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News Releases
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June 22, 2015
Mawson Notified of Re-Appeal by NGO in Finland
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Vancouver, Canada - Mawson Resources Limited ("Mawson") or (the "Company") (TSX:MAW) (Frankfurt:MXR) (PINKSHEETS: MWSNF) announces the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, a non-governmental organization ("NGO") has appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court, against a decision by the Northern Finland Administrative Court to uphold all aspects of an exploration permit granted by the Finnish Mining Authority ("TUKES"), that entitles Mawson deeper drill rig access within a Natura 2000 biodiversity area during winter conditions.
Key Points:
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This appeal will not stop Mawson advancing its exploration program. The Company will continue to work under its current permit conditions, which includes the right to drill with man-portable rigs to test the Palokas gold discovery, with recent results including 19.6m @ 7.5 g/t gold from 18.1 metres (see Mawson Press Release May 19 2015). This work program is not subject to re-appeal.
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On May 21, 2015, the Northern Finland Administrative Court (the "Court") comprehensively rejected an initial appeal by the NGO group against the TUKES exploration permit decision;
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On June 18, 2015, the NGO appealed the Regional Administrative Court's decision to the Supreme Administrative Court;
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The Supreme Court process could take 3-12 months depending on how the court elects to deal with the appeal.
Mr. Michael Hudson, President & CEO states, "Mawson will continue to work alongside all authorities and local people to drill the Palokas gold discovery, according to our current permit conditions. Despite establishing significant goodwill over the last 18 months with the NGO, I am disappointed they have chosen to re-appeal an unambiguous decision by the lower court. Of course, this is their legal right until the new Finnish Government's New Governmental Coalition Program is enacted. However, over the last year four administrative bodies have found that Mawson's exploration work, carried out as permitted, does not present any significant risks to nature, environment, animals, other livelihoods, or people in Palokas area or its vicinity.
Our position is that the NGO has an obligation to stick to legal facts that can be verified and listen to the local people who overwhelmingly support Mawson to continue our exploration work. The Regional Administrative Court has already provided a clear legal decision, and it appears that the aim of the NGO is to delay Mawson's research by any means available. This again causes added and irrelevant burden to Finland's court system and a direct loss of jobs. It is a shame the NGO has failed to listen to Finnish civil society."
While too late for this current legal process, Mawson welcomes the recently elected Finnish Government's New Governmental Coalition Program, which limits access to the Supreme Administrative Court in environmental and construction matters. In addition, neighboring village associations to the project and the local Ylitornio municipality have demonstrated strong support for Mawson's exploration work. A recent communique from the Meltosjärvi Village Association (https://meltosharju.wordpress.com/) outlines this rationale.
Mawson will continue to work under its current permit conditions, which includes drilling from August 1, 2015 at the Palokas gold discovery with the Company's Winkie hand portable drill rig, which has recently produced results including 19.6m @ 7.5 g/t gold from 18.1 metres (see Mawson Press Release May 19 2015). This work program is not subject to re-appeal and is planned to restart after an EU-directive bird nesting exclusion period. As is standard Company practice, an inventory of habitats and vegetation mapping of the planned drill sites will be recorded for monitoring and assessment of exploration impacts.
The Supreme Administrative Court will prepare an initial review and draft decision of the appeal to establish questions of law and the facts of the appeal. This will include a compilation of the case file and written submissions and observations from all parties. This process typically takes 3-4 months and can lead to appeal rejection. If the case continues to the Supreme Administrative Court Chamber, deliberations and the decision in Supreme Administrative Court take, on average, one year from the start of the initial review. As the decision impacts the livelihoods of many local people, Mawson will make application to the Court to hear the appeal in a timely manner.
About Mawson Resources Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, PINKSHEETS:MWSNF)
Mawson Resources Limited is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rompas and Rajapalot gold projects in Finland.
The qualified person for Mawson's Finnish projects, Mr. Michael Hudson, President & CEO for Mawson and Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.
On behalf of the Board,
"Michael Hudson"
Michael Hudson, President & CEO
Investor Information
www.mawsonresources.com
1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7
Mariana Bermudez +1 (604) 685 9316
Email: [email protected]
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
View the release in PDF format:
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You can view the Previous News Releases item: Tue Jun 9, 2015, Mawson Receives Favourable Administrative Court Ruling in Finland
Hallinto-oikeudelta Mawsonin kannalta myönteinen päätös
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