LAST: $0.032 UP: $0.006
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Why Urban Barns Foods?
One of the most promising fields in agriculture these days entails growing crops indoors in layers, stacked in racks, in existing underutilized warehouses or multi-story buildings.
It’s called vertical farming. And an increasing number of sophisticated early-stage investors (venture and growth equity firms on one hand, and strategic players such as food companies looking to get in on the trend on the other hand) believe these New Age food factories could transform agribusiness.
Imagine a 365-day season without droughts, freezes or infestations. Or growing multiples more heads of lettuce per area of horizontal growing space, because you can grow in racks that extend to the ceiling of a warehouse. Farewell fruited plains; hello high-rise hydroponics.
From my vantage point of doing deals across a variety of segments, this is an area that has potentially massive long-arc potential for growth. Global demographic and environmental change is reshaping our world, and we, as inhabitants of this world, must in turn change as well. 850 million people, or one in nine people on Earth, today go to bed hungry. Without some sort of disruptive paradigm shift in today’s unsustainable agriculture model, the 850 million will surely increase.
These global changes are, and will continue to, impact us all. While the sequencing and severity may vary by region or economic standing (first world versus third world), the challenge, and opportunity exists everywhere.
For investors, this might be the next big thing.
Expertise in vertical farming has emerged from a variety of unusual places, including Dutch bioengineers, NASA, staffers in Antarctica research stations, indoor marijuana growers, and a professor at Columbia University named Dickson Despommier, who has been an active proponent.
Vertical farming technology capitalizes on years of research and development in photosynthesis and “grow medium” composition. In fact, plants grown in an indoor, vertical space typically are not grown in traditional soil, but rather some other growing substance. Add the falling cost of LED lighting, plus changing consumer tastes toward healthier and safer foods, and you have a trend in the making.
Advantages: There’s a controlled climate. Crops can be grown on significantly less land closer to market, which reduces transportation costs. Less water is needed — and it can be recycled. There is a diminished — or no — need for soil and fertilizer. And there are more, sometimes many more, potential harvests per year as well as higher yields.
Disadvantages include the cost of construction, and, depending upon the system, higher electricity bills. That said, newer LED systems are bringing the expense of lighting down. In certain cities, too, traditional farms and other forms of urban farming — such as crops grown on rooftops or vacant lots — may only be 60 to 100 miles away, close enough to compete with vertical farms.
Vertical-farming projects have sprouted up in several North American cities as well as in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany, Korea, Japan, Abu Dhabi and Singapore among others. The farms are economically viable, on an unsubsidized basis, only in affluent countries thus far because of the cost of technology, small volumes and the associated high cost of the produce.
Often, food grown in this way is a luxury. In China for instance, wealthy people are increasingly growing their own produce at small “dachas” outside of big cities because they don’t trust where their store-bought food is coming from and whether it has been grown in a polluted environment.
Representative of a pioneer in the space, Ecopia Farms is a vertical indoor farm in the San Francisco area founded in an 8,000-square-foot warehouse by a group of Silicon Valley veterans. In purple light thrown off by the red and blue LED lighting that can make an indoor farm look like a nightclub, these techie-farmers grow organic lettuce, micro greens and other produce in soil, on racks piled on top of each other covering less than one-fifth of an acre of floor space. To grow the same amount of produce, it would take 30 acres outdoors and 30 times more water.
Scalability is vital to a vertical farm and has been the industry’s biggest challenge. An operation needs to produce enough crops to sell at a profit to the large grocery chains and not just to high-end, independent specialty markets, a much smaller segment.
Yet there is a proliferation of these innovative agriculture companies.Whole Foods has provided funding in the Chicago area to FarmedHere, a vertical farm that also raises tilapia, with the nutrient-rich byproducts in the water being filtered off to benefit the produce crops. Sometimes funding comes from surprising places. Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic has moved into farming technology, helping provide equipment for what it says is the first licensed indoor farm in Singapore.
