Norton Sound and Onshore Alaska Placer Gold Project JV

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.

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

Hecla Reports Third Quarter Results, Increases Silver Production by 88%

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Nov 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- HL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today reported a net loss of $3.8million for the third quarter of 2008 compared to net income of $13 million for the same period of 2007. Hecla reported a loss applicable to common shareholders of $7.2 million, or 5c per share, for the third quarter of 2008, compared to income applicable to common shareholders of $12.3 million, or 10c per share, for the third quarter of 2007. Third quarter 2008 results were impacted by higher cash costs per ounce due to increased smelter costs and diesel fuel prices, provisional price adjustments due to decreased metals prices, and increased interest expense resulting from Hecla's acquisition earlier this year of the remaining 70.27% of the Greens Creek joint venture in Alaska. Hecla has $161 million in debt remaining after completing the $750 million purchase of Greens Creek. The company remains on track to meet the estimate of approximately 9 million ounces of silver production in 2008, at an average total cash cost in the range of $3.50 per ounce.

Full Story

Geoinformatics Announces New Discovery At Its Whistler Project in Alaska

TORONTO, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - Geoinformatics Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: GXL)
("Geoinformatics", "GXL" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has
intersected widespread mineralization in the first hole drilled on a regional
prospect called Raintree West, located approximately 1.5 km east of the
Whistler Zone which hosts a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate.

<<
Highlights

- First hole ever drilled at Raintree West intersected:

- 160 metres grading 0.59 g/t gold, 6.02 g/t silver, 0.10% copper,
0.20% lead, 0.46% zinc (or 1.26 g/t gold equivalent) including:
- 24 metres grading 1.37 g/t gold, 6.32 g/t silver, 0.13% copper,
0.36% lead, 0.80% zinc (or 2.42 g/t gold equivalent).
>>

Raintree West is one of several regional concealed targets drilled by
Geoinformatics during the 2008 summer field season. Assays are pending on
three remaining regional prospects and two holes from the Whistler Zone
itself.
"We are extremely pleased with the discovery of a new mineralized system
on the Whistler Project as it confirms the exploration potential and validates
the Company's innovative exploration techniques," said Mr. Darren Holden,
Chief Operating Officer of Geoinformatics. "We have long suspected that the
mineralization defined at the Whistler Zone is one of many related porphyry
systems on the project. This discovery of widespread porphyry hosted gold
mineralization at Raintree, with comparable grades to those of Whistler's Main
Zone, confirms this theory and bodes well for other similar discoveries to
further enhance the value of the overall Whistler Project."

Raintree West Prospect

The Raintree West prospect lies in a cluster of prospects identified by
the Company using proprietary targeting techniques. Raintree West exhibits a
comparable magnetic signature to that of the Whistler Zone with a coincident
induced polarization (IP) anomaly that extends over 800 metres in length.
Raintree West is a blind target, concealed by a thin veneer (5 metres) of
gravels in relatively flat ground.
Drill hole RN-08-06 was angled west to east and intersected diorite
porphyry rocks immediately below gravel overburden. The first 22 metres of the
diorite porphyry contained low-grade mineralization, below which visible
alteration and veining increased and was accompanied by visible copper, lead
and zinc sulphides over the next 190 metres. The hole remained in diorite
porphyry to the total depth of the hole at 300 metres.

Comment on Metal Ratios and Base Metal Content

Statistical analysis of the assay results shows that the gold in RN-08-06
is directly associated with copper mineralization, as is the case at Whistler.
However, Raintree West's assays exhibit a higher gold to copper ratio of
approximately 5:1 overall. Whistler's Main Zone shows gold to copper ratio of
4:1 compared with 3:1 for the overall Whistler Zone. This, in tandem with the
fact that Raintree West also contains lead and zinc mineralization, suggests
that this intercept may represent the periphery of a gold-copper porphyry
system.

