STOP CYANIDE MINING! Pearce, Arizona – Health issues involving cancer and nervous system disorders coming your way thanks to Commonwealth Silver and Partnering Canadian Mining Companies.

This is an open letter on behalf of the people of Pearce, Arizona to the following individuals and organizations:

Executives of Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc. of Ontario, Canada

  • Michael Farrant – President & CEO & Director
    Phone: 416-278-4149
    E-mail: mfarrant@commonwealthsilver.ca
  • Hall Stewart – VP, Exploration & Director
    Phone: 520-820-2686
    E-mail: hstewart@commonwealthsilver.ca

Arizona State Government

  • Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona
    Phone: 520-628-6580
  • John McCain, Senior United States Senator from Arizona
    Phone: 520-670-6334
  • Ron Barber, Congressman Representing the 2nd District of Arizona
    Phone: 520-881-3588

In addition, this letter was sent to the corporate offices of Commonwealth Silver’s partnering mining companies (Goldcorp and Delta Gold Corporation); the Environmental Protection Agency; major newspapers throughout the United States; major news networks including, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS; Newspapers throughout the State of Arizona, parties of concern in Pearce, Arizona; environmental organizations including the Sierra Club and Earth First; and known supporters of Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc’s, open-pit cyanide mining in Pearce, Arizona, including the Triangle T Ranch and the Willcox Range News.

—————————————————————————————————————–

On behalf of the people of Pearce, Arizona, we refuse to tolerate the Canadian mining company Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc. (and their partner companies Goldcorp and Delta  Gold Corporation), to develop a 100 meter deep open-pit cyanide mine in our town of Pearce, Arizona.

Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc. and its partner companies, Goldcorp and Delta Gold Corporation, have a long history of destroying the environments of the areas where they operate as well as other criminal offenses including rape and murder.

Since Commonwealth Silver has resumed operations at the Commonwealth Mine in Pearce, Arizona, arsenic levels in the drinking water at the Pearce Elementary School (directly across the street from the mine) have exceeded safe limits for arsenic and is no longer drinkable.

Commonwealth Silvers’ partners, Goldcorp/Delta Gold Corporation, have a long track record of human rights violations and long-term environmental damage. Goldcorp’s mining project in Peñasquito, Mexico is depleting water supplies in the area. The mine, which uses an irrigation system known to cause environmental problems, is also negatively impacting local residents. Adjacent communities have reported increased health issues involving cancer and nervous system disorders most likely caused by exposure to toxic materials from the mine. Furthermore, Goldcorp has not been paying taxes on their mining profits, taxes that should be going to the local community as required by Mexican law. More can be found concerning this incident at http://fairwhistleblower.ca/content/canadian-mining-companies-lack-accountability

Goldcorp/Delta Gold Corporation, is also responsible for severe human rights infractions, including the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl. https://news.vice.com/article/meet-the-woman-taking-on-canadian-mining-companies

The people of Pearce, Arizona will not sit and wait while these knowingly corrupt Canadian mining companies deplete our already limited water supply, poison our residents of the Pearce community (population 2,100), leave us with increased health issues, including cancer and nervous system disorders, and cause long-term environmental damage to OUR land for generations to come.

As residents of Arizona and CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, we refuse to sit by and knowingly watch our home turn into the next Summitville Mine Disaster, Love Canal, or whatever horrific example comes to mind for the sake of our government and the Canadian government to profit at the expense of our health and lives. We demand help from OUR government before the inevitable harm that a deep open-pit cyanide mine will do to our community.

It’s time for OUR federal and state governments to work for, and protect, the people of America, not to endanger our health and lives for corporate profits of foreign nations such as Canada – and themselves. If Pearce was a larger area such as Phoenix our government would not allow this to happen, however, it appears the lives of RURAL PEOPLE in Arizona are expendable for the right price.

As with the most recent VA disaster in Arizona, we want to know where John McCain is, and we want answers. If you are not going to serve and PROTECT the people of YOUR STATE Mr. McCain, it’s time for you to resign. We are waiting for action… Not words. WE WILL NOT BE VICTIMS OF CORPORATE GENOCIDE!

[ Update 6/18/2014: Yesterday, we finally received the following response from John McCain, which clearly validates why nothing ever gets addressed in this country until after the damage is done (think VA neglect of our veterans, 911, Katrina, Summitville mining disaster, Love Canal, etc.). Shame on you John McCain… ]

Contact John McCain

STOP CANADIAN CYANIDE MINING IN ARIZONA!

The following addresses general information concerning the Canadian mining companies involved in this matter – Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc, Goldcorp, and Delta Gold Corporation. However, our government and news organizations should be RESPONSIBLE for DUE DILIGENCE to further research our concerns – and address them before tragedy happens. Not after the fact…

Commonwealth Silver’s plan to develop a 100 meter deep open-pit cyanide-leach silver-gold operation http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/news/article_82599ba6-cfe6-11e3-ac63-001a4bcf887a.html

Commonwealth Silver trying to soften the locals fears of Canadians, but not one word about their plans of developing their open-pit cyanide mine http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/opinion/editorials/article_d1a82aae-e5fa-11e3-a973-001a4bcf887a.html

Delta Gold Corporation and Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc. Sign Binding Agreement for Proposed Business Combination

delta-gold-corporation-and-commonwealth-silver-and-gold-mining-inc-sign-binding-agreement-for-proposed-business-combination

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – April 24, 2014) – Delta Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:DLT) (“Delta Gold”) and Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc., a privately-held company incorporated under the laws of Canada (“Commonwealth Silver”), are pleased to announce that they have entered into a binding Letter Agreement dated April 23, 2014 (the “Agreement”) with respect to a proposed business combination (the “Transaction”) which would result in a reverse takeover (“RTO”) of Delta Gold by Commonwealth Silver thereby resulting in a going public transaction for Commonwealth Silver.

