Pretium Resources Inc.: Underground Drilling Continues to Intersect High-Grade Gold


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 9, 2013) - Pretium Resources Inc. (TSX:PVG)(NYSE:PVG) ("Pretivm") is pleased to report additional underground drill results from the Valley of the Kings Bulk Sample Program (the "Program") currently underway, as well as additional exploration drilling in the Valley of the Kings extending beyond the area of the Program. Assays from both Program and non-Program exploration underground drilling continue to confirm the projection of high-grade gold mineralized domains, with numerous intersections encountering gold grading over 1,000 grams per tonne. (See Table 1 below for assays.)

Selected drill highlights include:

  • Hole VU-168 (Program hole) intersected 1,622 grams of gold uncut over 6.25 meters including 9,040 grams of gold uncut over 0.50 meters, 4,610 grams of gold uncut over 0.55 meters and 6,090 grams of gold uncut over 0.50 meters;
  • Hole VU-182 (Program hole intersecting Cleopatra Vein) intersected 714.8 grams of gold uncut over 8.04 meters including 9,900 grams of gold uncut over 0.50 meters and 1,535 grams of gold uncut over 0.50 meters;
  • Hole VU-136 (Exploration hole) intersected 1,100 grams of gold per tonne uncut over 0.50 meters.

Of the 15 high-grade gold intersections exceeding 1,000 grams per tonne, 11 were encountered as part of planned Program fan drilling, of which four intersected the Cleopatra Vein. Exploration drilling encountered three high-grade gold intersections exceeding 1,000 grams of gold per tonne within Domain 20 north of the 4268015N drill drift and one was encountered in an area projected to be an eastern extension of the Valley of the Kings (hole VU-136 noted above).

Bulk Sample Program

Assay results have been received and reported for 13 of the 17 planned drill fans. The number of holes planned to be completed as part of the Program has increased to 202 holes, comprising approximately 16,500 meters, from the originally planned 190 drill holes comprising approximately 15,000 meters. Drill holes have been added to certain of the drill fans and the north-bound drill holes on sections 426637.5E and 426652.5E have been lengthened to test Domain 20. The underground drilling included in the Program is expected to conclude in mid-September, with a total of 182 drill holes totaling 15,100 meters completed or in progress to date.

For cross sections of the reported drill fans from the Program please visit the following link - http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pvg909-F1df.pdf.

The excavation of the four cross-cuts and one lateral drift planned for the 10,000-tonne bulk sample has been completed.

For a plan of the complete Program development at the Valley of the Kings please visit the following link - http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pvg909-F2p.pdf.

The 10,000 tonnes of bulk sample material has been processed through the sample tower on site and is being transported offsite to a custom mill located in Montana. Approximately 2,000 tonnes of bulk sample material has arrived at the mill with the remaining material scheduled to arrive over the next two months. Milling of the bulk sample material will commence in late September.

Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. ("Strathcona") has been engaged as the independent Qualified Person to oversee and report on the 10,000-tonne bulk sample for the Program.

The 1345-meter level, centered at the 426600E cross-section of the Valley of the Kings, was selected as the bulk sample location based on Strathcona's requirements that the bulk sample be excavated from an area representative of the (a) drillhole density that informs the Indicated Mineral Resource, (b) average grade of the Indicated Mineral Resource and the global resource for the Valley of the Kings, (c) proportion of low-grade, high-grade and extreme grade populations in the overall Indicated Mineral Resource and (d) style of stockwork gold mineralization characteristic of the Valley of the Kings.

Additional Underground and Surface Exploration

Excavation of a drift along the recently-discovered high-grade Cleopatra Vein in the Valley of the Kings (see news release dated July 23, 2013) is underway, with raises on Cleopatra planned following the drifting. Cleopatra has been defined for approximately 85 meters along strike, 50 meters above the 1345-meter level, 50 meters below the 1345-level and remains open in all directions. Planning is underway for additional drifting and cross-cutting in two areas: to the west of the bulk sample location, and to the north and east on Domain 20.

Underground exploration drilling is currently testing high-grade mineralization to the west, east and below the bulk sample location. Approximately 10,000 meters of underground exploration drilling is expected to be completed in addition to the 16,500 meters of drilling included in the Program, with approximately 6,500 meters completed to date.

