Aug 26 2014
Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management ("EPCM") contract for the Casino Project ("Casino") to M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation of Tucson, Arizona ("M3").
M3 is very familiar with Casino, having worked on the project from an early stage preparing two pre-feasibility studies as well as the feasibility study issued in early 2013. M3 will work closely with Cameron Brown, Vice President - Engineering, who has 44 years of experience in operations, design and construction of mining projects including leading the design and construction management of the Los Pelambres Copper mine in Chile as Project Manager for Bechtel Mining.
"Choosing M3 was the logical choice based on our long successful history with them," said Dale Corman, Chairman and CEO of Western, "We have worked with M3 since Western Silver, our predecessor company, was developing the Peñasquito Project and are confident that the development of the Casino Project will meet with similar success."
CORPORATE UPDATE
ENGINEERING
Western was pleased to announce our Memorandum of Understanding with Siemens in May. The Company is now working closely with Siemens to define the major electrical equipment required for the power plant, mining and processing facilities.
The Company is working towards developing additional agreements with key major equipment suppliers for mining and milling equipment for the project.
Western is currently evaluating several potential suppliers of liquefied natural gas ("LNG") for the Casino Project. The Company was pleased to see that Yukon Energy Corporation has received the permits for the installation and operation of LNG storage and vaporization facilities to support the planned replacement of diesel fueled generators to LNG fuelled units in the Whitehorse power generation facility This action further demonstrates the increasing awareness and acceptance of LNG as an important energy contributor to the overall energy solution for the Yukon.
PERMITTING
Western entered the permitting process by submitting a Project Proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board ("YESAB") in January of this year. On June 3, 2014 the assessment was put on hold as part of an agreement with Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation to engage in additional consultation. The assessment process will recommence on November 28, 2014.
During this period, the Company is also preparing responses to early comments received from participants in the YESAB review process. These will be submitted when the assessment recommences.
FIRST NATION RELATIONS
Western has now signed agreements with two Yukon First Nations. The Company announced an Agreement for Co-Operation in Project Assessment and Other Matters with the Selkirk First Nation on March 12, 2014 and a Settlement Agreement and Consultation Workplan with Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation on June 3, 2014. Western is working with these and other First Nations to ensure their views on to the project are received and considered during the YESAB review process. Western expects to develop additional agreements as the project advances.
Western brings to the attention of its shareholders the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Tsilhqot'in case, issued in June of this year, addressing the issue of Aboriginal title claims in areas where no treaty or land claim has been agreed to and where a First Nation can prove exclusive occupation. The Casino Project is located in the Yukon where 11 of the 14 First Nations have reached Final Agreements with Government which are recognized as land claim agreements, resolving the question of Aboriginal title. The Casino Project is located in the traditional territories of the Selkirk First Nation, the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation. All of these First Nations have signed Final Agreements resolving land claims. Accordingly, it is our understanding that a claim such as that brought in the Tsilhqot'in case would not be applicable.
FINANCIAL POSITION
At June 30, 2014, Western had a positive working capital balance of $19.7 million, including cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $20.3 million. These funds are expected to be sufficient for permitting and engineering activities over the next two years.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION
Western Copper and Gold Corporation is focused on advancing the Casino Project, one of the world's largest copper, gold, silver and molybdenum deposits, located in Yukon, Canada. For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.
On behalf of the board,
"Dale Corman"
F. Dale Corman
Chairman & CEO