TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2012) - Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (News - Market indicators) ("Montero") announces that it has increased its shareholding interest in the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element Project in Tanzania by a further 10.81% from the original 70% shareholding to an 80.81% interest in the project. The increase in Montero's interest is pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement signed last year with our partner RSR (Tanzania) Ltd. on September 22, 2011 (see news release dated 04/10/2011).
Montero has submitted the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report ("ESIA"), including a non-technical executive summary for the potential to mine rare earth elements, to the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) in Tanzania. The ESIA is a crucial step in obtaining the Environmental Permit, required for the Mining License application for a mining operation to commence on a portion of the Wigu Hill Project area upon completion of feasibility work.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero commented, "With a further increase in our interest in the Wigu Hill REE Project, our equity stake in our flagship project is secured and we are advancing the project to a mining stage. The submission of the ESIA to NEMC is a further step towards the application of a mining licence and the requirement for a feasibility study. Montero remains focused on de-risking the Wigu Hill Project and targeting a fast-track strategy for early production of rare earths. Discussions with potential strategic and off-take partners continues and we are pleased to report how our fast-track strategy is advancing."
About Montero Mining & Exploration
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration and development company engaged in its flagship Rare Earth Elements (REE) Project Wigu Hill in Tanzania, has phosphate assets in South Africa and uranium assets in Tanzania and Quebec, Canada. The flagship Wigu Hill REE Project is a high-grade, undeveloped Light Rare Earth Element deposit, where the current focus is on the fast track strategy to advance a portion of the large deposit to the mining and production stage in the short-term whilst defining a larger deposit and further advancing the hydro-metallurgical testwork with Mintek. With China's control over export quotas, it is becoming imperative that the rest of the world develops new rare earth resources to meet the increasing demand from "green" technology and high-tech applications.
Montero's growth strategy is to de-risk the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project and bring this to account through eventual rare earth production and cash flow, while operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and CEO
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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.