Open-pit mine production efficiency to improve, as Larger Towhaul Lowboys become available in the 800 to 1500 ton range.

Vancouver, B.C. – January 22, 2009 – Synergy Engineering Ltd. and TowHaul Corporation (dba Smith Equipment, USA) today announced their agreement to cooperate in the delivery of electrically driven lowboys and tow vehicles with significantly larger haulage capacity than any previously available.

Open-pit mine owners around the world expect immediate benefit from the use of these larger haulers, improving the availability and utilization of their mine heavy equipment, permitting increased flexibility in mine planning, resulting in significant increases in production and mineral recovery.

Additional financial benefits are expected from reduced overall maintenance costs, along with positive impacts to safety and the environment.

TowHaul and Synergy have collaborated for more than 15 years in the development of large (800 -1500 ton) lowboys, with Synergy focusing on the drive requirements utilizing existing and new electric propulsion systems familiar to the mining industry today.   Synergy and TowHaul have now formalized their relationship whereby Synergy has the exclusive marketing rights for large electrically driven lowboys in Chile and Canada.

Synergy’s expertise in large engineered electrical drive systems and TowHaul’s expertise in the mechanical design and supply of large lowboys and tow vehicles (using their patented gooseneck design) bring together the best technology available for the supply of large lowboys and tow vehicles.

For further information, contact:

Synergy Engineering Ltd. TowHaul Corporation
R. W. Neuman, President Kim Wild, President & G.M.
604.464.3663 406.388.3424

About Synergy Engineering Ltd.:

Synergy Engineering Ltd. is recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacture of custom built, large electrical drive systems.  For 20 years Synergy has been providing effective solutions to the unique propulsion application challenges of their customer in the Mining sector and for other sectors challenged by special large material handling applications.

In 2003, Synergy Ingeneria Limitada was formed, a wholly owned subsidiary based in Santiago.  In 2007, Synergy added a field service team in Antofagasta to further improve support of customers in Northern Chile.

About TowHaul Corporation:

The name of Smith has been a leader in off-road lowboys since 1977.  Lowboys and TowHooks by SMITH are in service throughout the world, including Australia, Europe, Indonesia, Africa and South America.  Many of the first units built in the 1970’s are still in service today, testifying to their durability.

In 1990 the SMITH company relocated to Bozeman, Montana, where it is now operating as Smith Equipment USA.   TowHaul continues to develop new designs consistent with previous innovations historically established under the SMITH name.

The company has succeeded in developing a product line suitable for today’s and tomorrow’s needs in the open-pit mines around the world.

The original manufacturer of off-road mining lowboys since 1977