be executed by Aura during the phases of the Project. It is important to note that the proposed actions correspond to the first instrument of management and environmental planning for the Borborema Project and that these actions should be detailed and expanded throughout the implementation, operation, and closing phases of the enterprise. These Plans and Programs are summarized in Table 143.

 

Table 143: Social and Environmental Plans and Programs.

 

Programs and Plans Installation Operation Closure
Environmental Management Program X X X
Social Communication and Socio-Environmental Information Program   X X X
Environmental Educational Program   X X X
Reclamation Plan     X X
Closure Plan     X X
Geochemical Monitoring Program (ARD) X X X
Water Monitoring Program X X X
Solid Waste Management Program X X X
Wastewater Monitoring Program X X X
Emergency Program X X X
Vibration Monitoring Program   X  
Air Quality (Dust) and Noise Monitoring Program X X X
Erosion Prevention, Monitoring and Control Monitoring Program X X X
Wildlife Monitoring Program X X X
Native Vegetation Clearing Program X X  
Wildlife Rescue Program X X  
Native Revegetation Program X X X

 

 

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17.8RECLAMATION AND CLOSURE

 

The Degraded Areas Recovery Plan (PRAD) and the Closure Plan for the Borborema Project are following ANM Resolution (National Mining Agency No. 68/2021) and established guidelines for recovery and closure planning, in addition to general recovery measures to be taken during and after mining, to ensure progressive rehabilitation bringing the site close to pre-mining conditions. In addition to the revegetation efforts, other important recovery measures to be implemented include land topography regularization, drainage, and slope stabilization.

 

The main infrastructures, objects of recovery and closure are accesses, construction sites, open pits, waste rock and tailings stockpiles, civil and industrial facilities, among others. The recovery of the areas will be mainly through the sowing of grasses and legumes and the planting of native species. Table 144 shows the list of areas covered by the Mine Recovery and Closure Plan.

 

Table 144: List of Areas to be Recovered.

 

Description Area (ha)
Accesses 9.50
Administrative Area/Substation 2.04
Anthropized Areas 42.19
Industrial Area/Crushing/Yard 10.52
Overflow channel of the fines dike reservoir 0.27
Waste rock stockpile sump overflow channel. 0.54
Open Pit 89.60
Fine Dike 0.69
Parking/Dispatch/Gateway 0.98
Filtering of tailings 2.04
Mine Infrastructure/Gas Station 3.87
Explosives Storehouses 0.32
Tailings Drying Yard 3.56
Waste Rock Stockpile NE-01 187.39
Waste Rock Stockpile NE- 02 45.33
Area occupied by the Oxidized Ore Stockpile 5.90
Area occupied by the Sulphide Ore Stockpile 18.91
Tailings Stockpiles NW-01 31.89
Tailings Stockpiles NW-02 104.06
Fines Dike Reservoir 22.72
Sump NE-01 1.87
Sump NE-02 2.00
Current Slopes of Accesses and Facilities 4.80
Total 590.99

 

 

For the decommissioning phase, the industrial and civil facilities will be demolished, and the waste will be disposed of according to its classification, according to Brazilian legislation and standards.

 

In the case of fixed and mobile equipment in good condition, these items may be sold or used in other Aura Minerals’ ventures.

 

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Concerning demolition, the main methods to be employed are manual and mechanized demolition. Manual demolition uses tools such as hammers, pickaxes, crowbars, and manual pneumatic or electric breakers, among others. This method should be used in the decommissioning of concrete and masonry structures with more than one floor, but mainly for the release of different classification residues. Mechanized demolition should be carried out mainly by equipment with excavators equipped with hydraulic breakers, hydraulic shears, sprayers, and scoops.

 

Concerning recovery and revegetation of degraded areas, the areas of pits, piles of waste rock and tailings, and accesses will be recovered through the sowing of grasses and legumes. The industrial areas, civil installations, construction sites, ore piles, dumps, and other areas will be recovered with the sowing the grasses and legumes and planting of tree species native to the Caatinga Biome.

 

It is important to point out that for the revegetation of the areas, it will be necessary to reconfigure the site to the previously topography, with the implantation of drainage systems, and soil decompression, amongst others.

 

For the decommissioning and closure phase, the following plans/programs are planned:

 

·Degraded Area Recovery Plan (PRAD).
·Water Quality Monitoring Program.
·Program for Prevention, Monitoring, and Control of Erosive Processes.
·Geotechnical Monitoring Program.
·Dust and Noise Protection and Control Program.
·Terrestrial Fauna Monitoring Program.

 

The estimated closure costs for the 2 Mtpy plan of production are summarized in Table 145.

 

Table 145: Closure Costs Summary.

 

Description Cost (US$)
 Administration 1,195,488.72
 Reclamation Executive Project 441,706.38
Dismantling and Demolition 4,400,300.91
Topographic reconfiguration and drainage system 3,330,061.95
Revegetation 1,246,335.04
Communication Program and Monitoring 724,228.14
Contingency 793,668.48  
Total 12,131,789,62

 

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18CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

 

After basic project conclusion with quantities and prices, the initial CAPEX indicated values above expectations, which led us to analyze opportunities to reduce it, including reengineering to change solutions. Several reduction opportunities were evaluated and composed the final CAPEX, and them were summarized in the report BBR-B-RA-0000-PRO-V-0001-R0. Major items studied are listed below:

 

·Crushing: reduction of capacity from 4Mtpy to 2 Mtpy, exchange of apron feeder and vibrating screen for a vibrating grizzly feeder, and simplification of the technical solution aiming to make the set cheaper by reducing operational facilities.
·Crushed Ore Stockpile: Exchange of the bin solution for an emergency pile, including gallery for material recovery.
·Grinding Circuit/Gravity Concentration: change of concept from gravity to pumped transfers in some cases aimed to reduce structure high, which is currently very vertical, reducing pumping capacity in the hydrocyclone supply. In addition, reviewed sizing that considered 4Mtpy capacity to equipment of these areas.
·Leaching and Adsorption Circuit (CIL): change of concept on leaching/CIL operational platform at the top of the tanks, aiming to reduce its area and weight of metallic structure.
·Filtering System: reduce of filtration solution maturity at a conceptual level by replacing the vacuum belt solution to press filters.
·Pipe-rack: change of concept aiming to reduce the metallic structure of pipe-rack.
·Pebbles: removal of the peebles conveyors system as an initial part of the project.
·Changes in some tanks capacities aiming to reduce CAPEX.
·Crushed Ore Stockpile: reduction of capacity from 4Mtpy to 2 Mtpy.
·Other changes mentioned in document BBR-B-RA-0000-PRO-V-0001-R0

 

18.1CAPITAL COSTS

 

The CAPEX estimation contains all costs related to assembly, construction, equipment, and materials necessary for the implementation of the Project, as shown in Table 146.

