Second Progress Update on the Tailings Leak at North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine
February 10 2006 - 8:13AM
PR Newswire (US)
Trading Symbol TSX - PDL AMEX - PAL TORONTO, Feb. 10
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- North American Palladium Ltd. announced
today that milling operations at its Lac des Iles mine were resumed
last night. The leak, which occurred on Saturday, flooded the
milling and primary crusher areas, leading to an initial shutdown
of these operations. The mill has since been brought back online;
however there was significant damage to the electrical switchgear
at the primary crusher. Mill feed from the crushed ore stockpile
will be supplemented with crushed ore from portable crushers. It is
expected that the primary crusher will be fully operational by
Tuesday of next week. In making this announcement, Jim Excell,
President and CEO, stated, "I would like to take this opportunity
to thank our dedicated team of employees at the mine site for their
perseverance during this challenging time. Their hard work has
proved to be invaluable and I am confident that the primary crusher
will be operating by mid-next week."
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North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine is Canada's only
primary producer of platinum group metals and is one of the largest
open pit bulk mineable palladium reserves in the world. The Company
also earns substantial revenue from by-product nickel, platinum,
gold and copper. In addition to operating Lac des Iles, the
Company's mandate is to expand its production profile through an
aggressive exploration campaign, designed to increase its exposure
to base and precious metals. Palladium use in the auto industry
continues to be an important component in controlling exhaust
emissions as mandated by more stringent hydrocarbon emissions
standards for cars, particularly in the United States, Europe and
Japan. Palladium is also used in the dental, electronics, jewellery
and chemical sectors. Forward-Looking Statements - Certain
statements included in this news release are forward-looking
statements which are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. When used herein, words such as "expect" and other similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such forward- looking statements involve inherent risks and
uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond
our control that may cause actual results or performance to differ
materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. See
the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Annual Report
on Form 40-F on file with securities regulators for a comprehensive
review of risk factors. The Company disclaims any obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result
of new information, events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not
to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
DATASOURCE: North American Palladium Ltd. CONTACT: James D. Excell,
President & CEO, Tel: (416) 360-2656, email: ; Krista M. Muhr,
Manager, Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 360-2652, email:
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