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LAS VEGAS, NV, Dec 15, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Arctic Oil & Gas Corp. (PINKSHEETS: AOAG), a resources development company, is pleased to announce the Company's precious metals division is progressing joint venture its plans for two new mine developments in 2009. The JV partners intend to finance and develop two or more large-scale placer mines starting on the various granted State leases, with gold production in commencing in 2009.
Denali Placer Gold Mine Expansion: The mine has a 1 million yards per year mining-processing plant already on site. The Company plans to upgrade the existing mine production equipment to a 60,000 ounces per year mining operation commencing in 2009, with estimated Gold production costs of $300/ounce. Tenements are fully permitted Claims with 500,000 ounce drill indicated placer resources.
Norton Sound Alaska Oceanic Placer Gold Mine: The company is finalizing plans to construct new large-scale suction-cutter gold dredges to produce 250,000 ounces in the next summer season. Norton Sound offshore placer gold grades are approximately 0.50 grams/M3 ($13.40/M3 at $835/oz; estimated from over 3,000 drill samples), which should result in Gold production costs of less than $200/ounce. The tenements are OCS 720 square mile Leases Application and 2,000 acre Granted State Waters Leases, with 1.5-10 million ounce placer Gold resource potential.
Ocean Going Gold Dredges:
The Company is receiving strong institutional investor interest in its planned Non-dilutive, private LLC offering for institutional investors to fund these two mines and others under consideration. The interest stems in large part from the increasing shortage of physical gold bullion supplies to satisfy both rapidly increasing central and regional bank reserves needs, as well as increasing bullion demands from large institutional groups and individual fleeing paper assets.
The Company plans to bring all corporate filings up to date in the first quarter, 2009.
OIL-GAS: The Company and partners have speculative Claims and lease applications over four areas with proven and potential oil and or gas reserves. The Company believes that in the future the oil price will rise to levels which will justify their development.
Please visit www.arcticoag.com and www.strategicnine.com
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks associated with oil & gas exploration risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, government regulation and taxation. More information about factors that potentially could affect AOAG's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Peter Sterling
323-356-7777
Email Contact
SOURCE: Arctic Oil & Gas Corp.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
St Andrew Grants Option on Nixon Fork Alaska Property
St Andrew Goldfields Ltd. (TSX:SAS) ("St Andrew" or the "Company") announces that it has granted to Pacific North West Capital Corp. ("PFN") an option to acquire the outstanding shares of Mystery Creek Resources, Inc. ("MCR"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which owns the Nixon Fork gold property located 56 kilometers northeast of McGrath, Alaska. Under the terms of the option, which is exercisable until February 15, 2009, PFN may acquire the shares of MCR by paying the Company US $500,000, of which US $100,000 has been paid, US $100,000 is payable on closing of the transaction of purchase and sale and the balance is payable in three equal installments due May 1, July 1 and September 1, 2009. PFN has indicated that exercise of the option is subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence and receipt of regulatory approvals.
"The decision to sell Nixon Fork reflects our strategy to continue to focus our efforts and resources on bringing our Holloway Holt property into production as soon as possible", said Jacques Perron, President and CEO of St Andrew.
About St Andrew
St Andrew is a gold mining and exploration company with operations in Timmins, Ontario and Alaska. St Andrew controls a very large land position in the Timmins Mining Camp, an extensive land position at Eskay Creek in northern British Columbia and land positions around Nixon Fork Gold Mine in the Kuskokwim-Tintina Mining Camp in Alaska.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws, concerning St Andrew's business, operations, financial performance, condition and prospects, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking information are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results, including completion of the sale of MCR. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. Factors that may cause actual results to vary material include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, changes in laws or regulations, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking information. St Andrew does not assume the obligation to revise or update this forward-looking information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
"The decision to sell Nixon Fork reflects our strategy to continue to focus our efforts and resources on bringing our Holloway Holt property into production as soon as possible", said Jacques Perron, President and CEO of St Andrew.
About St Andrew
St Andrew is a gold mining and exploration company with operations in Timmins, Ontario and Alaska. St Andrew controls a very large land position in the Timmins Mining Camp, an extensive land position at Eskay Creek in northern British Columbia and land positions around Nixon Fork Gold Mine in the Kuskokwim-Tintina Mining Camp in Alaska.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws, concerning St Andrew's business, operations, financial performance, condition and prospects, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking information are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results, including completion of the sale of MCR. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. Factors that may cause actual results to vary material include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, changes in laws or regulations, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking information. St Andrew does not assume the obligation to revise or update this forward-looking information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Friday, December 12, 2008
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.: Livengood Gold Deposit Expands in all Directions
400 metre step-out intersects 126.5 metres at 1.23 g/t Gold MK-RC-0078 - 134.1 metres @ 1.03 g/t Gold MK-RC-0098 - 62.49 metres @ 1.09 g/t Gold MK-RC-0099 - 53.34 metres @ 1.10 g/t Gold
Last update: 1:13 p.m. EST Dec. 10, 2008
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Dec 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ("ITH" or the "Company") - (TSX VENTURE: ITH)(NYSE-A: THM)(FRANKFURT: IW9) is pleased to announce the latest drill results from its 2008 resource expansion drilling program at its bulk tonnage Livengood gold project near Fairbanks, Alaska (see Table 1). These results, many from the edges of the 2008 Core Zone drill pattern or significant step outs, demonstrate the significant expansion potential of the deposit. Of the 13 new holes announced in this release, seven have ended in higher grade mineralization, punctuating the excellent depth potential of the deposit.