Under the terms of the Transaction, Delta Gold’s outstanding common shares (each, a “Delta Share”) will be consolidated on a 20:1 basis (the “Consolidation”). For the purposes of determining an exchange ratio, Delta Gold is being valued at $0.60 per Delta Share on a post-Consolidation basis, for a market capitalization of $5.7 million. Delta Gold’s primary assets include cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.7 million (unaudited as at March 31, 2014) and an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Imperial Gold Project in Imperial County, California (the “Imperial Project”) from Goldcorp USA Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc.). The primary asset of Commonwealth Silver is a 98% interest in its flagship Commonwealth Gold and Silver Project (the “Commonwealth Project”) in Cochise County, Arizona. In connection with the Transaction, Commonwealth Silver expects to complete a minimum concurrent financing of $3 million and up to $10 million to be priced in the context of the market (the “Financing”). Shares of Commonwealth Silver (each, a “Commonwealth Share”) will be valued from the price established for the Financing. Shareholders of Commonwealth Silver will receive one Delta Share (post-Consolidation) for that number of Commonwealth Shares calculated as $0.60 divided by the price of the Commonwealth Shares issued in the Financing. On a post-Transaction, pre-Financing basis, it is expected that existing Commonwealth Silver and Delta Gold shareholders will own approximately 80% and 20% of the combined company (the “Resulting Issuer”), respectively.

While both the Imperial Project and Commonwealth Project are at the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) stage, the Commonwealth Project has a much shorter expected timeline to production as it is situated on private patented mining claims and can be placed into production at an estimated capital cost of approximately US$27 million.

Highlights of the Resulting Issuer

  • Well capitalized precious metals company with the advanced stage Commonwealth Project in Arizona on private land with low initial capital required to become a producing company;
  • Well diversified and strong shareholder base providing enhanced market liquidity for shareholders and, accordingly, a greater ability to source capital;
  • Strong post-Financing balance sheet enabling successful execution of initiatives aimed at growing shareholder value;
  • Pipeline of other precious metals projects in the United States including the Imperial Project in California and the Blue Jeep and San Ignacio exploration projects in Arizona; and
  • Enhanced market presence.

Proposed Management and Directors of the Resulting Issuer

Upon completion of the Transaction, executive management of the Resulting Issuer is expected to consist of Michael H. Farrant, B.Comm., CPA, CA, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) (currently co-founder, President and CEO of Commonwealth Silver); Eugene T. Lee, B.Comm., CPA, CA Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Corporate Secretary (currently CFO and Corporate Secretary of Commonwealth Silver); Hall H. Stewart, B.Sc., C.P.G., R.G., Vice President, Exploration (currently co-founder and Vice President, Exploration of Commonwealth Silver); and Marco A. Romero, Vice President, Corporate Development (currently President and CEO of Delta Gold). It is expected that the Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer will be comprised of seven directors, including Michael H. Farrant and Hall H. Stewart as non-independent directors and Julian Kemp, B.B.A., CPA, CA, C.Dir. (the Vice President, Finance and CFO of Fortune Minerals Limited from 2004 until January 2014); Robert Hatch, B.A. (currently President of two privately-held mining companies); and Andrea Zaradic, M.A.Sc. (the President and CEO of Troon Ventures Ltd. from 2012 to February 2014) as independent directors with two additional independent directors to be named in due course.

Michael H. Farrant, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Silver commented, “We are delighted with the announcement of the Transaction with Delta Gold. The last two years have been an extremely challenging time for the mining industry and I am very happy to have found a partner in Delta Gold that recognizes the superior value of the work that we have done on the Commonwealth Project and who is willing to combine their financial resources in an effort to build an emerging precious metals producer. We are also very excited for the shareholders of Commonwealth Silver, some of whom have waited nearly three years to see the company go public. While staying private over that period allowed Commonwealth Silver to avoid times of extreme volatility in the public markets and retain a fair valuation, the time has come to provide our shareholders with liquidity now that confidence is returning to the marketplace and the Commonwealth Project has been advanced to the PEA stage.”

Marco A. Romero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Gold added, “We have been searching for a long time to deliver to the shareholders of Delta Gold an additional high quality precious metals project in a safe jurisdiction. We believe that we have found that in the Commonwealth Project. With a much shorter permitting timeline than the Imperial Project, we can now look forward to being shareholders of a producing precious metals company much sooner than we otherwise would have. For a private company, Commonwealth Silver has an excellent shareholder base which will broaden the longer term support for the company in the marketplace. I look forward to working with the Commonwealth Silver team to build a precious metals company founded on the execution of high standards and best practices.”

Benefits of the Transaction for Delta Gold Shareholders

  • Provides Delta Gold shareholders with an ownership stake in an advanced gold and silver project in Arizona with a much shorter permitting timeline to production than the Imperial Project and with low capital requirements and positive economics at current and lower metal prices;
  • Diversifies operating risk amongst multiple projects;
  • Allows for general and administrative synergies;
  • Delivers a team with solid open pit, heap leach, precious metals mine operating experience;
  • Delivers strong and committed shareholder base that significantly improves capital structure; and
  • Improves market presence.

