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Re: News Release - Thursday, May 08, 2008
Crowflight Provides Bucko Lake Nickel Project Update
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CROWFLIGHT MINERALS INC. (Crowflight, the Company) (TSX Venture
Exchange: CML) today provided a project update for the Bucko Lake
Nickel Project (Bucko) that is currently under development outside
Wabowden, Manitoba.
Surface Facilities
Work is progressing steadily on the surface facilities at Bucko, with
much of the current activity focused on the processing plant. Most of
the processing plant equipment is on-site, with some electrical
components due to arrive in the next two months. The jaw and cone
crusher are in place with structural steel for the crushing circuit
progressing. The conveyors are on-site and the conveyor sections should
be installed between now and June. Installation of the fine ore bin is
expected to begin shortly. Mechanical installation of the rod and ball
mill is close to completion, as is the mechanical installation of the
flotation circuit. The concentrate filter is in place, electrical work
on the plant's interior has begun and piping is expected to start
shortly.
In addition to work on the processing plant, the area for the Interim
Tailings Storage Facility (ITSF) has been cleared and the geotechnical
and design work is complete.
Underground Development
The new portal for the underground ramp is progressing with completion
expected by the end of May.
Two
Diamond drills are currently underground undertaking definition and
delineation drilling on the 1,000 foot level. It is expected that the
geotechnical information and assay results from this drilling should
assist in optimizing the geotechnical design and upgrading the mineable
reserve. The development underground on the 1,000 foot level has
progressed to the point that the larger mining equipment is ready to be
transported underground and then assembled to finish the remaining work
on that level and the ramps to other levels.
Paul Keller, Crowflight's VP of Operations and COO, said: "A tremendous
amount of progress has been made at Bucko since beginning construction
in November 2006. Our staff, contractors and consultants have been
working tirelessly to bring Bucko into production in the third quarter
of 2008 and we look forward to achieving this goal."
The operating costs, including on-site and off-site costs, are
projected to be $4.32 per pound of nickel produced, using a US$:Cdn$
exchange rate of 1:1. The capital cost for the Bucko Lake Nickel
Deposit development is now expected to be Cdn$86 million net of
pre-production revenue, assuming a US$:Cdn$ exchange rate of 1:1. This
compares to the Feasibility Study estimate of Cdn$66.0 million at an
exchange rate of 0.8:1.
The cost differences are attributable to the following: Cdn$6.7 million
due to capital development timing, the addition of the ITSF, the ramp
portal and surface connection to the underground internal ramp; Cdn$3.0
million for increased surface infrastructure EPCM (Engineering
Procurement and Construction Management); and Cdn$10.5 million for
additional processing plant equipment, foreign exchange differences and
increased structural steel and concrete foundation costs.
The inclusion of the ramp portal, the ITSF and additional processing
plant equipment, which will enable the processing plant to process up
to 1,500 tonnes of ore per day, were not included in the original scope
of the Feasibility Study. The ramp connection to surface will open new
production areas sooner in the life-of-mine schedule and will provide
operational flexibility. The addition of the ITSF is necessary to begin
operations in 2008 due to delays in the federal permitting of Bucko
Lake as a tailings storage facility (see Press Release dated March 28,
2008).
Mike Hoffman, Crowflight's President and CEO, said: "One striking
advantage of Bucko compared to other mining projects currently being
developed throughout the world is that the overall capital costs are
moderate in relation to future expected cash flow, especially
considering that nickel prices have recently averaged US$12-14 per
pound. Many of the cost increases are attributable to scope changes not
included in the original Feasibility Study and are designed to add
further value to the Bucko Project. These enhancements are necessary to
tap into the further potential we believe exists at Bucko. Some of the
other cost increases, such as steel and concrete, are consistent with
those of other companies currently building mines."
During 2007, Cdn$35.3 million was spent on Bucko construction, which
includes the main electrical installation, hoist and headframe
installation, processing plant foundations and steel, shaft de-watering
and rehabilitation, rehabilitation of the 1000 Level exploration drift,
purchasing new and used equipment, refurbishing used equipment and EPCM
to date.
Additional information, including Crowflight's Financial Statements and
Management Discussion and Analysis, can be found electronically on the
System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") through
Crowflight's profile at www.sedar.com
The current construction schedule estimates that the commissioning of
the processing plant will occur in July and August of 2008, with cash
flow from concentrate sales beginning shortly thereafter. Full
commercial production is expected in early 2009.
Crowflight Minerals - Canada's Next Nickel Producer.
Crowflight Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: CML) is a Canadian junior mining
exploration and development company focused on nickel, copper and
Platinum Group Mineral (PGM) projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt and
Sudbury Basin. The Company currently owns and/or has under option
approximately 800 square kilometres of exploration and development
properties in Manitoba and Ontario.
Crowflight's priority is to bring the fully-funded Bucko Lake Nickel
Project located near Wabowden, Manitoba into production by the third
quarter of 2008.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements.
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the
information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such
forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans",
"proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may",
"will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated
capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of
updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory
approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to
be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially
from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks
inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these
factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned
not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as
otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the
Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly
forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Further information is available on the Company's website at
www.crowflight.com or contact:
Mike Hoffman
President and CEO
Crowflight Minerals
Tel: (416) 861-2964
Heather Colpitts
Manager, Investor and Public Relations
Crowflight Minerals
Tel: (416) 861-5803
info@crowflight.com
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Copyright (c) 2008 CROWFLIGHT MINERALS INC. (CML) All rights reserved.
For more information visit our website at http://www.crowflight.com/
or send mailto:info@crowflight.com
Message sent on Thu May 8, 2008 at 7:14:06 AM Pacific Time
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