![]() |
|
|
MINES MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES 3RD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS AND UPDATE ON MONTANORE SILVER-COPPER PROJECT |
|
| Press Release: 08-09 | |
|
Spokane, Washington - November 18, 2008 – MINES MANAGEMENT, INC. (NYSE Alternext US: MGN, TSX: MGT) announces results for the 3rd quarter, 2008. Advancing the Montanore Silver-Copper Project continues to be the Company’s main focus. In addition to its advanced exploration and delineation drilling program, the Company is continuing its repermitting efforts with federal and state agencies and its optimization review of the Project. Overview In the third quarter of 2008:
The primary cash expenditures for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 were $5.0 million for the purchase of a certificate of deposit, $1.8 million for the purchase of securities, and $1.5 million for operating activities. Management has reviewed near term spending and implemented a plan to conserve cash where prudent. The Company believes that it has sufficient working capital to complete the rehabilitation of the Libby adit and to commence delineation drilling. Advanced Exploration and Delineation Drilling Program Libby operations in the third quarter of 2008 showed progress in implementing the Montanore site water treatment system including constructing two dewatering sumps, continued design work on the nitrate removal system and mobilization of the adit rehabilitation contractor. Two sumps were excavated and placed into service during the third quarter of 2008. These sumps consist of two declining drifts approximately 15 ft. x 15 ft. in section and 80 ft. long each. These sumps are part of the overall dewatering system designed to clarify mine water before sending it to the water treatment plant on the surface. A suspended platform was constructed and installed in one sump, allowing for personnel access to the sump pumps. Construction of the sumps allowed a good test of most of the mining equipment that will be used for decline advancement and future mine development. The jumbo, roof bolter, LHDs and haul trucks were all used to construct the sumps. Other support equipment saw limited use such as the explosives loading truck and scissor lift truck. Engineering for the nitrate removal addition to the water treatment system is advancing in accordance with expectations. The current schedule is to have the design completed in early December with construction set to begin in late April or early May 2009. In accordance with this schedule, the plant is expected to be ready for operation when the EIS is issued next year. Engineering and geology work continue using existing information. Permitting and Environmental In the third quarter of 2008, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) continued to conduct its internal review of the preliminary draft environmental impact statement (PDEIS). In addition, the USFS and MDEQ are expected to finalize their selection of the preferred alternative in November, which may be included in the PDEIS submitted for public review. The agencies have indicated that the submission of the PDEIS is still on schedule for the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company continues to provide additional technical data and other support information to the agencies in the preparation of the PDEIS. In addition, the Company has expanded the 3-dimensional hydrologic model designed to predict water inflow to the mine during the evaluation drilling program to include the full mine project. This information, when completed, will be submitted to the agencies to be incorporated into the long-term monitoring program for the Montanore Project. The USFS advised the Company on August 21, 2008 that the environmental assessment (EA) being developed for the underground evaluation program should be terminated and the analysis incorporated into the environmental impact statement (EIS) being prepared for the overall project. While the Company believes that the EA provided adequate analyses to meet regulatory requirements, the Company agreed to accept their recommendation. The State’s approval for the Minor Revision to Permit 150 (Evaluation Program) remains in place, however, the Company continues to construct project infrastructure to support the evaluation drilling program. The Company does not anticipate any delays to the EIS schedule due to this change. Financial and Operating Results Mines Management, Inc. is an exploration stage company with a large silver-copper project, the Montanore Project, located in northwestern Montana. The Company continues to expense all of its expenditures with the exception of equipment and site infrastructure, which are capitalized. The Company has no revenues from mining operations. Financial results of operations include primarily interest income, general and administrative expenses, permitting, project advancement and engineering expenses.
Forward Looking Statements Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this report may contain forward looking statements. These statements include comments regarding further exploration and evaluation of the Montanore Project, including planned dewatering, rehabilitation and extension of the Libby Adit, drilling activities, feasibility determination, engineering studies, environmental and permitting requirements, process and timing; financing needs; planned expenditures in 2008; potential completion of a bankable feasibility study; and the markets for silver and copper. The use of any of the words “development”, “anticipate”, “continues”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, and similar expressions are intended to identify uncertainties. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward looking statements are reasonable. However, the Company cannot assure that the expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below and other factors set forth and incorporated by reference into this report:
Contact: Mines Management, Inc. Douglas Dobbs, Vice President Corporate Development & Investor Relations Phone: 509-838-6050 Fax: 509-838-0486 Email: info@minesmanagement.com Web: www.minesmanagement.com
Source: Mines Management, Inc. |
|