The new assays demonstrates the continuity of higher grades to the edges and beyond the currently defined Core Zone drill area: to the south (MK-RC-0099 with 53.3 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold, 35.1 metres @ 1.3 g/t gold & 12.2 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold), to the southwest (MK-RC-0098 with 62.5 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold) and to the northeast (MK-RC-0095 with 13.7 metres @ 1.0 g/t gold & 126.5 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold) (see Figures 1 and 2). Hole MK-RC-0095 represents a major 400 metre step out to the east-northeast from the Core Zone and is extremely encouraging for the intervening area, which is one of the key targets of the winter drilling program to be started in February 2009. The results continue to expand the mineralization beyond the boundaries of the current resource, all of which will be included in the updated 43-101 resource estimate scheduled for February, 2009 following the return of assays for the remaining 15 2008 drill holes (see Figure 1).
These new results, particularly MK-RC-0095, continue to support the concept of an overall northeast-southwest trend to the zone of mineralization above and beyond the Core Zone as currently defined. They also highlight a number of high priority targets for expanding the higher grade zone of the deposit. In 2009 the Company will carry out a two stage drill program, including a 5,000 metre winter program and a 6,500 metre summer program, both of which will focus on the higher grade target areas.
Table 1: New Drill Result Highlights, Livengood Project, Alaska
Significant intercepts calculated using 0.25 g/t gold cut-off
From To Length Gold
Hole ID (metre) (metre) (metres) (g/t)
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
MK-RC-0078 134.11 144.78 10.67 0.58
150.88 153.92 3.04 13.85
164.59 298.70 134.11 1.03
MK-RC-0083 176.78 227.08 50.30 0.84
includes 184.40 193.55 9.15 2.20
252.98 262.13 9.15 0.70
277.37 288.04 10.67 0.69
MK-RC-0092 245.36 257.56 12.20 0.48
MK-RC-0093 140.21 182.88 42.67 0.62
188.98 214.88 25.90 0.63
231.65 262.13 30.48 1.07
268.22 291.08 22.86 1.38
includes 281.94 291.08 9.14 2.40
295.66 304.80 9.14 0.93
309.37 315.47 6.10 1.74
MK-RC-0095 1.52 19.81 18.29 0.63
47.24 60.96 13.72 1.02
67.06 129.54 62.48 0.92
141.73 268.22 126.49 1.23
includes 167.64 178.31 10.67 4.59
MK-RC-0096 60.96 67.06 6.10 4.93
137.16 140.21 3.05 5.19
150.88 173.74 22.86 1.70
includes 155.45 167.64 12.19 2.94
178.31 188.98 10.67 1.17
MK-RC-0098 156.97 219.46 62.49 1.09
MK-RC-0099 89.82 108.20 18.28 0.82
121.92 175.26 53.34 1.10
204.22 239.27 35.05 1.31
246.89 259.08 12.19 1.21
MK-RC-0100 164.59 182.88 18.29 0.72
includes 173.74 178.31 4.57 2.02
188.98 198.12 9.14 0.58
201.17 213.36 12.19 0.75
224.03 252.98 28.95 0.86
262.13 274.32 12.19 0.72
MK-RC-0102 117.35 141.73 24.38 1.90
163.07 169.16 6.09 0.91
211.84 274.32 62.48 0.84
MK-RC-0104 Hole lost at 128m
MK-RC-0105 Re-drill of hole 104 - No significant results
MK-RC-0106 115.82 124.97 9.15 1.83
128.02 153.92 25.90 0.90
179.83 190.50 10.67 1.59
193.55 208.79 15.24 0.72
210.31 281.94 71.63 0.83
309.37 335.28 25.91 1.70
To view Figure 1 and Figure 2 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ITH%20FIGURES.pdf
Qualified Person
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent, as he is the President and CEO of ITH and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
The work program at Livengood was designed and is supervised by Dr. Russell Myers, Vice President, Exploration, and Chris Puchner, Chief Geologist (CPG 07048), of the Company, who are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project photograph the core from each individual borehole prior to preparing the split core. Duplicate reverse circulation drill samples are collected with one split sent for analysis. Representative chips are retained for geological logging. All sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska for preparation and then on to ALS Chemex in Vancouver, B.C. for assay. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025: 1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early stage to advanced gold and base metal discoveries. The Company's 100% owned Livengood deposit is an advanced bulk tonnage resource expansion project that is the current focus of its Alaskan program. ITH is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries while maintaining a majority interest in its holdings, thereby giving its shareholders the maximum value for their investment.
