Press
Release
Unico, Inc. Announces Updated Reconstruction Progress
and Additional Equipment Testing at the Deer Trail Mill and Processing Facility
Issued Thursday March 20, 9:07 am ET
Reconstruction Work and Testing Targeted at New Mill Building Prior to
Completion
SAN DIEGO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Mar. 20, 2008--Unico,
Incorporated (OTC BB: UCOI), a natural resource company in the precious metals
mining sector, today announced additional progress of reconstruction work and
additional equipment testing at the mill and processing facility at the Deer
Trail Mine in Marysvale, Utah.
A new photo gallery showing the additional reconstruction work is expected to
be added to the Media section of the Unico website,
http://www.unicomining.com, in the next several days.
The reconstruction work included testing of the Eimco filter in the new mill
building. The electrical has been connected to the filter. During testing it
was noted that the lower gearbox seals were leaking gear oil, so new seals are
being ordered and will be installed immediately after arrival onsite. The
scrapers that help in removing material from the filter disc have been
replaced. Currently, the filter sectors are being aligned to help keep them
square and plumb during operation.
The electrical connections to the filtrate pumps that will be used to circulate
the water that passes through the filter sectors from the mill tailings and
floatation concentrate have been completed. New belts and pulley have been
installed on one of the pumps. Both filtrate pumps have been tested, after which
it was determined that they were mechanically sound to operate. The piping that
transports the filtrate water back to the recycled water tanks is currently
being installed.
A new electrical panel built by Energy Management Corporation
(http://www.emcsolutions.com) of Salt
Lake City has been commissioned. The panel includes
ten variable frequency drives (VFDs) and is being utilized to operate numerous
pumps and equipment throughout the new mill building. The VFDs will allow the
company to set into sequence key components such as the Eimco filter and the
thickened tailings being pumped from the thickener. In addition to providing
additional flexibility, the variable frequency drives are expected to produce
long-term energy savings.
Electrical connections to the thickener, which will be primarily used to
thicken tailings, are currently being made, as is the testing of the lifting
and rake mechanisms. The pump that will be used to transport thickened tailings
to the Eimco filter has been purchased and delivered. The necessary piping is
currently being installed.
The two ten thousand gallon tanks that will be used to hold the recycled water
that overflows from the thickener and the water from the filtrate pumps have
been tested for leaks, and all leaks have been welded closed. The pump that
will be used to distribute recycled water throughout both buildings has been
installed and the electrical connections completed. Testing is slated to begin
in the next several days.
"There has been considerable progress in the equipment start-up testing
and reconstruction work in the new mill building since our last update,"
commented Mark A. Lopez, chief executive officer of Unico, Inc. "As work
continues in both mill buildings, we will provide additional updates on our reconstruction
progress and equipment testing at every opportunity as we get closer to
completing the mill for processing operations at the site."
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
. 