To be sure, vertical farming has an infinitesimally small share of the existing agriculture market in the U.S., and many start-ups in this niche in the agriculture space will not survive, either through a faulty business model, bad management or a lack of technology. In fact, as is typical in any emerging industry, several have struggled or failed over the past decade.
Keep in mind that the average tomato today travels 1,800 miles on a tractor-trailer from farm to table. Someday, that tomato’s trip may be a few blocks by taxi — or maybe even Uber. What’s that worth?
Commentary by Craig Lawson, managing director at MHT MidSpan Partners in San Francisco.
Disclosure:None of the companies mentioned above are current clients of MHT nor does MHT have investments in any of the firms. MHT has advised Ecopia Farms on a capital raise in the past, though it is not a current client of the firm.
Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102557803
2 April 2015 by Jack Carter
C&IT reveals five facts that make the Sultanate of Oman a C&I destination on the rise, including new multi-million pound developments and a range of exciting incentive options.
Muscat, Oman
One million square metre tourism complex planned
As part of wider plans to develop Oman’s tourism sector, the ‘Omagine’ Project in capital Muscat will see the development of a number of four- and five-star hotels, an open theatre, a small marina and a series of restaurants across an area of one million square metres.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Nasser al Mahrzi stated that the project is just one of the major tourism developments in the pipeline for the Sultanate.
New convention & exhibition centre in 2016
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is scheduled to open early 2016 with the aim of turning the country into a serious contender for hosting large-scale conventions and exhibitions. Initially, the venue will include 22,000sqm of event space and a further ten meting rooms, which altogether can host up to 10,000 delegates.
The second phase of the venue is scheduled to be complete in 2017, which will introduce a 3,200-seat auditorium, a 456-seat theatre and two ballrooms that will add another 5,000 people to the OCEC’s total capacity. The development plans also include four hotels that will add 1,000 rooms to the area, a shopping mall and business park.
Target of 10,500 hotel rooms in Muscat by 2018
With two luxury Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts properties, a five-star InterContinental Hotel & Golf Clubhouse and three Millennium & Copthorne properties all in the pipeline, the Sultanate of Oman is targeting a total of 10,500 hotel rooms for Muscat by 2018.
The InterContinetntal Hotel & Golf Clubhouse, which will be located near to Muscat International Airport, is expected to offer 270 rooms, whilst the three new Millennium & Copthorne hotels that are due to open next year will contribute more than 400 rooms to the city.
In the first quarter of 2014, four- and five-star hotels in Oman saw a 20.7% increase in the number of guests, with a total of 368,764.
Oman is the oldest independent Arab state
Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world and it has been ruled by the Al-Said family since 1744. In 1970, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said opened the borders of the country after years of international isolation. Tourism has been one of the main sources of revenue for Oman ever since, yet its mountains, ancient cities, and deserts remain largely untouched.
There’s more to Oman than just Muscat
Muscat’s growing infrastructure, ancient culture, and its combination of coastline and mountains instantly makes the capital city a clear favourite among groups. However, the Sultanate has plenty more to offer, from stunning secluded beaches to mountainous peaks where settlements and communities still reside.
A drive down the coast of the Arabian Sea from Muscat is Sur, a quiet coastal town, which is the alleged home of the legendary Sinbad the sailor. The ancient, winding cobbled streets lead down to the Dhow Shipyards, where the boats that famously trawled the Red Sea are still built today.
Inland from Muscat are the Western Hajar Mountains, which stand at 3,010 metres high. Groups can take a safari along the roads and up towards the peak where 400-year-old mud houses that are still occupied today can be found. Hidden in the mountainside’s crevasse is Misfah al Abreen, a quiet garden farmed by local herders.
Source: http://www.citmagazine.com/article/1341169/5-things-didnt-know-oman (Free registration required)
What is Cubic Farming?
Why Urban Barns Foods?
