OREANDA-NEWS. February 11, 2011. MPX announced that the Environmental, Housing and Development Ministry of Colombia approved the Alternative Environmental Diagnosis (DAA) confirming that the site selected by MPX Colombia will result in the lowest social and environmental impact in the area from the construction and operation of a private port to export mineral coal. The Company will next present an environmental impact study prior to receiving the final license required to commence construction of the port.

The port site was acquired by MPX Colombia in January 2010, as announced on January 21, 2010, and is located approximately 150 km from the Company’s mines. Bathymetric studies conducted by Moffatt & Nichol, a US-based global infrastructure advisor, indicated a 20-meter draft 3 km from the coast, signifying that the port will be capable of handling Capesize vessels without the need for further dredging.

“The approval of the DAA environmental study is one of the most important steps in the environmental licensing process and a key accomplishment in the development of MPX’s integrated mining system in Colombia. The port at Dibulla is ideally located on the Atlantic Coast, close to generating facilities and has the requisite deep water necessary for port development” said Eduardo Karrer, Chief Executive Officer of MPX.