On behalf of INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
Jeffrey A. Pontius, President and Chief Executive Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the anticipated preparation and timing of an updated 43-101 resource estimate at Livengood, the potential for a significant expansion of the estimated Livengood resources, business and financing plans and business trends. Information concerning mineral resource estimates also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, should and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the inability of the Company to obtain assay results in a timely manner due to laboratory workload, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, including those detailed above, and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Form 20F annual report. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its US disclosure filings at www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This press release and other information released by the Company uses the terms "resources", "inferred resources" and "indicated resources". United States investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize them. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Inferred resources, in particular, have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources will ever be upgraded to reserves. Therefore, United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically.
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the "CIM Standards") as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM. United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, the Company's disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to the SEC's Industry Guide 7.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
NR08-27
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release, which has been prepared by management.
Contacts:
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Quentin Mai
Vice-President - Corporate Communications
(604)683-6332 or Toll Free: 1-888-770-7488
(604) 408-7499 (FAX)
Email: qmai@internationaltowerhill.com
Website: www.internationaltowerhill.com
SOURCE: International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Last update: 1:13 p.m. EST Dec. 10, 2008
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Dec 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ("ITH" or the "Company") - (TSX VENTURE: ITH)(NYSE-A: THM)(FRANKFURT: IW9) is pleased to announce the latest drill results from its 2008 resource expansion drilling program at its bulk tonnage Livengood gold project near Fairbanks, Alaska (see Table 1). These results, many from the edges of the 2008 Core Zone drill pattern or significant step outs, demonstrate the significant expansion potential of the deposit. Of the 13 new holes announced in this release, seven have ended in higher grade mineralization, punctuating the excellent depth potential of the deposit.
The new assays demonstrates the continuity of higher grades to the edges and beyond the currently defined Core Zone drill area: to the south (MK-RC-0099 with 53.3 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold, 35.1 metres @ 1.3 g/t gold & 12.2 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold), to the southwest (MK-RC-0098 with 62.5 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold) and to the northeast (MK-RC-0095 with 13.7 metres @ 1.0 g/t gold & 126.5 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold) (see Figures 1 and 2). Hole MK-RC-0095 represents a major 400 metre step out to the east-northeast from the Core Zone and is extremely encouraging for the intervening area, which is one of the key targets of the winter drilling program to be started in February 2009. The results continue to expand the mineralization beyond the boundaries of the current resource, all of which will be included in the updated 43-101 resource estimate scheduled for February, 2009 following the return of assays for the remaining 15 2008 drill holes (see Figure 1).
These new results, particularly MK-RC-0095, continue to support the concept of an overall northeast-southwest trend to the zone of mineralization above and beyond the Core Zone as currently defined. They also highlight a number of high priority targets for expanding the higher grade zone of the deposit. In 2009 the Company will carry out a two stage drill program, including a 5,000 metre winter program and a 6,500 metre summer program, both of which will focus on the higher grade target areas.
Table 1: New Drill Result Highlights, Livengood Project, Alaska
Significant intercepts calculated using 0.25 g/t gold cut-off
From To Length Gold
Hole ID (metre) (metre) (metres) (g/t)
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
MK-RC-0078 134.11 144.78 10.67 0.58
150.88 153.92 3.04 13.85
164.59 298.70 134.11 1.03
MK-RC-0083 176.78 227.08 50.30 0.84
includes 184.40 193.55 9.15 2.20
252.98 262.13 9.15 0.70
277.37 288.04 10.67 0.69
MK-RC-0092 245.36 257.56 12.20 0.48
MK-RC-0093 140.21 182.88 42.67 0.62
188.98 214.88 25.90 0.63
231.65 262.13 30.48 1.07
268.22 291.08 22.86 1.38
includes 281.94 291.08 9.14 2.40
295.66 304.80 9.14 0.93
309.37 315.47 6.10 1.74
MK-RC-0095 1.52 19.81 18.29 0.63
47.24 60.96 13.72 1.02
67.06 129.54 62.48 0.92
141.73 268.22 126.49 1.23
includes 167.64 178.31 10.67 4.59
MK-RC-0096 60.96 67.06 6.10 4.93
137.16 140.21 3.05 5.19
150.88 173.74 22.86 1.70
includes 155.45 167.64 12.19 2.94
178.31 188.98 10.67 1.17
MK-RC-0098 156.97 219.46 62.49 1.09
MK-RC-0099 89.82 108.20 18.28 0.82
121.92 175.26 53.34 1.10
204.22 239.27 35.05 1.31
246.89 259.08 12.19 1.21
MK-RC-0100 164.59 182.88 18.29 0.72
includes 173.74 178.31 4.57 2.02
188.98 198.12 9.14 0.58
201.17 213.36 12.19 0.75
224.03 252.98 28.95 0.86
262.13 274.32 12.19 0.72
MK-RC-0102 117.35 141.73 24.38 1.90
163.07 169.16 6.09 0.91
211.84 274.32 62.48 0.84
MK-RC-0104 Hole lost at 128m
MK-RC-0105 Re-drill of hole 104 - No significant results
MK-RC-0106 115.82 124.97 9.15 1.83
128.02 153.92 25.90 0.90
179.83 190.50 10.67 1.59
193.55 208.79 15.24 0.72
210.31 281.94 71.63 0.83
