Augusta Resource Corp (AZC)

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DENVER, CO, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Augusta Resource
Corporation (TSX/NYSE Amex: AZC) ("Augusta" or the "Company") announces that
printed and electronic copies of the preli minary draft Environment Impact
Statement ("EIS") have been delivered by the Coronado National Forest to the
State of Arizona and local Cooperating Agencies for final review. The
Cooperating Agencies have been mandated with 30 days to provide their final
comments on the draft EIS as part of the federal government National
Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") process. This is in line with the U.S. Forest
Service's ("USFS") previously announced schedule guidance of August 2011 for the
draft EIS to be available for public comment under NEPA regulations.

The Record of Decision ("ROD") for the Rosemont Copper project appears on track
for January 2012 and in-line with previous USFS guidance allowing for a 90 day
public comment period after the publication of the draft EIS in August 2011.

"With the preliminary draft EIS now delivered to the cooperating agencies we are
one major step closer to the ROD," said Gil Clausen, Augusta's president a nd
CEO. "We are pleased with the progress the USFS has been able to attain in the
past several months and expect that they will be able to meet their objective
for releasing the draft EIS to the public this August."

About Augusta Augusta is a base metals company focused on advancing the Rosemont
Copper deposit near Tucson, Arizona. Rosemont hosts a large copper/molybdenum
reserve that may account for about 10% of US copper output once in production in
2013 (for details refer to www.augustaresource.com). The exceptional experience
and strength of Augusta's management team, combined with the developed
infrastructure and robust economics of the Rosemont project, will propel Augusta
to become a solid mid-tier copper producer. The Company is traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange and the NYSE Amex under the symbol AZC.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain of the statements made and information contain ed herein may contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within
the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking
statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to
statements concerning: the Company's plans at the Rosemont Project; estimated
production; and capital and operating and cash flow estimates. Forward-looking
statements or information include statements regarding the expectations and
beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as
"plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or
variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events
or result s "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited
to, statements or information with respect to known or unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements or information.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those
reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without
limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: history of losses; requirements
for additional capital; dilution; loss of its material properties; interest
rates increase; global economy; no history of produc tion; speculative nature of
exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and
mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents;
failure of processing and mining equipment; labour disputes; supply problems;
commodity price fluctuations; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the
interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and
reserves; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; title matters;
regulatory restrictions; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market
price of Common Shares; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency
fluctuations; loss of key employees; as well as those factors discussed in the
section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated
March 29, 2011. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual resu lts may vary
materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information.
Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements or information. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law, and
you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in
the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada
and the United States.

SOURCE Augusta Resource Corporation



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KEYWORD: Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MNG

SUBJECT CODE: ENI

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