Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of May 2003
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
145 King Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing
the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes No X
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[If "YES" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-____________
-2-
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AGNICO-EAGLE MINES LIMITED
Date: May 20, 2003 By: (signed) David Garofalo
-------------- ------------------------------------------
Vice-President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
2003 LARONDE MINERAL RESOURCE & MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE
AGNICO-EAGLE MINES LTD. LARONDE DIVISION
Guy Gosselin, P. Eng., P. Geo.
Chief Geologist
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Laronde Division
Preissac, Quebec
Effective February 19th, 2003
Dated May 12th, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. TITLE PAGE .............................................................
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................... i
3. SUMMARY ................................................................ 1
4. INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE .................................... 2
5. DISCLAIMER ............................................................. 2
6. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION ...................................... 5
7. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND
PHYSIOGRAPHY ........................................................... 6
8. HISTORY ................................................................ 9
9. GEOLOGICAL SETTING ..................................................... 14
10. DEPOSIT TYPES ......................................................... 18
11. MINERALISATION ........................................................ 18
11.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT SHAFT NO. 1 .............. 18
11.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT SHAFT NO. 2 .............. 21
11.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT THE PENNA SHAFT .......... 25
12. EXPLORATION ........................................................... 31
12.1 2002 DRILLING RESULTS ............................................ 31
12.2 2003 DRILLING PROGRAM ............................................ 31
12.3 DRILLING CONTRACTOR .............................................. 31
12.4 PROCEDURE FOR DESCRIBING DRILL CORE .............................. 33
12.5 RELIABILITY OF RESULTS ........................................... 33
13. DRILLING .............................................................. 34
13.1 CORE SIZE ........................................................ 34
13.2 DRILL HOLE IDENTIFICATION ........................................ 34
13.3 CORE STORAGE ..................................................... 34
13.4 PROCEDURES ....................................................... 35
13.5 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORE LENGTH AND THICKNESS ................... 37
14. SAMPLING METHOD AND APPROACH .......................................... 38
14.1 CHIP SAMPLING METHOD ............................................. 38
14.2 CORE SAMPLING METHOD ............................................. 39
14.3 FACTORS THAT CAN MATERIALLY IMPACT THE SAMPLING RESULTS .......... 39
14.4 SAMPLE QUALITY AND REPRESENTATIVITY .............................. 40
14.5 OTHER SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS ........................................ 40
15. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY ............................. 41
15.1 CHIP SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURE ................................. 41
15.2 CORE COLLECTION PROCEDURE ........................................ 41
15.3 LARONDE ASSAY LABORATORY PROCEDURES .............................. 42
i
15.4 INDEPENDENT ASSAY LABORATORY PROCEDURES .......................... 43
15.5 QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES AND CHECK ASSAY PROCEDURES .............. 43
16. DATA VERIFICATION ..................................................... 45
17. ADJACENT PROPERTIES ................................................... 45
18. MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING .......................... 45
19. 2003 LARONDE MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE ............ 46
19.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 46
19.2 MINERAL RESOURCE ................................................. 46
19.3 MINERAL RESERVE .................................................. 48
19.4 CHANGES IN THE ESTIMATE SINCE JULY 2002 .......................... 50
19.5 ESTIMATION METHODS ............................................... 52
19.6 RESULTS .......................................................... 60
19.7 EXCEPTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2003 RESERVE-RESOURCE CALCULATIONS ....... 68
20. OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION ................................... 69
21. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................ 70
22. RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................... 71
23. REFERENCES ............................................................ 72
24. DATE .................................................................. 77
25. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL REPORTS ON DEVELOPMENT
PROPERTIES AND PRODUCTION PROPERTIES .................................. 77
26. ILLUSTRATION .......................................................... 77
APPENDIX A ................................................................ 78
APPENDIX B ................................................................ 79
APPENDIX C ................................................................ 80
APPENDIX D ................................................................ 81
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1 SUMMARY OF ESTIMATION RESERVES AND INDICATED RESOURCES 3
TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF ESTIMATION INFERRED RESOURCES 4
TABLE 3 PRODUCTION SUMMARIES TO DATE 13
TABLE 4 LARONDE CUMULATIVE PRODUCTION TO DECEMBER 31, 2002 13
TABLE 5 2002 DETAILED LARONDE PRODUCTION 13
TABLE 6 SUMMARY OF 2002 DIAMOND DRILLING 32
TABLE 7 DRILL HOLE SPACING FOR INDICATED RESOURCES AND
PROBABLE RESERVES 49
TABLE 8 TOP CUT GRADE FOR BLOCK MODELLING 56
TABLE 9 ZONE ANISOTROPIES 57
ii
3. SUMMARY
Since 1988, Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., through its Laronde division, has operated
a mine-mill complex near the village of Preissac, north western Quebec.
Accountable (net of smelter charge) production to December 31st 2002 has been
2.15 million ounces of gold, 9.5 million ounces of silver, 42.3 kilo tonnes of
copper and 134.3 kilo tonnes of zinc from 12.0 million tonnes of ore.
In 2003, all the mineral reserves and most of the mineral resources at Laronde
are located near the Penna shaft. The reserves and resources occurs as several
sulphide-rich lenses which are found along five different stratigraphic
horizons: 6, 7, 20 North Gold, 20 North Zinc and 20 South.
The 2003 mineral resources and mineral reserves estimate at Laronde was based on
the same parameters that were used in 2001 and 2002 estimate: 300$/ounce gold,
5$/ounce silver, 0.80$/pound copper, 0.50$/pound zinc, 1.47 $US/$C exchange rate
and total mining and milling costs that varied between 39$C/tonne to 59$C/tonne
depending on the zone. The mineral reserve and mineral resource estimate was
estimated using either inverse-distance block modelling techniques or the
polygonal method.
Total proven mineral reserves are estimated to be 7.232 million tonnes grading
2.68 g/t gold, 97.59 g/t silver, 0.39% copper and 4.95% zinc. Total probable
mineral reserves are estimated at 30.590 million tonnes grading 3.45 g/t gold,
63.19 g/t silver, 0.37% copper and 2.93% zinc. The total indicated mineral
resources are estimated to be 0.588 million tonnes at a grade of 3.94 g/t gold,
14.85 g/t silver, 0.17% copper and 0.55% zinc. Finally, the total inferred
mineral resources at the Penna shaft are estimated to be 20.892 million tonnes
grading 5.92 g/t gold, 13.02 g/t silver, 0.33% copper and 0.08% zinc.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 1 RapRes03-01.doc
4. INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
This document present the year 2003 mineral reserves and mineral resources
estimate, for Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Laronde Division. The estimate is
presented in a database report format (file no. RapRes03-01.mdb) and are
summarised by category in the final tabulation. The mining reserves and mineral
resources are calculated in metric S.I. units and are converted to the Imperial
System in the final tabulation. The outlines of the reserve and resource blocks
are displayed by zone on separate AutoCAD format longitudinal sections and are
also summarised on a composite longitudinal plan (drawing no. LONG2003.dwg).
The mineral reserves and mineral resources estimate for the Laronde Division,
present inventory information (with the exception of the reserves and resources
located below the bottom of the Penna Shaft) which is current as of December
31st 2002. Blocks of mineral resources outlined at shafts no. 1 and no. 2 are
described in the report but are excluded in the final tabulation of mining
reserves and resources. The mining mineral reserves and mineral resources
calculated for the Penna shaft however includes results from the current
exploration diamond-drilling program (as recent as February 1st 2003) taking
place on level 215 in the western exploration drift.
Total proven & probable reserves and indicated resources at Laronde are
estimated to be 38.4 million tonnes grading 3.32 g/t gold, 68.92 g/t silver,
0.37% copper and 3.27% zinc and contains 4.097 million ounces of gold (Table 1).
Inferred minerals resources stand at 20.9 million tonnes grading 5.92 g/t gold,
13.02 g/t silver, 0.33% copper and 0.08% zinc and contains 3.978 million ounces
of gold (Table 2).
The 2003 mineral reserves and mineral resources estimate and all the information
presented in this report are the responsibility of the geology department at the
Laronde Division of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. The report was prepared under the
direction of Guy Gosselin P. Eng., P. Geol., the chief geologist at the Laronde
Division, who is fully qualified per the standards outlined in the National
Instrument 43-101. The estimate and report have been reviewed and verified as
being compliant with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects and form 43-101F1 by Marc H. Legault P. Eng., Manager of
project evaluation for Agnico-Eagle mines Ltd. and Qualified Person.
The results of the 2003 Laronde mineral reserves and mineral resources
estimate were released to the public in a press release dated February 19th,
2003.
5. DISCLAIMER
This document contains certain statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 2 RapRes03-01.doc
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATION RESERVE AND INDICATED RESOURCES RapRes03-01
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DILUTED GRADE
BLOCK CATEGORY Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%) TONS (MT)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable SOMME 3.455 63.187 0.37 2.93 0.32 30,590,466
Proven SOMME 2.684 97.588 0.39 4.95 0.62 7,232,297
Indicated Resource SOMME 3.936 14.851 0.17 0.55 0.04 588,066
TOTAL GENERAL 3.317 68.924 0.37 3.27 0.38 38,410,829
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
BLOCK CATEGORY Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable SOMME 105,685,002 1,932,909,320 112,686,721 896,363,078 99,165,150
Proven SOMME 19,414,605 705,788,178 28,546,331 358,031,813 44,727,559
Indicated Resource SOMME 2,314,779 8,733,129 989,252 3,263,469 230,740
TOTAL GENERAL 127,414,387 2,647,430,627 142,222,304 1,257,658,360 144,123,449
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SUMMARY OF ESTIMATION INFERRED RESOURCE RapRes03-01
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DILUTED GRADE
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BLOCK CATEGORY Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%) TONS (MT)
Inferred Resource SOMME 5.923 13.024 0.33 0.08 0.02 20,892,032
TOTAL GENERAL 5.923 13.024 0.33 0.08 0.02 20,892,032
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATION INFERRED RESOURCE
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
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BLOCK CATEGORY Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
Inferred Resource SOMME 123,739,856 272,102,202 69,917,201 16,800,185 5,128,594
TOTAL GENERAL 123,739,856 272,102,202 69,917,201 16,800,185 5,128,594
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6. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
Most of the mining and milling activities at Laronde are centred on mining
lease BM-796 which covers 491.886 hectares in Cadillac and Bousquet
townships, Rouyn-Noranda mining district, north-western Quebec, Canada (NTS
32D/01: Latitude 78DEG.15'W, Longitude 48DEG.15'N). The mine is approximately
600 km northwest of Montreal, Quebec. The mining lease, which was issued in
October 1988 and is valid for a 20-year period, is registered under the name
of Dumagami Mines Ltd., which was amalgamated with Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. in
1989. In the Province of Quebec, the holder of a mining lease is generally
also granted the surface rights. At Laronde, the Quebec Ministry of Transport
retains surface rights over a small portion of the BM-796 mining lease that
underlies Regional Highway 395 portion (8.16 hectares; block 33, Bousquet
Township). The Laronde tailing facilities currently cover 167.61 hectares of
BM-796 (Figure 2).
In 2000, mining activities began to extend onto a portion of the neighbouring El
Coco property (owned 100% by Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.). A mining lease BM-854,
contiguous with BM-796 and covering 59.58 hectares, was granted to Agnico-Eagle
Mines Ltd in June 2001 for a 20-year period covering lot 62 in Cadillac Township
(Val d'Or Mining District) where the new underground mining infrastructures are
located. This mining lease replaces three mining claims (417570-1, 417570-2 and
417570-4) and a portion of two others (417570-3 and 417570-5) of the El Coco
property, all located in Cadillac Township (see claim map in Appendix B).
Surface rights lease no. 816693, registered at the Ministry of Natural Resources
lands registry office in Amos, Quebec under the name of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
and renewable annually, covers a portion (122.333 hectares) of the Laronde
tailing facilities, which extends outside the BM-796 mining lease in Cadillac
Township (on the El Coco property). A second, annually renewable surface rights
lease (no. 807400) covers the pipeline that supplies water to the mine site from
Lake Preissac.
The mining lease are legally surveyed. The surface rights leases and area of the
tailing ponds on BM-796 are approximate. A Table describing the annual fees and
expiry date for each of the leases is presented in Appendix B.
Production from the Laronde mining lease BM-796 is not subject to any royalty.
Production of minerals and mineral substances from the portion of the El Coco
property west of Section 8780E (Laronde mining grid reference) is subject to a
50% net profits royalty. A royalty equal to 4% of the net smelter returns will
also be derived from future production of minerals and mineral substances from
the portion of the El Coco property east of Section 8780E (refer to Dionne and
Boyd, 1999). Environmental liability and permit issues are addressed in the
report by Roscoe Postle (2002, 2001) and Girard et al (2001).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 5 RapRes03-01.doc
7. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY
The Laronde property is located in the municipalities of Preissac and Cadillac,
roughly midway (60 kilometres) between the cities of Rouyn-Noranda and Val d'Or,
Quebec. The property can be accessed from either Val d'Or and Rouyn-Noranda by
Highway 117 then northward for approximately 2 kilometres along Regional Highway
395 (Fig. 1).
The property is relatively flat; the maximum relief is about 40 meters and the
topography slopes relatively gently down from north to south. All the surface
water drains southeast into Dormenan Creek, which follows the southern property
boundary and is a tributary to Noir Creek, located 2 kilometres to the east. The
latter flows northward into Lake Preissac, about 4 kilometres to the north of
the Laronde property. Climate allows for year-round mining. Surface mining,
milling and mine tailing infrastructures cover roughly 60% of the Laronde mining
lease (Fig. 2). A boreal-type forest consisting mainly of black spruce, poplar
and minor birch, tamarack and balsam fir covers the remaining portion of the
Laronde (and El Coco) property. The sufficiency of surface rights for mining and
other availability issues are addressed in Scherkus (1986), Roscoe Postle (1999,
2001, 2002).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 6 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 1
LOCATION MAP
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 7 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 2
SURFACE PLAN LARONDE MINE
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 8 RapRes03-01.doc
8. HISTORY
Marquis et al. (1992) presented a comprehensive description of the exploration
and development work completed on the Laronde property prior to 1989 (the work
was also summarised by Trudel et al., 1992).
In 1937, Scott Chibougamau Mines Ltd. completed 70 square metres of outcrop
stripping and trenching. This work uncovered a number of
quartz-tourmaline-pyrite-pyrrhotite veins with traces of chalcopyrite and
sericite and also revealed the presence of massive sulphides (pyrite) on the
property. This showing was found in the vicinity of the original Laronde no.1
open pit (or East) zone.
In 1961, Rio Tinto Canadian Exploration Ltd. and O'Brien Gold Mines Ltd.
conducted a reconnaissance survey in the area. Seven conductors were
investigated.
In 1963, Dumagami Mines Ltd. staked 46 claims (696.1 hectares) covering the
Scott Chibougamau Mines' Au-Ag-Cu showing.
In 1963 and 1964, Dumagami Mines Ltd. completed geological, magnetic and
electromagnetic surveys and 51 diamond drill holes (10,274 metres). Most of the
holes tested the area around the main showing (East zone) and while the rest
were scattered along the axis of the mineralized zone.
In 1965, Dumagami Mines Ltd. published a resource (calculated to a depth of 243
metres) of 1,120,000 tonnes grading 6.5 g/t Au, 19.9 g/t Ag and 0.29% Cu.
Judging that the grades were too low to justify an economic operation, work was
suspended on the property.
In 1974, Mentor Exploration and Development Company Ltd. (part of the
Agnico-Eagle Group of companies) joined Noranda Mines and Iso Mines who had
been, since 1961, the principal shareholders of Dumagami Mines Ltd. A revised
resource of 2,353,000 tonnes grading 3.3 g/t Au, 9.3 g/t Ag and 0.14% Cu was
calculated to a depth of 268 metres.
In 1975, Dumagami Mines Ltd. completed 19 diamond drill holes (1,364 metres) to
evaluate the open pit potential of the reserves indicated to a depth of 61
metres. Some overburden stripping over the main zone of mineralisation (East
zone) and metallurgical tests were also completed. A decline in the price of
gold cancelled plans to bring the main zone into production in 1976.
In 1979, Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. became a shareholder of Dumagami Mines Ltd.