Marquee Customers Include:
Strong Institutional Ownership, 39% Owned By:
Modern Agriculture Needs Green Innovation
The Cubic Farming Advantage
Consumers Demand Clean Food
Urban Barns Is the Solution
12 Month Stock Chart
 
KELOWNA, BC / March 26, 2015 /Â Lexaria Corp. (OTCQB:LXRP) (CNSX:LXX) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce an important addition to the Lexaria management team.
John Docherty, M.Sc. is the new President of Lexaria Corp, replacing Chris Bunka who will continue at his existing positions of CEO and Chairman. Mr. Docherty was former President and Chief Operating officer of Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX:HBP), where he led the company’s pharmaceutical development programs for its plant and recombinantly derived therapeutic protein product candidates.
“It is with tremendous pleasure that I join Lexaria as President,” said Mr. Docherty. “Lexaria’s patent-pending lipid infusion technology is a significant innovation for the delivery of cannabinoid compounds from natural products, as it has already demonstrated through the launch of its ViPova(TM)-branded CBD tea. I look forward to working with the Lexaria team to grow the Company’s technology and product offerings and build upon this success, in order to add value for Lexaria’s customer and shareholder base alike.”
Mr. Docherty is a senior operations and management executive with a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors. He has worked with large multinational companies and emerging, private and publicly held, Canadian start-ups; and he also brings specialized knowhow in the field of naturally-derived products and technologies specifically.
“Mr. Docherty’s expertise will be instrumental as we execute and expand upon our business plan to develop and commercialize healthy cannabinoid products to our large and growing marketplace,” said outgoing President Chris Bunka. “Lexaria could not have found a better-equipped person to accelerate our transformation into a food-sciences company focused on unique methods of delivering compounds like cannabidiol, through popular food categories.”
Mr. Docherty has over twenty years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. At Helix, Mr. Docherty was also instrumental in the areas of investor/stakeholder relations, capital raising, capital markets development, strategic partnering, regulatory authority interactions and media relations, and he also served as a management member of its board of directors. Prior to this, Mr. Docherty was President and a board member of PharmaDerm Laboratories Ltd., a Canadian drug delivery company that developed unique microencapsulation formulation technologies for use with a range of active compounds.
Mr. Docherty has also held positions with companies such as Astra Pharma Inc., Nu-Pharm Inc. and PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ former global pharmaceutical industry consulting practice. He is a named inventor on issued and pending patents and he has a M.Sc. in pharmacology and a B.Sc. in Toxicology from the University of Toronto.
Mr. Docherty’s expertise will be of great value to the Company as it continues to develop its CBD-based products and builds and strengthens its intellectual property portfolio in the sector.
Mr. Docherty will immediately be granted 500,000 stock options good to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock priced at US$0.10 each, valid for up to five years, and can earn additional share and option awards linked to performance milestones.
All issued shares will be subject to a hold period, for any resale into the USA under Rule 144, of six months and one day. The share issuance is subject to normal regulatory approvals. The securities referred to herein will not be or have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
About Lexaria
Lexaria’s shares are quoted in the USA with symbol LXRP and in Canada with symbol LXX. The company searches for projects that could provide potential above-market returns.http://www.lexariaenergy.com/.
About ViPova(TM)
ViPova(TM) uses only legal CBD oil extracts, grown from legal hemp in locations where it is legal to do so, in ViPova(TM)-branded tea. ViPova(TM) uses its patent-pending process to infuse concentrated amounts of CBD within lipids in its tea, providing more bioactivity and comfort to the body during the absorption process. Only ViPova(TM) has this ground-breaking technology for CBD/lipid infusion. www.vipova.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Lexaria Corp.
Chris Bunka
Chairman & CEO
(250) 765-6424
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release includes forward-looking statements. Statements which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The Company makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including statements that include words such as “anticipate,” “if,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the Company’s best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Access to capital, or lack thereof, is a major risk and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise required working capital. Current oil and gas production rates may not be sustainable and targeted production rates may not occur. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company’s public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that the medical marijuana, CBD sector, or alternative health businesses will provide any benefit to Lexaria, or that the Company will experience any growth through participation in these sectors. There is no assurance that existing capital is sufficient for the Company’s needs or that it will need to attempt to raise additional capital. There is no assurance that any planned corporate activity, business venture, or initiative will be pursued, or if pursued, will be successful. There is no assurance that any cannabinoid-based product will promote, assist, or maintain any beneficial human health conditions whatsoever. No statement herein has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ViPova(TM) products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE:Â Lexaria Corp.
