Laurentian Goldfields Signs $1,500,000 Strategic Exploration Alliance Agreement With Antofagasta Minerals
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 26, 2012) -Laurentian Goldfields Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:LGF) ("Laurentian") is pleased to announce it has signed a US$1,500,000, two year strategic exploration alliance (the "Alliance") with Antofagasta Minerals S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Antofagasta plc ("Antofagasta") for generative copper exploration in southern Quebec, Canada. The Alliance will utilize Laurentian's extensive technical and exploration expertise as a project generator to identify copper properties for acquisition in specific target areas of Quebec. Exploration work will be guided through the establishment of a joint Technical Committee with Laurentian acting as Operator.
"We are very excited to partner with Antofagasta and begin exploration work in Quebec," states Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., President and CEO of Laurentian. "Antofagasta is one of the world's largest copper producers, with a proven track record of exploration and development of copper deposits around the world. The Alliance is a solid endorsement of Laurentian's exploration team and technical expertise, and will expose Laurentian shareholders to numerous discovery and development opportunities in Quebec."
Copper exploration and/or development opportunities acquired by the Alliance will become Designated Properties, and will have a deemed interest of 51% and 49% for Antofagasta and Laurentian respectively. Antofagasta can increase its interest in any Designated Property to 65% by completing US$5,000,000 in exploration over four years and thereafter electing to form a Joint Venture with a one-time cash payment of US$1,000,000 to Laurentian.
In the event that Antofagasta declines to exercise its option to earn 65% in a Designated Property, the interest will remain at 51% and 49% for Antofagasta and Laurentian respectively, with Laurentian maintaining control and management of the project.
The strategic exploration alliance is focused primarily on copper. If a property is declined as a Designated Property, Laurentian is free to advance that property on its own terms outside of the Alliance, with no further obligation to Antofagasta.
About Laurentian Goldfields Ltd.
Laurentian is a team of highly skilled exploration professionals focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of high quality gold properties in Canada. The Company advances its prospective projects through the use of its internal technical team, extensive network of exploration industry specialists and by engaging the financial support of major mining companies through exploration alliances and joint venture agreements. Laurentian is committed to increasing shareholder value through the identification and acquisition of new exploration opportunities and the advancement and growth of its current portfolio of projects.
About Antofagasta Minerals S.A.:
"Antofagasta Minerals S.A. is the mining division of Antofagasta plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE-100 Index, with interests also in transport and water distribution. Currently, Antofagasta's activities are primarily concentrated in Chile where it owns and operates four copper mines: Los Pelambres, Esperanza, El Tesoro and Michilla. Total production in 2011 was 640,500 tonnes of copper, 9,900 tonnes of molybdenum and 196,800 ounces of gold. Antofagasta also has exploration, evaluation and/or feasibility programs in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa."
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., President and CEO