For Release: 10 July 2006Rapu Rapu recommencesbase metals plant...

For Release: 10 July 2006
Rapu Rapu recommences
base metals plant commissioning
On Monday, 3 July 2006 Lafayette announced that it had received official confirmation that
all of the pre-conditions in the Temporary Lifting Order had been satisfied and that recommencement
of commissioning awaited formal notification from Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Reyes.
We are pleased to announce that this notification was received this morning from the
Department.
Accordingly, the Company has now recommenced the base metals plant commissioning
process and expects to move promptly from testing on water then to waste then to ore.
About Lafayette Mining Limited (ASX: LAF)
Lafayette Mining Limited, through its subsidiary companies and with Philippine partners, holds an
interest in the Rapu Rapu polymetallic project in the Philippines. Rapu Rapu Island is approximately
350kms south of Manila.
The Rapu Rapu mineral resource currently supports an eight year mine life, capable of producing
approximately 10,000 tonnes of copper in concentrates, 14,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrates, 50,000
ounces of gold and 600,000 ounces of silver annually.
The project was suspended by the Philippine Government’s DENR after two incidents in late 2005
which resulted in relatively minor volume discharges of low level contaminated liquid. Public opposition
mounted in early 2006 following a mercury hoax that was falsely attributed to the operation of the
project and which caused significant hardship to the many fisherfolk in the surrounding region, who
were unable to sell their fish.
The initiation of a Presidential Fact Finding Commission, to examine the health effects of the project
followed, thereby delaying the processing of the project’s application for a Temporary Lifting Order
(TLO) – a quasi-judicial process, based upon rules of procedural fairness and conducted by the
Pollution Adjudication Board under the auspices of the DENR.
The Fact Finding Commission delivered its report on 19 May 2006. After extensive consultation with
all interested parties, a thorough review of the recommendations of the Commission and verification of
LAFAYETTE MINING LIMITED
ABN 88 076 390 451
Suite 1, Level 5
189 Flinders Lane
Melbourne
Australia VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 (0)3 9654 6044
Facsimile: +61 (0)3 9654 6010
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lafayettemining.com
Lafayette Mining Limited
Media Release: 10/07/2006 Page: 2
the remedial measures implemented at the project, the DENR has decided to grant the TLO on
conditions that include independent monitoring and close supervision.
The Temporary Lifting Order is the appropriate regulatory response under the relevant legislation and
regulations. It permits the base metals plant to operate and to ‘sample’ and ‘test’ environmental
management systems to demonstrate ‘best practice’. The granting of the TLO by the DENR follows a
comprehensive review process which has verified the completion of extensive remedial measures.
The Company expects that a successful application for a Permanent Lifting Order will follow in due
course.
For further information, visit: www.lafayettemining.com
CONTACT:
David Baker – Managing Director
Jeff Quartermaine – Company Secretary
Kay Donehue – Executive Assistant / Investor Relations
Lafayette Mining Limited: +61 (0)3 9654 6044
Media Enquiries: Gavan Collery
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 372 210