<<
Table 1. Drill hole intercept calculations.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold
Equi-
From To Width Gold Copper Silver Lead Zinc valent
Hole (metres)(metres)(metres)(g/t) (%) (g/t) (%) (%) (g/t)(1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RN-08-06 27 217 190 0.51 0.09 5.47 0.18 0.41 1.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Including ((*)) 27 187 160 0.59 0.10 6.02 0.20 0.46 1.26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Including ((xx)) 106 130 24 1.37 0.13 6.32 0.36 0.80 2.42
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Including ((xx)) 158 184 26 0.67 0.09 13.55 0.32 0.68 1.66
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intercepts calculated using a 0.3 g/t 'gold-equivalent cut-off' on a
minimum 10 metre width and maximum 20 metre internal dilution unless
otherwise noted. Gold-equivalent cut-off is based on the assumptions of
75% recovery of gold and silver and 85% recovery of copper, lead and zinc
and metal prices of US$550 per oz. gold, US$8 per oz. silver, US$1.50 per
lb. copper (as used in the Whistler Resource Estimation and filed on
www.sedar.com) and $0.60 per lb. lead and $0.45 per lb zinc representing
approximately 90% of London Metal Exchange prices on 30th October, 2008.
Gold Equivalent Grade (as opposed to gold-equivalent cut-off) is
presented on the basis of contained metal values assuming the above metal
prices without metallurgical recoveries taken into account and is done in
order to make a direct comparison to the gold value represented in the
gold assay grades.

((*)) Calculated using a 0.7 g/t gold-equivalent cut-off.
((xx)) Calculated using a 1.5 g/t gold equivalent cut-off.

All assays taken on average 2 metre samples of half sawn core and assayed
at Alaska Assay Laboratory located in Fairbanks, Alaska using Fire Assay
for gold and ICP for silver and base-metals. Standards and blanks were
inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance.
>>

Qualified Person

The technical content of this release was compiled by Darren Holden
(MAusIMM) - Chief Operating Officer of Geoinformatics. Mr. Holden is a
Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 guidelines.

About Whistler Project

The Whistler Project is located approximately 160 km. northwest of
Anchorage, Alaska. Whistler is one of the largest groups of contiguous mineral
claim blocks held by a single company in Alaska, outside of existing mines and
mine development projects.
The Whistler Zone hosts a NI 43-101 compliant Indicated resource of
30 million tonnes grading 0.87 g/t gold, 2.46 g/t silver and 0.24% copper and
an Inferred resource of 134 million tonnes grading 0.64 g/t gold, 2.18 g/t
silver and 0.20% copper. In addition, there is considerable mineralization in
the Whistler Zone that has been identified by drilling and reported in the
43-101 resource technical report filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), but has not
yet been categorized as a mineral resource.
The Whistler Zone is just one of a cluster of targets and prospects
within the 440 sq. km. block of 732 State of Alaska mining claims that make up
the Whistler Project. Most of these targets are covered by shallow alluvial
sediments and do not have the significant outcrop of the Whistler Zone, but do
have comparable geophysical, geological and/or geochemical signatures.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning
the future performance of Geoinformatics' business, operations and financial
performance and condition, as well as management's objectives, strategies,
beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified
by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",
"intend" and similar words referring to future events and results.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations
of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and
subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the
speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating
commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as
described in more detail in Geoinformatics' securities filings available at
www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned
against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or
update these forward-looking statements.

<<
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
>>
%SEDAR: 00007774E



For further information: Ms. Petra Decher, President & CFO, Tel: (416)
861-1300 x225, Email: petrad@geoinformex.com, Geoinformatics Exploration Inc.,
80 Richmond St West, Suite 303, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2A4; Mr. Darren Holden,
Chief Operating Officer, Tel: (604) 605-3073 x105, Email:
darrenh@geoinformex.com, Geoinformatics Exploration Inc., 700 West Pender
Street, Suite 304, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1G8, www.geoinformex.com

Mining industry returns to prominence in Alaska

Petroleum gets most of the attention when Americans, and even Alaskans, think about valuable materials pulled from our state’s ground, but last year Alaska entered the big leagues on another important production front.

