http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/ Information for the media on our activities, together with contact information. en info@gold.org Copyright 2008 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10408/major_repair_work_completed_at_kenville_gold_mine http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10408/major_repair_work_completed_at_kenville_gold_mine
The area, known as the 257 Level, is now entirely operational after repairs to the mine haulage system were made.

Around 6,000 metres of tunnel and production areas are now accessible at the site.

President and chief executive in office Len Danard said that the zone contains extensive tonnage of mineralised quartz that will now be processed before further mining takes place.

"This is an exciting milestone for the company as we advance the Kenville gold mine property towards our goal of re-establishing production," he added.

The gold processing circuit at the mill is in the final stages of improvement, he added.

Meanwhile Eastfield Resources recently announced that progress has been made on several of its projects in British Columbia, including the Zymo, Indata, Howell and Iron Lake programmes.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10409/new_gold_zone_uncovered_at_forsan_project http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10409/new_gold_zone_uncovered_at_forsan_project
Named the Forsan South-West Zone, the spot returned grades of 3.95 g/t Au over 0.9 metres, 2.81 g/t Au over 0.9 metres, 2.46 g/t Au over 0.6 metres, 1.88 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, 1.51 g/t Au over 1.8 metres and 1.19 g/t Au over 0.8 metres.

The firm stated that although some detailed mapping has been carried out on the location in the past, it believes that some of the parameters of the area were not fully understood by previous operators.

Detailed surface work has been conducted by the company over the summer, allowing the "important" information to be obtained that will results in "a better understanding" of the gold zone.

Meanwhile, Canadian-based Seabridge Gold has announced that it is to sell its Noche Buena project in Sonora, Mexico.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10410/1940s_gold_wedding_ring_unearthed_by_metal_detector http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10410/1940s_gold_wedding_ring_unearthed_by_metal_detector
John and Jacqueline Wilson found the 18-c gold wedding ring in a field in Cawood, according to the Pontefract & Castleford Express.

They are now searching for its origins in order to return the item to its rightful owner.

It is believed to be a man's ring, inscribed with the names Denise and James and dated 1947.

Mrs Wilson told the paper: "John and I got married in August this year so we're keen to find the owner because we know how precious wedding rings are."

Recently, a previous Army pilot in the US was reunited with a long-lost ring of his mother's which had gone missing 35 years ago.

Peggy Harvey, who discovered the item, told the Houston Chronicle that the expression on the man's face was worth the year-long search it took for her to find him.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10411/vault_minerals_acquires_two_gold_prospects_in_prolific_kirkland_lake http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10411/vault_minerals_acquires_two_gold_prospects_in_prolific_kirkland_lake
Seven historic mines that make up the so-called mile of gold are situated nearby along the "prolific" Kirkland Lake Main-04 Break, the firm stated.

Very little modern exploration has been conducted on the new acquisitions, the company claimed, except for one 600ft drill hole that is thought to have veered away from the gold trend.

President and chief executive in office Joe Horne said that he was "pleased" that the organisation has been able to source "excellent" opportunities.

"We remain confident and committed to building a dominant land position in one of Canada's most recognised gold camps," he added.

Ontario's gold mines - many of which are situated in Hemlo, Red Lake and Timmins - produce approximately $1 billion (£5.8 million) worth of the precious metal each year, according to official figures.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10412/nanotechnology_will_become_more_significant_for_medical_research http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10412/nanotechnology_will_become_more_significant_for_medical_research
Rising medical costs, the need for faster diagnosis and demand for less invasive procedures mean that nanotechnology studies are increasingly significant for medicine, a paper published by TriMark and outlined on ReportLinker.com has suggested.

The field - which gold is used in frequently - is set to grow as its implications for biology and drug developments becomes more influential, the paper notes.

It had already yielded many healthcare discoveries and has the potential for "far-reaching and paradigm-shifting" technologies to be created, it adds.

By 2015 the global market for nano-related products is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars, causing it to be "one of the fastest-growing industries in history" the report states, quoting figures from the US National Science Foundation.

