| March 4, 2009 |
| Central Sun Updates Mineral Reserve and Resources as at December 31, 2008; Expands Inferred Resources to 802,000 Ounces Gold |
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 4, 2009) - Central Sun Mining Inc. (TSX:CSM) (NYSE Alternext US:SMC) ("Central Sun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for its Limon Mine, Orosi Mine and Mestiza-La India projects in Nicaragua. These updated estimates include the results of the successful 2008 exploration program which discovered new zones at Limon (Santa Pancha South) and Orosi (San Juan). The recently returned Cerra Quema property in Panama and the Bellavista Mine are currently being evaluated and are not included in this current estimate. Mineral reserves and mineral resources as at December 31, 2008 are presented in Table 1.
Peter Tagliamonte, President and CEO commented: "The 2008 exploration program was very successful in expanding the inferred mineral resources. This provides a strong base to expand reserves in 2009 and beyond. We anticipate that additional exploration activities will further expand resources as well as outline potential new deposits in the vicinity of the current operations."
Limon Mine
Total proven and probable mineral reserves at Limon Mine are estimated at 1,158,000 tonnes at 4.68 g Au/t containing 174,100 ounces of gold. This reduction of 43,100 ounces from the December 31, 2007 estimate of 1,381,000 tonnes at 4.89 g Au/t containing 217,200 ounces is due principally to losses from mining and reclassification of certain blocks in the Talavera mine as the mining activities shift to the Santa Pancha area. Total measured and indicated mineral resources excluding reserves are estimated at 563,400 tonnes at 5.68 g Au/t containing 102,900 ounces of gold as compared to 384,000 tonnes at 4.99 g Au/t containing 61,600 ounces of gold in December 31, 2007. This increase reflects reclassification of some reserve blocks in the Talavera mine not currently accessible to measured and indicated resources as well as some additions from exploration in the Santa Pancha Mine.
As a result of the successful 2008 exploration that discovered the new Santa Pancha South zone, inferred mineral resources in the Limon Mine are now estimated at 2,441,000 tonnes at 5.34 g Au/t containing 419,300 ounces a significant increase of 173,300 ounces from the December 31, 2007 estimate of 1,291,000 tonnes grading 5.91 g Au/t containing 246,000 ounces gold. The bulk of this increase is in the new Santa Pancha South zone which is estimated to contain 1,033,000 tonnes grading 4.99 g Au/t containing 165,600 ounces of gold.
Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. Executive Vice President, Exploration commented: "Although, Limon mine has operated continuously since 1941 and has produced some 3 million ounces of gold, the mine has never had more than a few years of reserves in hand due to a lack of consistent exploration. Our success in 2008, with the discovery of the new Santa Pancha South zone, demonstrates the excellent potential to substantially expand resources on the property. Based on historic conversion rates, the new inferred resource totaling 419,300 ounces is probably sufficient with further drilling and development to eventually add as much as 4 to 5 years to the overall production life. We also tested only one of a number of priority targets that we had outlined for drilling in 2008 so there is excellent potential to outline additional resources."
Orosi Mine
Total proven and probable mineral reserves at the Orosi Mine mainly in the Mojon-Crimea zone are unchanged from the January 31, 2008 estimate by Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates ("Scott Wilson RPA") of 11,017,000 tonnes at 1.44 g Au/t containing 509,500 ounces of gold as previously reported (see press release May 8, 2008). Similarly, measured and indicated mineral resources excluding reserves as estimated by Scott Wilson RPA are unchanged at 4,126,000 tonnes at 1.51 g Au/t containing 200,400 ounces of gold. The NI 43-101 report by Scott Wilson RPA is available on SEDAR.
Inferred mineral resources in the new San Juan zone located 5 kilometres south of the plant are estimated to be 2,221,000 tonnes at 1.98 g Au/t containing 141,400 ounces of gold. This includes a higher grade portion mainly in the northeast end of the zone containing 395,000 tonnes at 4.79 g Au/t containing 61,000 ounces of gold. The structure, which has been drilled over a strike length of one kilometre, is open along strike in both directions and at depth. In addition, excellent drill results including 13.04 g Au/t (12.31 g Au/t with highs cut to 25 g Au/t) over a true width of 5.0 metres at a vertical depth of only 30 metres and 2.61 g Au/t over a true width of 4.5 metres at a vertical depth of about 20 metres were obtained at the Los Angeles target which is a possible satellite target adjacent to San Juan. Overall inferred resources of 224,000 ounces of gold for Orosi include an additional 3,370,000 tonnes at 0.76 g Au/t containing 82,600 ounces of gold in spent ore as estimated by Scott Wilson RPA.
Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. Executive Vice President, Exploration commented: "For a deposit that was previously in production, there has been remarkably little exploration done outside the main Mojon-Crimea area. The excellent success of 2008 in outlining new resources in the San Juan structure demonstrates the strong exploration potential elsewhere on the property on which mineralized structures are known to extend over a strike length of at least 20 kilometres. The geological database was considerably improved in 2008 and a number of targets were outlined for further work in 2009. The engineering department is completing an economic evaluation of the San Juan zone as it may be attractive to 'definition-drill' this zone in 2009 and if successful, implement a plan to bring it into production because of the higher grades in this zone as well as the good potential of outlining additional higher grade resources in the area."
Mestiza-La India Area
At Mestiza-La India, no drilling was completed in 2008. Geological mapping indicates that it is likely that a complete epithermal system is exposed from the lower intrusive at La India 10 kilometres to the southeast to high level quartz veins at Mestiza. Vertically, the system appears to extend from about 500 metres to perhaps as much as 900 metres. Historic production from 1938 to 1955 at La India was 576,000 ounces of gold recovered from 1.7 million tons grading 0.39 ounces per tonne (13.4 g Au/t) The Tatiana vein on the Mestiza property contains an inferred mineral resource of 558,000 tonnes at 8.80 g Au/t containing 158,600 ounces of gold as previously reported (see technical report dated March 31, 2008 posted on SEDAR).
Significantly higher resistivity anomalies are associated with all the major veins that are known on the property, with the strongest resistivity high having a strike length of over 800 m associated with the Guapinol vein in the middle of the Mestiza-La India property. This anomaly persists to the maximum depth sampled in both the resistivity and chargeability data. This and other anomalies identified will be drill tested in the 2009 exploration program.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
The mineral reserve and mineral resources estimates for the Limon mine, excluding the Santa Pancha South zone, were prepared using conventional polygonal methods by CSM mine personnel under the supervision of Dr. William (Bill) Pearson, P.Geo. and Mr. Graham Speirs, P.Eng., both of whom are qualified persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. The mineral resource estimate for the Santa Pancha South zone was prepared using a block model and ordinary kriging by CSM exploration personnel in Managua and Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, an experienced GEMCOM resource specialist based in Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Pearson. An updated NI 43-101 technical report outlining the updated estimates for Limon and Orosi will be filed on SEDAR within 10 days of this release.
The mineral reserve and mineral resources estimates for the Orosi mine, excluding the San Juan zone, were prepared using block models by Scott Wilson RPA as outlined in their NI 43-101 technical report dated June 26, 2008 filed on Sedar. The mineral resource estimate for the San Juan zone was prepared using a block model and ordinary kriging by CSM exploration personnel in Managua and Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, an experienced GEMCOM resource specialist based in Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Pearson. An updated NI 43-101 technical report outlining the updated estimates for Orosi has been filed on SEDAR.
SAMPLING, ASSAYING AND QUALITY CONTROL
The core (NQ - 47.6 mm diameter) for the 2008 drilling program for both Limon and Orosi was logged, photographed and then sawn lengthwise in half with one-half sent to the laboratory for analysis and the other half retained and stored on site. All core samples were prepared and assayed at the Company's Limon Mine laboratories. This laboratory has a dedicated preparation circuit for exploration samples so that they are prepared and analyzed separately from run-of-mine samples.
The Limon Mine laboratory uses normal industry procedures for sample preparation and fire assaying. The entire half-core samples are crushed to pass 10-mesh-size sieve, a 1/4 split is then pulverized to have greater than 90% passing the 200-mesh-sized sieve to produce a 100 gram homogenized sub-sample. A one-assay ton aliquot (a 29.2 gram sub-sample) of this homogenize sample is used for fire assaying with an atomic absorption (AA) or gravimetric finish to determine gold concentration. Internal quality control includes the use of blanks, duplicates and standards in every batch of samples. The Company also conducts internal check assaying. Regular external check assays are performed at a certified Canadian commercial laboratory and certified external reference standards are inserted into each batch.
About Central Sun
Central Sun is a gold producer with mining and exploration activities focused in Nicaragua. Central Sun operates the Limon Mine in Nicaragua and is converting the Orosi Mine in Nicaragua to conventional milling to increase the annual gold output. It also holds a 60% interest in the Cerro Quema Project in Panama, a 100% interest in La India property and an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Mestiza gold property both of which are located 70 kilometres by road east of its operating Limon Mine. The Company is focused on efficient and productive mining practices to establish high quality and cost effective operations. Central Sun is committed to growth by optimizing current operations, expanding mineral reserves and resources at existing mines, exploring its extensive land holdings and seeking strategic mergers or acquisitions in the Americas.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the terms of the proposed business combinations with Linear Gold and B2Gold and the benefits of each respective combination, any election by Linear Gold to exercise its right to match and the consequences of such election; the terms of the proposed loan from B2Gold and the repayment of the loan from Linear Gold, the conclusions of fairness opinion of Macquarie, its underlying assumptions and parameters and the receipt of a written fairness opinion and regulatory matters. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".