(joining Noranda Mines Ltd. and Mentor Exploration and Development Company Ltd.)
and operator of the exploration program on the property.
In 1980, detailed geological mapping and lithogeochemistry and additional
overburden stripping were completed over the main zone of mineralisation and on
the rest of the property. 20 diamond drill holes were also completed (3537
metres).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 9 RapRes03-01.doc
In 1981, Dumagami Mines Ltd. published a resource (to a depth of 221 metres)
consisting of 2.455 million tonnes grading 2.91 g/t Au of which 576,200 tons
grading 2.67 g/t Au were judged to be mineable by open pit methods (Adamcik and
Bailly, 1981). Surface diamond drilling over the entire property continued in
1982 and 1983
Between 1983 and 1985, Dumagami Mines Ltd. carried out an underground and
surface exploration program on the main zone of mineralisation consisting of: 1)
a three compartment shaft to a depth of 435 metres; 2) underground development
consisting of 3,347 metres on five levels; 3) underground definition and
exploration drilling totalling 18,985 metres; and 4) a surface diamond drilling
program totalling 7,349 metres.
In January 1986, Dumagami Mines Ltd. published a revised resource (to a depth of
221 metres) for the no.3 and no.5 lenses (East zone) that totalled 1,971,669
tonnes grading 3.19 g/t Au. Although the deposit was judged to be uneconomic,
approval was given to pursue a limited surface drill program to the west of the
main zones of mineralisation and a single underground drill hole (Scherkus,
1986).
In early 1986, a new and relatively gold-rich zone of mineralisation (West zone)
was discovered at depth and to the west of the previous mineralisation (the
discovery hole 86-3 intersected 7.76 g/t Au over 9.1 metres at a vertical depth
of 854 metres). A further 820 metres of underground development on 2 levels and
3,894 metres of diamond drilling were completed.
In 1987, Dumagami Mines Ltd. completed a positive feasibility study (Anderson,
1987) that recommended building a 1,360 tonne per day concentrator. Shaft no. 1
was deepened to 975 metres. The combined reserve and resource of the East and
West zones was estimated at 4,969,596 tonnes grading 4.59 g/t Au and 0.42% Cu.
Commercial production at Laronde began in October 1988. In 1989, the production
rate was increased to 1,810 tonnes per day. In December 1989, Dumagami Mines was
amalgamated into Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
In 1990, a surface and underground exploration program was initiated over the
eastern portion of the Laronde property. The surface diamond-drilling program
led to the discovery in 1991 of the no.4 zone (open pit no.2) and of the no.6
and no.7 zones in 1992.
The underground exploration program, initiated in 1990, consisted of exploration
drilling of the favourable horizon from a main exploration drift (860 metres
below surface) that extended to the eastern boundary of the Laronde property. A
small lens corresponding to zone no.7 (block 72) was discovered in 1991 while
zones 20 North Gold (formerly zone 19), 20 North Zinc, 20 South and no. 6 (at
depth) were found in 1992 and 1993 (Fig.3).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 10 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 3
LARONDE LONGITUDINAL PENNA SHAFT ZONES
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 11 RapRes03-01.doc
In 1993, zone no.4 was test-mined with a small open pit. Open pit no.2 reserves
for zone no.4 consisted of 112,000 tonnes grading 3 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu
and 0.5% Zn. Open pit no.2 was mined-out by 1999 and milling of the stockpiled
ore was completed in 2000.
In 1994, shaft no. 1 was deepened to 1205 metres and shaft no. 2 was completed
to a depth of 525 metres. When mining began at shaft no.2 in 1995, reserves for
the no.6 zone were estimated at 739,251 tonnes grading 9.42 g/t Au, 36.57 g/t
Ag, 1.14% Cu and 2.44% Zn. Reserves for zone no.7 were then estimated to be
207,984 tonnes grading 4.64 g/t Au, 61.06 g/t Ag, 0.08% Cu and 4.50% Zn.
In 1994, the Penna shaft underground exploration and development program and
mill expansion program was initiated.
In 2000 a transition took place in production from shaft 1 & 2 toward the new
commissioned Penna Shaft. Underground production at shaft no.2 ceased in April,
whereas underground production from shaft no.1 zones stopped in October 2000.
The Penna shaft was completed to a depth of 2250 metres, the shaft changeover
was completed and the 4500 tonnes per day production hoist and ore handling
facilities were commissioned. The Laronde mill capacity was increased to 4500
tonnes per day.
In 2001, surface exploration on the El Coco Property led to the discovery of
zone 22, 1.5 km east of the Penna Shaft 300m below surface. Level 86 (860m
depth) exploration drift was extended toward the east across the El Coco
Property.
In 2002, the Laronde Division reached the benchmark of 2 million accountable
ounces of gold production in June. In October Hoisting and ore handling
facilities were expended to reach 7000 tonnes per day at the Penna Shaft. The
Laronde mill capacity was also increased to 7000 tonnes per day at the beginning
of October.
The following tables describe the cumulative payable metal production at
Laronde, the division's production history by shaft and the 2002 underground
production per zone.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 12 RapRes03-01.doc
TABLE 3: PRODUCTION SUMMARY TO DATE
GOLD
ORE MILLED GRADE PRODUCTION PAID NET FROM SMELTER
YEAR (SHORT TONS) (OZ/TON) GOLD (OZ) SILVER (OZ) COPPER (LBS) ZINC (LBS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988* 309,429 0.10 25,792 39,868 412,270
1989 693,825 0.14 84,974 127,339 1,394,567
1990 749,377 0.14 98,326 167,886 2,023,417
1991 652,390 0.20 115,831 164,572 3,869,050
1992 601,055 0.24 134,474 266,412 7,267,126
1993 638,523 0.26 152,355 270,671 9,207,872
1994 620,217 0.25 144,584 268,004 10,267,443
1995 728,064 0.25 167,209 330,532 12,183,871
1996 729,362 0.24 159,558 295,674 10,489,087
1997 785,552 0.21 154,515 279,938 8,844,441
1998 776,726 0.21 150,443 269,985 6,151,063 1,231,446
1999 798,402 0.12 90,035 277,327 3,282,471 9,778,278
2000 1,415,898 0.14 173,852 1,128,234 4,943,421 50,680,921
2001 1,805,248 0.15 234,860 2,524,146 4,096,247 126,275,217
2002 1,963,129 0.14 260,183 3,093,543 8,927,100 108,059,888
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 13,267,197 0.18 2,146,992 9,504,132 93,359,446 296,025,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Includes tune-up period. Production started on October 1st 1988
TABLE 4: LARONDE CUMULATIVE PRODUCTION TO DECEMBER 31, 2002
DESCRIPTION TONNES AU (g/t) AG (g/t) CU (%) ZN (%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Penna Shaft 4,341,915 5.01 76.00 0.27 4.44
Open Pit #2 173,256 2.41 4.91 0.24 0.33
Shaft #1 6,539,500 6.82
Shaft #2 959,516 7.34 40.67 0.73 2.54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL LARONDE 12,014,187 6.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 5: 2002 DETAILED LARONDE PRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION TONNES AU (g/t) AG (g/t) CU (%) ZN (%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 20 South Zone 741,858 7.85 76.26 0.27 4.00
Total 20 North Zone 965,053 2.97 83.70 0.41 4.06
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2002 PENNA SHAFT RECONCILED PRODUCTION 1,706,911 5.09 80.47 0.35 4.04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 13 RapRes03-01.doc
9. GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Laronde mining division forms part of the Doyon-Bousquet-Laronde Mining
Camp. Geologically, the Laronde property is located near the southern boundary
of the Archean-age (2.7 Ga) Abitibi Sub-Province with the Pontiac Sub-Province
within the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. The most important regional
structure is the Cadillac-Larder Lake fault zone making the contact between the
Abitibi and the Pontiac sub-provinces, located approximately 2 km to the south
of the Laronde property.
The geology that underlies the Laronde mining property consists of three
East-West trending, steeply south dipping and generally southward facing
regional lithological units. The units are, from north to south: 1) the Kewagama
Group which is made up of a 400 metre thick band of interbedded wacke; 2) the
Blake River Group, a 1,600 metres thick volcanic assemblage which hosts all the
known economic mineralisation on the property; and 3) the Cadillac Group, made
up of 600 metre thick band of wacke interbedded with pelitic schist and minor
iron formation (Fig. 4).
At Laronde, the Blake River Group is composed of the Hebecourt and Bousquet
formations (Lafrance ET AL., 2002). The regional sequence shows a basalt flows
basement overlain by andesitic to rhyolitic flows and fragmental rocks
associated with local volcanic centres. Three members present on the property
could be identified regionally, one within the Hebecourt formation and two
others within the Bousquet formation. These are, from north to south: 1) the
Northern Tholeiitic Basalt member; 2) the Lower Transitional member; and 3) the
Upper Felsic member (Moorhead ET AL., 2000, Lafrance ET AL., 2002 and Dube ET
AL., 2003).
Dube ET AL. (2002) have identified on the Laronde property several regionally
correlatible units (Lafrance ET AL., 2002) that comprise the Northern Tholeitic
Basalt, Lower Transitional and Upper Felsic members. Although several smaller
lithological units are described in the following sections dealing with
mineralisation, these units are not identified by the name identified by Dube ET
AL.(2002).
The Northern Tholeiitic Basalt member (Hebecourt formation) consists locally of
a 750 metre thick homoclinal sequence of relatively undeformed, southward
facing, tholeiitic, massive to pillow basalt flows. Some of the flows are
glomeroporhyritic and can be traced laterally for several kilometres. Although
this unit hosts the Mouska and former Mic-Mac gold mines, no significant
mineralisation is associated with it on the Laronde property.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 14 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 4
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 15 RapRes03-01.doc
The Northern Tholeiitic Basalt is interbedded with Quartz-porphyritic Rhyolite
sill and dyke units (Bousquet formation lower member) close to the southern
contact. This portion of the Tholeiitic Basalt member intruded by rhyolitic sill
and dyke is up to 150 metres thick on the Laronde mine property. These dyke &
sill unit consists of several metre-thick fine-grained felsic layer of
tholeiitic to transitional affinity, which is characterized by 3-15% mm-sized
blue-grey coloured quartz phenocrysts and equally abundant albite phenocrysts.
Narrow mafic volcanic intervals are also present locally. Although no
significant mineralisation or alteration is known to occur within this unit at
Laronde, a low-grade, sulphide-rich, shear zone-hosted gold zone (Bousquet zone
no. 6) is partly enclosed within it, 300 metres west of Laronde mining lease's
western limit.
The Lower Transitional Volcanic member (Bousquet formation) is 200 to 350 metres
in thickness on the Laronde mine property. Although all of the mineralized zones
at the Doyon and Bousquet no. 1 mines are enclosed within this unit, no
significant mineralisation has been discovered so far within it on the Laronde
property. At Laronde, the lower member is characterized by transitional
tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalt-andesite flows and coarse andesitic lapilli
block tuff (consisting of scoriaceous feldspar-rich fragments within an
intermediate to mafic matrix) with minor horizons of intermediate to felsic
tuff. The contact between the Lower Transitional Volcanic member and the Upper
Felsic member is generally strongly sheared and faulted over several metres.
The Upper (or Southern) Felsic member, which hosts all the significant gold and
base metal mineralisation on the Laronde property, varies in thickness from 150
metres in the vicinity of shaft no. 1 to over 550 metres thick at Penna shaft
(Dube ET AL 2003). This stratigraphic interval is characterized by the dominance
of quartz and feldspar porphyritic rhyodacite to rhyolitic flows, breccia and
lapilli block tuff over fine-grained felsic tuff. Andesitic to dacitic flows and
tuff are common in the northern part of the unit while blue- and grey-quartz
porphyritic rhyolite tuff and lapilli block tuff horizons occur in the southern
portion of the unit. Minor andesite flow horizons and possible sills have also
been observed. The contact between the Mixed Volcanic member to the north and
the Upper Felsic member is generally strongly sheared and faulted over several
metres. The contact between the Upper Felsic member of the Bousquet formation
and the Cadillac Sedimentary Group is undeformed to sheared over several metres,
with local fault gouge (Fig. 5).
Zones of strong sericite and chlorite alterations, which enclose massive to
disseminated sulphide mineralisation follow steeply dipping, east-west trending,
anastomosing shear zone structures from east to west across the property. These
shear zones comprise a larger structure, the Doyon-Dumagami Structural Zone,
which hosts several important gold occurrences (including the Doyon and Bousquet
deposits) and has been traced for over 10 kilometres within the Blake River
Group from the Laronde property westward to the Mouska gold deposit.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 16 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 5
LARONDE GEOLOGY
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 17 RapRes03-01.doc
10. DEPOSIT TYPES
More than a dozen economic massive to disseminate polymetallic sulphide zones
that vary in size from 50,000 to 40,000,000 tonnes are known on the Laronde mine
property (Fig. 3). The mineralized zones are generally oriented east west and
dip steeply to the south (parallel to the geological fabric). Each zone is
identified by a number, which is based on its relative stratigraphic or
structural position within the Upper Felsic member of the Blake River Group-
Bousquet formation. Because more than one orebody may occur within a particular
mineralized horizon, they have been assigned a block number (for example, block
71 represents zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2 while block 72 is zone no. 7 type at the
Penna shaft). The zones are briefly described below in the order that they occur
at each shaft, from north to south.
11. MINERALISATION
11.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT SHAFT NO. 1
Zone no. 5 (blocks 51, 52, 53 and 54)
Zone no. 5 was the main production area at shaft no. 1 that has produced over
6.5 million tonnes of gold-copper ore (depleted April 2000). It occurs within
the pyrite-rich core of a major east west trending, steeply dipping
sericite-andalusite-kyanite schist band, several tens of metres thick, located
roughly 100 metres north of the Cadillac sedimentary contact. This
andalusite-bearing schist lens has been traced for approximately 500 metres east
west from the western property boundary.
The zone no. 5 orebody and other minor discontinuous pyritic andalusite-bearing
schist lenses (including the small South zone which was mined out near surface
120 metres south-west of zone no. 5) are enclosed within a 100-metre thick
sericite alteration envelope, which can be traced as far east as the Penna
shaft. Zone no. 5 is interpreted to be a high-sulphidation volcanogenic massive
sulphide deposit (see Sillitoe, Hannington and Thompson, 1996; Marquis et al.,
1994; Marquis, 1990).
Pyrite-rich massive sulphide lenses and strongly silicified sulphide-bearing
zones occur within the pyritic andalusite schist zone. The zone no 5 orebodies
are generally made up of en-echelon lenticular massive pyrite lenses, generally
a few metres in thickness. The ore zones in massive pyrite lenses pass laterally
into adjacent siliceous andalusite-bearing rock with 10-50% disseminated and
foliation-parallel stringer sulphide and finally into the pyritic andalusite
schist. Compositional banding is common and the intense deformation within the
pyrite lenses is witnessed by boudinage structures and by the presence within
the sulphide of foliated to massive silicified wallrock fragments. Some massive
pyrite lenses may only contain minor gold values; gold is associated with copper
sulphide mineralisation. Gold most commonly occurs microscopically along pyrite
grains or in fractures and inclusions within pyrite grains either as inclusions
within copper-bearing minerals (generally chalcopyrite and lesser bornite) or as
calaverite.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 18 RapRes03-01.doc
The `East' portion of zone no 5, which is the original discovery zone, was mined
along with another discrete lens (no. 3, now completely mined out) via open pit
from surface to a depth of 70 metres and by underground methods to level 4 at
shaft no. 1. The remaining reserves (block 52) extend below level 4 to almost
level 10. A low-grade band of mineralisation separates the eastern zone no. 5
lens from the western portion.
The `West' portion of zone no. 5 plunges steeply to the west onto the Bousquet
no. 2 mine. On the Laronde side, the zone extends from surface to 1,100-metre
depth (just below shaft no. 1, level 26). Sulphide mineralisation is more
massive, thicker, continuous and has a higher copper content than zone no. 5
East. The ore zone commonly follows the faulted and sheared southern contact of
the andalusite-bearing sericite schist zone where disseminated to sheared
veinlet sphalerite are also concentrated (Fig. 6).