Among the states, Alaska is now the fifth-largest producer, measured in dollars, of nonfuel minerals. Alaska’s miners produced $3.37 billion worth of minerals, mostly metals, in 2007. It was an all-time record.

Full Story

Mine may mean millions for Juneau

JUNEAU -- The developer of the Tulsequah Chief Mine near Juneau says the Alaska capital could see an economic impact of $24 million annually when the mine begins operations.

Developer Redfern Resources hopes to begin production in the British Columbia mine in one year.

Salina Landstad of Redfern made a presentation on the mine Thursday to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce.

Full Story

AAMS Comments on Dropped Appeal of CW1 Initiative

(ANCHORAGE) – “Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown (AAMS) welcomes the news that the proponents of the anti-mining initiative have dropped their Supreme Court legal appeal on CW1 and are now trying to remove their proposal from the ballot,” said Willis Lyford, campaign director. “Our coalition of concerned Alaskans has maintained all along that this measure was drastic, deceptive and would have had devastating consequences on the mining industry in Alaska.

“It is troubling that the anti-mining proponents have wasted the time and resources of the courts and Alaska citizens while the proponents gradually come to recognize the mistakes and dangerous consequences of one of their many proposals. At first, they claimed their proposal didn’t attempt to shutdown the industry. Then they ran advertising attacking existing mines. Now, they are backing away from their own proposal.

“We do hope the proponents of the remaining initiative, CW3, will not resort to the same misleading and irresponsible tactics as they embraced in advocating for CW1.

“We anticipate that the Supreme Court appeals slated for June will help give clarity on the remaining initiative so the voters of Alaska can make informed choices in August,” said Lyford.

AAMS is a statewide coalition of thousands of concerned citizens and bipartisan organizations who oppose the anti-mining initiatives. To learn more about AAMS, visit our website at www.againsttheshutdown.com.

Mining’s influence Industry continues to help build Alaska

The biennial gathering of miners and mining industry movers and shakers for the Fairbanks Alaska Mining Conference provides a consistent reminder for the people of this region about the importance of an activity that sometimes is taken for granted.

Fairbanks is a town built on gold, located in a state transformed and continually fueled by mineral exploration and resource development. Call it an obvious statement from a newspaper with “miner” in its name, but in the recent political climate it feels worthy to note that miners are welcome and appreciated here.

The mining industry in our state annually pumps billions of dollars into local economies and continually holds the promise of job creation and economic development in the most remote areas of our state. Few other economic engines — if any — hold as much potential. Consider Pogo Mine development and the community of Delta Junction or Usibelli Coal Mine and Healy as perfect examples.

This is not all about the largest corporations and biggest mines, however.

Full Article

Residents suing over proposed Chuitna coal mine

by Rebecca Palsha
Monday, March 17, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Chuitna River residents are going to court to fight a coal mine being built in their area.

Residents filed an appeal with the Alaska Superior Court Monday.

The suit challenges Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin's refusal to consider a petition designating land within the Chuitna River watershed as unsuitable for surface coal mining.

Delaware-based Packrim Coal wants to develop the area on the west side of Cook Inlet, about 45 miles from Anchorage.

Full Story

Clean Water Initiatives approved but court battle looms

The state announced this afternoon that the two versions of the Clean Water initiatives have received enough valid signatures from Alaska voters to qualify for the statewide election ballot in August.
The intiatives are an effort to set new rules for large metallic mines, banning them from discharging anything toxic into salmon streams or drinking water sources.
Ordinarily, getting enough signatures means that the initiatives will get on the ballot.
But the initiatives are embroiled in a legal battle over their constitutionality.
The initiative sponsors and their adversaries in the mining industry say they plan to take that battle to the state Supreme Court.

ADN Mining Blog

Mine accident report faults training

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Two workers killed in a construction accident at a gold mine last year were not properly trained to use the machine that toppled over and pitched them to the ground, according to a federal report.

The manlift at the Rock Creek Mine in Nome was not positioned on solid, level ground and it was being operated incorrectly because the workers had not been given adequate training, says a report issued Wednesday by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The accident occurred July 19, 2007, during the construction of the mine's mill building.

