April 11, 2016
April 11, 2016, Vancouver, BC - Taseko (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB) (“Taseko” or the “Company”) announces that an agreement to defer up to 75% of power costs for the Gibraltar Mine has been signed, retroactive to March 1, 2016.
In February, the Government of British Columbia announced a five-year power rate deferral program for BC mines. This deferral program, which was put in place to help the Province’s mining industry during the weak economic environment, allows qualifying mines to defer up to 75% of their electricity costs based on a sliding-scale of metal prices. At today’s copper price, the maximum deferral of 75% will apply.
Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko, commented, “Electricity is one of Gibraltar’s biggest expenses; accounting for nearly 10% of the mine’s total operating costs. This deferral program will reduce Gibraltar’s annual spending by up to C$18 million and is another initiative to help the Company ensure sufficient working capital during this extended period of lower copper prices. Along with the other cost containment initiatives implemented over the past year, the Company is well positioned to manage through this challenging time. We have worked aggressively to reduce operating costs, as evidenced by the 15% reduction in cost per ton milled achieved in 2015 to C$9.41 in the fourth quarter. The impact of the cost deferral program is equivalent to a further C$0.60 per ton milled reduction.”
“Cooperative agreements between industry, government and industry associations can only be achieved through strong working relationships which come as a result of management teams with experience in the regions they operate,” concluded Mr. Hallbauer.
For further information on Taseko, please see the Company’s website www.tasekomines.com or contact:
Brian Bergot, Vice President, Investor Relations - 778-373-4533 or toll free 1-877-441-4533
Russell Hallbauer
President and CEO
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains “forward-looking statements” that were based on Taseko’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “should” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:
For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company’s annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.com and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.