The surface drill program at the Valley of the Kings has commenced with the first drill mobilized to site and targeting high-grade mineralization in the Valley of the Kings to the west of the bulk sample location. A second drill will be on site shortly and will follow-up on high-grade intersections at the eastern extent of the Valley of the Kings. A total of 5,000 meters is currently planned for the surface drill program.

Program Reporting

Assay results for completed fans from the underground drilling will be reported as they are received. Due to the projected time to complete assaying of the samples from the sample tower, Strathcona's report on the Program is now expected early in 2014 after compilation of all data. The amount of gold and silver produced by the mill will be reported as milling of the bulk sample progresses.

Feasibility Study Update

The Brucejack Project Feasibility Study (see news release dated June 11, 2013), and associated mine plan and Mineral Reserves, will be updated following the completion of an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Valley of the Kings. The updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Valley of the Kings will incorporate all 2013 underground and surface drilling and will be prepared following receipt of all assays for the 2013 drill program.

Table 1: Valley of the Kings Drill Results, September 2013 (VU-126 to VU-196)(1,2,3)
Hole
No.
Dip/
Azimuth
From
(meters)
To
(meters)
Interval
(meters)
Gold
(g/t)
Silver
(g/t)
Capping
Bulk Sample Drill Fan Section 426540E (180 Azimuth)
VU-172 1/180 12.76 20.25 7.49 5.54 11.46
incl 18.78 19.25 0.47 75.80 52.90
VU-174 12.5/180 27.44 32.50 5.06 22.85 25.69
incl 27.44 27.99 0.55 204.04 211.10
40.40 40.91 0.51 25.00 24.80
VU-175 23.5/180 4.00 10.20 6.20 24.37 15.24
incl 4.50 5.00 0.50 289.00 150.00
34.60 40.30 5.70 4.21 6.72
incl 35.30 35.80 0.50 30.60 34.10
VU-176 32.5/180 25.50 30.50 5.00 1.79 25.63
44.00 55.50 11.50 1.37 5.36
VU-178 40/180 33.40 41.50 8.10 1.09 31.10
VU-181 47/180 0.60 8.90 8.30 27.07 27.07 1 Au sample cut
0.60 8.90 8.30 249.97 221.02 Uncut
incl 7.75 8.25 0.50 4,130 3,580 Uncut
43.67 59.50 15.83 1.76 36.22
VU-183 -10.5/180 2.65 8.00 5.35 40.90 137.00 1 Au sample cut
2.65 8.00 5.35 168.47 137.00 Uncut
incl 2.65 3.15 0.50 1,795 1,390
14.00 20.00 6.00 8.08 24.90
incl 18.35 18.85 0.50 84.20 31.90
55.50 66.00 10.50 2.19 8.78
65.10 65.60 0.50 24.70 25.30
VU-185 -21.5/180 11.40 26.00 14.60 1.03 7.26
VU-187 -31/180 50.80 64.50 13.70 1.52 10.85
VU-189 -39/180 27.50 36.40 8.90 25.47 78.89 1 Au sample cut
27.50 36.40 8.90 63.11 78.89 Uncut
incl 35.00 35.50 0.50 1,100 1,000 Uncut
63.50 82.35 18.85 1.38 9.47
VU-192 -45.5/180 70.6 89.35 18.75 1.58 14.60
VU-194 -53.5/180 27.00 31.20 4.20 1.34 6.15
Bulk Sample Drill Fan Section 426570E (180 Azimuth)
VU-126 1/180 14.60 42.50 27.90 1.00 5.97
VU-128 14/180 71.42 71.91 0.49 107.00 83.00
VU-131 25.5/180 18.20 52.00 33.80 1.48 8.20
VU-134 35.5/180 54.50 62.12 7.62 18.68 37.87
incl 56.30 56.80 0.50 245.00 170.00
VU-137 43.5/180 45.60 70.00 24.40 2.74 9.85
incl 60.20 60.70 0.50 42.00 12.50
VU-139 51/180 2.20 7.40 5.20 1.88 6.36
VU-140 -12/180 26.70 42.00 15.30 2.18 8.87
incl 39.75 40.20 0.45 17.40 7.30
VU-141 -24/180 25.00 43.00 18.00 12.96 21.99 1 Au sample cut
25.00 43.00 18.00 23.23 21.99 Uncut
incl 33.35 33.85 0.50 800.00 492.00 Uncut
VU-143 -34/180 30.02 49.90 19.88 13.44 21.03
incl 46.69 47.30 0.61 397.00 316.00