309.37 335.28 25.91 1.70
To view Figure 1 and Figure 2 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ITH%20FIGURES.pdf
Qualified Person
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent, as he is the President and CEO of ITH and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
The work program at Livengood was designed and is supervised by Dr. Russell Myers, Vice President, Exploration, and Chris Puchner, Chief Geologist (CPG 07048), of the Company, who are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project photograph the core from each individual borehole prior to preparing the split core. Duplicate reverse circulation drill samples are collected with one split sent for analysis. Representative chips are retained for geological logging. All sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska for preparation and then on to ALS Chemex in Vancouver, B.C. for assay. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025: 1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early stage to advanced gold and base metal discoveries. The Company's 100% owned Livengood deposit is an advanced bulk tonnage resource expansion project that is the current focus of its Alaskan program. ITH is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries while maintaining a majority interest in its holdings, thereby giving its shareholders the maximum value for their investment.
On behalf of INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
Jeffrey A. Pontius, President and Chief Executive Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the anticipated preparation and timing of an updated 43-101 resource estimate at Livengood, the potential for a significant expansion of the estimated Livengood resources, business and financing plans and business trends. Information concerning mineral resource estimates also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, should and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the inability of the Company to obtain assay results in a timely manner due to laboratory workload, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, including those detailed above, and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Form 20F annual report. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its US disclosure filings at www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This press release and other information released by the Company uses the terms "resources", "inferred resources" and "indicated resources". United States investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize them. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Inferred resources, in particular, have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources will ever be upgraded to reserves. Therefore, United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically.
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the "CIM Standards") as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM. United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, the Company's disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to the SEC's Industry Guide 7.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
NR08-27
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release, which has been prepared by management.
Contacts:
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Quentin Mai
Vice-President - Corporate Communications
(604)683-6332 or Toll Free: 1-888-770-7488
(604) 408-7499 (FAX)
Email: qmai@internationaltowerhill.com
Website: www.internationaltowerhill.com
SOURCE: International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
ITH Discovers New High-grade Gold Mineralization on West Pogo Project, Alaska
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ("ITH" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: ITH)(NYSE-A: THM)(FRANKFURT: IW9) is pleased to announce the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization at its West Pogo Project in Alaska. The Company's 2008 West Pogo exploration program has discovered a new area of high-grade gold mineralization to the east of earlier discoveries. Six of the 24 rock samples taken from this new zone returned greater than 1 g/t gold, ranging in grade from 1.2 to 118.5 g/t gold from sericitically altered granite and quartz vein material. This zone falls within an overall east-west trend of high-grade gold occurrences extending for some 25 kilometres within the Pogo Gold District (Figure 1).
To view Figure 1, please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure1ITH.jpg
Results
Previous exploration at West Pogo focused on the area on the western side of the property where historical sampling had encountered weakly anomalous rocks and soils. The 2008 program focused its effort on the eastern side of the property within a recently burned area which enhanced rock exposures. A train of mineralized granite float was encountered 150 metres northeast of the 2003 AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. ("AngloGold") drill site with visible gold found in several pieces of float. Additional mineralized rocks and anomalous soils were found over an area extending over 700 metres to the east of the visible gold discovery. The mineralization consists of vuggy quartz veins and breccias in granite with strong sericitic and local tourmaline alteration. The mineralization has modest arsenic values and low bismuth values (Table 1).
Table 1: 2008 West Pogo Rock Samples with greater than 1 g/t Gold(i)
Gold Silver As Sb Bi Te
Sample ID Lithology (g/t) (g/t) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
RK808448 vein 118.5 437.0 741 252 0.8 0.025
RK808440 granite 7.1 0.5 96 37 0.8 0.050
RK808452 granite 5.7 1.7 2910 108 0.6 0.090
RK808314 vein 2.1 1.6 438 48 0.2 0.050
RK803899 breccia-tectonic 1.9 8.5 128 233 1.7 0.025
RK808438 breccia-tectonic 1.2 0.6 213 49 0.3 0.025
(i) A total of 24 rock samples were taken from the new zone, ranging in
grade from nil to 118.5 g/t gold and averaging 5.54 g/t gold. Of
these samples, 54% exceeded 0.5 g/t gold and 25% exceeded 1 g/t gold.
