Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “During the first quarter, our global team maintained its focus on providing products necessary to support growing economies around the world in a cost-efficient, safe and environmentally responsible manner. Our transition to underground mining at Grasberg is advancing according to plan, and we are encouraged by recent milestones. In North America and South America, we are advancing the Lone Star copper leach project in eastern Arizona and continuing to focus on opportunities to enhance operating performance from existing mines. As we look forward, we are optimistic about the future that our asset base and copper market fundamentals are expected to provide shareholders. Our strategy will continue to focus on maximizing the value of our existing resource base through rigorous cost management, productivity and technology, executing our plan to successfully transition from open-pit mining to large-scale underground mining at Grasberg, generating cash flows to enhance shareholder returns and creating value organically from our large undeveloped resource position.”

Mr. Taj Singh, President and CEO of the Company states, “Discovery has renegotiated terms of the Puerto Rico Option Agreement to make it more beneficial to all stakeholders. In addition to spreading the Drill Permit milestone payment over 15 months, we have reduced share dilution and changed the Purchase Option to allow us to spend more exploration dollars on what is most important: drilling. The cost of the Purchase Option is now more in line with the current markets while also allowing the Property Owners to participate in the value of the Company’s other projects through share ownership.”

“We delivered $349 million in free cash flow in the quarter while meeting production and cost targets on the back of continued operational excellence,” said Gary J. Goldberg, Chief Executive Officer. “This performance gave us the means to deliver superior shareholder value in the form of a special dividend, and to build a stronger future by advancing profitable projects on three continents, and by progressing two historic transactions. Our joint venture in Nevada will generate synergies and create the world’s largest gold mining complex, and our combination with Goldcorp will create the world’s leading gold business as measured by assets, prospects and people.”

“We are encouraged by the progress made at Rainy River during the first quarter as we re-position the operation for efficient and sustainable mining. Over the course of the year, we expect to drive further efficiencies throughout the operation with the objective of delivering free cash flow starting in late 2020,” stated Renaud Adams, CEO. “The New Afton Mine reported another strong quarter of operating results as the team further advanced the development of the C-zone. We are particularly encouraged with the organic growth potential of the D-zone with the first hole of the exploration drilling program intersecting 140 metres of mineralization located 360 metres below the C-zone and a second hole is currently underway.”

Capstone Mining Corp. announced its production and financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Total production from continuing operations for Q1 2019 totaled 41.4 million pounds of copper at a consolidated C1 cash cost1 of $1.56 per pound, representing a 20% increase in production and 20% reduction in costs versus the same period last year. Q1 2019 net income was $8.3 million, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations1 was $41.8 million and operating cash flow before changes in working capital1 was $30.7 million.

First Mining Gold Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ken Engquist as the Company’s new Chief Operating Officer, effective April 29, 2019. Mr. Engquist will be based at the Company’s head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be responsible for leading the technical and operations team at First Mining.