WGI announces winter closing of Emerald Creek Garnet mine

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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nCOEUR D'ALENE, ID, Jan. 2 /CNW/ - WGI Heavy Minerals, Incorporated (WGI)\n(TSX: WG) today announced that it has temporarily ceased operations at its\nEmerald Creek Garnet ("ECG") mine in Fernwood, Idaho.\n\n\nThe combination of adverse weather conditions in December 2008 and the\nrecent lower grades of garnet produced in the areas WGI was mining in the past\ntwo months at ECG contributed to this decision to shut down the mining effort\nat ECG for the next three months. Weather permitting the Company intends to\nresume normal operations in April 2009 and concentrate on areas where it is\nanticipated that the grade of garnet will be more favourable.\n\n\n"Last winter's record snowfall combined with lower grade garnet in the\nground also resulted in a difficult time for ECG. This year's winter has begun\nwith even more snow and colder temperatures. These factors contributed to this\ndecision to shut down the mining effort at ECG for the winter months," said\nGreg Emerson, Chief Executive Officer.\n\n\nIf weather conditions allow, the Company will continue with its\nreclamation efforts to take advantage of equipment and labour resource\navailability during these shut down months. All but essential personnel at the\nmine will be laid off for this shut down period, effective December 31.\n\n\nWGI does not anticipate any material change in its ability to supply\ngarnet to WGI's world-wide customers as the amount of garnet produced at ECG\nduring the first three months of 2008 was 2,282 tons at a loss of $306,000.\nWGI continues to receive garnet from India under our distribution agreement\nwith VV Minerals.\n\n\nAbout WGI\n\n\nWGI Heavy Minerals, Incorporated is a marketer of industrial grade\nminerals sourced primarily out of India, producer of industrial-grade garnet\nout of Idaho and Germany and manufacturer of replacement parts for ultra-high\nwaterjet cutting systems in the U.S. The Company's shares are listed on the\nToronto Stock Exchange under the symbol WG.\n\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the\nbusiness, operations, and financial performance and condition of WGI Heavy\nMinerals, Incorporated. A number of the matters discussed and statements made\nin the press release contain forward-looking statements reflecting current\nexpectations regarding future assets. Whe...

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