LAST: $0.03 UP: $0.005
Percentage: +19.5% Vol. 285K
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Why Urban Barns Foods?
A sneak peek at the next generation of CUBIC FARMINGâ„¢ machines! The company been growing a bounty of sustainable, green, fresh and local produce using our Generation 3 machines, now it’s time for a sneak peek.
What is Cubic Farming?
Why Urban Barns Foods?
Marquee Customers Include:
Strong Institutional Ownership, 39% Owned By:
Modern Agriculture Needs Green Innovation
The Cubic Farming Advantage
Consumers Demand Clean Food
Urban Barns Is the Solution
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (“Liberty Star†or the “Companyâ€) (OTCQB: LBSR) is pleased to announce a very positive response to the meeting and presentation of the Company’s wholly owned Hay Mountain Project by Liberty Star President James A. Briscoe and Director Brett Gross in Manila, Philippines. Mr. Briscoe offers his assessment of the presentation and meeting conducted March 2-3 in Manila:
“We presented the Hay Mountain Project in great detail to a group of 16 long experienced mining professionals and potential investors in downtown Manila, Philippines on Monday. The response was very positive to both the geologic details and the business proposition presented by Director Gross. The company has been in almost constant communication since the presentation, and we believe substantial and important progress is being made toward financing of Phase 1, which will then lead to Phase 2 in the following year.
“Preparation for the meeting took place on Sunday, March 1, 2015, as some of the participants arrived a day early and were staying at the same hotel we were presenting in. The prerequisite to attend the meeting was signing a binding legal non-disclosure and non-compete (ND/NC) agreement. This task had been completed by several of the early attendees, so they were able to partake in generalities about Hay Mountain. The following morning work started at 7 a.m. in obtaining signatures from the rest of the attendees, several of whom had traveled great distances to attend. Once all the ND/NC documents were signed, the meeting started on time at 9 a.m.
“I presented first, reviewing detailed geologic, geochemical, geophysical details and interpretation of the detailed and various studies that have been conducted over the last four years. At the end of about 2.5 hours, we took a short break and then Brett Gross presented the business plan, and ongoing questions and comments were answered and discussed, on both presentations.
“Significant interest continues after the Manila meeting. Four mining experts are expected to travel to Tucson, where a thorough tour will be arranged, which will take an expected three to four days, to examine local large mines that are similar to what is expected at depth at Hay Mountain. The tour will be conducted as soon as travel visas can be arranged. We believe that because of their background they will be as impressed with the potential as we are. Of course success cannot be assured, but this a very strong starting point.
“Other interested parties of significant stature are currently discussing a starting point, which is our stringent ND/NC document. We hope that we can continue meaningful negotiations with them as well.
“Considering the low point in the copper cycle, it is encouraging that we are getting such substantial response, and I look forward to the potential that Phase 1 will be financed soon.â€
“James A. Briscoe†James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA
CEO/Chief Geologist
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: that the meetings in Manila, Philippines were substantial and that important progress is being made toward financing of Phase 1, which will then lead to Phase 2 in the following year. Factors which may delay or prevent these forward-looking statements from being realized include: our inability to agree with a potential investor on terms of their participation in the Hay Mountain Project or any project; we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration or carry on operations; an inability to continue exploration due to weather, logistical problems or hazards even if funds are available. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures in the Company’s recent 10-K and the Company’s other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Agoracom Investor Relations
[email protected]
http://agoracom.com/ir/libertystar
or
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Tracy Myers, 520-425-1433
Investor Relations
[email protected]
Follow Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter@LibertyStarLBSR
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (“Liberty Star†or the “Companyâ€) (OTCQB: LBSR) is pleased to announce that three technical breakthroughs have occurred at the Hay Mountain Project over the last three months. These are:
1. Additional targets
2. The potential for leachable oxide copper bodies
3. The ability to separate diamond core drill cuttings using a centrifuge so that cuttings can be separated into samples corresponding to drill core intervals or fractions of those intervals at any depth desired as the drill turns without waiting for the core to be removed from the hole. Then x-ray fluoresce analyzers will be used to analyze these samples for an approximate assay in the field as the drill turns.
