Company Information for Franconia Minerals Corp

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TSX.V; FRA View full financial data

Company Statement

Franconia Minerals Corporation (TSX-V: FRA) is an Alberta-formed corporation that has a US-based head office in Spokane, Washington . The Company's strong interest in PGM's and Base Metals in the US anticipates a growing market demand especially in zinc and copper.

Franconia's primary property is its advanced-stage Birch Lake platinum-palladium-copper-nickel exploration project in the Duluth complex in northeastern Minnesota, one of the most "mine friendly" states in the U.S. At Birch Lake, the Company is able to bring to bear a long experience in Minnesota , as well as strong political connections and geologic skills. The mid-term goal is to demonstrate the viability of the Birch Lake/Maturi resources. Management expects to look for either a major corporate partner or buyer at the appropriate time.

Current Operations

BIRCH LAKE PROJECT
Prefeasibility work is currently focused on the development of the Birch Lake and the Maturi Resources. Exploration has revealed a 75-foot thick mineralized zone at the Birch Lake Resource that occurs approximately 1,800 feet beneath the surface and three miles northwest at the Maturi property, another 75-foot thick, dipping mineralized zone that extends form 175 feet to 2000 feet beneath the surface.

The current pre-feasibility studies are aimed at evaluating the viability of separate mines at Birch Lake and Maturi that would feed a single processing complex built near the Birch Lake deposit.

While neither Birch Lake nor Maturi has been fully drilled out, the combined resource currently has the potential to generate annual production of 74 million pounds (lbs) copper, 19 million lbs nickel, 2.9 million lbs cobalt, 7,400 ounces (oz) gold, 33,000 oz platinum and 68,000 oz palladium over a mine life of about 25 years. More than 500 jobs would be created over the life of the operation. 

Red Knoll Copper Project, Arizona  
In May 2007, Franconia confirmed that the property hosts widespread potential host rocks for porphyry copper mineralization at a reasonable depth. The four-month drilling program tested for concealed porphyry-style copper mineralization buried beneath post-mineral volcanic cover, as well as for the depth of the potential Laramide-age metavolcanics. Three holes (RK-4, -5 and -6) totaling 6,862 feet were completed, investigating three of four IP anomalies generated by an earlier four-line, 17 line kilometre Titan 24 geophysical survey. While ore-grade mineralization has not yet been encountered, all three drill holes intercepted host rocks with the potential for porphyry copper mineralization at depths ranging from 979 to 1,782 feet.

One hole (RK-4), which tested an IP anomaly on the west end of Line 2, intercepted Laramide metavolcanics displaying strong to intense phyllic alteration with subordinate propylitic to phyllic transitional alteration. This alteration was accompanied by 1-3% pyrite starting at 1,616 feet (locally 4-6%) with anomalous copper values. Analytical results received to date indicate anomalous copper values from 979 to 2456 feet. The alteration and mineralization observed in RK-4 may indicate proximity to a porphyry copper system. The Company believes these results warrant additional geophysical examination as well as further drilling in the area, particularly to the east. In addition, based on depths-to-Laramide, a number of other geological targets have been identified that merit testing.

Geographical Spread

USA. Franconia will consider projects on a worldwide basis.

Board of Directors and Key Management

Brian Gavin, President, CEO and Director

George D. Tikkanen, Chairman

Bonnie L. Kuhn, Vice-President, Corporate Secretary and Director

Chad Houck, CFO

Ernest K. Lehmann, Director

Lewis Lawrick, Director

Allan J. Marter, Director

James S. Friedlander, Director

Robert Galyen, Project Geologist

Company Address 111 E. Magnesium Road Suite A Spokane, Alabama, United States 99208 Telephone: (509) 340-1328 Facsimile: (509) 696-9680 Email: info[at]franconiaminerals.com Website: http://www.franconiaminerals.com

Additional Address/Key Contact Investor Relations (Canada):  Farah Alibhai 305 9th Street New Westminster, BC V3M 3V5 T: (604) 731.7340 F: (604) 874.9785 Email: falibhai@franconiaminerals.com Investor Relations (US): Douglas Sherk EVC Group 201 Mission Street, Suite 1930 San Francisco, CA 94105 T: (415) 896.6818 F: (415) 896.6821 Email: dsherk@evcgroup.com Toronto : Greg W. Taylor GT Investor Relations T: (416) 605.5120 F: (905) 844.6532 Email: gtaylor@franconiaminerals.com

Capital Shares issued and outstanding: 58 million Fully diluted: 66.4 million

Annual General Meeting June

Year End December 31

Major Shareholders

Management	15%
Starvest PLC (AIM)	8%
Tiger Resource Finance (AIM)	2%
Sentry Select	5%
J. Perrone	10%
Others	65%

Related News

03/09/08 - Capital Costs Are Key for Franconia Minerals As It Follows In The Footsteps Of PolyMet Mining Towards Production
29/01/08 - Franconia Minerals Expects Good Newsflow From the Duluth Complex This Year
27/07/07 - Franconia Minerals Progressing Birch Lake And Maturi Deposits
16/10/06 - Franconia Minerals Set To Put A Big Bet On The Duluth Complex In Minnesota.

Most Recent Statement

25/08/08 - Franconia Files Technical Report Supporting Latest Ni 43-101 Resource Estimate On Birch Lake Copper-Nickel-Pgm Resource
09/07/08 - Franconia Doubles NI 43-101 Resource Estimate On Birch Lake Copper-Nickel-PGM Resource
19/06/08 - Franconia Minerals Earns 60% Interest In Birch Lake Project
02/06/08 - Franconia Minerals Provides Project Updates
26/03/08 - Franconia Launches New Drill Program at Red Knoll Copper Project, Arizona
25/03/08 - Franconia Minerals Corporation Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan