VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2013) - Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX:NCU) ("Nevada Copper" or "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the final two permits needed for the Stage 1 underground mine. The two other key permits, the State reclamation permit and the Lyon County Special Use Permit have been issued (see June 10 and June 25, 2013 News Releases).
The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection ("NDEP") issued the reclamation permit after receiving no comments during a 30 day public comment period. The Lyon County Special Use Permit was issued after a unanimous decision by the Lyon County Commission.
Water Pollution Control Permit ("WPCP")
On July 10, 2013, NDEP issued the 30-day Public Notice to issue the modified Water Pollution Control Permit allowing for Stage 1 construction and operations. Subsequent to the 30-day public review, the permit modification will be issued. Nevada Copper originally received this Water Pollution Control Permit in 2008 in order to sink the current 2,400 foot, 24 foot diameter production sized shaft currently in progress and targeted for completion by Q2-2014.
Air Pollution Control Permit ("APCP")
Nevada Copper also submitted the application for an Air Pollution Control Permit in May 2013. The application is for a Class II, or minor, permit, and the only emissions from the project were particulates (dust). The emissions inventory and air dispersion modeling completed showed that the project, as designed with emission controls, would be well within ambient air quality standards.
NDEP deemed that application administratively complete on June 28, 2013. At that time the 30-day public notice period begins and runs concurrent with the NDEP technical review. NDEP had up to 60 days to provide technical comments and provided those on July 3, 2013 to Nevada Copper. The Company will submit responses to the NDEP comments by July 18, 2013. The technical items were minor changes to drawings and emission information. Based on the timely response by both NDEP and Nevada Copper, the Company expects to receive this Air Pollution Control Permit in August 2013.
Issuance of both the Water Pollution Control Permit and Air Pollution Control Permit are expected in August 2013.
Tim Dyhr, Vice-President of Environment and External Relations for Nevada Copper, stated: "Nevada Copper has worked diligently over the past six years with Nevada regulators to insure that the Pumpkin Hollow project is protective of the environment. We have now operated under the original 2008 permit for five years and have developed a cooperative and transparent relationship with both the local community and NDEP that has facilitated the receipt of these permit modifications."
Nevada Copper currently holds an Air Quality Surface Area Disturbance permit, so site civil work can commence at any time. Shaft construction is included under previous permits and is well underway. Detailed engineering for mining and processing is progressing and the construction schedule can easily be accommodated by the projected receipt of the last two permits needed.
For additional information about Nevada Copper please visit our website at Nevada Copper Corp.
Giulio T. Bonifacio, President & CEO
Cautionary Language: We seek safe harbour.
