Richard Fifer

Richard Fifer Web
Petaquilla Minerals Ltd.
TSX: PTQ
OTC Bulletin Board: PTQMF
FRANKFURT: P7Z

May 21, 2010 15:00 ET

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – May 21, 2010) – Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (the “Company”) (TSX:PTQ)(OTCBB:PTQMF)(FRANKFURT:P7Z) announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement. As an update to its news releases of March 15, 2010, and April 22, 2010, the Company has issued 4,000,080 Units at a price of Canadian $0.50 per Unit, raising gross proceeds of Canadian $2,000,040.

Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, whereby each full warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company for a period of two years from closing at an exercise price of Canadian $0.85 per share.

The securities distributed under the private placement are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period expiring on September 22, 2010.

The proceeds from the private placement will be used for repayment of debt, for completion and development of the Company’s Molejon gold project in Panama, for exploration of the Company’s Oro del Norte mineral concession in Panama, and for working capital.

In connection with the closing of the private placement, the Company has paid finders’ fees in the amounts of $100,002 cash and 100,002 warrants, which are also exercisable for a period of two years from closing at a price of Canadian $0.85 per share.

The securities sold have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person, as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, other than through registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. federal and state registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

About Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. – Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. is a gold producer operating its gold processing plant at its 100% owned Molejon Gold Project in Panama. Anticipated throughput for the project during the first year of commercial production is estimated to be 2200 tonnes per day. Commercial production commenced January 8, 2010. The Molejon mine site is located in the south central area of the Company’s 100% owned 842-square kilometre concession lands, a region known historically for gold content.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

PETAQUILLA MINERALS LTD

Richard Fifer Web, Petaquilla Fulfilling Responsabilities

Petaquilla Gold, SA
INFORMS THE COMMUNITY
IN GENERAL THAT:
In fulfilling its duties and responsibilities established by  law, The National Bureau of Mineral Resources on one hand and National Environmental Authority on the other, as a result of its monitoring program of the Molejón Mining Project PETAQUILLA GOLD, SA, stating the proper management of cyanide in the production process of gold and in compliance with the mitigation measures of mining projects, evidence of this, the certifications below:

Richard Fifer believes that mankind with its achievements with their strengths and defects has been able to achieve a balance between the uses of natural resources essential for survival while maintaining respect for the environment. In the beginning we were fruit pickers, somehow, accidentally or not, we tested the flesh of animals, then began to grow our own products, making us sedentary, while domesticated animals would supply our nutritional needs.

This is how the Stone Age began, therein man created tools out of rocks as their hunting implements, for defense and managed to cover other needs. Later we came to know the different uses of iron and thus was born the iron age, so that mining has been a faithful companion of humanity from its remotest beginnings using iron preceded by the use of copper and tin, known as the Bronze Age.

Humans have had to draw on mineral resources to survive and to lay the foundations of progress. Richard Fifer believes there is no civilization or culture that has not collected and processed natural resources and minerals which, as a primary sector of all economies, has been fundamental to the very existence of the planet.

Richard Fifer states that gold appears in all these cultures as a good and not just any good, but the good that establishes the pattern of value or merchandise reference value and all important treatises economists from Smith, Ricardo, Marx and all their contemporaries.

That’s why exploration, search and study of new deposits of gold, is nothing other than a natural process of growth and development of humanity, Richard Fifer believes this to be a fact. The countries that are blessed with these sites, are also in the obligation to explore them responsibly, so it is imperative that the application of modern cleaner technologies be developed. Let us celebrate today in a responsible manner the beginning of a new era in mining and Petaquilla Gold, with its project Molejón, the flagship of modern mining in the region, will play its role in the history of that process, which started when our ancestors understood that with a rock you could develop tools.

EDITORIAL
periodistas@laestrella.com.pa

Minera Petaquilla Gold, born of the efforts of many including Richard Fifer, is located in the district of Donoso, Colon Province PANAMA. The television program “Mining News”, which will air on Hosanna Vision Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Petaquilla Gold opens a channel of communication by providing information and teaching on related activity nationally and internationally.
This program will be conducted by mining engineer and Social Communicator, Carlos Salazar, who will report on relevant aspects of the mining industry.
He will also explain about the processes used by mining concessions for exploration, development and exploitation, the legal framework for Mining in Panama, myths and truths and the reality of the Petaquilla mining project Gold.
“Mining News” is informative and educational and beneficial for the communities involved as well as the country as a whole.
“The program wil scientifically explain all the issues,” Salazar said.
BENEFITS
The Government adopted in September 2005 by order of the MITI, the Development Plan of various phases of the Petaquilla project. The first of these being the Molejón Gold deposit which began in 2006. This project has boosted the economy and well-being in that area, such as building a rural hospital, a hostel for students, a chapel, 50 miles of roads and production modules. Along the lines of infrastructure, there are permanent programs for reforestation.

