Toronto Stock
Exchange: G
New York Stock Exchange: GG
Goldcorp Reports Company-Wide
Exploration Progress
VANCOUVER, British
Columbia, November 26, 2007 - GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) today provided a detailed update of
exploration activities at its mines and projects. As an aggressive $120
million exploration investment during 2007 nears completion, the Company has
made several new gold discoveries among its substantial organic growth
opportunities. In addition, based on year-long success in conversion of mineral
resources, Goldcorp expects that it will more than replace proven and probable
reserves mined in 2007 when company-wide reserves are updated early in 2008.
Specific exploration success includes:
- Discovery of a high-grade shear zone at
the �l�onore gold project in Quebec has the potential to enhance average
grades for the overall deposit and to help grow the existing gold resource
of 1.83 million ounces indicated and 0.93 million ounces inferred towards
the Company's near-term 5 million ounce target.1
- At Red Lake Gold Mine in Ontario, new gold
veins discovered in the Party Wall zone from surface to depth and in the
footwall of the High Grade zone are expanding a rich suite of targets in
what is already the richest gold mine in the world. Continued
progress at the Cochenour mine further enhances district opportunities.
- Drilling at the Pe�asquito project
continues to define a new high-grade manto/skarn discovery that may support
a concurrent underground mining operation at what is expected to be the
largest gold mine in Mexico. Promising early results at the nearby
Noche Buena property add to a compelling value proposition for the
Pe�asquito district that currently includes proven and probable gold
reserves in excess of 13 million ounces.2
- Exciting progress at Musselwhite mine in
Ontario includes the recent discovery of a new mineralized shear zone
parallel to and west of the main orebody, and projection of known
mineralized structures over 2 kilometers to the north. These results,
along with generally higher than historical average gold grades in recent
drilling of the PQ Deeps portion of the mine, support strong potential for
reserve growth in coming years.
- At Hoyle Pond, the premier deposit at
Porcupine mine in Ontario, recent drill intercepts have extended the
primary ore zone at least another 200 meters down
dip, adding to the strong future at Porcupine already enhanced by the
multi-million ounce Hollinger deposit which is now the subject of a
pre-feasibility study.3
"Goldcorp is unique among major gold producers in that our
industry-leading growth profile and future potential derives entirely from
organic exploration within our current project boundaries," said Kevin McArthur,
Goldcorp President and Chief Executive Officer. "These properties
are of the highest quality: low cost, long-lived, situated in safe
jurisdictions and unencumbered by gold hedges. Now, after a year of defining
opportunities for further organic growth at our mines and projects, we are
seeing real dividends. This is the formula for maximizing shareholder
value in a strong gold price environment."
Complete drill hole databases, supporting data and illustrations for the
mines and projects mentioned will be available at www.goldcorp.com
. Many of these concepts are illustrated in a company presentation on the
website under: Investors/Presentations/Exploration Update, November 2007.
Canada
Goldcorp is the largest gold producer in Canada, and exploration success at
Red Lake Gold Mines, �l�onore, Musselwhite and Porcupine will help extend the
Company's leadership in this important market. The Company is committed
to growing its business in Canada by developing and maintaining large,
long-lived gold mines in several key operating districts.
Red Lake
Impressive high grade results continue from both surface and underground
drilling at Red Lake Gold Mine. Drilling results from the Party Wall zone
both near surface and at depth, including 5.0 feet of 2.56 ounces per ton and
2.2 feet
of 1.53 ounces
per ton, provide encouragement for further reserves growth. In addition, a new
discovery was made in the Footwall zone behind, or northeast, of the High Grade
and Sulphide zones. New assays in this zone are highlighted below designated as
the FW3 zone from the 34 level. Excellent results, including 6.0 feet of 184 ounces per ton, have
also been obtained in the hanging wall lenses of the High Grade zone and Deep
Campbell. The main High Grade zone remains open at depth and will be tested
once exploration platforms are completed in 2008.