 

The variation of the CAPEX estimation is over 10% and less than 10% of the total estimated investment. This section is divided into services, supplies, mine, pile and transmission line, and indirect costs. The estimates were based on quoted, estimated, or historical values, together with values provided by Aura, based on experience in the sector, and similar projects. All tables presented throughout this section are quoted in U.S. dollars, based on an exchange rate of R$ 5.20 (Brazilian reais) for US$ 1.00 (U.S. dollar). The technical items used in this estimate were evaluated and validated by Aura.

 

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Table 146: Overall CAPEX Estimation.

 

Item Total %
Services (US$ x 1,000) $49,878.18 25.41%
CIV01 – Administrative buildings (project, material, and construction) $3,668.71 1.87%
CIV02 – Processing Plant (materials and construction) $10,876.24 5.54%
CIV03A – Vegetation suppression, drainage of slopes and earthworks $5,246.44 2.67%
CIV03B – Storage, paving, internal access. $1,893.01 0.96%
CIV09 – Fines Dam $1,376.57 0.7%
CIV10 – Fines Dam (Adequacy – Legislation) $786.02 0.4%
BB226 Displacement and Site Access $215.45 0.11%
MON-01 – Electromechanical Assembly $25,180.80 12.83%
MON-02 – PEAD Assembly – Off Site $482.02 0.25%
GMB-01 – Geomembrane PEAD $152.93 0.08%
Supply (US$ x 1,000) $67,691.61 34.49%
Electrical Equipment and Materials $17,304.11 8.82%
Mechanicals Equipment $41,739.03 21.27%
Instrumentation $3,796.54 1.93%
Civil – Steel Structure $2,208.78 1.1%
Piping $2,543.93 1.3%
Fire Detection and Alarm System $99.21 0.05%
Mine, Pile and LT (US$ x 1,000) $39,962.51 20.36%
CIV04 – Mine $19,480.77 9.93%
CIV05 – Tailing Pile $6,307.69 3.21%
CIV06 – Waste Pile 0,00%
CIV07 – Low Grade Pile 0,00%
CIV08 – Terra Armada $59.83 0.03%
MEC-XX – Sample Laboratory $2,084.91 1.06%
AUR-BMB-01 – Esgotamento Açude do Onça $57.16 0.03%
AUR-ENG-08 – Adductor Capture System $5,098.49 2.6%
ETE – Sewage treatment station $50.70 0.03%
ETA $0.00 0,00%
Mobilising and Vegetable removal $1,153.85 0.59%
13.8KV Deactivation $130.33 0.07%
Transmission line 69KV $5,538.78 2.82%
Indirect Costs (US$ x 1,000) $29,082.00 14.82%
IND-01 – EPCM $10,297.49 5.25%
IND-01 – Spare Parts and Special Items $1,790.08 0.91%

 

 

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Item Total %
IND-01 – Owner Cost $2,351.89 1.2%
IND-01 – Labor – Pre-operation $6,160.11 3.14%
IND-01 – Administrative + HR $3,303.30 1.68%
IND-01 – MACC – Environment $1,104.93 0.56%
IND-01 – Environmental Fees $330.77 0.17%
IND-01 – SSO $794.84 0.4%
IND-01 – Legal $189.22 0.1%
IND-01 – TI $389.80 0.2%
IND-01 – Indirect Field Construction $1,054.42 0.54%
IND-01 – Engineering Risk Insurance $1,219.00 0.62%
IND-01 – Expediting and inspection $96.15 0.05%
Contingency (US$ x 1,000) $9,648.43 4.92%
TOTAL CapEx (US$ x 1.000) $196,262.73 100%

 

 

To allow the expansion of the project, will be necessary an additional cost to change the federal road, including its indirect. The costs are detailed in Table 147:

 

Table 147: Road deviation CAPEX Estimation.

 

Item Total %
New Road Construction (US$ x 1,000) $7,486.70 77%
Indirect Costs (US$ x 1,000) $1,342.90 14%
Contingency (US$ x 1,000) $883.00 9%
TOTAL CapEx (US$ x 1.000) $9,712.60 100%

 

 


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Table 146 and Table 147 indicates the source of information for each item, together with corresponding value, both in terms of US$ and percent of total CAPEX. The complete CAPEX document issued by Promon and Aura, describes values per item, the selected supplier, costing method, referred NCM (Common Mercosur Nomenclature), quantities, units, description, who is responsible for the reported value, tag, along with other information.

 

The assembly and construction costs were budgeted with suppliers who specialized in this type of work. The costs related to the acquisition of electrical, mechanical, and instrumental equipment were budgeted by more than one supplier. In all cases, the criteria for selecting the supplier were the lowest cost, following a previous technical assessment. The same methods were used for the selection of material suppliers. The costs of mine pile and transmission lines were provided by specialized consultants, hired by Aura. Indirect costs were estimated based on the plant size, team, amount of equipment, budgeted items, amongst other specifications. In addition to these costs, the estimation included costs associated with construction management, assembly supervision, insurance, and other indirect values.

 

18.2SERVICES

 

The items listed under services in Table 146 are associated with contracts for the execution of the administrative buildings, process plan, temporary constructions, and electromechanical assemblies. The costs of all these items included assembly/construction labour, materials and indirect costs required for the Project scope, as provided by specialized suppliers.

 

18.3SUPPLIES

 

The electrical, mechanical, and instrument equipment were budgeted with specialized suppliers, together with respective costs for freight and fees, including values for international deliveries. In all cases, the criteria for selecting the supplier were the lowest cost, following a previous technical assessment. Part of the materials costs, fire detection and alarm systems, were estimated based on Promon’s historical database.

 

18.4MINE, PILE AND TRANSMISSION LINE

 

As costs of mining, piles, transmission lines, and laboratory supplies are specific to mining companies, such items were assessed by Aura, together with the support of specialized consultants. The costs for digging deep wells were estimated.

 

18.5INDIRECT COSTS

 

Indirect costs include engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM), where the contracted company develops the project, purchases equipment and materials, as well as managing the construction process. Also included in indirect costs are assembly supervision, spare items and start-up items, enterprise ownership, freight, indirect costs of field, risk insurance engineering, expediting, and inspection. These indirect costs were calculated together with Aura, using their database related to indirect costs for existing plants like Borborema.

 

18.6Expansion capex

 

The expansion CapEx includes all necessary activity to construct a new road according to the Brazilian infrastructure agency standards, including its indirect owner’s team, Legal, permitting, insurance, land management and contingency.

 

18.7TAXES

 

All taxes included in the suppliers’ proposals were considered, in accordance with current Brazilian tax laws. Taxes included in the capital estimate include:

 

·ISS (Imposto Sobre Serviços – Tax on Services).

