BACK FORTY MINE ANNOUNCES WETLANDS PERMIT APPROVAL
STEPHENSON, Mich. June 4, 2018 – Today, Back Forty Mine (“Company”) announced that following a rigorous review process, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) has issued the Company a wetlands, lakes, and streams permit (“Wetlands Permit”). The issued Wetlands Permit also includes conditions requested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The provisions strengthen protections for water quality and other natural resources.
“We commend the work of everyone involved with this process. Community members, local leaders, state and federal regulators have all left their mark on this Wetlands Permit. This is a very significant milestone and we believe this collective effort has resulted in a robust environmental permitting process that allows us to move forward and build a world class mining operation”, said Mike Welch, Chief Operating Officer of Aquila Resources.
The Wetlands Permit is the final permit required to build and operate the mine. The MDEQ previously issued the Company the Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining permit, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and the Air Use Permit to Install permit.
Back Forty Mine will commence pre-construction activities immediately. This phase includes; completion of the feasibility study, finalization of the Project Execution Plan that allows preparation for the construction and operational readiness of the Back Forty Mine, and continued discussions with prospective financial partners to secure necessary project capital to build the mine.
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ABOUT BACK FORTY MINE
Back Forty Mine is Aquila Resources’ 100% owned permitting stage zinc- and gold-rich mine located in Menominee County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Blondeau
Manager, Communications
Phone (434) 906-0594
dblondeau@aquilaresources.com
WITH FEDERAL AGENCY LETTER, BACK FORTY MINE CLEARS PERMIT HURDLE
STEPHENSON, Mich. May 4, 2018 – Today, Back Forty Mine (“Company”) announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) removed a majority of its objections to the Company’s wetland/stream/floodplain permit (“Wetlands Permit”). The EPA had expressed its concerns in a March 8, 2018, letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”).
In a letter to the MDEQ dated May 3, 2018, EPA said there is a pathway forward to resolve the remaining objections through MDEQ’s inclusion of specific conditions in a final Wetlands Permit. After reviewing the proposed permit conditions, we’re confident that we can meet the requirements.
The MDEQ has until June 6, 2018, to work with the Company to ensure that the proposed permit conditions fully address the EPA’s concerns. We’re confident that we can meet the EPA’s requirements within the prescribed timeframe.
We commend the EPA, MDEQ and our team for more than two years of hard work and careful attention they’ve dedicated to reviewing this permit. The agencies followed a rigorous process, leaving no stone unturned. The proposed conditions strengthen protections for water quality and other natural resources.
We look forward to final regulatory approval of the Wetlands Permit. This permit is the fourth and final permit required to construct and operate the Back Forty Mine.
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ABOUT BACK FORTY MINE
Back Forty Mine is Aquila Resources’ 100% owned permitting stage zinc- and gold-rich mine located in Menominee County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Blondeau
Manager, Communications
Phone (434) 906-0594
dblondeau@aquilaresources.com
AQUILA RESOURCES PROVIDES PERMIT APPLICATION UPDATE
- MICHIGAN REGULATORS DEEM BACK FORTY WETLANDS PERMIT APPLICATION ADMINISTRATIVELY COMPLETE AND PUBLIC NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED -
TORONTO, Dec. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Aquila Resources Inc. (TSX: AQA)("Aquila" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") has deemed Aquila's wetland/steam/floodplain permit application for the Back Forty Project administratively complete and the regulatory technical review process can now move to the next stage. This is the fourth and final permit required to build and operate the Back Forty Project, a planned open-pit, zinc-gold mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Today, the MDEQ issued their public notice, along with an announcement of a January 23, 2018 public hearing as requested by Aquila. The MDEQ review process, along with the public hearing provides the community with opportunities to comment on the permit application. In addition, the MDEQ will gather input from various regulatory agencies, including from the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA").
A final permit decision is expected from the MDEQ in the first half of 2018.
ABOUT AQUILA RESOURCES
Aquila Resources Inc. (TSX: AQA) is a development-stage company with strategic assets in the Great Lakes Region. The company's experienced management team is currently focused on advancing permitting activities for its 100%-owned gold- and zinc-rich Back Forty Project in Michigan.
Aquila's flagship Back Forty Project is an open pit volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit with underground potential located along the mineral-rich Penokean Volcanic Belt in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Project contains approximately 1 billion pounds of zinc and 1 million ounces of gold in the M&I categories, with additional upside potential. Currently Aquila is trying to secure the final State permit required to build and operate Back Forty while completing a Feasibility Study.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" 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" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statement with respect to: (i) the economic analysis contained in the PEA; (ii) the development plan of the PEA and results thereof; (iii) capital expenditure programs; (iv) the quality or quantity of the mineral resources subject to estimates by Aquila; and (v) work plans to be conducted by Aquila.
These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Aquila to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. Aquila expressly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents Aquila's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Shares Outstanding: 331,009,296
SOURCE Aquila Resources Inc.
BACK FORTY MINE PERMIT UPDATE
STEPHENSON, Mich. Dec. 8, 2017 – The MDEQ has deemed Aquila's wetland/stream/floodplain permit application for the Back Forty Mine administratively complete and the regulatory technical review process can now move to the next stage. The updated application provides additional information to assist the MDEQ in its evaluation of wetland impacts associated with the mine. For example, the application accounts for new land acquired by Aquila and changes to the project footprint that minimize the potential for any off-site impacts to wetlands.
As requested by Aquila, a public hearing has been granted and will take place at the Stephenson High School on January 23, 2018 from 6 PM to 10 PM. The MDEQ review process, along with the public hearing provides the community with opportunities to comment on the permit application. In addition, the MDEQ will gather input from various regulatory agencies, including from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
We encourage supporters of the mine to add a comment on the MDEQ website in support of the permit application. Documents related to the permit and a comment form can be found on the MDEQ website.
The original announcement from Aquila can be read here.
AQUILA RESOURCES RESUBMITS WETLANDS PERMIT
Decision expected on fourth and final permit in early 2018
STEPHENSON, Mich. Nov. 16, 2017 – Back Forty announces that upon suppling additional information to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Aquila Resources has re-submitted our wetlands permit application to the agency.
Once the wetlands application is deemed administratively complete, the MDEQ will begin the public hearing process. This will be done within 60 days of the final application’s completion. A list of public notices and hearings is located on the MDEQ website.
ABOUT AQUILA RESOURCES
Aquila Resources Inc. (TSX: AQA) is a development-stage company with strategic assets in the Great Lakes Region. The company’s experienced management team is currently focused on advancing permitting activities for its 100%-owned gold- and zinc-rich Back Forty Project in Michigan.
Aquila’s flagship Back Forty Project is an open pit volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit with underground potential located along the mineral-rich Penokean Volcanic Belt in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Project contains approximately 1 billion pounds of zinc and 1 million ounces of gold in the M&I categories, with additional upside potential. Currently Aquila is trying to secure the final State permit required to build and operate Back Forty while completing a Feasibility Study.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” 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” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statement with respect to: (i) the economic analysis contained in the PEA; (ii) the development plan of the PEA and results thereof; (iii) capital expenditure programs; (iv) the quality or quantity of the mineral resources subject to estimates by Aquila; and (v) work plans to be conducted by Aquila.
These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Aquila to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. Aquila expressly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents Aquila’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Shares Outstanding: 331,009,296
SOURCE Aquila Resources Inc.