Zone no. 4 (blocks 41, 42 and 43)
Zone 4 is a disseminated sulphide gold zone that has been traced to the east and
a few metres south of zone no. 5. Originally observed in the eastern no. 1 open
pit wall between zones no. 3 and no. 5, mineralisation consists of a narrow
siliceous sulphide zone (less than 10 metres in thickness) within a broader
sericite schist (east-west trending and steeply south dipping). The host rock is
a deformed felsic lapilli-block tuff near the contact with a blue quartz-eye
felsic tuff to the south. Mineralisation consists of 5-7% disseminated pyrite,
sphalerite and minor chalcopyrite-bornite within a strong sericite schist
envelope.
Although gold grades are low, in 1999, a small near-surface 173,000 tonne lens
(block 41) was mined in Open Pit #2 east of Highway 395 and completely milled in
2000. Production from level 4 was completed in 2000. Low-grade indicated
resource category blocks (blocks 41 and 42) surround the pit to below level 4 at
shaft no. 1 (not included in the 2003 Reserves and Resources Estimate).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 19 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 6
SECTION 6300E ZONE 5 SHAFT #1
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 20 RapRes03-01.doc
11.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT SHAFT NO. 2
Zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2 (block 71)
The zone no. 7 mineralized horizon has been traced across the entire Laronde
property. It is characterized by the presence of several 1 to 5 metre-thick
massive sulphide occurrences (sphalerite-rich pyrite lenses with very minor
chalcopyrite). These massive sulphide zones occur along a more widespread
horizon of disseminated pyrite-sphalerite mineralisation located less than 20
metres south of the faulted and sheared contact between the Mixed Volcanic unit
and Southern Felsic unit. So far only lenses with a significant gold content are
of economic interest.
Zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2 (approximately 230,000 tonnes) was discovered (along
with zone no. 6) by surface diamond drilling in 1991. It consists of 1-3 metre
thick lens of massive sulphide (pyrite with 15-20% sphalerite and minor
chalcopyrite), which occurs at the contact between an altered rhyodacite lapilli
tuff and a relatively unaltered dark andesite tuff to the south (Fig 7).
Economic gold values are generally restricted to the massive sulphides. A
sheared chlorite alteration zone (with 10-50% disseminated to sheared stringer
pyrite-pyrrhotite with minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite and low gold values)
often occurs immediately north and laterally to the west of the massive
sulphides. A sericite alteration envelope occurs in the lapilli tuff north of
the chlorite alteration zone and has 5-20% disseminated pyrite and minor
disseminated sphalerite. Lapilli and block sized fragments of massive sulphide
occur, although rarely, in the andesite tuff to the south. Graded bedding in the
andesite tuff confirms the south facing of zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2. Mining
exhausted this lens early in 2000.
Zone no. 6 at shaft no. 2 (block 61)
Zone no. 6 type mineralisation is only recognised in the eastern portion of the
Laronde mining lease. It is associated with a narrow mineralized shear zone,
less than 10 metres in thickness, which follows a horizon of felsic
lapilli-block tuff approximately 100 metres south of the mixed volcanic unit
contact. Two zone no. 6 orebodies have been discovered so far are (each roughly
800,000 tonnes in size) and contain, in addition to gold, significant copper,
zinc and silver grades. As will be shown below, at shaft no. 2, zone no. 6
occurs roughly at a similar stratigraphic position as zone no. 7 (Gervais,
1996). Zone no. 6 at shaft no. 2 is a volcanogenic massive sulphide lens with an
associated zone of disseminated and stringer mineralisation and alteration
(transposed parallel to foliation) which occurs at the isoclinally folded
contact between an underlying altered andesite flow and overlying less-altered
rhyodacite polygenic lapilli-block tuff (Fig. 8).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 21 RapRes03-01.doc
FIGURE 7
SECTION 7600E ZONE 7 SHAFT #2
[GRAPHIC]
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FIGURE 8
SECTION 7780E ZONE 6 SHAFT #2
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 23 RapRes03-01.doc
The east west trending and steeply south dipping axial plane of the fold (a
steeply east-plunging and east-facing anticline) forms the laterally extensive
shear zone and fault. The massive sulphide lens migrates gradually from its
position on the overturned north limb of the fold below level 3 to the south
limb closer to the surface. The associated mineralized and zoned
chlorite-sericite alteration zone occurs only on the north limb where it is
transposed parallel to and to the west of the massive sulphide lens.
The underlying andesite flow unit forms the core of the isoclinal anticline. The
andesite is generally massive (with rare 1-5 mm sized amygdales) but narrow
zones of flow breccia have been observed along its southern contact (the
northern contact is the mineralized shear zone). The andesite is strongly
silicified and bleached (sericite and local green-mica). A thin horizon of
sulphide rich and variably altered felsic volcaniclastic (lapilli tuff with
andesite and porphyritic rhyolite fragments) overlies the andesite. The massive
sulphide lens covers the lapilli tuff; the lens is generally less than 10 metres
thick and consists of pyrite with 5-15% sphalerite and 2-3% chalcopyrite. Rare
visible gold is associated with chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite occurs commonly
along millimetre-thick north-south fracture planes within the massive sulphides.
Metal zoning is present in the massive sulphides with sphalerite being more
common on the stratigraphic top and margins of the lens while chalcopyrite is
concentrated in the central basal portion of the lens. Gold grades however are
relatively uniform throughout the massive sulphides. As with zone no. 7, a
structurally transposed sulphide-rich zone of intense black and green coloured
chlorite alteration (with 30-50% disseminated and transposed centimetre-sized
stringers of pyrite, pyrrhotite and minor chalcopyrite with associated gold
values) underlies the massive sulphide lens and extends westward into the
underlying sulphide-rich felsic lapilli tuff. A sericite alteration halo, with
10-30% disseminated to veinlet pyrite and 5-10% sphalerite surrounds the
chlorite zone within the underlying lapilli tuff. A polygenic rhyodacite
lapilli-block tuff unit overlies the massive sulphide lens; this unit contains
metre-thick felsic tuff bands that display graded bedding. Lapilli and
block-sized fragments of massive sulphide (some gold bearing) are irregularly
distributed in the layers of overlying the rhyodacite volcaniclastic rock.
A relatively unaltered andesitic tuff unit overlies the rhyodacite lapilli-block
tuff. This tuff and underlying felsic volcaniclastic rock are the same units
which host zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2 (a narrow barren pyrite-rich tuff unit
locally marks the basal andesite tuff contact near zone no. 6 at shaft no. 2).
Finally a quartz-feldspar porphyritic rhyodacite tuff, which occurs in the
structural footwall and hangingwall of zone no. 6, forms the top of the
stratigraphy in the shaft no. 2 area.
The zone no. 6 lens at shaft no. 2 was completely mined out in 1999.
Zone no. 5C at shaft no. 2 (block 55)
Zone 5C at shaft no. 2 is a small (50,000 tonne) east west trending and steeply
south dipping disseminated sulphide gold zone that occurs less than 90 metres to
the southwest of zone no. 7. Originally intersected in drill core in 1991, this
zone was explored by underground development on level 6 at shaft no. 2. The
mineralisation consists of 5-7% disseminated pyrite, 5-10% veinlet sphalerite,
minor chalcopyrite and traces of visible gold associated with a 3-5 metre thick
zone of fracture-controlled silica-sericite flooding. The siliceous sulphide
zone follows a narrow shear that crosses a sericitized host quartz-porphyritic
rhyolite tuff. The mineralisation is often
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 24 RapRes03-01.doc
transposed sub-parallel to foliation. Raising in the 5C lens from level 6
indicated that a weakly inclined fault, located midway to level 5, displaces the
zone several metres. Measured resource blocks are still indicated at shaft no. 2
but are not included in the present reserves and resources estimate.
11.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE MINERALIZED ZONES AT THE PENNA SHAFT
Zone no. 7 at Penna shaft (blocks 72, 73 and 74)
Three separate lenses comprise the gold-rich zone no. 7 probable reserve blocks
that are interpreted to be down-dip equivalents of zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2.
The small zone no. 7 lens (120,000 tonnes), partially exposed by the 20-32 drift
at shaft no. 1 (block 72) is very similar to zone no. 7 at shaft no. 2. It
consists of a metre-wide massive pyrite lens (with 5-10% sphalerite and very
minor chalcopyrite), which occurs at a sheared and altered contact between a
rhyodacite lapilli-block tuff and a dacite tuff to the south. A metre-wide zone
of strong chlorite alteration (with 10-30% pyrite) follows the northern contact
of the siliceous massive sulphide lens and passes, 10 metres to the west
laterally to a sheared metre-wide band of kyanite-sericite alteration (not
present at shaft no. 2). Rocks north and south of the massive sulphide are
variably silicified. Gold is erratically distributed within the massive sulphide
and chlorite alteration (see Mailloux, 1998).
The zone no. 7 lens intersected in several drill holes near level 170 (block 73)
also consists of massive sulphide (1-5 metres thick) containing 80% pyrite,
10-15% sphalerite and 1-3% chalcopyrite with rare millimetre grains of visible
gold. Over 150 metres in east-west length, it has been traced vertically for
almost 350 metres from its apex near level 152 down to level 194 where it
pinches out. This lens occurs at the identical structural position as the other
zone no. 7 lenses identified elsewhere on the property (i.e. 20 to 30 metres
south of the Mixed Volcanic member/Upper Felsic member contact). However, the
local volcanic stratigraphy, which hosts this second zone no. 7 lens, differs
from the other lenses.
Near level 170, a 10 to 20 metre thick band of andesite volcanic occurs within
the rhyodacitic lapilli-block tuff horizon that normally form the structural
footwall to the massive sulphide lenses found elsewhere. This andesite horizon
is identical texturally to the silicified andesite that forms the stratigraphic
footwall to the zone no. 6 lens mined at shaft no. 2. In this area, the andesite
is only slightly silicified and is more commonly weakly hematized and weakly
bleached. It also is not in direct contact with the sulphide zone. The sulphides
occur immediately south of a locally garnet-bearing, generally sulphide rich
lapilli tuff horizon. A weakly pyrite-mineralized, feldspar-quartz bearing,
rhyodacite lapilli tuff horizon occurs immediately south of the massive
sulphides.
The third lens of probable category, zone no. 7 type, disseminated to massive
sulphides reappears just below level 194. The lens (block 74), representing
roughly 180,000 tons of ore, is up to 3 metres in horizontal thickness, 120
metres in east-west length and has been traced down-plunge to just below level
206. Sharing the same structural position as the other zone no. 7 type
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 25 RapRes03-01.doc
lenses, it consistently occurs within 5 to 10 metres south of an andesite
volcanic band 20 to 30 metres in thickness that completely replaces the usual
rhyodacite lapilli horizon commonly found at this structural position. Again the
massive sulphides occur south of a lapilli tuff unit (sometimes garnet-bearing
but more often chloritized and sheared). Immediately south of the sulphides is a
feldspar-quartz bearing rhyodacite tuff or lapilli tuff horizon
The down plunge portion of the zone no. 7 horizon has been intersected in only a
few exploration drill holes originating from the Penna shaft (block RF-74). At
depth, potentially economic intersections along the zone no. 7 horizon vary in
texture from stringer type mineralisation (with 2-3% pyrite) to over 70% pyrite
(massive sulphide mineralisation) with low percentages of sphalerite,
chalcopyrite and rare of millimetre-sized visible gold grains.
Zone no. 6 at Penna shaft (blocks 62 and 63)
Two massive and disseminated sulphide lenses are interpreted to be the down-dip
extensions of zone no. 6 gold-copper-zinc mineralisation that were mined at
shaft no. 2.
The larger of the two (block RD63) is a narrow (3 metre) lens of predominantly
massive pyrite with 1-2% sphalerite (up to 20% locally) and trace amounts of
chalcopyrite. Resource estimate was updated in 2002 with a drilling campaign
that reduced the spacing in between drill holes to about 80m vertically and 120
m horizontally in the immediate area of the discovery hole (20-123). One of the
new drill holes intersected the lenses while all the others intersected
disseminated mineralisation along the horizon.
A smaller lens of massive pyrite-sphalerite and interpreted to be zone no. 6
occurs immediately East and below the level 146 shaft crosscut (block PB62).
Zone no. 20 North Gold (blocks 191, 192, 193 194 and 195)
The 20 North Gold zone is a disseminated to massive sulphide gold-copper zone
which has been traced in the central portion of the property, 120 to 150 metres
north of the Cadillac sedimentary Group contact. The zone occurs within a weakly
sheared and locally fractured, weakly sericite and silicified altered, felsic
lapilli tuff horizon, several metres in thickness that occurs immediately south
of a garnet-bearing dacite tuff horizon. The mineralisation consists of 30-50%
very finely disseminated to massive pyrite, 1-10% transposed millimetre to
centimetre-thick chalcopyrite veinlets (including some 1 to 5 millimetre-thick
up to 1 metre-long, discontinuous, foliation-oblique chalcopyrite veinlets),
trace millimetre-sized clots of bornite, very rare disseminated millimetre-sized
clots of visible gold (always associated with the chalcopyrite) and minor
disseminated sphalerite. The sulphide-rich lapilli tuff horizon closely follows
the fractured north contact with the no. 20 North Zinc massive sulphide lens.
When the massive sulphide horizon is absent, the sulphide rich tuff band is in
fault contact to the south with either altered andesite or rhyodacitic, blue
quartz-eye bearing lapilli-block tuff.
Gold is generally directly related to the chalcopyrite content. Below level 149,
the massive sulphide lens becomes more copper rich and with this transition, the
gold content increases
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 26 RapRes03-01.doc
significantly. The 20 North Gold zone at depth occurs within booth massive and
disseminated sulphides with aluminosilicate porphyroblasts (mostly kyanite and
andalousite) that became progressively more abundant with increasing depth (Fig
9 & 10).
Zone no. 20 North Zinc (blocks 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205)
The 20 North Zinc zone is a massive sulphide zinc-silver zone, which has been
traced, in the central portion of the property, 100 to 150 metres north of the
Cadillac sedimentary Group contact (Fig. 9 & 10). It generally consists of
several massive sulphide lenses made up of 50 to 90%, 1 to 3 millimetre-sized
pyrite, 10-50% light brown coloured disseminated sphalerite with minor
chalcopyrite and galena. Narrow (usually less than 1 metre in thickness) and
laterally discontinuous bands of variably graphitic argillite occur more
commonly near or at the southern contact zone of the massive sulphide lenses.
The argillites bands are generally strongly sheared or even faulted and are not
traceable for more than 10 metres in an east-west direction. They are also more
commonly found at the edges of the massive sulphide lenses.
The massive sulphide lenses vary between 1 to 30 metres in thickness and the
largest lens has been traced for up to 600 metres horizontally and over 1500
metres vertically. It occurs in sheared faulted contact to the south with either
a blue quartz-porphyritic rhyolite tuff (to lapilli tuff) horizon or a strongly
altered and mineralized fine-grained andesite volcanic horizon. The
sulphide-rich lapilli tuff horizon making up the 20 North Gold zone follows the
sheared and fractured north contact of the no. 20 North Zinc massive sulphide
lens. Below level 149, 20 North Zinc migrates toward the southern contact of the
massive sulphide lens.
Zone no. 20 South Gold (blocks 211, 212 & 215)
Several 1 to 2 million tonne-size gold-copper-zinc-silver-bearing sulphide
lenses comprise the 20 South Gold zone. The lenses are arranged along a sheared
sulphide-rich horizon, which has been traced in the central portion of the
Laronde mining lease (and eastward across onto the El Coco property) within 20
metres north of the Cadillac sedimentary Group contact. The 20 South horizon is
oriented east-southeast with an 80-85 degree South dip. The economic lenses
discovered so far are arranged en-echelon about a steeply westward plunging
rake.
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FIGURE 9
SECTION 7440E ZONE 20 NORTH AND 20 SOUTH PENNA SHAFT UPPER MINE
[GRAPHIC]
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FIGURE 10
SECTION 7080E ZONE 20 NORTH AND 20 SOUTH PENNA SHAFT LOWER MINE
[GRAPHIC]
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 29 RapRes03-01.doc
The lenses generally occur as 100 to 300 metre long (east-west) by 300 to 500
metre tall (in elevation) and 3 to 15 metre thick (north-south) pods of ore
within the more extensively developed sulphide-rich sheared horizon (Fig 9 &
10). The sheared horizon, 1-5 metres in thickness, consists of disseminated
pyrite, pyrrhotite and minor sphalerite in a sericitic siliceous (and locally
chloritic) moderately to strongly sheared matrix cut by irregular zones of
foliation parallel faulting.