Red Lake
Drilling Results
Drill Hole
|
Area
|
From (feet)
|
To (feet)
|
Approx. true width (feet)
|
Au opt
|
DS-497
|
Party Wall
|
16.8
|
20.0
|
3.0
|
0.88
|
DS-499
|
Party Wall
|
126.0
|
135.1
|
7.0
|
0.39
|
DS-501
|
Party Wall
|
195.4
|
196.2
|
0.8
|
1.30
|
DS-497
|
Party Wall
|
228.3
|
234.0
|
5.0
|
2.56
|
DS-489
|
Party Wall
|
513.0
|
515.0
|
2.0
|
0.54
|
DS-499
|
Party Wall
|
372.5
|
374.0
|
1.5
|
2.79
|
DS-501
|
Party Wall
|
394.4
|
396.0
|
1.5
|
1.59
|
DS-507
|
Party Wall
|
415.4
|
416.7
|
1.2
|
2.12
|
DS-487
|
Party Wall
|
689.6
|
691.0
|
1.3
|
0.74
|
D30-743
|
Party Wall
|
8.8
|
11.2
|
2.2
|
1.53
|
D30-771
|
Party Wall
|
57.3
|
64.2
|
2.2
|
0.42
|
D30-771
|
Party Wall
|
305.2
|
311.4
|
2.5
|
0.26
|
D33-287
|
Party Wall
|
516.9
|
521.3
|
4.4
|
1.81
|
D33-288
|
Party Wall
|
597.9
|
599.4
|
1.4
|
0.88
|
D36-239
|
Party Wall
|
356.0
|
357.5
|
1.2
|
0.66
|
D36-240
|
Party Wall
|
416.6
|
420.3
|
2.5
|
6.82
|
D36-241
|
Party Wall
|
520.8
|
522.3
|
1.0
|
9.06
|
D36-241
|
Party Wall
|
537.3
|
539.3
|
1.3
|
50.27
|
D36-243
|
Party Wall
|
550.2
|
557.9
|
5.2
|
0.49
|
D36-243
|
Party Wall
|
617.9
|
621.5
|
2.5
|
0.41
|
D39-619
|
Deep Campbell
|
1510.0
|
1512.0
|
1.9
|
1.38
|
D39-674
|
Deep Campbell
|
1461.6
|
1463.2
|
1.5
|
0.79
|
D39-283
|
Deep Campbell
|
1464.0
|
1466.0
|
1.9
|
0.54
|
D39-281
|
Deep Campbell
|
1802.0
|
1803.2
|
1.1
|
2.25
|
D39-679
|
Deep Campbell
|
1720.0
|
1722.7
|
2.5
|
2.50
|
D39-680
|
Deep Campbell
|
1804.0
|
1805.0
|
0.9
|
0.62
|
34L1812
|
FW3
|
176.0
|
180.0
|
3.6
|
1.43
|
34L1682
|
FW3
|
156.0
|
160.0
|
3.6
|
0.46
|
34L1809
|
FW3
|
161.0
|
166.7
|
5.7
|
1.34
|
34L1810
|
FW3
|
174.0
|
180.0
|
6.0
|
5.09
|
34L1729
|
FW3
|
156.0
|
162.0
|
6.0
|
1.60
|
34L1684
|
FW3
|
159.7
|
161.0
|
1.3
|
0.92
|
40L001
|
HW HG Zone
|
204.4
|
232.4
|
6.0
|
184.00
|
40L002
|
HW HG Zone
|
181.0
|
193.0
|
6.0
|
3.62
|
40L003
|
HW HG Zone
|
139.0
|
145.0
|
6.0
|
1.19
|
In the Red Lake district, development plans and permitting studies are
underway for dewatering and rehabilitation of the Cochenour shaft to allow for
deep delineation drilling to follow up various intercepts in newly-discovered
zones. A sampling of these intercepts, including 2.0 meters of 68.5 grams per ton, is
provided in the table below.
Cochenour Drilling Results
Drill Hole
|
Area
|
From (m)
|
To (m)
|
Interval (m)
|
Au g/t
|
704-4
|
Cochenour
|
417.0
|
419.0
|
2.0
|
68.50
|
CW7054A
|
Cochenour
|
1136.7
|
1138.3
|
1.6
|
32.99
|
BC0618W4
|
Cochenour
|
1432.0
|
1434.0
|
2.0
|
36.37
|
Note: Not true widths; true width is generally 50 percent of
interval.
�l�onore
At the �l�onore project in Quebec, four drill rigs continue work with the
goal of expanding the previously reported mineral resource, as issued in a
press release on June 25, 2007. North of the Roberto Zone, a high grade
shear zone with quartz veining continues to see strong results, including 1.0 meter of 327 grams per tonne and 2.0 meters of 216.6 grams per
tonne. In addition, drill hole ELE-07-481 containing 3.0 meters of 199.2 grams per tonne
was cut in a separate new area east of the Roberto deposit. This result is
considered to be part of a new shallow body of yet unknown rake and dimension.