Benefits of the Transaction for Commonwealth Silver Shareholders

  • Private shareholdings become public, providing shareholders with market liquidity in an exchange listed entity;
  • Provides Commonwealth Silver with the cash necessary to advance the Commonwealth Project through the permitting and prefeasibility stage and increases the Resulting Issuer’s ability to raise capital necessary to advance current business initiatives and growth strategy;
  • Adds another significant gold development project in the United States to its project portfolio; and
  • Enhances the shareholder base with the addition of the Delta Gold shareholders and improves market presence.

Financing Plan

In connection with the Transaction and prior to the closing thereof, Commonwealth Silver intends to complete the Financing so as to raise gross proceeds of between $3 million to $10 million. These funds would be used for working capital, property acquisition-related costs and project development costs. The Financing is expected to consist of non-brokered and brokered private placement offerings of units and/or subscription receipts, ultimately entitling purchasers to receive common shares and warrants of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Transaction. It is anticipated that the Delta Gold securities issued in exchange for the Commonwealth Silver securities issued in connection with the Financing will be issued pursuant to the business combination prospectus exemption under Section 2.11 of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and as such will not be subject to any hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Additional information on the Financing will be provided in a subsequent news release once available.

Other Transaction Details

In connection with signing the Agreement and upon obtaining approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”) and execution of loan documentation, Delta Gold shall advance $1,000,000 to Commonwealth Silver, which amount shall initially be non-interest bearing and which shall be secured by a pledge of the outstanding shares of Commonwealth Silver’s wholly-owned subsidiary.

The Agreement also provides that Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver will negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement to supersede the Agreement. Further details regarding the Transaction shall be provided in a joint information circular (the “Circular”) which will be mailed to shareholders of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver in connection with their respective shareholders’ meetings to approve the Transaction.

Closing of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions and approvals, which include completion of the Financing on acceptable terms; the execution of a definitive agreement; approval of the respective shareholders of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver; court approval (if the Transaction is effected by way of plan of arrangement); and the approval of all relevant regulatory authorities and third parties including the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) or the TSX-V, as the case may be. There can be no assurance that the Transaction or the Financing will be completed as proposed or at all. The Agreement provides for termination rights, including in the event the Transaction is not completed by July 31, 2014.

The Resulting Issuer is expected to be named “Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc.” and will be headquartered in Toronto. Every commercially reasonable effort will be made to qualify the common shares of the Resulting Issuer for trading on the TSX or, if it is determined that the combined company does not meet TSX listing requirements, Tier 1 on the TSX-V. On a post-Transaction, pre-Financing basis, the Resulting Issuer will have approximately 48.6 million shares outstanding.

Timing

The parties expect to complete and mail the Circular by the end of May 2014 and plan to hold their respective special meetings in June 2014. The Transaction is expected to close shortly thereafter.

Financial Advisors and Counsel

Delta Gold’s legal counsel is McMillan LLP while Commonwealth Silver’s legal counsel is Peterson Law Professional Corporation. Neither company has retained a financial advisor in connection with the Transaction.

Board of Directors’ Recommendations

The directors of each of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver have unanimously determined to recommend the approval of the Transaction. Pursuant to the Agreement, directors and officers of both companies will enter into agreements to vote their respective shareholdings in favour of the Transaction. Goldcorp USA Inc., Delta Gold’s largest arm’s length shareholder owning 11.5% of Delta Gold and shareholders holding greater than 5% of the outstanding Commonwealth Shares will also be required to enter into agreements to vote their respective shareholdings in favour of the Transaction.

The Agreement includes a commitment by each of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver not to actively solicit alternative transactions to the proposed Transaction. In certain circumstances, if a party terminates the Agreement or definitive agreement to enter into an agreement to effect a business combination other than the Transaction or pursuant to a superior proposal, then such party is obligated to pay to the other party as a termination payment an aggregate amount equal to the greater of costs associated with the Transaction or $100,000. Each party has also been provided with certain other rights, representations and warranties and covenants customary for a transaction of this nature and each party has the right to match competing offers made to the other party.

Pro Forma Selected Financial Information and Shareholdings

Assuming that the Financing raises gross proceeds of $3 million to $10 million and after satisfying existing obligations of Commonwealth Silver, the Resulting Issuer is expected to have approximately $6 million to $13 million in cash and no debt. Notable shareholders of the Resulting Issuer will include leading institutional funds, a number of prominent companies in the mining industry, including Goldcorp USA Inc. and Coeur Mining Inc.

Additional financial information with respect to Commonwealth Silver and pro forma information on the combined company will be provided at a later date.

Pro Forma Measured & Indicated (“M+I”) and Inferred Resources

The following Mineral Resource estimates for the Commonwealth Project are effective as at June 10, 2013 and were prepared as part of the National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) technical report dated September 5, 2013 and titled, “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on Resources, Commonwealth Silver and Gold Project, Cochise County, Arizona, USA” as prepared by Zachary J. Black, SME-RM, Jennifer J. Brown, P.G., SME-RM, and Jeffery W. Choquette, P.E., all of Hard Rock Consulting, LLC (“HRC”) and all of whom are consultants and independent Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 (the “Commonwealth Technical Report”). A copy of the Commonwealth Technical Report will be available under Delta Gold’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

