Press Release
Unico, Inc. Announces the Addition of a New Photo Gallery and Video Clips
Showing the Progress of Equipment Startup Testing at the Mill and Processing
Facility at the Deer Trail Mine
Issued Thursday December 6, 11:17 am ET
Video Clips Show Startup Testing of Ball Mill and Testing of Feed Conveyor
Belts
SAN DIEGO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2007--Unico, Incorporated (OTC BB: UCOI),
a natural resource company in the precious metals mining sector, today
announced the addition of a new photo gallery and video clips on the company's
corporate website, www.unicomining.com, showing the progress of equipment
startup testing at the mill and processing facility at the Deer Trail Mine in
Marysvale, Utah.
The new photo gallery and video clips showing the equipment startup testing has
been added to the "Media" section of the Unico website at
www.unicomining.com./news/othermedia.php.
The new photo gallery and two of the video clips show testing of the feed
conveyor belts that transport ore to the fine ore storage silos. During the
testing, a 30-ton lot was placed in the feed hopper and successfully sent up
the feed belts. All belts have been correctly timed to work in conjunction with
each other to help prevent overfeeding of the next belt in line. The transfer
belt used to feed ore between both silos was tested, and a number of minor
necessary adjustments are currently being made to ensure efficiency.
The newly purchased motor and variable frequency drive (VFD) has been
installed, and Energy Management Corporation (http://www.emcsolutions.com/) of
Salt Lake City arrived onsite to inspect the installation and commission the
startup. The VFD perimeters were programmed to allow the speed of the mill to
be both increased and decreased, and controls were put into place to prevent
the mill from being operated past its critical speed. The display of the VFD at
startup is shown in the new photo gallery.
Testing of the ball mill has resumed and minor adjustments have been made to
the pinion bearings by increasing the clearance between the bearing caps and the
pinion shaft. As a result of the adjustments, the temperature at which the
bearings operate was significantly reduced. A one-hour test run was
initiated and temperature readings of the reconditioned trunion bearings and
the pinion bearings were observed at one-minute intervals. The outcome of the
test run showed only a moderate increase in temperature and concluded that the
mill is safe to operate.
Two video clips added to the website show the operation of the ball mill during
the startup testing, and a photograph of the new 250-horsepower motor is shown
in the photo gallery.
The Gallagher pumps that will be used to move the process slurry between the
floatation rougher, scavenger and cleaner cells have been installed. Testing of
the pumps and piping is scheduled to begin shortly. The test will be conducted
with water to check for proper flow and integrity of the pipes installed
throughout the mill.
The construction of the addition to the onsite laboratory is in the final
stages with installation of the exterior siding and painting currently
underway. One section of the new photo gallery shows recent progress of the
laboratory expansion. Laboratory equipment is being moved into permanent
locations within the newly built space. The new laboratory facility is expected
to be fully operational within the next several days. The laboratory expansion
will allow a more streamlined process for preparations of mill and mine assay
samples. The additional space also provides room to conduct larger bench-type
flotation tests and room for large pilot-type testing.
"The new photo gallery and video clips have been posted to the Unico
website so that shareholders are able to see firsthand the progress we have
been reporting in our recent news releases," commented Mark A. Lopez,
chief executive officer of Unico, Inc. "As we complete the equipment
startup testing and bring the facility closer to operational status, we expect
to continue to add media to the website, particularly additional video clips
that can add a new perspective on how the facility operates."
In August 2007, Unico announced that it had completed the purchase of the Deer
Trail Mine for its Deer Trail Mining Company subsidiary.
Shareholders who would like to sign up to receive information by email directly
from Unico, Inc., including when newsletters are issued and posted to the
company website, are asked to visit the company's website at
http://www.unicomining.com/IR/mailinglist.php and fill in the appropriate
fields.
About Unico, Inc.
Unico, Inc. (OTC BB: UCOI) is a publicly traded natural resource company in the
precious metals mining sector that is focused on the exploration, development
and production of gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper concentrates at its
three mine properties: the Deer Trail Mine, the Bromide Basin Mine and the
Silver Bell Mine. The company has also announced agreements to acquire over 70
additional mining claims. In August 2007, Unico announced that its wholly owned
Deer Trail Mining Company subsidiary had completed the purchase of the Deer
Trail Mine from Crown Mines, LLC. For more information, please visit
www.unicomining.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and such Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. The company may experience
significant fluctuations in operating results due to a number of economic,
competitive and other factors. These factors could cause operation results to
vary significantly from those in prior periods, and those projected in
forward-looking statements. Information with respect to these factors, which
could materially affect the company and its operations, are included on certain
forms the company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Gemini Financial Communications, Inc.
A. Beyer
951-677-8073
investors@unicomining.com
OTC Financial Network
Rick McCaffrey
781-444-6100, x625
rick@otcfn.com
www.otcfn.com/ucoi
. 