The 20 South sulphide horizon occurs along the southern margin of an altered
andesite unit, 5-20 metres in thickness. The alteration commonly affecting the
andesite consists of strong matrix silicification with titanite micro-stringers
(the rock is pink coloured, looking like an hematisation alteration, in reason
of the titanite micro-phenocrist that occurs concentrated along fractures due to
the alteration process). Foliation-parallel cm-thick bands of sericite-green
mica alteration overprint this pink coloured titanite alteration. Minor
disseminated coarse sulphide grains (pyrrhotite-pyrite) are observed. Sulphide
content in the andesitic rock increases (to 10-30% pyrite-pyrrhotite) and
sericite-green mica alteration strengthens 5-10 metres north of the sheared zone
(at the expense of silica-titanite alteration).
Immediately south of the zone is often found a narrow band (up to 10 metres in
thickness) of altered and sulphide-rich (30% pyrite-sphalerite) andesite.
Generally wedged between the Cadillac Group sediments to the south and the
andesite is a 1 to 5 metre thick band of blue quartz-eye bearing rhyolite tuff
or lapilli tuff followed by a thicker horizon of rhyolitic lapilli tuff unit
1-10 metres in thickness.
Gold values in the 20 South zone, whether in the disseminated facies or in the
massive sulphides, are always associated with chalcopyrite or with
millimetre-size clots of native gold within 1-5 millimetre clots or veinlets of
chalcopyrite. The chalcopyrite is generally disseminated in the sulphide matrix
or remobilized along north south trending and steeply dipping crosscutting
millimetre-thick discontinuous veinlets located throughout the sulphide zone.
The presence however of significant amounts (5 to 10%) of pyrrhotite with
chalcopyrite is associated with lower than average gold values.
Two main lenses of economic mineralisation have been defined so far (blocks 211
and 212) . Block 211 crosses onto the El Coco property (block 215).
The uppermost lens (block 211), centered near level 122 at section 7500E, is
made up of two types of mineralisation: 1) Disseminated sulphide type
mineralisation (up to 10 metres in thickness) is common on the Laronde property
between levels 152 and 118; whereas 2) Massive sulphide type mineralisation (up
to 10 metres in thickness) becomes the dominant type of ore as the no. 211 lens
crosses eastward onto the El Coco property and above level 125.
The lowermost lens (block 212), centred near level 194 at section 7200E, is
irregularly shaped, generally less than 5 metres in
thickness, and mostly disseminated in character.
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12. EXPLORATION
In 2002, exploration work on the Laronde and El Coco property consisted solely
of diamond drilling.
12.1 2002 DRILLING RESULTS
A summary of diamond drilling completed in 2002, broken down by project, is
presented in Table 6 and a detailed 2002 drilling schedule is presented in
Appendix B. The lists of holes completed in 2002, with all zones mid-point
intercepts are also presented in Appendix B. Diamond drilling results are
plotted on the individual zone longitudinals attached to the report.
12.2 2003 DRILLING PROGRAM
In 2003, the definition and exploration budget calls for 54,110 metres of
diamond drilling (Appendix B). Delineation drilling on the Laronde property will
total 11,810 metres. Definition drilling (project 8, spacing 40m x 40m) with a
total of 15,800m is going to continue: 1) in the western extension of the 20
North zone, from section 7000E to the western limit of the zone (bloc PB193) 2)
in the 20 South zone (bloc PB212) and 3) in zone 7 lenses (blocks PB 73 & PB
74). Deep exploration drilling (project 10; 26,500 metres) from the level
215-exploration drift will be focused on the deep resources to reserves
conversion program.
Deep exploration of the 20 North and 20 South zones, from the level 215
exploration drift, consists of completing a pattern of north-south drill
intercepts on an average 120 metre (horizontally east-west) by 120 metres
(vertically) intervals, in the are of more widely spaced azimuth exploration
drill holes completed in the past years from the Penna shaft station.
Exploration along the level 86-exploration drift will be postponed since all the
energy will be focussed on the deep mineral resources conversion program on
level 215.
12.3 DRILLING CONTRACTOR
Forages Garant of Evain, Quebec, does all diamond drilling on the property under
a contract with Agnico-Eagle mines ltd.
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TABLE 6: SUMMARY OF DIAMOND DRILLING 2002
PROJECT NUMBER HOLE CATEGORY NUMBER OF HOLES METRES DRILLED IN 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
351 Delineation Laronde et El Coco 238 12634.4
8 Definition 62 17094.8
10 Deep Exploration 42 16014.0
11 Level 86 Eastern Exploration Drift 24 13371.5
11 Surface El Coco Exploration 7 6000.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 373 65115.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(see detailed Appendix B)
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 32 RapRes03-01.doc
12.4 PROCEDURE FOR DESCRIBING DRILL CORE
All the drillcore recovered at Laronde are described by graduated geologist (or
geological engineers). In the past, some drill core was logged by a
non-graduated geologist and was supervised and reviewed by a Laronde mine
geologist. Each hole has a drill log associated with it. Current drillcore
description are inputted directly onto a portable computer in the core logging
facilities using DH Logger software. Descriptions of lithology (using mine
specific unit lithological terms), texture, structure, alteration,
mineralisation and sampling are noted. Once the sample results are returned from
the laboratories, the results are plotted on sections and plans at the
appropriate scale. The geologist logging the core is responsible for
interpreting the geological results and for compiling the mineralized zone
composite in the log. The geologist is also responsible for verification of the
log. A paper copy of the log is then signed and placed in a core log registry
stored in the Laronde geology department vault. All the historical drill logs,
previously logged or compiled in Log II software format have been converted in
2001 into DH Logger format
12.5 RELIABILITY OF RESULTS
Less than 100% core recovery in ore is rare; in all cases where mineralized core
was lost, the routine procedure is to install a wedge and to redrill the missing
mineralized interval to obtain 100% recovery. Intervals of lost core in waste
rock are noted in the drill logs but are not redrilled. Interpreted and verified
drill results are highly reliable. Uncertain historical results are excluded but
noted.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 33 RapRes03-01.doc
13. DRILLING
13.1 CORE SIZE
All of the current exploration and definition diamond drilling at Laronde
recovers BQ size (3.35 centimetre diameter) core using industry standard wire
line methods.
The core is stored in consecutive order (standard left to right and top to
bottom sequence) in 1.5 metre long wooden trays (core boxes) that have a 6-metre
capacity. The drill contractor identifies the location of the core samples along
the hole by placing properly identified wooden markers at 3-metre spacing. The
drill contractor also specifically identifies intervals of incomplete core
recovery (due to grinding or washout).
Once the box is full, it is closed tightly shut with a matching lid using common
fencing wire. The drill hole's identification and box number is then identified
on the lid using an indelible ink marker.
13.2 DRILL HOLE IDENTIFICATION
Each drill hole at Laronde has a unique identification that is related to the
location of the collar. Exploration and definition drill holes are numbered
differently than delineation drill holes.
Exploration and definition drill hole at Laronde are identified using this
procedure: the drill hole identification number firstly identifies from which
shaft and level the drill hole originated, and then the order in which the drill
hole was completed. For example, definition drill hole no.3122-05, was drilled
from the Penna shaft (shafts 1, 2 and Penna are identified by the numbers 1, 2
and 3) and was the 5th hole that was drilled from level 122.
A delineation drill hole is used in the underground development stage of each
production stope at the Penna shaft. Each delineation hole is numbered using a
simple 8 integer series that identifies from which sublevel, zone, stope draw
point, and order that it was completed. For example, delineation drill hole
no.14320681 was drilled on level 143, it tested zone 20 North Zinc (zones 6, 7,
20 North Gold, 20 North Zinc and 20 South are identified by the numbers 06, 07,
19, 20 and 21 respectively), it was drilled in draw point no.68, and it was the
first hole to be drilled from this collar location.
13.3 CORE STORAGE
With only few exceptions, drill cores from all the exploration holes are stored
in their entirety in the Laronde core library. Generally, for drill holes from
definition drilling programs (that systematically test the target horizons on
evenly spaced intervals along a given section line) only core from the flat
holes are kept. Because whole samples of delineation drill core are taken, wall
rock core samples are discarded.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 34 RapRes03-01.doc
Each stored core boxes is identified with an aluminium tag that has the
appropriate drill hole information embossed on it (including hole number, box
number, the core interval stored in the box). Boxes belonging to individual
drill holes are stored consecutively in a core rack located outside on the
Laronde site. An inventory is kept for each core rack and is copied into an
electronic data bank by the geology department.
13.4 PROCEDURES
DRILL HOLE LAYOUT
The following procedure is followed when laying out an approved drill hole:
1. The geology department prepares the drill hole layout on a copy of the most
current 1:250 scale underground development map (provided by the
engineering department) that covers the proposed collar location.
Information such as collar coordinates (which reference Laronde mine grid),
drill hole azimuth and plunge, hole length and special comments are noted
directly on the layout.
2. A copy is forwarded to the diamond drilling contractor foreman, the
surveying department and to the mine department (for their information).
3. The drill hole collar is identified by the surveyors who also layout out
the drill hole starting azimuth by setting front and back sights into the
drift's walls (using drilled metal spads which are identified with
fluorescent tape or paint).
4. The contractor sets the diamond drill onto the collar and aligns the drill
along a string tied thought between the front and back sight spads. The
plunge of the drill is fixed using a spirit level.
5. Once the hole is completed, the geology department re-issues the layout to
the surveying department that who returns to the collar location of the
hole and directly measures the final coordinates, azimuth and plunge.
6. The coordinates, azimuths and plunge are entered into both a handwritten
drill hole registry and an electronic data bank. Each entry is dated and
initialled and then checked by a second member of the surveying department
(who also initials the entry). The registry is stored in the geology
department vault.
CEMENTING OF COMPLETED DRILL HOLES
In accordance to the Quebec mining regulations, after the drill holes are
completed and surveyed, they are cemented either at the collar (over a 5 metres
length) or, in the case of delineation drill holes in ore, completely filled
using a grout cement mixture. A contractor completes plugging of the borehole.
The list of cemented holes is also kept into a handwritten registry stored in
the geology vault. Since 2001, hole cementation is also register in the data
base of the DH logger system and identified on the front page of every drill
hole log.
ORIENTATION TESTS
The position of surface and underground drill holes at the Laronde Division is
determined using a combination of numerous in-the-hole orientation test methods.
The methods that are or were employed are:
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1. Gyroscopic surveys performed by specialized companies (Sperry Sun Drilling
Services or CBC Welnav);
2. Deflection type Maxibor surveys by specialized companies (Reflex Instrument
Canada or Boreinfo) and Lightlog surveys completed by Agnico-Eagle or by a
contractor (Techdel International);
3. EZ-Shot single-shot magnetometer-accelerometer-temperature tests (Reflex
Instrument Canada) and single or simultaneous-double single-shot compass
tests (Pajari Instruments or Sperry Sun Drilling Services) completed by
Agnico-Eagle staff or by the drilling company;
4. Rotodip inclinometer tests (Techdel International) read by the drilling
company; and
5. Acid-dip tests interpreted by Agnico-Eagle.
The collar azimuth, plunge and co-ordinates of all drill holes, which all the
methods use as a starting reference, are determined by a mine survey. In the
event that the collar azimuth and plunge cannot be measured, then the planned
azimuth and plunge are used. Similarly, the planned co-ordinates of the drill
holes are used when the collar position cannot be surveyed.
At Laronde, there is a procedure that is employed when several orientation test
methods are available for positioning a particular bore hole. The results from
orientation tests considered to be more precise take precedent over and replace
orientation data collected from methods considered to be less precise. This
procedure is described in the following paragraphs:
1. The gyroscopic survey method is considered to be the most precise. The
collar azimuth used for the conventional gyroscopic survey is taken from
the directly measured mine survey while the initial plunge of the borehole
is read directly from the gyroscope's inclinometer. The more expensive
North-Seeker gyroscopic survey does not require a surveyed collar azimuth.
Gyroscopic surveys are not designed for holes that plunge at angles
shallower than 30 degrees from horizontal.
2. The Maxibor survey method is a deflection-type method that is more advanced
than the Lightlog and, although not considered to be as precise as a
gyroscope, it is adequate for holes that have a shallow dip. The collar
azimuth is taken from the mine survey.
3. Should the gyroscopic (and Maxibor) survey be incomplete or absent,
Lightlog deflection-type survey data is used. The collar azimuth used for
the Lightlog method is taken from the mine survey while the initial plunge
of the borehole is read directly from the instrument's inclinometer. In the
case that the gyroscopic survey is incomplete, the departing azimuth of the
Lightlog survey is corrected to that of the last gyroscopic reading while
the plunge is read directly from the Lightlog instrument's inclinometer.
4. In the event that Lightlog survey data is incomplete or absent, then
single-shot compass-based orientation tests are used to determine the
borehole position. When simultaneous- double compass test results are
available, the average azimuth (corrected for magnetic north) and plunge
are calculated for the survey point and used in calculating the drill hole
position. In the case that the azimuth data is determined to be erroneous
because of magnetism, the plunge data takes precedent over acid-dip or
Rotodip measurements.
5. A new EZ-shot system, which is a digital magnetic-type compass system,
electronically measures the azimuth, plunge, magnetic field and
temperature. This system has recently been used at Laronde since year 2000
as a quicker more effective alternative to the older compass-based Pajari
systems.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 36 RapRes03-01.doc
6. When compass-based orientation tests are absent, Rotodip plunge tests take
precedent over acid-dip tests.
The geology department enters orientation data gathered for each hole daily into
a registry. Wedge data is also noted. Each entry is dated and initialled and the
registry is stored in the department vault. Should a data point error be
interpreted, the point is biffed, noted and also initialled. Once the data is
transferred into the data bank, the geologist completing the drill hole log also
checks it for errors.
13.5 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORE LENGTH AND THICKNESS
At Laronde, the relationship between the core length and the true thickness of
the mineralisation is as follows:
1. The true north-south horizontal thickness of the mineralisation intersected
in a drill hole is always reported on longitudinals and plans.
2. The north-south horizontal thickness is measured directly from an
interpreted drill hole plan or section. The thickness is measured from the
intercept midpoint along the drill hole.
3. In an area of sparse information where it is not possible to properly
interpret the trend of the mineralisation, the thickness of the intercept
is measured from the drill hole zone that is locally interpreted to be east
west trending and dipping 70-90 degrees south.
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14 SAMPLING METHOD AND APPROACH
At Laronde, the estimate of mineral reserves and resources in mineralized zones
are based on systematic sampling using diamond drill core or chip sampling
collected in underground development headings (or both methods)
14.1 CHIP SAMPLING METHOD
The mining methods currently in use (transversal and longitudinal blasthole
stoping), requires for each of the mining blocks (15 metre East-West length),
the excavation of a 5 metre (or more) height drift through the entire horizontal
width of the mineralized lens (from the north wall to south wall ore\waste
limits of the mineralisation) the excavation are driven in ore at vertical
intervals of 30 metres (below level 122) to 40 metres (above level 122).
During the mining block excavation process, successive vertical north-south
oriented exposures across of the entire mineralized zone (and wall rock) are
chip (on panel) sampled by the geology department staff. In this manner, each
stoping block which is in the proven reserve category by definition) will have 2
to 4 (or more) complete lines of chip samples assay results (lines spaced 3 to 5
metres in an East-West direction) often both at the top and bottom of the 30-40
metre high mining block.
The following method is taken for chip samples:
1. The location and orientation of the chip sample line always reference a
mine survey plug located in the ceiling nearby;
2. The wall is carefully washed with a fresh water using a hose and, if
needed, scaled for loose rock;
3. The sampler marks the samples off continuously at regular intervals
(between 0.3 and 1.5 metres) at a height of 1.5 metres above the floor (or
exceptionally, on the ceiling);
4. Samples are measured to the nearest 10 centimetres;
5. Sample intervals must coincide with lithological boundaries (the sampler
describes the location and the geology of each sample in a sample note
book);
6. The sampler takes a continuous representative rock sample using a hand-held
geologist hammer and places the rock fragments, of uniform volume in a
sturdy plastic bag;
7. A sample tag, specially made of waterproof paper and indelible ink, is also
placed in the bag (each sample number is unique);
8. The samples collected should represent the same volume collected as a BQ
size drill core sample (roughly 2 kilograms per metre of chip sample);
9. Samples of ore are always bordered by wall rock samples. If the waste
rock/ore contact is not properly exposed, either an additional slash will
be requested to properly expose the contact or a short core drill hole will
be completed. Exceptionally a percussion sample hole will be taken and the
drill sludge will be sampled over an appropriate interval (following
geology);
10. The sample bags are tied shut using blast hole lead wire and brought
immediately to the shaft station for transfer to the assay lab.