Gold nanoparticles have been used by several teams of researchers in developing cancer treatments and the precious metal can be injected into the body to treat arthritic conditions.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10413/damas_unveils_diwali_gold_collection http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10413/damas_unveils_diwali_gold_collection
Promotions in its participating stores in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar will kick off on October 11th and run until October 31st, according to fibre2fashion.com.

It has unveiled its Diwali Masterpiece set - made from pure 22-c gold - as part of the celebrations for the festival of light.

Managing director Tawhid Abdullah said that gold, particularly jewellery made of the precious metal, plays a significant role in keeping traditions alive.

"Design superiority and production innovation have allowed us to build distinct in-house brands that demonstrate the many possibilities of gold," he added.

The Diwali festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.

In the UK, the city of Leicester is well-known for its Diwali celebrations, where Hindu residents wear new clothes and decorate their homes with lights in the same manner as their counterparts in India, states the BBC.

]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10414/new_exploration_executive_for_anooraq_resources http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10414/new_exploration_executive_for_anooraq_resources
Mr Reddy - who has an honours degree in geology and a graduate diploma in engineering mining economics - has over 13 years experience in the field.

He has previously been the general manager at the Target gold mine - operated by Harmony - and a senior geologist for AngloGold in South Africa.

President and chief executive officer for Anooraq Philip Kotze remarked: "He has valuable exploration, development and operational experience on South African ore bodies and mining operations."

Mr Kotze added that the appointment provides "additional depth" to the company's team in anticipation of its takeover of the Lebowa project.

Meanwhile, Glencar Mining has commenced reverse-circulation drilling on the Komana East deposit in Mali.

Geological mapping and an airborne survey has provided "significant" information of the potential of the area.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10415/gold_zones_expanded_at_nevada_pan_project http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10415/gold_zones_expanded_at_nevada_pan_project
Drilling on the Nana and Wendy areas of the location has encountered further areas of gold mineralisation.

Significant figures from the Wendy zone included 0.020 ounces per tonne (opt) gold over 75ft, 0.046 opt over 65ft and 0.013 opt over 85ft.

In addition, analysis from the Nana area returned grades of 0.028 opt over 35ft, 0.015 opt over 50ft and 0.053 opt over 15ft.

President and chief executive in office Alan Branham commented: "Pan drilling continues to provide significant improvements to this near surface oxide deposit."

He added that the grades have the potential to upgrade gold deposits for the project.

In other news, Allied Nevada has revealed that the second phase of gold exploration at its Hycroft mine near Winnemucca is complete.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10416/ecuagold_votes_to_change_name http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10416/ecuagold_votes_to_change_name
The change has been made after a vote was passed at the firm's annual general meeting and shareholders approved the re-branding.

Anthony Ciali, president and chief executive in office, explained that the name was altered because of the company's decision to expand exploration activities outside Ecuador, where much of its previous work has been focused.

It is now diversifying into two neighbouring countries to progress its gold prospecting portfolio.

"We believe that the name AndeanGold better reflects the company's present focus and expansion policy," Mr Ciali stated.

The majority of the organisation's current projects are in the "highly prospective" region of south Ecuador but it is engaged in the acquisition of precious metals operations in Colombia and Peru.

Countries that span the Andes mountain range - Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela - are known as the Andean States.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10417/new_uk_nanotechnology_initiative http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10417/new_uk_nanotechnology_initiative
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network will team up with Bio Nano Consulting to promote the exchange of information between researchers in the field.

It is hoped that the collaboration will encourage those interested in nanotechnology - a discipline in which gold is a major element - to take part in debates on a range of topics, including its uses in medicine and electronics.

Dr Mike Fisher, who has been appointed as theme manager for the project, said he was "delighted" to be able to contribute to the "global growth and importance of nanotechnology, particularly in the healthcare and life science sectors".

He added that there have been many recent positive developments within the field.

Gold nanotechnology research has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications, including the development of high-tech artificial limbs, as highlighted by work carried out by the University of Nebraska, Nanowerk reports.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10418/gold_miners_help_scientists_to_define_new_species http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/10/story/10418/gold_miners_help_scientists_to_define_new_species
The unusual genome of desulforudis audaxviator, a rod-shaped bacterium, has now been sequenced by a team of American and Canadian genetic researchers after its discovery in the mine in 2006, reports PhysOrg.

