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Technical Report

The information that follows relating to the Mangazeisky Project is derived, for the most part, from, and in some instances is an extract from, the technical report dated October 15, 2007 (the "Mangazeisky Technical Report") authored by William J. Lewis, P. Geo of Micon International Limited ("Micon") in respect of the Mangazeisky Project. At the time of the preparation of the Mangazeisky Technical Report, each of the individuals who contributed to the Mangazeisky Technical Report was independent of the Company and was, a "qualified person", as that term is defined in National Instrument NI 43-101 - Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Portions of the following information are based on assumptions, qualifications and procedures which are not fully described herein. Reference should be made to the full text of the Mangazeisky Technical Report which has been filed with certain Canadian securities regulatory authorities pursuant to 43-101 and is available for review at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, a copy of the Mangazeisky Technical Report may be inspected during distribution of the Shares being offered under this Prospectus and for 30 days thereafter during normal business hours at Silver Bear's head office and at the offices of Silver Bear's legal counsel, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.

Property Description and Location

The Mangazeisky Project is located in the Kobyaisky ulus, within the north central portion of Yakutia of the Russian Federation; approximately 400 km north of the capital city of Yakutsk, approximately 280 km southwest of the village of Batagai in the Verhoyanskiy district and approximately 240 km northeast of the village of Sangar in the Kobyask Ulas district. The longitude and latitude for the project site are approximately 65º39' N, 130º11' E.

location map

Silver Bear holds its interest in the Mangazeisky Project through its 100% interest in ZAO Prognoz, a Russian closed joint stock company. Silver Bear acquired its interest in the Mangazeisky Project in 2004.

Silver Bear's interest consists of a 100% interest in an exploration license referred to herein as the "Mangazeisky License".

The Mangazeisky License covers a total area of 570 km2. The Mangazeisky License was granted to ZAO Prognoz in September, 2004 by the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use "ROSNEDRA" and is valid for an initial term of five years and can be extended in accordance with Russian legal requirements. The license area has been given the status of a "geological allotment" with the preliminary borders outlined and an unlimited licensed depth for investigation.

In accordance with the Mangazeisky License requirements the holder of the license has to perform the following principal types of work within fixed periods after the license registration:
  1. Prepare an exploration program plan and have it approved by the appropriate Russian federal organizations (including environmental authorities) by December 30, 2004.

  2. Initiation of the field geological survey within the license sector by not later than June 30, 2005.

  3. Completion of the first phase, i.e., exploration for gold and silver deposits before December 31, 2007. The minimum work constituting:

    2005
    Drilling of exploration holes, not less than 2,000 m.
    Digging of trenches, not less than 10,000 m3.

    2006
    Drilling of exploration holes, not less than 1,500 m.
    Digging of trenches, not less than 4,000 m3.

    2007
    Drilling of evaluation drill holes, not less than 1,500 m.
    Digging of trenches, not less than 6,000 m3.

    Presentation to the Territorial Agency for Subsoil Use of the territories of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) ("YAKUTSKNEDRA") of a geological report on the results of the work, including calculation of forecast gold and silver Russian reserves of categories P1 and P2.

  4. Completion of the second phase of the work. i.e., appraisal of gold and silver mineralization and deposits discovered, before September 1, 2009, with the kinds and minimum volume of said work constituting:

    2008
    Digging of trenches, not less than 10,000 m3.
    Collection of large samples from trenches and well cores for development of a technical plan for mineral extraction.

    2009
    Digging of trenches, not less than 10,000 m3.
    Estimation of Russian reserves of gold and silver of categories C2 and P1.

  5. Presentation for state expert examination of a report on the results of geological exploration of the License Sector and documents on calculation of the reserves and forecast resources before August 31, 2009.

The main environmental requirements for the Mangazeisky License are as follows:
  1. Observance of the established requirements for protection of the environment and subsoil;
  2. By June 1, 2005, analysis of the state of the environment within the Mangazeisky License area prior to the commencement of the geological study in accordance with a program coordinated with and approved by YAKUTSKNEDRA;
  3. Environmental monitoring within the Mangazeisky License sector and determination of the impact on it of the geological exploration, in a manner performed in compliance with a program coordinated and approved by YAKUTSKNEDRA by June 1, 2005;
  4. Performance of necessary measures to reduce or prevent pollution caused by the execution of the exploratory work;
  5. Prevention of water facility pollution and clogging, and observance of the regime of water protection zones;
  6. Reclamation of land disturbed during exploratory work, restoring it to a state suitable for further use and in compliance with landscape and recreational specifics of the territory;
  7. Timely payment of compensation for damages caused to hunting, agriculture, fisheries and forestry; and
  8. Coordination with and approval by YAKUTSKNEDRA of the terms and types of work to be carried out within the water protection zones.


To date the Company has completed 7,199 metres of drilling and 18,594 m3 of trenching. The Company intends to file its geological report with YAKUTSKNEDRA on or prior to December 31, 2007 and expects to have all the required trenching for 2007 completed during the fourth quarter of 2007. Although the Company did not complete the required amount of exploration drilling under the Mangazeisky License in 2006 and the required amount of trenching in 2005, and has not been in full compliance with other requirements under the Mangazeisky License and applicable legislation, it has in the aggregate exceeded, to date, its exploration drilling requirements and will, as at the end of 2007, exceed trenching requirements under the license. In addition, Silver Bear has received confirmation from YAKUTSKNEDRA that YAKUTSKNEDRA is not conducting any procedures regarding the suspension or cancellation of the Mangazeisky License and as of November 1, 2007, no material violation of the license had been observed. See "Risk Factors".

Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

The economic development of the region area around the Mangazeisky Project is low with little or no infrastructure to provide support to the project. The major population centre for the region is Yakutsk with approximately 300,000 inhabitants, located approximately 400 km south of the Mangazeisky Project. The centre for the Verhoyanskiy district is the village of Batagai with a population of approximately 2,000 inhabitants, situated approximately 280 km to the northeast of the Mangazeisky Project. Batagai has a river port, along with aviation and transportation companies, a telegraph and post office. There is an all-weather dirt road between the villages of Batagai and Tokuma. From Tokama, there is a winter road, open for only a short period, which links the Mangazeisky Project to the city of Yakutsk.