 

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·ICMS (Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços – Tax on Circulation of Merchandise and Services).
·PIS/COFINS (Programa de Integração Social/Contribuição para Financiamento da Seguridade Social – Social Integration Program/Contribution for Financing Social Security).
·DIFAL (Diferencial de alíquota do ICMS – Differential from ICMS), if applicable.
·IPI (Imposto sobre os Produtos Industrializados – Tax on Industrialized Products): as per fiscal classification of supply.
·II (Imposto de Importação – Importation Tax) and applicable fees.

 

18.8OPERATING COSTS

 

The 12-year process plant operating period was included in the OPEX estimation. The process plant operating costs listed in Table 148 are in US dollars per tonne per year (US$ /t/yr) and per oz Produced – Run of Mine (US$ /oz/yr).

 

Table 148: OPEX for the Borborema Project.

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Unitary Costs 31.00 100% 954.42 100%
Labor (Fixed Costs) 2.83 9% 90.99 9%
G&A (Fixed Cost) 2.07 7% 63.64 7%
Laboratory (Fixed Cost) 1.1 4% 34,00 4%
Access Maintenance (Fixed Cost) 0,00 0% 0,00 0%
Equipment rental (Fixed Cost) 0.20 1% 0,00 0%
Energy (Variable Costs) 1.69 5% 52.01 5%
Reagents and Consumables (Variable Costs) 3.81 12% 122.40 13%
Maintenance 0.97 3% 30.07 3%
Water and sewage treatment plant 0.69 2% 21.13 2%
Pile 4.11 13% 126.77 13%
Mine 12.31 40% 379.47 40%
Selling 0.01 0% 0.31 0%
Sustaining – Informative 1.21 4% 37.20 4%

 

18.9LABOUR

 

Labour costs include operating costs for the mining plant teams, such as managers and management areas, plant and maintenance teams including leaders, technicians, assistants, supervisors, engineers, and managers.

 

The labour cost estimation also includes personnel dedicated to work health, safety, environment and communities (SSMAC), and administrative costs, which includes general administrative costs and human resources, as shown in Table 143.

 

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Table 149: Labour Cost Estimations.

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
General Manager  0.22 8%  6.90 8%
Mine in the open 0 0% 0 0%
Plant maintenance  1.46 52%  45.11 52%
SSMAC  0.32 11%  9.96 11%
Administrative  0.83 29%  25.45 29%
Labor (Fixed Costs)  2.83 100%  87.42 100%

 

18.10G&A

 

G&A costs, shown in Table 150, include all costs relating to travel, transfers, consultants, individual safety equipment, exams, uniforms, environmental permits, property security, information technology, warehouse, supplies, controllers and other teams, as well as all employee benefits such as transportation, food, training. Also included in the G&A costs are cleaning and conservation of the building, vehicles, software licenses, IT, insurances, telecom, and other costs.

 

Table 150: G&A Cost Estimations.

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Ton/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
General Costs 0.00 0% 0.00 0%
Health, Safety and Environment 0.67 32% 20.68 32%
Human Resources 0.14 7% 4.19 7%
Administration 1.03 50% 31.86 50%
Controlling 0.16 8% 4.88 8%
Legal 0.03 1% 0.88 1%
Supply 0.03 1% 0.89 1%
Other 0.01 0% 0.26 0%
G&A (Fixed Cost) 2.07 100% 63.64 100%

 

18.11LABORATORY

 

The laboratory costs were obtained through a proposal received from SGS Geosol and contain a fixed monthly installment payment and an estimated variable installment payment, in addition to the mobilization cost paid in a single installment.

 

The Fixed Price represents the fixed amount to be invoiced every month, independent of the number of samples delivered by Aura to SGS Geosol and aims to cover all expenses and costs for laboratory operation schedules. The Variable Price, in turn, is calculated in addition to the monthly fixed price, and is a factor of the number of samples processed in the month times the unit price per analysis/test.

 

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18.12ACCESS MAINTENANCE

 

The costs associated with access maintenance were included in mining costs.

 

18.13EQUIPMENT RENTAL

 

The costs associated with equipment rental were provided by Aura and includes Munck truck, crane, platform and forklift.

 

18.14ENERGY

 

The energy consumption was calculated according to the specific demands of the project. The unit values were obtained from the local energy distributor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table 151: shows the energy consumption costs for the Borborema Project.

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Metallurgy Substation  1.33 79% 40.91 79%
Administrative Building Substation  0.11 6% 3.25 6%
New Water Supply Substation  0.02 1% 0.69 1%
Filtering Substation  0.23 14% 7.15 14%
Energy (Variable Costs)  1.69 100% 52.01 100%

 

18.15REAGENTS AND CONSUMABLES

 

Quantities associated with reagents and consumables required for the operation were calculated by Promon based on process information and validated by Aura. The costs related to these items were obtained by proposals received or existing in the database for each item listed. Table 152 shows the respective calculated values.

 

Table 152: Reagents and Consumables Cost Estimations

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Hydrated Lime 0.07 2% 2.25 2%
Sodium Cyanide 0.99 26% 31.69 26%
Sodium Hydroxide – 50% w/w 0.12 3% 3.71 3%
Hydrochloric Acid – 33% 0.09 2% 3.02 2%
Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate 0.37 10% 11.8 10%
Sodium Metabisulphite 0.35 9% 11.39 9%
Flocculant 0.58 15% 18.72 15%
Activated Carbon 0.08 2% 2.43 2%
Leach aid – Intensive Leaching 0.01 0% 0.2 0%
Hydrated Lime – Treating of Effluent 0.07 2% 2.16 2%
Smelting Fluxes        
Borax 0 0% 0.03 0%
Silica 0 0% 0.02 0%
Sodium Nitrate 0 0% 0.01 0%
Sodium Carbonate 0 0% 0 0%
Crucibles 0 0% 0.12 0%
Consumables        
Grinding Media 0.44 12% 14.06 11%
Mill Lining 0.52 14% 16.81 14%

 

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  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Jaw Crusher   0%   0%
Fixed Jaw – Wear Plate 0.01 0% 0.26 0%
Moving Jaw – Wear Plate 0.01 0% 0.18 0%
Upper Side Coating Left Side 0 0% 0.07 0%
Lower Side Coating Left Side 0 0% 0.04 0%
Upper Right Side Coating 0 0% 0.07 0%
Lower Side Coating Right Side 0 0% 0.04 0%
Filter Cloths 0.1 3% 3.32 3%
Gas LPG – Site   0%   0%
Gas LPG – Mess hall   0%   0%
Gas LPG – Laboratory   0%   0%
Reagents and Consumables (Variable Costs) 3.81 100% 122.41 100%

 

 

18.16MAINTENCE

 

Maintenance costs are directly linked to percentages of CAPEX values for mechanical and electrical equipment, as follows: 2.0% for maintenance parts, 1.0% for consumables, and 0.8% for fuel and lubricants. Table 153 shows the maintenance cost estimations.

 

Table 153: Maintenance Cost Estimations.