The following Mineral Resource estimates for the Imperial Project are effective as at October 26, 2012 and were prepared as part of the NI 43-101 PEA technical report dated May 29, 2012 and updated with an effective date of October 26, 2012 and titled, “Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report for the Imperial Project, California, USA” as prepared by Gordon Doerksen, P.Eng., VP Technical Services, JDS Energy and Mining Inc., Mr. Glen Cole, P.Geo., Mr. Dino Pilotto, P.Eng., and Mr. Adrian Dance, P.Eng., each a Principal Consultant with SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and Ms. Lois Boxill, P.Eng., Senior Consultant with SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and, all of whom are independent Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 (the “Imperial Technical Report”). The Imperial Technical Report is available under Delta Gold’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Measured Cut-off Grade (g/t) Tonnes
(000’s)
Gold (Au) Silver (Ag) Gold Equivalent (AuEq)
Grade (g/t
Au)
Ounces
(Au)
Grade (g/t
Ag)
Ounces
(Ag)
Grade
(g/t AuEq)
Ounces
(AuEq)
Commonwealth 0.40 (AuEq) 4,069 0.57 74,800 48.6 6,358,000 1.38 180,800
Indicated
Commonwealth 0.40 (AuEq) 21,934 0.45 314,500 36.8 25,951,000 1.06 746,100
Imperial 0.17 (Au) 45,763 0.60 879,000 0.60 879,000
Total M+I 1,268,300 32,309,000 1,805,900
Inferred
Commonwealth 0.40 (AuEq) 7,380 0.29 67,900 17.2 4,075,000 0.58 136,700
Imperial 0.17 (Au) 76,334 0.53 1,298,000 0.53 1,298,000
Total Inferred 1,365,900 4,075,000 1,434,700

Notes:

  1. The resource categories used here and the preparation of these resource estimates are in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum’s “CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definition and Guidelines” as per National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
  2. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources estimated will be converted into Mineral Reserves.
  3. Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources captured within the pit shell meet the test of reasonable prospect for economic extraction and can be declared a Mineral Resource.
  4. Inferred Mineral Resources are that part of the Mineral Resource for which the quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity.
  5. For the Commonwealth Project, all the Mineral Resources are stated above a 0.4 g/t gold equivalent (“AuEq”) cut-off and pit optimization is based on assumed gold and silver prices of US$1,350/oz. and US$22.50/oz., respectively. Metallurgical recoveries were assigned by lithologic unit.
  6. For the Imperial Project, all the Mineral Resources are stated above a 0.17 g/t Au cut-off and pit optimization is based on an assumed gold price of US$1,300/oz.
  7. Mineral Resources on undeveloped properties assumes successful permitting allowing mining operations to be conducted.
  8. Mineral Resource tonnage and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate, and numbers may not add due to rounding.
  9. AuEq stated using a ratio of 60:1 and ounces calculated using the following conversion rate: 1 troy ounce = 31.1035 grams. Metallurgical recoveries are not accounted for in the AuEq calculation.

Assaying and QA/QC

For the Commonwealth Project, after project geologists logged and marked the core, technicians cut the individual lengths with a diamond saw, then bag the samples, tag the bags and secure them with security clips. The samples were then shipped by UPS to ALS Minerals in Reno, Nevada. Samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay with Atomic Absorption (“AA”) finish. Silver analysis was included in a 30 element Inductivity Coupled Plasma (“ICP”) analysis (using a four-acid digest) conducted on all samples. Gold and silver overlimit assays were analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. All drilling by Commonwealth Silver has included a rigorous QA/QC program monitoring sample quality. Commonwealth Silver inserts assay standards, blanks and duplicate samples into the sample stream and performs statistical review of the results.

Overview of Assets of the Resulting Issuer

Development-Stage Gold Projects:

Commonwealth Project, Cochise County, Arizona

In February 2011, Commonwealth Silver entered into an option agreement to acquire an 88% interest in eight (8) patented mining claims comprising the past producing Commonwealth Mine in Cochise County, Arizona, approximately 75 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona. In June 2011, Commonwealth Silver purchased an additional 10% interest in these claims for US$152,000 increasing its interest to 98%. From 1895 to the late 1920’s, the Commonwealth Mine produced approximately 12 million ounces of silver and 138,000 ounces of gold. This vein system with significant stockwork veining has been mapped over 1.3 km of strike length with drilling having tested approximately 1,000 meters of this strike length to a maximum depth of just over 200 meters. All the known veins in the district have a combined strike length of over 7 km.

An initial Mineral Resource estimate in compliance with NI 43-101 was calculated on the Commonwealth Project in October 2011 by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc. which included assays from 171 drill holes (155 historic and 16 new core holes) covering 17,675 meters of drilling. After completing an additional 37 core holes covering approximately 5,500 meters, the Mineral Resource estimate was updated by HRC and presented in the Commonwealth Technical Report. Subsequently, HRC completed a PEA for Commonwealth Silver to be presented in an NI 43-101 technical report and filed under Delta Gold’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com within 45 days of the date of this new release. Highlights from the base case study at US$1,350 per ounce gold and US$22.50 per ounce silver, based solely on estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources include after-tax net present value (“NPV”) of US$101.3 million at a 5% discount rate and after-tax internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 58% with an after-tax payback period of 1.6 years based on pre-production capital cost of approximately US$27 million including a 20% contingency. Average annual production is projected at 35,800 ounces of gold and 1.3 million ounces of silver (57,000 ounces of gold-equivalent production at a 60:1 gold to silver ratio) at a processing rate of 10,000 tonnes per day (“tpd”) with average recovery rates of 79% for gold and 34% for silver over an 8.7 year mine life. Average cash operating costs over the mine life are expected to be approximately US$831 per ounce of gold equivalent with a life-of-mine strip ratio of 0.97:1. The HRC PEA has been constrained to the Mineral Resource estimate contained with an open pit located entirely on the patented mining claims and does not take into account the potential for additional mineralization on the adjoining unpatented mining claims or the potential for mineralization at the nearby Blue Jeep and San Ignacio exploration projects discussed below. It is expected that with the existing cash balances of Delta Gold and the Financing, the Resulting Issuer will work towards significantly advancing the environmental permitting on the Commonwealth Project during 2014 in addition to completing a prefeasibility study advancing the Commonwealth Project to a construction decision. The Resulting Issuer will look to secure project financing, complete permitting and substantially complete construction during 2015 with a view to achieving commercial production in 2016.

