RENO, Nev., May 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp. (OTCBB:BMGX) ("Battle Mountain") is pleased to report that Orvana Minerals Corp. ("Orvana") provided second quarter 2006 production figures for their Don Mario Mine in a Corporate Update dated April 18, 2006. Battle Mountain holds a 3.0% net smelter royalty on production from the Don Mario Mine.
In the Corporate Update, Orvana reported that its Don Mario Mine produced 39,084 ounces of gold for the six months ended March 31, 2006. The mine produced 31,392 ounces of gold for the six months ended March 31, 2005. The mine's production during the first six months of 2006 represents a 24.5% increase over the same period in 2005.
While production to date at the Don Mario Mine has come from the Lower Mineralized Zone, considerable work is being completed to evaluate the Upper Mineralized Zone ("UMZ"). Orvana received a final Resource Estimate Review and National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, dated March 11, 2005, on the UMZ, which estimated the UMZ contains indicated resources of 5.6 million tonnes at a grade of 1.47 gpt gold, 1.61 percent copper and 50 gpt silver. See Summary table below:
UMZ Indicated Resource Estimates - Source: Orvana's 2005 Annual Report --------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone AuEq Cutoff Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Tonnes --------------------------------------------------------------------- Porous 1.00 1.31 1.78 52 443,422 Oxides 1.00 1.57 1.99 49 1,790,670 Transition 1.27 1.41 1.37 57 1,775,430 Sulfides 1.32 1.46 1.42 44 1,568,150 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1.47 1.61 50 5,577,672 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Orvana's 2005 Annual Report explained that the UMZ has the potential to produce more than 100,000 ounces per annum of gold equivalent (using $1/pound Copper, $380/oz Gold, and $6/oz Silver) and that production from the UMZ could extend the mine life of Don Mario by up to 8 years beyond the life of the LMZ.
A pre-feasibility study for the UMZ is being conducted presently and Orvana expects that a bankable feasibility study can be completed during calendar 2006.
The information presented above was derived from publicly available information provided by Orvana and Battle Mountain has not undertaken an independent due diligence investigation to confirm its accuracy.
About Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp.
Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp. (OTCBB:BMGX) is a gold royalty company headquartered in Reno, Nevada.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Mark Kucher Chairman and CEO
To learn more please visit www.bmegold.com or email info@bmegold.com.
Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp. Sixth Floor, Suite 9 One East Liberty Street Reno, Nevada 89504 1-800-436-0167
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding the potential transactions and ventures discussed in this release. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the risks inherent in mineral exploration, the need to obtain additional financing, the availability of needed personnel and equipment for future exploration and development, fluctuations in the price of minerals, and general economic conditions.