The closest village to the Mangazeisky Project is Sebyan-Kuel which is located approximately 50 km south. The village of Sangar, located 240 km southwest of the project, is the administrative centre for the district of Kobyask Ulas which includes the area encompassed by the Mangazeisky Project.

During most of the year the Mangazeisky Project is accessible primarily by helicopter from either Yakutsk or Batagai. From Yakutsk, the weather may interfere with flight schedules due to the intervening Verkhoyansky mountain range, and delays of days and occasionally weeks are not uncommon. From Batagai, the helicopter service is more frequent but delays due to weather conditions or lack of fuel are not uncommon. There is a small airstrip upon which to land small planes, as well as the helicopters, at the Mangazeisky exploration camp.

The Mangazeisky Project lies in a mountainous region with elevations ranging from 800 m to 1,400 m above sea level. The main ridges have steep slopes (25º to 30º) and rounded crests that are 200 m to 500 m above the valley bottoms. The area has a forest tundra landscape with a permafrost layer 300 to 400 m thick, or more. The annual precipitation averages 200 millimetres (mm) with the majority occurring as rain during the summer months. Average temperatures range from plus 25º Celsius ("C") in July to minus 39º C in December and January. However during the winter the temperatures can decrease to a low of minus 65º C for short periods. Snow cover occurs around the end of September and will have usually melted by the second half of May. The thickness of the snow varies from 40 to 50 cm. The rivers are usually ice-bound at the end of September and spring break-up is completed by the end of May. The region experiences light winds throughout the year.

History
Mineralization was first reported to have been discovered by Russian Cossacks in 1764 and intermittently explored by various individuals up until the Russian revolution in 1917 and the formation of the Soviet Union. Upon the nationalization of all assets, mining exploration and production became the responsibility of various government departments or agencies. After nationalization, intermittent exploration was conducted during the 1930's and 1940's.

During 1952 and 1953 a more organized exploration effort was conducted on the Mangazeisky Project. Based on previously completed work, the program focused on two mineralized zones identified as the Mikhailovsky and Kuzminsky zones. The exploration was comprised of:

  1. geological mapping at a scale of 1:50,000, which was completed;

    detailed trenching of outcrop mineralization. Within the trenches, systematic channel sampling was completed;

  2. the shallow continuity of the mineralization was examined by driving two short (a total length of approximately 32 m) adits just below the trench data;

  3. topographic surveys on a scale of 1:2,000 were generated and covered an area of 3 km2 within the immediate area of these two zones; and

  4. additional exploration included an Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey on a scale of 1:5,000 over an area of 1.7 km2.

As of 1960, the global exploration programs completed on site had identified more than 160 mineralized zones within a north-south trend up to 20 km in length. This trend is 2 km wide in the north (Nyuektame river) and up to 4.5 to 5.0 km wide in the south (Endybal river).

In 1989, a systematic prospecting and exploration program within the license area was resumed and has continued to the present.

During the period from 1991 to 2003, JSC Yangeologia ("Yangeologia") carried out additional trenching and mapping followed by magnetic surveys over the Kysil-Tas and Arkachan areas.

In 1991, exploration programs were also resumed in the Mangazeisky area. During the period from 1991 to 2003 Yangeologia completed 151,452 m3 of trenching, 10.2 line km of magnetic surveys, detailed geological mapping, soil geochemical surveys, and ten diamond drill holes totalling 1,303 m. This exploration work covered more than 15 principal vein systems.

ZAO Prognoz acquired the Mangazeisky License in September, 2004. On October 21, 2004 Silver Bear acquired 100% of ZAO Prognoz from National Resource Company ("NRC"). Limited work consisting of a couple of drill holes was conducted on the property in 2004.

During the second and third quarters of 2005, a diamond drilling program focused on exploring the Vasilievsky and Mikhailovsky zones. After limited success on the Vasilievsky and Mikhailovsky zones, Silver Bear refocused the diamond drilling activities in September, 2005 on exploring the thicker linear type

stockwork areas of the Sterzhnevoe and Nizhne-Endybalsky Zones. These zones are located south of the Vasilievsky and Mikhailovsky zones.

Silver Bear spent approximately $6.9 million (2004 – $0.1 million) on exploration activities in 2005 of which $4.6 million was spent on the Mangazeisky Project, $0.2 million on technical consultants and $0.7 million on Russian management costs. $1.4 million was spent on a property close to the Mangazeisky Project called the Arkachan property. Based on the early exploration results on the Arkachan property, Silver Bear terminated exploration activities on this property prior to fulfilling its 2005 exploration commitments and is currently in the process of surrendering the exploration license related to this property back to the Russian licensing authorities. See "Risk Factors"

2006 Exploration Program

Disappointing results were obtained during the 2005 drilling program and failed to confirm the continuation of the mineralized zones indicated by the results of the earlier exploration activity in the area. As a result, part of Silver Bear's focus for 2006 concentrated on gaining an understanding of the composition and structure of the Nizhne-Endybalsky, Vostochny and Sterzhnevoe mineralized system which was identified in 2005, with the objective of determining if it contained economic low grade silver mineralization. A field mapping and grab sampling program was completed at the Nizhne-Endybalsky zone in order to decipher the potential distribution and geometric shape of the bulk stockwork and vein mineralization.

The 2005 exploration program had also targeted the Vertikalny structure which is a large northwest-southeast trending vein that cross-cuts the sedimentary stratigraphy in an area referred to as the Vertikalnaya zone. The Vertikalny and several parallel structures and splays of the primary structure had been identified by previous exploration programs and Silver Bear had access to some of the earlier trench sampling results.

The restricted exploration program in 2006 focused on geological mapping, prospecting, modelling and surface sampling along the Vertikalny structure in order to validate the potential of the structure and identify targets for a 2007 drilling campaign.

Field work on the Vertikalny structure was comprised of access roads, trenching, grab sampling, and field mapping. The Vertikalny vein system was traced a total distance of 5.1 km and is composed of anastomizing quartz silicified breccia containing zones of massive galena, pyrite siderite galena and galena sphalerite antimonite mineralization. The structural setting and vein morphology of the Vertikalny structure appears to have similar silver and poly-metallic vein characteristics as the Prognoz silver deposit.