The discovery of the shear zone provides additional support for further
extensions of mineralization along shear zones both north and south of the main
Roberto zone. The main zone is also being tested with a deep hole intended to
intercept the Roberto deposit at a 1,500 meter depth. A drill plan is in place to
further outline the northern end of the Roberto ore shoot to a depth of 800 meters and to
continue following the north and possible south shear zone mineralization. Most
of the �l�onore concession remains unexplored. A first-phase regional sampling
program, for which results are pending, will help direct the evaluation of
future regional targets in 2008.
�l�onore Drilling Results
Drill Hole
|
Area
|
From (m)
|
To (m)
|
Interval (m)
|
Au g/t
|
ELE-07-471
|
North shear
|
305.00
|
306.00
|
1.00
|
327.00
|
ELE-07-470
|
North shear
|
285.81
|
287.26
|
1.45
|
267.51
|
ELE-07-431
|
North shear
|
225.00
|
227.00
|
2.00
|
216.60
|
ELE-06-194
|
North shear
|
62.40
|
63.60
|
1.20
|
95.49
|
ELE-05-129B
|
North shear
|
321.00
|
322.30
|
1.30
|
74.20
|
ELE-07-481
|
|
139.00
|
142.00
|
3.00
|
199.20
|
Note: Not true widths; true width is generally 70 to 90
percent of interval.
Musselwhite
At Musselwhite, drilling on both the North Shore and a newly-discovered
shear zone west of the existing deposit indicates high potential for future
resource expansion. In addition, by early next year a reserves increase
is expected in the PQ Deeps area with the discovery of new mineralization that
is generally higher grade than historical averages at the mine.
Deep drilling to test Musselwhite potential has been successful. The
main ore-bearing banded iron formation has now been extended over 2 kilometers north of
the existing workings in drill holes collared on the north shore of Opap Lake.
Assays from this drilling include an intercept of 4 meters of 15.5 grams per tonne
gold. A second hole is now underway to further test the North Shore
discovery.
A newly-discovered parallel shear zone at Musselwhite is only 200 meters west of the
current workings. This discovery, called the "Moose" zone
includes an intercept of 4.8
meters true width of 14.0 grams per tonne
gold. Previous drill hole data from this area supports the presence of an
additional new parallel shear zone further west, including 3.2 meters of 18 grams per tonne gold
and 5.1 meters
of 7 grams
per tonne gold. Current information indicates the potential for several other
mineralized shear zones.
Porcupine
At Porcupine, the Company continues to target long-term annual production of
300,000 to 400,000
ounces of gold from this historic mining district.
Strong future potential is supported by excellent ongoing results from 12 core
drill rigs, including five focused on infill drilling at the Hollinger
deposit.3 At Hoyle Pond, a recent drill hole intersected the
VAZ-6 area on the 1345 level with 2.4 meters of 301 grams per tonne gold
within 13 meters
of 65.9 grams
per tonne gold. A second hole on the 1335 level contained 6 meters of 21.7 grams per tonne
gold. This result was contained within 16 meters of 10.24 grams per tonne
gold. These results indicate the Hoyle Pond deposit may have significant
additional depth potential, similar to the deeper mines in the district.
Pe�asquito
At the Pe�asquito project in Mexico, proven and probable reserves increased
by 48% in June, 2007. Beyond infill drilling of the existing mineral
resource, the focus of exploration efforts remains on the new manto-skarn
discovery at depth. Additional drilling of this zone will continue into 2008
with a view towards delineating a high-grade resource that could be mined by
underground methods concurrent with open pit operations. Selected intercepts
from the manto-skarn discovery are as follows:
Manto-Skarn Zone Drilling
Results
Drill Hole
|
Area
|
Interval (m)
|
Au (g/t)
|
Ag (g/t)
|
Zn (%)
|
Lead (%)
|
GP-501-07
|
Manto/skarn
|
22
|
5.41
|
191
|
8.82
|
6.05
|
GP-501-07
|
Manto/skarn
|
12
|
1.02
|
354
|
14.02
|
4.10
|
GP-479-07
|
Manto/skarn
|
30
|
0.28
|
178
|
7.10
|
0.42
|
GP-548-07
|
Manto/skarn
|
10
|
4.04
|
231
|
0.32
|
0.79
|
GP-548-07
|
Manto/skarn
|
34
|
0.60
|
396
|
3.51
|
3.04
|
Note: Not true widths; true widths are generally 70 to 90 percent of
interval.
