Romarco closer to Haile permit, EIS comment period ends

2014-05-12 17:22 ET - News Release

Mr. Dan Symons reports

ROMARCO PERMIT UPDATE: DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED

The comment period for the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially closed for Romarco Minerals Inc.'s Haile gold mine project. Comments from the public were accepted verbally at the joint public hearing on April 24, 2014 (see news release dated March 13, 2014), or in writing between March 13, 2014, and the end of the day on May 9, 2014. The comment period on the state mining permit ran concurrently with the draft EIS comment period and, due to a state holiday, ended on May 12, 2014.

Over all, there were 34 verbal comments at the public hearing, and as of late Friday May 9, there were approximately 34 written comment letters from individuals, groups and agencies. The vast majority of the verbal comments were supportive of the Haile project. Of the written comments received from agencies and interested parties, there were no comments that requested the project be opposed or the permit denied. Furthermore, the company believes that all of the comments came from agencies or interested parties that have been actively involved throughout the Haile EIS process. The final EIS publication date of July, 2014, provides ample opportunity to consider and address all comments.

Diane Garrett, president and chief executive officer, commented: "The draft EIS comment period is a significant milestone in the EIS process, and we will continue to openly communicate with all stakeholders. We would like to commend the Corps on the thorough work presented in the draft EIS, which left no stone unturned. We also thank the local community for their overwhelming support of the Haile project during the comment period."

The permit (pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) is the only environmental federal permit Romarco requires for the Haile project. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company received four state permits: the national pollutant discharge elimination system permit, the air quality permit, the dam safety permit and the stormwater construction permit. The state permits or authorizations remaining for the Haile project include, among others, the state mine operating permit, for which the comment period closes at the end of today, May 12, 2014, and 401 water quality certification. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is actively working to process the remaining state permits. For a list of other required permits, please see the National Instrument 43-101-compliant technical report filed on SEDAR on March 19, 2012.