 

  OPEX (AISC) – Borborema per t Feed OPEX (AISC) – Borborema Per Oz Produced
  Per Tonne/Year Per Oz/Year
  Total (US$) % Total (US$) %
Parts and Maintenance Materials 0.51 53% 15.62 52%
Consumables 0.25 26% 7.81 26%
Anticorrosive Protection 0.01 1% 0.39 1%
Fuels and Lubricants 0.2 21% 6.25 21%
Maintenance 0.97 100% 30.07 100%

 

18.17WATER AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

 

The costs related to the operation of the water and sewage treatment plant were provided by Aura and obtained through a specialized supplier.

 

There was a transfer of the cost from CAPEX to OPEX, taking advantage of the know-how of the specialized company to operate this system with the complexity of the region due to the scarcity of potable water.

 

The final amount includes the operation of the structure, such as chemicals and maintenance, as well as the required operating staff.

 

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18.18PILE, MINE AND SUSTAINING

 

The costs related to the operation of piles were provided by a specialist advisor DF+, together with Aura´s validation.

 

The mining operating costs were provided by Aura, along with specialist consultants. The studies indicated the costs for each year of mine operation, gold produced and recovered.

 

18.19SELLING

 

The selling cost involves two parts, provided by Aura, these are the refining cost and the transportation cost, which are considered over the entire useful life of the plant.

 

18.20SUSTAINING CAPEX

 

The costs related to the sustaining CAPEX were provided by a specialist advisor DF+, together with Aura´s validation, and are shown in Table 154 below:

 

Table 154: CAPEX Sustaining

 

Sustaining Year 1  (March to December) Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11
Sustaining – Waste Pile - 465.54 814.9 465.54 485.27 485.27 485.27 485.27 485.27 485.27 465.54
Sustaining – Waste Pile - 641.28 1,010.07 368.79 561.59 901.71 901.71 901.71 710.76 710.76 1,398.08
Sustaining – Low Grade Pile - 327.52 391.45 391.45 391.45 391.45 391.45 391.45 391.45 391.45 327.52
Exploration - - 1,123.91 1,850.02 1,924.04 - - - - - -
Sustaining Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20 Year 21 Total
Sustaining – Waste Pile 485.27 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55 487.55  9,996.36
Sustaining – Waste Pile 710.76 710.76 710.76 710.76 710.76 710.76 710.76 710.76 - -  13,792.54
Sustaining – Low Grade Pile 391.45 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96 178.96  5,788.73
Exploration - - - - - - - - - - 4,897.97

Values in kUS$

 

18.21Mine Closure

 

The mine closure costs were obtained through a proposal received from Mineral Engenharia e Meio Ambiente and are the main guidelines for the deactivation phase of the Borborema Project, to be implemented in the municipality of Currais Novos, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

 

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The main infrastructures, object of the closure, are accesses, construction sites, open-air pits, piles for co-disposal of overburden and tailings, piles of ore, civil and industrial installations, amongst other items.

 

The informed closing costs were distributed along the years of activities, however, for the information and modeling these costs were brought to present value.

 

Table 155: Mine Closure - Calculation.

 

Mine Closure - Informative Tax VPL Year 5 Year 10 Year 15 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20 Year 21
Mine Closure 10% 5,038,648 57,628 57,628 57,628 302,851  33,789  887,370  887,370
Mine Closure - Informative Year 22 Year 23 Year 24 Year 25 Year 26 Year 27 Year 27 Year 28 Year 29
Mine Closure  3,835,023  2,525,352  569,740  494,919  445,039  445,039  376,608  368,295  3,835,023

Values in US$, TAX = 10%

 

 

 

Since the pit closure assumes the end of exploration, the years of disbursement exceed the projection years studied. For economic modeling purposes, a single disbursement was considered in year 21, as per item 19.2.4.

 

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19ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

 

19.1Introduction

 

Considering the information presented in the previous chapter (Chapter 18 - Capital and Operating costs), this chapter presents the development of the economic modeling for Borborema Gold Project, which includes information provided by Promon and Aura executed by EY.

 

This section describes the economic evaluation and financial metric methodologies to establish the financial model for the Borborema Gold Project feasibility study.

 

The economic model has been developed by EY to support the evaluation of potential options and develop an optimal path forward for the Project. The main contributors to the total economic model are presented in Table 156.

 

Table 156: Contributors and Their Roles in Developing the Total Economic Model.

 

CONTRIBUTOR ROLE
  ·         Oversee the administration of the economic model and establish governing parameters such as: discount rate; tax regime; commodity rates; etc. 
  ·         Develop the operating and owner expenses for the various project areas for which gaps exist.
  ·         Review the contributing inputs and their suitability for the Project.
Aura Minerals  ·         Provide cost data for equipment operations including labour, operating cost factors, and maintenance cost factors.
(Owner) ·         Provide other cost data and factors to support the execution of the total economic model.
  ·         Develop the feasibility capital cost estimate for the mining development and infrastructure.
  ·         Provide equipment data into the overall model for the mining operations.
  ·         Provide cost-of-life data for equipment including labour, operating cost factors, and maintenance cost factors for mining operations.
  ·         Responsible for the Mine Plan and mine operating costs.
Promon ·         Develop the feasibility capital cost estimates for the processing plant, support infrastructure, and civil infrastructure. 
·         Provide equipment data into the overall model based on the feasibility equipment list developed for the Project. 
EY ·         Analysis of tax incentives.
·         Execute the economic model and provide results to the project team to establish the optimal path forward.

 

The economic model was developed as an Excel spreadsheet-based financial model composed of several worksheets.

 

All currency in this Section is provided in United States Dollars (“USD”), unless otherwise indicated. The exchange rate used is BRL 5.70 for USD 1.00 in 2025 onwards. This information refers to the exchange rate observed on the base date and maintained, as the model is calculated in real terms, excluding the monetary effects of this variable.

 

Table 157 presents the summary results of the financial model that will be detailed in the following topics of this chapter.

 

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Table 157: Summary Results of the Financial Model.

 

 

Source: Aura and Promon

 

19.2Assumptions

 

The following section summarizes the main assumptions used in the Project’s financial analysis, including the mine production plan, product logistics, capital and operating expenditures, revenues, taxation, depreciation and other general parameters.

 

19.2.1Product

 

Only gold is considered for production minerals – specified in grade and Ounces (Oz).

 

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19.2.2Production

 

The period of the construction and production plans is based on Project years. The construction period begins in year 2023, with the initial production of saleable gold planned for year 2025. The mining operation is projected to conclude in 2045, outlining a total operational span of 21 years for the plant.

 

The metallurgical recovery for the contained gold is expected to be 92.1% (average considering 21 years), resulting in 1,362k ounces recovered after the 21 year processing period.

 

Table 158 summarizes the annual feed to the process plant with the tonnes of Plant Feed and gold content recover.

