Wolfden Announces Public Hearing Date for Pickett Project Rezoning
THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 28, 2023 / Wolfden Resources Corporation (WLF.V) ("Wolfden" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has set the date for a public hearing for the Company's Pickett Project rezoning application on October 16, 2023 in Millinocket, Maine. The LUPC has allowed for a three-day hearing process that will include expert testimony and opportunities for public comment. A final decision by the LUPC with respect to the application is expected within 90 days after the public hearing. The application proposes to rezone a 374 acre parcel of Wolfden's wholly owned 7,135 acre land holdings in the township of T6 R6 in North Eastern Maine, from a General Management (M-GN) designation to Planned Development (D-PD) to allow for the permitting, construction, operation and reclamation of a state of the art, small foot print underground metallic mineral mine in a manner that is fully protective of the environment.
"We are very pleased with the timing and the location of the public hearing venue, which is within 40 miles of the Pickett Project area," stated Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development for Wolfden. The venue was considered to be a practical location for those residents closest to, and most affected by the project." Many of the neighboring communities including Hersey, Moro Plantation, Patten, Sherman and Stacyville have already held their own town public meetings and passed by a public vote, ordinances or resolutions in support of the Project (see map below). As a lead up to the LUPC public hearing, the Company plans to continue its community outreach and communications through public meetings, our local office in Patten, and various forms of media.
The Project represents a significant opportunity for new economic growth in an area of the State where much of the economy is based on timber harvesting. Wolfden has been working with residents and businesses in the region via public meetings and information sessions to ensure that the Project is responsive to the needs of the region and will benefit the people who live and work there. The Project will be developed, operated, and reclaimed in accordance with the State's strict and modern mining regulations that will ensure full protection of the surrounding environment.
The proposed Project, is a 1200 tonne per day underground mining operation with a 10-15 year mine life, located several miles off of State Route 11, in an area of very low population density, north of the Town of Patten. The mine and other supporting infrastructure will require a steady-state work force of roughly 272 direct employees and contractors. The mined ore from the Project will be processed at a different location (not in T6 R6) and therefore is outside of the scope of the LUPC rezoning application. Moreover, the technical analysis for each component of the Project and each aspect for the protection of natural resources demonstrate that the Project is feasible and consistent with the values prioritized by the LUPC.
Next Steps
Upon favourable completion of the rezoning process, Wolfden plans to commence a feasibility study including the collection of additional environmental baseline data, a drill program to convert inferred to indicated mineral resources, design of the various operational components and a complete estimate of costs. This data will all be used as input to a mine permit application to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for review and approval under Maine's Chapter 200 regulations.
The rezoning application is subject to and will be reviewed under the Commission's Chapter 10 and Chapter 12 rules. Chapter 12 requires a public hearing to be held by the Commission in the area of the project before a final decision on the application.
A copy of the petition along with related correspondence with LUPC, and more information about the process is available for download from the LUPC project-specific webpage and the Company's website.
Pickett Mountain Mineral Resource Estimate
NOVEMBER 17, 2021 - MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT | ||||||||
Category | Tonnes | % Zn | % Pb | % Cu | g/t Ag | g/t Au | Density | % ZnEq |
Indicated | 2,724,000 | 8.91 | 3.83 | 1.22 | 97.2 | 0.8 | 3.84 | 17.72 |
Inferred | 3,593,600 | 9.27 | 3.83 | 1.00 | 105.4 | 0.7 | 3.81 | 17.65 |
Metal prices used for the estimate: US$1.20/lb Zn, $2.50/lb Cu, $1.00/lb Pb, $16.00/oz Ag, and $1,200/oz/Au, using a 7% cutoff grade that equates to an approximate NSR cut-off of $139/tonne at the same metal prices. An average recoveryof 75% for all metals was assumed based on preliminary metallurgical testing. The deposit remains open at depth and into the footwall (north) where continued expansion and infill diamond drilling has the potential to further upgrade and expand the mineral resource
About Wolfden
Wolfden is an exploration and development company focused on high-margin metallic mineral deposits including base, precious and strategic metals. Its wholly owned Pickett Mountain Project is one of the highest-grade polymetallic projects in North America (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au) and its two nickel sulphide deposits in Manitoba represent significant development projects with the potential to be domestic sources of ethically produced base and critical metals for the expansion of renewable energy in North America.
For further information please contact Ron Little, President & CEO, at (807) 624-1136 or Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, at (807) 624-1134.
The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, Don Dudek, P. Geo., VP Exploration and Ron Little, P.Eng., President and CEO, all of whom are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101. The mineral resource estimate has been prepared, supervised, and reviewed by an Independent qualified person ("QP") Finley Bakker, P. Geo. of A-Z Mining Consultants and has an effective date of November 17, 2021. The Mineral Resource estimate was classified into indicated and inferred categories in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events, including the expected use of the net proceeds of the Financing. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, rezoning, permitting, community and other regulatory approvals, and the timing and completion of exploration programs in Manitoba, Maine, New Brunswick and the respective drill results. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) risks inherent in the mining industry; (ii) regulatory and environmental risks; (iii) results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; (iv) risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; (v) stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations; and (vi) general market and industry conditions. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.
Neither 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.
Maine Township Map near Pickett Project (each Township approx. 36 sq miles)
SOURCE: Wolfden Resources Corporation
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