VU-145 -42.5/180 43.30 52.10 8.80 1.78 4.94
VU-146 -50/180 53.50 61.50 8.00 4.13 5.84
57.45 57.95 0.50 21.60 8.90
VU-148 -59.5/180 53.50 68.00 14.50 1.46 6.80
Bulk Sample Drill Fan Section 426577.5E (360 Azimuth)
VU-150 -1/360 3.45 14.5 11.05 7.62 16.45
4.70 5.20 0.50 136.50 133.00
29.50 34.50 5.00 4.83 7.34
33.00 33.50 0.50 35.10 15.10
VU-151 13.6/360 10.50 17.02 6.52 9.30 15.47
11.02 11.52 0.50 105.00 85.80
VU-152 26.6/360 10.60 20.00 9.40 1.27 4.19
VU-153 37.3/360 18.80 47.7 28.90 2.09 5.87
incl 36.93 37.43 0.50 15.05 14.90
incl 47.10 47.70 0.60 24.20 30.30
VU-155 45.6/360 17.40 30.4 13.00 2.03 6.08
76.50 81.60 5.10 2.97 5.44
VU-156 54/360 73.55 79.99 6.44 8.40 9.56
VU-159 64.6/360 9.48 15.50 6.02 6.75 11.01
13.10 13.60 0.50 63.00 23.80
81.50 86.40 4.90 64.97 106.61 1 Au sample cut
81.50 86.40 4.90 155.26 106.61 Uncut
81.50 82.00 0.50 54.80 30.70
83.00 83.56 0.56 1,220.00 727.00 Uncut
84.70 85.33 0.63 61.30 44.40
VU-161 -15.5/360 3.00 21.00 18.00 1.24 24.42
57.40 57.90 0.50 300.00 247.00
VU-164 -28.2/360 29.50 37.20 7.70 30.81 56.23 1 Au sample cut
29.50 37.20 7.70 43.47 56.23 Uncut
incl 32.15 32.65 0.50 625.00 463.00 Uncut
66.30 66.80 0.50 70.80 68.30
VU-166 -38.5/360 24.00 37.50 13.50 1.84 13.55
VU-168 -46.5/360 15.95 32.90 16.95 3.83 10.47
15.95 16.45 0.50 82.80 33.00
62.80 69.05 6.25 112.24 1,335.74 3 Au samples cut
62.80 69.05 6.25 1,621.68 1,335.74 Uncut
incl 62.80 63.25 0.45 34.00 28.10
incl 64.40 64.90 0.50 9,040 6,180 Uncut
incl 64.90 65.45 0.55 4,610 6,250 Uncut
incl 65.45 65.95 0.50 6,090 3,530 Uncut
incl 68.60 69.05 0.45 38.50 24.00
VU-171 -55.2/360 20.50 26.50 6.00 2.26 117.77
Bulk Sample Drill Fan Section 426622.5E (360 Azimuth)
VU-177 -1/0 31.40 37.45 6.05 16.28 34.75
incl 35.60 36.10 0.50 176.00 216.00
61.10 64.90 3.80 17.77 13.82
63.70 64.45 0.75 77.80 48.30
VU-179 12/0 1.60 10.40 8.80 4.18 6.36
incl 6.00 6.50 0.50 40.60 23.00
52.80 61.50 8.70 3.07 10.24
VU-180 23.5/0 34.50 38.50 4.00 1.36 13.79
VU-182 33.5/0 31.00 38.30 7.30 30.07 36.45 1 Au sample cut
31.00 38.30 7.30 47.33 36.45 Uncut
incl 31.69 32.19 0.50 682.00 460.00 Uncut
56.00 64.04 8.04 57.14 441.24 2 Au samples cut
56.00 64.04 8.04 714.79 714.79 Uncut
incl 59.04 59.54 0.50 9,900 5,440 Uncut
incl 59.54 60.04 0.50 1,535 1,240 Uncut
VU-184 41.5/0 12.00 16.00 4.00 18.68 11.60
14.70 15.20 0.50 133.50 54.30
60.77 72.50 11.73 83.59 133.16 2 Au samples cut
60.77 72.50 11.73 231.50 133.16 Uncut
incl 60.77 61.27 0.50 31.10 16.20
incl 63.45 64.00 0.55 38.30 39.70
incl 64.96 65.46 0.50 1,800 849.00 Uncut
incl 65.96 66.46 0.50 71.60 72.30
incl 67.28 67.78 0.50 2,530 1,400 Uncut
VU-186 49/0 23.00 27.00 4.00 6.16 6.24
24.80 25.30 0.50 43.50 23.50
60.00 64.50 4.50 4.79 14.83
62.11 62.61 0.50 30.20 82.30
VU-188 58.5/0 8.00 17.50 9.50 1.01 4.07
55.00 65.00 10.00 0.92 29.48
VU-190 -13/0 37.00 42.73 5.73 13.86 17.86
incl 40.40 40.90 0.50 96.30 90.10
incl 40.90 41.40 0.50 22.50 15.10
62.65 63.15 0.50 32.70 38.60
VU-191 -25/0 38.50 54.95 16.45 24.96 22.81 1 Au sample cut
38.50 54.95 16.45 28.09 22.81 Uncut
incl 42.74 43.24 0.50 533.00 279.00 Uncut
incl 43.24 44.00 0.76 24.20 18.90
incl 54.45 54.95 0.50 310.00 205.00
82.00 82.50 0.50 86.40 41.90
VU-193 -34.5/0 41.57 43.7 2.13 105.84 224.79 1 Au sample cut
41.57 43.7 2.13 386.36 224.79 Uncut
incl 41.57 42.07 0.50 1,625 930.00 Uncut
85.79 86.29 0.50 35.00 14.80
VU-195 -42.5/0 0.70 13.50 12.80 1.02 6.23
47.30 48.20 0.90 17.00 25.30
