Strata Minerals Inc. Acquires Option in Utah Phosphate Project and Appoints New CEO
The Diamond Mountain Project is an advanced exploration stage property consisting of approximately 4,000 hectares of Utah State and Federal phosphate exploration rights and applications. Previous phosphate exploration work on the lands was conducted in the 1960-70's by US Steel Corp which outlined phosphate mineralization in two gently dipping seams of phosphoric rock totalling approximately 5 meters in thickness. The mineralized material subcrops to the north and gently dips to the south. The project is adjoining to the west by Simplot Corporation's Vernal phosphate mine and beneficiation complex which reportedly produces at a rate of approximately 1 million tons per annum of concentrated phosrock grading an average of 30% P2O5.
Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Strata can earn a 51% interest in the Diamond Mountain Project by paying total cash consideration of US$75,000 and unit consideration of C$100,000 to the Optionor and incurring expenditures of US$1,000,000 in exploration and development on the Diamond Mountain Project on or before a target date of December 15, 2014.
Strata can earn a further 29% interest to hold an aggregate share of 80% of the Diamond Mountain Project by incurring a further US$1.5 million in exploration and development expenditures on the Project on or before a target date of December 15, 2015 and paying a further US$100,000 and issuing C$100,000 in shares priced in the context of the market at the time of vesting. The units issuable will consist of common shares and share purchase warrants of the Company, having the same price and the same terms and conditions as the units to be issued in connection with the financing to be undertaken by the Company, described below.
The appointment of Jason Bahnsen as CEO is in keeping with the Company's transition to focus on more advanced stage assets. Mr. Bahnsen is a mining engineer who most recently served as the President & CEO of Gobi Coal, a private coal company based in Mongolia. Previously, Mr. Bahnsen was a resource banker based in Australia and Asia in senior positions, including Head of Metals & Mining Asia for Deutsche Bank in Hong Kong. Mr. Bahnsen brings a wealth of mine development, operations, corporate and capital markets experience to his new role with Strata. Mr. Bahnsen has been a member of Strata's board of directors since November 2012.
Upon Mr. Bahnsen's appointment becoming effective, Strata's current President & CEO, Peter Kozicz, will relinquish his management duties but will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
"Strata is pleased to announce today's developments", said Hugh Agro, Chairman. "The Diamond Mountain Project is an exciting opportunity for the Company and the appointment of Jason Bahnsen will mark a natural next step for the Company's management, as we transition to focus on more advanced staged assets."
Under the Option Agreement, which is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company has up to 120 days to arrange a minimum of $1 million in financing in support an initial exploration program for the project.
Strata is also pleased to announce that it will be holding an Annual and Special General Meeting on December 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Vancouver time at 1450-701 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C. At the meeting, the shareholders will be asked to re-appoint the current directors and auditors and re-approve the Company's stock option plan. In addition, the shareholders will be asked to approve, by special resolution, the alteration of the share structure of the Company by consolidating all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company without par value, of which 80,806,620 are issued, on a one (1) new for ten (10) old common share basis.
"Hugh Agro"
Chairman
For further information, please contact:
Brent Lokash, EVP & CFO
el: 1 604 862-5190
Email: b.lokash@strataminerals.com
About Strata Minerals Inc.
Strata Minerals Inc. is an emerging agricultural nutrient company exploring for commercial scale phosphate rock mineralization deposits. Armed with the objectives of becoming a supplier to the global fertilizer industry and generating wealth for its shareholders, Strata is currently advancing its Cardabia phosphate exploration project in Western Australia and investigating new opportunities for growth elsewhere in the world. All references to the Company in this release include the Company's wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Strata Minerals Pty Ltd. For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.strataminerals.com.
Additional disclosure of the Company's financial statements, technical reports, material change reports, news releases and other information can be obtained on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included herein constitute forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "propose" and "may" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding exploration results and the development and operation of Strata's mineral properties. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management teams of Strata, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks and accordingly may not occur as described herein or at all. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements.
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