Richard Fifer Web, Please find this full article on goldstockmania.com

Website: http://www.petaquilla.com Symbol: TSX: PTQ | US routing symbol:PTQMF

Here is a junior Canadian mining stock flying completely under the radar that has already produced over 26,000 ounces of gold and recently announced that it has reached the status of commercial gold production. That’s right, Petaquilla Minerals is a now a junior gold producer, operating its gold processing plant at its 100% owned Molejon Gold Project in Panama. Anticipated throughput for the project during the first year of commercial production is estimated to be 2200 tonnes per day. Commercial production commenced January 8th, 2010, with annual gold production targeted at 100,000 oz/yr at a cost of $550 per ounce. The Molejon mine site is located in the south central area of the Company’s 100% owned 842-square kilometer concession lands, a region known historically for gold content. With a target share price of $3.97, Petaquilla is quickly becoming one of my top Canadian gold stocks.

Opportunity($):

Current Share Price: $0.50 | Target Share Price: $3.97 | Share Price Increase: ~7.93x

With 121 M shares outstanding and a share price of US $.50/share, Petaquilla Minerals is shaping up to be one undervalued junior gold stock. A gold producer priced at only $0.50 cents/share in my mind is definitely worth taking a hard look at. I have followed this company for quite some time and did not feel comfortable with getting on board with them in the past for a lot of reasons. The main problem was their past management, which did not have such a great track record for getting things done, especially on time. For a long time it seemed that Petaquilla was just a very poorly managed junior mining company. There were also other issues that introduced too much risk for me, such as the politics of starting up the first mine in Panama in modern times. There were issues with obtaining the necessary permits as well as environmental issues/opposition that needed to be dealt with too. So off and on I kept an eye on Petaquilla to see if they would resolve some of these issues or not.

It is good to be patient when you are in the world of junior mining stocks. Take your time and wait for the opportunities to meet your requirements. Some penny mining stocks can begin as real ugly ducklings and eventually turn into beautiful swans. However, many of them unfortunately will not turn into anything at all. Petaquilla lost a lot of trust over course of 2007-2008 with delay after delay, a quickly dropping stock price, and a lost of confidence in their then CEO Richard Fifer. Richard Fifer was surrounded in controversy which I believe made many investors uncomfortable and head for the exits. However in 2009, Petaquilla started to turn the corner. There were many positive changes that really removed a ton of risk for this junior gold stock. After reviewing the events of 2009 and early 2010, Petaquilla now meets the requirements for my hot penny stock picks list. Let’s take a moment and review some key events that were instrumental in Petaquilla’s magnificent turn around.

Key 2009/2010 events that now make Petaquilla an attractive play:

· 04/07/2009: After many delays, Petaquilla finally makes its first gold pour.

· 11/05/2009: President/CEO and majority of board members resign.

· 11/06/2009: New Board members announced (New business/financial guys added to board).

· 11/06/2009: Joao Manuel appointed as President/CEO.

· 11/18/2009: Panamanian Government authorizes commercial production.

· 12/14/2009: Discovery of significant gold mineralization on its Oro Del Norte concession.

· 01/08/2010: Commercial production commences at 70% capacity.

· 01/29/2010: Producing 6,000 ounces of gold per month.

· 03/04/2010: Commences exploration drilling program Oro del Norte concession.

· 04/13/2010: $70 million debt elimination – converted to gold shipments (91.7K oz over 5 years).

Petaquilla is a Canadian mining stock in position for its share price to move substantially higher over the next 6 months if they continue to execute well. They are already producing gold (produced over 26,000 oz of gold!) and has a 1.1 MOz+ NI43-101 compliant gold resource and counting! Resource expansion in on going and could add much more upside to this company by the end of 2010. Petaquilla has been relieved of about $70 M dollars in debt which had a very high maintenance cost and drag on earnings. Elimination of this debt will dramatically improve their bottom line. At an average gold price of $1150/oz, cost per oz of $550, and a standard valuation of 8x earnings, I am targeting a share price $3.97/share. This is about 7.93x the current share price! With this kind of profit potential, Petaquilla certainly looks like pretty good play.

Strengths:

Weaknesses/Threats:

Trading Strategy:

Strategy: A trader doing an analysis on Petaquilla Minerals would conclude that the majority of the risk that use to make this junior gold stock to risky to bother with has been eliminated. And after reviewing the past events since Nov 2009, he/she can see that the new management has been extremely effective in such a short amount of time. Also, the trader would reason that the stock price was over $3.00 in 2007 before Petaquilla had mining approval, started commercial production, eliminated their troublesome debt, improved their managment, started producing 6K ounces of gold per month. Now with all that accomplished coupled with the likely possibility of significant resource expansion and minimum downside risk, the trader sees a current share price of .50 cents as an incredible value play!