62.72 66.00 3.28 39.64 26.14
62.72 63.25 0.53 237.00 121.00
VU-196 -50/0 3.60 17.50 13.90 0.89 6.02
Exploration Drilling from Drill Bay 426538E/6258014N Testing to the West
VU-138 -41.5/279 10.25 21.90 11.65 37.88 39.30 1 Au sample cut
10.25 21.90 11.65 53.46 39.30 Uncut
incl 10.25 10.75 0.50 793.00 599.00
incl 19.00 19.50 0.50 421.00 246.00
69.35 69.95 0.60 226.00 180.00
144.70 145.15 0.45 44.50 31.20
VU-142 0/279 25.81 36.10 10.29 2.27 121.31
incl 26.34 26.80 0.46 24.00 44.80
VU-144 48.5/279 4.80 15.23 10.43 47.32 26.99 1 Au sample cut
4.80 15.23 10.43 51.06 26.99 Uncut
incl 4.80 5.30 0.50 330.00 142.00
incl 12.25 12.75 0.50 217.00 163.00
incl 14.73 15.23 0.50 508.00 217.00
41.94 42.44 0.50 173.50 88.30
80.45 80.95 0.50 70.40 50.90
VU-147 18/260 92.90 95.90 3.00 15.58 31.78
incl 93.60 94.10 0.50 86.80 107.00
245.30 247.50 2.20 7.84 48.56
incl 246.30 247.00 0.70 22.30 131.00
VU-154 -13/260 4.40 4.90 0.50 184.50 157.00
55.20 55.90 0.70 59.00 63.00
111.00 111.50 0.50 18.30 9.40
VU-165 45/360 25.90 27.90 2.00 202.74 229.48 1 Au sample cut
25.90 27.90 2.00 385.89 229.48 Uncut
incl 25.90 26.80 0.90 837.00 486.00 Uncut
incl 27.40 27.90 0.50 36.10 39.90
Exploration Drilling from Drill Bay 426659E/6258019N Testing Domain 20
VU-149 -66/310 6.05 18.00 11.95 41.99 152.14 2 Au samples cut
6.05 18.00 11.95 166.68 152.14 Uncut
incl 6.05 6.60 0.55 2,430 2,400 Uncut
incl 8.10 8.60 0.50 61.00 63.20
incl 16.50 17.00 0.50 1,210 605.00 Uncut
34.20 58.55 24.35 8.82 9.11
55.55 57.05 1.50 124.50 77.80
VU-158 1/360 10.7 17.68 6.98 1.83 10.22
VU-158 A 1/360 5.50 11.80 6.30 35.60 75.63 1 Au sample cut
5.50 11.80 6.30 149.49 75.63 Uncut
incl 6.25 6.75 0.50 1,865 815.00 Uncut
VU-160 -45/360 6.50 14.50 8.00 20.99 11.08
incl 6.50 7.00 0.50 55.40 20.10
incl 7.00 7.50 0.50 250.00 32.80
VU-163 45/360 53.50 56.65 3.15 3.37 11.71
87.00 91.65 4.65 3.46 9.11
VU-167 0/45 5.80 13.70 7.90 4.52 9.16
6.80 7.50 0.70 39.30 16.50
VU-170 45/45 40.00 45.00 5.00 6.85 111.70
incl 42.00 42.50 0.50 27.40 32.20
59.50 60.10 0.60 194.50 221.00
VU-173 -45/45 5.50 18.00 12.50 1.28 13.04
Exploration Hole VU-136 from 426662E/6258013N Targeting Eastern Valley of the Kings
VU-136 -28/109 42.64 55.68 13.04 2.81 8.94
incl 46.65 47.32 0.67 22.10 12.00
317.80 334.06 16.26 17.48 16.41 1 Au sample cut
317.80 334.06 16.26 21.45 16.41 Uncut
incl 333.06 333.56 0.50 559.00 247.00 Uncut
incl 333.56 334.06 0.50 81.50 71.30
356.65 370.11 13.46 30.10 31.12 1 Au sample cut
356.65 370.11 13.46 54.99 31.12 Uncut
incl 360.78 361.28 0.50 211.00 185.00
incl 366.25 367.75 1.50 52.40 26.10
incl 369.61 370.11 0.50 1,100 497.00 Uncut
(1) True thickness to be determined.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated as uncut, all gold assays over 430 g/t were cut to 430 g/t.
(3) All samples were submitted for preparation and analysis by ALS Chemex at its facilities in Terrace, B.C. All samples were analyzed using multi-digestion with ICP finish and fire assay with AA finish for gold. Samples over 100 ppm silver were reanalyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AA finish. Samples over 1,500 ppm silver were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Samples with over 10 ppm gold were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. One in 20 samples was blank, one in 20 was a standard sample, and differing one in 20 samples was a field duplicate one-quarter split core assayed at ALS Chemex in Vancouver, B.C.

