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Dragon Capital report on
current status of operations
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TORONTO, April 12 - Dragon Capital Corporation
("Dragon Capital" or "the Company"), (TSX:
AHD)
(the "Company") reported today on the current
status and planned activities of Arehada
Mining Corporation, its 100% indirectly
owned subsidiary based in Inner Mongolia,
China.
Arehada Mining Corporation has three distinct
divisions of business and assets: mining
and processing division, zinc smelter division,
and exploration division. Arehada currently
has 550 full time employees in the mining
and processing division, 213 employees in
the smelter division and 12 employees in
the exploration division.
Production
Arehada currently operates a brand new
1,500 tonnes per day (t/d) mining and processing
facility, to produce zinc concentrate and
lead concentrate. Silver and indium are
credited with lead concentrates.
The mining and processing pilot division
commenced in July 2006 and has been profitable.
The mining division is forecasted to generate
significant after tax income for the fiscal
year 2007.
The operating mining and processing facilities
include:
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underground
mine accessed by three vertical shafts
and one inclined shaft; |
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mine facilities
including hoist room, compressor house,
ore transport system; |
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tailings
pond facility with water reclamation
system; |
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service facilities
including heating plant, coal/fuel storage,
maintenance shop and assay laboratory;
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personnel
facilities including offices, dormitory,
dining hall, clinic and change houses;
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site infrastructure
including access road, water supply
system (8 wells), and electrical power
transmission line with substation. |
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To date, capital expenditure for the mining
operation is approximately $19 million.
At the current rate of 1,500 t/d, the company
expects to process 44.2 tonnes of ore in
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The
existing resources will be able to support
15 years of production at the current rate.
ZINC SMELTER DIVISION
Arehada plans to build a 100,000 tonnes
per annum zinc smelter to process zinc concentrates
from smaller zinc mines in the region, with
potential processing for Mongolian zinc
concentrates.
Phase I, with an anticipated 50,000 tons
per annum production capacity, is currently
under construction. The module to process
zinc calcine and sulphic acid has been completed
and fine-tuned. Arehada expects to commence
operation of this module in the second quarter
of 2007. Total capital cost for the smelter
to date is approximately $17 million.
ZINC LEAD SILVER EXPLORATION PORTFOLIO
In addition to the existing operating
mine and the smelter described above, Arehada
has significant and promising zinc lead
silver exploration properties. All these
properties are in the same region of the
existing mine and within hours of driving
distance.
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Arehada
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57.34 km(2)
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Dasaituo
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50.50 km(2)
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Wuhua aobao
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21.00 km(2)
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Total
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128.84 km(2)
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Exploration programs covering Arehada
area II (to the east of Arehada I) since
July 2006 have discovered 12 additional
mineralized zones from line 39 to 71, and
obtained significant zinc, lead and silver
resources. The company is in the process
of finalizing its data and will release
its positive results soon.
ZINC LEAD SILVER EXPLORATION PORTFOLIO
The Company is planning to double its
current mining operations to 3,000 tonnes
per day in 2008 from the current 1,500 tonnes
per day. To implement this strategy, the
company has commenced its mining development
by constructing the second major incline
shaft in December 2006.
About Dragon Capital
Through its 100% owned subsidiary Arehada
Mining Corporation, Dragon Capital is engaged
in the exploration, development, extraction
and refining of zinc, lead and silver in
Dongwuzhumuqinqi, located in Inner Mongolia,
China. Arehada produces zinc and lead concentrates,
which is sold to smelters in China.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain forward-looking statements are
made in this news release, including statements
regarding possible future business. Investors
are cautioned that such forward looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties
detailed from time to time in the Company's
periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory
authorities. Many factors could cause actual
results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements.
For further information:
Neither the TSXV or the TSX has in any
way passed upon the merits of this press
release and has neither approved nor disapproved
the contents of this press release.
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