VANCOUVER, BC, Canada – Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB) (“Taseko” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today issued the final required permit, the Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit, to construct and operate the Phase 1 Test Facility at Taseko’s Florence Copper Project in Florence, Arizona.

The comprehensive Phase 1 Test Facility will serve to optimize the copper recovery process and demonstrate its environmental integrity and reliability.

The project has now successfully met all of its regulatory obligations at both the state and federal levels. Including the UIC permit, and the Aquifer Protection permit which was issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in August, the project has received 19 permits and authorizations. The UIC permit will become effective on January 30, 2017. For further details, the Notice of Final Permit Decision can be found on the EPA website.

“Securing the UIC permit is a significant milestone which further validates the technical and environmental work performed by our engineering and project development teams in Florence,” said Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko Mines Limited.  “The issuance of this permit by the EPA confirms that our proposal meets the highest environmental standards required under federal law.”

“Permitting any industrial project is a lengthy and challenging process, which is why the receipt of the UIC permit is a major milestone achieved by the Company. There is a possibility that opposing parties will attempt to appeal the UIC permit, similar to the challenge made to the previously granted Aquifer Protection permit, but we expect that the regulatory authorities will successfully defend their thorough process,” concluded Mr. Hallbauer.

The Florence Copper Project strengthens and diversifies Taseko’s copper production capabilities.

More about the project

The deposit contains 2.4 billion pounds of copper in 340 million tons of probable reserves* (at a grade of 0.358% copper) and represents a pre-tax net present value (7.5% discount rate) of US$725 million with an internal rate of return of 36% using a long-term copper price of US$2.75 per pound.  Once commercial production is reached, the project will produce an average of 75 million pounds annually for over 20 years.

The in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) project offers attractive direct operating costs of just US$0.80/lb and allows the copper to be recovered using a water-based solution without disturbing the land and with minimal environmental impact.

The Phase 1 Production Test Facility at Florence Copper is a pilot-scale demonstration of commercial ISCR operations.  It incorporates the drilling of 24 wells, the injection and recovery of ISCR solution, the manufacture of LME Grade A copper cathode, and the observation and monitoring of groundwater quality and other environmental conditions.

The extraction process occurs deep in the bedrock and involves a combination of straight-forward physics and basic chemistry to dissolve and then pump copper-rich solution to the surface. Once at the surface, the solution is converted into sheets of pure copper.

For further information on Taseko and the Florence Copper Project, please visit the Taseko website at www.tasekomines.com

Added nearly 500 ENERGY STAR Certified Homes to the Market with their Living SMART Program

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Maracay Homes, an Arizona-based builder, of single-family homes for premium homebuyers in the greater Phoenix and Tucson markets has announced that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a 2014 ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Market Leader. The award recognizes Maracay Homes for its comprehensive LivingSmart® program.  In 2013, Maracay Homes built nearly 500 ENERGY STAR certified homes.  Collectively, these homes will save homeowners approximately $150,000 on utility bills and reduce nearly 1.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

Maracay Homes’ LivingSmart® program is designed around four core ‘smart’ components: Health, Energy, Earth and Water. Features like an ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher, DePure™ water filtration system, advanced programmable thermostats and solar-ready components are ‘standard’ features in a Maracay home and translate into cost savings and superior comfort for homeowners.

“We are committed to sustainability for our buyers,” said Andy Warren, Maracay CEO. “This award validates our ongoing efforts to increase energy efficiency in our homes. As an Arizona-based builder this is extremely important to our clients.  Our LivingSmart® program delivers best in class efficient home features designed for our unique climate.”

According to RESNET, a home energy efficiency rating service, a typical resale home in the United States rates 130 on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index and a standard new home scores 100. Current Maracay homes average 63, meaning they are already 35% more energy efficient than a standard new home. Features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances all add up to better comfort, better durability, and reduced utility and maintenance costs.

To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that require an integrated approach to design combined with tried-and-true best building practices. These homes then undergo third-party verification of energy performance and are up to 30% more efficient than typical new homes built today.

“ENERGY STAR partners provide new homes that are designed and built to standards well above most others on the market today,” said Jonathan Passe, director of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Because ENERGY STAR certified homes undergo rigorous independent inspections and testing, homebuyers who choose ENERGY STAR can be confident that their new home will offer real energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for years to come.”

Together, families living in ENERGY STAR certified homes saved $558 million on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 643,000 vehicles last year alone. More than 90,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2013, and more than 1.5 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built.

Maracay Homes is the recipient of numerous quality and design awards including the prestigious Pacific Coast Builders’ Conference Golden Nugget Award of Merritt and 2011 Builder of the Year Award from the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA).