Multiple safeguards will protect region

A recent judicial ruling in the US District Court of Montana has led to renewed speculation and misinformation about the proposed Rock Creek mine in Sanders County, Mont. While U.S. Federal Judge Malloy has set aside the 2003 Record of Decision, presumably for further review once he has rendered his opinion in the case, he has also upheld significant work that has been done by the agencies relating to the Endangered Species and Clean Water acts. Clearly, the body of work that has been done by environmental scientists has significant merit.

Revett Minerals employs 185 men and women at its operating mine near Troy, Mont. The Troy mine has been operated by Revett for the past five years in accordance with state and federal regulations. The mineral deposit at Troy is a geological copy of the Rock Creek deposit and operates in the most environmentally sound way that modern mining techniques allow with minimal surface disturbance, non degradation of water quality (yes, even without water treatment) and in perfect cohabitation with aquatic and land wildlife. Why? For two very simple reasons; the deposits that we mine are as clean as nature provides with no acid mine drain or deleterious trace elements, and because, despite what opposition groups may like to portray, we care greatly about the environment that we live and operate in and are committed to doing these projects correctly.

The Rock Creek project plan of operations contains 79 various stipulations to protect the environment and include specific requirements to protect water quality, air quality, fish, wildlife, plant species and the nearby Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. The project includes commitments to fund approximately $30 million over 25 to 30 years for grizzly bear recovery efforts in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem. For additional protection of water quality, the project includes a two-stage water treatment plant to treat excess water before it is released. Bull trout will be protected through road and drainage improvements to reduce sediment currently entering the west fork of Rock Creek. Road improvements call for adding dust suppression, silt fences, culverts and sediment traps to reduce sediment. The agencies, through the 2003 Record of Decision, believe that we can actually improve current conditions for grizzly bear and bull trout.

The wilderness area will also be protected through incorporation of “buffer zones,” or areas, underground, where no mining will occur. These include all areas within 450 feet of the surface, areas around fault zones and an area 1000 feet around Cliff Lake. The resulting average depth of mining is approximately 1000 feet below surface, or nearly as tall as the Empire State Building. The surface of the wilderness will not be impacted. The Record of Decision calls for the agencies to review all data gathered from the Evaluation Phase and review any modifications necessary, before approval of the construction and operation Phase. The agencies have, and will continue to take a very careful and conservative approach.

Revett Minerals is a public company and is listed on both the US and Canadian exchanges. The majority of our shareholders are from the USA and each and every one of our employees has a stake in its ownership. But more importantly, each and every one of our employees shares our commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible management of our resources, after all, they have lived in this beautiful area for generations and have every intention in keeping it pristine.

I know that it is difficult to combat the continued rhetoric regarding the Rock Creek project that we see splashed in publications and Web sites. What I do ask is that you take time to look at the facts and ask the vast majority of people who live in northwest Montana that support this company and these projects. We are proud of our achievements at the Troy mine and we are proud of the support and career opportunities that we provide. We have been very open with our operations and plans and would welcome your questions and opportunity to discuss the Rock Creek project with you.

For more information please contact John Shanahan at (509) 921-2294

JOHN SHANAHAN

President and CEO

Revett Minerals Inc.