A total of 4,843 horizontal metres of trenching was completed in 18 trenches and 494 samples were taken. The total volume of trenching exceeded the 4,000 m3 minimum required by the terms of the license for 2006. The table below summarizes the significant trenching results from earlier exploration programs as well as Silver Bear's 2006 program on the Vertikalny vein.

Summary of the Historical and the 2006 Silver Bear's Vertikalny Trench Assay Results

Historical or 2006
Silver Bear Trenches
Trench
Identity
Intersection
Length
(m)
Silver Assay
(g/t)

Historical

251

2.00

1,036.0

Historical

254

0.40

1,239.0

Historical

253

0.60

474.0

Historical

414

0.65

414.8

Historical

439

0.20

1,052.0

Historical

73

1.75

1,027.1

Historical

69

2.70

431.8

Historical

68

1.50

1,371.0

Historical

67

0.70

1,932.0

Historical

66

3.50

585.3

Historical

65

1.50

1,500.5

Silver Bear

5002

2.20

1,790.0

Silver Bear

5003

0.90

470.0

Silver Bear

5005

1.90

347.7

Silver Bear

5005b

1.40

325.0

Silver Bear

5009

6.40

953.3

Silver Bear

5101

1.20

263.0

Silver Bear

5014

35.50

662.6

Silver Bear

5016

0.80

150.0

Silver Bear

5017

4.00

721.1

Based on the results of Silver Bear's 2006 exploration program, a structural zone with a true vein texture containing silver mineralization was identified at the Vertikalnaya zone. The initial trench mapping and assay results appear to suggest that the entire 5.1 km strike distance along the Vertikalny vein contains silver mineralized zones.

In 2006, Silver Bear completed 732 m of drilling and 4,843 m3 of trenching and spent $2.0 million on exploration activities in connection with the Mangazeisky License.

On a cumulative basis Silver Bear had completed 4,028 m of drilling and 14,484 m3 of trenching in connection with the Mangazeisky License as of December 31, 2006.

Metallurgical Test Work and Recoverability

A report by Western Services (2004) (the "Western Services Report") mentions that metallurgical test work was conducted on two samples from the Mangazeisky Project.

The first sample was collected from the southern block of the Vasilievsky zone. This sample was composed of unoxidized primary silver mineralization and contained minor components of lead, zinc, and copper along with minor stibnite. The silver was found to be primarily concentrated within sulphosalts and present as native silver.

A number of recovery methods were examined for the first sample which included the following:

A single step flotation test resulted in recovering 95% of the contained silver into a concentrate. The concentrate grade was 48 kg/t of silver. Cyanidation of the flotation product recovered 99.1% of the silver

from the concentrate. The total recovery was projected to be in the order of 94% for the material contained in the southern block of the Vasilievsky zone.

A gravitational recovery circuit, was also investigated, in which 57% of the silver was recovered into a concentrate with an average grade of 20.15 kg/t silver. Cyanidation of the gravity concentrate recovered 99.2% of the silver from the concentrate. The total recovery for this process option was 57%.

The second metallurgical sample was collected from the silver-lead Granichny mineralized zone and consisted of partially oxidized mineralization composed mainly of galena, sphalerite and anglesite (0.1 to 2 to 3 mm in size). The silver occurred as freibergite, pyrargyrite and argentite (0.02 to 0.5 mm in size) as well as extremely fine grained native silver. The second sample weighed 17.1 kg with an average grade of 320 g/t silver, 12% lead and 1.4% zinc.

Based on the metallurgical testwork a single stage flotation circuit recovered 80.9% of the lead and 89.2% of the silver into a concentrate. Cyanidation results for the concentrate were not reported.

Although the metallurgical testwork is very preliminary in nature it appears to indicate that the mineralization in at least two of the zones is amenable to recovery by floatation which yields a high grade concentrate. Cyanidation of the concentrate in one case recovered 99% of the silver which may preclude the need to smelt the concentrate which will for the most part eliminate the concern regarding the presence of stibnite. In 2004, Robin Young stated in the Western Services Report of 2004 that "in addition, the test work documentation stated that the concentrate met the feed standards for Russian smelters and it has been deducted that the amount of stibnite must be limited."

Historical Estimate

There is an existing historical reserve estimate prepared according to the Russian classification system. This historical estimate was compiled by Yangeologia and is based entirely on chip samples from within trenches and outcrop exposures within the river banks. The exact date of the estimate is unrecorded. According to Silver Bear's Russian management team, the estimate pre-dates February 1, 2001. Most silver assays were established using the gamma-activation method with external control by fire assay. Lead, zinc, tin stibnite and copper were determined by using the X-ray radiometric method. The following description is partially quoted from the Western Services Report of 2004.

Using the analytical results, the Russians compiled a reserve estimate of the potential of the Mangazeisky Project using the following steps:

  • An average silver composite grade within each trend was calculated using a length weighted averaging for the intervals assaying in excess of 150 g/t silver (4.8 oz per metric tonne). The total mineralized horizontal length and length weighted average grades for silver, gold (when present), lead, and zinc were calculated. If multiple intervals were present within a single trench, a combined length weighted grade and thickness was calculated for the total mineralized thickness.

  • The composited trench results were plotted in plan view and the limits of the mineralization within and between the trenches were linked together. Based on the trenches contained within the mineralized intercept outline, an average mineralized thickness was determined. The average contained grade of the mineralization was calculated for all mineralized trenches and was also done on a length weighted basis. This provided the final average grade and the thickness for each discretely mineralized zone or sub-zone within a mineralized structure.

  • Vertical longitudinal projections were then constructed for each zone. This included the plotting of the locations of the trenches and the related mineralized length and average grade within each trench. At the strike limits of the mineralization, a vertical line was projected downward to a constant datum. The projection distance downward was 100 m below the surface for almost all of the mineralized zones. The area contained between the topographic surface and the final constant datum was planimetered to define the contained area of the mineralization in the vertical longitudinal projections. (The depth of the projected trench values from the surface was based on the methodologies employed at the nearby Prognoz silver project which has drill results as well as a similar geological genesis mineralization type, and overall character.)

  • Using the area defined on the vertical longitudinal projections and the average thickness of the mineralization as determined from the trench data, the mineralized cubic metres were determined. This volume was multiplied by one of several specific gravity values which were established from 56 samples collected from the major mineralized zones. These specific gravity values were determined by the Yakutsk Nuclear Physics Laboratory in 1992.

