NEWS RELEASE
---------------------------------------------
Harper Government Supports Development of First Ever On-Reserve Potash Mine
March 19, 2013
Encanto Potash Corp. ("Encanto" or the "Company") (TSXV: EPO and OTCQX: ENCTF)
along with The
Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development and Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose today
announced an important milestone in the development of the first
on-reserve potash mine in Canada.
The Muskowekwan First Nation potash
mine project has been accepted by the federal government under the First
Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA). The Act
will enable the federal government to enact regulations that incorporate
a provincial regulatory regime to govern commercial and industrial
activities within a province.
The
federal government and the Muskowekwan First Nation will begin
discussions with the Province of Saskatchewan to explore a potential
regulation under FNCIDA relating to the proposed mine.
"I
am pleased to announce that the Muskowekwan First Nation potash project
is a step closer to becoming a reality," said Minister Valcourt. "The
development of the first on-reserve potash mine in Canada will create
employment and economic growth as well as other long-term benefits for
the First Nation and surrounding communities. I applaud the community
and its leaders for their vision and commitment to the long-term
prosperity of the Muskowekwan First Nation."
"By achieving this milestone we are
one step closer to ensuring our community is a significant resource
player in the Province for generations," said Chief Bellerose. "The
employment and training opportunities will benefit our members as we
prepare to go forward with this venture, as will economic spin-offs in
terms of the purchase of goods and services."
"Acceptance of the Muskowekwan Project
under FNCIDA is a prime example of the cooperation we have observed
between both Governments for this project," commented Encanto President
& CEO Jim Walchuck. "This is a crucial milestone and brings us one
step closer to the day we construct the first mine on First Nation
land."
The acceptance of the Muskowekwan
project under FNCIDA means that the Government of Canada can begin the
process of developing regulations for the First Potash Ventures mine.
FNCIDA, which came into effect in 2006, reproduces the provincial rules
and regulations that apply to similar large-scale commercial or
industrial projects off reserve and applies them to a specific
on-reserve project.
First Potash Ventures, a joint
partnership between Encanto and Muskowekwan Resources Ltd., is working
toward developing the mine on the Muskowekwan First Nation, located 100
km northeast of Regina. The mine is expected to produce up to 2.8
million tons of potash annually over a 50-year-plus span. The project
will provide real economic opportunities for the Muskowekwan First
Nation, as well as the surrounding area, by providing training and
employment opportunities during the construction and operation of the
mine.
In addition to becoming the first
on-reserve potash mine in Canada, the proposed Muskowekwan project is
the first in Saskatchewan to utilize FNCIDA to regulate a project on
reserve lands.
Once
the project gets under way, it is expected to generate approximately
1,000 construction jobs for the development of the mine and nearly 500
jobs once it is fully operational. In addition, the mine is expected to
generate tens of millions in revenue royalties for the First Nation
annually.
The
Harper Government remains focused on four priorities, outlined by the
Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the
safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of
this country, and their personal financial security.
About Encanto:
Encanto Potash Corp. is a TSX Venture
Exchange listed and OTCQX traded Canadian resource company engaged in
the development of potash properties in the Province of Saskatchewan,
Canada, the largest producing potash region in the world. Through a
joint venture agreement with Muskowekwan Resources Ltd. ("MFN JV") on
our flagship property, Encanto has a project land package, which totals
approximately 61,000 largely contiguous acres. A Pre-Feasibility Study
was released in February 2013 confirming Proven & Probable KCI
Reserves totaling 162 MMt grading 28% which supports primary and
secondary mining for over 50 years at an annual rate of 2.8 million
tonnes.
The
Company has a 100% interest in two additional potash properties in
Saskatchewan: the 55,000 acre Ochapowace/Chacachas property and the
91,550 acre Spar property.
Encanto
is currently exploring domestic & international strategic
partnerships for the financing, development and sale of potash
production from its MFN JV Property.
For
additional information about Encanto Potash Corp., please visit the
Company's website at www.encantopotash.com or review the Company's
documents filed on www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"James Walchuck"
Per: _________________
James Walchuck
President and CEO
"James Walchuck"
Per: _________________
James Walchuck
President and CEO
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES
PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE
EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS
RELEASE.
THE FOREGOING INFORMATION MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
RELATING TO THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY. FORWARD LOOKING
INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS,
UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.
SUCH RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE ACTUAL RESULTS
OF EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CHANGES IN WORLD COMMODITY MARKETS OR EQUITY
MARKETS, THE RISKS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, DELAYS IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENTAL
APPROVALS, PERMITS OR FINANCING OR IN THE COMPLETION OF DEVELOPMENT OR
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, TITLE DISPUTES, CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT AND
CHANGES TO REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE MINING INDUSTRY, AND OTHER RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES DETAILED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S FILINGS
WITH THE CANADIAN SECURITIES ADMINISTRATORS (AVAILABLE AT
WWW.SEDAR.COM). FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE MADE BASED ON VARIOUS
ASSUMPTIONS AND ON MANAGEMENT'S BELIEFS, ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS ON THE
DATE THE STATEMENTS ARE MADE. 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
THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES
NO OBLIGATION TO
UPDATE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF THESE ASSUMPTIONS, BELIEFS,
ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHANGE, EXCEPT AS
REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
For further information please contact:
James Walchuck
President and CEO
Tel: 604-683-2402
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