Furthermore, the trader understands that there are typically there 3 times to enter a junior mining trade, 1) before a significant discovery is announced, 2) before production is announced, or 3) after production starts. If you enter after production starts, then you typically want to wait until the price comes down because of start up issues which could range from equipment failure, poor efficiency, low throughput, low ore grades, etc. The stock price tends to rebound after the issues are corrected.

Petaquilla Highlights Financial and Operating Performance

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Apr 27, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (“Petaquilla” or the “Company”)(CA:PTQ 0.51, -0.08, -13.56%)(PTQM.F 0.52, -0.08, -12.69%)(FRANKFURT: P7Z) announces its gold production in Q3 2010 increased by 3,274 ounces or 31% over Q2 2010. As a result of this production increase, together with reductions in operating costs, cash costs were reduced to US$637 per ounce on a by-product basis, down 33.6% from US$960 per ounce in Q2 2010. Gross margin from the sale of gold in Q3 2010 amounted to $4.7 million.

Similarly, in line with the above performance, administrative and other expenses for the nine months ended February 2010 were reduced by US$3.6 million or 26% to US$10.3 million compared to US$13.9 million for the nine months ended February 2009.

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has poured approximately 6,500 ounces of gold during the initial four pours of the current month of April and, as a result, is targeting cash costs in the mid-US$500 per ounce range for the month.

In addition to the recurrent gold production process operation and for the second phase of the Company’s heap leach project, Petaquilla initiated the construction of an on-site test facility to determine the recoverability of the different ore types and particle sizes for the planned heap leach operation expected to commence during the first calendar quarter of 2011. The Company anticipates the heap leach operation will generate an additional 50,000 ounces of gold annually.

Simultaneously, the Company advanced its exploration work at its 100% Oro del Norte concession, moving from initial superficial rock chipping and sampling activities, as disclosed in the Company’s news release of December 14, 2009, to a trenching and drilling program with a professional crew working onsite since early March. The Company will provide regular updates on the respective results.

About Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. – Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. is a gold producer operating its gold processing plant at its 100% owned Molejon Gold Project in Panama. Anticipated throughput for the project during the first year of commercial production is estimated to be 2200 tonnes per day. Commercial production commenced January 8, 2010. The Molejon mine site is located in the south central area of the Company’s 100% owned 842-square kilometre concession lands, a region known historically for gold content.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of PETAQUILLA MINERALS LTD.

Richard Fifer Web, The Company further announces that it will now focus its efforts on the very promising exploration potential of its Oro del Norte concession

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Apr 13, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. is pleased to announce it has signed an engagement letter pursuant to which it will work with a leading financial institution to execute a US$70 million gold linked facility under which the Company would be required to deliver 91,710 ounces of gold over a five year term. The terms of this facility are outlined in an indicative financing term sheet, which includes other price participation terms that enable the Company to participate in gold prices up to US$1,250 per ounce for the committed ounces. The transaction is subject to structuring and underwriting fees totaling 4% of the facility amount. No other upfront fees, warrants or interest are to be paid to the financial institution during the term of the facility. This transaction is subject to technical, legal and financial due diligence and the execution of final, legally binding transaction documentation.

The IRR of the facility is 8.5%, assuming that gold prices stay within the agreed limits of the price cap. The term-sheet includes an “optional early termination” clause whereby the Company has the option to early repay the outstanding balance of the gold facility in the event gold prices move upwards and beyond the level of US$1,250 per ounce. This optional early termination clause is subject to a 5% premium payment calculated on the early repayment amount.

The terms of the engagement letter incorporate, inter alia, the possibility of a simultaneous or subsequent participation of one or several leading Panamanian banks which have expressed their interest in funding up to US$35 million of the total US$70 million financing requirement. In such event, the gold facility would then be reduced by the amount equivalent to the Panamanian banks’ participation. No early termination premium of 5% is to be payable in case the Panamanian banks’ participation is to occur subsequent to the closing of the initial US$70 million facility.

The amount of 91,710 ounces that would be committed to the gold facility represents approximately 8.5% of the Company’s total gold resources or 4.2% if the facility is to be reduced to US$35 million as a result of the above mentioned participation by Panamanian banks. The proceeds of the facility will be used principally to redeem all of the Company’s outstanding senior secured notes, in the combined amount of US$69.6 million in principal, plus any accrued interest up to the date of redemption. These senior secured notes would otherwise mature at various dates during the next 12 months.

