Oracle Mining Announces JDS Energy & Mining to Produce Feasibility Study
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/21/13 -- Oracle Mining Corp. ("Oracle Mining" or the "Corporation") (TSX: OMN)(OTCQX: OMCCF)(FRANKFURT: OMC) is pleased to announce that it has engaged JDS Energy & Mining Inc. ("JDS") to provide engineering services and produce a feasibility study in accordance with NI 43-101 (the "Feasibility Study") for our Oracle Ridge copper project ("Oracle Ridge" or "Oracle Ridge Project"), located 24 km northeast of Tucson, AZ.
"Following the completion of our recent technical report, and with Oracle Ridge permitting continuing to progress, Oracle Mining is advancing the Oracle Ridge Project towards completion of a Feasibility Study in a partnership between our operations team and with the guidance and expertise of JDS," said Rod Campbell, Oracle Mining's President. "The JDS team is well-respected for their innovative and cost-effective approach to mine development of projects on the scale of Oracle Ridge and together we have set aggressive targets and incentives to produce the Feasibility Study on-budget and on-schedule."
Since acquiring the Oracle Ridge Project in September 2010, Oracle Mining has completed surface and underground drill programs, undertaken metallurgical, engineering and environmental studies, and secured a number of key permits that will be necessary to enable the Oracle Ridge Project to advance.
In May 2012, the Corporation announced that it had retained SRK Consulting ("SRK") to author a Feasibility Study and KD Engineering ("KD") to complete the engineering for the processing facility and mine site infrastructure. The arrangements with JDS supersede and replace the engagement that the Corporation previously had with SRK and KD. Previous work may be incorporated into the Feasibility Study.
While the Oracle Ridge Project has a current Mineral Resource established, the Corporation expects that additional drilling will be undertaken with the goal of expanding and upgrading, if possible, the Mineral Resources. The Corporation has not made any production decision with respect to the Oracle Ridge Project. A decision to proceed with production at the Oracle Ridge Project will be based upon the results of the Feasibility Study demonstrating economic and technical viability.
About JDS Energy and Mining Inc.
JDS is made up of a dynamic team of more than 150 employees focused on delivering high-quality engineering, construction, procurement and management solutions, both locally and internationally. JDS take projects from the early conceptual vision, right through every stage of planning and development, to the establishment of a fully operational business. JDS offers extensive mining and mine management experience including infrastructure analysis, underground and surface project management, mine planning, production and general mine engineering, cost estimating and regulatory compliance.
About Oracle Mining Corp.
Oracle Mining Corp. (TSX: OMN)(OTCQX: OMCCF)(FRANKFURT: OMC) is a Vancouver, Canada-based corporation that is the sole owner and operator of Oracle Ridge Mining, LLC and the Oracle Ridge copper project located 24 km northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Oracle Mining is managed by an experienced team of mining professionals with extensive operating and financial experience.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation that involves risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information included herein is made as of the date of this news release and Oracle Mining does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking information unless required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and reflects management of the Corporation's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "goal" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: our plans to work towards commencing and completing the Feasibility Study; our Mineral Resource estimate for the Oracle Ridge Project; our plans and expectations for the Oracle Ridge Project including our plans relating to completion of a further drilling program and further exploration and development of the Oracle Ridge Project; the timing or completion of any work on the Oracle Ridge Project, including timing of commencement and completion of our proposed drilling program and the Feasibility Study; and our goal to expand the Mineral Resource estimate and upgrade Mineral Resources, if possible, to a higher Mineral Resource category. This forward-looking information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: our assumptions regarding copper, base metal and precious metal prices; accuracy of Mineral Resource estimate and Mineral Resource modelling; accuracy of cut-off grade and assumptions underlying thereto, including projected copper prices and estimates of total operating costs; dilution allowance assumptions; success of future drilling programs; reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data; representativeness of mineralization; accuracy of metallurgical testwork; our ability to comply with current and future environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements and to obtain and maintain timely receipt of regulatory approvals.
By its very nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: dilution to shareholders from any equity financings; the availability of capital on acceptable terms, or at all; risks relating to our estimates of Mineral Resources and cut-off grade and factors underlying, proving to be inaccurate; our dependence on the Oracle Ridge Project; risk that we are unable to enforce our legal rights under existing agreements, permits or licences or are subject to litigation or arbitration that has an adverse outcome; risk there are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks related to the actual results of exploration and development activities; our historical experience with development-stage mining operations; changes in commodity prices, and particularly copper prices; receipt of necessary permits and licences; regulatory changes; risks related to the uncertainty of timing of events including delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of project development studies; we are affected by environmental, safety and regulatory risks, including increased regulatory burdens or delays, accidents, labour disputes and other risks inherent in the mining industry; availability of materials and equipment; lack of revenue and commercial production; increased indebtedness and events of default thereunder; competition for properties, capital, skilled personnel and resources; uninsured risks; defects in title; influence of significant shareholders; foreign operations; adequate infrastructure in the jurisdictions in which we operate; opposition to mining activities; fluctuations in currency exchange rate, as well as those factors discussed in the Corporation's annual information form dated April 1, 2013, for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed and available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Contacts:
Oracle Mining Corp.
Investor Relations
604-689-9282
info@oracleminingcorp.com
Oracle Mining Corp.
Mr. Jason Mercier
Senior VP Corporate Secretary
604-689-9261
www.oracleminingcorp.com