To: Donald McRobb who wrote (710 ) 1/23/1998 8:38:00 PM From: The Lone Ranger Respond to of 1348
Fri, 23 Jan 1998 18:57:58 -0500 UNITED KENO HILL MINES LIMITED TORONTO, Jan. 23 /CNW/ - United Keno Hill Mines Limited announced today that Type A Production Water Licence Number QZ96-001, issued to it by Yukon Territory Water Board, has now been signed by The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Canada. With environmental permitting complete and operating authority now in hand, the Corporation is concentrating its efforts on securing the financing necessary to complete pre-production rehabilitation and development to enable the re-commencement of commercial production of silver from the Elsa Properties. As earlier reported, the Corporation's Reserve Development Strategy elevated resources present at the Elsa Properties to 944,000 tons grading 30 ounces of silver per ton, 4.8% lead and 3.9% zinc, the highest levels in the Corporation's 50 year history. United Keno's Elsa Properties have produced in excess of 225,000,000 ounces of silver since production commenced at Elsa in 1914. Production has been suspended since January 1989. Following a four to six month pre-production period, production is forecast to resume at an ultimate rate of 500 tons per day and result in production of approximately 6,000,000 ounces of silver in year one. Pre-production and working capital requirements are estimated at $15,000,000. The Corporation continues to work toward completing its previously announced agreement to merge with NDU Resources Ltd. which requires regulatory approval and the approval of NDU shareholders. United Keno will offer 1.35 common shares of United Keno for each common share of NDU. -30- For further information: Stephen F. Powell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, United Keno Hill Mines Limited, Suite 1800, 95 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2N7, Telephone: (416) 360-5575, Telecopier: (416) 360-4419