Labrador Iron Mines Provides Update on Schefferville Operations
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/03/12 -- Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited ("LIM" or the "Company") (TSX: LIM) reported today that the Company has been notified of a barricade currently blocking access to its mining operations in the Schefferville area, which has also affected other mine developers and exploration companies within the region. The Company believes that the barricade consists of a local group of Schefferville residents, not sanctioned by any aboriginal community.
At this time, LIM's operations have been minimally impacted:
-- LIM continues to load its trains and transport its iron ore product to
the Port of Sept-Iles.
-- LIM is still on track to meet its 2012 saleable production target of 2
million tonnes of iron ore.
-- LIM continues to advance construction on its Phase 3 expansion of the
Silver Yards Process Plant.
-- For the safety and well-being of our employees, mining operations,
including the Silver Yards Processing Facility, as well as exploration
work have been temporarily halted.
At present, the nature of the barricade is not completely understood by the Company, as no direct contact has been made from any of the protestors. Initial reports and protest signs indicate some dissatisfaction with the Quebec Government's Plan Nord initiatives. LIM is committed to open and honest dialogue with stakeholders and members of the local community. Currently, the Company is engaged in dialogue with the local aboriginal band councils in an attempt to understand the protesters' concerns. The Company also understands that the local band councils are not in support of this barricade. LIM is taking a non-confrontational approach to the situation in order to affect a quick resolution of the dispute.
As part of our ongoing commitment to establish long-term, cooperative, respectful and mutually-beneficial positive relationships with First Nations, LIM has signed an Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA) with four First Nations groups since 2008. Two of the four IBAs were signed with local First Nations: the Naspaki Nation of Kawawachikamach and the Innu Matimekush-Lac John.
While the protest has not disrupted our planned sales activities in July at this point, it does have the potential to impact the Company if the protest continues for a protracted period of time. LIM is, therefore, monitoring the situation closely.
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