Liberty Star’s CEO/Chief Geologist elaborates point by point:
1. “Working with geologist Dr. S. Skirvin using geologic information systems (GIS) mapping tools, we clarified the geophysical relationships so that the geophysical data (ZTEM- electromagnetics and magnetics) for the Hay Mountain Project area could be related to culture on topographic maps, and recently produced high resolution space imagery, leading to the detection of significant number of additional targets
2. “We have also evaluated the surrounding copper and precious metal mines including Arizona’s Tombstone, Bisbee (historic and future Cochise ore body), Johnson Camp, I-10 Porphyry Gunnison- Excelsior, Safford, Morenci, Rosemont, Florence, Twin Buttes: New Mexico’s Tyrone mine, Mexico’s La Caridad, and Cananea, and many others, which all have oxide copper recovery units (Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning plants (SX-EW plants)). Most porphyry copper deposits in the southwest USA, Mexico, Latin America and other geologically similar areas have a green and black copper oxide cap or periphery as a result of their oxidizing history details dependent on rock type and other factors. Hay Mountain is easily compared to Bisbee, Nord Resources Corporation’s Johnson Camp and the Gunnison Copper Project (Excelsior Mining Corp), nearby where the same package of layered altered and mineralized rocks exists, as does a profound magnetic anomaly (Gunnison and Hay Mountain and others). Gunnison has disseminated oxides that can be treated by in situ (Latin: in place) leaching. Excelsior has done extensive testing and design of a proposed in situ leach operation that suggests an internal rate of return of about 45% and a payback in 2.5 years using a projected $2.75 copper price. (Pg. 246 Gunnison Copper Project: NI 43-101 Technical Report Prefeasibility Study). We have encountered more shallow outcrops containing green and what appears to be black copper oxide at Hay Mountain. Also, the horizontal tops of the recorded magnetic signals suggest the top of an oxide zone that compels us to consider that a large, near surface body of oxide copper may be located above the large sulfide targets which are more easily detected by ZTEM (electromagnetic, and magnetic) geophysics. The same host rock sediments are present at Johnson Camp, Gunnison, Bisbee and Hay Mountain. These rocks can be selectively mined using a Vermeer Terrain Leveler, resulting in lower cost mining and ore grade selection than standard methods of open pit mining. I have already had tests run at the Vermeer laboratories on ore material of each of the various sedimentary copper bearing units at Johnson Camp to see if the Vermeer can cut these altered and mineralized sediments. The results demonstrate that the Vermeer machinery can readily cut these units. Contacts between low and high grade can be followed to within 6 inches horizontal and a couple of inches vertically. Fragmentation achieved by the Vermeer concentrates on the ore bearing interstices of the host rock, thus maximizing the proportion of exposed surface area of the fragmented material that is ore bearing. This feature yields materials that may be much more available for solvent dissolution than conventionally crushed ore. The cut can be adjusted to get the optimum fragment size for heap leaching: all of this without using drilling or blasting. Thus, if we intersect significant amounts of leachable oxide copper mineralization at a shallow depth, which, as stated above, all surrounding porphyry copper mines have, we will immediately go into an evaluation mode. Nothing is definite until drills define such an oxide mineral body, but these types of deposits could go into production at a low cost, and quickly: in the range of 4 years (See pg. 249 Excelsior’s 43-101). The mining method at Hay Mountain could be open pit, heap leach or in situ like that planned at the Gunnison Copper Project.
