Metalline Issues Q & A in Response to Shareholder Questions
October 14 2008 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Metalline
Mining Company (AMEX:MMG) is issuing this news release in order to
address commonly asked shareholder questions. Q: Why did Metalline
change its feasibility study from utilizing underground mining to
open pit mining? A: The understanding of the nature of the zinc
resource at Sierra Mojada has changed appreciably since we started
evaluating it in 2005. As a result of continued drilling and
application of a less constrained geologic framework, a new
resource model completed by Pincock, Allen & Holt, ("PAH") more
than doubles the zinc metal content of the Oxide Zinc
mineralization, which now includes an appreciable amount of silver.
With the recent receipt of the much larger oxide zinc resource
model, a new open pit optimization indicates that higher production
rates and economies of scale are possible, and preliminary economic
evaluation suggests open pit mining to be the more economic mining
method. Consequently, the underground mine plan, concentrator and
test mining were suspended in order to evaluate a much larger scale
operation. This larger scale operation is intended to exploit both
the now much larger Oxide Zinc (plus silver) mineralization and the
Silver Polymetallic mineralization, which is currently the focus of
our exploration drilling activities. Overall, given the present
uncertain financial and commodity market conditions, drilling to
define additional resource is the most productive way to add
project and shareholder value. Q: When does Metalline project that
its feasibility study will be complete? A: Metalline is putting all
feasibility study work, except the resource model work by PAH, on
hold to concentrate on drilling the two mineral systems: the Oxide
Zinc and the Silver Polymetallic mineralization. The new Oxide Zinc
block model resource and open pit studies are complete. The
resource block models, for both mineral systems, will be used to
guide the required drill definition of the resources. Results of
this work should allow Metalline to revise our plans and schedules
and assist us in estimating the date for the completion of our
feasibility study. The initial evaluation of the open pit mining
method makes it clear that an open pit mining method will be more
efficient. Open pit mines are generally faster to develop than
underground mines. For the life of the mine, approximately 500
million tons of overlying rock would be mined to expose the oxide
zinc mineralization. We know that there are significant amounts of
this material that contain silver, copper, zinc, and lead in
concentrations that are potentially exploitable. However, we do not
know exactly how much of this material is present, precisely where
it is located, or enough about its characteristics to evaluate and
select methods for its recovery. Our drilling program and resource
modeling is required to answer these questions. The larger the
silver polymetallic resource proves to be, the longer it will take
to complete the drilling. We are following a phased approach in
order to evaluate costs and schedules as we obtain results. When we
have a final resource model, the end date of the feasibility study
can be estimated. As material developments occur on this issue, the
Company will update its shareholders. Q: Does Metalline plan to
reduce its monthly expenses? A: Metalline will adjust spending in
consideration of available resources and the tasks to be performed.
Metalline's management and board of directors monitors its overall
costs and expenses and, if necessary, adjusts its programs and
planned expenditures in an attempt to ensure we have sufficient
operating capital. We are evaluating our costs and planned
expenditures for our on-going project at our Sierra Mojada mining
concessions. Accordingly, and as described in the question above,
we cannot reasonably forecast the completion date of our
feasibility study or its total costs until we have the results of
additional drilling. Except for the resource model work by PAH, the
engineering contractors who had been working on the feasibility
study are currently on standby until the size of the resource is
determined and their studies can be continued. In addition, we have
reduced our workforce at Sierra Mojada by approximately 20%, and
taken other measures to reduce site expenses. Q: How does Metalline
plan to fund its continued exploration plans? A: Metalline plans to
use its on-hand available working capital to continue our
exploration plans. However, our exploration plans and general
corporate expenditures will be monitored, and may be amended, to
ensure we have sufficient working capital to fund our on-going
operations. In the future, Metalline may consider various manners
to raise capital when we determine it is in our shareholders' best
interests. As described in our public filings, we may explore
capital raising options to continue the on- going exploration of
the silver mineralization north of the Sierra Mojada fault, to fund
preliminary mine development, and to maintain adequate working
capital for on-going plans and expenditures. However, Metalline
cannot assure shareholders that debt or equity financing will be
available to the Company or available on terms that Metalline
believes are in our shareholders' best interests. Metalline is
considering other strategic alternatives to further the development
of our Sierra Mojada project and develop our business. Q: When will
Metalline disclose the results of its recent drilling activities?
A: We are currently planning a drill program and considering
operating plans and costs. At present, we plan on continuing work
with five drills. Metalline will release the results of its
drilling program when material developments and results are
available. However, it is important to recognize that regulations
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) severely
limit the amount of detail Metalline can disclose. The SEC requires
that a feasibility study demonstrate that a new project is legally
and economically practical before the tonnage, grade, and
reliability of mineral reserves can be published. Under most
circumstances, the SEC does not allow reporting companies to
publish estimates of the size or grade of mineralized material
unless a full feasibility study has been completed and the
inspection, sampling, and measurement of such reserves meet the
requirements set forth by the SEC. Therefore, even though Metalline
has received engineering estimates from exploration results, until
a bankable feasible study is complete, no detailed disclosure or
claims can be made. Q: Going forward is Metalline considering
exploiting silver resources? A: Yes. If the Silver Polymetallic
mineralization can be exploited in the course of developing the
Oxide Zinc mineralization we believe that silver could have a
positive economic impact on the overall project. Forward-Looking
Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements
regarding future events and Metalline's future results that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act"). These statements are based on current
expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the
industry in which Metalline operates and the beliefs and
assumptions of Metalline's management. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of
such words, and similar expressions, are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer
to projections of Metalline's future financial performance,
Metalline's anticipated growth and potentials in its business and
other characterizations of future events or circumstances are
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these
forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to
risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to
predict, including those identified elsewhere herein and
Metalline's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2007 under "Risk Factors." Therefore, actual results
may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements. Metalline undertakes no obligation to
revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
DATASOURCE: Metalline Mining Company CONTACT: Merlin Bingham of
Metalline Mining Company, +1-208-665-2002, fax, +1-208-665-0041,
Web site: http://www.metallinemining.com/
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