GOLD MARKET RECOVERY GAINING STRENGTH - INVESTORS SHIFTING ATTENTION TO
UNDERVALUED COMPANIES WITH WORLD-CLASS GOLD DEPOSITS
EMGOLD MINING'S 100%-OWNED IDAHO-MARYLAND PROJECT HOSTS 2.97 MILLION OUNCE
RESOURCE - TO BE DEVELOPED @ 140,000 oz/yr @ US$215 / oz Au
EMGOLD MINING CORPORATION ("EMR" - VSE)
1610 - 777 Dunsmuir Street, P. O. Box 10435
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K4 Canada
Phone: (604) 687 - 4622 Fax: (604) 687 - 4212
Toll-Free: (888) 267 - 1400
website: emgold.com
Introduction
EMGOLD MINING CORP. has made significant progress in bringing the historic
Idaho-Maryland gold mine to a production decision. Recent engineering
studies indicate that less than half of the known gold has been extracted
from the deposit, and that a 3,000,000 ounce resource remains to be mined.
History & Past Production
The Idaho-Maryland gold mine was discovered in 1851, and was in
nearly-continuous production from 1862 through 1956. Total recorded
production from the mine was 2,383,000 ounces of gold from 5,546,000 tons
of ore (0.43 oz/ton recovered grade). When the mine closed in 1956, mining
operations were underway on 25 different faces on 6 different levels.
Large Mineralized System Defined - Extensive Infrastructure In Place
The Idaho-Maryland vein system is 9,000 feet long, up to 3,000 feet wide,
and has been partially-mined from surface to a vertical depth of 3,280
feet. Access to the mine's 15 working levels is provided by the
three-compartment, 3,460-foot deep New Brunswick Shaft. Over 70 miles of
underground tunnels and workings provide access to much of the property.
A Three Million Ounce Gold Resource Has Been Defined….
A 1992 study by James Askew and Associates Inc. estimated that the
remaining gold resources between the 2000 and 3280 levels of the
Idaho-Maryland mine are 9,117,500 ST @ 0.326 oz Au/ST (containing 2,972,305
oz Au). This resource estimate excludes both the potential for large, bulk
tonnage targets identified by EMGOLD in 1997, as well as mineralization
below the 3280-foot level.
Upside Potential: 3,000,000+ oz Au
Located within the wedge-shaped confines of three bounding faults, a 3-D
geologic model developed for the Idaho-Maryland mine demonstrates the
potential for continuity of the existing vein system to a vertical depth of
5,000 feet (the Idaho-Maryland mine is essentially unexplored below a depth
of 3,280 feet).
What is not widely known is that the adjoining Empire mine produced six
million ounces of gold to a depth of 5,200 feet! This fact, combined with
the knowledge that all mineralized structures developed on the lowest
levels of the Idaho-Maryland mine remain open at depth, supports EMGOLD's
belief that an additional 10 million tons of ore at similar grades
(containing 3 - 4 million ounces of gold) could be delineated between the
3280 and 5000 levels of the Idaho-Maryland mine.
Development Program (1998 - 1999)
EMGOLD's plans for reviving the Idaho-Maryland mine are to first de-water
the mine, and then go underground to do further exploration to prove up the
total resource potential. EMGOLD has applied for and been granted all
permits necessary for re-opening the New Brunswick shaft, de-watering the
mine and completing a bankable feasibility.
Potential Gold Production of at Least 140,000 oz / yr @ US$215 / oz Au
EMGOLD plans to resume operations at the Idaho-Maryland mine at an initial
mining rate of 1,500 ST ore / day, which would produce approximately
140,000 ounces of gold per year. With the addition of a second shaft, it
would be possible to increase production to 5,000 ST/day - at this
production level, the Idaho-Maryland mine would produce between 350,000 and
400,000 ounces of gold per year (on par with Golden Giant and David Bell
mines of the Hemlo District of Ontario).
Recent studies indicate that the Idaho-Maryland mine could be profitably
developed and operated at a long-term gold price of US$300/oz based on an
estimated operating cost (including capital and royalties) of US$215 per
ounce.
Current Market Conditions
The current gold rally is gaining strength with each passing day!
In the past month, bullion prices have risen nearly 10%. Yesterday, the
Philadelphia XAU gold and silver index closed at 74.69, up 53% from its
record low of 48.67 set in late August.
Mining stocks have regained favor with major Wall Street firms: Merrill
Lynch has initiated coverage of Placer Dome, Barrick, TVX and Kinross,
while Bear Stearns has upgraded the recommendations of Asarco, Cyprus Amax
and Phelps Dodge.
To a large extent, the market rebound has largely benefited the major
mining companies, whose share prices are now fully-valued (or even
over-valued) at current gold prices. However, we believe that, as the
current rally continues, investors will increasingly seek out undervalued
junior exploration and development companies with multi-million ounce gold
deposits.
Opportunity for Investors
Trading at a tremendous discount to its fair market value, EMGOLD offers
investors a low-risk investment opportunity in the current market
environment, and a chance to accumulate a significant position in a stock
that can be expected to rally strongly as gold prices move above US$300 /
oz.
With just 11.5 million shares outstanding (14 million fully-diluted) and a
current share price of Cdn$0.28, the equity markets are valuing the
Idaho-Maryland gold mine at just Cdn$1.06 per ounce of gold (Cdn$1.35 / oz
Au on a fully-diluted basis). By comparison, peer companies, with similar
projects and capital structures, are being valued by the equity markets at
the equivalent of Cdn$10 - Cdn$20.
While some might characterize a gold stock such as EMGOLD as a speculative
buy, for long-term value investors, a core holding in Emgold Mining is a
must; this is the type of investment opportunity that Warren Buffet built
Berkshire Hathaway upon!
EMGOLD's Idaho-Maryland mine offers one of the best advanced exploration /
developmental prospects available in North America. With inferred
resources of almost three million ounces, nearly one hundred years of
operating history, an existing 3,400-foot, three-compartment shaft and 70+
miles of underground workings, EMGOLD has 100% control of a world-class
gold project with the vast majority of the expensive infrastructure in
place and ready to go.
For more information, please contact Andrew Hunter
toll-free at 1 - 888 - 267 - 1400
Disclaimer: The information contained herein has been compiled or derived
from sources believed reliable and contains information and opinions which
are accurate and complete. However, Gold Ridge makes no representation or
warranty, express or implied, in respect thereof, takes no responsibility
for any errors and omissions which may be contained herein and accepts no
liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use or reliance upon
this report or its contents. The information provided is for information
purposes only and should not be construed as, and shall not form part of an
offer or solicitation to but or sell any securities. Emgold Mining has
paid Gold Ridge a fee for preparing and disseminating this information.
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