VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - June 27, 2008) - True North Gems (TSX VENTURE:TGX) is pleased to announce the commencement of field activities as part of the 2008 exploration and pre-feasibility program on the Company's 823 km2 Fiskenaesset ruby project, located on the southwest coast of Greenland.
The two principal objectives of the 2008 exploration program are to enhance the successful results achieved during 2004 to 2007 through advanced exploration and pre-feasibility related studies at the Aappaluttoq prospect, and to continue with regional and prospect-scale exploration on the other ruby occurrences identified to date on the Greenland properties.
The planned exploration and pre-feasibility program at Aappaluttoq includes an engineering study to address issues of resource determination, site pre-engineering, mine plan design, process plant design, initial permitting, environmental and socio-economic planning and development. Also, additional bulk sampling, grade confirmation drilling and pilot processing of ruby mineralization from Aappaluttoq is planned.
The 2008 work program began on May 30 with the arrival of advance field personnel and equipment at the site. The installation and commissioning of the exploration base camp and field support infrastructure is nearing completion and the mobilization of geological personnel to Greenland is now complete. Two diamond drills remain to be mobilized to Aappaluttoq and a second smaller satellite exploration camp, to be located near the Siggartartulik prospect, also awaits transport from the village of Fiskenaesset. Geological mapping has commenced at Aappaluttoq and the southern area of the Ruby Island Line focused on the Sarfaq and Rejane occurrences, located 250-500 metres along strike from Aappaluttoq. Drilling of the Aappaluttoq occurrence is scheduled to begin on or about July 15.
The property-scale, regional exploration program will include detailed mapping and exploration drilling of the 1.5-kilometre strike length of the Siggartartulik ruby occurrence, additional property exploration on the Fiskenaesset license to follow up on significant results from the 2007 channel sampling, and regional exploration on the adjacent Qaqqatsiaq license. Geological mapping will commence at Siggartartulik on June 30. Exploration drilling, on 50-100 metre centres along the strike of the Siggartartulik occurrence, is scheduled to begin by July 31.
Proposals for the environmental baseline and impact assessment studies have been received and contracts are expected to be awarded shortly.
The planning and execution of the 2008 ruby exploration and quality control programs at the Fiskenaesset and Qaqqatsiaq Ruby projects are under the supervision of Greg Davison, True North Gems' Vice President Exploration. Mr. Davison is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Wardrop Engineering, an internationally recognized engineering firm, has been engaged as the Independent Qualified Person to provide the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Aappaluttoq ruby occurrence on the Fiskenaesset ruby property.
Additional information and public documents about True North Gems, including images of 2007 exploration activities, can be viewed at the Company's website www.truenorthgems.com or at www.sedar.com.
True North Gems Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and is engaged in the exploration and development of North American and Greenlandic coloured gemstone prospects. The Company is a pioneer in coloured gemstone exploration and, currently in Greenland, has the rights to earn 100% interest in the Fiskenaesset ruby and pink sapphire property, and holds a 100% interest in the Qaqqatsiaq ruby property, and in Canada, holds a 100% interest in the Tsa da Glisza emerald property, Yukon, and the Beluga sapphire property located on Baffin Island, Nunavut.
The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements. Certain technical information contained within this press release is 43-101 non-compliant by virtue of the fact that National Instrument 43-101which governs public disclosure of technical information for mineral exploration properties in Canada is silent with respect to the exploration and technical disclosure of gemstone properties. The company employs high standards for the collection of geological information and exploration data, employs industry recognized professionals as qualified persons to provide oversight and management of the exploration programs and is committed to the implementation of QA/QC protocols to monitor the integrity of the technical information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
True North Gems Inc.Greg Davison, P.Geo.Vice President Exploration(604) 687-8055 or 1-800-399-8055