3. “We will be using some advanced equipment in the drilling program which will make Phase 1 drilling proceed faster, more controlled, accomplished more accurately, and data gathered very quickly. This will be a Solids Removal Unit (SRU), developed by an Australian company and sold in the USA (see http://www.amcmud.com/en/products-range/equipment-rental/product-data-sheets.html).
i. This device uses a centrifuge to remove drill cuttings from the mud circulation that cools the diamond bit and carries cuttings to the surface.
ii. The SRU removes +99% of drill cuttings from the mud and then circulates the cleaned mud back down the hole.
iii. The cuttings are ejected from the SRU where they can be bagged and disposed of.
iv. This give us the opportunity to sample the drill cuttings at any interval we choose – say 2.5, 5, 7.5 or 10 feet – or all of those intervals through the length of the drill hole or whatever intervals are desired to determine what the diamond drill is cutting even before the core is extracted, by “assaying†using a modern XRF (X-Ray fluorescence) unit:www.niton.com either a hand held “gun†or a more powerful bench or pick-up tail gate style unit. While an XRF is not a true “assay†used for exact grade determination for ore calculations it is sufficient for the onsite geologist to determine whether the gross metals content is going up, down or remaining the same. This information can be transmitted by computer to the Internet so all senior management personnel can review the data if it is critical. Standard drill core assays by a certified lab will still be undertaken following standard procedures which can only be done that involve a carefully monitored and controlled half sample split of the drill core, prepared in a very clean sample prep lab, and sent under chain of custody control to a certified lab, which we will also do. However XRF is sufficient for the onsite geologist to determine whether the gross metals content is going up, down or remaining the same. This droll mud sampling methodology (but without the use of the SRU) was reported by D.K.F. McLachlan, in Mckinstry,H.E. – Mining Geology 1948 in the days when diamond drilling was young and the diamond drill core bit tended to grind up core that was soft, where the mineralized intervals were encountered. It is still a valid technique when combined with the SRU.
“The SRU also meets the requirements of the Arizona State Land Department permits that require collection of drill cuttings and disposal in permitted land fill.
All of this new data and our innovative techniques, as well many other details will be used in the presentation in Manila, Philippines March 2-3, 2015 by Director Brett Gross and myself during a full day presentation to potential investors and mining professionals.â€
“James A. Briscoe†James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA
CEO/Chief Geologist
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include all our planned drilling program, planned methodology and our planned use of equipment, partners or funding sources, including without limitation our plan to commence Phase 1 drilling at Hay Mountain and define an economic body of mineralization there; that geological conditions may allow for an in situ leaching operation, or open pit heap leaching; that discovery of such a leachable ore body, similar those enumerated above, could result in a 4 year time line to production. Factors which may delay or prevent these forward-looking statements from being realized include: the failure of our proposals to be accepted; we may not attract any partners or funding sources; we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration, keep our properties or carry on operations; and we may encounter an inability to continue exploration due to weather, logistical problems, labor or equipment problems or hazards even if funds are available. Even if we find a partner, we may not be able to reach agreement or carry out the development program as contemplated. Despite encouraging data there may be no commercially exploitable mineralization on our properties. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures in the Company’s recent 10-K and the Company’s other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Agoracom Investor Relations
[email protected]
http://agoracom.com/ir/libertystar
or
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Tracy Myers, 520-425-1433
Investor Relations
[email protected]
Follow Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. on Facebook , LinkedIn & Twitter@LibertyStarLBSR
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb 18, 2015 — Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (“Liberty Star” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: LBSR), which holds 100% interests in the Company’s premier exploration property for porphyry copper, gold and associated commercial metals, The Hay Mountain Project (southeast Arizona – Cochise County), is pleased to announce a shareholder update and comments from the CEO. Additionally, new travel arrangements have been set: Mr. Briscoe and Director Brett Gross depart for Manila, Philippines, February 26th to meet a group of mining professionals introduced to the Company by a long-time Liberty Star shareholder, mining engineer and investor, in an all-day meeting on Monday, March 2, 2015. The pair plan to make multiple in-depth presentations to an audience of potential investors that have signed binding non-compete/non-disclosure agreements. The naseba roadshow announced in NR 193 has been postponed.