Within the Company's extensive landholdings in the greater Pe�asquito
district, three regional exploration targets are currently being drilled.
The most advanced is the Noche Buena target, located five kilometers north of
Pe�asquito. The conceptual target at Noche Buena is skarn-style gold,
silver, lead and zinc mineralization similar to deeper portions of Pe�asquito.
Near-surface intercepts in this area are oxidized, pointing to the potential
for heap-leach operations. Assays from select drill holes, including 56 meters of 1.57 grams per tonne
gold and 69.4 meters
of 1.28 grams
per tonne gold, are set out below.
Noche Buena Drilling Results
Drill Hole
|
Area
|
Interval (m)
|
Au (g/t)
|
Ag (g/t)
|
Zn (%)
|
Lead (%)
|
NB 1
|
Noche Buena
|
32.3
|
0.53
|
30.6
|
1.01
|
1.52
|
|
|
4.0
|
6.90
|
61.4
|
1.74
|
0.60
|
NB 2
|
Noche Buena
|
86
|
0.81
|
41.2
|
0.31
|
0.53
|
|
|
56
|
1.57
|
17.0
|
0.22
|
0.12
|
|
|
24
|
0.49
|
4.8
|
0.94
|
0.01
|
NB 4
|
Noche Buena
|
69.4
|
1.28
|
142.1
|
Oxide
|
|
|
|
48.4
|
0.42
|
24.2
|
0.30
|
0.38
|
|
|
39.3
|
0.84
|
20.2
|
0.33
|
0.25
|
NB 6
|
Noche Buena
|
51.0
|
0.19
|
14.3
|
0.74
|
0.32
|
|
|
70.0
|
0.38
|
5.2
|
0.34
|
0.02
|
Note: Not true widths; true widths are generally 70 to 90 percent of
interval.
On December 3, 2007, Goldcorp plans to release the economic results from a
30% increase in throughput at Pe�asquito to 130,000 tonnes per day.
Included in the results will be revised capital costs, year-by-year metals
production and total cash costs.
Mr. McArthur concluded, "Goldcorp will continue its efforts to expand
on these exciting exploration successes in 2008 as a key component of our
larger growth strategy. As always, we will pursue accretive growth for the
benefit of our shareholders through building the projects already in our
development pipeline, adding reserves through further organic exploration
success and searching for smart, value-adding acquisition opportunities. The
combination of low costs, unhedged gold production and growth in safe jurisdictions
sets Goldcorp apart in the ongoing positive market for gold."
Goldcorp is the lowest-cost and fastest growing multi-million ounce gold
producer with operations throughout the Americas. Its gold production
remains 100% unhedged.
Goldcorp has a team of geoscientists who are "qualified persons"
as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101, responsible for the
design and conduct of Goldcorp's exploration programs and have reviewed and
approved the contents of this news release. For information on geology,
exploration activities generally, and drilling and analysis procedures on
Goldcorp's material properties, see Goldcorp's Annual Information Form/Form
40-F on file with Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Sampling and assaying methods
of these programs are being conducted in accordance with the CIM Mineral
Exploration Best Practices Guidelines.
Footnotes
1 . The mineral resource statement for �l�onore is presented in
the following table:
Mineral Resource Statement
* for the �l�onore Gold Deposit April
4, 2007
Resource Category
|
Tonnage (tonne)
|
Grade
(g/t Au)
|
Contained Ounces
|
Indicated
|
7,709,500
|
7.40
|
1,834,900
|
Inferred
|
4,059,000
|
7.12
|
929,100
|
* Reported at a cut-off of 3.5 gpt gold, all figures rounded to reflect the
relative accuracy of the mineral resource estimate. The preparation of the
initial resource estimate for the �l�onore project was a joint effort between
Goldcorp personnel, G.N. Lustig Consulting Ltd. and SRK Consulting Canada Inc.