Tyler Kahle, 19, of Tomahawk, Wis., and Craig Bagley, 27, of Anchorage -- fishing buddies when not working -- were descending in a basket with the boom extended when the manlift tipped over.

The two were working for Alaska Mechanical Inc., a contractor building the mine and milling facilities operated by Alaska Gold Co., a NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG) subsidiary.

Full Story

Full Metal Identifies Significant Geochemical and Geophysical Anomalies at OG Zn-Pb-Ag Property

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 15, 2008) - Full Metal Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FMM) is pleased to announce the results of an extensive surface mapping, sampling and gravity geophysical program from the 100% owned OG Zinc-Lead-Silver Property, Yukon.

The OG Property is a carbonate-replacement style deposit (CRD) located approximately 40 kilometers north of Dawson City, Yukon. Full Metal is planning a minimum 3,000 meter Phase I drilling program to commence in the spring of 2008.

Work completed during 2007 outlined the Raider Zone, a significant new 1.0 square kilometer multi-element soil anomaly (greater than 500 ppm Pb, greater than 1000 ppm Zn, greater than 2 g/t Ag). The Raider Zone is located 750 meters north of the Yankee Zone, which was expanded from 1.4 to 1.7 square kilometers (greater than 500 ppm Pb, greater than 1000 ppm Zn, greater than 2 g/t Ag). Sample spacing ranges from 50 meters by 50 meters to 50 meters by 200 meters at both Zones. The Yankee and Raider anomalies are open for expansion to the east. Multiple other anomalous areas were identified north of the Raider Zone. From July through September 2007, 1,380 samples were collected at the OG Property; soil samples range from 6.8 to 39,200 ppm Pb, average 327 ppm Pb; 27 to 11,100 ppm Zn, average 560 ppm Zn, and 0.2 to 154 g/t Ag, average 0.9 g/t Ag.

Additionally, a ground-based gravity geophysical survey was completed over only the western third of the Yankee Zone soil anomaly. The survey outlined a 1.1 to 1.6 mGal anomaly, measuring approximately 600 by 600 meters. Gravity geophysical surveys identify denser rock, with the intent of identifying massive sulphide mineralization.

The OG Property was drill tested by 12 core holes in 1975 and 76 by Hudson's Bay Mining. Assay results are known for only six holes, which were filed under mandatory Yukon Territory assessment report requirements. Limited exploration work was performed on the Property prior to the 2007 Exploration Program.

Surface mapping identified CRD style mineralization consisting of coarse grained pyrite, sphalerite and galena with local chalcopyrite within a sequence of platformal Proterozoic limestones, commonly altered to dolomite. Mineralization occurs within the footwall to a regional thrust fault, with capping fine grained siliciclastic overlying the mineralization. The Raider and Yankee zones are separated by a window of the upper plate sediments.

Full Metal's 2007 exploration program was supervised by Robert McLeod, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, for Full Metal Minerals Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, who has prepared and approved the information contained in this release. Soil samples were collected by experienced technicians, and placed in sealed bags for shipment to the ALS-Chemex Labs facility in Vancouver, B.C. for analysis. A sample quality control/quality assurance program was implemented.

Full Metal is a generative exploration company with twelve active projects in Alaska and one in the Yukon Territory. Final assay results from the 2007 drilling program at the 40 Mile Property are expected shortly. Drilling Programs will be completed during 2008 at the 40 Mile, Lucky Shot, Mt. Andrew, Moore Creek, CJ, Pebble South, Chignik, Boulder Creek and OG Properties. The Company has Joint Venture Agreements with Freeport McMoRan, BHP Billiton, Metallica Resources, Triex Minerals, Altair Ventures, Millrock Resources Highbury Projects, and Andover Ventures.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Williams, President and Director

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information, including without limitation statements as to planned expenditures and exploration programs. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include without limitation the completion of planned expenditures, the ability to complete exploration programs on schedule and the success of exploration programs.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, please contact
Full Metal Minerals Ltd.
Jeff Sundar
Manager, Investor Relations
(604) 484-7855
(604) 484-7155 (FAX)
Email: info@fullmetalminerals.com
Website: www.fullmetalminerals.com

Anti-Pebble campaign turns in 60,000-plus signatures

The sponsors of two Alaska Clean Water initiatives turned over booklets containing more than 60,000 signatures to state officials on Monday to try to get their anti-Pebble campaign on the statewide election ballot this year.