 

Table 158: Summary of Production Plan.

 

 

Source: Aura and Promon

 

19.2.3Capital Investment

 

New investments (CAPEX) have been planned considering the nature of Borborema's operations, including an Expansion CAPEX of USD 25.8 million, which includes a contingency allowance. These investments correspond to the final stages of the plant’s development, which began in 2023, along with additional CAPEX for the highway diversion, extending the plant’s extraction period. The objective is to strengthen operations, with investments planned for 2025 to 2027. A depreciation rate of 10% was applied to future investments. Additionally, there is a Sustaining CAPEX which is detailed separately in this Report.

 

For the Expansion CAPEX the utilization of Tax benefits on Fixed Assets was considered.

 

Table 159 summarizes the initial capital cost expenditure by commodity and disbursement schedule considered on the model.

 

Table 159: Initial Capital Cost Summary and Disbursement Schedule

 

 

Source: Aura and Promon

 

 

 

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The working capital requirement was calculated based on the assumptions of average terms for Recoverable taxes and other credits, Inventory, Other current assets, Accounts payable, Taxes payable and Other current liabilities. The average terms considered are shown below:

 

·Recoverable taxes and other credits: 30 days
·Inventory: 30 days
·Other current assets: 30 days
·Accounts payable: 30 days
·Taxes payable: 30 days
·Other current liabilities: 30 days

 

According to the above premises, the project's working capital remains stable, and it is not expected a large amount to spend at the operational accounts. Table 160 presents the working capital summary:

 

Table 160: Working Capital Summary.

 

 

Source: Aura and Promon

 

19.2.4Operating Costs

 

The average operational cost for on-site mining and plant costs, encompassing workforce, management and administration, laboratory, access maintenance, and equipment rental, amounts to USD 656.2/Oz, which total USD 837.5 Million considering all the operational years of the project. The other costs, which encompass energy, transportation, refining costs, dry stack tailing, reagents and consumables, ETA, ETE, maintenance and royalties, amounts to USD 369.7/Oz, which total USD 441.3 million considering all the operational years of the project. For operating costs, tax benefits were not considered in the projections.

 

Recoverable taxes (PIS and COFINS) for non-exempt items, although paid at the time of purchase of inputs, services and other resources, are assumed recovered in the short term and are not included.

 

Table 161 presents the operating cost summary.

 

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Table 161: Operating Costs Summary.

 

 

There is an additional cost of mine closure that reaches an amount of USD 5.0 Million and this value was considered at the last year of projection.

 

19.2.5Revenue

 

The projections for net revenue are intricately tied to the anticipated gold delivery quantity of 1,362k Oz, set against a consistent long-term gold price of USD 2,274/Oz. The annual average net revenue is anticipated to reach USD 145.9 Million throughout the years, spanning from year 1 to year 21. This projection considers both the gold quantity and its valuation, forming a robust foundation for revenue estimations.

 

Annual projections are shown in Table 162.

 

Table 162: Annual Revenue.

 

 

Source: EY

 

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19.2.6Taxation

 

Income taxes on local operations were projected according to Brazilian law for the taxation regime of “Real Profit”. The following rates were considered:

 

Income taxes: incidence of 15.0% on income before taxes and additional 10.0% on the portion of income exceeding BRL 240.0 thousand per year

 

Social contribution: 9.0% on income before taxes.

 

The Company had a negative tax basis balance of BRL 185.3 Million at the Reference Date, which was considered to offset income taxes over the forecasted period.

 

PIS, COFINS and ICMS were not applied in this analysis since all production is directed for exportation. However, there is an aliquot of 1.5% of CFEM applied for all the Gross Revenue.

 

The tax deductions were included in the CAPEX. These deductions were based on EY study and on Aura's previous experience in obtaining tax benefits in prior projects.

 

19.2.7All-In Sustaining Costs

 

CAPEX sustaining was considered in the projections. Table 163 details the expenditures in the operations phase of the Project in accordance with the definition of All-In-Sustaining Costs (“AISC”) as proposed by the World Gold Council's Guidance Note of June 27, 2013.

 

Table 163: All-In Sustaining Costs.

 

 

Source: Aura

 

 

 

19.2.8DISCOUNT RATE

 

The primary calculation of NPV considered the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 5.0% based on Aura’s internal analysis and public available benchmarking. However, the calculations of Borborema’s free cash-flows were also made by a rate of 8.9% calculated by EY were according to the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) methodology in United States Dollars (USD) in real terms (without considering inflation effects), based upon information of selected market participants, taking into account the risk-free rate, the market risk premium, the country risk and the size premium.

 

 

 

19.3Financial Analysis

 

The financial model adopts the concept of project free cash flow, in which all the project's cash generation capacity is evaluated by countering this flow with a weighted discount rate (“WACC”) which reflects the average cost of sources of funds (cost of equity and third parties). The amounts in the cash flow were expressed in thousands of United States Dollars (USD x 1,000) and on a real basis (without inflation).

 

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Based on a WACC of 5.0%, adopted by Aura, the net present value (“NPV”) of Aura Minerals Gold Project amounts to USD 835.5 Million.

 

Based on a WACC of 8.9%, technically calculated by EY, the NPV of Aura Minerals Gold Project amounts to USD 612.5 million.

 

In both scenarios, it is possible to conclude that the NPV maintains a positive value for the rates presented above.

 

The results are summarized in Table 164 below.

 

Table 164: Project Cash Flow.

 

 

Source: EY

 

19.4Sensitivity Analysis

 

19.4.1TORNADO ANALYSIS

 

The sensitivity analysis shows the impact of the variation of the gold price, exchange rates, operating costs (OPEX), capital costs (CAPEX) and WACC upon the Project NPV. The analysis encompasses the following range of variation in the key inputs:

 

Gold price: ±25%.

 

Exchange Rate: ±25%.

 

OPEX (Cost): ±25%.

 

CapEx: ±25%.

 

WACC: 5% to 11%

 

In assessing the sensitivity of the Project returns, each of these parameters is varied independently of the others. Scenarios combining beneficial or adverse variations simultaneously in two or more variables will have a more marked effect on the economics of the Project than will the individual variations considered. The sensitivity analysis has been conducted assuming no change to the mine plan or schedule.

 

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Figure 159 illustrates the results of the sensitivity analysis for Project NPV and these effects for each of the critical variable.

 

 

Source: EY

 

Figure 159: Sensitivity Analysis Graph – NPV.

 

 

 

19.4.2TWO PARAMETERS ANALYSIS

 

Additionally, secondary sensitivity analyses were performed varying two parameters simultaneously to assess the impact on the Project IRR and NPV:

 

Table 165: Gold Price x Exchange Rate (USD/BRL)

 

 

Source: EY

 

Table 166: Gold Price x OpEx

 

 

Source: EY

 

 

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Table 167: Gold Price x Discount Rate

 

 

Source: EY

 

Table 168: Gold Price x CAPEX.

