The 90-day comment period, which ends May 28, 2009, includes a public meeting on April 16, 2009, in Libby, Montana. The remaining steps in the re-permitting process include compilation and responses to public comments, editing and completion of the final EIS, and, if a favorable Record of Decision is granted, issuance of certain other operational permits.

Completion of the Draft EIS marks the latest step forward in the final phase of repermitting the Montanore project, which has undergone extensive analysis since its original approval in 1993.

The Montanore property contains large deposits of silver and copper amenable to bulk mining methods, with grades ranging from 1.85 to 2.05 oz/t silver and 0.71% to 0.75% copper per ton. The deposit remains open in several directions for expansion.

Work conducted on the project to date by Mines Management and previous operators includes approximately 60,000 ft of diamond core drilling, construction of a 14,000-ft evaluation adit, successful completion of the original permitting process in 1993, extensive engineering, mine planning and geologic modeling. Currently, in addition to the re-permitting process, Mines Management has initiated an advanced stage exploration and evaluation drilling program, the results of which could support development of a feasibility study.