fall/winter 2019 newsletter€¦ · fall/winter 2019 newsletter proje t update new gold onducts...

CONTACT:

NEW GOLD INC.

Blackwater Project Office

139 1st Street East PO Box 440 Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 t: 250-567-3276

office.blackwater@newgold.com www.newgold.com

Please join us for our Holiday Open House:

December 17, 2019 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Blackwater Project Office

Fall/Winter 2019 NEWSLETTER

PROJECT UPDATE

New Gold Conducts Drilling Program to Support Optimization Studies

In 2019, the Blackwater Project reached significant milestones in achieving federal and provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) decisions. Since the EA decisions, New Gold continues work to optimize the Project, including re-evaluating project sizing and grade, maintaining a low waste rock stripping ratio and reducing initial capital. To support this work, a metallurgical and geotechnical drilling and test pitting program was conducted from August to October at the Project site. A total of 20 holes were drilled and 31 test pits were dug. The program was executed in collaboration with the Lhoosk’uz Dene and Ulkatcho First Nations, whose traditional territories encompass the Project site. New Gold also achieved the milestone of signing a trilateral Participation Agreement with Lhoosk’uz Dene and Ulkatcho First Nations in April 2019. New Gold continues engagement and negotiations with other First Nations. Prior to constructing any mine in BC, a series of construction and operating permits are required. The permitting process for a new mine in BC typically takes 12 – 18 months and often takes longer. No decision has yet been made on when to initiate the permitting phase for the Blackwater Project. For more information, please visit the New Gold website at www.newgold.com.

One of the 20 holes drilled in 2019.

Rock core samples retrieved during the 2019 drilling program.

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New Gold is a proud sponsor of the 2019 UNBC Active Minds summer camp in Vanderhoof: Val Erickson, New Gold, and Greg Saito, participant, extract DNA from strawberries.

Excavator restoring slope contours and spreading soil on a deactivated road.

Reclamation crew enjoying a break on a sunny work day.

In August and September, personnel from the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation, Ulkatcho First Nation, Avison Management Services, Tahtsa Timber, and Polar Medical Services mobilized to conduct a reclamation program at New Gold’s Blackwater site. New Gold has been undertaking reclamation of historic exploration trails and drill pad clearings since it acquired the Blackwater Project in 2011 and has been conducting focussed reclamation programs for the last four years. Reclamation involves restoring the natural drainage patterns and slope contours, spreading soil and/or organic material, and spreading seeds or planting trees, if needed.

In 2019, approximately 3 km of drill trails and 20 drill pads were reclaimed in the Capoose exploration area, a high elevation site in the Fawnie Mountains. Reclamation is important due to wildlife values in the area, and we were pleased to make excellent progress in such a way that natural regeneration can occur as rapidly as possible. The crew also inspected several sites of past years’ reclamation to observe and document the success of those prior efforts and to learn and improve practices in future years.

Thank you to everyone involved in the annual reclamation program and for your dedication to safety and environmental stewardship.

Scott Klassen, Field Supervisor Avison Management Services

Annual Reclamation Program

New Gold in the Community

The Blackwater Project office opened in 2012 to support community development and relations within our host community. Having an office locally allows for close engagement with stakeholder groups, local government, and easy access for general public inquiries. In 2019, the Project office has seen steady interest from local and surrounding communities, including job seekers, contractors, and suppliers who are looking for new opportunities. Staff have been actively engaged in the Project region, participating in many community initiatives. Through our community investment program, New Gold Blackwater Project is a proud sponsor of many community events in the region.