 

 

Source: EY

 

Table 169: OpEx x CapEx.

 

 

Source: EY

 

Table 170: NPV Sensitivity

 

 

Source: EY

 

19.4.3CONCLUSION

 

The financial model for the Borborema Project was prepared using capital costs, operating expenditures and production schedule with inputs provided by Aura and Promon.

 

The financial model adopts the concept of project free cash flow, in which all the project's cash generation capacity is evaluated by countering this flow with a WACC, which reflects the average cost of sources of funds (cost of equity and third parties). As mentioned before in this chapter, this WACC was sensibilized in a range between 5.0% and 10.0% with the objective to demonstrate the NPV behavior for different perception of risks. After this sensitivity analysis, it is possible to conclude that the NPV maintains a positive value for all the rates inside this range.

 

The financial model considers the Real Profit tax regime.

 

The gold price adopted has an average value of USD 2,274/Oz considering all the operational years and the exchange rate used was BRL 5.70 for USD 1.00 in 2025 onwards.

 

A series of analysis was performed varying in Gold Price, Exchange Rate, CAPEX and OPEX to assess the impact of these variables on the NPV.

 

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Based on the results of the Sensitivity Analysis the project profitability is most affected by the gold price and exchange rate, followed by Mining Costs.

 

Assuming that the assumptions provided by Aura and Promon are accurate and considering the range of WACC between 5.0% and 10.0% and the feasibility analysis of the project through the applied methodology, the NPV calculated for the project is positive.

 

The materialization of the results presented in this study are dependant upon the implementation and fruition of all operational assumptions provided by this report in its previous chapters.

 

 

 

 

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20ADJACENT PROPERTIES

 

Many individuals maintain land positions near Aura’s Borborema Project claims (Figure 160). There are currently no active exploration activities on any of these adjacent properties.

 

There is a historical tungsten mine near Currais Novos which has past production. There has been and currently is no mining activity at this mine. There are two mining concessions in the name of Mineração Barra Verde and Mineração Currais Novos related to the historical tungsten mine.

 

 

Figure 160: Adjacent properties in 25 km buffer showing the Aura's claims by status in ANM and all other claims.

 

 

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21OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION

 

21.1Operational Pit by Periods

 

The operational stages of the planned open pit are shown in the following figures (Figure 161 to Figure 180). The red areas show the materials that are to be removed at each stage of operation; the pit walls and benches are shown as excavation continues.

 

 

Figure 161: Year 0

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 162: Year 1

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 163: Year 2

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 164: Year 3

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 165: Year 4

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 166: Year 5

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 167: Year 6

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 168: Year 7

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 169: Year 8

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

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Figure 170: Year 9

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 171: Year 10

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 172: Year 11

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 173: Year 12

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 174: Year 13

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 175: Year 14

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 176: Year 15

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

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Figure 177: Year 16

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 178: Year 17

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 179: Year 18

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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Figure 180: Year 19

 

Note: Figure prepared by Deswik, 2025

 

 

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22INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

 

22.1Geology and Mineralization

 

The Borborema deposit is considered to be a classic mesothermal/orogenic gold deposit type in a sheared and deformed Archaean to Proterozoic age greenstone belt sequence, comprised of metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks units intruded by slightly younger post-tectonic igneous bodies.

 

The Borborema Project area is situated in the top of the Seridó Group stratigraphy, in the Seridó Formation, within a sequence of banded arkosic metapelitic schists, subjected to upper-amphibolite facies regional metamorphism. Mineral assemblages are dominated by plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz, with subordinate biotite, garnet, sillimanite, cordierite, muscovite and andalusite. This assemblage is indicative of high temperature (650-700°C) and relatively low pressure (3-4 kb) conditions.

 

The main Borborema ore body has overall dimensions of approximately 600 m in the down-dip direction, 3,500 m along strike, and averages 50 m thick in the central part that thins to 30 m thick in the southern and northern parts. The Borborema deposit is located within a northeast-southwest trending shear zone and displays a penetrative north-northeast trending fabric, dipping southeast at around 40 degrees.

 

The mineralisation is strongly controlled by regional structure with secondary structuring being the preferred host for gold. In addition to the main mineralised zone, several thinner sub-parallel zones with gold mineralisation were identified.

 

Two distinct gold mineralisation types are identified in drill cores: 1) disseminated free gold, and 2) gold in association with sulphide mineralisation represented by pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Additionally, the sulphide mineralisation was observed in the outer contact between chert boudins and schist along with or within schist foliation.

 

The mineralised sequence has been subjected to a complex, multi-stage deformational history, with folded, sheared, dismembered and boudinage quartz and quartz-carbonate veins and veinlets commonly associated with the gold mineralisation.

 

The genesis of gold mineralization is poorly understood on a property and regional scale.

 

The Borborema deposit has been drilled out at nominal drill spacing of approximately 50 m x 50 m. A total of 303 diamond drill holes and 921 RC holes totalling 109,090 m were drilled between 1979 and 2022 and were used to generate the Borborema 3-D models.

 

The diamond drilling has been completed by the wire line technique using HQ and NQ diameter core. Each core run was approximately 3 Meters and the core recovery in unweathered rock was excellent. On average the fresh rock recovery in each hole was 97.9% with an overall average recovery of 96.9%.

 

22.2Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The Mineral Resource Estimate meets the requirements for the reporting of Mineral Resources under SEC S-K 1300 guidelines. All Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of Mineral Reserves and demonstrate reasonable prospects for economic extraction (RPEE). Uncertainty and risk have been assessed through the Mineral Resource classification by the Qualified Person. No Measured Mineral Resources have been assigned to the deposit due to a general lack of geological and structural assessment, high local variability of gold grades (high nugget effect and short ranges), lack of multi-element analyses to assess the potential for deleterious elements, poor support of the oxidation model, low resolution topographic data cross the property, and historical inconsistencies with geological logging data.

 

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Indicated Mineral Resources have been classified for the Borborema deposit and are suitable for the application of modifying factors for consideration in Mineral Reserve Estimates. Inferred Mineral Resources are deemed too speculative for consideration of modifying factors but represent an opportunity for future Mineral Resource expansion with additional work programs and evaluation.

 

The Qualified Person acknowledges the following potential impacts due to current geological knowledge and Mineral Resource uncertainties:

 

·High local-variability of gold grades within the Borborema deposit may result in inconsistent short-range mining grade which cannot be assessed on the scale of Mineral Resource drill hole spacing.
·General low-grade nature of the deposit with select zones of high grade defined by diamond drilling. Improved identification of higher-grade zones will require tighter preproduction drilling. Otherwise, blasthole and ore control practices during mine operations will define these areas.
·Variability of recovery in the oxidation and transition zone of the deposit which is currently loosely defined based on historical work.
·Ability to expand the Mineral Resources at depth may be limited by the economics of large open pit mining at depth with high strip ratios.
·The Mineral Resources have not considered the availability of water, permits, regulations, community engagement, waste storage, or other potentially modifying factors key for Mineral Reserve determination.

