ajor landmark success- FINALLYMr. Charles Desjardins reports
NORTH AMERICAN GEM INC. HASREACHED REGULATORY MILESTONE IN THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR NORTHAMERICAN GEM #2 MINE
North American Gem Inc. (NAG), through its subsidiary, North AmericanGem U.S. Inc., confirms that the application for the transfer of minepermit No. 816-0443 in the name of Jamieson Construction Inc. to NorthAmerican Gem U.S. has been administratively accepted by the KentuckyDepartment of Natural Resources (KDNR) in a letter dated June 17th 2010.The new Mine permit number #816-0513 has been assigned to NorthAmerican Gem U.S. (NAG U.S.) and has been recorded as North American Gem#2 Mine in Knox County, Kentucky.
North American Gem U.S. has completed the required public advertisementof the Notice of Intention to Mine and has submitted proof of theadvertisement to the KDNR. A 30 day public comment period has nowcommenced and must elapse before the KDNR will issue the final miningpermit. At this time, NAG US will have met all the requirements forfinal approval of the permit transfer and be eligible to begin mining.
Kentucky Mine Partners LLC (KMP) has all of the equipment needed toperform the mining operations prepared and staged at the North AmericanGem #2 Mine. Initial production of the Blue Gem and Jellico coal isplanned for a production rate of 8,000 - 10,000 tons per month. TheNorth American Gem #2 Mine will be a surface mining and augeringoperation.
All of NAG's potential mining operations will incorporate sedimentcontrol methods that will keep ahead of the increased regulations andrestrictions. Furthermore, in anticipation of increased regulations, NAGhas, in all of its permitting applications, begun the sampling ofreceiving streams and groundwater wells utilizing the most stringent andextensive sampling parameters. This will allow NAG to comply with theregulatory requirements and will also result in a much shorter andsmoother permitting application process.
The North American Tipple Facility will serve as the central operationand distribution point for coal produced by NAG's mining operations. Thefacility has equipment in place that is capable of crushing, screening,and washing coal. This gives North American Gem Inc. the addeddimension to service a variety of customers by preparing coal to meettheir specific requirements. North American Gem Inc. will also have theability to purchase outside coal to produce custom blended productswhich will increase market potential. Specifically, plans are to servicethe industrial stoker markets, silicon metal producers, and electricitygenerators.
Mr. Dean Schafer is acting as operations manager of all the Company'sKentucky coal leases and is currently implementing an overall mine plan.