Imperial Project, Imperial County, California

In June 2012, Delta Gold entered into an option agreement with Goldcorp USA Inc. that grants Delta Gold the option to acquire 100% of the Imperial Project, currently at the PEA and permitting stage, located in Imperial County, California. The option agreement was amended and restated in September 2013 to require work commitments totaling $10.0 million over a four year period to begin only once all permits for the feasibility study drilling program are received, but in any event, no later than June 2021. In addition, required share-based payments under the option agreement are now tied to project milestones including receipt of all permits for the feasibility study drilling program, a positive construction decision and upon the project reaching commercial production. Further contingent payments could be due following commercial production at gold prices in excess of US$1,300 per ounce.

Based on the Imperial Technical Report, highlights from the base case mine plan at US$1,300 per ounce gold comprised of Indicated (53%) and Inferred (47%) estimated Mineral Resources included an after-tax NPV of US$136 million at a 5% discount rate, after-tax IRR of 19% and after-tax payback of 3.5 years on initial capital spending of US$202 million. The PEA on the Imperial Project contained within the Imperial Technical Report is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA on the Imperial Project will be realized. Annual production at the Imperial Project is projected at 119,000 ounces of gold at a processing rate of 25,000 tpd over a 10 year mine life at cash operating costs of US$599 per ounce and all-in costs of US$965 per ounce over the life-of-mine. The PEA anticipates a strip ratio of 2.68 with favourable cost conditions resulting from weakly cemented gravel overburden, excellent metallurgy and low reagent consumption. While there exists the potential for modest expansion of estimated Mineral Resources which could extend the projected mine life, the single biggest risk factor continues to be Delta Gold’s ability to successfully permit the remaining phases of mine development and operation.

The Resulting Issuer plans to focus its efforts over the next year on building community support for the Imperial Project in the hopes that this may foster a more favourable permitting environment. It is expected that Marco A. Romero will continue to lead these efforts following completion of the Transaction.

Exploration-Stage Gold and Silver Projects of the Resulting Issuer:

Blue Jeep, San Ignacio and Six Mile Hill, Cochise County, Arizona

Commonwealth Silver has a lease with an option to purchase a 100% interest in 34 unpatented mining claims comprising the Blue Jeep, San Ignacio and Six Mile Hill exploration projects which surround the Commonwealth Project. The Blue Jeep project is located approximately 2 miles east of the Commonwealth Project and consists of ten (10) contiguous mining claims known as Blue Jeep 1 through 9 and the Brindle Steer. The San Ignacio project is located approximately 1 mile east of the Commonwealth Project and consists of eighteen (18) mining claims known as San Ignacio 1 through 18. The Six Mile Hill project is located approximately 1 mile west of the Commonwealth Project and consists of six (6) mining claims known as San Ramon 1 through 6. From 1983 to 1984, the properties were explored by Santa Fe Mining Inc. who drilled 49 holes at Blue Jeep and 14 at San Ignacio. Commonwealth Silver has targeted these areas for near term exploration drilling with a goal of establishing Mineral Resources on these properties. It is ultimately the hope that these properties will contribute to the overall growth profile alongside the Commonwealth Project as a district scale operation.

About Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver

For further information on Delta Gold, please visit Delta Gold’s website at www.deltagold.com. For further information on Commonwealth Silver, please visit Commonwealth Silver’s website at www.commonwealthsilver.ca. The Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver Transaction presentation will be made available on both companies’ websites in due course.

Hall Stewart, C.P.G., R.G., Vice President, Exploration of Commonwealth Silver, is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Commonwealth Silver.

Mr. John Purkis, P.Eng. (BC), Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Delta Gold, is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Delta Gold.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including TSX-V acceptance and disinterested shareholder approval. The Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Joint Management Information Circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Delta Gold should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX-V has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact that address events or developments which Delta Gold or Commonwealth Silver expect to occur, constitute “forward-looking information”. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Commonwealth Silver’s and Delta Gold’s current expectations regarding the Transaction, the Financing, the Consolidation, and the future growth, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities of each of Commonwealth Silver and Delta Gold (and the Resulting Issuer). Forward-looking information reflects Commonwealth Silver’s and Delta Gold’s current internal projections, expectations or beliefs and are based on information currently available to Commonwealth Silver and Delta Gold, respectively. In some cases forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “projects”, “potential”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “budget” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. Assumptions upon which such forward-looking information is based include, among others, that Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver will be able to satisfy the conditions to closing contained in the Agreement and any subsequent definitive agreement, that the Financing will be completed on terms favourable to Commonwealth Silver, that the required approvals to the Transaction and matters relating thereto will be obtained from the shareholders of each of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver, that all required regulatory, court and governmental approvals will be obtained on a timely basis and on terms favourable to the parties, and that the business prospects and opportunities of the Resulting Issuer, including its plans for the Commonwealth Project, the Imperial Project and other non-material mineral exploration properties, will proceed as anticipated.
Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Delta Gold, Commonwealth Silver or the Resulting Issuer, and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct or accurate. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted herein include, without limitation: the speculative nature of the mineral exploration and development industry; an inability to obtain any of the approvals required to complete the Transaction; volatility in financial markets or general economic conditions; capital requirements and the need for additional financing; fluctuations in international currency markets and in the rates of exchange for the currencies of Canada and the United States; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities generally and for gold and silver in particular; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, metallurgical recoveries and/or exploration results; changes in regulations and unpredictable political or economic developments in the countries in which Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver (and the Resulting Issuer) does or may carry on business; competition in the mineral exploration and development industry; loss of key personnel; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents; labour disputes; and defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding (and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks), as well as the risks disclosed under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the most recent management discussion and analysis for Delta Gold available under Delta Gold’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results and future events could differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking information. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Although Commonwealth Silver and Delta Gold believe that the forward-looking information contained herein is based on reasonable assumptions, readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on any of the forward-looking information contained herein. Each of Delta Gold and Commonwealth Silver expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration.