 

22.3Mining and Mineral Reserves

 

The proposed mining operations for the Borborema Project involve using hydraulic excavators and a haul truck fleet for conventional open pit mining techniques. Deswik believes that the project's estimates were prepared diligently by qualified professionals and comply with CIM (2014) definitions. The Probable Mineral Reserves are estimated at 40.7 million tonnes with a grade of 1.13 g/t Au, containing around 1,479 thousand ounces of gold. These reserves support a mine life of twenty years and five months.

 

The mine layout features two distinct open-pit zones, Main Pit and North Pit, each with its independent access to the run of mine (ROM)/crushing pad. Additionally, the layout incorporates two separate Waste Rock Storage Facilities (WRSF) and two stockpiles specifically designated for low-grade or oxide ore. These stockpiles serve a dual purpose: optimizing head grades during the initial years and regulating the maximum oxide material content within the plant.

 

The overall material movement, amounting to approximately 16 million tonnes per year (Mtpy), is well-suited for transportation using on-highway trucks. Notably, the execution of open pit mining operations is envisioned to be primarily carried out by a contractor-operated fleet.

 

22.4Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

 

The various tests carried out and described in this study provided support for the development and expansion of the definitive process plant flow sheet to achieve the objectives of the Borborema Project. The summarized flow sheet will be comminution to reduce the feed to a P80 of 0.106 mm, leaching in the presence of active carbon for 30 hours, carbon elution, electrolysis, and smelting. The thickened, neutralized, and filtered tailings are deposited together with mining waste. The test work demonstrated that the carbon loading characteristics remain within the typical range for the gold industry. Test work also demonstrated that SO2/Air detoxification is appropriate to use for cyanide detoxification, using reagent doses and residence times, again, typical of the gold industry. To reduce the operating cost with reagents, the option of introducing a thickener after the CIL to recover water containing cyanide was adopted. Filtration testing at a nominal pulp density of 50% and 55% solids resulted in cakes that can be generated at a moisture content that will allow handling and dry disposal with mine waste. The samples used in the test work were selected from a large number of drill cores of varying depths. The work carried out initially by Testwork/Br, in the CRMET program, used master composite samples and individual samples for variability study, showed extractions in leaching, with or without the presence of activated carbon, greater than 92% with low consumption of reagents. Further characterization work involving different lithotypes for composite and variability samples was carried out by ALS Ammet/WA (ALS, 2018a and 2018b), resulted in high extraction rates and low reagent consumption by including gravity concentration in the grinding circuit. As the resulting gold extraction rates were considered high, no significant reductions were detected in samples containing mica. No deleterious elements were detected in the ore.

 

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22.5Recovery Methods

 

The Project's beneficiation plant will have a capacity of 2.0 Mtpy. The process plant includes crushing, grinding, classification, gravimetry, leaching and adsorption (CIL), acid washing and desorption and smelting. The process plant also includes cyanide detoxification and tailings filtration. Filtered tailings are transported and disposed of in a shared manner with the mine waste. The proposed process flow sheet for the Borborema Project involves technologies proven in the gold/silver processing industry and therefore no significant risks are anticipated. The results of several test campaigns showed that it is possible to achieve metallurgical recovery of around 92.1%, including gravimetric and electrolytic recovery. It is foreseen the elution of 6 t of carbon every two days, with an annual production of 72,240 oz Au, being 20% in gravimetry and 90.1% in electrowinning cells. This annual gold production was calculated by applying the following formula: (2000000t*1.22g/t*92.1%)/31.103oz).

 

22.6ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY IMPACT

 

The Borborema Project is in the final phase of construction and already has the Operation License No. 2024-219477/TEC/LO-0639 that authorizes the mining and processing of gold ore in an area of ​​490 hectares.

 

Most of the additional (“accessory”) permits required for the licensing process have been granted and the project has obtained the concession to collect water from the fines dike to supplement the plant operation.

 

The requirements of the Installation License No. 2022-188699/TEC/LI-0181 as well as the actions of the Environmental Control and Monitoring Programs did not present any compliance difficulties and were met and approved by IDEMA.

 

Previous results of acid drainage and metal leaching tests performed by former owner do not suggest potential for acid or alkaline generation, however, Aura has resumed testing and there are still few cycles of kinetic tests on waste rock, low-grade and oxidized ore samples to be completed, which will define the next tests and ARD monitoring plans. To date, metal leaching is not a significant concern.

 

A 5.3 km Federal Road BR 226 deviation will be necessary to expand the pit. The permitting process at both the federal and state levels is underway, and the owners of the lands that will be affected have already been identified and negotiations have already begun. The entire negotiation and permitting process is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

 

So far, no problems with local communities are anticipated.

 

22.7INFRASTRUCTURE

 

The designed infrastructure for the Borborema Project meets operational requirements. Water supply will be provided from treated sewage coming from the Currais Novos ETE and from the pumping of the dam of fines. The Borborema Gold Project infrastructure includes the required access, power supply, water supply, tailings storage, and support facilities to support ore production.

 

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23RECOMMENDATION

 

23.1MINERAL RESOUCES

 

Recommendations related to the mineral resources on the Borborema property include:

 

·Re-assay of historical drilling data to obtain multi-elemental data for use in characterization of rock types, potential for deleterious materials, and opportunities for co-product production such as Ag.
·Detailed worked to generate a 3D lithostructural model. This model will provide value to aid in geological domaining and structural inputs to the mineral resource block model.
·Re-logging in association with re-assay of historical drill core to improve the oxide-sulphide boundary and improve understanding of any transition zone which may impact metal recovery. Upon completion of data collection, to incorporate this boundary into the mineral resource block model.
·Improved topographic data using LiDAR in the historically mined pit area.
·Scanning and mapping of geology and structure in the historically mined pit area.
·Tight spaced drill study with the aim of improving understanding of Au spatial continuity as it relates to the two observed mineralization styles. This may include the use of blast hole data in addition to diamond drill core.
·Upon production startup, implementation of a robust ore control, blasthole sampling, logging, and reconciliation program to improve understanding of Au grade distribution and ability to estimate Au grades at the SMU and block size.

 

23.2MINING AND MINERAL RESERVES

 

Engineering work related to open pit slope design should be focused on improving the confidence level of the design criteria, designing interim pit slopes, and developing an optimized final pit design. Additional review of work completed by BVP in 2012 and GE21 in 2019 should be undertaken to determine the scope of any site specific geotechnical requirements.

 

Modeling of surface and groundwater flows that will report to the open pits is recommended for future studies. These flows should be predicted throughout the proposed life of the pit. A pit dewatering should be developed and incorporated into the overall water management plan. The infrastructure and power requirements associated with this plan will need to be estimated.

