VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - Dec. 20, 2005) - True North Gems (TSX VENTURE:TGX) is pleased to announce the delivery of four secure shipments totaling 12 kg (60,000 carats) of clean emerald rough, including 4 kg (20,000 carats) of gem and near-gem grade emerald, from the trenching, mini-bulk sampling and processing segment of its $1.6 million exploration program at the Company's Tsa da Glisza emerald property in the Finlayson district, Yukon Territory, Canada.
The 2005 exploration program was focused on target areas identified during 2004 drilling and trenching of the multiple veins of the Summit Zone and Far West Zone on Regal Ridge. The emeralds were recovered directly from trench faces, a standard operating practice in the emerald mining industry, and from processing of the associated mini-bulk samples in the on-site plant. The sixty-two samples processed to completion in 2005 included the remainder of the 2003 underground exploration samples from the Southwest Vein and several trench mini-bulk samples, six mini-bulk samples from the 2004 trenching program, and ten of sixteen mini-bulk samples collected during the 2005 field season.
A total of 3,306 tonnes of mini-bulk samples were processed using a 24/7 schedule with production rates up to 125 tonnes per day. Eight 2005 mini-bulk samples, with an estimated weight of 1,600 tonnes, were stockpiled for processing in 2006.
The 12 kg of clean emerald rough was recovered from 254 kg of hand-picked mineralized material by a gemologist in a secure stone facility located in the Tsa da Glisza exploration camp. The makeable emerald was extracted by sawing, clipping, and grinding followed by acid cleaning, screening, processing and grading into gem, near-gem and non-gem classes, all of which was done by True North Gems staff.
A total of 4,044.67 grams (20,223.35 rough carats) of gem and near-gem rough was sent in separate parcels for cutting in September, October and November 2005. The initial gem shipment has been received from the cutting factory and final grading of the faceted emeralds is in progress. Results from all shipments are expected in the first quarter 2006.
Processing and further grading of the 2005 non-gem rough (8 kg) is underway. "We are very pleased to report that in-house grading of the processed non-gem rough has resulted in promotion to both gem and near-gem classes," said Greg Davison, Tsa da Glisza Project Manager. "80% of a 3.6 kg split of the non-gem rough has been reclassified to gem (7%) and near-gem (73%) grades." Final emerald rough grade and distribution data are pending. The upgraded emerald rough will be shipped for cutting in January 2006.
The planning and execution of the emerald exploration, security protocols and quality control programs at Tsa da Glizsa are under the supervision of Greg Davison, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
True North Gems Inc.
Greg Davison, P. Geo.
Vice President Exploration
(604) 687-8055 or 1-800-399-8055
greg@truenorthgems.com
True North Gems Inc.
Ken Shortt
Investor Relations
(604) 687-8055 or 1-800-399-8055
ken@truenorthgems.com
www.truenorthgems.com
