=======================================================================
Re: News Releases - Tuesday, December 16, 2008
BacTech Partners with University of Toronto Researchers to
Advance its Bioleaching Technology
=======================================================================
Toronto, Canada, December 16, 2008 - BacTech Mining Corporation
("BacTech" or the "Company", TSX.V: BM) is pleased to announce that is
has begun working with University of Toronto researchers, Dr. Grant
Ferris and Dr. Chris Kennedy. Dr. Ferris, a Professor in the
University's Department of Geology, is also the Director of the
Microbial Geochemistry Laboratory ("MGL"), with over 25 years of
experience investigating the interaction of metals and bacteria. Dr.
Kennedy, also a member of MGL, has 10 years' experience investigating
microbial-metal interactions ranging from modern day volcanogenic
massive sulphide and iron oxide deposits, to nuclear waste geological
repositories, and also has experience in mining corporate finance.
Dr. Kennedy will be consulting with BacTech's Vice President of
Technology and Engineering, Dr. Paul Miller, to further develop
BacTech's bioleaching technology. The analytical facilities in the MGL
and the Department of Geology are uniquely suited for bioleaching test
work, and the partnership created here will assist BacTech in
developing site specific solutions for the processing of difficult to
treat ore and tailings in an environmentally responsible and
economically beneficial manner. Dr. Miller stated, "This is a great
step forward in enabling BacTech to progress our technology, as well as
adding a greater capability when assessing environmental remediation
projects such as at Cobalt, Ontario."
Microbial Geochemistry Laboratory website:
http://www.geomicrobiology.ca/
BACTECH PROFILE
BacTech has developed and patented bacterial oxidation technology for
the treatment of refractory ores and concentrates to enhance the
recovery of gold, silver and base metals. BacTech has successfully
commissioned three bioleach plants for gold and demonstrated its
technology in the selective recovery of base metals from complex
sulphide concentrates in a joint project with Industrias Pe�oles de
C.V. of Mexico that was completed in 2001. The Company's focus is the
acquisition of equity positions in projects amenable to bioleaching. In
June, the Company signed an agreement to acquire Yamana Gold Inc.'s 33%
interest in two refractory gold deposits in Papua New Guinea. BacTech
is also active in the Cobalt region of Ontario, studying the use of
bioleaching as an environmental reclamation technology.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company,
certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking
statements". Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized
by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe,"
"anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events
or conditions "may" or "will" occur.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of
management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent
risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral
properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results
and other ecological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of
project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses,
uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing
needed in the future and other factors described in the section
entitled "Risks" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis
for the Year Ended December 31, 2007. Circumstances or management's
estimates or opinions could change. The reader is cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
- 30 -
For further information contact:
Ross Orr, President & CEO, 416-813-0303 ext 222
Investor Relations:
Pierre Anglos 1-800-436-2027 Email: capitalgainsco@shaw.ca
Shares outstanding 60,107,206
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept any
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
=======================================================================
Copyright (c) 2008 BACTECH MINING CORPORATION (BM) All rights
reserved. For more information visit our website at
http://www.bactech.com/ or send mailto:info@bactech.com
=======================================================================
.