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The location and geological data is transferred to a electronic chip sample data
bank using Century System Ltd. Software. Assays results are combined with the
geological data for use in the estimate process.
14.2 CORE SAMPLING METHOD.
Diamond drilling is the initial method of collecting a continuous series of
samples through zones of mineralisation on a regular pattern. At the exploration
stage, drill holes are designed to cut the mineralisation at a reasonably high
angle (generally greater than 45 degrees). At the ore body definition stage (in
order to transfer inferred mineral resource to the indicated resource category),
drill holes are designed to cut the mineralisation, at an appropriately spaced
pattern, on either a north-south vertical section basis (see figures 6 to 10) or
on a horizontal section. The appropriate spacing of intercepts depends on the
geological and geostatistical characteristics of each zone (see section 19.2).
Once the drill hole samples are extracted, the method for taking core samples is
as follows:
1. The core is washed with fresh water using a hose;
2. Once the geology and location of the samples is described (see section
12.4), the geologist carefully marks the start and end of the sample
directly onto the core with a coloured wax crayon while the core is still
intact in the core box;
3. A sample tag, specially made of waterproof paper and indelible ink, is
placed at the end of the sample interval. Each sample number is unique;
4. The core is generally sampled over regular intervals that vary between 20
centimetres and 1.5 metres (1.0 metre samples are most common at Laronde);
5. Samples are measured to the nearest 10 centimetres;
6. Samples intervals have to coincide with lithological boundaries;
7. Samples of ore must always be properly bordered by samples of waste.
Should an anomalous value return from an isolated sample, the geologist is
required to return to the core interval and take additional bordering
samples;
8. Generally 0.5 metre long samples are purposefully taken on the borders of
obvious ore zones in order to minimize the effect of sample contamination
of wall rock by high grade ore;
14.3 FACTORS THAT CAN MATERIALLY IMPACT THE SAMPLING RESULTS
1. Errors in properly locating chip samples (erroneous coordinates) can
impact results;
2. Although the sampler attempts to collect uniform representative sample of
adequate size, in some cases this is not possible (e.g. rock too hard to
fragment properly); the accuracy and reliability of the local results may
therefore be impacted (it is interpreted to be minimal).
3. Sample identification errors (missing or disfigured sample tickets) can
impact the results.
In all cases described above for chip sampling errors, data verification
procedure consist of the sampler manually plotting assay results daily on
sketches and comparing the results against the geological observations;
suspected erroneous results are always discarded and the samples are retaken.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 39 RapRes03-01.doc
4. Intervals of missing core in mineralisation (due to grinding) can impact
the results;
5. Errors in properly locating drill holes in mineralisation (due to
either erroneous orientation test, hole identification, sample depth
and sample interval) can also impact the results
In all cases described above for drill hole sampling, data verification
procedure consist of the geologist reviewing the drill holes either on plotted
sections and plan or viewing 3 dimensional computer images and checking for any
inconsistencies. Suspected erroneous results are corrected or the sample
intervals (if half-core of the sample exist) is resampled.
The effect of undetected chip sampling and drill hole sampling errors in areas
of active mining, considering the good reconciliation results (Gosselin in
prep.) is considered to be negligible. Undetected errors in areas of future
mining or exploration are minimized through additional sampling
14.4 SAMPLE QUALITY AND REPRESENTATIVITY
At Laronde, sample recovered through diamond drilling are of high quality (the
mineralisation in core is intact with no possibility of loss due to wash out).
The quality of chip samples is assured with proper sampling techniques by the
geology department staff, but as shown by D'Amours (2002), there may have a
minor discrepancy between drill holes and chip samples due to a lower quality in
chip samples. Core and chip samples are considered to be representative of the
bulk of the mineralisation as is witnessed by good reconciliation between the
forecasted and recovered grades of mining blocks (Legault, 2001a, 2002a,
Gosselin in prep.).
In zone 20 North Gold, The presence of erratic crosscutting veinlets of
remobilized gold-chalcopyrite oriented sub vertically, North-South, is thought
to be the cause of a minor sampling bias in both North-South oriented drill
holes and chip samples. The sampling bias is discussed in D'Amours (2002) and in
section 19.2.
14.5 OTHER SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS
A description of the rock type, geological controls, widths of all the
mineralized zones is presented in section 9. A list of individual drill hole
zone composite is presented in Appendix B and on longitudinal sections. For the
sake of brevity, the is no list of zone composites for chip sample lines.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 40 RapRes03-01.doc
15. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY
15.1 CHIP SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURE
The Laronde geology department sampler either deposits the samples into a
storage box located in the shaft house at surface or leaves them at the shaft
stations for the collection by the mine cage tenders who transfer them to the
surface storage box. The storage box is collected daily and transported to the
Laronde Lab by mine transport worker. All chip samples are sent to the Laronde
Assays laboratory.
15.2 CORE COLLECTION PROCEDURE
The Laronde geology department sampler either takes a half core split sample of
the core using a core saw or mechanical core-splitting device or samples the
whole core depending on the situation (see section 13.3).
The following procedure is used at Laronde when sawing core samples:
1. The core shack area must be kept as clean as possible at all times;
2. The core saw used for sampling must always have a fresh clean source of
water to cool and lubricate the circular saw blade and to reduce the risk
of contamination;
3. The water and rock cuttings must drain unobstructed away during the
cutting process;
4. Care must be taken not to introduce a sampling bias during cutting (for
example, for core samples in irregular mineralisation, representative
samples may have to be chosen; a cutting line drawn directly onto the core
may be necessary);
5. As the core sample is sawed in half, the samples chosen for assay are
collected in an individual clear 25-cm by 40-cm 6 mil gauge plastic sample
bag. The other identical half core witness sample is replaced carefully in
the box according to its original orientation (the correct end of the core
up hole, for example). One of the two sample tags is placed in the plastic
bag that is then securely stapled shut;
6. The other identical sample tag is stapled into the core box at the end of
the marked sample interval.
The procedure for taking half core-split samples differs slightly from the one
for sawing core samples in half:
1. The mechanical splitter has to be properly cleaned (with a brush or a jet
of compressed air) prior to cutting every sample;
2. Metal cake pans are used to collect the sample fragments. Once the
individual sample is completed, or if either of the cake pans is full, the
pans are emptied into a plastic sample bag. The successive sampling
routine is the same as above.
In the case of whole core samples, the entire sample is collected consecutively
down the interval (along with the sample tag) and placed in the sample bag. The
bag is then securely stapled shut.
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Several samples are stored together in a sealed burlap bag along with a sample
request form. The sealed samples bag lots are transported to the various labs by
a commercial courier service.
A sample request form has to be completed prior to dispatch of the samples. The
request specifies the name of the laboratory, the person making the request, the
date, the sample series, the metals to be assayed, the units that the results
should be reported, the analytical method and any special instructions.
In 2002, the principal assay laboratories for drill hole core samples were:
Laboratoires d'Analyse Bourlamaque of Val d' Or (Linda Melinbardis, chief
chemist), ALS Chemex Chimitec of Val d'Or (Richard Deschambault, manager) and
Technilab of Ste-Germaine, Quebec (Ahmed Edgdougul, chief chemist). The
principal assay laboratory for chip samples is the Laronde assay laboratory
(exceptionally they can be sent to an independent laboratory). None of the
laboratory are certified by a standards association.
15.3 LARONDE ASSAY LABORATORY PROCEDURES
SAMPLE PREPARATION
1. The samples are dried at 180DEG. C for about 30 minutes;
2. The samples are layed out in order in metal pans and registered on the
assay report sheet;
3. Prior to crushing and pulverizing, the equipment is cleaned using
compressed air;
4. The entire samples is passed through a 1/4inch jaw-crusher;
5. The crushed sample is passed through a Riffle-type separator 4 times
(mucks), 6 times (chips) or 8 times (core) in order to obtain a mass of
roughly 250 grams. Coarse reject material is kept or thrown out depending
on the sample type;
6. The split sample is pulverized to 80% -200 mesh using a disk pulverisor;
7. Silica is pulverized through the equipment between each sample;
8. The pulp samples are homogenized using an orbital mixer or by using the
4-corner carpet method.
ANALYSIS
The Laronde division laboratory Fire-assays core samples and chip samples in the
following way:
ELEMENT EXTRACTION METHOD
------- ---------- ------
Au Fire-assay (up to 1 A.T.) Fire-assay, gravimetric finish
Ag HF-HCL-HN03 Atomic absorption
Cu HF-HCL-HN03 Atomic absorption
Zn HF-HCL-HN03 Atomic absorption
Pb HF-HCL-HN03 Atomic absorption
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 42 RapRes03-01.doc
15.4 INDEPENDENT ASSAY LABORATORY PROCEDURES
The core sample preparation and assaying procedures for the various certified
independent laboratories used are similar to those presented above (see Appendix
B). An independent laboratory performs also specific gravity measurements on
selected core samples.
15.5 QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES AND CHECK ASSAY PROCEDURES
SUMMARY
At Laronde the quality control measures, check assays and duplicate assay
procedures are different for samples from chip sampling, exploration and
definition drill holes and from stope delineation drill holes.
CHECK ASSAY PROCEDURE
All exploration and definition drill core samples are sent to independent assay
laboratories for analysis (prior to 1999, exceptionally they could be assayed at
the Laronde laboratory). For samples that occur within, or adjacent to,
potentially economic ore zones, pulp and reject witness samples are recovered
from the primary laboratory and systematically sent to a second independent
assay laboratory for check reanalysis.
Delineation drill core samples are sent to an independent laboratory for
analysis but the sample results are not checked at a second laboratory.
Chips samples assay results that are receive from the Laronde assay lab are not
checked at a second laboratory. The geology department sometimes requests check
assays from the Laronde laboratory on the pulps and/or rejects of certain
anomalous chip samples. Dubious or missing results calls for an immediate
resampling of the panel sample interval.
The results from check assaying program are averaged together (original assay,
pulp check and reject assay) and it is only the average value that is reported
in the drill log.
CONTROL SAMPLE PROCEDURE
All the samples coming from a delineation drill hole are sent to the
laboratories with a control sample (one control sample for every group of
samples that compose a drill hole intercept). The control samples are prepared
at the mine site laboratory from representative mineralised material from the
Penna shaft lenses. Batch of 15 to 25 kg are crushed, homogenized and split in
50 to 250g samples (average). Each control sample is put in an individual clear
25-cm by 40-cm 6 mil gauge plastic sample bag with a unique paper stamped sample
tags that is placed in the plastic bag and then securely stapled shut. One
standard sample is sent for every delineation drill hole zone intercepts samples
group (i.e. 20 North, 20 South, 6 & 7) and reported with the core sample assays
results. Irregular results that came back from those standard samples are
checked in another independent laboratory to see if any analytical problems
occur within those reports.
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The control sample procedure in delineation drill holes is study every quarter
(3 months period) and the year-end report is presented in Appendix B.
In 2002, all the standard samples that came back with irregular values compare
to the average were duplicate with similar results in the check assays procedure
with another independent laboratory, suggesting that the high values were not
related to analytical problem. Base metal in those samples came back with values
in the range of the average. Erratic distribution of the gold even in the
homogenized standard samples seems to be the reason of occasional higher-grade
values in standard samples.
DUPLICATE AND STANDARD
The quality control procedure for check sample results for exploration and
definition drill holes is slightly different. All values (above a certain
predetermined minimum grade) with a variance greater than 20% with the current
average are identified. These samples must be reviewed by the supervising
geologist and either they are averaged or excluded. The minimum significant
grades are presented in Appendix B.
ASSAY CONTROL MEASURES
For exploration and definition drill hole samples, each assay report from an
independent laboratory is accompanied by a separate report on duplicate and
standard assay results. Data checking of the independent lab results for
accuracy and precision by Laronde is qualitative.
DISCUSSION OF ADEQUACY OF SAMPLING, SAMPLE PREPARATION, SECURITY AND ANALYTICAL
PROCEDURES
It is the authors opinion That the use of independent laboratories, the quality
control measures and the automated check assay variance monitoring have been
adequate control measures employed in the past at Laronde. Specific monitoring
for accuracy and precision, which might include control charts, precision plots
and other scatter plots might also useful as a double check for laboratory-based
and field based sampling errors.
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16. DATA VERIFICATION
To the author's knowledge, all the intercepts reported in this document (see
section 19.5 and li appendix B) including those reported in previous years have
had check assays.
The inclusion or exclusion of specific assay data completed during the sample
data verification process prior to 2002 was completely reviewed by Laronde
geologist team (actual and former members) before the 2002 mineral reserve
report. The supervising geologists including the author, prior to the estimate
of the 2003 Laronde mineral reserves and resources estimate verified the 2002
sample data.
The results of the 2003 mineral reserve and resource estimate was compared to
those of the 2002 estimate. No anomalies were discovered by the author.
Roscoe-Postle and Associates reviewed the 2002 Laronde mineral reserve and
mineral resources estimate (RPA 2002) and did not find any errors due to
sampling or analytical procedures.
17. ADJACENT PROPERTIES
Mining activities at the Laronde Mine are located on the Laronde and El Coco
properties as reported in the section Property description and location section
4. Other properties own by the company along the Laronde-Bousquet-Doyon Belt
will not be discussed in this document because it is outside of the terms of
reference.
18. MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING
This item will not be directly discussed in this document. Please refer to the
reports by Girard et al. (1999, 2001) and Roscoe Postle Associates (1999, 2001,
2002).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 45 RapRes03-01.doc
19. 2003 LARONDE MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE
19.1 INTRODUCTION
The 2003 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates combines MINERAL
RESOURCE grade and tonnage information and MINERAL RESERVE data and has served
as a base for decisions on major expenditures at the Laronde division. The
definitions follow those adopted by the CIM and set out in National Instrument
43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
The CIM Standards describe completion of a Preliminary Feasibility Study as the
minimum prerequisite for the conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral
Reserves. A Preliminary Feasibility Study is a comprehensive study of the
viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where the mining
method, in the case of underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case
of an open pit, has been established, and where an effective method of mineral
processing has been determined. This Study must include a financial analysis
based on reasonable assumptions of technical, engineering, operating and
economic factors and evaluation of other relevant factors that are sufficient
for a Qualified Person acting reasonably, to determine if all or part of the
Mineral Resource may be classified as a Mineral Reserve.
The report by Girard et al. (1999) and Roscoe Postle Associates (1999) are the
feasibility reports that formed the basis for upgrading the mineral resource
occurring above level 220 at the Penna shaft into probable reserves once the
shaft station drilling programs were completed in these areas in 1999. The
report by Girard et al. (2001) provided the technical and economic factors
necessary to transform the mineral resource between levels 220 and 236 into
probable reserves when the level of diamond drilling information was increased
in 2000. The report by Provencher (2002) (appendix B) provided the technical and
economic factors necessary to transform the mineral resource between levels 236
and 245 into probable reserves with the diamond drilling information collected
in 2001. Finally, the pre-feasibility study by Emond (2003) (appendix B)
provided the technical and economic factors necessary to transform the major
part of the mineral resource between levels 245 and elevation 2200m (2800m
depth) west of section 6600E into probable reserves with the new diamond
drilling information in 2002.
19.2 MINERAL RESOURCE
A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic
or fossilized organic material in or on the Earth's crust in such form and
quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for
economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics
and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from
specific geological evidence and knowledge.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 46 RapRes03-01.doc
INFERRED RESOURCE
An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological
evidence and limited sampling and reasonable assumed, but not verified,
geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information
and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as
outcrops, pits, workings and drill holes.
The inferred mineral resource for 20 North Gold and zone 7 below level 220
and located in the western extension of the deposit (west of 6600E) in the
2003 mineral resource estimate has not been sufficiently drilled. According
to the statistical analysis, the western portion of the 20 North zone (below
level 220 and elevation 2200m) and all the resources located below elevation
2200m are not sufficiently sampled to be able to classify it higher than
inferred mineral resource. Waste-rock dilution and the percent extraction are
not considered in the inferred mineral resource estimate.