Delta Gold Corporation
Marco A. Romero
President & CEO
604.681.2020 ext. 101
info@deltagold.com
www.deltagold.com
Commonwealth Silver and Gold Mining Inc.
Michael H. Farrant
President & CEO
416.278.4149
mfarrant@commonwealthsilver.ca
www.commonwealthsilver.ca

Goldcorp Updates Shareholding in Delta Gold Corporation

February 16, 2013

TSX: G NYSE: GG

(All Amounts in $US unless stated otherwise)

VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2013 /CNW/ – GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G), (NYSE: GG) reports that through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Goldcorp USA Inc., it has received 22,059,000 common shares (the “Shares”) in the capital of Delta Gold Corporation (formerly ADR Capital Corp.) (“Delta”) pursuant to a reverse takeover transaction involving Delta Gold Inc. that was completed on February 13, 2013 (the “Transaction”) as described in the Filing Statement of Delta dated December 28, 2012 and filed on http://www.sedar.com. The Shares received by Goldcorp pursuant to the Transaction represent approximately 11.5% of the 191,171,258 issued and outstanding common shares of Delta, and have an estimated value of $2.5 million. Pursuant to the Transaction, each Delta Gold Inc. common share was exchanged for 4.4118 common shares of Delta.

Goldcorp previously received 5,000,000 common shares of Delta Gold Inc. as a first payment for the granting of an option to Delta Gold Inc. to purchase the 100% Goldcorp-owned Imperial project, located in California, USA in June of 2012.

Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws in respect of the resale of the Shares, Goldcorp may purchase, sell or acquire securities of Delta in the future on the open market or in private transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors material to its investment decisions.

This press release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed with regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters (the “Early Warning Report”). For further information and to obtain a copy of the Early Warning Report filed in connection with the Transaction, please see Delta’s profile on the SEDAR website at http://www.sedar.com or contact:

Anna M. Tudela
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Secretary
Goldcorp Inc.
Suite 3400-666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 2X8
Telephone: (604) 696-3000

Goldcorp is one of the world’s fastest growing senior gold producers. Its low-cost gold production is located in safe jurisdictions in the Americas and remains 100% unhedged.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, hedging practices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative connotation thereof.

Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Goldcorp to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Goldcorp will operate in the future, including the price of gold, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, gold price volatility, discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, mining operational and development risks, litigation risks, regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability), activities by governmental authorities (including changes in taxation), currency fluctuations, the speculative nature of gold exploration, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility, competition, loss of key employees, additional funding requirements and defective title to mineral claims or property. Although Goldcorp has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Goldcorp to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; risks related to international operations, including economic and political instability in foreign jurisdictions in which Goldcorp operates; risks related to current global financial conditions; risks related to joint venture operations; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; mine development and operating risks; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; risks related to indebtedness and the service of such indebtedness, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Business – Risk Factors” in Goldcorp’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2011 available at http://www.sedar.com. Although Goldcorp has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Except as otherwise indicated by Goldcorp, these statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or other transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Goldcorp does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included in this document, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Jeff Wilhoit
Vice President, Investor Relations
Goldcorp Inc.
Telephone: (604) 696-3074
Fax: (604) 696-3001
E-mail: info@goldcorp.com
website: http://www.goldcorp.com

Source: http://www.goldcorp.com/English/Investor-Resources/News/News-Details/2013/Goldcorp-Updates-Shareholding-in-Delta-Gold-Corporation/default.aspx

More mining information the US Government and the Canadian mining companies don’t want you to know provided by MIT’s Mission 2016.

Environmental Risks of Mining

Human Rights Violations

Lack of Regulation

Limited Access

Public Awareness

Cost of Inaction

More info for journalists and those not familiar with the current environmental and human rights issues Canadian mining companies are responsible for including, corruption, rape and murder.

