U.S. Forest Service’s Supplemental Environmental Assessment Paves Way for Completion of CuMo Exploration Project in Idaho
Vancouver, B.C., April 13, 2015: American CuMo Mining Corporation (“CuMoCo” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MLY; OTC-Pink: MLYCF) wishes to announce that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released its Draft supplemental Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) regarding the CuMo Exploration Project. The report and decision re-confirms the Forest Service’s 2011 Decision Notice and FONSI and will enable fulfillment of a federal judge’s order to carry out necessary studies to complete the exploration phase of the CuMo Project’s large strategic metals asset in Idaho.
The new report demonstrates that by following proper procedures, the exploration program can avoid or mitigate groundwater quality impacts – a key consideration for the federal district court.
The SEA resulted from an August 2012 decision rendered by Federal District Court Judge Edward Lodge, in response to litigation filed by environmental groups challenging the USFS’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Environmental Assessment process, and it’s FONSI relative to the CuMo Exploration Project. While Judge Lodge affirmed the Forest Service process and denied four of the five claims in the litigation, the fifth claim regarding deficiencies in groundwater analysis was remanded to the USFS for further clarification.
In February 2013, the USFS decided to address Judge Lodge’s decision through a supplemental addendum to the original Environmental Assessment. The report is the culmination of efforts by the USFS and Enviroscientists, an independent third-party contractor that performed the work.
The Forest Service’s response to the court focuses on the following subject areas:
- In-depth analysis directed by the court on potential impacts to groundwater quality;
- Additional reporting to address mitigation and monitoring measures;
- An update to changes in status of the wolverine and gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act;
- Additional monitoring information performed in 2011 and 2012 on the great gray owl and northern goshawk;
- Rare plant inventories performed on Sacajawea’s bitterroot;
- Additional narrative about the CuMo Project’s Comprehensive Plan of Operation and Best Management Practices Checklist concerning approved temporary roads and drill pad construction and reconstruction.
“We are very pleased with the extraordinarily high level of effort the U.S. Forest Service put into its rigorous environmental review,” said Shaun Dykes, President and CEO of CuMoCo. “They left no stone unturned and continue to hold us to the highest regulatory standards. That fits perfectly with our Company’s commitment to environmental excellence. The release of the SEA is a extremely positive step in a transparent and ongoing public process.”
CuMoCo has conducted exploration of the CuMo Project since 2004, relying on scientific methodology and best mining practices in every facet of research and development. Corporate leadership believes the outcome of the USFS’s Environmental Assessment affirms that the CuMo Project can proceed with full and complete exploration – with minimal impact on the environment and a substantial positive impact on the economy.
“The CuMo Project is poised to expeditiously proceed with the cooperation of the USFS, vital support of the local community, and the use of best operating and management practices,” said Dykes. “As CuMoCo works through the environmental regulatory process, we are eager to reach our goal of bringing thousands of well-paying jobs and billions of dollars in construction and development spending to Idaho.”
About CuMoCo
CuMoCo is focused on advancing its CuMo Project towards feasibility and establishing itself as one of the largest and lowest-cost molybdenum producers in the world as well as a significant producer of copper and silver. Management is continuing to build a strong foundation from which to move the Company and the CuMo Project forward. For more information, please visit www.cumoco.com and www.cumoproject.com
For further information, please contact:
American CuMo Mining Corporation
Shaun Dykes, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (604) 689-7902
Email: info@cumoco.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this new release.
Forward-looking information
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such the Company’s ability to move its CuMo Project to feasibility and production, and to become one of the largest and lowest-cost molybdenum producers in the world as well as a significant producer of copper and silver. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including the result of exploration activities, the ability of the Company to raise the financing for a feasibility study and to put the CuMo project into production, that no labour shortages or delays are experienced, that plant and equipment function as specified that the Court will not intervene with the Company’s proposed exploration activities at the CuMo Project, and the ability of the Company to obtain all requisite permits and licenses to advance the CuMo Project and eventually bring it into production. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future prediction, projection or forecast expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of molybdenum, silver and copper; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company’s publicly filed documents, including the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the financial year ended June 30, 2014. 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 in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.