August 22, 2011, Vancouver, BC -- Heatherdale Resources Ltd. ("Heatherdale" or the "Company") (TSXV: HTR) is pleased to report that on August 16, 2011 the US Forest Service Alaska Regional Forester Beth Pendleton announced that exploration drilling at the Niblack Project has been approved to go forward. The permitting approval allows Heatherdale to drill test several high priority exploration targets located on federal lands designated as inventoried roadless area. This will complement and significantly enhance the ongoing exploration program at the Niblack Project.
"Today, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell approved geotechnical and exploration drilling in inventoried roadless areas for the Greens Creek Mine and the Niblack Mine exploration projects," said Pendleton. "This approval will allow Greens Creek to continue the expansion of its tailings site and Niblack to continue its exploration."
"These two projects will help employ Alaskans on important projects while providing crucial environmental safeguards," said Harris Sherman, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment at the US Department of Agriculture. "Both the Niblack and Greens Creek projects will have minimal footprints -- less than an acre apiece -- with the potential for substantial boosts to local economies."
Heatherdale President & CEO Patrick Smith stated, "I would like to acknowledge the combined efforts of the Alaska Governor, Congressional delegation, the USDA and the local USFS in obtaining these approvals. We particularly appreciate the strong show of support from Governor Parnell and from Senator Mark Begich. This priority permitting will allow the technical team to test high priority targets that can be best accessed by helicopter supported drilling before the end of the field season."
There are currently two underground drills operating at the Niblack Project. A surface drilling program was initiated in late May to focus on targets accessible from patented mining claims on the property. In July the heli-portable drill rig was mobilized to the Company's Delta Project near Tok, Alaska. This drill and team will return to the Niblack project at the conclusion of the Delta drilling program to complete the surface drilling program that includes these critical sites on US Forest Service administered land.
Niblack's location at tidewater on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska presents a number of project benefits, including year-round marine access, a well-trained labour force, a mature supply and service sector, proximity to Asian markets, and the support of community and Alaska Native corporation partners. The project is located 27 miles (44 km) from Ketchikan, a community of 8000 people with important services to support project development, including a deep water port and international airport. The State's burgeoning minerals industry also enjoys a competitive tax regime and stable, predictable permitting and regulatory oversight coordinated by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources' 'Large Mine Permitting Team'.
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. is a Vancouver-based exploration and development company focused on advancing the high-grade mine development opportunity at the Niblack Project. The Company holds a 51% interest in the Niblack Project, is currently completing work to increase its interest to 60%, and has an option to acquire up to a 70% interest in the Niblack Project. The Company also holds a 60% interest, with the option to acquire 100%, in the mid-stage Delta copper-lead-zinc-gold-silver project, located in east-central Alaska. Heatherdale is associated with the Hunter Dickinson group, which has a track record of successful mineral exploration and development projects around the world.
Mark Rebagliati, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, is supervising the exploration and quality assurance and quality control programs on behalf of Heatherdale and has reviewed the content of this release.
For further details on Heatherdale Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.heatherdaleresources.com or contact Investor Services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Patrick Smith
President and CEO