Inspiration to Proceed With the Dewatering of Langmuir No. 1 Mine


TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 2, 2014) - Inspiration Mining Corporation (the "Corporation") (TSX:ISM)(FRANKFURT:OI8)(PINKSHEETS:IRMGF) would like to announce that it intends to proceed with the dewatering of the existing ramp (the "Ramp") to the Langmuir No. 1 mine. The Corporation intends to dewater the Ramp in order to commence an advanced exploration program in the higher grade mineralization ore body which occurs in the Langmuir No. 1 mine. The dewatering process requires a permit to take water ("PTTW") application to the Ministry of the Environment. The PTTW is required to ensure safe working conditions and to supply process water for the mining operations. To support its application, the Corporation retained AMEC Earth & Environmental, a division of AMEC Americas Limited ("AMEC"), to undertake a hydrogeological study.

The Ramp was used by the property's former owner, Timmins Nickel, to extract over 100,000 tonnes of ore with an average of 2.2% nickel. Langmuir No. 1 mine is an underground mine which is only accessible through the use of the Ramp, which extends to a length of 1,650 feet. Upon the cessation of operations by Timmins Nickel, the Langmuir No. 1 mine and the Ramp were allowed to be filled with ground and rain water.

The results of the AMEC study were issued on September 3, 2008. That study was quite extensive and had to be based on a large number of factors, including surface water drainage, nature of the overburden and bedrock, groundwater chemistry, the details, underground water flow, and a multitude of environmental factors. The preparation of also required consideration not only all historical data for the area as well as the baseline environmental report by BZ Environmental. Details not otherwise available were developed through additional DDH drilling by AMEC to provide information.

In addition, a numerical 3D steady-state groundwater flow (MODFLOW) model was developed to estimate seepage into the underground workings at the Langmuir No.1 mine site and to access the zone-of-influence associated with the long-term mine dewatering operations. The model is based on the previously developed groundwater flow model for the McWatters Mine Site located at a distance of about 2 km to the south of the Langmuir No.1 Mine site.

Model simulations, conducted for the Langmuir No 1 mine site by AMEC, showed that:

  • Long-term groundwater seepage into the increased (by about 25%) existing underground mine workings is expected to be about 150 m,

  • Zone-of-influence, defined by the 0.3 m drawdown contour, is predicted to not exceed about 2 km from the mine site,

  • Reduction of the groundwater flow contribution to the unnamed creek, originating at a distance of about 750 m to the south-east of the mine site, is predicted to be 50 m, and

  • Total groundwater flow contribution to Night Hawk Lake and its tributaries is predicted to be reduced by about 65 m due to the dewatering of the Langmuir No.1 Mine.

Based on the above, AMEC concluded in its report that dewatering of the underground workings at the Langmuir No. 1 mine site may have a relatively limited impact on the nearby surface water features. However, impact on other surface water features, located further away from the mine site, is expected to be non-measurable or negligible.

"The dewatering process will represent a significant step forward in the advancement of the property," stated Randy Miller, the President of the Corporation. "The dewatering of the ramp is necessary for the Corporation to access the higher grade ore body in the Langmuir No. 1 Mine. Once access is obtained, the Corporation will be in a position to further advance the property."

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Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "anticipated", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Inspiration is subject to significant risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements contained in this release. Inspiration cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements and Inspiration assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward looking statements contained in this release to reflect actual events or new circumstances.

Contact Information:

Inspiration Mining Corporation
Randy Miller
Chief Executive Officer
416-842-9000
www.inspirationmining.com