James A. Briscoe, Chairman, CEO and Chief Geologist, offers the following update and comments:
“At this time I feel it is important to reaffirm our goals for the Hay Mountain Project and the company at large. The financing of our yearlong Phase 1 drilling program at our Hay Mountain Project remains priority one. I plan to travel to Manila, Philippines, to meet sophisticated potential investors with this goal in mind. We were scheduled to travel to the Middle East for a roadshow sponsored by naseba/Naru Capital, but events there and ensuing turmoil have intervened and I and the board of directors have decided that I should not travel to the area until security issues have been resolved. I have arranged with Naru/naseba to undertake teleconference meetings with appropriate candidates from the Middle East area for now. While Hong Kong was on the agenda and is a good venue, we will have to put it off until more contacts have been made.
“Let me go over some of the financial realities we are operating under right now that have impacted the Company. Natural resource prices have hit multiyear lows which have turned investment not only away from our efforts, but the industry at large. I invite you to look at the stock trading charts of any exploration or mining company and you will see red ink everywhere. I believe this will not last long term and that copper and gold prices must go up: if not immediately, the trend must return to conform to the global demand for resources that is widely acknowledged. While I am in no position to take responsibility for this mega-trend knowledge, I do intend to capitalize on it for shareholders when negotiating with potential investors in Hay Mountain. Right now the cost of exploration is depressed: it will be a sage partner who will enter the market at its very lowest and understands the adage ‘buy low, sell high’ and understands the supercycle for metal prices, especially copper (see Don’t Get Hung Up on Short-term Copper Prices: Lawrence Roulston, Jan 22, 2015).
“I also want to address questions that have come to my attention:
“Question 1: Is a reverse split under consideration? I am not considering this option at this time. Even if I did decide to reverse split because of a new regulatory requirement or other unforeseen reason, I would first seek approval of the shareholders to increase the authorized capital, and there would be prior notice through our filings with the SEC. When we progress to the drilling stage and as the copper price rises, as it always does and will again, I believe our fortunes will rise as well, and a rollback will have seemed inconsequential.
“Question 2: Am I considering changing the Phase 1 drilling program to drilling a couple of mother holes soon, using Liberty’s funds, rather than waiting for a JV? No, I think that is not a good idea for the Company and its shareholders. My thinking stems from my experience and the history of exploration in the area. I’ve been involved in porphyry copper exploration and mining for 50 years. It was my good fortune to have worked directly for two of the world’s great ore finders and lifelong business partners, ASARCO geologists Kenyon Richard, and James Harold Courtright, respectively VP Exploration and Chief Geologist. I’ve spent many hours and days with these two mentors, who took time to review the exploration histories of the discovery of Silverbell, the Mission Mine (both in Pima County, Arizona), and many others in Arizona, Nevada, Canada, southern Peru, Mexico, the Mother Lode gold belt, California and the Mesquite and Cargo Muchacho gold mines in southeast California. I spent two intensive years working in the Silverbell mine under them where I extended and expanded the seven-year-long drill program which had about ‘six weeks’ to go on my arrival to an additional 4 years with additional drill rigs. I found with this intimate contact with a classic operating open pit porphyry copper mine that even a porphyry copper can have dead spots in it. In a study I personally set up, I determined that if Silverbell had been completely covered and had only an IP (induced polarization study and anomaly: the primary geophysical tool at the time) it would have required 21 holes spaced on a 1,000 foot grid, to be sure that one intersected ore grade material.
