Study Completed On Increased Green Mining At Hasbrouck Gold Project

VANCOUVER - West Vault Mining Inc. has completed a positive in-house study to reduce carbon dioxide (CO") emissions at the Hasbrouck Gold Project, Nevada. This study shows that CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced by using the following: 1) Grid power instead of liquified natural gas-generated power (LNG) as planned at the phase one mine (Three Hills Mine). 2) Primary electric mining equipment instead of diesel equipment at phase two. 3) Electric power instead of diesel for drying kilns in the central processing plant.

The study indicates these changes to be feasible and would reduce power-related emissions from about 200,000 tons CO2 to about 66,000 tons CO2 over life of mine. NV Energy has recently confirmed their ability to supply the necessary additional electric power, opening the way for a more detailed study.

NV Energy currently supplies about 25% of its energy from renewable sources and is mandated to supply 50% from renewable sources by 2030 and to aim for 100% by 2050. The proposed changes are expected to increase initial capital marginally and will tend to lower operating costs, with progressively greater operating cost savings as cap-and-trade systems become more widely implemented. Electric primary mining equipment in the form of blast-hole drills and shovels is currently available at comparable costs to diesel equipment, and nearly all major haul truck OEMs are developing electric haul trucks, expected to be commercially available within the next few years. Electric secondary mining equipment such as dozers, graders, water-trucks, explosives trucks, and pick-ups is expected to be available in electric form in the not-too-distant future, which would further reduce emissions by 24,000 tons CO2.