The controls on mineralization are not well understood at the moment, however, the distribution of mineralized rocks and soils suggest the high-grade gold mineralization is related to an east-northeast structural zone along the margin of a granitic intrusive. This newly discovered high-grade mineralization is exciting in that it lies along a generalized east-west trend of district-scale gold occurrences that extend both east and west of the Pogo Mine. The Company plans to follow up on these highly encouraging results as time and resources become available.
West Pogo Project Summary
The West Pogo Project consists of a 20 square kilometre block of State of Alaska mining claims owned 100% by the Company and located 5 kilometres west of the Pogo Gold Mine. The bedrock geology consists of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks which have been intruded by younger, probably Cretaceous, granites. Gold mineralization was first discovered in the area in 1998 with the property being acquired by AngloGold in 2001. In 2003 a single hole was drilled by AngloGold which encountered wide zones of sericitic alteration and multiple zones of low-grade gold mineralization.
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Pontius is the President and CEO of ITH.
The 2008 work program at West Pogo was designed and supervised by Dr. Russell Myers, Vice President of Exploration, Talon Gold (US) LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of ITH responsible for carrying out the Company's exploration programs), who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project photograph all sample shipments which are then sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska for preparation and on to Vancouver, B.C. for assay. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early stage to advanced gold and base metal discoveries. ITH is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries while maintaining a majority interest in its holdings, thereby giving its shareholders the maximum value for their investment.
On behalf of INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
Jeffrey A. Pontius, President and Chief Executive Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, business and financing plans and business trends. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, including those detailed above, and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Form 20F annual report. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its US disclosure filings at www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.
This press release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. The Company advises US investors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
NR08-26
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release, which has been prepared by management.
Contacts:
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Quentin Mai
Vice-President - Corporate Communications
Toll Free: 1-888-770-7488 or (604) 683-6332
(604) 408-7499 (FAX)
Email: qmai@internationaltowerhill.com
Website: www.internationaltowerhill.com
To view Figure 1, please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure1ITH.jpg
Results
Previous exploration at West Pogo focused on the area on the western side of the property where historical sampling had encountered weakly anomalous rocks and soils. The 2008 program focused its effort on the eastern side of the property within a recently burned area which enhanced rock exposures. A train of mineralized granite float was encountered 150 metres northeast of the 2003 AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. ("AngloGold") drill site with visible gold found in several pieces of float. Additional mineralized rocks and anomalous soils were found over an area extending over 700 metres to the east of the visible gold discovery. The mineralization consists of vuggy quartz veins and breccias in granite with strong sericitic and local tourmaline alteration. The mineralization has modest arsenic values and low bismuth values (Table 1).
Table 1: 2008 West Pogo Rock Samples with greater than 1 g/t Gold(i)
Gold Silver As Sb Bi Te
Sample ID Lithology (g/t) (g/t) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
RK808448 vein 118.5 437.0 741 252 0.8 0.025
RK808440 granite 7.1 0.5 96 37 0.8 0.050
RK808452 granite 5.7 1.7 2910 108 0.6 0.090
RK808314 vein 2.1 1.6 438 48 0.2 0.050
RK803899 breccia-tectonic 1.9 8.5 128 233 1.7 0.025
RK808438 breccia-tectonic 1.2 0.6 213 49 0.3 0.025
(i) A total of 24 rock samples were taken from the new zone, ranging in
grade from nil to 118.5 g/t gold and averaging 5.54 g/t gold. Of
these samples, 54% exceeded 0.5 g/t gold and 25% exceeded 1 g/t gold.
The controls on mineralization are not well understood at the moment, however, the distribution of mineralized rocks and soils suggest the high-grade gold mineralization is related to an east-northeast structural zone along the margin of a granitic intrusive. This newly discovered high-grade mineralization is exciting in that it lies along a generalized east-west trend of district-scale gold occurrences that extend both east and west of the Pogo Mine. The Company plans to follow up on these highly encouraging results as time and resources become available.
West Pogo Project Summary
The West Pogo Project consists of a 20 square kilometre block of State of Alaska mining claims owned 100% by the Company and located 5 kilometres west of the Pogo Gold Mine. The bedrock geology consists of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks which have been intruded by younger, probably Cretaceous, granites. Gold mineralization was first discovered in the area in 1998 with the property being acquired by AngloGold in 2001. In 2003 a single hole was drilled by AngloGold which encountered wide zones of sericitic alteration and multiple zones of low-grade gold mineralization.
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Pontius is the President and CEO of ITH.