“To hope that ‘a hole or two’ would intersect ore is a sure road to a ‘gambler’s ruin’ and would never have been allowed under the Richard and Courtright team management. Note it took them 27 holes into the Mission target before ore grade material was cut by the diamond drills, resulting in the massive Mission Mine that has now been operating 50 years with at least 30 years left. Liberty Star will continue to pursue our careful plan that will result in a thorough and professional test of the world-class anomaly at the Hay Mountain Target 1. Remember, the Hay Mountain target is projected to be a mega multiyear exploration, development and mining project. The dimension of the geochemical and geophysical response is 4 miles long by 2 miles wide, a permissible size to contain a ‘World Class’ very large mineral deposit. The only way to determine where the hot spots are is to drill diamond drill holes to test for mineralization while confirming and honing our geophysics, geology, and geochemistry knowledge. Rather than making Phase 1 small and desperate, careful analysis sees the project expanding the possible number of viable targets and the funding requirements. One of the key attributes of Phase 1 is its economic practicality: that would be completely destroyed if a drilling rig was employed to only drill two holes because the drill and all of its men and equipment is expensive to mobilize and demobilize. Also ore grade mineralization might be missed entirely.
“Raising money is very hard in the current economic circumstances, but given recent interest the Hay Mountain Project has generated, certainly possible.
“We have serious interest from experienced mining professionals that also possess the financial means to invest in Hay Mountain and will also participate in the conceptualizing of operations there. The invitation to present in Manila came from Mr. Tomas Malihan, CEO & President of Oremet Corp., Mr. Angelito Doria, VP Civic Corp., and Mr. Alfonso Doria, Philippine mining engineer and longtime supporter and major Liberty Star shareholder. Mr. Alfonso Doria completed a 3 day trip with me to southeast Arizona copper mines surrounding Hay Mountain and then Hay Mountain, examining surface outcrops, and technical documents concerning the Hay Mountain Project. He was duly impressed with the thoroughness of the approach and indications of the presence of a large but covered metal source resulting in geochemical, alteration and geophysical indications. His report of his evaluation resulted in the above-mentioned invitation to present in Manila. In an all-day meeting at a major hotel in downtown Manila between 10 and 20 mining professionals, including mining representatives from the Philippines, China, and India, will listen to me and Mr. Brett Gross, Mining Engineer, Attorney and Liberty Star Director. I will speak extensively about the geology, geochemistry and geophysics of Hay Mountain and why they indicate a mineral body at depth. Mr. Gross will present an innovative and financially attractive proposal to them for funding Hay Mountain, Phase 1 and beyond. There will be time for detailed information transfer as well a question and answer session.
“Multiple copper and precious metal mines are underway in southern Arizona, primarily funded by Canadian junior to intermediate companies. We have now been contacted, regarding interest in Hay Mountain, by three major international mining companies that are among the world’s largest. This is indicative of the perceived quality of the Hay Mountain Project. We hope these expressions of interest generate visits to the Hay Mountain area, continued due diligence by multiple parties and the eventual signing of a joint venture agreement. This is not a quick process to undertake a large project, but it is a beginning. We are optimistic that even during this period of low metal prices we are generating genuine interest and feel optimistic that a deal or deals will be struck on Hay Mountain.”
“James A. Briscoe” James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA CEO/Chief Geologist Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include our entire planned drilling program; that mineral prices will rebound; and our planned route to access partners or funding sources. Factors which may delay or prevent these forward-looking statements from being realized include: the failure of our proposals to be accepted; we may not attract any partners or funding sources; we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration, keep our properties or carry on operations; mineral prices may not rebound in time for us to keep our properties; and we may encounter an inability to continue exploration due to weather, logistical problems, labor or equipment problems or hazards even if funds are available. Even if we find a partner, we may not be able to reach agreement or carry out the development program as contemplated. Despite encouraging data there may be no commercially exploitable mineralization on our properties. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures in the Company’s recent 10-K and the Company’s other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE: Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
CONTACT:
Agoracom Investor Relations [email protected] http://agoracom.com/ir/libertystar or Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. Tracy Myers, 520-425-1433 Investor Relations [email protected] Follow Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter@LibertyStarLBSR