It is the first ecosystem ever to be found that comprises of a single species.

Despite taking no energy from the sun, it manages to exist - in total darkness, 60 degree C heat and complete isolation with a lack of oxygen.

Researcher Dylan Chivian said: "It's sort of philosophically exciting to know that everything necessary for life can be packed into a single genome."

Gold miners at the site collected matter from a newly-opened section of the project for the team to analyse.

The Mponeng mine is one of the deepest in the world, notes Mining Review.
]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10396/high_grade_gold_uncovered_in_western_australia http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10396/high_grade_gold_uncovered_in_western_australia
Aircore drilling at the location has returned grades of 6.98 g/t gold over eight metres and 0.51 g/t gold over 19 metres.

The company stated that the results indicate mineralisation widths and grades are increasing along an easterly trend, where the target remains open along strike.

Managing director Gary Brabham commented: "These very encouraging results clearly indicate potential for significant, new gold mineralisation at Brierly."

He added that the firm is "increasingly confident" that the project will add value to current resources.

Meanwhile, a gold rush has been sparked in Ballarat, Victoria after two amateur explorers discovered gold nuggets using a metal detector.

The area is part of the region's "golden triangle", where the precious metal was originally found in 1851, drawing prospectors from around the globe, according to the Australian.

]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10397/encouraging_results_from_goldboro_project http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10397/encouraging_results_from_goldboro_project
The latest round of drilling comprised of 16 holes covering a total of approximately 4,650 metres.

Significant results include 1.25 g/t Au over 32 metres, 2.27 g/t Au over 40.5 metres, 4.49 g/t Au over 3.5 metres and 1.21 g/t Au over 32 metres.

President and chief executive officer Mark Billings commented that the results were "encouraging", adding that they "continue to demonstrate good gold grades over widths of up to 40 metres".

He also said that shareholders would be provided with an updated resource estimate over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Silver Spruce Resources has reported bonanza grades from the Centauro project in Mexico.

Gold values were discovered over "appreciable" widths, indicating that the region has "good potential" to host a significant gold deposit.

To date, 11 holes covering 3,350 metres have been completed at the site.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10398/hunt_gold_launches_expansion_plans_to_capitalise_on_golds_popularity http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10398/hunt_gold_launches_expansion_plans_to_capitalise_on_golds_popularity
It stated that it will probably recruit a partner to work on the Mockingbird gold mine in Arizona, so that the management team's time can be freed up to pursue other projects.

Production at this mine is expected to commence "way ahead" of schedule and an "aggressive expansion" will be conducted on other mines in the firm's portfolio.

Company officials are determined to capitalise on the current popularity of gold and make the most of the organisation's assets.

Additional board appointments are due to be announced soon and an investor awareness campaign will be launched to get shareholders involved with the expansion plans.

Meanwhile, Santa Fe Gold recently reported that construction work at its Summit mine in south-west New Mexico was on track.

Gold processing is expected to begin the first quarter of 2009.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10399/europe_discusses_nanotechnology_promise http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10399/europe_discusses_nanotechnology_promise
Solar technology utilising nanomaterials has the "greatest promise" of becoming a replacement for fossil fuels, according to Nanowerk.

The issue was discussed at a recent conference, entitled Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy, organised by the European Science Foundation.

"If solar energy is harvested where it is most abundant and distributed on a global net, it will be enough to replace a large fraction of today's fossil-based electricity generation," claimed Professor Bengt Kasemo, chair of the conference.

Electrically-conducting materials such as gold could be used to develop high-capacity batteries, the news provider noted, citing research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Gold nanowires have a large surface area, meaning that they have optical properties for carrying an electrical charge.

Meanwhile, a Nano 50 Award was recently given to a team of US scientists for their innovative method of fusing gold electrodes and nanowires that could potentially be used in microelectronics.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10400/researchers_use_gold_to_unlock_secrets_of_the_earth http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10400/researchers_use_gold_to_unlock_secrets_of_the_earth
A team from Arizona State University is hoping to unlock the secret of how deeply buried organic matter forms into substances used for oil and petroleum.

