DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - March 1, 2011) - WestMountain Index Advisor, Inc. (
The Terra Gold Project, in which more than $6.0 million has been invested by major mining companies in property acquisition, exploration, drilling and infrastructure, is located in the McGrath Mining District in Western Alaska. The project consists of 240 Alaska state mining claims covering 60 square miles and has a high-grade gold vein system in the resource definition phase with inferred gold resource of 168,000 ounces based on the Company's 43-101 compliant resource report. The gold bearing structure has been mapped for three miles with only a 300-yard zone having been drilled to date, leaving the deposit open along strike and at depth.
The project's primary focus is the Bens Vein, where, to date, 28 drill holes have been completed, returning 111 vein intersections and indicating potential for a significant increase in resources. In addition, initial metallurgical work indicates a high recovery rate via gravity circuit, illustrating strong potential for near-term production. The Company is currently developing its 2011 drilling program to further define the gold vein along the open ends.
"Completion of these transactions is a critical milestone in our strategy of developing a world class gold operation," said Greg Schifrin, founder of Terra Mining Corporation and the new president and CEO of WestMountain. "The Terra Gold Project gives us a high-grade asset base with significant potential for additional exploration and discoveries, and we are optimistic about increasing our gold resource to more than one million ounces over time. Moreover, our status as a publicly held company enhances our ability to raise growth capital, accelerate near-term development plans, and build value for all of our stakeholders."
Under terms of its agreement with International Tower Hill Mining and Raven Gold Alaska, WestMountain becomes the operator of the Terra Gold Project and holds a 51% interest in gold production. Once WestMountain's project investment reaches $6.0 million, it will assume 51% ownership of the property. The Company can increase its ownership to 80% with a $9.5 million capital investment over a four-year period.
Additional highlights:
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Near-term production potential with significant long-term upside. High-grade gold veins, coupled with favorable mining configuration and gravity recovery characteristics, position the Company for near-term gold production transitioning to an anticipated 30,000 ounce per year operation.
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Participation of major mining firms. Kennecott Exploration initially discovered the outcropping gold veins in the late 1990s with ownership later transferring to AngloGold Ashanti Exploration (U.S.A.) and International Tower Hill, both of which conducted positive drilling activities and infrastructure development aggregating $6.0 million.
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Infrastructure. There is a work camp located in close proximity to the project that is equipped with an airstrip, diesel generator, core facility, kitchen and tents to accommodate 20 people, a bulldozer and wireless Internet. The Company plans near-term infrastructure upgrades to support its drilling program.
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Balance sheet and capital structure. The Company currently has $1.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and no long-term debt. There are 16,577,313 shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, inclusive of 4.7 million warrants, with executive management holding approximately 39.5% of outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis.
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Strong management team. The Company's three principal executives are significant shareholders with extensive experience in mining, finance and SEC reporting. They include Greg Schifrin, president and CEO, and James Baughman, chief operating officer, both of whom are geologists with more than 25 years of mining and mineral exploration experience; and Mark Scott, chief financial officer and secretary, who is a CPA with extensive experience in finance and capital markets with microcap companies.
Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements may contain words such as "desires," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates" or similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of the Company's future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause its actual performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, comments regarding the economic environment, strategy, expansion and development plans, projections of mining costs, minerals prices, ore grades, production and recovery rates, permitting, labor matters, management's acumen, financing needs and the terms of future credit facilities, capital expenditures, safety, timing for engineering studies and environmental permitting and compliance. Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ materially from management's expectations is found in the Company's SEC filings. The Company intends that the forward-looking statements contained herein be subject to the above-mentioned statutory safe harbors. Investors are cautioned not to rely on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Contact Information:
Contacts:
Greg Schifrin
Chief Executive Officer
(208) 290-1180