Avrupa receives Slivovo project study from JV partner

Jan 13, 2017

AVRUPA RECEIVES SLIVOVO GOLD PROJECT STUDY

Avrupa Minerals Ltd. has received the Slivovo gold project study from its partner on the project, Byrnecut International Ltd. The study contains detailed geological, geochemical and geophysical information about the Slivovo gold deposit, as well as chapters covering environmental, social, metallurgical, mining, infrastructure and surface facilities, waste management, capital costs, and other studies.

Avrupa is currently evaluating the information contained in the study and will advise Byrnecut as to how it will proceed in the joint venture. By delivering the Slivovo gold project study, Byrnecut has earned into 85-per-cent of the joint venture entity, Peshter Mining JSC (PMJSC). Avrupa, through its Kosovo subsidiary, now holds 15 per cent of PMJSC. To reach the 85-per-cent shareholder level in PMJSC, Byrnecut spent approximately four million euros at Slivovo.

Since the start of the joint venture in April, 2014, Avrupa and Brynecut have made a gold discovery at Slivovo, calculated an initial National Instrument 43-101 indicated resource estimate (see Avrupa’s news release dated May 5, 2016), and produced an extensive study of the deposit. As expected, the Slivovo study advises that further exploration, particularly drilling, is necessary to increase the size of the Slivovo gold deposit.

PMJSC has proposed a results-dependent, multistage drilling program for 2017 and beyond to potentially increase the amount of contained ounces of gold in the Slivovo deposit to a level that can sustain a profitable mining operation on the site. PMJSC has proposed an exploration budget in excess of five million euros to accomplish this goal.

After completion of the review of the study, Avrupa will have the opportunity to choose to continue to invest in the Slivovo project at the 15-per-cent shareholder level or allow Byrnecut to carry all future costs to a point where Avrupa would be diluted to a 2-per-cent net smelter royalty. To date, since discovery of the mineralized Slivovo outcrop, Avrupa has spent approximately 115,000 euros on the project.

Avrupa has also received the value-added tax (VAT) return funds for the years 2011 to 2016, as stipulated by the tax laws and regulations of Kosovo. Future VAT returns should come in on a regular basis, now that the procedure for the returns has been established. The newly received tax refunds have been used to complete certain payments and will also be used for new exploration in Kosovo. Avrupa wishes to thank the government of Kosovo for its efforts in establishing a working VAT return system.

About Avrupa Minerals Ltd.

Avrupa is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on discovery, using a prospect generator model, of valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo and Germany.

The company currently holds nine exploration licences in three European countries, including six in Portugal covering 3,821 square kilometres, two in Kosovo covering 47 square kilometres and one in Germany covering 307 square kilometres. Avrupa has three joint ventures, two in Portugal and one in Kosovo, including:

The Alvalade JV with Colt Resources covering one licence in the Iberian pyrite belt of southern Portugal for zinc/copper-rich massive sulphide deposits;
The Covas JV with Blackheath Resources covering one licence in northern Portugal for intrusion-related W deposits;
Avrupa’s partner at the Slivovo gold project in Kosovo is presently advancing the project by financing and operating a prefeasibility study.

Paul Kuhn, president and chief executive officer of Avrupa, a licensed professional geologist and a registered member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the qualified person, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release.

http://www.avrupaminerals.com/news/