VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/02/12 -- Abacus Mining and Exploration Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AME) ("Abacus" or the "Company") announces that it has initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value and is in discussions to engage a financial advisor to assist in the process.
As part of the strategic review, the financial advisor will undertake an independent evaluation of the Ajax project and the value attributable to Abacus. The process will encompass a thorough analysis and evaluation of the prospects and options available to the Company. Abacus will consider all options, which may include a joint venture, sale, merger, strategic investment or other alternatives identified by the Company or the financial advisor that will serve to maximize shareholder value.
Tom McKeever, Chairman of Abacus, explained, "The decision to initiate an external process at this time coincides with the completion of a robust feasibility study in December 2011 on the Ajax copper-gold project, being developed with joint venture partner KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. ("KGHM"). While KGHM's initial investment of $37 million was essential to bring the Ajax project to the feasibility stage, Abacus has invested a significant amount on exploration and development since acquiring the Ajax copper-gold camp in 2002 from Teck. We now intend to fully maximize our 20% interest in the camp for our shareholders as soon as practicable."
There can be no assurances that the Company will pursue or complete a business combination or sale. The Board of Directors will review all possible strategic alternatives and weigh the relative benefits of such alternatives to shareholders. The Company does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the progress of its strategic alternatives review process until such time as the Board of Directors approves or completes a transaction or otherwise determines that further disclosure is appropriate or required.
On Behalf of the Board,
ABACUS MINING AND EXPLORATION CORPORATION
James D. Excell, President & CEO
Donna Yoshimatsu, Director, Investor Relations
About Abacus
Abacus is a mineral exploration and mine development company with a 49% interest in the feasibility stage Ajax copper-gold project located near Kamloops, B.C. The Ajax project is a joint venture between Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp. and KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. ("KGHM") through KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. ("KGHM Ajax").
The Ajax project feasibility study supports production of a total of 2.5 billion lbs of copper and 2.28 million ozs of gold in concentrate, or an average of approximately 109 million lbs of copper and 99,000 ozs of gold annually, over a 23 year mine life. Total proven and probable mineral reserves are estimated at 3 billion lbs Cu and 2.7 million ozs Au at 0.27% Cu and 0.17 g/t Au based on $2.50 Cu and $1,085 Au. The proposed mine plan envisages a conventional open pit operation processing 60,000 tonnes per day or 21.9 million tonnes per year of ore. (see Report titled "Ajax Copper/Gold Project - Kamloops, British Columbia Feasibility Study Technical Report" by Wardrop (a Tetra Tech Company) dated January 6, 2012 ("FS"))
Forward-Looking Information
This release includes certain statements that are deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Abacus expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include changes to commodity prices, mine and metallurgical recovery, operating and capital costs,foreign exchange rates, ability to obtain required permits on a timely basis, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
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.
Contacts:
Abacus Mining and Exploration Corp.
James D. Excell
President & CEO
jexcell@amemining.com
Abacus Mining and Exploration Corp.
Donna Yoshimatsu
Director, Investor Relations
(647) 345-0826
dyoshimatsu@amemining.com
www.amemining.com