Kenneth C. McNaughton, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Chief Exploration Officer, Pretium Resources Inc. is the Qualified Person (QP) responsible for the Brucejack Project exploration program.

About Pretivm

Pretivm is creating value through gold at its high-grade gold Brucejack Project, located in northern British Columbia. Brucejack hosts a major undeveloped high-grade gold resource, with Probable Mineral Reserves in the Valley of the Kings totalling 6.6 million ounces of gold (15.1 million tonnes grading 13.6 grams of gold per tonne). Brucejack is being advanced as a high-grade underground mine with an average of 425,700 ounces of gold produced annually for the first 10 years and an average of 321,500 ounces of gold produced annually over the Project's 22-year mine life. Commercial production is targeted to commence in 2016.

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include, but is not limited to, risks related to our planned exploration and development activities, the adequacy of Pretivm's financial resources, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, timing of development of Pretivm's Brucejack Project, costs and timing of future exploration, results of future exploration and drilling, production and processing estimates, capital and operating cost estimates, timelines and similar statements relating to the economic viability of the Brucejack Project, timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation, Pretivm's executive compensation approach and practice, and adequacy of financial resources. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "projects", "assumes", "budget", "strategy", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "anticipates", "believes", "intends" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative forms of any of these terms and similar expressions, have been used to identify forward-looking statements and information. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking information to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, those risks identified in Pretivm's prospectus supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus dated March 19, 2012 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the United States through EDGAR at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking information is based on the expectations and opinions of Pretivm's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

Contact Information:

Pretium Resources Inc.
Robert Quartermain
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 558-1784

Pretium Resources Inc.
Michelle Romero
Vice President, Corporate Relations
(604) 558-1784
invest@pretivm.com
www.pretivm.com