Production Of  9,912 Gold Equivalent Ounces At The Moss Mine In Q1

VANCOUVER - Northern Vertex Mining Corp. reported production of 9,912 gold equivalent ounces for the quarter from the Moss Gold Mine in Mohave County, NW Arizona. Highlights for the quarter ending: Gold equivalent production of 9,912 ounces; Gold production 8,787 ounces; Silver production of 84,382 ounces; $13.8 million cash on hand at quarter end; and Completion of 49,784 ft (15,174 m) of infill and near-mine exploration drilling.

Michael G Allen, President, said, "Production from the West Pit continues to improve as we have now developed large production benches, which allows for maximum mining efficiency.  The initial stripping to expose the Moss Vein in the West pit is largely complete. Although forecast grades and production will be lower in 2021 versus 2020, the current infill drilling program has identified numerous areas where additional drilling could improve the resource model and ultimately the mine.  We are very excited about our evolving knowledge of the mineralization of the Moss Mine and believe that there are substantial opportunities to improve and expand the operation."

During the quarter, mining operations fully migrated from Center pit operations to mining in the East and West Pits. The West Pit is now fully developed to support the use of large mining equipment, which allows for more efficiency and lower unit costs.  While the modeled measured grades in the West Pit are lower than that of the Center Pit, an examination of the December 31, 2019 Mineral Resource has identified opportunities for improvement of the model through increased drilling. The Company is assessing the viability of additional drilling in this area to improve the model.

A total of 49,784 feet (15,174 m) of infill and near-mine drilling was conducted during the quarter as part of the Company's ongoing exploration drilling program in an around the Moss mine.  One diamond core and two Reverse Circulation (RC) drill rigs were used, with an approximate 60:40 RC to diamond core ratio.  Approximately 50% of the drilling was focused on infill drilling off the Ruth and Moss veins, specifically targeting the intersection of these two veins below the Center and East pits.  Thirty percent of the drilling targeted the extension of the Moss vein to the east of the East pit and approximately 20% targeted vein stockwork in the planned West pit.  Near-mine and exploration drilling is expected to continue beneath the Center, East, and West pits in Q2/21. Drill results will be released upon receipt of representative batches of assay data.

During the quarter, the construction of Leach Pad 3a was well progressed with earthworks being 65% complete, and overall project advancement being 40% complete at March 31.  Pad 3a is expected to be ready to receive crushed ore in Q2 2021.