Commanding Center for the Rescue Team Releases Conclusions on the Causes of March 29, 2013 Landslide in Tibet
VANCOUVER, April 7, 2013 /CNW/ - China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CGG; HKEx: 2099) (the "Company" or "China Gold International Resources") reports that on April 5, 2013, Beijing time, the commanding center for the rescue team for the landslide occurred in Ze Ri Mountain, Pu Lang Valley, Si Bu Village, Zha Xi Gang Town, Mozhugongka County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China (the "Site") released conclusions on the causes of March 29, 2013 landslide in Tibet. The commanding center for the rescue team is led by the Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The conclusions are based on an investigation led by research fellow, Prof. Cen Jiafa from the Consulting and Research Center of The Ministry of Land and Resources of China.
According to the conclusions, the super-large landslide and debris avalanche was a geological disaster caused by a combination of driving factors, which are: steep surface, broken rock, and meltwater.
Four reasons were named in the conclusions to explain the causes of the landslide:
- First, the landslide originated from the knick point of V-shaped Pu Lang Valley, where the slope, angled at 42-45°, is quite precipitous and the flow channel is long and narrow. The crown of the landslide is positioned at 5,359 meters and the toe is at 4,535 meters above sea level, forming a drop of 824 meters.
- Second, complicated geological structures such as thrusting and sliding structures were developed in the region, featuring a very active Quaternary tectonism. Rock exposures in the region include several stages of igneous rocks as well as sedimentary rocks. Surface sediment on the mountain is mainly debris and cobbles, and thus, the mountain was named "Ze Ri", which means "the mountain of broken rocks" in local language.
- Third, the region experienced a fairly dry season from November 2012 to February 2013; whereas since March 2013, it has seen repeated snowing. Meltwater seepage into ground has weakened the geotechnical competence of the mountain side.
- Fourth, loss of competence in the clastic eluvial sediments at the crown triggered the landslide, wherein the loose sediments at the foot were pushed to slip, thus causing the whole disaster.
Jiama Mine production facilities are about 10 km away from the Site. No substantial impact on Jiama Mine's production has been reported and operations are ongoing.
The management team of the Company will keep providing updates on any potential effect of this geological disaster on the Company.
About China Gold International Resources
China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and operates both profitable and growing mines, the CSH Gold Mine in Inner Mongolia, and the Jiama Copper-Polymetallic Mine in Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The Company's objective is to continue to build shareholder value by growing production at its current mining operations, expanding its resource base, and aggressively acquiring and developing new projects internationally. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGG) and the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 2099).
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Elena M. Kazimirova
Investor Relations Manager and Financial Analyst
Tel: +1.604.695 5031
Email: info@chinagoldintl.com
Website: www.chinagoldintl.com