The initiatives are an attempt to block water pollution discharges from large, metal-producing mines -- in particular, the giant Pebble copper and gold prospect in Southwest Alaska, which lies in the headwaters of two of the rivers that feed Bristol Bay's world-class fisheries.

The first -- and strictest -- version of the Clean Water initiative would prevent large metal mines from discharging any quantity of toxic pollutants into salmon streams or drinking water supplies. It also would ban mines from storing or disposing of any waste -- such as tailings -- that could generate toxic compounds.

This initiative would make it difficult or impossible to grant state approval to any future mine -- like Pebble -- or to an existing mine when it needs to get new permits, according to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

The second Clean Water initiative only would prohibit discharges in harmful amounts and wouldn't differ much from current laws, according to the DNR.

Full Story

Selkirk Metals Corp.: Ruddock Creek Underground Development Program Advancing

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 14, 2008) - Selkirk Metals Corp. ("Selkirk" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:SLK) is pleased to announce that underground mining is progressing as planned at the Ruddock Creek Property, located 100 km north-northwest of Revelstoke in the Kamloops and Revelstoke Mining Divisions, British Columbia.

Underground operations commenced in late September with the collaring of the portal and full 24 hour mining cycle on the decline starting at the end of November once the camp construction was completed. The decline has been advanced 200m from the collar of the portal, not including re-mucks, safety bays and water sumps. As expected based on the drilling and geological information, the ground conditions have been excellent. Procon Mining and Tunnelling Ltd. is continuing as the contractor on site with support from Selkirk personnel.

Full Story

Louis James on Why the Big Gold and Silver Spike Will Be Even Bigger This Time

Part I of a two-part interview with Louis James, Senior Editor with Casey Research. James talks about the gold and silver markets, and shares his views on several interesting companies. In Part II, to be published next week, Louis discusses five more gold and silver companies he likes and why.

TGR: Where do you think gold is headed over the next 12 months?

JAMES: There are two different ways of looking at the gold market. One has to do with the fundamentals of supply and demand. The other has to do with the speculative value of gold. Regarding the first view, the supply side is easier to grasp. And right now, there are very clear signs of difficulties ahead on the supply side. Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) has already announced that production is going to decline by many millions of ounces. Demand is a little trickier to forecast. Silver and the base metals have industrial uses, so industry drives demand. However, the value of gold is based largely on perception — what people feel and what they fear, as opposed to what manufacturers need.

Full Story

2008 will be pivotal year for Alaska in Congress

In November, the House approved revisions to the 1872 mining law that would require hard-rock miners to pay royalties for mining on federal lands. The administration objects to increased environmental requirements, as well as other provisions in the bill. The Senate is expected to draft a new version of the bill early next year.

Full Story

State economists predict continued growth in '08

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- For 20 years Alaska's economy has been holding its own. So what should the state expect next year?

One state labor economist says, hopefully, we'll see more of the same.

Looking ahead to 2008, industry can expect growth in some areas while others may experience a slow down.

"You step back and look at 2007 and it's sort of an extension of the last 20 years," says Neil Fried, a labor economist for the state. "2007 is going to sort of end on an upbeat note."

Alaska has seen uninterrupted economic growth since the 1980s, the longest period in the state's history, according to Fried.

But with some economists predicting a recession on the national front, can the growth trend continue?

Full Story

Little Squaw Trenching Confirms Extensive Gold System at Chandalar

SPOKANE, WA, Dec 20, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Little Squaw Gold Mining Company (OTCBB: LITS) ($0.73) ("Little Squaw" or "the Company") reports that assay results from additional hard rock trenching continue to show significant widespread gold mineralization within multiple geologic structures on the Company's wholly owned Chandalar, Alaska, mining property. The findings of the 2007 excavator trenching program have solidified several diamond drilling targets for 2008 and confirm that the Company is dealing with a strong and substantially underexplored system of gold mineralization.