  • The tonnage, average metal grades, and thickness for all discrete mineralized zones or subzones were then summarized into a tabular format for the final reporting of the estimated reserves. This reserve contained the mineralization located nearest the surface and was classified as a P1 reserve according to the Russian reserve classification system. This classification was selected as there was very little sub-surface sampling (drilling of underground exploration) available to establish the down dip continuity of the mineralization.

  • The second portion of the resource estimate was then compiled and is referred to as a P2 reserve class. This was derived by projecting the mineralization approximately another 100 m below the P1 reserve lower datum limit. Typically this resulted in a doubling of the total reserve tonnage over that represented by the P1 reserves.

Using the procedures noted above, a total of 36 mineralized structures have been identified as including P1 and/or P2 Russian classified reserves. The table below summarizes the distribution of the Russian reserves by mineralized zone with the top 15 zones reported individually and the remaining zones combined.

The discussions related to the reserve estimates contained in this section refer to historical estimates only. The reserve estimates discussed in this section were conducted according to the accepted Russian reserve classification definitions for the period to which they relate. However, they do not comply with the current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") standards and definitions for estimating resources and reserves as required by NI 43-101 and as such should not be relied upon. The Russian historical reserves discussed below are for information purposes regarding the historical background of the Mangazeisky Project only.

In the discussion of Russian reserves in this Prospectus, the term "reserve" could be to a large extent interchangeable with the term "resources", as Russian "reserves" or "resources" do not have the very distinct meanings that are placed on those terms by CIM standards or other international reporting standards. Readers should be aware that P1, P2 and P3 reserves, may be reported by other sources with the term "resources".

Summary of the Russian Reserves by Mineralized Zone for the Mangazeisky Project

Average Grade Contained Metal (Tonnes)

Mineralized
Zone

Tonnes
(x 1,000)

Hori-
zontal
Width (m)

Silver
(g/t)

Gold
(g/t)

Lead
(%)

Zinc
(%)

Silver

Gold

Lead

Zinc

Vasilievsky

9,076

1.68

1,944

 

7.89

0.31

17,646.1

 

716,049.1

28,265.2

Sterzhnevoe

153

0.90

2,652

0.80

0.31

0.10

404.6

0.122

473.0

152.6

Mikhailovsky

233

0.45

2,384

 

24.64

1.19

554.7

 

57,344.6

2,769.1

Kuzminsky

61

0.22

1,492

 

13.53

0.47

91.4

 

8,285.2

285.936

Burnoe

268

0.67

2,756

 

30.10

1.00

738.5

 

80,668.0

2,680.0

Mukhalkanskoe*

1,048

0.46

1,509

 

19.58

1.05

1,580.98

 

205,204.5

11,039.2

Semenovskoe*

503

0.60

2,278

 

24.00

1.20

1,144.75

 

120,600.0

6,030.0

Zabytoe*

484

0.61

1,299

 

14.72

6.45

628.66

 

71,228.0

31,202.0

Granichny*

209

1.25

954

 

11.02

1.38

199.81

 

23,073.1

2,889.4

Vostochny*

80

0.95

1,272

 

12.80

0.27

101.20

 

10,184.0

214.8

Nizhne-Endybalsky*

2,020

3.40

874

 

3.06

1.38

1,765.79

0.489

61,868.3

27,897.0

Privet*

115

1.28

994

0.50

4.00

0.83

114.49

 

4,608.0

956.2

Mysovoe*

194

0.29

2,435

 

36.08

0.70

472.43

 

70,000.0

1,358.0

Bezymyanny*

661

0.76

1,965

 

0.51

0.17

1,299.99

0.22

3,366.54

1,143.03

Verinkalay*

322

1.10

1,529

 

5.90

6.70

492.9

 

18,976.8

21,549.9

Olgino*

121

0.62

2,640

 

1.65

0.68

318.2

 

1,988.3

816.5

All other mineralization*

1,216

0.66

2,281

0.15

15.20

1.60

2,773.81

 

184,839.6

19,456.8

Total Au*

16,764

1.09

1,809

 

9.78

0.95

30,328.31

 

1,638,757.04

158,705.67

Original table from Western Services Report by R.J. Young, 2004.

*Note: Original Figures Corrected by Micon using figures from Appendix A of the Western Services Report by R.J. Young, 2004.

The following table summarizes the historical Russian reserves by category according to the Russian reserve classification standards.

Summary of the Russian P1 and P2 Reserves for the Mangazeisky Project

  Average Grade Tonnes

Russian Reserve Category

Tonnes
(x 1,000)
Average
Width (m)
Silver
(g/t)
Lead
(%)
Zinc
(%)
Silver Lead Zinc

Total P1 Reserves

7,881

1.34

1,717

8.28

0.80

13,529.4

652,524.1

62,706.9

Total P2 Reserves

8,883

0.93

1,891

11.10

1.08

16,799.0

986,232.9

95,998.5

Total

16,764*

1.09

1,809*

9.78*

0.95*

30,328

1,638,757

158,705

Table from Western Services Report by R.J. Young, 2004

*Note: Original Figures Corrected by Micon using figures from Appendix A of the Western Services Report by R.J. Young, 2004.

The potential for the Mangazeisky Project is based on reserve estimation procedures and standards established by various Russian state bodies. Whenever possible the criteria used to estimate a potential reserve is based on projects which have similar geological characteristics. Therefore the procedures which were used at the Mangazeisky Project were based on those implemented at the High River Gold Mines Ltd. (High River) Prognoz project, located approximately 160 km east that has been explored by trenching and drilling. At Prognoz the drilling has confirmed the continuity of the mineralization to depths of more than 300 m below the surface in one of the zones. According to the Russian classification system the historical reserves at the Prognoz project were 125 million ounces of silver classified as C1 and C2 reserves. In the case of Mangazeisky the Russian's limited the estimation of the potential reserves to within 200 m of surface.



Geological Setting

The Mangazeisky license area is located within the Verkhoyansk mobile belt of northeastern Yakutia. The fold-and-thrust belt forms part of a major orogenic system separating the Siberian North Asian Craton to the west from the immense expanse of accreted terrains, which form most of the Russian Far East.