The 2008 work program at West Pogo was designed and supervised by Dr. Russell Myers, Vice President of Exploration, Talon Gold (US) LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of ITH responsible for carrying out the Company's exploration programs), who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project photograph all sample shipments which are then sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska for preparation and on to Vancouver, B.C. for assay. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early stage to advanced gold and base metal discoveries. ITH is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries while maintaining a majority interest in its holdings, thereby giving its shareholders the maximum value for their investment.
On behalf of INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
Jeffrey A. Pontius, President and Chief Executive Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, business and financing plans and business trends. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, including those detailed above, and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Form 20F annual report. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its US disclosure filings at www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.
This press release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. The Company advises US investors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
NR08-26
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release, which has been prepared by management.
Contacts:
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Quentin Mai
Vice-President - Corporate Communications
Toll Free: 1-888-770-7488 or (604) 683-6332
(604) 408-7499 (FAX)
Email: qmai@internationaltowerhill.com
Website: www.internationaltowerhill.com
Arctic Oil & Gas Corp. (AOAG): Norton Sound and Onshore Alaska Placer Gold Project JV
LAS VEGAS, NV, Dec 08, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Arctic Oil & Gas Corp. (PINKSHEETS: AOAG) (360 million shares issued), a resources development company, is pleased to announce the Company's precious metals division has secured agreements to pool its Nome offshore OCS lease Application with Shell Trust Dredge Engineers, holders of options over adjacent granted State Waters leases with drill indicated gold reserves of approximately 500,000 ounces or more, and additional onshore placer resources property carrying additional 500,000 ounces gold resources, both of which could be producing in 2009-2010.
AOAG is pooling its Norton Sound OCS applications of which it is an 80% equity partner into the new 50%-50% profit-sharing joint venture with the R.E Shell Trust, a long-established gold dredging-engineering group, whose principals have produced millions of ounces of gold utilizing suction-cutter dredges of their own design. Some of these dredges were ocean-going in size. Shell owns proprietary drill sample results of Nome offshore placer deposits extending into AOAG's lease application areas, from ship-based sampling campaigns they conducted.
The JV partners intend to finance and develop two or more large-scale placer mines starting on the JV granted State leases, commencing gold production in 2009-2010.
JV PLACER GOLD; 2009-2010 PRODUCTION PROJECTS.
1) Norton Sound Alaska Oceanic Placer Gold Project; OCS 720 square mile
Leases Application and 2,000 acre Granted State Waters Leases. With
1.5-10 million ounce Gold placer resource potential at
250,000 - 500,000+ ounces per year production rate.
2) Denali Placer Gold Project; Alaska Onshore fully permitted Claims with
500,000 ounce drill indicated reserves and mining equipment already on
site. With plans to upgrade production equipment to a 60,000 ounces per
year operation in 2009. Estimated Gold production costs $300/ounce.
Ocean-Going Gold Dredges: The Shell-designed high-capacity suction cutter dredges transformed the American gold dredging industry and dramatically lowered large-scale mining costs to less than $0.50/M3. The deployment of new large-scale dredging equipment, coupled to Shell's proven vibrating-gravity gold recovery plant should make the Nome offshore placers profitable today.
Using Shell-designed dredges, mining costs could halve AOAG's previously estimated $4.00/M3 costs, with targeted recoverable Norton Sound grades of approximately 0.50 grams/M3 ($12.00/M3) resulting in Gold production costs of less than $200/ounce.
The JV is preparing a Non-AOAG-stock-dilutive, private LLC offering memorandum for institutional investors to fund these two mines and also build additional plants on other leases under investigation. There is no guarantee that the various Leases and Claims will be secured by the JV until sufficient financing has been secured.
OIL-GAS: The Company and partners have speculative Claims and lease applications over four areas with proven and potential oil and or gas reserves. The Company believes that in the future the oil price will rise to levels which will justify their development.
Please visit www.arcticoag.com and www.strategicnine.com
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks associated with oil & gas exploration risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, government regulation and taxation. More information about factors that potentially could affect AOAG's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Peter Sterling
323-356-7777
Email Contact
SOURCE: Arctic Oil & Gas Corp.
AOAG is pooling its Norton Sound OCS applications of which it is an 80% equity partner into the new 50%-50% profit-sharing joint venture with the R.E Shell Trust, a long-established gold dredging-engineering group, whose principals have produced millions of ounces of gold utilizing suction-cutter dredges of their own design. Some of these dredges were ocean-going in size. Shell owns proprietary drill sample results of Nome offshore placer deposits extending into AOAG's lease application areas, from ship-based sampling campaigns they conducted.
The JV partners intend to finance and develop two or more large-scale placer mines starting on the JV granted State leases, commencing gold production in 2009-2010.
JV PLACER GOLD; 2009-2010 PRODUCTION PROJECTS.
1) Norton Sound Alaska Oceanic Placer Gold Project; OCS 720 square mile
Leases Application and 2,000 acre Granted State Waters Leases. With
1.5-10 million ounce Gold placer resource potential at
250,000 - 500,000+ ounces per year production rate.