Previously announced excavator trench intercepts for the Pallasgreen, Pioneer, and Summit prospects reported widths of 20 to 30 feet of 0.309 to 0.333 ounces gold per short ton (6 to 9 meters at 10.58 to 11.40 grams gold per tonne). Additional assay results for rock-chip channel samples taken in trenches dug on the Chandalar, Bonanza, Kiska, and Mikado prospects are shown in the table below. This trenching cut several structures that assay 0.015 to 0.039 ounces gold per short ton (3 to 12 meters at 0.50 to 1.35 grams gold per tonne) over widths of 10 to 40 feet. These values are based on assay results with a cutoff of 10 feet at 0.015 ounces gold per short ton. The rock surrounding the structures is hydrothermally altered and contains trace amounts of gold.

Trenching at the Mikado prospect yielded the most interesting results. A small mine on this prospect is known to have produced about 6,800 tons of ore averaging about 1.5 ounces gold per short ton (46.65 grams gold per tonne) from an open-ended ore shoot. The controlling structure is a major, 8-mile-long fault that contains quartz veins. A series of trenches across a portion of this structure traced the mineralization continuously over 2,500 feet of strike length. The average mineralized trench intercept is 24 feet at 0.023 ounces gold per short ton (7.3 meters at 0.79 grams gold per tonne). The persistent gold mineralization with association of hydrothermal alteration and the magnitude of its controlling structure make the Mikado prospect a prime target for drill testing.

The Company's 24-square-mile property covers most of the Chandalar mining district. The district's prospects are mostly aligned along a series of 10 subparallel northwest-southeast structural belts, each several miles long and spaced thousands of feet apart. Sections of these structural belts contain gold mineralization within quartz veins. These are mesothermal veins and fall into a category of gold deposits often called "lode gold" or 'greenstone gold," which are responsible for about a quarter of the world's total gold production.

The Company believes it has identified promising gold showings within a favorable geologic setting at Chandalar. Continued systematic exploration of this system of gold mineralization could result in the discovery of a commercial gold deposit.

Richard Walters, President of Little Squaw Gold Mining Company, is responsible for this news release. For additional information regarding Little Squaw Gold Mining, contact Susan Schenk, Manager of Investor Relations, by telephone at (509) 535-6156, or by e-mail at ir@littlesquawgold.com. Little Squaw maintains a comprehensive Web site at www.littlesquawgold.com.

Little Squaw Gold Mining is engaged in the business of precious-metals discovery. This endeavor carries certain risks that are commensurate with the potential rewards of such efforts. These risks cannot be quantified and should not be taken lightly. All statements made here regarding the firm's investment potential shouldbe considered "forward-looking statements" as defined by prevailing regulatory guidelines. As forward-looking statements, these items represent the measured professional judgment of management. They do not, however, represent guarantees, and unforeseen and/or unforeseeable future developments may render them either incomplete or incorrect. Actual results, plans, programs, and financial performance may differ materially from express or implied forward-looking statements.

