TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlanta Gold Inc. (the 'Company') (TSXV: ATG; OTC Pink: ATLDF) announces that its subsidiary Atlanta Gold Corporation ('AGC') has received notice that Idaho Conservation League and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center have submitted pleadings to reopen a previously closed case in the U.S. District Court in Idaho in which AGC was the defendant. These parties filed a Motion to Hold Defendant in Civil Contempt, and Impose Additional Penalties and Enforcement Remedies which alleges that AGC violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ('NPDES') permit, and that AGC did not make all payments when due to the U.S. Treasury for an earlier imposed fine.
AGC owns property in Atlanta, Idaho, that contains an abandoned mine. AGC installed a Pilot Water Treatment Facility at the mine site to treat water flowing out of the 900 level mine Adit. Since the installation of the Pilot Water Treatment Facility and subsequent improvements to that facility, AGC has consistently removed over 99% of the naturally occurring arsenic and iron from water that flows from the Adit. AGC has never mined at the Atlanta site, but has been treating the water that flows from the Adit in various capacities since 1994, with recent results of less than 10 ug/L of arsenic and 1,000 ug/L of iron, most often at non-detect levels, in compliance with the NPDES permit's requirements.
On occasions that the test levels have exceeded the effluent limits prescribed in the NPDES permit, such as during Spring runoff, or brief malfunctions in the flow or filters within the Pilot Water Treatment Facility, these were the result of AGC's inability to control the flow of water. AGC has actively been in consultation with agencies in an effort to resolve the water treatment issues in Atlanta, Idaho.
While AGC is confident that this matter can be amicably resolved, there can be no assurance that AGC will not be faced with liability nor can it presently be determined what penalties may be imposed by the Court should the claim be upheld.
About the Company
Atlanta Gold Inc. holds through its 100% owned subsidiary, Atlanta Gold Corporation ('AGC'), leases, options or ownership interests in its Atlanta properties which comprise approximately 2,159 acres (8.74 square kilometres) located 90 air kilometers east of Boise, in Elmore County, Idaho. A long history of mining makes Atlanta very suitable for development of new mining projects. The Company is focused on advancing its core asset, Atlanta, towards mine development and production.
The Company is also focused on advancing its exploration and processing methods on the Neal Property, which is located approximately 15 miles from Boise, Idaho and comprises approximately 192 acres (0.78 square kilometres). The Neal Property's geology is similar to that of the Atlanta Project and it provides the Company with all-season access to further refine the processing equipment and procedures. AGC holds a five-year lease on the Neal Property and has staked an additional seven contiguous claims on public land that was open to mineral entry.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively 'forward looking statements') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. We use words such as 'may', 'intend', 'will', 'should', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'expect', 'believe', 'estimate', 'confident' and similar terminology to identify forward looking statements, including with respect to AGC's ability to defend itself against the legal claim and the outcome thereof. Such are based upon assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, advice from its advisors, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully defend the lawsuit, the discretion of the Court and the regulatory authorities to impose fines and other penalties should the defense be unsuccessful, the Company's limited financial resources and the impact that such legal action may have on the receipt of governmental approvals, permits and licenses. Should one or more risks and uncertainties materialize or should any assumptions prove incorrect, then actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein or in any other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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