Virginia City, NV (May 29, 2019) Comstock Mining Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American: LODE) announced today that the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's (NDEP) Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR) approved a reduction in its Lucerne reclamation bonding requirement from several successful environmental reclamation and restoration efforts.

Along State Route (SR) 342, just south of Gold Hill, Nevada, the Company completed a variety of reclamation and/or environmental restorations, including:

  • The Keystone Waste Rock Facility (Keystone WRF) - 6.6 acres of regrading and revegetation;
  • The Hartford Waste Rock Facility (Hartford WRF) - 3.8 acres of regrading and revegetation; and
  • The Justice Surface Mine (Justice) - 12 acres, backfilling of the surface mine and grading to contour.

Progressive earthwork activities included regrading, ripping, scarifying (breaking up compacted materials) and dispersing growth media coverage. Special effort went into sloping, grading, treating and conforming the topography to natural contours. This provides long-term slope stability, prevents ponding of surface water and minimizes erosion that promotes self-sustaining, diverse and conforming native-vegetation communities.

Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Company stated, "Our reclamation was innovative, timely, efficient and especially effective for the regrading and revegetation efforts. We integrated progressive activities such as aerial seeding and concurrent backfilling for the Justice surface mine. The current reclamation bond amount has been reduced down to $6.75 million from over $7.10 million."

This restoration work was performed concurrently with mining from 2013 through 2015, with contract-partner Soil-Tech, Inc. leading the revegetation efforts. NDEP's BMRR typically requires three years to evaluate and confirm the success of revegetation. NDEP's BMRR approved the Company's reduced bonding requirement after reviewing documentation and inspecting the reclamation and verifying the success of the revegetation. New vegetation has been established and has provided tensile strength to slopes that are now stable and resistant to erosion. The new vegetation conforms to the natural surroundings and established native plants provide new habitat and ecosystems. There is no evidence of erosion, slumping or slope failure and the reclaimed areas blend in with the natural vegetation.

Mr. De Gasperis added, "The accelerated reduction of our reclamation liabilities is extremely rewarding and validating of our good achievements. This is the truest testament to the commitment from our 'Comstock Responsible' team and the purpose of our demonstrated culture. We continue pushing the envelope on the development of new, clean technologies for advanced reclamation excellence, including mercury clean up and leach pad tailings reprocessing and look forward to more announcements relating to those new developments."

In 2015 and 2017, the Company received Nevada Excellence in Mine Reclamation Awards from a committee comprised of NDEP's BMRR, Nevada Division of Minerals, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada, and the U.S. Forest Service. In 2018, the Company also received the U.S. Department of the Interior BLM's Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Award, in recognition of the complex reclamation, deep shaft sealing and restoration of the Historic Silver Hill Mine shaft that was completed in conjunction with the realignment and rebuilding of a major portion of Nevada's SR 342.

About Soil-Tech Inc.
Soil-Tech, Inc., headquartered in Las Vegas with a service location in Sparks, Nevada was the contractor leading the revegetation efforts. Serving the Western U.S. since 1990, Soil-Tech's innovation in seeding native habitats and controlling fugitive dust led to the development of its Plas-Tex soil stabilization product that was used on the reclaimed slopes. Plas-Tex not only stabilizes terrain from erosion, but also offers the unique feature of facilitating plant germination when mixed with seed. Additionally, the proprietary Plas-Tex product is derived from gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral that is mined in the Western U.S. and is safe for the environment. Also, Soil-Tech installed native plantings, including evergreens such as the Single-Leaf Piñon Pine, one of Nevada's official state trees.

About Comstock Mining Inc.
Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District and is an emerging leader in sustainable, responsible mining. The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003. Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and completed its first phase of production. The Company continues evaluating and acquiring properties inside and outside the district expanding its footprint and exploring all of our existing and prospective opportunities for further exploration, development and mining. The near-term goal of our business plan is to maximize intrinsic stockholder value realized, per share, by continuing to acquire mineralized and potentially mineralized properties, exploring, developing and validating qualified resources and reserves (proven and probable) that enable the commercial development of our operations through extended, long-lived mine plans and developments that are economically feasible and socially responsible.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future industry market conditions; future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our exploration activities; future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products; land entitlements and uses; production capacity and operations; operating and overhead costs; future capital expenditures and their impact on us; operational and management changes (including changes in the board of directors); changes in business strategies, planning and tactics; future employment and contributions of personnel, including consultants; future land sales investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, operational, tax, financial and restructuring initiatives; including the nature and timing and accounting for restructuring charges, derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, limitations on sales or offering of equity or debt securities; including asset sales and the redemption of the debenture and associated costs; future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control and could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and the following: adverse effects of climate changes or natural disasters; global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our stock issuances, recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to comply with applicable government regulations or law; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; permitting constraints or delays; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales, and investments that we may be party to in the future; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to capital constraints; equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, zinc, cyanide, water, diesel fuel and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; adverse effects of terrorism and geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies, equipment and raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to satisfy debt and lease obligations; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market; inability to maintain the listing of our securities; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Debenture or any other securities of the Company.

