Start of the review of Sabina Gold & Silver’s water license applications for Back River project

The Nunavut Water Board (NWB) has commenced public review of the Type A and Type B water license applications related to initial development, mine construction and operation of the Back River project.As announced on December 6, 2017, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, on behalf of the five responsible federal Ministers, accepted Nunavut Impact Review Board’s recommendation for the Project to proceed to the regulatory and licensing phase. The NIRB has advised that the final Project Certificate will be issued on or before January 4, 2018.

The Type B water license would enable Sabina to commence certain initial pre-development activities in 2018 including onsite construction of service roads and laydown pads, and the mobilization of fuel, supplies and equipment at the Goose property and marine laydown area. Sabina anticipates approval of the Type B water license in late Q1, 2018.

The Type A water license would allow for full construction and operation of the Back River project. Sabina anticipates approval of the Type A water license in Q4, 2018.

“With a positive Ministers decision now in hand we are pleased to see that the licensing process has commenced which will enable full development of the Back River Project” said Bruce McLeod, President & CEO. “We look forward to receiving the Project Certificate, various final licenses as well as finalizing the definitive agreements with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association for land tenure and Inuit benefits.”

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp is a well-financed, emerging precious metals company with district scale, world class undeveloped assets in one of the world’s newest, politically stable mining jurisdictions: Nunavut, Canada.

In September 2015, Sabina released a feasibility study on its 100% owned Back River Gold project which presents a project that has been designed on a fit-for purpose basis, with the potential to produce ~200,000 oz/y for ~11 years with a rapid payback of 2.9 years. At a $1,150 gold price and a 0.80 exchange rate, the study delivers a potential after tax IRR of some 24.2% with an initial CAPEX of C$415 million.