The five year term of the gold facility, coupled with an attractive embedded cost of capital, will substantially strengthen the financial profile of the Company, providing additional liquidity to further develop its production capabilities and exploration potential. Mr. Joao Manuel, Petaquilla’s President and CEO commented, “We are very pleased to have signed this engagement letter with such a reputable leading player in the global commodities market. This gold facility will enhance the Company’s balance-sheet, by reducing the financial risk implicit in the outstanding high-yield senior secured notes, while extending the repayment of the credit facility to five years. Furthermore, the flexibility of this instrument ensures that the Company’s shareholders will preserve their ability to benefit from the upside value of eventually higher gold prices in the future.”

The Company further announces that it will now focus its efforts on the very promising exploration potential of its Oro del Norte concession, where it has initiated a drilling program aimed at confirming the prospective gold grades identified during the early superficial rock sampling and trenching stages, while also advancing the Molejon heap leach project, which will add approximately 150,000 ounces, over the life of mine, to the existing process operation, and completing the spin out of its infrastructure affiliate, Petaquilla Infrastructure Ltd. Once executed, this gold facility will provide a solid financial basis for such developments, ensuring the sustainable, long-term value creation for shareholders.

About Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. – Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. is a gold producer operating its gold processing plant at its 100% owned Molejon Gold Project in Panama. Anticipated throughput for the project during the first year of commercial production is estimated to be 2200 tonnes per day. Commercial production commenced January 8, 2010. The Molejon mine site is located in the south central area of the Company’s 100% owned 842-square kilometre concession lands, a region known historically for gold content.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of PETAQUILLA MINERALS LTD.

Richard Fifer, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Richard Fifer Web – Petaquilla Molejon Project, the flagship of modern mining in the region

Mankind with its achievements with their strengths and defects has been able to achieve a balance between the uses of natural resources essential for survival while maintaining respect for the environment. In the beginning we were fruit pickers, somehow, accidentally or not, we tested the flesh of animals, then began to grow our own products, making us sedentary, while domesticated animals would supply our nutritional needs.

Along with all this development, we used tools, this is how the Stone Age began, therein man created tools out of rocks as their hunting implements, for defense and managed to cover other needs. Later we came to know the different uses of iron and thus was born the iron age, so that mining has been a faithful companion of humanity from its remotest beginnings using iron preceded by the use of copper and tin, known as the Bronze Age.

Humans have had to draw on mineral resources to survive and to lay the foundations of progress. There is no civilization or culture that has not collected and processed natural resources and minerals which, as a primary sector of all economies, has been fundamental to the very existence of the planet.

Gold appears in all these cultures as a good and not just any good, but the good that establishes the pattern of value or merchandise reference value and all important treatises economists from Smith, Ricardo, Marx and all their contemporaries.

That’s why exploration, search and study of new deposits of gold, is nothing other than a natural process of growth and development of humanity. The countries that are blessed with these sites, are also in the obligation to explore them responsibly, so it is imperative that the application of modern cleaner technologies be developed. Let us celebrate today in a responsible manner the beginning of a new era in mining and Petaquilla Gold, with its project Molejón, the flagship of modern mining in the region, will play its role in the history of that process, which started when our ancestors understood that with a rock you could develop tools.

Richard Fifer really knows what he’s doing…

Carlos Salazar specilized in the mining industry and an educator, has called Richard Fifer: “The father of the modern mining industry”.  He introduced the new models of the modern mining industry with the best and friendliest technology for the environment and with a high level of safety.

Richard Fifer besides being a visionary, a geologist and a scientist, was the governor of the Province of Cocle.  Some of the projects that Richard Fifer has besides Petarcilla, is “La Castilla de Oro” a project whose purpose is to remodel some of the houses in the villages to hostels of 6 rooms so that the owner can managing them for profit in Cocle, Veraguas, Herrera, en la Villa de Los Santos, Nata, San Francisco de la Montaña, Parita, Las Tablas to get more touris, from Spain, Europe, South America and tourist that are looking to learn about our culture and know more about these rural areas.

People who oppose mining activity indicate that this is what does the most harm to the environment, yet these negative comments are a direct result of lack of information and culture. In not providing the right information, people do not have a good overview of the mining industry.

We can say that Richard Fifer looks for the best geologist to work with; we can mention Ariadne Holmes that right now is in Canada, Carlos Carrasco, Luis Perez Monetengro, Ana Mendez and some other specialists that form a group of study for their projects. Richard really knows what he’s doing.

RICHARD FIFER is a man that worries about his community. He has been working with environmentalist to try to help out in danger life. Most of his works has been in the provinces of North Cocle and Western Colon; his gold mines provide a lot of job for the people in those provinces of Panama.

RICHARD FIFER is a true Panamanian, a true patriot, with a kind heart. He beliefs in his country and will give it all for it. Is a visionary person that is trying to improve the world we live in.

All of the promises made of our Panamanian Government to the people and citizens were never accomplish. But in other hand Richard Fifer has been helping the community of Colon, Cocle and small villages of those provinces, for years and will still help them for many years to come. He has help to create roads, homes, even provide jobs for those in needs.