Forward-looking information is based on various assumptions and on the best estimates of CSM as of the date hereof, and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CSM to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: transaction risks; risks relating to the completion of the transaction with B2Gold and the integration of the two companies following combination; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of mineral prices; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or required financing or in the completion of activities, and as well as those risks identified under "Risk Factors" disclosure sections in the documents filed under the profile of CSM on SEDAR from time to time. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information 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 information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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Table 1: Central Sun Mining Inc.
Mineral Reserves and Resources as at December 31, 2008
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Mineral Reserves
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Gold Grade Contained
Zone Tonnes g/t Gold Ounces
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LIMON(2)
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Proven 68,600 5.38 11,900
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Probable 1,089,400 4.63 162,300
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Total 1,158,000 4.68 174,100
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OROSI(4)
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Probable 11,017,000 1.44 509,500
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Total 11,017,000 1.44 509,500
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Total Proven and Probable
Mineral Reserves 12,175,000 1.75 683,600
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Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (excludes Mineral Reserves)
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Gold Grade Contained
Zone Tonnes g/t Gold Ounces
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LIMON
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Measured 237,900 7.25 55,400
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Indicated 325,500 4.54 47,500
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Total 563,400 5.68 102,900
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OROSI(4)
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Indicated 4,126,000 1.51 200,400
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Total 4,126,000 1.51 200,400
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Total Measured and
Indicated Mineral
Resources 4,689,400 2.01 300,300
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Inferred Mineral Resources
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Gold Grade Contained
Zone Tonnes g/t Gold Ounces
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LIMON Mine(2) 1,408,000 5.61 253,700
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Santa Pancha South(3) 1,033,000 4.99 165,600
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Total 2,441,000 5.34 419,300
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OROSI Mine(4) 3,370,000 0.76 82,600
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San Juan(5) 2,221,000 1.98 141,400
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Total 5,591,000 1.25 224,000
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MESTIZA-LA INDIA(6) 558,000 8.80 158,600
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Total 558,000 8.80 158,600
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Total Inferred Mineral
Resources 8,590,000 1.38 802,000
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1. The mineral reserves and resources reported herein are based on the CIM
Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted
by the CIM Council on December 11, 2005 ("CIM Standards"). Mineral
Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability. Mineral resources are in addition to Mineral Reserves.
2. Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for the Limon mine were
prepared by CSM mine personnel under the supervision of Dr. William
Pearson, P.Geo. and Mr. Graham Speirs, P.Eng. both of whom are qualified
persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mineral reserves are
estimated at a long term gold price of US$550 per ounce. Cutoff grade was
3.8 g Au/t at a minimum mining width of 3.0m. Mineral Resources are
estimated at a long term gold price of US$800 per ounce. Cutoff grade is
3.0 g Au/t. High assays have been cut of 25 g Au/t based on established
mine practice and statistical analysis. Specific gravity is 2.6.
3. Mineral Resource estimate for Santa Pancha Sur, Limon was prepared by CSM
exploration personnel & Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, a GEMCOM resource
specialist based in Toronto under the supervision of Dr. William N.
Pearson, P.Geo. Mineral resources have been estimated at a cutoff grade
of 3.0 g Au/t. High assays have been cut of 25 g Au/t before compositing
following established mine practice supported by statistical analysis.
Specific gravity is 2.6.
4. The Mineral Reserve and Resource at Orosi (formerly La Libertad),
excepting San Juan, was prepared as of January 31, 2008 by Scott Wilson
Roscoe Postle & Associates Ltd. (Scott Wilson RPA). Mineral reserves have
been estimated at an average long term gold price of US$625 per ounce. A
selective mining unit of 6.25 m x 6.25 m x 6.00 m was used, with grades
diluted to full blocks of that size. Block Cut off grade for mineral
reserves is 0.72 g Au/t. Mineral resources were estimated at a long term
gold price of US$800 per ounce. Cutoff grade for resource blocks is 0.56
g Au/t. High assays have been cut to 25 g Au/t before compositing.
Specific gravity was 2.3.
5. The Mineral Resource estimate for San Juan, Orosi was prepared by CSM
exploration personal & Mr. Farshid Ghazanfari, a GEMCOM resource
specialist based in Toronto under the supervision of Dr. William N.
Pearson, P.Geo. Block size is 3m by 3m by 6m. Mineral resources have been
estimated at a block cutoff grade of 0.56 g Au/t based on previous work
by Scott Wilson RPA. High assays have been cut to 25 g Au/t before
compositing based on statistical analysis. Specific gravity is 2.3.
6. The Inferred Mineral Resource for Mestiza was prepared by CSM exploration
personnel under the supervision of Dr. William Pearson, P.Geo. a
Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The estimate is based on
historical drilling and trench sampling and drilling in 2007 by CSM as
reported in the NI 43-101 technical report dated March 31, 2008 filed on
Sedar.
7. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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