Canadian Mining Companies Threaten Arizona’s Water and Land Statewide
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/arizona-mining-project-wins-a-key-permit/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

Time to counter human rights abuses by Canada’s mining companies
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/05/08/time_to_counter_human_rights_abuses_by_canadas_mining_companies.html

The government of Canada and Canadian mining companies on trial
http://intercontinentalcry.org/government-canada-canadian-mining-companies-trial/

Canadian firms sue Barrick over divisive Pascua-Lama project
http://www.mining.com/canadian-firms-sue-barrick-over-divisive-pascua-lama-project-88378/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Meet the Woman Taking On Canadian Mining Companies
https://news.vice.com/article/meet-the-woman-taking-on-canadian-mining-companies

Digging up the Dirt on Canadian Mining in Latin America
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/international-archives-60/4874-digging-up-the-dirt-on-canadian-mining-in-latin-america

Canadian mining doing serious environmental harm, the IACHR is told
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2014/may/14/canadian-mining-serious-environmental-harm-iachr

More info
https://commonwealthmine.org/

Advertisement

Poisoning the Lower Class in Pearce, Arizona to Benefit the Rich

Commonwealth Mine, Pearce, Arizona
Homes of friends and neighbors who live along the base of the Commonwealth Mine – which is proudly under development by Commonwealth Silver of Canada into a 100 meter deep open-pit cyanide-leach mine that will poison our people, water, and land.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAND FOR THIS… PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT.
Click on Image to Enlarge

Let’s be truthful with ourselves… Our government, both Federal and State, are more concerned with increasing profits for corporations and special interests than they are with issues that directly affect the health and welfare of the average American.  This is due to the fact that our government has developed an unhealthy attachment to corporate America and political maneuvering, for their own financial gain. We need to tell people who think they can buy bad policy with money and contributions that we will no longer tolerate it – and we will fight back.

American’s have been forced into a corner to either stand up and fight, or be devoured by the rich and powerful, much like the people of France prior to the French Revolution. Today, we are in a similar position. We have the choice of continuing to have our rights, freedoms, and even our health stripped away for the benefit of common criminals that we have put on pedestals – as our government and corporate leaders.

Much like the French Revolution, it’s time for us to stand up against those that are against the interest of the people. It is time to demand change and to take back our rights. The excessive privileges enjoyed by our governments, corporations, and special interests, at the expense of tax payers and consumers, must be taken away. It’s time that we, as American’s, demand and force change.

As the march on Versailles ultimately forced the royal court back to Paris and the execution of King Louis XVI, we must also stand up and fight oppression. America is no longer a classless society, it has clearly become a nation of rich and poor and the rich have no need for the average American anymore – other than for cheap labor and consumers of their inferior products and reckless policies.

As citizens, we need to tell the abusive powers in our government and corporate world, that we do not support their special interests, we support the interests of the average American. As a nation, we need to stop being seduced into adopting the policies of a narrow group of billionaires who disregard the legitimate interests of millions of Americans and their families.

Our governments need to stop allowing corporations such as Commonwealth Silver of Canada (AKA Commonwealth Silver and Gold Corporation, Commonwealth Minerals, etc.) to recklessly endanger us with their self-serving quests for financial gain through means such as deep open-pit cyanide-leach mining practices.  Deep open-pit cyanide-leach mining practices have been proven to destroy the health of people, water, and the environment. Would Jan Brewer or John McCain allow this to happen in their communities? Of course, not! The rich live in a separate world from the rest of us…

Contact Jan Brewer at (602) 542-4331 and John McCain at (602) 952-2410 and let them know you expect and demand change!

Commonwealth Mine: Will it move forward?

PEARCE, ARIZONA – In 2011, Toronto-based exploratory mining company Commonwealth Minerals (focused on exploring and developing properties in Arizona) began re-exploring the old Pearce Commonwealth mine. The mine, according to Commonwealth exploration Vice President Hall Stewart, was Arizona’s second-largest historical producer of gold and silver with a heyday as an underground mine between 1895 and 1926.

Commonwealth, like earlier exploration companies in the 1990s, seeks to determine the potential of the property to be a proven resource;  the company proposes a 100 meter deep open-pit cyanide-leach silver-gold operation.

The mine would be located right on the Pearce-Gleeson-Courtland Road and “everything eastward would be part. Pearce Hill would be moved eastward. The old collapsed stopes now honeycombing the entire hill would be mined and waste rock would be moved east with a leach pad south of the hill. We do not intend to put waste back into the pit. Ore would be crushed, stacked on the leach pad and leached with cyanide and then the solution would be pumped through a precipitation plant. After that the metal would go to a small “Dore” silver-gold refinery on site,” said Stewart. “The mine will not produce any tailings, as tailings are the residue from milling and we do not currently plan to construct a mill.”

All mining would be done on either patented/private land or on state leases. The company has 133 un-patented BLM and Homestead Act lode claims but Stewart said that no mining was planned for these claims, rather they would serve as a buffer. The mining of federal un-patented claims would require the Federal National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) to be implemented, as it has at the Rosemont mine, and would call for a comprehensive environmental analysis, generally an Environmental Impact Statement. Currently Commonwealth is exploring on some claims but has no stated intent to mine. However as it stands, the mine would need to comply with the Endangered Species Act, any discharge permits, and other Federal environmental laws, as well as all Arizona state permits. Stewart believes the process is advancing to the point where they can soon begin an application to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for an Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) that would ultimately allow them to pump 3,000 gallons per minute of water for eight and a half years and hopefully more. The process plant will circulate 3.000 gallons per minute, but groundwater pumping will only be 15 to 20 percent of this volume to make up for the water lost to evaporation (450 to 600 gallons per minute).
The current plan will consume a total of between 750 and 970
acre-feet per year. This is about the same consumption as 200 acres
of alfalfa, Stewart said.

“Roughly 50% of that water would get recycled,” said Stewart.

The APP would prohibit groundwater pollution from leaving the site; a large challenge for Arizona mines thus far.

The water consumption is slightly more than a 2012 estimate for the AEPCO power plant; the city of Willcox pumped 987 acre feet in 2007 and the state estimated 167,400 acre feet for the Willcox basin in 2008. Hydrological studies have not yet been completed that would indicate what groundwater depletion or water quality impacts could be on the water table or whether the mine would likely leave behind a pit lake.

