Mawson update: Rajapalot winter drill program ongoing in Finland

VANCOUVER, Dec. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Mawson Resources Limited ("Mawson") or (the "Company") (TSX:MAW) (Frankfurt:MXR) (PINKSHEETS: MWSNF) updates the recently announced drill programs at the Rajapalot gold project in Finland.  Drilling is now underway, and is scheduled to continue until April 2017.  The Mawson team in northern Finland is progressively expanding to support and establish access for all drill rigs.  Twenty local people are already working in Rovaniemi and on site at Ylitornio during the current ramp-up phase, with more than 40 people planned to be employed when all rigs are on site and active.

Base-of-till ("BOT") drilling is now well underway, with near surface gold targets being systematically tested.  Two diamond drill rigs shall begin operation at Rompas-Rajapalot in coming weeks.

Key Points:

• Twenty local Finnish staff and consultants are already employed on site in northern Finland, including geologists, field technicians, environmental experts, drillers and drilling offsiders. When all rigs are mobilized in the coming weeks more than 40 local Finnish people will be employed to execute drill programs;
• To date, 151 BOT drill holes have been completed from the planned total of 700 BOT holes. Drill assays are awaited;
• Two further diamond drill rigs will be mobilized to the Rompas-Rajapalot site by late December 2016. Variable winter conditions have necessitated additional ice road construction to ensure safe rig access with zero environmental impact;
• Drilling will continue until April 2017;
• Mawson has completed detailed baseline mapping and compilation of species, habitats and vegetation across the Rompas-Rajapalot area. Following three years of biological studies, the Company has a detailed understanding of the natural environment at every drill location, and acts to ensure the impact of all activity is minimized.

Mr. Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "With drilling now underway, we are now a significant employer in the local Ylitornio district and Rovaniemi city of Finland.   More than 20% of the base of till drill program has been completed, and we look forward to the flow of results from this first systematic test of the Rompas-Rajapalot gold system.  A slower than anticipated start to winter conditions has resulted in a one to two-week delay the mobilization of two additional diamond drill rigs, as we work to prepare the appropriate drill access."

Over the last three years, detailed biological studies consisting of baseline mapping and compilation of species, habitats and vegetation has led to a clear understanding of the potential impacts of the current winter work program on a site by site basis.  Four administrative bodies representing the mining and environmental authorities and both the Regional and Supreme Administrative Courts have found that Mawson's exploration work, carried out as permitted, does not present any significant risks to nature, environment, animals, other livelihoods, or people in the Rajapalot area or its vicinity. Monitoring over many years of the species, vegetation and habitats within the research area has proven that the impacts of Mawson's exploration work has been much smaller than was even expected. In addition, the project and Mawson's exploration work enjoys strong local support from the neighbouring village associations and the Ylitornio municipality.

Technical Background

The qualified person for Mawson's Finnish projects, Mr. Michael Hudson, CEO & Chairman for Mawson and Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.

About Mawson Resources Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, PINKSHEETS:MWSNF)

Mawson Resources Ltd. is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rompas and Rajapalot gold projects in Finland.

On behalf of the Board,

"Michael Hudson"
Michael Hudson, CEO & Chairman

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: aim, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, timing and the successful completion of the Company's proposed drill programs, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

SOURCE Mawson Resources Ltd.