Independent Review Panel Confirms Design Concept for Casino Project Tailings Management Facility

VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – August 16, 2016) – Western Copper and Gold Corporation (TSX:WRN, NYSEMKT:WRN) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Casino Mining Corp. (“CMC”), is pleased to announce that an Independent Engineering Review Panel (the “IERP”) has confirmed the general design concept of the Casino Project tailings management facility (“TMF”).
CMC initiated the independent engineering review process at the conceptual design stage to provide oversight and guidance throughout the life-cycle of this important facility and as a means to provide effective environmental risk management.
The IERP reviewed the current TMF design, assessed potential alternative storage technologies, and the alternate locations study for the Casino Project’s TMF. The team of global experts confirmed that the design concept currently forming the basis of CMC’s YESAB submission represents the best available technology for storing solid waste from the Casino Project. It also provided guidance and made recommendations to enhance the design of the TMF and to meet internationally accepted standards and good practices.
The IERP endorsed certain optimization concepts under consideration by CMC, and made specific recommendations with regards to placement of potentially acid generating material and minimizing stored water in the TMF. CMC is evaluating the recommendations from the IERP and will revise the TMF design in due course.
The IERP review is part of CMC’s quality assurance program to ensure that both best available technology (BAT) and “international good practice” are incorporated into the site investigation and selection, design, construction, operation, and closure of the Casino TMF. An independent engineering review will be conducted at distinct phases of the project development, including: basic engineering, advanced engineering, capital construction, pre-operations, and at regular intervals during operations. Review and input to closure planning will also be provided. The IERP will have unimpeded access to all technical data necessary to enable them to assess the TMF on an ongoing basis for compliance of the design, construction and operation of this facility with internationally accepted standards and practices.
“Our Company views safety and protection of the environment as cornerstones of the Casino Project. Independent review of our TMF is an industry-leading undertaking on our part to ensure that Casino’s TMF is constructed, operated and decommissioned in keeping with environmentally responsible development and industry accepted international practice. The team we have assembled includes some of the leading experts globally in their field and we are honoured that they have agreed to serve in this important role for the Casino Project,” said Paul West-Sells, President and Chief Executive Officer.
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