16th Sep 2009 15:29
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NEWS RELEASE 09-26 September 16, 2009 www.first-quantum.com |
First Quantum Minerals SUSPENDS CONSTRUCTION AT KOLWEZI PROJECT
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company", TSX Symbol "FM", LSE Symbol "FQM") announces that as of September 16, 2009, it has suspended construction at its Kolwezi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC").
The Kolwezi Project exploitation permit is held under the terms of a Contract of Association, by Kingamyambo Musonoi Tailings SARL ("KMT"), which is owned by the Company: 65%; La Générale Des Carrières et Des Mines ("Gécamines"): 12.5%; Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa ("IDC"): 10%; the International Finance Corporation ("IFC"): 7.5%; and the Government of the DRC: 5%.
The suspension follows the issuance of an order by the General Prosecutor of Katanga to seal KMT's facilities. The Company has been advised, by its lawyers, that such an order is illegal, for the following reasons:
- the General Prosecutor is not allowed to order such measures, especially without a court order;
- the order is referring to the "spirit" of the letter of the General Attorney of August 21, 2009 as its basis, which is not a proper legal basis especially as the Attorney General's letter does not provide for such actions;
- sealing is usually associated with financial matters, like non-payment of taxes, which is not the case with KMT.
The Company has filed notices of force majeure, effective immediately, under both the DRC Mining Code and Contract of Association, which were necessary in response to actions taken by the DRC government to cancel or revoke the exploitation permit and interfere with the Company's activities. The government's actions followed a letter sent to the Company with respect to the KMT Project and the DRC mining contract revisitation, which purported to try to establish the basis on which the Kolwezi Project may be cancelled.
Construction of the Project is at an advanced stage (approximately 65% complete) and was on schedule to start commissioning in May 2010. Initial production rates are expected to be 35,000 tonnes copper and 7,000 tonnes cobalt per year, rising to 70,000 tonnes copper and 14,000 tonnes cobalt within 2 years.
The Company regrets that the suspension will result in the immediate loss of approximately 700 jobs in the Kolwezi area, loss of tax revenues to the DRC government, and an indefinite delay in commissioning of the Kolwezi Project, which was targeted for May 2010.
The Company and the Kolwezi Project's other contributing partners, the IFC and the IDC, remain firmly of the view that the DRC government's actions have no legal basis. While the Company is preparing to file for International Arbitration pursuant to the Contract of Association, it will continue to seek an alternative solution to the claims, which have resulted from the mining contract revisitation process, and will provide further updates as warranted.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors 12g3-2b-82-4461
of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Listed in Standard and Poor's
G. Clive Newall
President
For further information visit our web site at www.first-quantum.com
North American contact: Sharon Loung 8th Floor, 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1X8 Tel: (647) 346-3934 Fax: (604) 688-3818 Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: [email protected] United Kingdom contact: Clive Newall, President 1st Floor, Mill House, Mill Bay Lane, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1TQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 140 327 3484 Fax: +44 140 327 3494 E-Mail: [email protected] Or Simon Hockridge Hogarth Partnership Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7357 9477
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
See our annual information form and our quarterly and annual management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the Company. Although we have attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of the factors are beyond our control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein, are qualified by this cautionary statement.
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