                         CHANDALAR TRENCH ASSAYS
       For the Chandalar, Bonanza, Kiska and Mikado prospects
Minimum reported interval is 10 feet at 0.015 ounces gold per short ton
               (3 meters at 0.50 grams gold per tonne)
TRENCH                  Interval                Gold                 Gold
#       Prospect        Feet      Footage     oz/st     Meters     g/t
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
1       Chandalar      0 - 10        10       0.028       3.0      0.95
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
6       Bonanza        0 - 17        17       0.056       5.2      1.93
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
17      Kiska         50 - 60        10       0.022       3.0      0.77
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
18      Kiska        5.5 - 42       36.5      0.015      11.1      0.51
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
19      Mikado       108 - 118       10       0.057       3.0      1.95
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     168 - 205       37       0.017      11.3      0.58
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
20      Mikado        53 - 88        35       0.015      10.7      0.52
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     161 - 214       53       0.015      16.2      0.52
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     300 - 310       10       0.034       3.0      1.18
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     435 - 470       35       0.036      10.7      1.22
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
21      Mikado      81.5 - 112      30.5      0.016       9.3      0.55
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
22      Mikado         2 - 32        30       0.015       9.1      0.53
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
23      Mikado         0 - 25        25       0.019       7.6      0.64
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     143 - 155       12       0.023       3.7      0.78
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
40      Mikado       165 - 180       15       0.023       4.6      0.79
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     225 - 235       10       0.018       3.0      0.63
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
41      Mikado        86 - 112       26       0.016       7.9      0.55
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     477 - 487       10       0.015       3.0      0.50
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     557 - 567       10       0.043       3.0      1.46
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
2E      Mikado        70 - 110       40       0.039      12.2      1.35
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
                     130 - 150       30       0.018       9.1      0.63
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----
4E      Mikado         0 - 10        10       0.040       3.0      1.36
------    ---------   -----------   -------     -----     ------     ----

Contact:
Susan Schenk
Manager of Investor Relations
(509) 535-6156
ir@littlesquawgold.com

SOURCE: Little Squaw Gold Mining Company

mailto:ir@littlesquawgold.com

Metals prices further brighten mining outlook

Roughly 1,800 people attended the Northwest Mining Association's annual convention here this month and "there wasn't an unhappy face in the joint," says Laura Skaer, the group's executive director.

"It was very, very upbeat," Skaer says. "Prices are up and are expected to stay up next year."

Gold has been selling for about $790 a troy ounce recently, compared with $630 an ounce at this time last year and $525 in late 2005. Silver is selling for about $14 an ounce, up modestly from a year ago, but markedly higher than in late 2005. Other metals prices also remain strong.

Demand for metals continues to grow, due in part to the fast-developing economies of China and India, says Vicki Veltkamp, the mining association's current president and vice president for investor relations at Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla Mining Co. The supply side, meanwhile, "hasn't changed that much," Veltkamp says, adding that it takes years to bring new production on line.

"The mining industry has been rejuvenated by the increase in metals prices overall," she says. "There's increased activity. A lot of excitement."

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SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

This is a supplement to the public notice issued on November 30, 2007 by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding its proposal to add new regulations and revise others concerning the use of state lands for the commercial harvest of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). DNR proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 11 of the Alaska Administrative Code, specifically 11 AAC 96.030 dealing with Applications for a land use permit. The Department of Natural Resources also proposes to adopt new regulations in Title 11 of the Alaska Administrative Code, specifically 11 AAC 05.010(a) and (e) dealing with the Fees, 11 AAC 96.035 dealing with the Commercial Harvest of non-timber forest products and 11 AAC 96.250 dealing with definitions. EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD The original comment deadline for these proposed regulations was 5:00 p.m., Friday January 4, 2008. To facilitate a request of the Lake and Peninsula Borough for additional time to comment, DNR is extending the deadline for public comments to 5:00 p.m., February 8, 2008. No changes have been made to the proposed regulations. You may comment on the proposed regulations, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed action, by submitting written comments by mail to the Division of Mining, Land and Water, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, AK 99501-3579 or by e-mail to to dnrmlw@dnr.state.ak.us or by fax to 907-269-8904. The comments must be received no later than 5:00p.m., Friday, February 8, 2008 . If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Joseph Joyner at 269-8511 no later than January 25, 2008, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided. For more information or a copy of the proposed regulation changes, go to http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/hottopics/ , or write to the Director's Office, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources, Attention Joseph Joyner, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3579; or call 907-269-8511. After the public comment period ends, the Department of Natural Resources will either adopt these or other proposals dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action on them. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. YOU MUST COMMENT DURING THE TIME ALLOWED IF YOUR INTERESTS COULD BE AFFECTED. Date: December 21, 2007 Dick Mylius, Director Division of Mining Land and Water Department of Natural Resources 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1070 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 AO DMLW 08-089 Published: December 21, 2007