Malaga to Build New Hydroelectric Plant in Peru
16 February 2012 - 11:00PM
Marketwired
Malaga Inc. ("MLG")(TSX:MLG)(OTCQX:MLGAF) and Hidropesac, a joint
venture between Malaga and its Swiss partners, Emerging Power
Developers and Stucky S.A., are pleased to announce that they will
build a new hydroelectric power plant on Malaga's Pasto Bueno
property in Peru. While initial capacity is expected to be 20 MW,
given the area's watershed and water flow characteristics, as well
as enhanced dam retention capacity, potential capacity could
subsequently be increased up to 38 MW.
"Tungsten concentrate at the Pasto Bueno mine is currently
produced using a gravimetric process that's powered by a 600-kW
feed from a hydroelectric plant (about 70% of the power
requirements) built by Hidropesac in 2007," stated Pierre Monet,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Malaga. "Given the access
to the large rivers on the property, we are now planning an
expansion that would enable us not only to meet our long-term power
requirements, estimated at 3-4 MW, but also sell surplus power to
private users or the Peruvian national power grid."
Monet noted that Malaga's goal in terms of energy has always
been to ensure an adequate supply of power, control the related
costs, be as environmentally friendly as possible and, provided the
opportunity, maximize the value of this asset, which until now has
been intangible. "The bottom line is that the new hydroelectric
power plant will provide Malaga's Pasto Bueno mine with a distinct
advantage."
The decision to build a new power source was based on
Hidropesac's updated feasibility study on the construction of a
hydroelectric power plant using the water resources of the
Pelagatos and Plata rivers. Hidropesac has a temporary concession
permit and is presently updating the environmental assessment and
archeological artefacts study. When those studies are finished, it
will then complete the generation and transmission technical
specification, a feasibility study for the electromechanical
equipment, engineering for the civil and electromechanical works,
and engineering for the substations and transmission line in order
to obtain the permanent concession.
Malaga expects to obtain final approval early in the fourth
quarter of 2012, which would allow building to begin the following
quarter. Construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months, followed
by a six-month commissioning period.
ABOUT MALAGA INC.
Malaga Inc. owns and operates the Pasto Bueno mine in Peru, and
is one of the few publicly-traded producers of tungsten outside of
China. Malaga is a low cost producer due to its gravimetric ore
concentration process and the availability of hydroelectric power
generated on its property. Malaga's production capacity represents
about 10% of the tungsten available for sale outside of China, and
the Company plans to increase production and is currently exploring
the property to develop its reserves and resources.
HIDROPESAC - A joint venture between Malaga (49%) and its Swiss
partner EPD (Emerging Power Developers, a subsidiary of Stucky
S.A.) has invested over US $3 million at Pasto Buena to build and
commission a hydroelectric power plant with a nominal capacity of
600 kW. The plant includes two hydroelectric generators - one 150
kW vertical and one 450 kW horizontal - couple to Pelton-type
turbines, as well as a 22.9 kV/400 V transformer and a 15-km
transmission line that connects Pasto Bueno to the Peruvian
national power grid.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in the foregoing may constitute
forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause Malaga's actual
results, performance or achievements or industry results to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The information provided reflects management's current
expectations regarding future events and performance as of the date
of this news release.
Contacts: Pierre Monet President and Chief Executive Officer
Malaga Inc. (514) 288.3224 Nicole Blanchard Corporate Strategy and
Investor Relations Sun International Communications (450)
973.6600
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