VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – June 24, 2008) – True North Gems (TSX VENTURE:TGX) is pleased to announce that the Bureau of Mines and Petroleum (“BMP”) and the Joint Committee on Mineral Resources for Greenland and Denmark (“Joint Committee”) has approved True North Gems’ application for renewal of the 110 km2 Fiskenaesset exploration license which is contiguous with and adjacent to the Company’s 713 km2 Qaqqatsiaq ruby exploration license acquired in December 2007. Both exploration licenses are located on the southwest coast of Greenland.
The formal ratification of the Fiskenaesset license renewal application, valid for a further period of five years from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, maintains True North’s total land position of 823 km2. The Fiskenaesset license was originally acquired by Brereton Engineering & Developments Ltd. (“Brereton”) in March, 2003. True North optioned the property in April, 2004 and the obligations to Brereton under the terms of this option agreement remain in effect.
As part of the license renewal, BMP and the Joint Committee have also approved the formal transfer of the Fiskenaesset license from Brereton to True North.
The Fiskenaesset license consists of three separate property blocks (designated sub-areas) which cover more than thirty known ruby occurrences, as well as extensive areas of prospective geology for the occurrence of ruby and pink sapphire mineralization. Exploration within the Fiskenaesset license has been advanced by True North Gems since 2004 and detailed assessment of the high grade Aappaluttoq prospect was initiated by True North Gems during 2006 and 2007. The 2008 exploration program has the objective of acquiring sufficient information to advance Aappaluttoq to the pre-feasibility stage.
The planning and execution of the 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, holds 100% interest in the Fiskenaesset and Qaqqatsiaq ruby and pink sapphire properties, 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.
True North Gems Inc.
Greg Davison, P.Geo.
Vice President Exploration
(604) 687-8055 or Toll Free: 1-800-399-8055
Email: greg@truenorthgems.com
or
True North Gems Inc.
Ken Shortt
Investor Relations
(604) 687-8055 or Toll Free: 1-800-399-8055
Website: www.truenorthgems.com