("SRK"). The mineral resources were estimated by SRK using a
geostatistical block modeling approach. Capped gold grades were interpolated
into a block model constrained by wireframes by ordinary kriging with
estimation parameters determined by variography. Mineral resources were
classified using variography ranges and geology by Yan Bourassa, P.Geo of SRK,
a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101 in accordance with CIM
Standards. Mr. Bourassa has reviewed and approved the contents of this news
release relating to mineral resources at �l�onore. Mineral resources are not
mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
2 . The Proven and Probable Reserves for Penasquito is presented
in the following table:
Pe�asquito Proven &
Probable Reserves Summary Data 1, 2, 3 June 25,
2007
Proven Reserves
Ore tonnes (millions)
|
June 2007
|
Oxide (heap leach)
Sulfide (flotation)
|
42.1
426.9
|
Total ore tonnes (millions)
|
469.0
|
Oxide ore grade
Gold (grams per tonne)
Silver (grams per tonne)
|
0.21
20.9
|
Sulfide ore grade
Gold (grams per tonne)
Silver (grams per tonne)
Lead (%)
Zinc (%)
|
0.57
34.0
0.36
0.78
|
Contained Metals
Gold (troy ounces - millions)
Silver (troy ounces - millions)
Lead (tonnes - millions)
Zinc (tonnes - millions)
|
8.2
495
1.56
3.34
|
Probable Reserves
Ore tonnes (millions)
|
June 2007
|
Oxide (heap leach)
Sulfide (flotation)
|
68.3
380.2
|
Total ore tonnes (millions)
|
448.6
|
Oxide ore grade
Gold (grams per tonne)
Silver (grams per tonne)
|
0.17
16.4
|
Sulfide ore grade
Gold (grams
per tonne)
Silver (grams per tonne)
Lead (%)
Zinc (%)
|
0.37
27.2
0.29
0.65
|
Contained Metals
Gold (troy ounces - millions)
Silver (troy ounces - millions)
Lead (tonnes - millions)
Zinc (tonnes - millions)
|
4.9
368
1.11
2.47
|
1 Cut-off grades for
Pe�asquito reserves are as follows: $4.55 NSR for Breccia and Intrusive; $5.18
NSR for Sediments; $1.30 NSR for South Oxides and $1.18 for North Oxides using
reserves metals prices as referred to in Note 2 below. 2 Metals prices utilized in the
pit design were: $525 per ounce gold, $10.00 per ounce silver, $0.40 per
pound lead and 0.80 per pound zinc. 3 The Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves for Pe�asquito have been estimated under Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy, & Petroleum Standards (CIM Standards) in accordance
with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators
("NI 43-101") These resource and reserve estimates have been prepared
under the supervision of Robert Bryson, Vice President, Engineering for
Goldcorp Inc., a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Bryson
has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
3 . The Mineral Resource Statement
for Hollinger is presented in the following table:
Mineral Resource Statement*
for Hollinger (100%) December 31, 2006
Resource Category
|
Tonnage (tonne)
|
Grade
(g/t Au)
|
Contained Ounces
|
Indicated
|
40,300,000
|
1.65
|
2,142,663
|
Inferred
|
44,200,000
|
1.57
|
2,236,009
|
* Reported at a cut-off of 0.637 gpt gold, all figures rounded to
reflect the relative accuracy of the mineral resource estimate. The
mineral resources were estimated in-house by Porcupine personnel
using a geostatistical block modeling approach. Capped gold grades were
interpolated into a block model constrained by domain wireframes by ordinary
kriging with estimation parameters determined by variography. Mineral resources
were classified using variography ranges incorporating number of drill holes used
in the resource estimate by Patti Nakai-Lajoie, P.Geo. and Senior Resource
Evaluation Geologist at the Porcupine Joint Venture of Goldcorp Inc., a
qualified person as defined under NI 43-101 in accordance with CIM Standards. Mineral
resources are not mineral reserves and do not demonstrate economic viability.
Ms. Nakai-Lajoie has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release
relating to mineral resources at Hollinger.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Except for the statements of historical fact contained
herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to
those with respect to the price of gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead, the
timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, reserve
determination and reserve conversion rates involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievement of Goldcorp to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the
integration of acquisitions, risks related to international operations, risks
related to joint venture operations, the actual results of current exploration
activities, actual results of current reclamation activities, conclusions of
economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be
refined, future prices of gold, silver and copper, zinc and lead as well as
those factors discussed in the section entitled "General Development of
the Business - Risks of the Business" in Goldcorp's Form 40-F on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and Goldcorp's
Annual Information Form on file with the securities regulatory authorities in
Canada. Although Goldcorp has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors
that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.
For further information, please contact: