TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 04/28/11 -- Castle Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: CRI) ("Castle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it will soon restart comprehensive exploration and development activity at the Granduc Copper Project located near Stewart B.C.
"All the pieces are in place to begin our 2011 field season at the Granduc," stated Mr. Mike Sylvestre, President & COO of Castle Resources. "We are well financed and set to begin a very aggressive drill program with the goal of further increasing our already sizable copper resource. In addition, we continue to press forward on numerous infrastructure and permitting fronts as part of our goal to restart the past producing Granduc Copper mine."
Drilling To Commence:
-- Exploration camp to be mobilized to support 30,000 metre infill and
exploration drill program set to begin mid May
-- Four (4) surface diamond drills to target the Granduc resource zones
with the goal of upgrading the initial resource from the inferred to the
indicated category; also graduate exploration potential identified by
SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. in their recent NI 43-101 resource estimate
dated February 28, 2011 into a resource category
-- Surface drilling program to transition underground later this year in
anticipation of the successful rehabilitation of the access tunnel and
underground workings
Conceptual Study Underway:
-- Conceptual Study commissioned to provide comprehensive economic analysis
of mining methodology and potential production model
-- Study to be authored by Mr. David Penswick P. Eng., a highly regarded
mining engineer and industry specialist, in conjunction with SRK
Consulting (Canada) Inc.
-- The Conceptual Study will establish the preferred development
alternative(s) that will then be advanced with a Preliminary Economic
Assessment (PEA) to be completed later in 2011
General Update:
-- Discussions have begun and will be ongoing this year with First Nations
and provincial environmental permitting agencies
-- Discussions are well underway with B.C. Hydro and their conceptual
review has concluded connection to the grid is feasible. B.C. Hydro has
initiated a system impact study (SIS) on Castle's behalf
-- Team assembled to begin environmental baseline studies in May 2011
Granduc Resource Estimate:
-- SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. completed a NI 43-101 compliant resource
estimate using a 0.8% Cu cut-off grade: Indicated Resources of 3.75
million tonnes grading 1.59% Cu, containing 131.4 million pounds of
copper; Inferred Resources of 15.8 million tonnes grading 1.36%,
containing 471.5 million pounds of copper
-- Exploration Potential is estimated to contain an additional 17 to 23
million tonnes grading between 1.3% Cu to 1.6% Cu. The potential
quantity and grade of the exploration potential is conceptual in nature
and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral
resource. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in the
exploration targets being delineated as a mineral resource
-- See Castle press release dated February 28, 2011 for complete NI 43-101
Granduc resource, including Cu cut-off sensitivity, and identified
exploration potential on the Main and North Zones
Granduc Highlights:
-- Newmont and Esso Minerals operated the Granduc Mine between 1971-1984;
processed over 15 million tonnes of ore grading 1.71% Cu; produced 420
million pounds of copper (plus gold and silver credits); the mine was
closed in 1984 due to low copper prices
-- Operators of the Granduc Mine invested over $115 million from Oct 1965
until start-up operations began in 1971; 17 km haulage tunnel remains in
good condition today
-- Mining operations at the Granduc Mine consisted of crushing underground
then processing of up to 9000 tpd. The concentrate was trucked on a 54
km all weather road to the year-round deep sea port facility in Stewart
which remains in operation today
-- Bell Copper's exploration activities between 2004 and 2007 have
confirmed mineralization within 4 km to the north and south of the main
Granduc orebody
Brad Leonard, P. Geo., Castle's Exploration Manager, is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical work (as defined under National Instrument 43-101) discussed in this press release, and has reviewed this press release.
About Castle Resources
Castle Resources Inc. is a Toronto-based junior mineral development company focusing on high-quality, advanced projects. Management's goal is to continue the redevelopment of the 100% owned past producing Granduc Copper Mine and begin new exploration activities; as well, management is quickly advancing the Elmtree Gold Project in New Brunswick toward feasibility in 2011. Castle currently has $15 million in treasury and has issued and outstanding shares of 102 million.
For more information please visit the Castle Resources' website at www.castleresources.com.
Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information is identified by words such as "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may" , "will" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the company's plan of business operations (including plans for progressing assets), estimates regarding mineral resources, projections regarding mineralization and projected expenditures. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, risks inherent in the mining industry, financing risks, labour risks, uncertainty of mineral resource estimates, equipment and supply risks, title disputes, regulatory risks and environmental concerns. Most of these factors are outside the control of the company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may no t be offered or sold within the United States or to a U.S. Person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Castle Resources Inc.
Mike Sylvestre
President & Chief Operating Officer
416-366-4100
mike@castleresources.com
Castle Resources Inc.
Lenny Foreht
VP Corporate Development
416-364-2266
lforeht@castleresources.com
www.castleresources.com
