Federal Court Upholds Murchison Metals Limited (ASX:MMX) Position On Ownership Of Jack Hills Iron Ore Project

Perth, Oct 21, 2010 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Murchison Metals Limited (ASX:MMX) (PINK:MUMTF) advises that Justice Jacobson has today handed down his decision in the Federal Court action brought by Chameleon Mining (ASX:CHM) against Murchison, Crosslands Resources Ltd ("Crosslands") and others.
Murchison is pleased to report that Justice Jacobsen dismissed Chameleon's claim that it was entitled to any interest in either the Jack Hills iron ore project in Western Australia owned by Crosslands and / or Murchison's shares in Crosslands.
The critical findings by the Court as regards to Murchison and Crosslands were:

1. There is no constructive trust over the Jack Hills iron ore project or Murchison's shareholding in Crosslands.

2. Murchison is liable to account for a portion of the income it received as a consequence of the investment of A$277,840 in Crosslands from 24 July 2004 to the present time. (Murchison notes that the project operated at a loss over this time).

As an alternative, Chameleon is entitled, at its election, to equitable compensation of A$277,840 from Murchison with interest at commercial rates on a compounding basis. (Murchison has calculated this sum at approximately A$407,000 based on an interest rate of 5.86%).

3. Crosslands is liable to account for the benefit received by it from the use of A$152,750 on the same basis as Murchison. (Murchison notes that the project operated at a loss over this time).

As an alternative, Chameleon is entitled, at its election, to equitable compensation of A$152,750 from Crosslands with interest at commercial rates on a compounding basis. (Murchison has calculated this sum at approximately A$227,000 based on an interest rate of 5.86%).

4. Murchison is not liable to account for 10 million shares in Murchison received by another defendant in the proceedings.

The Decision is clear that there is no claim to any future income or profits from the Jack Hills project.

Murchison Executive Chairman Paul Kopejtka said he was very pleased with the decision.

"It is disappointing that the legal action and its defence have come at some cost, but our Board had been resolute throughout in its desire to protect the interests of Murchison shareholders," said Mr Kopejtka.

"This judgment vindicates our long-standing position on this legal action and Chameleon's claim that it was entitled to a material share of the Jack Hills project or Murchison's shares in Crosslands.

Contact

Paul Kopejtka Executive Chairman Murchison Metals Ltd Tel: +61-8-9492-2600