2) Denali Placer Gold Project; Alaska Onshore fully permitted Claims with
500,000 ounce drill indicated reserves and mining equipment already on
site. With plans to upgrade production equipment to a 60,000 ounces per
year operation in 2009. Estimated Gold production costs $300/ounce.
Ocean-Going Gold Dredges: The Shell-designed high-capacity suction cutter dredges transformed the American gold dredging industry and dramatically lowered large-scale mining costs to less than $0.50/M3. The deployment of new large-scale dredging equipment, coupled to Shell's proven vibrating-gravity gold recovery plant should make the Nome offshore placers profitable today.
Using Shell-designed dredges, mining costs could halve AOAG's previously estimated $4.00/M3 costs, with targeted recoverable Norton Sound grades of approximately 0.50 grams/M3 ($12.00/M3) resulting in Gold production costs of less than $200/ounce.
The JV is preparing a Non-AOAG-stock-dilutive, private LLC offering memorandum for institutional investors to fund these two mines and also build additional plants on other leases under investigation. There is no guarantee that the various Leases and Claims will be secured by the JV until sufficient financing has been secured.
OIL-GAS: The Company and partners have speculative Claims and lease applications over four areas with proven and potential oil and or gas reserves. The Company believes that in the future the oil price will rise to levels which will justify their development.
Please visit www.arcticoag.com and www.strategicnine.com
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks associated with oil & gas exploration risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, government regulation and taxation. More information about factors that potentially could affect AOAG's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Peter Sterling
323-356-7777
Email Contact
SOURCE: Arctic Oil & Gas Corp.
Walter Industries Inc reports addition of 46m tons of premium hard coking coal reserves
Dec 12, 2008 (M2 EQUITYBITES via COMTEX) -- WLT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Walter Industries Inc (NYSE: WLT), a producer and exporter of metallurgical coal, declared on 11 December that Jim Walter Resources has leased approximately 46 million tons of additional high-quality Blue Creek Coal reserves contiguous to its Mine No. 4 and Mine No. 7 operations near Brookwood, Alaska.
The terms of the leases, including royalty rates, are consistent with its existing lease agreements.
According to Jim Walter Resources' chief executive officer, George R. Richmond, the 46m tons of premium hard coking coal reserves are an excellent strategic addition to its existing Blue Creek Coal reserves. The coal is of a similar quality to its other metallurgical coals.
The reserves are adjacent to Jim Walter Resources' current mining operation, which has the potential to expand its production capacity efficiently in the future.
The terms of the leases, including royalty rates, are consistent with its existing lease agreements.
According to Jim Walter Resources' chief executive officer, George R. Richmond, the 46m tons of premium hard coking coal reserves are an excellent strategic addition to its existing Blue Creek Coal reserves. The coal is of a similar quality to its other metallurgical coals.
The reserves are adjacent to Jim Walter Resources' current mining operation, which has the potential to expand its production capacity efficiently in the future.
Hastings named top Republican on resources committee
By LES BLUMENTHAL
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- Washington Rep. Doc Hastings on Thursday was named the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, a panel that has jurisdiction over everything from endangered species to federal irrigation projects, from the Bonneville Power Administration to the nation's parks and forests.
The Republican Steering Committee selected Hastings, who served on the committee during his first term in Congress but was required to take a leave of absence when he was appointed to the House Rules Committee. Even so, Hastings' seniority on the Natural Resources Committee continued to accrue.
Hastings ranked fourth in seniority on the resources committee.
"This post offers an opportunity to make a real difference for families and communities across the West and throughout rural America," Hastings said in a statement. "As ranking member, I will work to strike a responsible balance between protecting our nation's many natural treasures and spurring economic recovery through wise use of energy, water, minerals and timber resources."
The position became vacant when Alaska Rep. Don Young stepped aside Wednesday under pressure from Republican leadership.
Full Story/Source
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- Washington Rep. Doc Hastings on Thursday was named the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, a panel that has jurisdiction over everything from endangered species to federal irrigation projects, from the Bonneville Power Administration to the nation's parks and forests.
The Republican Steering Committee selected Hastings, who served on the committee during his first term in Congress but was required to take a leave of absence when he was appointed to the House Rules Committee. Even so, Hastings' seniority on the Natural Resources Committee continued to accrue.
Hastings ranked fourth in seniority on the resources committee.
"This post offers an opportunity to make a real difference for families and communities across the West and throughout rural America," Hastings said in a statement. "As ranking member, I will work to strike a responsible balance between protecting our nation's many natural treasures and spurring economic recovery through wise use of energy, water, minerals and timber resources."
The position became vacant when Alaska Rep. Don Young stepped aside Wednesday under pressure from Republican leadership.
Full Story/Source
Swiss may have to print money to stave off deflation
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
The Telegraph, London
Thursday, November 11, 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/3710374/...
