TUCSON, AZ, December 19, 2007 - Augusta Resource Corporation (TSX/AMEX: AZC) (“Augusta”
or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an
agreement valued at approximately US $ 29 million with Polysius Corp.
for the purchase and delivery of a 36ft x 17.5ft EGL (effective grinding
length) SAG and two 26ft x 40ft EGL ball mills needed for the
construction of the Rosemont Copper mine in Tucson, Arizona. The Company
was successful in negotiating improved financing and delivery terms
from those estimated in the bankable feasibility study published in
August 2007. The Company is pleased to complete this critical path
milestone with an overall positive impact on the project schedule.
Polysius Corp. is a ThyssenKrupp
Technologies Company located in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Edward Wipf,
Manager of Minerals, said, “We are very pleased to be working with
Augusta Resource Corporation in supplying the mills for the Rosemont
Copper Project. The project location in Arizona is ideal to demonstrate
our grinding technology in North America.”
ABOUT AUGUSTA RESOURCE CORPORATION -
Augusta is a mineral exploration and development company responsibly
advancing the Rosemont Copper project in Southern Arizona. The Company’s
Rosemont property is located in Pima County, approximately 50
kilometers southeast of Tucson, Arizona, and contains a potentially
world class open-pit Cu-Mo-Ag deposit. With a strong ownership profile,
solid project economics and proven management team, Augusta is committed
to becoming a mid-tier copper producer within the next four years. The
company is traded on the American Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol AZC, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under
the symbol A5R.
For additional information please visit www.augustaresource.com or contact:
Manager, Investor Relations
Marlo Hamer-Jackson
Investor Relations Manager Phone:
604-687-1717
Fax: 604-687-1715
mhamer-jackson@augustaresource.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Gil Clausen”
______________________
Gil Clausen
President and CEO
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain of the statements made and
information contained herein and in the documents incorporated by
reference may contain forward-looking statements or information within
the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking statements or information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario).
Forward- looking statements or information include statements regarding
the expectations and beliefs of management. Forward looking statements
or information include, but are not limited to, statements or
information with respect to known or unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to
differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or
information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties
relating to the Company’s plans at its Rosemont Property and other
mineral properties, the interpretation of drill results and the
estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the geology, grade and
continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration,
development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company’s
expectations, metal recoveries, accidents, equipment breakdowns, title
matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or
interruptions in production and operations, the potential for delays in
exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility
studies, the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and
the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price
fluctuations, currency fluctuations, failure to obtain adequate
financing on a timely basis, the effect of hedging activities, including
margin limits and margin calls, regulatory restrictions, including
environmental regulatory restrictions and liability, the speculative
nature of mineral exploration, dilution, competition, loss of key
employees, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described
under “Risk Factors Relating to the Company’s Business” in the Company’s
Annual Information Form dated March 1, 2007. Should one or more of
these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from
those described in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are
advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or
information. We do not expect to update forward-looking statements or
information continually as conditions change, and you are referred to
the full discussion of the Company’s business contained in the Company’s
reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and
the United States.