VANCOUVER, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Taseko Mine Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE Amex: TGB) ("Taseko" or the "Company") wishes to provide an update on the Provincial and Federal Governments' Environmental Assessment review processes of Taseko's wholly-owned Prosperity Gold-Copper project.
The provincial process, conducted by the Environmental Assessment Office, is nearing the final phase of its work. As of today, 54 days remain in the 180-day legislated review period, meaning that by December 7, 2009 the Environmental Assessment Office will refer the application to the Minister of Environment and Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for a decision. The Ministers will then have 45 days to render their final decision on the project. Barring any unforeseen process delays, we expect a decision by the Government of British Columbia on or before January 20, 2010. A provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate will be an important milestone as it is the provincial government which is responsible for mine development in British Columbia.
The federal process, conducted by a 3-person Panel operating under defined Terms of Reference are required to complete their work in a timely and efficient manner. The dates of the public Panel hearings have not yet been set. The earliest the hearings could commence is mid-January and the Terms of Reference commits the Panel to make best efforts to conclude those public hearings within a 30-day period. Following conclusion of the hearings, the Panel will submit their findings to the Federal Minister of Environment for a decision.
Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko commented, "The Environmental Assessment process is a time-consuming and expensive undertaking and one that has taken governments longer to advance than anticipated. Great care is being exercised to ensure delivery of a completely thorough examination, one which is fully transparent.
Receiving provincial approvals will allow certain aspects of the mine development to move forward while the federal process continues."
Mr. Hallbauer continued, "Once the panel delivers its report to the federal government we anticipate that the applicable ministries will work diligently towards an expeditious delivery of the project through the remaining regulatory process. As a company, we are very confident in the work presented in our Environmental Assessment Report and fully expect a favourable outcome from both governments."
The Prosperity Project, located in south-central British Columbia, is one of the largest undeveloped gold-copper deposits in Canada with 1.0 billion tonnes of measured and indicated resources containing 13.3 million ounces of gold and 5.3 billion pounds of copper. Average annual production over the 20-year mine life is estimated to be 247,000 ounces of gold and 108 million pounds of copper(1).
Russell Hallbauer President and CEO No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release. Forward Looking Statements
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include capital market conditions, commodities market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, lack of continuity of mineralization, continued availability of capital and financing, the ability to obtain and maintain required permits, including environmental, construction and mining permits and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the Company's home jurisdiction filings at http://www.sedar.com/.
-------------------- (1) For mineral resources results see January 11, 2007 news release; for feasibility study results see September 24, 2007 news release
Taseko Mines Limited
CONTACT: on Taseko, please see the Company's website http://www.tasekomines.com/
or contact: Brian Bergot, Investor Relations -- (778) 373-4545, toll free
1-800-667-2114