 

The estimated cost for completing this work is summarized in Table 171.

 

Table 171: Borborema Project Program Cost Estimate

 

Program Component Cost Estimate (US$ MM)
Detailed Engineering 2.0
Geotechnical 1.0
Hydrogeology 0.5
Mine Planning Detailed Plans and Costing 0.5
TOTAL 2.0

 

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23.3MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

 

It is recommended to carry out additional metallurgical tests, as follows:

 

·Gravity/CIL testing on composite samples representative of the mine plan using selected design parameters to optimize leaching performance and produce samples for further cyanide detoxification tests;

 

·Carbon adsorption kinetic tests using water treated by the local Project ETA;

 

·Performing pressure filtration tests and optimized vacuum filtration tests for a water recovery compensation study;

 

·Frequent updating of targeted UCS tests is recommended to provide data for a blasting plan that enables the generation of fragments to confirm the likely ROM ore-size distribution that results in improved semi-autogenous grinding performance.

 

23.4ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITIES IMPACTS

 

The recommendations in licensing, environmental and social management for the Borborema Project are presented below:

 

·            Establish and implement a vegetation suppression procedure with the release of areas by the company's Environment Department.

 

·            Systematic surveillance of deforestation to restrict suppression only to strictly necessary and licensed areas.

 

·            Establish operational procedures for the proper handling of chemical reagents for both the unloading area and the preparation of solutions to avoid spills.

 

·            Waterproof containment basins and drainage systems in areas where chemical reagents are used.

 

·            Effective and transparent communication with the local population about the environmental and social aspects of the Project, in particular the issues as dust generation and water use, to create an environment of trust and engagement of the people.

 

·            Aura must continue its social interactions by initiating community programs that enhance the development and well-being of local communities.

 

·            Use dust-suppressing polymers in the accesses and disposal stockpiles of tailings and waste rock.

 

·            Speed ​​up negotiations with the owners of the land needed for the deviation of the section of Federal Road BR 226 to avoid delays in the environmental permitting of this work.

 

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TWSP. Final Report Size Distribution and Leaching Tests with Borborema Ore - TWK-BORB-F-4105-RL-D21-005-R1. Testwork Desenvolvimento de Processos Ltda, january 2013. 2013-B.

 

Vearncombe, J.R., Barley, M.E., Eisenlohr, B.N., Groves, D.I., Houstoun, S.M., Skwarnecki, M.S., Grigson, M.W., and Partington,

 

G.A., 1989. Structural controls on mesothermal gold mineralisation: Examples from the Archaean terranes of southern Africa and Western Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY MONOGRAPH 6, p. 124-134. in Distribution, character, and genesis of gold deposits inmetamorphic terranes, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, Inc., Littleton, Colourado, USA. p. 407-450.

 

Wave International. Definitive Feasibility Study Report – Wave International – Revisão Final 1. 2019.

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

25RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT

 

This report was prepared by Aura and is based in part on information presented in the 2019 report titled “Definitive Feasibility Study Technical Report for Borborema Project by Big River Gold”, and on geological, geochemical, engineering, metallurgical, legal, environmental, and other technical reports and documents, including internal company documents, that were completed by other authors, as well as opinions from other persons. Most of these persons are not Qualified Persons under the definitions of S-K 1300.

 

Aura conducted surface land status evaluations and applied for environmental permits for the Project. Much of this work, were conducted by persons who are not Qualified Persons. Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari P.Geo. and Mr. Homero Delboni have relied on this data, as necessary, to complete this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Technical Report Summary – Borborema Gold Project – February 25, 2026

26SIGNATURE PAGE

 

Technical Report Summary on the Feasibility Study for the Borborema Gold Project, Currais Novos Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

 

Prepared for

 

Aura Minerals 360 Mining

78 SW 7th STREET, MIAMI FLORIDA 33131 USA

Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, signed and sealed  Signed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on February 25, 2026

 

Bruno Yoshida Tomaselli, FAusIMM
Rua Antonio de Albuquerque, 330, Belo Horizonte-MG
Brazil, 30112-010

 

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. signed and sealed  Signed in Denver, Colorado, USA, on February 25, 2026

 

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
999 Seventeenth Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202

 

Farshid Ghazanfari, signed and sealed  Signed in Burlington, Canada, on February 25, 2026

 

Farshid Ghazanfari, P.Geo.
2135 Heidi Ave. Burlington, Ontario
Canada, L7M 3P4

 

Homero Delboni Jr., signed and sealed  Signed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 25, 2026

 

PhD - MAusIMM - Chartered Professional (Metallurgy)
Full Professor – Polytechnic School of Engineering – University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
MinPro – Mineral Processing Solutions Engenharia S/S.

 

 

374

 

FAQ

How much did Aura Minerals (AUGO) increase Borborema’s gold reserves by?

Aura Minerals increased Borborema’s Probable Mineral Reserves by 82%, to about 1.5 million ounces of gold. The feasibility study reports 40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t Au, or 1,479 koz, reflecting the impact of the road-relocation agreement and updated S-K 1300-compliant resource modeling.

What are the key economic metrics for Aura Minerals (AUGO) Borborema project?

The Borborema feasibility study shows a Net Present Value between US$612.5 million and US$835.5 million and an after-tax IRR of 42.8%. These figures assume an average gold price of US$2,274/oz, BRL 5.70 per US$1.00, and support a 20.5-year open-pit operation.

What is the planned production and mine life at Borborema for Aura Minerals (AUGO)?

Borborema is designed for a life of mine of 20 years and five months, excluding pre-stripping. Weighted average annual gold production is estimated at 65 koz, based on Probable Mineral Reserves of 40.7 Mt at 1.13 g/t Au and a 2.0 Mtpy processing plant capacity.

What are the capital and operating costs for Aura Minerals (AUGO) Borborema project?

Total initial capex is estimated at about US$196.3 million, plus US$9.7 million for the BR-226 road deviation. All-in sustaining costs are projected at roughly US$31 per tonne, or about US$954.42 per ounce produced, including mining, processing, G&A, and sustaining items.

How does the road relocation affect Aura Minerals (AUGO) Borborema mine plan?

Relocating the BR-226 federal road, under a cooperation agreement with DNIT, removes a southern constraint on the open pit. This allows Aura to expand pit designs, convert more Indicated Resources into Probable Reserves, and support the increased 1.5 Moz reserve base at Borborema.

What processing flowsheet will Aura Minerals (AUGO) use at Borborema?

The plant is designed for 2.0 Mtpy using single-stage primary crushing, a single-stage SAG mill, gravity concentration, and a CIL circuit targeting 92.1% gold recovery at P80 106 μm. Cyanide detoxification, thickening, and filtration will produce dry tailings co-disposed with waste rock.

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