Western Copper and Gold Corporation
Western Copper and Gold Provides Update on Casino Permitting

DGAP-News: Western Copper and Gold Corporation / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

2016-02-18 / 13:55
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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VANCOUVER, B.C. --(Marketwired - February 18, 2016) -  Western
Copper and Gold Corporation (TSX: WRN) (NYSE MKT: WRN) announces
that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Casino Mining Corp. (together,
the 'Company' or 'Western') has been informed that the Executive
Committee of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic
Assessment Board ('YESAB') has notified the Federal Minister of
Environment and Climate Change that it is requiring that the
Casino Project be reviewed by a panel (the 'Panel Review') for
matters relating to tailings and waste management and potential
effects to wildlife.

Panel Review is the highest level of assessment carried out by
YESAB. Having the Casino Project moved to a Panel Review at this
stage removes the uncertainty that the Project will be referred
later in the assessment process, potentially saving the Company
time and money. The decision will provide Western with an
opportunity to engage the broader public in addition to Federal,
Territorial and First Nation governments, and to demonstrate that
the Casino mine can be built without significant adverse effects.
The Company will provide more information on the process as it
develops.

The feasibility study completed in 2013 shows favourable
economics, even at today's low commodity prices. A 2013 report,
prepared by MNP indicates that the Casino mine should be
transformative for Yukon and Canada, delivering hundreds of job
opportunities, contributing $9.6 billion to the Canadian economy,
and paying $3.2 billion in taxes and royalties to Federal,
Territorial, and First Nation governments over its expected mine
life.

The Company's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paul West-Sells,
stated: 'We appreciate that a mine of this significance requires
all key aspects to be thoroughly evaluated. We look forward to
working with Yukoners to ensure the project moves forward in an
environmentally and socially responsible way. We remain confident
that the Casino Project is a great asset for Yukon that will
provide benefits to Yukon communities and First Nations for
generations to come.'

Western Copper and Gold Corporation

'Paul West-Sells'

Dr. Paul West-Sells

President and CEO

Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and
Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements
concerning anticipated developments in Western's operations and
market conditions in future periods. Statements that are not
historical fact are 'forward-looking statements' as that term is
defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 and 'forward looking information' as that term is
defined in National Instrument 51-102 ('NI 51-102') of the
Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively,
'forward-looking statements'). Certain forward looking
information should also be considered future-oriented financial
information ('FOFI') as that term is defined in NI 51-102. The
purpose of disclosing FOFI is to provide a general overview of
management's expectations regarding anticipated results or market
conditions. Readers are cautioned that FOFI may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as
'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimates',
'potential', 'possible' and similar expressions, or statements
that events, conditions or results 'will', 'may', 'could' or
'should' occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements
may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and resource
estimates; feasibility study results (including projected
economic returns, operating costs, and capital costs in
connection with the Casino Project); market value of the
Company's common shares; permitting or other timelines; strategic
plans; market price of precious and base metals; or other
statements that are not statement of fact. The material factors
or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include
prevailing and projected market prices and foreign exchange
rates; exploration results; continued availability of capital and
financing; construction and operations; the Company not
experiencing unforeseen delays, unexpected geological or other
effects; permitting delays, and general economic, market or
business conditions and as more specifically disclosed throughout
this document, and in the AIF and Form 40-F.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and
are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or
achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ
materially from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a
variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and
other factors include, among others, risks involved in
fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and
currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation
of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral
deposit; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs,
recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic
return; risks related to cooperation of government agencies and
First Nations in the development of the property and the issuance
of required permits, including timelines, costs, and result of
the Panel Review; risks related to the need to obtain additional
financing to develop the property and uncertainty as to the
availability and terms of future financing; uncertainty of
meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely
availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and
other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form
40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with
the applicable regulatory agencies.

Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
expectations and opinions of management on the date the
statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly
disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise
required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons
set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.



For more information, please contact:

Chris Donaldson,
Manager
Corporate Development
604.684.9497
info@westerncopperandgold.com

News Source: Marketwire


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2016-02-18 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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     Language:    English                              
     Company:     Western Copper and Gold Corporation  
   
   
                  United States                        
   
   
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