2012 News Releases
July 12, 2012
Goldgroup Provides Permitting and Project Update at Caballo Blanco and Election of Board of Directors
Vancouver, British Columbia - (June 12, 2012) - Goldgroup Mining Inc. ("Goldgroup" or the "Company") (TSX:GGA) is pleased to announce that it has completed the next stage of its permitting process at the Caballo Blanco project by submitting responses to the list of comments from the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recurso Naturales ("SEMARNAT"), also known as the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources, received on March 13, 2012, regarding its previously submitted Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS"). Goldgroup's responses were filed within the 60 working day timeframe provided by SEMARNAT. The responses are standard procedure in the environmental permitting process and are meant to clarify certain aspects of Goldgroup's permit application, as well as facilitate SEMARNAT's review of the EIS. The environmental permitting process is governed by Mexican federal law and regulations.
Background for the Environmental Impact Statement and Change of Soil Use Permitting Application
As previously disclosed, Goldgroup requires two independent environmental permits in order to commence construction at the Caballo Blanco project. The two permits are the EIS and the Estudio Técnico Justificativo para Cambio de Uso de Suelo" ("ETJ"), also known as the Change of Soil Use Permit.
The EIS application was submitted by Goldgroup to SEMARNAT on December 15, 2011. Formal comments from SEMARNAT in regards to Goldgroup's EIS application were received by the Company on March 13, 2012. The comments requested more information on risk mitigation, along with environmental protection and rehabilitation of several aspects of the proposed mining operations.
As of the date of this news release, Goldgroup has addressed all of SEMARNAT's comments and provided a detailed written response to SEMARNAT within the required 60 working day response time. Goldgroup will continue to ensure that the best interests of all stakeholders are factored into the development process of the project. Following the receipt of this written response from Goldgroup, SEMARNAT will further evaluate the comments. This form of federal regulatory response is standard procedure in the environmental permitting process.
The ETJ application was submitted by Goldgroup to SEMARNAT on December 16, 2011. The ETJ is evaluated by the regional office of SEMARNAT in Veracruz. As disclosed in Goldgroup's May 23, 2012 news release, comments received by SEMARNAT requested that the Company provide further details on the following information for its ETJ application:
- Rescue programs for protected flora species
- Environmental mitigation measures for the project and how Goldgroup will measure its success
- Ecosystems affected by the use of environmental services (water, soil, air, etc.) required for the project
- Economic and social benefits of the project
The timing of the EIS and ETJ permit approvals is currently anticipated to be in the third quarter of 2012, however, extensions by SEMARNAT may occur. Based on recent results from the Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Caballo Blanco project, management estimates the project will require approximately nine months of construction time from the date of the anticipated approvals of the EIS, ETJ and other related permits.
Project Update
Goldgroup also announces that a local municipal authority has alleged that underground workings at the Caballo Blanco site have encroached on a neighbouring surface property. Goldgroup retained surveyors who have confirmed that no such encroachment has occurred. Until this encroachment issue is resolved, the municipal authority has restricted access to certain areas of the Caballo Blanco property as a result of the alleged encroachment. The Company has applied to the Mexican courts for a formal declaration that access to the Caballo Blanco site be restored. The courts are currently in the process of rendering a judgement and issuing notifications to the parties involved.
Work has been completed at the Caballo Blanco exploration tunnel to sufficiently conclude the project's bulk sample program. Due to the wet season in Veracruz, which runs between mid-June to late September, exploration drilling has been suspended at the Caballo Blanco project. Goldgroup has undertaken a program of cost containment with the aim of focusing on obtaining the required permits, the required land surface rights and the completion of additional engineering studies prior to the commencement of construction at the Caballo Blanco project.
Election of Directors
Goldgroup is pleased to announce that it has conducted its Annual General Meeting and has elected its Board of Directors; Chairman, Gregg Sedun, President and CEO, Keith Piggott, Lead Director, Dr. Hans von Michaelis, Lenard Boggio, Chester Millar, Corry Silbernagel and Francisco Escandon.
About Goldgroup
Goldgroup is a well-funded Canadian-based gold production, development, and exploration Company with significant upside in a portfolio of projects in Mexico, including its flagship 100%-owned advanced stage gold development project Caballo Blanco in the state of Veracruz, and a 50% interest in DynaResource de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., which owns 100% of the high-grade gold exploration project, San José de Gracia located in the state of Sinaloa. The Company also operates its 100%-owned Cerro Colorado gold mine in the state of Sonora.
Goldgroup remains in a flexible financial position with a strong cash balance, no debt and no gold hedging. The Company is led by a team of highly successful and seasoned individuals with extensive expertise in mine development, corporate finance, and exploration in Mexico. Goldgroup's mission is to increase gold production, mineral resources, profitability and cash flow, building a leading gold producer in Mexico.
For further information on Goldgroup, please visit www.goldgroupmining.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Keith Piggott, President & CEO
T: 604-682-1943
Stephanie Batory, Investor Relations
Toll Free: 1-877-655-ozAu (6928)
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION