World Class Mine Developer Joins Western Potash Corp.
Western Potash Corp. (the 'Company') (TSX: WPX, FSE: AHE)is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Lock, P. Eng. as
Project Director to develop the Company′s 100%-owned Milestone Potash
Project. Richard will join the Western team on March 20th,
2012. Prior to joining the Company Richard worked at BHP/Rio Tinto′s
joint-ventured Resolution Copper Mining Project in Superior, Arizona. As
Project Director, Richard was responsible for the development of the
multi-billion dollar project, including pre-feasibility studies and
associated on-site activities (which include multiple shaft sinking
activities for exploration and future development). Resolution hosts the
third largest copper ore body in the world and is predicted to produce
25% of the US copper supply while creating 3,700 jobs and generating
economic growth of over 61 billion USD.
Richard has more than 24 years experience in the mining industry, having
begun his career with De Beers-Anglo American in South Africa. Richard
later joined Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamonds Project (Diavik) at Lac de Gras
in Canada′s Northwest Territories, where he took the project from the
evaluation stage to production. Under Richard′s guidance as mine
manager, the A154 dike/dam was awarded the professional engineering
award of merit by NAPEGG and the Canadian Council of Professional
Engineers national award for engineering achievement in May 2003. The
Diavik mine remains a standout example of technical innovation in
Canadian project engineering.
Prior to his work at Resolution Copper, Richard managed the design and
construction of a large, successful bitumen recovery plant on an oil
sands mining project in Alberta, Canada for Canadian Natural Resources
Limited, an independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and
production company. His experience in the development of an oil and gas
recovery and production facility brings great value as it has a great
deal of structural and engineering commonality with the potash recovery
plant being envisioned at Milestone.
Patricio Varas, President & CEO of Western Potash Corp., commented: 'We
are delighted to have Richard join our project development team. Richard
is a mine builder. He is a highly experienced mining professional with
the skill set necessary to move a project of this scope through the
feasibility process. Richard′s depth of experience and proven track
record in all phases of engineering and construction are key ingredients
that will help Western effectively execute on all our project processes.
This appointment to the Milestone Project sends a clear signal that the
Company is effectively assembling a world class team, dedicated to
bringing a world class Potash project to production. Those of our
management team that have worked with Richard at Diavik and Resolution
relish the opportunity to work together to deliver the newest
independent potash mine in Saskatchewan.?
About Western Potash
Western Potash Corp. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the
evaluation, exploration and development of potash mineral properties in
Western Canada. Western Potash Corp. is curently working toward the
completion of a Positive Feasibility Study at its Milestone Potash
Project in Saskatchewan. The Company intends to develop a world-class
potash deposit in an ecologically sustainable, economically efficient
and socially responsible manner.
For more information on Western Potash Corp.′s projects, please visit
the Company′s website at www.westernpotash.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
'J. Patricio Varas?
J. Patricio Varas
President and CEO
Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company,
certain information contained herein constitutes 'forward-looking
information' under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to
the effect and estimated timeline of the drilling and assay results on
the Company, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources;
the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; costs of
exploration; capital expenditures; success of exploration activities;
permitting time lines and permitting; government regulation of mining
operations; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; and
title disputes or claims; Generally, forward-looking information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans',
'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled',
'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates' or 'does not
anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or
statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could',
'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of
management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject
to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements
of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking
information. Although management of the Company has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated
in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The
Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or
forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein,
except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Western Potash Corp.
John Costigan, 604-689-9378
VP
Corporate Development