Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Ajax Copper-Gold Mine Project

Kamloops (BC)

May 31, 2011 (Updated January 10, 2012) -- Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is responsible for exercising the powers and performing the duties and functions of the responsible authority for certain projects subject to a comprehensive study.

Based on information it has received, the Agency has determined that the project is described in the comprehensive study list and that an environmental assessment pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act is required. As a result, a comprehensive study commenced on May 25, 2011.

KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. is proposing to construct and operate the Ajax Mine Project located partially within the City of Kamloops, British Columbia. The Ajax Mine Project is an open pit copper/gold mine and is expected to process 60,000 tonnes of ore per day (21.9 million tonnes per year) for export over a mine life of 23 years.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and Natural Resources Canada may take action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of British Columbia.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, this environmental assessment has been identified as a major natural resource project. For additional information refer to the Major Projects Management Office's Tracker that monitors the progress of proposed major resource projects through the federal regulatory review system.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Ajax Copper-Gold Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Colleen Hanlan, Project Manager
410 - 701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver  BC  V7Y 1C6
Telephone : 604-666-2431
Fax : 604-666-6990
Email : Ajax@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 11-03-62225

For specific information on the project, please contact the proponent at:
KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.
330 Seymour Street
Kamloops  BC  V2C 2G2
Telephone: 250-374-5446
Email: info@ajaxmine.ca