TSX-V: SMP
OTC: SMPEF
The BLM determined that Southern Empire's Plan is consistent with
Highlights of Oro Cruz Gold Project Surface Exploration as Proposed in the Plan of Operations:
- The establishment of up to 65 drill pads in seven drill target areas
- Reverse Circulation (RC) and/or core drilling of up to 65 drill holes
- Construction of approximately 2.94 kilometres (km; 1.83 miles) of new, permanent access roads, ~9.98 km (6.2 miles) of temporary drill site access roads and ~4.21 km (2.62 miles) of improvements to existing roads
- Creation of a 2.6-acre staging area at the
Cross Mine underground portal for infrastructure related to future underground and surface exploration
The Plan, which was initially submitted to the
On
Highlights of Oro Cruz Gold Project Permitting:
- Received BLM notice-level acknowledgement for two independent surface drill projects together with associated permits from
Imperial County allowing for 27 sonic drill holes onOro Cruz Gold Project lands outside of the Picacho ACEC - Exploration Plan of Operations accepted for
Oro Cruz Gold Project lands within the Picacho ACEC - BLM has determined that the environmental review process required by NEPA can begin through the solicitation of public comment on the Plan of Operations
- Baseline biological and archaeological studies to support California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements have started
- Design of a requisite Reclamation Plan for compliance with
California's Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) has started - Additional permits for Oro Cruz surface exploration are expected within six months, co-ordinating well with the start of the fall 2021 field season
At a time specified by the BLM, Southern Empire will have to submit a reclamation cost estimate consistent with federal regulations and post environmental bonding.
Southern Empire's environmental, permitting and regulatory team efforts are co-ordinated by
Sespe Consulting, Inc. ofVentura, California ; specialists regarding SMARA and CEQA requirements who will provide baseline studies and documents for, and liaise with, theState of California andImperial County Stantec Consulting Services Inc. ; an international firm that will conduct baseline environmental studies and provide NEPA documents for, and liaise with, the BLM, theState of California andImperial County WestLand Resources, Inc. ofTucson, Arizona ; specialists in environmental permitting and planning, who will perform baseline archaeological and environmental studies and provide documentation necessary to comply with NEPA and CEQA permitting and liaise with the regulatory bodies, including the BLM,California andImperial County .
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by
About
Southern Empire is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of gold deposits in
In the Cargo Muchacho mountains of
At Oro Cruz, extensive historical drilling and large-scale open-pit and underground mining of the American Girl, Padre y Madre, Queen and Cross oxide gold deposits by the AGMJV (ultimately owned 53 per cent by
Southern Empire is well financed, having completed two oversubscribed, non-brokered private placement financings during 2020; see Southern Empire's news releases dated
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Information
Information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Southern Empire cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Southern Empire limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on its projects and those risks and uncertainties identified in its annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Southern Empire undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
Cautionary Notice Regarding Historical Resource Estimate
The historical resource estimate is disclosed in a technical report dated
Work Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Timing of Southern Empire's exploration programs will be contingent on governmental regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and also the availability of exploration-related personnel, drill contractors, equipment, lodging, et cetera. Southern Empire will adhere to COVID-19 directives regarding safe working practices putting worker, community and national safety first and will proceed with exploration and development work programs only if potential COVID-19 risks can be effectively managed.
Neither the
SOURCE
© Canada Newswire, source