The Swiss National Bank has cut interest rates to 0.5 percent and opened the door for emergency stimulus, becoming the first country in Europe to flirt with zero policy rates.
South Korea cut to 3 percent and Taiwan cut to 2 percent, the lowest in 30 years. Both countries are facing a collapse in exports to China and traditional markets in the West.
Thomas Jordan, a board member of the SNB, said the bank was mulling extreme measures to stabilise the financial system and cushion the economy as it falls into recession next year.
"We could engage in quantitative easing and we could intervene in foreign exchange markets or we could buy up bonds and try to influence long-term interest rates. All these options are open and we're not limited in any way in choosing from among these instruments," he said.
Quantitative easing is the tool pioneered by the Bank of Japan to stave off deflation. It is tantamount to printing money.
David Bloom, currency chief at HSBC, said the shift in policy was breathtaking. "The SNB are the hard men of central banking; they are even harder than European Central Bank. What they are saying is that inflation is no longer a problem, it's the solution. They want stimulus any way they can get it."
The banking sector makes up 20 percent of Swiss GDP, leaving the country extremely exposed to the credit crisis. The liabilities of Credit Suisse and UBS are equal to seven times national GDP. This has echoes of the situation in Iceland before the country collapsed, although Swiss banks have a much better mix of assets.
"The crucial difference is that the Swiss own half a trillion dollars of external assets. They have a current account surplus of 16 percent of GDP. This is their ace in the hole. If push ever comes to shove, the Swiss taxpayers have the money to pay," said Mr Bloom.
Switzerland, Sweden, Britain, and Canada are all now following the US Federal Reserve in taking revolutionary action to head off a slump next year, while the ECB has moved with much greater caution. It is unclear whether this reflects a rift in doctrinal policy, or whether the ECB is less able to respond to crises because of its treaty-bound institutional structure. The ECB's chief theorist, Lorenzo Bini-Smaghi, said it was hazardous for central banks to cut rates too low and risk using up ammunition.
The Telegraph, London
Thursday, November 11, 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/3710374/...
The Swiss National Bank has cut interest rates to 0.5 percent and opened the door for emergency stimulus, becoming the first country in Europe to flirt with zero policy rates.
South Korea cut to 3 percent and Taiwan cut to 2 percent, the lowest in 30 years. Both countries are facing a collapse in exports to China and traditional markets in the West.
Thomas Jordan, a board member of the SNB, said the bank was mulling extreme measures to stabilise the financial system and cushion the economy as it falls into recession next year.
"We could engage in quantitative easing and we could intervene in foreign exchange markets or we could buy up bonds and try to influence long-term interest rates. All these options are open and we're not limited in any way in choosing from among these instruments," he said.
Quantitative easing is the tool pioneered by the Bank of Japan to stave off deflation. It is tantamount to printing money.
David Bloom, currency chief at HSBC, said the shift in policy was breathtaking. "The SNB are the hard men of central banking; they are even harder than European Central Bank. What they are saying is that inflation is no longer a problem, it's the solution. They want stimulus any way they can get it."
The banking sector makes up 20 percent of Swiss GDP, leaving the country extremely exposed to the credit crisis. The liabilities of Credit Suisse and UBS are equal to seven times national GDP. This has echoes of the situation in Iceland before the country collapsed, although Swiss banks have a much better mix of assets.
"The crucial difference is that the Swiss own half a trillion dollars of external assets. They have a current account surplus of 16 percent of GDP. This is their ace in the hole. If push ever comes to shove, the Swiss taxpayers have the money to pay," said Mr Bloom.
Switzerland, Sweden, Britain, and Canada are all now following the US Federal Reserve in taking revolutionary action to head off a slump next year, while the ECB has moved with much greater caution. It is unclear whether this reflects a rift in doctrinal policy, or whether the ECB is less able to respond to crises because of its treaty-bound institutional structure. The ECB's chief theorist, Lorenzo Bini-Smaghi, said it was hazardous for central banks to cut rates too low and risk using up ammunition.
New higher limit Zimbabwe currency issued
HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced new $200 million and $500 million notes in Harare on Friday.
The RBZ says the new notes should pave way for the increase in withdrawal limits to $500 million a week.
A week ago, the RBZ unveiled $10 million, $50 million and $100 million notes.
Officials say the 500 million Zimbabwean dollar note is worth about $8 in U.S. currency, enough to buy eight loaves of bread, in the southern African country's latest sign of spiraling hyperinflation.
The RBZ says the new notes should pave way for the increase in withdrawal limits to $500 million a week.
A week ago, the RBZ unveiled $10 million, $50 million and $100 million notes.
Officials say the 500 million Zimbabwean dollar note is worth about $8 in U.S. currency, enough to buy eight loaves of bread, in the southern African country's latest sign of spiraling hyperinflation.
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