The belt extends for 2,000 km from the Laptev Sea to the Sea of Okhotsk. The belt is made up of a rock package that is greater than 7 km in thickness and is comprised of Late Precambrian to Triassic rocks deposited along the paleo Pacific margin of the Siberian Craton. This margin developed as a consequence of rifting events which occurred in the Late Precambrian and again during the Late Devonian to Early Mississippian periods. Deformation events during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous were accompanied by low-grade metamorphism in the internal parts of the belt and the emplacement of high-level granitic bodies. During the Tertiary period, strike-slip faulting occurred within the fold-and-thrust belt.

The central part of the belt is dominated by a thick monotonous succession of Carboniferous and Permian turbidites which are metamorphosed to lower greenschist grade. Granodiorite and granite plutons intrude the core of the range and are associated with extensive gold-bearing quartz vein systems.

The ore field (mineral deposit) is located in the interfluve of Nuektame and Arkachan rivers and ranges from the mid-channel of the Muhalkan river to the mouth of Mysovoi stream. The mineral deposit is confined to the eastern wing of the Kuranakhskiy anticlinorium and is situated within the contours of the Endybal anticline.

The hinge portion of the Endybal anticline is complicated by higher order asymmetric anticline and synclinal folds which have the length of 2-20 km. The Mukhalkanskiy anticline with a north northwest strike (3400) and the Mangazeisky syncline which are adjacent on the western side are complicating the eastern wing of Endybal anticline. The dip of rocks of the Endybal anticline in the area of Mangazeisky deposits averages 45º.

The silver mineralization is epigenetic this is particularly clear at the Nizhneendybalskiy deposit, where the stratabound mineralized zones are overthrust on each other. The stratabound veins and cross cutting fracture systems are related to the shear. This is reflected in the common occurrence of parallel layers of slip planes along the boundaries of the sandstone beds and selvages of stratabound veins, such as Mikhailovskiy, Olgin, Vasilyevskiy and Anglesite Cerussite. The structural analysis of joints in the mineralized rocks, show the ubiquitous existence of overthrusting dislocations. The Endybal diatreme and quartz porphyry dikes postdate the overthrust event. The geological studies by Yangeologia and by A.V. Kostin et al. has lead to a conclusion regarding the sequence of events: 1) ore layers and sulphidized sandstones, 2) overthrusts and mineralized crush zones and 3) Endybal diatreme.

There is a layer of both parallel and crosscutting veins (combined vein mineralization) present within a zone consisting of the contiguous Vasilyevskiy and Olgin veins. A boudinage zone gently cuts the sandstone bedding, which the Vasilyevskiy vein is confined to, and converges with the Olgin vein at the depth. The approximate depth where the two mineralized zones join is between 860 and 880 m. A mineralized shoot is formed at the junction between the two veins in which native silver occurs and where a stockwork structure is located. An analogy to this mineral deposit would be the Ruby deposit in the southern Yukon and Alaska area.

The Vasilyevskiy zone (vein) and its northern extension, the Anglesite Cerussite vein, is one of the longest on the Mangazeisky Project. The length of the zone is more than 4.1 km and has an average thickness of 1.87 m. The zone strikes at 340º to 345º and dips from 35º to 85º to the northeast. The Olgin vein and its northern extension, as well as the Mikhailovskiy vein are situated parallel to Vasilyevskiy ore zone and both mineral zones are stratabound. According to the grades of silver and lead, they can be divided into two parts with the southern portion being silver bearing and the northern portion containing silver and lead.

Mineralization

Historic exploration activities on the Mangazeisky Project have identified at least three different types of mineralization. The first comprises Silver Bearing quartz carbonate sulphide structures with average grade of greater than 900 g/t of silver, with lead and zinc by-products. These silver bearing structures which have been mapped and sampled over an area of 65 km2 (Vasilievsky and Mikhailovsky zones). The second is a porphyry area associated with quartz, quartz carbonate and quartz sulphide veins and veinlets, hosted by an extrusive rhyolite porphyry (Porphirovy zone). The third comprises thicker linear type stockwork areas with carbonate silver sulphosalt mineralization (Sterzhnevoe and Nizhne Endybalsky zones).

Historic exploration conducted between 1991 and 2004 included surface diamond drill holes, totalling 1,588 metres on the silver quartz carbonate sulphide structures. The closest equivalent Russian mineral deposit with silver bearing structures similar to those found on the Mangazeisky Project is the Prognoz property currently located approximately 160 km east and currently being explored by High River and Buryatzoloto.

Mineralization of the (Mangazeisky) Endybal ore complex (mineral district) is located in the central part of the West Verkhoyansky metallogenic zone. The most interesting targets within the Endybal mineral district are the Mangazeisky, Bezymianny and Mukhalkansky ore fields (mineral deposits). The Mukhalkansky mineral deposit is the most studied area of the three.

The ore controlling structure of the Mangazeisky mineral deposit are the continuous Granichny and Niuektaminsky right lateral faults. The mineral deposit is comprised of 15 zones with the following six zones being the most studied: Vasiliyevsky, Zhila-2, Kuzminsky, Mikhailovsky and the Sterzhnevaya-1 and Sterzhnevaya-1 vein.

Mineral composition of the mineralized zones is represented by quartz carbonate sulphosalt association and massive galenite mineralization with silver sulphides. Length of the zones is between 900 and 3,500 m with a thickness of 0.2 to 3.5 m. The silver content ranges between 350 and 3,000 g/t with the lead and zinc content ranging from 6 to 20% and 0.1 to 0.3%, respectively.

The Bezymianny mineralization is composed of several zones confined to inter stratal ruptures. The mineral veins are located along the contacts of medium grained and fine grained sandstone strata. A horsetail like structure has been detected for vein 8 which is connected with splitting in the vicinity of the mineralization controlling cleavage "Ridel" that is a branch fault of the Granichny fault. Veins may be traced for 500 m with a thickness ranging from between 2 and 5 cm to between 34 and 40 cm. The mineralization content varies from 756 to 24,433 g/t silver, 0.4 to 1.5 g/t gold, 0.1 to 7.81% lead and 0.1 to 0.8% zinc.

