DENVER, CO, January 9, 2008 - Augusta Resource Corporation (TSX/AMEX: AZC) (“Augusta”
or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Rod
Pace as Vice-President, Operations of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiary Rosemont Copper Company, effective immediately. Mr. Pace has
more than 25 years experience in mine development and operations,
working in a broad range of executive and management positions. Mr. Pace
has successfully led the start up of six mining operations between 1999
and 2005, resulting in substantial revenue and margin increases in his
role as Vice-President of North American Operations of Washington Group
International.
“Rod is a highly regarded operator and
project developer who has the requisite skills and experience necessary
to help build, commission and run the Rosemont mine,” said Gil Clausen,
President and CEO. “He will be putting together his operating team this
year as we move to complete the engineering, procurement and permitting
milestones needed to commence construction in the latter half of next
year.”
Mr. Pace has a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, with a Minor in Mineral Economics.
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 copper/molybdenum/silver 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 three 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:
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.