Comstock Mining Inc.
1200 American Flat Road
PO Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440

http://www.comstockmining.com

Corrado De Gasperis
Executive Chairman & CEO
Tel (775) 847-4755
degasperis@comstockmining.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zach Spencer
Director of External Relations
Tel (775) 847-5272 x151
questions@comstockmining.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thursday, May 23, 2019
Comstock Mining Announces Accelerated Payment on Lucerne Transaction;
Tonogold Accelerates $3.5 million Stock-based Down Payment

Virginia City, NV (May 23, 2019) Comstock Mining Inc. ("Comstock" or "the Company") (NYSE American: LODE) today announced a further update and progress toward the completion of the sale of its Lucerne properties ("Lucerne"). Tonogold Resources, Inc. ("Tonogold") has accelerated paying the non-refundable, $3.5 million stock-based component of the purchase price, representing 3500 Shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with a stated value of $1,000 per share plus a commitment fee of an additional 420 Shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with identical terms, in lieu of the $650,000 cash payment due this month. This payment maintains the deadline for closing the transaction until June 21, 2019.

On January 24, 2019, the Company entered into the Tonogold Agreement for the sale of its Lucerne properties to Tonogold for $15 million (representing $11.5 million in cash and $3.5 million in stock). This Amendment simply reflects the acceleration of the $3.5 million stock-based component of the purchase price, previously agreed upon, in lieu of the $650,000 cash payment due this month. The $3.5 million will be paid in a Convertible Preferred Stock with the post-closing conversion price being the lowest of (1) the 20-day volume weighted closing price of Tonogold shares prior to conversion, (2) Tonogold's most recent private placement or (3) Tonogold's initial public offering price. If the closing does not occur within the amended timelines, the stock is automatically convertible at 85% of the then current volume weighted average price.

Mr. Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO, stated, "The early receipt of this payment from Tonogold demonstrates the good, ongoing progress towards finalizing the Lucerne transaction. We have now received almost $6 million in cash and stock out of the $15 million closing component of the purchase price, plus the additional commitment fee. We look forward to closing this transaction in June, eliminating our debenture and accelerating the deployment of our strategic growth plans."

The Amendment does not change the requirement that Tonogold reimburses the Company for the monthly interest expense on the Company's Senior Secured Debenture, and the more than $1 million in annual operating expenses associated with the American Flat platform, both effective and beginning on June 1, 2019, regardless of when the sale closes. Tonogold also retains the option to extend the closing for two additional months, upon the payment of two additional, $1 million non-refundable deposits.

Comstock anticipates Tonogold to deliver $11.5 million in cash at closing, less the total amounts of the cumulative non-refundable cash payments made by Tonogold at that time, currently totaling $2.35 million.

About Comstock Mining Inc.
Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District and is an emerging leader in sustainable, responsible mining. The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003. Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and completed its first phase of production. The Company continues evaluating and acquiring properties inside and outside the district expanding its footprint and exploring all of our existing and prospective opportunities for further exploration, development and mining. The near-term goal of our business plan is to maximize intrinsic stockholder value realized, per share, by continuing to acquire mineralized and potentially mineralized properties, exploring, developing and validating qualified resources and reserves (proven and probable) that enable the commercial development of our operations through extended, long-lived mine plans that are economically feasible and socially responsible.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Comstock and Tonogold. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: capital raising activities and negotiations; market conditions; future changes in exploration activities, production capacity and operations; future exploration, production, operating and overhead costs; production of feasibility studies, technical reports or other findings related to estimated mineralization; operational and management restructuring activities; capital expenditures (by Comstock, Tonogold or other parties) and their impact; investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales; consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales, equity dilution, and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; including a redemption of the debenture, and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the management of Comstock and Tonogold in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the annual report on Form 10-K of Comstock. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of Comstock and Tonogold's securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to Comstock, Tonogold or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Neither Comstock nor Tonogold undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any other securities of Comstock or Tonogold.

Comstock Mining Inc.
1200 American Flat Road
PO Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440

http://www.comstockmining.com

Corrado De Gasperis
Executive Chairman & CEO
Tel (775) 847-4755
degasperis@comstockmining.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zach Spencer
Director of External Relations
Tel (775) 847-5272 x151
questions@comstockmining.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Comstock Mining Inc. published this content on 29 May 2019 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 30 May 2019 06:48:02 UTC