Thompson Creek Announces Commercial Production at the New Endako Mill and Reaffirms 2012 Production and Cash Cost Guidance for the Endako Mine

NYSE: TC
TSX: TCM
TSX-V:TRX.WT

DENVER, CO, Feb. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. ("Company" or "Thompson Creek"), a growing, diversified, North American mining company, today announced that the commissioning of the Company's new Endako mill is complete and that commercial production was achieved on February 1, 2012.  For the first five days of February, the new mill was running at or above its design capacity of 55,000 tons per day, a 77% increase over the old mill's capacity of 31,000 tons per day.  The construction of the regrind circuit for the new mill is still in process and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2012.  In the interim, the Company is utilizing the cleaner and regrind circuit in the old mill. The Company also reaffirmed 2012 production guidance for its 75% share of the Endako mine of approximately 10 - 11 million pounds of molybdenum and cash cost guidance of approximately $8.25 - $9.25 per pound.

"We are extremely pleased to have achieved the full design tonnage for the new mill just 20 days into the commissioning and start-up process," said Kevin Loughrey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Creek.  "Our employees, contractors, and suppliers have performed an outstanding job meeting the many challenges necessary to reach operational and commercial production so quickly.  We continue to make significant progress and ramp up production, and we anticipate full production will be achieved in the second quarter of 2012. Once at full production, the Endako mine is expected to increase molybdenum production from approximately 10 million pounds per year to approximately 16 million pounds per year (100% basis)," added Mr. Loughrey.

About Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is a growing, diversified North American mining company.   The Company produces molybdenum at its 100%-owned Thompson Creek Mine in Idaho and Langeloth Metallurgical Facility in Pennsylvania and its 75%-owned Endako Mine in northern British Columbia.  The Company is also in the process of constructing the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine in central British Columbia, which is expected to commence production in 2013.  The Company's development projects include the Berg copper-molybdenum-silver property and the Davidson molybdenum property, both located in central British Columbia.  Thompson Creek has approximately 970 employees.  Its principal executive office is in Denver, Colorado and its Canadian administrative office is in Vancouver, British Columbia.  More information is available at www.thompsoncreekmetals.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release (including information incorporated by reference) are ''forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable Canadian securities legislation.  These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions.  Our forward looking statements include, without limitation: estimates of future capital expenditures and other cash needs for operations, including with respect to the Endako mill expansion and the development of Mt. Milligan, and expectations as to the funding thereof; statements as  to the projected development of the Endako mill expansion, Mt. Milligan and other projects, including expected production commencement dates; statements regarding future earnings, and the sensitivity of earnings to molybdenum prices; estimates of future production costs and other expenses for specific operations and on a consolidated basis; estimates of future mineral production and sales for specific operations and on a consolidated basis; estimates of mineral reserves and resources, including estimated mine life and annual production; estimates as to commodity prices; and statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of Thompson Creek or its subsidiaries and its projects.

Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.  However, our forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by those forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements can be found in the section entitled ''Risk Factors'' in Thompson Creek's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Although we have attempted to identify those factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.  Many of these factors are beyond TCM's ability to control or predict.  Given these uncertainties, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Pamela Solly
Director, Investor Relations
Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.
Tel: [phone]
[email protected] 

Christine Stewart
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
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[email protected]