Mines Management Wins Mining Claims Dispute in U.S. District Court
05.05.2014 | FSCwire
![Mines Management Wins Mining Claims Dispute in U.S. District Court](https://www.goldseiten.de/media/goldseiten-news.jpg)
In the ruling, the U.S. District Court granted a preliminary condemnation order, which affirms MMC's right of access through the Company's 14,000 foot Libby adit, and the construction of other tunnels that are planned for the development of the Montanore mine. A final condemnation order and deed to easements and rights of way would be entered following the resolution of compensation for the condemned easements and rights of way, assuming no successful appeal. In addition, the U.S. District Court granted a preliminary injunction for immediate right of possession, thereby preserving MMC's ongoing access through the Libby adit.
The U.S. District Court's ruling follows the earlier favorable Montana State Supreme Court appellate ruling, as disclosed recently in the Company's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that overturned an opinion by the (Lincoln County) District Court due to errors in evaluating evidence regarding the validity of certain mining claims.
Glenn Dobbs, the Company's Chairman and CEO, stated, "Earlier rulings made by the Lincoln County District Court did not prevent our access or use of the Libby adit, and we have continued underground activities in compliance with and in accordance with the mandates of our current operating permit. However, our petition to the U.S. federal court requesting an easement was a preventive measure in response to ongoing litigation in Montana State and Lincoln County District Court "
Mr. Dobbs further stated, "The recent rulings by the U.S. District Court and Montana State Supreme Court validate our long standing contentions of rightful access to the Montanore deposit. We remain committed to ensuring the viability of the potential future development of the Montanore mining project."
About Mines Management
Mines Management Inc. is engaged in the business of acquiring and exploring, and if exploration is successful, developing mineral properties containing precious and base metals. The Company's primary focus is on the advancement of the Montanore silver-copper project located in northwestern Montana. The Montanore project is an advanced stage exploration project, which contains large deposits of silver and copper, a description of which is available on the Company's website (www.minesmanagement.com). The Montanore project plan, as described in a preliminary economic assessment announced on February 3, 2011, estimates initial annual production of 6.4 million ounces silver and 51.1 million pounds of copper annually for a mine life of more than 15 years. The deposit remains open in several directions for potential expansion. The Montanore project recently received a 'non-jeopardy' Biological Opinion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, setting the stage for the remaining steps in the federal NEPA process.
Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Some statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including comments regarding the significance and effects of the federal court ruling granting a preliminary condemnation order and injunction, the significance and effects of the Montana State Supreme Court ruling vacating a lower court injunction prohibiting trespass by the Company on certain unpatented mining claims, the Company's right and ability to use the Libby adit and other easements and rights of way to access the Montanore deposit, Montanore project plans and estimates of future annual production and mine life and the status of permitting activities.. Actual results may differ materially from those presented. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include the results of any appeals that may be filed in the federal court case, the results of further proceedings in the Montana state court case, continued or future disputes regarding claim ownership and rights in the Montanore Project area, changes in interpretation of geological information, whether additional permitting may be required at Montanore in the future; the results of delineation drilling and feasibility studies and whether the results may reduce the estimates of initial annual production from the Montanore project and estimated mine life; whether an updated preliminary economic assessment would have less favorable results regarding estimates of annual production and mine life, whether external financing for the Company's business can be obtained on acceptable terms or at all; and world economic conditions or fluctuations in silver, gold and copper prices. Mines Management Inc. assumes no obligation to update this information. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Mines Management Inc. will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of risk factors in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as amended.
For more information, contact:
Douglas D. Dobbs, President, Mines Management Inc.
Phone: 509-838-6050
Fax: 509-838-0486
Email: info@minesmanagement.com
Web: www.minesmanagement.com
905 West Riverside Avenue - Suite 311
Spokane, Washington 99201
RELEASE 14-04