Agnico-Eagle extends new gold zones in Mexico, Finland and Canada
Stock Symbols: AEM (NYSE and TSX) (All dollar amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted and all units of measurement expressed in metric unless otherwise noted)
Last Update: 3:00 AM ET May 9, 2007
TORONTO, May 9, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities. Encouraging results have been received from several of the development properties in Mexico, Finland and Canada, including results from outside of the current gold reserve and resource envelopes. The budgeted exploration expenditure in 2007 exceeds $40 million, the highest level in the Company's history. Currently 23 drill rigs are turning, targeting 175,000 metres of drilling for the year.
It is anticipated that drilling at the current projects will enable Agnico-Eagle to reach its year-end 2008 target of 18 million to 20 million ounces of gold reserves, up from current gold reserves of 15.4 million ounces. More importantly, several of the recent discoveries are outside of the currently contemplated mining areas. Agnico-Eagle's gold reserves are all located in mining-friendly regions with low political risk.
With four new gold mines under construction, and another new project nearing development, Agnico-Eagle is aiming to increase its gold production fivefold over the next three years.