Lion One Announces the Appointment of Kevin Li, P.Eng. as Tuvatu Project Manager and Provides Project Development Update
Mr. Li joins Lion One after serving three years as Project Controls Manager at Pretium Resources Inc. for the construction of the $1 billion Brucejack gold project in northern British Columbia. For Lion One, Mr. Li will oversee the design and fabrication of the Tuvatu processing plant, to be built in in China to North American and Australian engineering specifications, and its subsequent shipment, construction, and commissioning at the Tuvatu mine site in Fiji.
Mr. Li's career spans over 30 years with extensive experience in heavy industrial project and construction management. Mr. Li's previous experience also includes positions as the Project Manager at Monument Mining for the construction of the Selinsing gold mine expansion in Malaysia, Senior Project Scheduler at SNC-Lavalin for Barrick Gold's Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic and SaskPower's Yellowhead power plant in Saskatchewan, Project Controls Manager at Fluor Canada on the Sulfolix Copper Mine in Chile, and over 13 years as the Civil and Structural Engineer and Project Manager at China's Dongfang Electric Corporation.
Lion One also announces the following progress updates for current work in the development of Tuvatu:
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Completed evaluation of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) proposals. Contract to be awarded following final negotiations with remaining EPC candidates in China;
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Ongoing evaluation of bulk earthworks construction proposals. Contract to be awarded as soon as possible to enable completion of run of mine (ROM) stockpile facility prior to end of 2017 dry season;
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Ongoing evaluation of Underground Contract Mining proposals. Contract to be awarded as soon as possible to enable significant preproduction mining and stockpiling of ROM material prior to mill commissioning;
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Tuvatu Analytical Laboratory tendered for construction, to be located at Lion One compound, 16 km from mine site for expedited exploration and grade control sample assaying.
"We welcome Kevin Li to Lion One's management and senior technical team as we transition into the development and construction phases of the Tuvatu Gold Project," said Lion One CEO Walter Berukoff. "Kevin brings the highest pedigree of skills and experience in project management and his fluency in Mandarin will be invaluable in helping Lion One navigate the critical path to production. We expect to complete the funding of the project once the contracts for development are finalized. In addition to funding from Ansteel (see news release dated August 24, 2016), the Company is also considering other possible funding opportunities. We expect to award these contracts and complete the requisite funding imminently, and will provide further guidance regarding development schedules once finalized."
About Tuvatu | Lion One | Fiji Gold
Lion One is aggressively advancing its 100% owned Tuvatu Gold Project as a world class discovery and near-term production opportunity in the southwest Pacific Ring of Fire. Tuvatu is modeled for exploration after regional giants in the low sulphidation family of high grade epithermal gold deposits such as Porgera and Lihir in PNG, and Vatukoula in Fiji. These spectacular discoveries have produced over 35 million ounces of gold in similar alkaline volcanic settings. Tuvatu has been fully permitted by the Government of Fiji for operations startup and has a dual-track strategy of production development and resource expansion inside its 385 hectare mining lease.
Tuvatu is located 25 km from the international airport in Nadi, on the west coast of Viti Levu in the Republic of Fiji. Lion One's CEO Walter Berukoff leading an experienced team of mine builders, has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.
Ian Chang, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Chief Development Officer, is the Qualified Person ("QP") responsible for Tuvatu Mine development.
For more information on Lion One including technical reports please visit the Company's website at www.liononemetals.com or the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
On behalf of Lion One Metals Ltd.
"Ian I Chang"
Chief Development Officer
For further information please contact
Hamish Greig, Vice President (North Vancouver, BC) Tel: 604-973-3008
Joe Gray, Investor Relations (North Vancouver, BC) Tel: 604-973-3004
Toll Free IR Line (North America) Tel: 1-855-805-1250
Email: info@liononemetals.com
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