TRADING SYMBOL: TSXV: EPO
VANCOUVER, March 19, 2013 /CNW/ – 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
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.
SOURCE: Encanto Potash Corp.
For further information:
James Walchuck
President and CEO
Tel: 604-683-2402
Martin Gagel CFA, MBA
Vanguard Shareholder Solutions
Tel: 604-608-0824
Toll Free: 1-866-918-0824