TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Dec. 15, 2004) - ONTZINC Corporation
(TSX VENTURE:OTZ) announces that in connection with its proposed
acquisition of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Limited ("HBMS") that
HBMS has recently been informed by the Provinces of Manitoba and
Saskatchewan that, in their view, the current HBMS estimate of
reclamation costs may be too low and the current security established
for the reclamation obligations may not be sufficient.
HBMS has had preliminary discussions with the Provinces of Manitoba and
Saskatchewan and has agreed to conduct a feasibility study to more
accurately determine the estimated reclamation costs. The study is
expected to be completed in the first half of 2005.
HBMS believes that its current reclamation cost estimate of
approximately C$51million is adequate and is sufficiently secured by the
existing security. However, HBMS currently expects to provide additional
security in the form of a letter of credit in the amount of C$13 million
during the period of the feasibility study. After completion of the
feasibility study, the adjustments to the security, if any, will be
determined in conjunction with the provinces.
To facilitate the provision of reclamation security, the parent of HBMS,
Anglo American International S.A., has agreed to receive C$13 million of
the purchase price in respect of the sale of HBMS in the form of common
shares and warrants of ONTZINC.
ONTZINC Corporation is a mineral exploration and development company.
Its strategy is to focus on the acquisition of high quality, North
American mining assets at an advanced stage of development. ONTZINC
currently owns and operates four mineral projects: the Balmat Mine in
the State of New York, U.S.A.; the Gays River Mine in the Province of
Nova Scotia, Canada; the Southwestern Ontario Project in the Province of
Ontario, Canada; and the San Antonio Project in Chile.
Shares Outstanding: 232,602,679
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
ONTZINC Corporation
Peter George or Doug Scharf
(416) 913-7601
(416) 360-5882 (FAX)
www.ontzinc.ca
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither
approved nor disapproved the
contents of this press release.