The Mukhalkansky mineralization is represented by two essentially galenite veins. The first vein which cross-cuts the stratigraphy has been traced for 800 m, has an average width of 0.2 m and contains an average silver content 1,295.4 g/t. The vein is confined to a tectonic fault which was accompanied by brecciation of the enclosing rocks during its formation. The vein is orientated parallel to the Niuektaminsky fault and is believed to be its mineralization supplying fragment. The second vein is a concordant vein in its mode of occurrence and is confined to a stratum of thin layer sandstones. The vein is a branch of the first vein. The second vein can be traced for approximately 500 m and has a width of between 0.2 and 0.4 m. The average silver content of the second vein is 2,328.7 g/t.

The Kyskiuelsky mineralization is represented by both stratal and cross cutting mineralized veins having a length of between 200 m and 800 m and an average thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 m. The grade of the mineralization ranges from 700 to 2,000 g/t Ag, 0.1 to 7.8% Pb and 0.1 to 0.8% Zn.

As a result of Silver Bear's 2006 exploration program on the Mangazeisky License, the Company has decided to focus its exploration efforts on the Vertikalny vein (Vertikalnaya zone). At the current time the zone is estimated to be 5.1 km in strike length.

Exploration

The following is a brief description of the work done by Silver Bear on the Mangazeisky Project area since acquiring ZAO Prognoz:
  • In 2004, limited work comprised of a couple of drill holes was conducted on the property in 2004. Silver Bear spent a total of $68,508 on the property in 2004.
  • In 2005, Silver Bear completed 3,296 m of diamond drilling and 9,642 m3 of trenching on the Mangazeisky License.
  • In 2005, Silver Bear spent approximately $6.9 million on exploration activities according to the following break down; $1.4 million was spent on the Arkachan property, $4.6 million on the Mangazeisky License, $0.2 million on technical consultants and $0.7 million on Russian management costs.
  • Diamond drilling failed to identify similar grades and widths that were detected by prior drilling. In October, 2005, after reviewing the results achieved, Silver Bear suspended the diamond drilling activities on the Arkachan license. Silver Bear terminated the exploration activities prior to fulfilling the 2005 Arkachan exploration commitments.
  • In 2006, Silver Bear completed 732 m of drilling and 4,843 m3 of trenching on the Mangazeisky License. Based on the results of Silver Bear's 2006 exploration program, a structural zone with a true vein texture containing silver mineralization was identified at the Vertikalny vein. During the year ending on December 31, 2006 Silver Bear spent $2.0 million on exploration activities at the Mangazeisky License.

The results of the 2006 exploration program on the Mangazeisky Project enabled Silver Bear to identify several potential targets within the area of the Mangazeisky License for further drilling in 2007. Of particular interest were the trench mapping and assay results related to the exploration of the Vertikalny vein, which suggests that the entire 5.1 km strike length of the vein contains silver anomalies. The objective of the 2007 drilling program on the Vertikalny vein was to verify the potential of the vein to host significant silver mineralization. The 2007 exploration program tested approximately 1,200 to 1,500 m of the identified strike length.

Originally, the exploration plan for 2007 called for 6,000 m3 of trenching and 2,500 m of drilling at a projected cost of $3.2 million. Subsequently the trenching target was increased to 8,000 m3 and Silver Bear engaged Boart Longyear as a contract driller to compliment its own resources and expanded the drilling program to 4,000 m. The cost of the increased exploration program is approximately $4.7 million.

The planned diamond drilling operations have not been completed due to the onset of winter conditions which make servicing of the drill sites difficult due to the general topography. Silver Bear completed 3,172 m of the planned 4,000 m drill program before drilling operations were shut down. Largely, the shortfall is a result of difficulties experienced in mobilizing the Boart Longyear drill equipment to the site. Extremely poor weather conditions did not allow the drill and its support equipment to be airlifted to the site until late August, approximately two months later than planned.

Currently, partial results have been received from 15 of the 19 drill holes completed.

Results to date suggest there is potential for "bonanza type" silver mineralization, similar to that currently being explored at High River's Prognoz silver project located approximately 160 km east of the Mangazeisky Project.

Trenches 5014 and 5020 intersected 662.6 g/t silver over 35.5 m and 457.4 g/t silver over 12.6 m respectively in an area where a splay appears to bifurcate of the main Vertikalny vein. Approximately 100 m to the northwest of trenches 5014 and 5020, drill hole V07-006 intersected 8,887.1 g/t silver over 6.0 m at a depth of 100 m below surface. Re-assaying of this intersection confirmed the original results.

Holes V07-009, drilled 100 m to the northeast of hole V07-006, intersected similar mineralization, based on visual logging, to that observed in hole V07-006 over a 14.7 m core length. However, assay results for this hole returned 27.1 g/t silver over a 7.9 metre core length.

Hole V07-014, drilled 100 m to the southeast and targeting an elevation 200 m below trench 5014, intersected 10.6 m of similar mineralization to that intersected by hole V07-006 and visual inspection identified the presence of native silver. Assay results returned 299.8 g/t silver over a 10.0 metre core length including 2,016 g/tonne silver over a 0.7 metre core length.

Hole V07-015 which targeted the vein 100 metres below the original surface trenches (K65 to K69 and K-73) intersected 735.7 g/tonne silver over 4.1 metres. Hole V07-013 which was collared 200 metres to the northwest of the original surface trenches intersected the vein 100 metres below surface and returned 596.2 g/tonne silver over a 4.4 metre core interval.

Partial Assay Results Obtained from the 2007 Trenching Program on the Vertikalny vein

Trench Number —
Profile Number

Width
(m)
Silver Grade
(g/t)
Visually Identified
Minerals
Silver Minerals

5016, Profile 93

5.0

63.52

Py, Aspy, ZnS, PbS

 

5017, Profile 95

4.0

721.05

PbS, ZnS

Tetrahedrite

5025, Profile 97

 

NA*

 

 

5027, Profile 97

 

NA*

 

 

5028, Profile 97

 

NA*

 

 

5002, Profile 100

5.2

788.3

PbS, ZnS

 

5003, Profile 100

2.8

186.65

 

 

5020, Profile 104

12.6

457.44

PbS, ZnS

Native Ag

5014, Profile 105

35.5

662.6

PbS, ZnS, Stanite

Native Ag, Ag-Bi sulphosalts

Note "NA" designates that the assay results are not available.