INDICATED RESOURCE
An indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be
estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate
application of technical and economic parameters to support mine planning and
evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on
detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings
and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade
continuity to be reasonably assumed.
The actual economic criteria for mineral reserves based on the different
economic studies is 55$ C/tm. Small portions of the 20 North Gold zone
located below level 220 in the western extension of the probable reserves did
not respect that criteria ranging between 50 to 55$ C/tm, potential increase
in the gold price could increase the values of this part of the lens but for
now, those tons are considered as indicated resources. Zone 6 and zone 22
located to the east of the Penna shaft lenses complex are similar in grade,
size and shape compared to the lenses that were mined out at shaft #2 and in
reserve blocks 73 & 74. Drill hole spacing is also similar to allow a good
estimate of those lenses. But no mining plan is available on those lenses yet
and prevents upgrading higher than indicated mineral resource.
MEASURE RESOURCE
A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which
quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, physical characteristics are so
well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow
the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters to support
production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The
estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing
information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as
outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely
enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 47 RapRes03-01.doc
No measured mineral resources occur in this reserves and resources estimate. The
mineral resources at shafts no.1 and no.2 are not included and considered as
uneconomic with the actual knowledge of those resources and current metals
prices.
19.3 MINERAL RESERVE
A Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated
Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This
Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical,
economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate at the time of reporting
that economic extraction can be justified. A Mineral Reserve includes diluting
materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined.
PROBABLE RESERVE
A Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated,
and in some circumstances a Measured Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a
Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on
mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that
demonstrate at the time of reporting that economic extraction can be justified.
At Laronde, regular adequately spaced grid-shaped patterns of diamond drill hole
intercepts through a known horizon (such as zone horizons 4, 5, 6, 7, 20 North
and 20 South) are sufficient to quantify a inventory of economic massive to
disseminated gold-copper or zinc silver mineralisation as probable mineral
reserve (see Table 6). A grid spacing in the order of 100 metres by 120 metres
is adequate for massive to disseminated gold-copper mineralisation (5, 6, 7, 20
North Gold and 20 South). Because zinc-silver (20 North Zinc-type)
mineralisation has demonstrated to have poorer continuity, an interval of 80
metres by 50 metres is necessary to classify probable reserves. Disseminated
gold zones (like zone 4 and 5C) have a demonstrated poor continuity, 20 metres
by 40 metres drill spacing are necessary to estimate a probable reserve.
PROVEN RESERVE
A Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral
Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study
must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic
and other relevant factors that demonstrate at the time of reporting that
economic extraction is justified.
A Laronde, proven mineral reserve blocks are very well established by
underground openings and a regular pattern of drill holes. Generally, the
definition drill hole pattern is in the order of at least 40 metres by 40 metres
for massive sulphide mineralisation (in practice proven reserves are drilled at
15 metre by 15 metre to 15 metre by 30 metre spacing). Mineral reserves in area
extending at least one sublevel above or below openings and 15 metres east and
west of a sampled opening are considered as proven mineral reserves.
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 48 RapRes03-01.doc
TABLE 7. DRILL HOLE SPACING FOR INDICATED RESOURCES AND PROBABLE RESERVES
ZONE VERTICAL SPACING HORIZONTAL SPACING
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 North Gold 140m 140m
20 North Zinc 80m 50m
20 South 80m 60m
7, 6 and 22 60m 50m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 49 RapRes03-01.doc
19.4 CHANGES IN THE ESTIMATE SINCE JULY 2002
Mining reserves and mineral resources at Laronde, and at the Penna shaft in
particular, since July 1st 2002 have been affected both by new diamond drilling
results, new geostatistical results and by the upgrading of the milling and
mining facilities corresponding to the 2001 feasibility report to 7000 short
tons per day.
A) Mining and milling facilities were upgraded to 7000 short tons per day at
the beginning of October 2002. This increased capacity will allow decreasing
mining cost above 45.00C$/short ton (49.60C$/metric ton) during the five
years plan 2002-2006 (Girard et al 2002). In addition, it is anticipated
that, with the exhaustion of gold reserves around the Penna shaft, from the
year 2010, the cyanidation of the ore will no longer be necessary. This would
result in a decrease in total mining-milling costs in 2011 to 37.00C$/metric
ton (33.50C$/short ton).
Despite the lowering of the production cost related to the increasing
production capacity, cut off and economic parameters for reserves and
resources were kept like in 2001, 2002.
B) Economic evaluation of the NSR cut off for tonnage located below level 215
was completed in 2002 as recommended by Roscoe Postle (2002). The economic
analysis report by Emond (2003) indicated that mining of indicated resource was
economic down to elevation 2200m (2800m depth) at an operating cost from 50C$ up
to 59C$ per ton in increasing increments according to depth below the bottom of
the Penna shaft. This report allowed new indicated resources to be converted
into a probable mineral reserve.
C) Definition and exploration drilling continued during 2002 from levels 86,
170, 194 and 215 and from diamond drill based in the lower mine ramp access
level 194 and 215. The 2002 exploration and definition drilling results at the
Penna shaft are summarised below:
1. The level 86-exploration drift (EX-86-33E) was extended toward the east on
the El Coco property to reach 9373E. Exploration drilling was completed in
2002 covering the immediate down dip (steeply dipping to the west) possible
extension of the shallow zone 22 lens up to section 9000E.
2. Definition drilling of the western edge of zone 20 North (and 20 South)
from the level 194 exploration drift allowed reduction of the spacing
between drill hole to 40m x 40m (in the 20 North zone) and 80m vertical x
40m horizontal in the 20 South zone up to section 7000E.
3. Exploration drilling of zone 20 North Gold from level 194 and 215 below
level 245 in 2002 transferred a portion of mineral resource located east of
section 6600E into probable reserves with a spacing between drill hole
intercepts of about 100m vertical x 120 m horizontal.
4. Finally, three new drilling intercepts were returned from zone 20 North
Gold in the western extension of the lens at depth: 3194-56A, 3215-27B and
3215-22F. Those holes allow to extend the inferred mineral resources to the
west and confirm the potential for a second parallel lens (a split of the
20North Gold zone) at depth and toward the west.
5. Resources estimate has been extended down to elevation 1800m (3200m depth).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 50 RapRes03-01.doc
D) New geostatistical analyses of zones 20 North were conducted in 2001 and
2002. Most of the parameters were established in the past following studies made
by Wheeler (1997, 1999), Dagbert (2000) and D'Amours (2001, 2000a and 2000b)
concerning: cutting factors, specific gravity adjustment factor, revised inverse
power values, metal distribution. In 2002, new studies were conducted concerning
variation of the assays relating to the orientation of the samples (chip and
drill hole sampling bias) D'Amours (2002).
The north-south sample calibration factor was reevaluated with new
reconciliation study information available (as recommended by Roscoe Postle
2002). With the increasing amount of information coming from north south
drill holes in 2002, a variation in gold grade was observed compare to
azimuth drill hole that were completed from the Penna Shaft station in the
past. Geostatistical analyses in the 20North Gold zone was conducted by
D'Amours (2002) to include in the new reserve estimate in July 2002 (Legault
2002c).
This study was conducted in order to compare results obtained in north-south
samples from chip and drill hole with azimuth drill hole. This study made
with simple q-q plot study identifies a difference related to the orientation
of the samples. This study quantified the underestimation of the gold grade
in north-south sample because of the under representation of gold remobilized
along north-south fractures. In reserves estimate 2002-02 (Legault 2002c),
chip and drill hole samples oriented between azimuth 170 and 190 degrees in
the mine grid, in the 20 north gold zone, had the following grade
calibrations applied: chip samples between 1 and 10 g/t were calibrated using
a 1.2 factor; whereas drill hole samples between 3 and 10 g/t were calibrated
using a 1.1 factor; and drill hole samples above 10 g/t were calibrated using
a 1.2 factor.
A 2003 reconciliation study (Gosselin 2003 in prep.) evaluated the
impact of these new geostatistical parameters. It appears that these calibration
factors resulted in an overestimation of the gold grade compared to the mill.
Changes in order to reduce these calibration factors were applied in the present
reserves estimate. Chip and drill hole samples oriented between azimuth 170 and
190 degrees in the mine grid, in the 20 north gold zone, have now the following
calibration factors applied: chip samples between 1 and 10 g/t were calibrated
using a 1.1 factor, whereas drill hole samples between 3 and 10 g/t were
calibrated using a 1.1 factor and drill hole samples above 10 g/t were not
calibrated.
E) The specific gravity calibration factor of 1.1 was left unchanged (despite
the recommendation made by Roscoe Postle 2002). The results observed in the 2003
reconciliation study (Gosselin in prep.) summarized in appendix B shows an
excellent correlation between calculated tons send to the mill (with the 1.1 SG
calibration factor) with the reconciled production.
G) As recommended by Roscoe Postle (2002) tonnage located in the western flank
of the zone in the block PB194 was reclassified in indicated resources in reason
of their grade, thickness, and location outside of the main trend of the zone.
Zone 6 (PB63) was drilled on a smaller spacing (definition) and reevaluated with
a significant decrease in tonnage.
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19.5 ESTIMATION METHODS
At Laronde, mineral reserves are estimated either using the polygonal method (by
longitudinal section) but mostly using inverse power distance (IPD) block
modelling methods. Indicated resources are all estimated using inverse power
distance (IPD) block modelling methods whereas inferred mineral resources are
always estimated using the polygonal method. In 2003, the mineral reserves for
only two lenses: zone 6 (block 62) and zone 7 (block 72) were estimated using
the polygonal method (as in the 2002 estimate). All the other lenses (or portion
of lenses) included in the mineral reserves were estimated using the IPD block
modelling method.
The polygonal method (either transverse or longitudinal section) has been used
at Laronde since the start of commercial operations (see Blackburn, 1991). It is
a simple and quick method that was adequate because the orebodies at shaft no.1
were: 1) narrow and planar; and 2) the gold values, which was the only payable
metal that was tracked, were relatively uniform and well distributed (within a
narrow range 0.1 to 1.5 opt). The disadvantage of the polygonal method is due to
its tendency to bias results (because the method underestimates the grade in
low-grade areas and, conversely, overestimates the grade in high-grade areas;
see Glacken, 1999)
Inverse power distance block modelling methods have been used at Laronde since
1998 for estimating reserves at the Penna and no.2 shafts where the zones: 1)
are larger, irregularly shaped and thicker; 2) contain four payable metals (Au,
Ag, Cu and Zn) which have a wide range of values; 3) have variable densities;
and 4) the metals and densities are distributed irregularly in three dimensions.
The method uses is also quick, relatively simple, statistically based and, to an
extent, accounts for grade variability according to distance and direction
(based on variograms).
Because of the widely spaced results, inferred mineral resource estimates at
Laronde are determined by polygonal methods.
POLYGONAL BY LONGITUDINAL
In a raw polygonal estimation, the influence of each drill hole (or chip sample)
intercept value is fixed at mid-distance to surrounding intercepts and samples
are given equal weights within a volume. The polygonal by longitudinal section
method consists firstly of measuring the horizontal north-south thickness of
each zone drill intercept or chip sample trace directly from an interpreted
level plan or a north-south cross-section. The mid-point coordinate of each zone
intersection is then projected onto an east-west vertical longitudinal section
that is unique for each zone.
A polygonal shaped perimeter surrounding each intercept point which links the
mid-distance marks to surrounding intercepts is then drawn on the longitudinal
section. The surface area of each polygon is measured off from the longitudinal
section. The tonnage is the product of the polygon surface area multiplied by
the intercept thickness and the specific gravity determined for each individual
drill hole intercept (or exceptionally for the specific gravity determined for a
zone in PB62 and 72).
At Laronde, drill hole data and chip samples are treated separately. The
economic limits and horizontal thickness of a particular drill intersection is
entered into an ACCESS type database
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 52 RapRes03-01.doc
file. The length-weighted average grade for gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead and
specific gravity as well as the co-ordinate of the mid-point position of each
intercept is then calculated. Chip sample data collected from development
headings crosscutting ore zones are treated directly by DATAMINE ore reserve
estimation software from which grade and 3-D positional data is then extracted.
The grade and positional data are then registered in a CSV (comma-delimited
format) type file. DATAMINE software derives a report that describes
longitudinal area for each polygon that is imported into ACCESS format for
calculation and final ore reserve report.
INVERSE DISTANCE BLOCK MODEL
In an IPD estimate, samples are weighted inversely to their distance from the
estimation point. This method's principle is that the grade of a particular unit
block is more like samples that are closer to it; closer samples should
therefore be weighted more highly.
The method consists firstly of building three-dimensional envelope (wireframe
model) of a particular orebody using diamond drilling, chip sampling and
underground mapping results. The orebody envelope is then filled with several
unit-sized blocks to which a grade is then interpolated. The grade of an
individual block within the orebody envelope is assigned to it using the
inverse-distance-power estimation method. In practice, surrounding samples
(those comprising various drill-hole intercepts for example) are weighted
inversely to their linear distance(power) from a particular estimation point
(the unit-sized block). For example:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inverse distance squared grade estimate = weight each sample's grade inversely
to distance(2)
and
divide by sum of inverse distance(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Different power levels for searching distance are use at Laronde in function of
the information density, and of the zone. Power levels used at Laronde for IPD
(Inverse Power Distance) estimation are 1, 2 and 3 (distance(1), distance(2)
distance(3)).
At Laronde, the block model method involves using DATAMINE ore reserve modelling
software. Once the envelope is created, DATAMINE captures all the sampling data
inside the envelope (wireframe). The intersections are then composited so that
the grade values for each drill-hole or chip sample can be represented over
standard unit lengths.
When using this linear estimation method, clustering of samples in certain areas
can cause possible grade biases during the grade interpolation process. In order
to reduce the effect of sample clustering, an octant search method has been
applied. This method limits the number of samples that will be considered within
a given octant and thereby forces the estimation calculation to use a more
logically spread group of nearby samples.
Another problem with the inverse distance estimation method is that it
can over-predict grades if the assay data has a positively skewed distribution.
This can be observed by studying the statistics of the assay data. The
over-prediction can be overcome by applying a statistically based topcut to the
assays (see Glacken, 1999).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 53 RapRes03-01.doc
The discussion below of the various parameters used in the 3D inverse distance
estimation is based on the analysis by Christian D'Amours (D'Amours, 2001, 2000a
and 2000b) and a review by Dagbert (2000).
SAMPLE SELECTION
At Laronde, the selection of samples by zone along drill holes and chip sample
runs for use in the estimation is based on the ACCES database table of
intersections (M-zone), which are compiled by the geology department. In the
case of chip sample intervals, the wireframe model physically makes the sample
selection.
PERIMETER FILE
The perimeters are used to estimate the reserves of a particular stope. They
consist of a pair of lines that define the floor and ceiling of each stoping
block.
LENGTH OF COMPOSITE SAMPLES
The block modelling method requires that all the samples have an equal length.
An analysis of samples from all four zones showed that 45-66% of the sample
lengths had a length of 1.5 metres and that the gold and zinc grades were
uniformly distributed throughout the sample intervals.
TOPCUT GRADES
The sample results for all the metals were examined using both frequency
histograms (plotted either on a decimal or logarithmic scale) and cumulative
probability plots. Gold and Silver values used in the block models are variably
topcut depending on the zone (Table 8). The topcut grades used in polygonal
estimation and presented on the zone longitudinals are slightly different
(Appendix B).
VARIOGRAPHY TO ESTABLISH SEARCH PARAMETER FILES
Directional variograms and correlograms were used to establish the relationship
between composited samples. The same relationships would be applied to the
blocks in the estimation.
In order to look for directions of variability, the variography was measured and
compared along different directions until the best results for range were found.
Orthogonal intermediate axes were then established. The modelled variogram
parameters shown below are used in the search parameter files for each zone.
Note that directional parameters are also used to weight distance proportional
to variography in any particular direction. The whole idea behind the concept
is: two nearby samples have values more similar than two samples that are far
apart and the distance where samples could be considered similar is variant with
directions. It is called anisotropy of variation.
The zone anisotropies derived from the variography are presented in Table9 (the
search and estimation parameter files and a DATAMINE reference list can be
consulted in Appendix B).
