VANCOUVER, Aug. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Catalyst Copper Corp. (“Catalyst” or “the Company”) advises there will be a delay in releasing the results of and filing the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the La Verde copper porphyry deposit located in Michoacán State, Mexico.
The delay has been recommended after our consultants and ourselves reviewed all pertinent information. This review has determined that the existing geological model did not adequately report deleterious elements and as a consequence the economic model may be under-reporting the effect of these elements on net smelter return calculations. While the data is available to correct the geologic model, the qualified person who prepared the report is no longer employed by the consulting firm that prepared the report.
The Company has retained Tetra Tech Inc. to prepare an updated geologic model and NI 43-101 report based on all work completed to date. The Company has therefore elected to delay the release of the PEA until such time as the updated resource model can be incorporated.
We thank shareholders for their support and understanding.
About La Verde
La Verde is located in an area with excellent infrastructure. Power, rail and water all cross the property. Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico’s third largest port on the Pacific Ocean coast is 180 km from the site. Significant upside potential remains for the two known zones of porphyry style copper, gold and molybdenum mineralization as the 2010 drill program has shown both deposits remain open to depth and along strike.
La Verde property is subject to an option agreement with a Mexican subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited (Teck) whereby Catalyst’s 100% Mexican subsidiary, Minera Hill 29, may earn a 60% interest in La Verde by making US$10,000,000 in exploration expenditures (including 30,000 meters of drilling and 200 kilometers of IP) by December 31, 2012. Upon Catalyst earning a 60% interest, Teck has the option to increase its interest to 60% by incurring aggregate expenditures equal to two times the amount spent by Catalyst. Should Teck fail to exercise its option to earn a 60% interest, Catalyst can acquire a 100% interest in La Verde by paying to Teck US$20 million. The property is subject to an underlying 0.5% NSR.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CATALYST COPPER CORP.
“Terence W. Hodson, P.Geo.”
TERENCE HODSON, V.P. EXPLORATION
Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, risks associated with mineral exploration and mining activities, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. 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.
Quality Assurance: The Company employs a system of quality control for drill results which includes the use of blanks, certified reference materials (standards) and check assaying. Core is logged on site and split with a diamond saw. Samples are shipped to Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd. for analysis. All elements with the exception of gold are analyzed by Aqua Regia digestion and ICP-ES analysis. Gold is analyzed by fire assay method.