Drilling

The results of the 2006 exploration program on the Mangazeisky Project enabled Silver Bear to identify several potential targets within the area of the Mangazeisky License for further drilling in 2007. Of particular interest were the trench mapping and assay results related to the exploration of the Vertikalny vein (Vertikalnaya zone) which suggests that the entire 5.1 km strike length of the vein contains silver mineralized zones. The focus of the 2007 exploration program was to conduct a drilling program on the Vertikalny vein in an attempt to define an inferred resource.

The original 2007 exploration program for the Vertikalny vein called for 2,500 m of drilling. Subsequently Silver Bear engaged Boart Longyear as a contract driller to complement its own resources and expanded the drilling program to 4,000 m.

The objective of the 2007 drilling program on the Vertikalny vein was to identify an inferred resource along a strike length of 1,200 to 1,500 m and to complete step-out drill holes along the entire 5.1 km strike length to test the continuity of the structural zone.

Drilling with Silver Bear's Russian SKB drill rig commenced in May, 2007 at the Vertikalny vein with the objective of completing 1,500 m of drilling. As of October 15, 2007 a total of 3,172 m in 19 drill holes had been completed. The SKB drilling was designed to test the mineralized zone to a maximum vertical depth of 100 m.

Partial sample results from 15 drill holes have been received to date. The results indicate that the grade and apparent thickness of the mineralized zone ranges from 30.7 g/t silver over 6.1 metres to 8,887.1 g/t silver over 6.0 m.

Silver Bear's drill plan for 2007 targeted completion of 26 holes. The holes were planned to test a 1,500 metre strike length down to a depth of 200 metres from surface resulting in a nominal hole spacing of 100 metres. Delays in mobilizing the drill to site prevented completion of the program with 19 of the 26 holes completed as of October 1, 2007. One hole (V07-018) was in progress.

 

Mineralized Intersection (m)

 

Drill Hole Number
and Profile Number
From To Width Silver Grade
(g/t)
Comments

V07-001 and Profile 93

97.8

100.0

2.2

373.4

 

 

132.5

138.3

5.8

382.5

Includes 662 g/t silver from 135.4 to 138.3m

V07-002 and Profile 100

79.5

85.6

6.1

30.7

Includes 289 g/t silver from 84.9 to 85.6m

V07-003 and Profile 105

100.6

106.5

5.9

137.2

First stage of brecciation shows a cement of siderite-sphalerite with fine disseminated galena around fragments of black pyritized, argillaceous sandstone

V07-004 and Profile 104

30.3

32.0

1.7

501.6

Oxidized brecciation dyke and cementation by carbonate and galena

 

91.0

96.7

5.7

146.8

Oxidized brecciation

V07-005 and Profile 107

No significant values

 

 

 

Hydrothermal breccia without a visible ore mineralization

V07-006 and Profile 106

80.6

86.6

6.0

8,887.1

Oxidized breccias with intensive siderite, galena and tetrahedrite

V07-007 and Profile 103

Assays pending

 

 

NA

Weakly mineralized

V07-008 and Profile 102

Assays pending

 

 

NA

Weakly mineralized

V07-009 and Profile 106

176.7

184.6

7.9

27.1

Sediments and hydraulic breccias with siderite-galena-tetrahedrite fracture fill and matrix. Silver sulfosalts noted from 177.1 m to 178.7m

V07-010 and Profile 101

Assays pending

 

 

NA

Weakly mineralized

V07-011 and Profile 99

53.0

57.2

4.2

283.9

Intensely crushed and brecciated sediments with carbonate veining

V07-012 and Profile 98

54.0

58.8

4.8

25.1

Fractured and brecciated sediments with visible sphalerite, galena and siderite — moderate to intense oxidation

V07-013 and Profile 97

62.5

66.9

4.4

596.2

Fractured and brecciated sediments with sphalerite galena fracture fill and matrix (galena up to 15% locally)

V07-014 and Profile 105

178.4

188.4

10

299.8

Fractured and brecciated sediments with sphalerite and galena fracture fill and matric. Silver sulfosalt and native wire silver noted at 186.9 to 188.4m

V07-015 and Profile 95

48.4

52.5

4.1

735.7

Visual description pending

V07-016 and Profile 104

159.9

163.3

3.4

36.4

Intensely crushed and brecciated sediments with sphalerite and galena matrix. Pyrite, arsenopyrite and tetrahedrite noted

V07-017 and Profile 103

164.0

169.0

5.0

254.8

Visual description pending

V07-018 and Profile 102

In progress

 

 

 

 

V07-019 and Profile 96

Assays pending

 

 

NA

Visual description pending

V07-020 and Profile 92+50

185.4

188.1

2.7

282.9

Visual description pending

Note "NA" designates that the assay results are not available.



As of the date of the Mangazeisky Technical Report, the Vertikalny vein has been intersected by 12 surface trenches and 15 drill holes providing 27 sample intervals across the Vertikalny vein. The total explored strike length is 1,500 metres. Drilling has tested the vein to a maximum depth of 200 m from surface.

The weight averaged grade of the 27 sample intervals is 655.4 g/t silver over a horizontal width of 3.98 metres. Excluding the results from hole V07-006 (8,887.1 g/t silver over 6.0 m) the weight averaged grade of the remaining 26 sample intervals is 511.1 g/t silver over a horizontal width of 3.92 m.

Silver Bear has indicated that they are pleased with the results from the 2007 exploration program. Silver Bear considers the results from hole V07-006 to be very encouraging and perhaps indicative of silver mineralization similar in style and tenor to that discovered at the Prognoz silver deposit located 160 km to the east.

Silver Bear has indicated that the focus of exploration activity in 2008 and 2009 will continue to be Vertikalny with infill drilling focused on the 1.5 km strike length tested in 2007 and exploration drilling along the remainder of the 5.1 km strike length. In addition, some of the other targets within the exploration license will be drilled to identify additional prospective targets.