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 54 RapRes03-01.doc
TABLE 8: TOP CUT GRADES FOR BLOCK MODELLING
ZONE AU (G/T) AG (G/T)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
6 51.4290 857.1430
7 34.0000 200.0000
20 North Gold 51.4286 857.1425
20 North Zinc 67.0000
20 South 17.1429
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 55 RapRes03-01.doc
TABLE 9: ZONE ANISOTROPIES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 20 NORTH GOLD SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
Block 191-192-193 (M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N094/-63--140 N263/-28--140 N356/-04--5.5
Ag N094/-63--110 N263/-28--60 N356/-04--4
Cu N094/-63--140 N263/-28--120 N356/-04--12
Zn N064/-32--45 N221/-58--35 N328/-10--5
Pb N064/-32--35 N221/-58--35 N328/-10--4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 20 NORTH GOLD SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
Block 194-195 (M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N094/-63--140 N263/-28--140 N356/-14--5.5
Ag N094/-63--110 N263/-28--60 N356/-14--4
Cu N094/-63--140 N263/-28--120 N356/-14--12
Zn N064/-32--45 N221/-58--35 N328/-14--5
Pb N064/-32--35 N221/-58--35 N328/-14--4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 20 NORTH ZINC SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
Block 201-202-203 (M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N277/-65--60 N087/-24--60 N178/-04--12
Ag N277/-65--85 N087/-24--60 N178/-04--6
Cu N277/-65--100 N087/-24--60 N178/-04--15
Zn N277/-65--85 N087/-24--50 N178/-04--10.5
Pb N277/-65--90 N087/-24--40 N178/-04--15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 20 NORTH ZINC SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
Block 204-205 (M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N277/-65--60 N087/-24--60 N178/-14--12
Ag N277/-65--85 N087/-24--60 N178/-14--6
Cu N277/-65--100 N087/-24--60 N178/-14--15
Zn N277/-65--85 N087/-24--50 N178/-14--10.5
Pb N277/-65--90 N087/-24--40 N178/-14--15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 20 SOUTH SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
(M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N260/-68--80 N110/-20--60 N016/-10--3
Ag
Cu
Zn
Pb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 56 RapRes03-01.doc
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 6 SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
(M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N239/-76--60 N094/-15--50 N001/-10--11
Ag N269/-10--80 N134/-76--60 N001/-10--18
Cu N092/-06--35 N214/-78--35 N001/-10--20
Zn N269/-12--20 N001/-10--20 N130/-74--15
Pb N094/-19--40 N244/-69--32 N001/-10--9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 7 SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
(M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N239/-76--60 N094/-15--50 N001/-10--11
Ag N269/-10--80 N134/-76--60 N001/-10--18
Cu N092/-06--35 N214/-78--35 N001/-10--20
Zn N269/-12--20 N001/-10--20 N130/-74--15
Pb N094/-19--40 N244/-69--32 N001/-10--9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZONE 22 SIGMA 1 SIGMA 2 SIGMA 3
AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE AZIMUTH/PLUNGE--RANGE
(M) (M) (M)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Au N239/-76--60 N094/-15--50 N001/-10--11
Ag N269/-10--80 N134/-76--60 N001/-10--18
Cu N092/-06--35 N214/-78--35 N001/-10--20
Zn N269/-12--20 N001/-10--20 N130/-74--15
Pb N094/-19--40 N244/-69--32 N001/-10--9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 57 RapRes03-01.doc
BLOCK DIMENSION
The size of the blocks (or cells) that will fill the wireframe model is a
function of sample grid size and the orebody geometry. The rule of thumb is that
the blocks should never be smaller than 1/3 of the sample grid spacing. Because
the delineation drill intercept spacing at Laronde is roughly 30 metres by 10
metres, the block size for all the zones is 12 metres by 12 metres by 3 metres.
In order to match block volumes within the wireframe, two levels of
sub-splitting allow for a minimum 3 metres by 3 metres by 1 metre sub-block
(roughly 30.6 tonnes). The rest of the wireframe in thickness is completed by
sub-block 3 metres by 3 metres by 0 (minimum infinite) to 1 metre.
INTERPOLATION METHOD
The choice of power used in the IPD interpolation method (either distance(2)
or distance(3)) is considered to be subjective and subject to refinement
(D'Amours, 2001). However the inverse distance(3) method previously used at
Laronde (Wheeler, 1997) was replaced in the 20 South zone by the inverse
distance(2) in 2001 reserve/resource estimates for two reasons:
1. The combination of the narrow pancaked-shaped geometry of the search
ellipsoid (in the plane of mineralisation) and the imprecision of the
drill hole data result in too many samples being ignored in the estimate
because their position slightly off the wireframe.
2. The inverse distance cubed method is closer to a polygonal estimation.
This decision was supported by Dagbert (2000).
The inverse distance(3) method was kept in certain zones (20 north gold and
zinc in high density information areas and in Zone 7 following validation of
the parameters by Dagbert (2001).
NOTES
The factors used in the mining reserve and mineral resource estimate are
summarised below:
1. All sections were drawn using Borehole manager database and Autocad
software. All polygonal area and block model grade and tonnage estimate
calculations were made on a PC using DATAMINE software and the results
compiled in a Microsoft Access format databank.
2. Each potentially economic intercept was calculated using a minimum
horizontal thickness of 9.2 feet (2.8 metres).
3. The maximum polygon radius is set at 275 metres. The inferred resource
envelope was calculated to a depth of 3200 metres (1800-metre elevation)
over an average strike width of 600 metres.
4. In the past, the specific gravity (SG) was assigned to each zone at shafts
no.1 and no.2 and varied between 3.4 and 4.2 (see Appendix A). Several
sources of information were consulted to fix the specific gravity for each
zone: The report dated February 3, 1981 by Anton Adamcik and the 1983
M.Sc. thesis by Demetrios George Eliopoulos have been used for zone no. 5
at shaft no. 1. The specific gravity of ore samples of zone no. 6 at shaft
no. 2 is compiled in the report by Gervais (1997).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 58 RapRes03-01.doc
5. From 1998 to 2001, core samples from the stope delineation flat holes,
definition and deep exploration holes have had specific gravity
determinations on the pulps (calculated by an independent laboratory). The
results were compared statistically to the sample rock types by zone. For
each zone, a SG value is assigned to samples that do not have a SG
determination. The SG values are then composited along with the other
metals. The SG of a model block is assigned to it using the nearest
neighbour's method and the average SG of the stope is then determined.
6. Since 2001, resampling for SG determination in the ore zone of all
available drill holes (definition and exploration drill hole kept at the
core shack) was completed. Most of the new zones intercepts since 2001
(all the flat delineation, definition and exploration drill hole) were
analyzed for SG at the same time than metal content (only exception are up
and down delineation drill holes). SG is now estimate using
block-modelling technique for all wireframed lenses. The S.G. values are
composited along with the other metals. The S.G. of a model block is
assigned to it using the nearest neighbour's method and the average S.G.
of the stope is then determined.
7. A tonnage calibration factor of 1.1 has been applied to all blocks of
reserves and indicated resources blocks RD22, RD63 and RD194 in order to
reflect the observed variance between forecasted and mined tonnage which
has been observed at the Penna Shaft (2001, 2002 and 2003 (in progress)
reconciliation study) (summary in Appendix B).
8. A tonnage calibration factor of 1.05 has been applied to indicated
resources block RD62 and RD72 and all inferred resources RF74, 194, 195,
196 and 197 that were calculated using polygonal method (summary in
Appendix B).
9. A dilution study (CMS survey analysis) of Penna shaft stopes allows the
determination of the equivalent meter factor that represent the average
dilution (metre of over brake) in the footwall and hangingwall of the ore
zone for each stope. Portion of lenses are then characterized with
representative equivalent meter factors in booth walls, this allow the
calculation of a dilution (%) variable in function of the thickness of the
ore zone. (see the equivalent meter factor applied for each bloc in the
listing Appendix D).
10. Dilution grade for the reserves (except reserves block 72 and 62) and
indicated resources (except block 22 and 63) were calculated for all
specific stope using block model method. Since 2001, the footwall and the
hangingwall of the different ore zone are modelized and evaluated the same
way than the ore zone using specific parameters determined by variography
study: anisotropy, searching ellipsoids. Sampling of the wall material is
now systematic over at least 3.5m (core length) to allow the wireframing
of a 2.8m true thickness skin on booth side of the ore zone (to calculated
dilution grade and density) in which the equivalent meter factor is
applied for the dilution estimate (tonnage calculation).
11. A specific dilution factor, which varies between 10% and 20% by weight,
was applied to probable reserves blocks 62 and 72 and indicated resource
blocks 63. Indicated resource block 22 was undiluted by involuntary
omission in regard of our internal standard practice. No dilution factor
was applied to inferred mineral resource (see Appendix A).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 59 RapRes03-01.doc
12. Dilution grade for reserve bloc 62 and 72 was estimated using drill holes
representative assay data in the wall rock (see Appendix A). Resource
block 63 was estimated using same dilution grade than reserve block 62 in
reason of apparent similar geological context and properties, this
procedure should be revised in 2003 using specific information for that
lens.
13. The economic viability ofeach intercept was tested by using a complex
Excel logarithm (Geo5a2001.xls) developed by the Laronde mill department
in January 1997 and modified using the following metal prices: 300$US/oz
gold, 5$US/oz silver, 0.80$/lb copper, 0.50$/lb zinc and a $US/$C exchange
rate of 1.50 (as in 2002). Smelting charges for zinc and copper remain
unchanged.
14. In order to fix the economic limits of the various ore-zone, each modelled
stoping block or polygon sample point had an net smelter return (NSR)
value calculated for it using the Geo5a2001.xls file modify with metal
prices: 300$US/oz gold, 5$US/oz silver, 0.80$/lb copper, 0.50$/lb zinc and
a $US/$C exchange rate of 1.47 (see appendix D). Smelting charges for zinc
and copper remain unchanged. Average metal grade for each mining bloc in
the reserve is use to evaluated the NSR value of each unit block within
the wireframe (see detailed listing appendix D). Using DATAMINE generated
NSR longitudinal sections, an NSR cut-off of 55$C (above level 220) to
59$C/tonne (increasing with depth between level 220 and elevation 2200m)
was used to determine the economic limits.
15. The minimum cut-off for zone 20 North Gold where it is immediately in
contact with mineral reserves of 20 North Zinc has been established as
39$/tonne (see Appendix B). The bulk NSR must be greater than 55$/tonne.
16. The minimum cut-off for areas of 20 North Zinc which mining is planned
later than 2010 has been set at 45$/tonne.
19.6 RESULTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 60 RapRes03-01.doc
METRIC RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATE
DILUTED GRADE
CATEGORY ZONE Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable 20N AU SOMME 4.613 48.352 0.53 1.11 0.10
Probable 20N ZN SOMME 1.037 99.325 0.10 6.61 0.78
Probable 20S SOMME 4.099 24.455 0.21 1.22 0.14
Probable 6 SOMME 3.902 56.011 0.18 4.21 0.01
Probable 7 SOMME 5.624 33.895 0.35 1.66 0.07
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable TOTAL SOMME 3.455 63.187 0.37 2.93 0.32
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
CATEGORY ZONE TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable 20N AU SOMME 17,923,324 82,673,453 866,621,140 95,547,317 199,806,227 18,725,030
Probable 20N ZN SOMME 9,949,057 10,317,708 988,186,977 10,031,865 657,142,587 77,424,065
Probable 20S SOMME 1,630,963 6,685,886 39,885,745 3,454,800 19,824,278 2,337,309
Probable 6 SOMME 61,823 241,236 3,462,753 111,445 2,600,632 9,273
Probable 7 SOMME 1,025,299 5,766,720 34,752,706 3,541,294 16,989,354 669,472
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable TOTAL SOMME 30,590,466 105,685,002 1,932,909,320 112,686,721 896,363,078 99,165,150
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 61 RapRes03-01.doc
DILUTED GRADE
CATEGORY ZONE Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven 20N AU SOMME 4.561 75.838 0.79 1.76 0.13
Proven 20N ZN SOMME 0.951 119.055 0.10 7.67 1.02
Proven 20S SOMME 4.935 59.320 0.27 3.05 0.44
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven TOTAL SOMME 2.679 97.671 0.39 4.95 0.62
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
CATEGORY ZONE TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven 20N AU SOMME 2,992,794 13,650,443 226,967,755 23,630,347 52,743,459 3,997,937
Proven 20N ZN SOMME 3,802,633 3,616,387 452,724,178 3,703,858 291,773,351 38,791,519
Proven 20S SOMME 416,488 2,055,387 24,706,187 1,143,943 12,690,017 1,844,977
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proven TOTAL SOMME 7,211,915 19,322,217 704,398,121 28,478,148 357,206,827 44,634,432
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 62 RapRes03-01.doc
DILUTED GRADE
CATEGORY ZONE Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Ore Broken Ore SOMME 4.533 68.200 0.33 4.05 0.46
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Ore TOTAL SOMME 4.533 68.200 0.33 4.05 0.46
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
CATEGORY ZONE TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Ore Broken Ore SOMME 20,382 92,389 1,390,057 68,183 824,986 93,126
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Ore TOTAL SOMME 20,382 92,389 1,390,057 68,183 824,986 93,126
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 63 RapRes03-01.doc
DILUTED GRADE
CATEGORY ZONE Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resource 20N AU SOMME 4.034 6.577 0.12 0.03 0.00
Indicated Resource El Coco SOMME 4.104 19.024 0.23 0.52 0.08
Indicated Resource 6 SOMME 3.338 27.306 0.17 1.96 0.06
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resource TOTAL SOMME 3.936 14.851 0.17 0.55 0.04
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
CATEGORY ZONE TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resource 20N AU SOMME 266,572 1,075,300 1,753,310 316,875 87,857 0
Indicated Resource El Coco SOMME 217,197 891,366 4,131,867 497,282 1,136,274 165,466
Indicated Resource 6 SOMME 104,297 348,114 2,847,951 175,095 2,039,338 65,274
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resource TOTAL SOMME 588,066 2,314,779 8,733,129 989,252 3,263,469 230,740
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 64 RapRes03-01.doc
METRIC RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATE
(PROVEN, PROBABLE, BROKEN ORE AND INDICATED RESOURCE)
DILUTED GRADE
Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SOMME 3.306 69.456 0.37 3.30 0.38
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SOMME 37,902,267 125,299,372 2,632,533,946 141,050,900 1,249,987,101 143,764,962
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 65 RapRes03-01.doc
METRIC RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIATE
DILUTED GRADE
CATEGORY ZONE Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resource 20N AU SOMME 5.986 11.482 0.33 0.03 0.02
Inferred Resource 7 SOMME 4.103 57.554 0.49 1.61 0.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resource TOTAL SOMME 5.923 13.024 0.33 0.08 0.02
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
CATEGORY ZONE TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resource 20N AU SOMME 20,192,510 120,869,718 231,841,927 66,489,544 5,516,899 4,352,125
Inferred Resource 7 SOMME 699,522 2,870,138 40,260,275 3,427,657 11,283,286 776,469
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resource TOTAL SOMME 20,892,032 123,739,856 272,102,202 69,917,201 16,800,185 5,128,594
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 66 RapRes03-01.doc
METRIC RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATE
(INFERRED RESOURCE)
DILUTED GRADE
Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) Pb (%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SOMME 5.923 13.024 0.33 0.08 0.02
TOTAL PRODUCTION (DILUTED)
TONS (Met.) Au (g) Ag (g) Cu (Kg) Zn (Kg) Pb (Kg)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SOMME 20,892,032 123,739,856 272,102,202 69,917,201 16,800,185 5,128,594
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 67 RapRes03-01.doc
19.7 EXCEPTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2003 RESERVE-RESOURCE CALCULATIONS
At the Penna shaft, the proven mineral reserves were estimated using a
combination of chip sample results, diamond drill hole information and broken
ore inventories that were current to December 31st 2002.
The grade of broken ore stored in the stopes, orepasses, surface stockpiles and
mill silos on December 31st 2002 (of the Penna shaft ore material) are estimated
using non-reconciled muck sample results. The tonnage estimate of the broken ore
is based on the December 31st 2002 inventory estimated by the engineering
department.
