Wednesday,
October 06, 2010
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News
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Atna Reports Strong Production at Briggs Mine
Golden, CO -- Atna
Resources Ltd. ("Atna") -- (TSX:ATN -- OTCBB:ATNAF) is pleased
to report strong operating results at the Briggs Mine for the third
quarter ending September 30, 2010. The following results are in
comparison to results reported for the second quarter ending June 30,
2010.
. Gold contained in mined
ore increased by 88% to 12,390 ounces
. Total tons mined
increased by 5% to 2.7 million short tons
. Gold in crushed ore
placed on the leach pad increased by 44% to 10,300 ounces
. Gold sales increased by
10% to 6,190 ounces
. The average price for
gold sold was $1,201, an increase of 3%
. Gold dor� produced for
the first three quarters of 2010 totaled 17,160 ounces
"We are very pleased with operations at Briggs for the third
quarter. Mine productivity has improved and we expect to see continued
strong production results in the fourth quarter. Through September 30, we
have placed 6,000 ounces on the leach pads that will be recoverable in
the fourth quarter. This is over 50 percent of our estimated quarter's
production. We remain confident that our second quarter estimate for gold
production in 2010 of 25,000 to 30,000 ounces at Briggs will be
achieved," stated James Hesketh, President & CEO.
Strong production results from the mine are a result of increased mining
productivity and a 41 percent increase in ore grade for the period.
Improved mine productivity resulted from a stronger focus on equipment
availability and opening up new working faces which made the available
equipment more efficient. Mine activities in the first half of the
quarter focused on waste stripping to increase ore sources. This resulted
in increased ore tons and grade delivered to the crusher in the second
half of the quarter. Recovered gold production lagged ore deliveries for
the third quarter as initial gold recovery from ores placed on the leach
pad occurs 30 to 40 days after placement. The majority of the ounces
placed in the second half of the third quarter will be recoverable in the
fourth quarter.
For additional information on Atna Resources and the Briggs Mine, please
visit our website at www.atna.com.
This press release contains certain "forward-looking
statements," as defined in the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that
are not historical fact. They are based on the beliefs, estimates and
opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made
and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there
can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs,
estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that
could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in
these forward-looking statements include: gold production at the Briggs
Mine, the Company might encounter problems such as the significant
depreciation of metals prices; accidents and other risks associated with
mining exploration and development operations; the risk that the Company
will encounter unanticipated geological factors; the Company's need for
and ability to obtain additional financing; the possibility that the
Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental
clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration and
development programs; and the other risk factors discussed in greater
detail in the Company's various filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) with
Canadian securities regulators and its filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 2009 Form 20-F dated
March 26, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
James Hesketh, President and CEO - (303) 278-8464
Valerie Kimball, Investor Relations - toll free (877) 692-8182
www.atna.com
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