Nevada Copper Updates Permitting and Yerington Land Conveyance

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/05/12 -- Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) ("Nevada Copper") is pleased to provide an update on applications for permits required for the integrated open pit and underground mining operations at the Pumpkin Hollow Copper Project located in Nevada.

Nevada Copper has been advancing both State permitting documentation and, in parallel, land conveyance legislation, the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act ("the Bill" or "Land Conveyance"). The Bill contemplates acquisition by the City of Yerington of a block of Federal lands surrounding Pumpkin Hollow (refer to New Releases dated February 16, 2012 and March 26, 2012).

The permitting process leading to the issuance of Nevada State permits that allow for Pumpkin Hollow mine operations is proceeding on schedule. There has been no water use, environmental, or cultural issues identified, nor any land use conflicts that would interfere with the issuance of these permits. This has resulted in a tremendous level of support for the Project at the City, County and State level.

As outlined in more detail below, this process is expected to result in the issuance of State permits for mine operations by Q1-2013 for a Phase 1 underground stand-alone operation and, if the Land Conveyance is successful, State permits for the integrated underground and open pit operation.

Permitting

At present, Nevada Copper holds three permits from the State of Nevada. These allow for the construction of a 24-foot diameter, 2,200-foot deep shaft, underground exploration and mining of ore for test purposes, as well as surface drilling. See link http://www.pumpkinhollowcopper.com/mine-community/category/shaft-progress/ for development photos to date.

The construction of this shaft has started with delivery of a production hoist, shaft collar, and head-frame steel erection expected over the next few months.

Completion and submission of mine development permit application documents to the Nevada agencies is expected in June 2012. These applications would modify our existing permits to provide for future mine operations at Pumpkin Hollow. The operations contemplated could be either of:

1.  A first Phase 6,000 to 7,500 ton per day underground mine operation
    developed on the high grade Eastern deposits. This would be located
    entirely on patented claims and, with State-only permits, would not rely
    on a successful land conveyance.

2.  A large 67,500 tons per day integrated open pit and underground
    operation, as described in the January 2012 Feasibility Study. At the
    present time, this operation would require Federal permits since some of
    the required land is on our mining claims on federal land. However with
    a successful land conveyance, all permits would be received from the
    State and no Federal permits would be required.

"Submission of permitting documents in June will put us on track to receive all necessary state and local permits in the first quarter of 2013," stated Timothy M. Dyhr, Vice President of Environment and External Relations. "Regardless of the permitting process, Nevada Copper would build and operate the mine to the same environmental standards. We continue to work closely with government officials and local stakeholders to address all aspects of environmental protection for the mine."

Land Conveyance Bill

Nevada Copper is very pleased with the progress of the Bill in the House and Senate. Nevada Copper continues to support the City of Yerington proposal, as outlined in the land conveyance bill, to acquire Federal land in and around Pumpkin Hollow. The City and Nevada Copper are in regular communication with the Nevada Congressional delegation to meet all technical and procedural aspects of the legislative process to assure its passage.

As previously mentioned, the Bill has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate of Congress. A hearing has already been held in the relevant House subcommittee, and the City understands that the Nevada Congressional Delegation is preparing sufficient information to schedule a similar hearing in the Senate this summer. It continues to be high priority for passage to expedite economic recovery in Lyon County, a county with the highest unemployment rate in the country, with little effect to federal lands or natural resources. The 10,300 acres proposed for transfer represents 1% of the 845,000 acres of federal land held in Lyon County.

Congressman Mark Amodei of Nevada recently stated in an April 17 press release (attached) that, "We will continue to work with Chairmen Bishop and Hastings to pass the bill out of the Natural Resources Committee. And I plan to visit with Reps. Berkley and Heck, as well as Senator Heller this week to push for final passage in the House and Senate."

http://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-statement-on-yerington-bill-hearing/

For additional information about Nevada Copper please visit our website at www.nevadacopper.com.

NEVADA COPPER CORP.

Giulio T. Bonifacio, President & CEO

We seek safe harbour.

Amodei statement on Yerington bill hearing

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia--Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) issued the following statement regarding today's legislative hearing for H.R. 4039, the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act.

Congressman Amodei:

"I'm pleased with the positive bipartisan reception the Yerington bill received today and commend Mayor George Dini, as well as Tim Dyhr from Nevada Copper, for testifying on the importance of this plan to the economy of Northern Nevada.

"The hearing proved the Dini name is still magic, as members from both sides of the aisle praised Speaker Emeritus of the Nevada Assembly Joe Dini.

"I'm encouraged that the official from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) articulated no substantive objections and I want to thank the BLM Carson City District Office for their contributions to this matter. I also appreciate the consideration of our neighbors in Arizona and California -- Ranking Member Grijalva and Rep. Garamendi.

"We will continue to work with Chairmen Bishop and Hastings to pass the bill out of the Natural Resources Committee. And I plan to visit with Reps. Berkley and Heck, as well as Senator Heller this week to push for final passage in the House and Senate."

Contacts:

Nevada Copper Corp.

Eugene Toffolo

Corporate Communications

604-683-8266 or Toll free: 1-877-648-8266
bmcknight@nevadacopper.com


Nevada Copper Corp.

Robert McKnight, P.Eng.

Executive Vice President

604-683-1309
etoffolo@nevadacopper.com
www.nevadacopper.com


For Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2)

Brian L. Baluta

Communications Director

202-225-6155

Amodei.house.gov