Compounds such as water, carbon dioxide and iron oxides are placed into gold capsules and subjected to high pressures and temperatures by the scientists in an attempt to reproduce the process that goes on under the Earth's crust.

Everett Shock, a professor in the institution's School of Earth and Space Exploration, said that water has very different properties under these conditions than people would expect.

"The transformation in how water behaves is so enormous that we would hardly recognise it as the same stuff that comes out of our kitchen taps," she remarked.

It is hoped the work may lead to environmentally-friendly solutions to energy issues.

A green method of creating gold nanoparticles was recently developed by the University of Missouri.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10401/record_sales_for_alamos_gold http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10401/record_sales_for_alamos_gold
An 84 per cent increase in production was also recorded in comparison to the same period in 2007.

President and chief executive officer John McCluskey said that improvements have been carried out for the firm's operations in Mexico.

"Changes made … have led to higher productivity and a more efficient mining operation," he remarked.

He added that the success demonstrated that the company had overcome past problems.

In other news, Sutter Gold Mining - which has interests in Mexico and California - has appointed Robert Hutmacher as chief financial officer.

Mr Hutmacher will be in charge of creating a new department to support exploration, mine development, production and investor relations as well as helping to direct the future growth of the organisation.

The president Clayr Alexander has also been welcomed onto the board of directors.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10402/work_commences_at_briggs_gold_mine http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10402/work_commences_at_briggs_gold_mine
The firm hopes to achieve several goals through the programme, which will consist of 25,000ft of reverse-circulation drilling.

It aims to explore "potentially significant" gold mineralisation situated beneath the current reserves at the main pit of the mine.

This will "add considerably" to the mine life and the annual rate of production, the company stated.

In addition, work will begin at the zone's satellite project, the Cecil R target. This will allow a technical report and resource estimate for the area to be completed.

Elsewhere, Alamos Gold reported that it enjoyed record gold sales of 41,290 ounces over the last quarter.

A 84 per cent increase in production was also recorded in comparision to the same period in 2007.

Elsewhere, Greatland Gold - which has operations in Tasmania and Western Australia - has revealed that it has enough capital to continue exploration into 2010 without needing to raise additional finance.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10403/3d_mine_model_a_key_strategic_point_for_pc_gold http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10403/3d_mine_model_a_key_strategic_point_for_pc_gold
The development was described as a "key strategic point" for the company as it has allowed it to define the broad trends of gold mineralisation in the area.

These zones can now be targeted more effectively by a drilling campaign that has been commenced.

Key findings from the 3D modelling include the indication that the gold mineralisation has only been partially drilled by past exploration.

Gaps in historical data have been earmarked by the firm as prospective areas for further gold discoveries.

The model also revealed that the Shaft One area encompasses a minimum rock volume of 11.7 million cubic metres and that gold zones follow a vertical continuous trend down to a depth of 1,158 metres - the deepest level of the mine.

Meanwhile VenCan Gold is set to acquire the Timmins West gold deposit in northern Ontario.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10404/pure_gold_opens_new_stores_in_bahrain http://www.mediacentre.gold.org/news/2008/10/09/story/10404/pure_gold_opens_new_stores_in_bahrain
The firm now has over 60 stores spread throughout the Gulf area, placing the company high in the ranks of pan-regional gold retailers.

Spokesperson Firoz Merchant commented: "Regardless of discounts or promotions, at the end of the day consumers shop for bottom-line reassurance that investing in jewellery can provide."

He went on to describe gold as a "stable and long-term" purchase that provides people with security as well as pleasure.

Customers trust the brand due to its warranty, lifetime repairs service and 100 per cent certification for all pieces, he added.

Meanwhile, gold jewellery sales in Dubai increased by 32 per cent this September when compared to the same period a year ago, according to Reuters.

Tax-free shopping in the UAE draws gold enthusiasts from both the Gulf and western countries, the agency noted.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100