Stewart added that, from looking at well logs and from climbing down into the old underground workings of the mine, that, “I’m estimating that the water table in this region has dropped about 100 feet in the last 100 years. The water level within the mine has dropped substantially below the area worked in the past, rather than rising after pumping out of the stopes was halted.”

“From meetings we held in Pearce during 2011 and 2012, I know that people are worried about water consumption issues around here, especially farmers and ranchers, but the current problems in groundwater decline wasn’t a result of mining but agriculture. The bad metals market meant that we had very little money to work with during 2013 and did almost nothing,” Stewart said.

Local property owner Lynn Haber, who describes herself as having lived “on and off in Pearce since 1997,” talked about her observations over the years.

“I have watched the water tables decline. I spent many days horseback riding up in the Cochise Stronghold. I have witnessed the Stronghold tanks going dry and not refilling. The Cochise Spring has gone dry for good. I have watched the huge oak trees wither and die over time because their roots can no longer reach the deepening water table.”

“The many farm fields in our valley have sucked much of the life from our land already. The Commonwealth Mine will destroy our town,” she told the Range News.

“I cannot fathom how they will use 3,000 gallons of water per minute. That’s an entire swimming pool every minute! Where are they getting that from?”

Haber went on to say, “Do they know we are in the desert? I believe they do not care about our town and this valley’s water supply. They will take their silver and gold, deplete our water supply, pollute our land with their toxic processing chemicals and then pack up and leave.”

At this time, Commonwealth is not yet able to present a picture of current water quality in the area surrounding the mine nor establish whether the older underground workings polluted groundwater. They will be completing a hydro-geological study in order to do so.

Stewart said, “Right now we have well records to measure quantity, but as we begin discussions with ADEQ we will need to measure water quality (to determine baseline before the mine begins operation.)

“We are hoping that because we have one well at Pearce School that has been monitored for water quality for a long time that we can gather water quality data for only 4-6 quarters instead of the 8 quarters that ADEQ normally requires from an APP applicant. The water quality at the school is normally potable but it has exceeded the drinking water standard for arsenic. How we can address the issue of the school being so close to the mine is a concern. The school well is slightly ‘up-gradient’ of the mine site although frankly I think that the lens of water lying below Pearce is pretty level”

Stewart estimated that the mine would process about 36 million tons of ore in the above mentioned period and produce about the same amount of waste (tailings from the leach pad and overburden). Company figures have estimated that boreholes to date had measured 6.36 million metal ounces of silver with another 25.95 million “indicated” silver, and 74,800 measured ounces of gold plus 314, 500 “indicated” ounces.

He went on, “These figures can be used in Canadian reports but are not acceptable in the U.S. However we have a new technical report, a prefeasibility study that will be released soon that we think will establish that these resources we’ve discussed are actually reserves.”

Stewart added that the company would “be providing 100 long-term good-paying jobs and that our preference is to hire local.

Sunsites-Pearce Fire District Administrator Tom Schelling said there would be a positive impact on the District if the mine does begin full operations.

“The increased value of the mine would increase the assessed property value of the entire fire district and increase tax revenue from the mine property into the district. Added jobs would bring additional homes sales in the area, which again would help to increase the assessed property value of the district,” he told the Range News.  What?  Increase assessed property….at what cost?  Human lives?

“With current property values on the decline these last few years, seeing them increase would help to keep future tax rates down while allowing the district to maintain its high level of service to the community,” Schelling said.

Murray McClelland, president of the Pearce-Sunsites Chamber of Commerce, said, “As far as the town of Sunsites and what an operating/profitable mining concern would do for us economically is beyond our wildest dreams.”

“Sunsites population has been in a steady decline for the last few years. So in reality, if Commonwealth and/or future partners eventually start the mine up, Sunsites could easily see its population double,” he told the Range News.

“We do not have enough rental housing, products and services to support a massive increase in our population. The balancing act that real estate investors are currently doing is attempting to look into our crystal balls and determine how much risk we’re willing to take and when,” McClelland said.

“If we wait too long however, I’m afraid the wave could roll right on past us, to a certain extent, if we’re not prepared to act as soon as the mine operation looks like a real deal. Stay tuned….”

For her part, however, Haber is not so sure about these economic benefits. Pointing out that Commonwealth Minerals is a Canadian corporation, she said, “It only cares about making money. I do not believe it will bring in jobs. I believe they will bring in their own qualified staff.”

She noted that in the company’s technical data report “shows on their included map that the nearest town is Willcox. It does not even show us – Pearce – on the map. It pretends we do not exist.”

“It states in the report that the surrounding valley is ‘barren’ and is ‘low in plant diversity,’ implying that the mine’s destruction would make no difference here. Have they not seen our beautiful (Cochise) Stronghold? Have they not seen our fields of spring poppies and large diversity of trees, shrubs and cacti?,” Haber said.

“I believe they will damage this area until it is, as they say – ‘barren.’”

Article Source:
http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/news/article_82599ba6-cfe6-11e3-ac63-001a4bcf887a.html

Pearce-Sunsites, Arizona at the Base of the Commonweatlh Mine

New Picture (1)The historic town of Pearce-Sunsites, population 2,014 (circled in red) at the base of the Commonwealth Mine – which is developing into a 100 meter deep open-pit cyanide-leach death trap for the people of Pearce and our environment.

Welcome to the future home of Lake Cyanide….

Image source: http://commonwealthsilver.ca/