VANCOUVER, B.C., April 25, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Crew Development Corporation (Other OTC:CRWVF) (TSE:CRU) (OSLO:CRU) (Frankfurt:KNC): Crew Development Corporation is pleased to announce that preparations have commenced for bulk sampling and full-scale plant testing of sulfur from the Pamplona sulphur deposit at Negros Island in the Philippines.
The purpose of the test work is to examine the commercial and technical viability of the Pamplona deposit as a supply of sulphur to a major domestic industrial partner. Subject to the results of the plant testing, the parties will start planning for regular production. The potential production volume is considered to be in the range of 2-4 million tonnes of ore per year, allowing Pamplona to operate as a profitable stand-alone mining operation. Average grade is 30% S and cut off is 18% S combined as native sulfur and sulfide.
The Pamplona project, first developed in 1974, has an indicated resource of 40 million tonnes of ore that may be accessed by open pit mining, and a further 80 million tonnes of inferred resource. A stand-alone sulphur operation at Pamplona will not compromise the future at-cost supply of sulphur to the Mindoro nickel project. The partner will carry all costs in connection with the bulk sampling and plant testing.
"Jan A. Vestrum"
President and CEO
This news release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, and/or statements made by company officers or directors at any given time, as well as Crew's future plans are such forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Crew does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or management's estimates or opinions change.