60-day public comment period successfully completed, after which a summer Record of Decision (ROD) and Mine Operating Permit could be issued as early as Q3 of 2019

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mont., May 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandfire Resources America, Inc. (“Sandfire America” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the 60-day comment period for the Company’s Black Butte Copper Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) has now closed.

The Draft EIS was prepared by an independent third-party environmental expert for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (“MT DEQ”).

The comment period included three public meetings in Great Falls, Livingston and White Sulphur Springs, Montana as well as two webinars. A link to the Draft EIS can be found on our website, www.sandfireamerica.com, along with a link to our community presentation, which provides a detailed overview of the Project.

The next step in the MT DEQ’s process will be to respond to public comments and issue a final EIS. The MT DEQ can then issue a Record of Decision (ROD) that approves the application as submitted, approves the application with modifications, or denies the application if it does not meet the laws of the State of Montana. This could potentially occur as early as the September Quarter of 2019. 

Commenting on the completion of the Draft EIS public comment period, Rob Scargill, CEO and VP Project Development, said:

“Public participation is a key element in making sure that a project of this importance, both economically and environmentally, is implemented to the highest caliber. We would like to thank those who took the time to comment on both sides of the issue, making this a robust process. We now look forward to the DEQ’s review of comments, followed by completion of the permitting process in the summer.”

The preparation of a Feasibility Study (FS) for Black Butte Copper Project is progressing with the recent finalization of the process flow sheets, reagents regime and geology wireframes for the Johnny Lee Upper and Lower Copper Zones.  

The Black Butte Copper Project is a proposed to be a showcase underground mine, designed and engineered to provide economic opportunity to Central Montana while fully protecting Sheep Creek and Smith River Watershed.

Contact Information:
Sandfire Resources America Inc.
Nancy Schlepp, VP of Communications
Mobile: 406-224-8180
Office: 406-547-3466
Email: nschlepp@sandfireamerica.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this document constitute “forward looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the completion of the Feasibility Study, permitting timelines and the Company’s plans for advancing the Black Butte Copper Project and expected outcomes. In making these forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will receive required regulatory approvals, that the Company will continue to be able to access sufficient funding to execute its plans, and that the results of exploration and development activities will be consistent with management’s expectations. However, the forward-looking statements in this document are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including factors relating to the Company’s operation as a mineral exploration and development company and the Black Butte Copper Project, that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including that results of exploration and development activities will not be consistent with management’s expectations, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals or financing, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the risk of accidents, labor disputes, inclement or hazardous weather conditions, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground control problems, earthquakes, flooding and all of the other risks generally associated with the development of mining facilities. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.