Sampling

The sampling method and approaches for the Mangazeisky Project are summarized as follows:
  • all trenching and drilling was conducted on a grid of parallel lines oriented perpendicular to the total strike of the main mineralized zones. The spacing between the lines is initially established at wildly spaced intervals which are infilled as exploration continues;
  • the trenches were dug across the strike of the mineralized zones to a depth of up to 4.0 m in the mineralized areas and surrounding host rocks. The width of the trenches was 1.0 to 4.0 m. depending on the thickness of the overburden. The trenches were excavated at intervals of 40 to 100 m;
  • all trenches were sampled by channel samples, the cross section of which was 3.0 × 10.0 cm. The length of the samples varied from 0.2 to 1.2 m and averages 1.0 m. The entire trench exposure is sampled. Samples weights vary from 5 to 10 kg and averaged 7.5 kg;
  • diamond drilling conducted by the Russian drill rig retrieves a 112 mm diameter core and the Boart Longyear drill rig retrieves a 47.6 mm diameter core. The recovered core of the host rocks was generally represented by small pieces as the Russian drill rig drills a dry hole and the Boart Longyear drill is dependent on the use of a water truck to bring water to the drill sites;
  • core recovery estimates from the Russian drills are estimated from the collar to the bottom of the hole. Any holes with a recovery of less than 95% as estimated by the geological staff must be re-drilled. The core recovery estimates are not estimated using the RQD core recovery method. It is estimated visually by the logging geologist;
  • visual estimates of recovery for the Russian drill rig is estimated to be 80 to 85%;
  • core recovery from the Boart Longyear rig has been estimated in a similar fashion and is estimated to be 90 to 95% based on the visual estimate of B. Alexander, Silver Bear's geologist on site in Russia;
  • for the drilling programs, all the core containing the mineralized intersections was split and then sampled with the sampling conducted on the host rocks was set at a minimum of two samples on each side of the zone of mineralization. Unmineralized sample intervals between the mineralized zones are sampled in their entirety. The weight of the core samples was approximately 4.0 kg;
  • during reconnaissance traverses rock grab or chip samples were taken from the mineralized zones and the hydrothermally altered rocks. The weight of these samples varied from 4.0 kg to 10.0 kg; and
  • a standard and a blank sample are to be submitted into the sample stream after every 16 samples however, for this procedure to be conducted the blank and standard sample material needs to be available in Yakutsk.


Sample Security and Analysis

Since only a visual assessment of the core recovery has been conducted, measures to ensure an adequate core recovery and a better estimation method of core recovery need to be implemented by Silver Bear in future drilling programs. In addition measures need to be implemented to lessen the chances of washing either the mineralization or host rock away and potentially under reporting or over reporting the assay results. Micon recommends Silver Bear review the assays obtained during the 2007 exploration program and determine a cut-off grade for the silver assays above which it will automatically reassay the results of any silver assay. This will assist in addressing any potential nugget effect due to the presence of native silver or high grade sulphosalts in a future resource estimate. These issues and the solutions needed to correct or review them should be discussed by Silver Bear in future reports.

It is Micon's opinion that in light of the previously stated concerns Silver Bear is in the process of instituting a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") program that meets the currently accepted industry standards as well as meeting the current Russian regulations and that Silver Bear is undertaking improvements to correct any potential problems.

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves

Silver Bear is not reporting a mineral resource estimate on the Mangazeisky Project. The exploration completed to date is not sufficient to support an inferred resource estimate. Silver Bear is focusing on evaluating the known mineralization, as well as identifying new deposits.

As exploration progresses, further economic and technical evaluation of the silver mineralization will need to be conducted and in time it is possible that a mineral resource will be completed. The mineral resources or reserves will need to be approved by the Russian government prior to any exploitation licenses being granted. Silver Bear will also need to report any mineral resource estimate in accordance with the current CIM guidelines as referred to in NI 43-101.

Exploration and Development

Silver Bear is proposing a two phase exploration program beginning in 2008 and with the second phase contemplated for 2009. The second phase of exploration in 2009 on the Vertikalnaya zone is dependent on the results of the 2008 program. However, if the 2008 exploration results are unsuccessful for continuous exploration in this zone, then Silver Bear plans to spend the funds allotted for 2009 on exploration programs on other targets on the Mangazeisky Project. The Company's objectives and plans for the two phase program are as follows(1):

Phase 1 (2008)
  • The focus of the first phase of the exploration program will be on continued drilling of the Vertikalny vein with the intent of defining a NI 43-101 compliant resource.
  • In addition the first phase of the exploration program will be aimed at completing exploration on the known extensions of the Vertikalny vein to demonstrate a potential of 200 to 250 Moz of silver(2).
  • The projected total expenditures for the first phase of the program is $14.9 million.
Phase 2 (2009)
  • The focus of the second phase of the exploration program will be on completing exploration on the known extensions of the Vertikalny vein to define a CIM compliant resource of 200 to 250 Moz of silver(2) and to complete a scoping study.
  • The projected total expenditures for the second phase of the program is $11.1 million.
___________
  1. The above objectives and plans constitute additional information provided by the Company, which is not detailed in the Mangazeisky Technical Report.
  2. The reader is cautioned that the targets expressed above and elsewhere in this prospectus are based on Silver Bear's assessment of the geological data currently available and are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration with respect to these targets to define any estimates of quantities. There is no guarantee that the targeted estimates will be delineated through additional exploration. These are objectives set by the Company and they are not estimates of quantities as contemplated by section 2.3 of NI 43 101. There is no assurance that these objectives will materialize.

Proposed 2008 and 2009 Exploration Budgets for the Mangazeisky Project

Year Expenditure
Type
Cost Centre Total Cost

 

Capital Expenditures

Drill purchase

$1,000,000

Support equipment

$600,000

Freight

$300,000

Camp Infrastructure

$600,000

 

Total Capital Expenditures

$2,500,000

2008

Operating Expenditures

SKB drilling (3,000 m)$1,200,000
Boart Longyear drilling (12,000 m)$2,400,000
Fuel$2,500,000
Assays (6,000)$900,000
Drill supplies$250,000
Transportation$2,000,000
Mob/demob.$500,000
Support$1,500,000
Camp maintenance$300,000
Contractors$100,000
Consultant(s)$250,000

 

Total Operating Expenditures

$11,900,000

 

Russian General and Administrative

$500,000

 

2008 Total

$14,900,000

 

Capital Expenditures

Underground development (500 m)

$2,500,000

 

Scoping Study

Feasibility

$100,000

2009

Operational Expenditures

Infill and exploration drilling (40,000 m)

$8,000,000

 

Russian General and Administrative

$500,000

 

2009 Total

$11,100,000

 

2008 and 2009 Total

$26,000,000