Augusta Resource Corporation has been advised by the US Forest Service of the new timeline for completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the final Record of Decision for the Rosemont copper project.

The DEIS is expected to be released to the public early in the Q2 of 2010, followed immediately by a series of public meetings and a comment period. The ROD is expected in the Q4 of 2010. These new dates are outlined in an updated memorandum of understanding signed this week between Augusta's 100% owned subsidiary Rosemont Copper Company and the USFS.

Mr Jamie Sturgess Augusta VP Sustainable Development said that "This is a very complex and important project and we appreciate the amount of diligence the USFS has undertaken in its analysis. Our goal is to make the Rosemont project the best it can possibly be a model not only for Arizona but for the industry. The Company will continue to implement our project financing strategy in anticipation of permits late 2010."