At the Penna shaft, probable reserves and indicated and inferred mineral
resources were estimated using the most up to date diamond drill hole and chip
sample information and are not restricted to a December 31st 2002 deadline.
Exceptions to the procedures described in this estimate are listed below:
1. Some exploration holes below level 215 have incomplete collar location
data or down hole surveys. Final collar surveys are generally done when
drilling planned on a particular set up is completed. For the 2003
estimate, a preliminary survey was completed to locate the drill on
planned collar location to insure proper drill hole spacing. The likely
changes will not be significant;
2. Exploration drill holes 3215-17, 18, 20, 33 and 34 do not have final
collar surveys;
3. Exploration drill holes 3215-32, 33,34 do not have down hole gyroscopic
surveys;
4. Check assays were pending for drill hole 3215-39A for the 20 North gold
and zinc zone intercepts.
5. An involuntary omission occurs during the resources estimate of indicated
resources block RD22 where dilution was set at 0%.
6. Reserves blocks PB62 and PB72 were evaluated using estimated SG whereas
all the other reserves were evaluated by wireframe block model method.
7. Dilution grade for reserves block PB62, PB72 and indicated resource block
RD63 were estimated with the available surrounding information whereas all
the other lenses in reserve and indicated resource are evaluated by
wireframe block model method (except RD22 as mentioned above).
8. Analysis of interpretation by wireframe showed that in some circumstances
(namely, local deviations in the wireframe and certain intersections that
were slightly outside the wireframe), samples were not being interpolated.
In order to counter this effect, all the holes intercepts that were
located outside of the wireframe were translated into the wireframe along
a horizontal north-south vector (see appendix B).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 68 RapRes03-01.doc
9. The octant method was not used in the estimation of the lower Penna shaft
zones (193, 194, 195, 203, 204, 205 and 212).
10. The search ellipsoid in reserve blocks 194, 195, 204 and 205 was flattened
from an 86 degree dip to a 76 degree dip in order to reflect the observed
changed in the dip in the wireframe at depth.
Except for those issues discussed in the reports by Girard et al (1999, 2001)
and Roscoe Postle and Associates (1999, 2001 and 2002), there are no other known
issues, which may affect the 2001 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimate
at Laronde
20. OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION
This item will not be discussed because it is outside of the terms of reference.
Refer to Girard et al (1999, 2001) and Roscoe Postle and Associates (1999, 2001
and 2002).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 69 RapRes03-01.doc
21. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be made:
1. The Penna shaft orebodies attain production levels of 7,000 tonnes per day
with unit cost per tons 51.60$C/st in 2002 slightly lower than budgeted
(53.01$C/st).
2. Block model inverse power distance estimation appears to be a suitable
method for mineral reserve estimations at the Laronde Division Penna
Shaft.
3. New drilling information in reserves blocks 202 and 203 allow completing
the interpretation of the western extension of the zinc zone where the
zone is duplicated (in reason of fold/fault or primary features of the
lens) with the creation of reserve block 200 (since 2001 and completed in
2002).
4. The decrease in mineral reserves for 20 South zone block 212 is the
results of new diamond drilling information (see Appendix B) for major
changes in 2002 estimate.
5. Definition diamond drilling in the 20 North Gold zone between levels 215
and 170 help to refine geological interpretation and ore wireframing and
results in a slight increase in estimate gold ounces contained.
6. The completion of the surface and underground diamond drilling campaign
allow the interpretation and block modelling of Zone 22 on the El coco
property.
7. Variography studies of gold grade in function of the sample orientation
results in the application of calibration factors to north-south drill
hole samples and chip samples that underestimate the gold grade compare to
azimuth drill hole samples.
8. The 2003 Reconciliation Study (Gosselin in prep.) confirmed the
underestimation of the tonnage with the actual SG analysis process that
was discussed in 2001 and 2002. The 1.1 SG calibration factor that has
been introduce since 2001 in the estimate allows a better reconciliation
with the mill-processed tonnage.
9. The increasing level of information available in the lower Penna Shaft
area in 2002 (between levels 245 and elevation 2200m) allowed the
conversion to probable reserves of some 2001 inferred resources with
individual stope grades applying dilution parameters and SG correction
factor.
10. Increasing gold-grade and thickness below the bottom of the Penna shaft
was confirmed by 2001 and 2002 deep exploration campaign. Economic study
and increase amount of drill hole intercepts allow the conversion of some
part of it. Close to 4.0 million ounces are still estimated in inferred
resources at depth and to the west. Level 215-exploration drift will allow
increasing the level of information in the 20 North Gold zone at depth in
2003-04.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 70 RapRes03-01.doc
22. RECOMMENDATIONS
The following general recommendations can be made:
1. Refresh geostatistical studies for zone 6 (blocks 62 and 63), 7 (blocks
72, 73 and 74) and 22 in order to verify parameters for block modelling
calculation of these zones in time for the 2004 mineral resource and
mineral reserve estimate;
2. Reserve blocks 62 and 72 should be wireframed and estimated using block
modelling methods.
3. Footwall and hanging wall of reserves blocks 62 and 72 and indicated
resource blocks 63 and 22 should be modelled by wireframe and evaluated by
block modelling techniques. This would complete all the lenses in the
proven-probable and indicated resource category.
4. With the increasing information in reserve blocks 193 & 203, a new
geostatistical study will be needed to validate or adjust block modelling
parameters;
5. Conduct a new geostatistical study on the searching ellipsoid and
anisotropy parameters with the observed changes of dip (slightly flatter)
at depth in blocks 194, 195, 204 & 205;
6. Continue to review the current inverse distance block models periodically
using grade and tonnage reconciliation data;
7. Continue to review the tonnage calibration factor of 1.1 applied to 2003
reserves with year-end reconciliation data at a steady treatment rate of
7000 tpd with the newly commission processing plan at the mill;
8. Review the gold grade calibration factor applied to north-south samples in
the 20 N Gold zone in regards of the 2003 production reconciliation study.
2003 will be the first complete year of significant production coming from
the 20 North Gold zone in the lower mine;
9. Complete the definition diamond drilling between levels 215 and 170 up to
the western limit of the deposit. The budgeted definition drilling program
from level 194 that was approved for 2003 will allow to complete this
program and continue the drilling toward the east and in the zone 20 South
(block 212) and zone 7 (blocks 73 & 74);
10. Pursue the deep exploration program using standard sectional drilling from
the 215 level deep exploration drift. The budgeted deep exploration
program that was approved in 2003 will improve the level of information
toward the west and at depth;
11. Complete the deep exploration program to allow evaluation for the next
phase of work (engineering & economic studies).
Respectfully submitted,
Guy Gosselin, P.Eng., P.Geo. [SEAL]
Chief Geologist, Author
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Laronde Division
May 12th, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 71 RapRes03-01.doc
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 72 RapRes03-01.doc
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Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 73 RapRes03-01.doc
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Galley, A., Mercier-Langevin, P., and Mueller. W., 2000,
Synthese du camp minier de Doyon-Bousquet-Laronde; Resume du poster
presente au colloque annuel du Ministere des Ressources Naturelles
a Quebec.
Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 1999,
Due diligence review of the LaRonde mine of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.'s
5000 TPD expansion study and five-year mine plan 1999-2003; Consulting
engineering report prepared for Deusche Bank Securities Inc. and
Barclays Capital, 148 p. and appendices.
Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2001,
Due diligence review of the LaRonde mine 7000 TPD expansion study of
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Consulting engineering report prepared for the
Bank of Nova Scotia, 75p. and appendices.
Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2002,
Review of the LaRonde mine 2002 mineral reserves, mine plan and cash
flow model of Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited. Consulting engineering report
prepared for the Bank of Nova Scotia November 13th 2002.
Scherkus, E., 1986,
An Evaluation of the Dumagami Mines Limited Project, Cadillac -
Bousquet Townships; Internal company prefeasibility report.
Sillitoe, R.H., Hannington, M.D. and Thompson, J.F.H., 1996,
High sulfidation deposits in the volcanogenic massive sulfide
environment: Economic Geology, v. 91, pp. 204-212.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 75 RapRes03-01.doc
Trudel, P., Sauve, P., Tourigny, G., Hubert, C. and Hoy, L., 1992,
Synthese des caracteristiques geologiques des gisements d'or de la
region de Cadillac (Abitibi); Ministere des Ressources Naturelles du
Quebec, MM 91-01.
Wheeler, A., 1997,
Agnico-Eagle Division Laronde - Geostatistical study; 14 pages and
appendices.
Wheeler, A., 1999,
Agnico Eagle, Division La Ronde - Zone 20 South Modelling study.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 76 RapRes03-01.doc
24. DATE
This report is effective by February 19th 2003. It was completed, reviewed and
revised by May 12th 2003.
25. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL REPORTS ON DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES
AND PRODUCTION PROPERTIES
This item will not be addressed in this report; Girard et al. (2001) discuss
mining operations, recoverability, markets, contracts, environmental
considerations, taxes, capital and operating cost estimates, economic analysis,
payback and mine life at the Laronde Division.
26. ILLUSTRATION
FIGURE 1 LOCALISATION MAP 7
FIGURE 2 SURFACE PLAN LARONDE PROPERTY 8
FIGURE 3 LARONDE LONGITUDINAL PENNA SHAFT ZONES 11
FIGURE 4 REGIONAL GEOLOGY 15
FIGURE 5 LARONDE PROPERTY DETAILED GEOLOGY 17
FIGURE 6 SECTION 6300E ZONE 5 SHAFT #1 20
FIGURE 7 SECTION 7600E ZONE 7 SHAFT #2 22
FIGURE 8 SECTION 7780E ZONE 6 SHAFT #2 23
FIGURE 9 SECTION 7440E ZONE 20N AND 20S PENNA SHAFT UPPER MINE 28
FIGURE 10 SECTION 7080E ZONE 20N AND 20S PENNA SHAFT LOWER MINE 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 77 RapRes03-01.doc
APPENDIX A
Dilution and S.G. tables
For complete version please contact :
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
Laronde Mine Division
20, Route 395
Cadillac, Quebec
JOY 1C0
Att. M. Guy Gosselin
Phone : 819-759-3644
Fax : 819-759-3641
Or
Head Office
145 King Street East, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2Y7
Att. M. Marc H. Legault
Phone : 416-947-1212
Fax: 416-367-4681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 78 RapRes03-01.doc
APPENDIX B
Claim map; mining leases Laronde and El Coco propertie; Ore reserve calculation
memos; Assay Laboratory procedures; Standard sample preparation procedure;
Detailed schedule of 2002 diamond drilling; List of 2002 drill hole zone
intercepts; Proposed 2003 diamond drilling budget; Penna Shaft stope
reconciliation table; Dilution study results; Datamine user guide on grade
estimation; 2003 block model search parameter and estimation parameter files;
List of holes moved in zone 20N Au, Zn and 20S zone in the wireframe for reserve
estimate; Duquette 2003 Quality Assurance Quality Control report; Provencher
2002 Laronde level 233-245 economic study; Emond 2003 Laronde deep mine 2003
economic study. Statement of qualifications;
For complete version please contact :
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
Laronde Mine Division
20, Route 395
Cadillac, Quebec
JOY 1C0
Att. M. Guy Gosselin
Phone : 819-759-3644
Fax : 819-759-3641
Or
Head Office
145 King Street East, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2Y7
Att. M. Marc H. Legault
Phone : 416-947-1212
Fax: 416-367-4681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 79 RapRes03-01.doc
Guy Gosselin, P.Eng., P.Geol.
Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, LaRonde Mine Division
20 Road 395
Cadillac, Quebec
J0Y 1C0
Telephone: (819) 759-3700 #230
Fax: (819) 759-3641
Email: guy.gosselin@agnico-laronde.com
CONSENT OF AUTHOR
TO:
British Columbia Securities Commission
Alberta Securities Commission
Saskatchewan Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Commission des valeurs mobilieres du Quebec
Administrator of the Securities Act, New Brunswick
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Prince Edward Island, Department of Community Affairs and Attorney General
Newfoundland and Labrador Securities Division, Department of Government Services
and Lands
I, Guy Gosselin, P.Eng., P.Geol., do hereby consent to the filing of the written
disclosure of the technical report titled, 2003 Laronde Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserve Estimate dated May 12, 2003 (the "Technical Report") and any
extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report in Agnico Eagle Mines
Limited's ("Agnico-Eagle") Annual Information Form dated May 1, 2003 consisting
of Agnico-Eagle's Report on Form 20-F under the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (the "AIF"),
and to the filing of the Technical Report with the securities regulatory
authorities referred to above.
I also certify that I have read the disclosure being filed and I do not have any
reason to believe that there are any misrepresentations in the information
derived from the Technical Report or that the AIF contains any
misrepresentations of the information contained in the Technical Report.
This letter is solely for your information in connection with the disclosure of
contained in the AIF and the filing of the Technical Report, and is not to be
referred to in whole or in part for any other purpose.
Dated this twelfth day of May, 2003.
(signed) Guy Gosselin (Stamped by Guy Gosselin
-----------------------------
Signature of Qualified Person Ingenieur 121625, Quebec.)
Guy Gosselin P.Eng., P.Geo.
-----------------------------
Name of Qualified Person
Guy Gosselin
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Laronde Mine Division
20 Road 395, Cadillac, Quebec, Canada J0Y 1C0
Tel: (819) 759-3700 #230
Fax: (819) 759-3641
Email guy.gosselin@agnico-laronde.com
Certificate of Author
I, Guy Gosselin P.Eng. P.Geol., do hereby certify that:
1. I am Chief Geologist of: Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Laronde Mine Division 20
Road 395 Cadillac, Quebec, Canada J0Y 1C0
2. I graduated with a degree in Engineering Geology B.Sc. from L'Universite du
Quebec A Chicoutimi, Quebec in 1994. In addition, I have obtained a Master
degree in Earth Sciences from L'Universite du Quebec A Chicoutimi, Quebec
in 1998.
3. I am a member of the following associations:
Order of Engineer of Quebec (OIQ) registered #121625
Order of Geologist of Quebec (OGQ) registered #761
4. I have worked as a geologist for a total of 9 years since my graduation
from university.
5. I have read the definition of "qualified person" set out in National
Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and certify that by reason of my education,
affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and
past relevant work experience, I am a "qualified person" for the purpose of
NI 43-101.
6. I have prepared all sections of the technical report titled "2003 Laronde
Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Estimate Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Laronde
Division" dated May 12th, 2003 relating to the Laronde and El Coco
properties. I have worked for Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico-Eagle")
at the Laronde and El Coco properties from June 2000 to the date hereof.
7. Other than as set out above, I have not had prior involvement with the
property that is the subject of the Technical Report.
8. I am not aware of any material fact or material change with respect to the
subject matter of the Technical Report that is not reflected in the
Technical Report, the omission to disclose which makes the Technical Report
misleading.
- 2 -
9. I am not independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.5
of National Instrument 43-101.
I am a shareholder of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. and I hold options to
purchase common shares of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
10. I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical
Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.
11. I consent to the filing of the Technical Report with any stock exchange and
other regulatory authority and any publication by them for regulatory
purpose, including electronic publication in the public company files on
their websites accessible by the public, of the Technical Report.
Dated this 12th day of May, 2003
(signed) Guy Gosselin (Stamped by Guy Gosselin
------------------------------
Signature of Qualified Person Ingenieur 121625, Quebec.)
Guy Gosselin
------------------------------
Print name of Qualified Person
APPENDIX C
2003 Mineral Reserve and Resource Metric Summary
For complete version please contact :
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
Laronde Mine Division
20, Route 395
Cadillac, Quebec
JOY 1C0
Att. M. Guy Gosselin
Phone : 819-759-3644
Fax : 819-759-3641
Or
Head Office
145 King Street East, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2Y7
Att. M. Marc H. Legault
Phone : 416-947-1212
Fax: 416-367-4681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 80 RapRes03-01.doc
APPENDIX D
2003 Mineral Reserve and Resource Metric Calculation at the Penna Shaft by zone,
block and stope
For complete version please contact :
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
Laronde Mine Division
20, Route 395
Cadillac, Quebec
JOY 1C0
Att. M. Guy Gosselin
Phone : 819-759-3644
Fax : 819-759-3641
Or
Head Office
145 King Street East, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2Y7
Att. M. Marc H. Legault
Phone : 416-947-1212
Fax: 416-367-4681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. 81 RapRes03-01.doc