VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - March 7, 2006) - True North Gems (TSX VENTURE:TGX) is pleased to announce the acquisition, through staking, of seventy-two (72) claims, the Bandito group, surrounding its wholly owned Corundum Dome property in the Watson Lake Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada. The property now comprises a total of eight (80) claims covering 1,670 hectares over a area of 3.6 x 6.4 kilometres covering high grade nickel occurrences (see press release, February 3, 2006).
The original eight Amigo group claims were staked in June 2004 during the Company's regional gemstone exploration program over a portion of the historical Corundum Dome "corundum" prospect situated in the Toobally Lake area. Previous exploration between 1977 and 1986 was concentrated on the search for uranium and rare earths associated with limonitic gossan zones exposed on Corundum Dome coincident with an airborne radiometric anomaly.
The 2004 exploration program was focused on areas peripheral to extensive oxide-rich breccia zones. The metal values were sourced from several discrete areas of frost shattered bedrock and the adjacent talus material located along and adjacent to regional structural breaks within altered Selwyn Basin sediments consisting mostly of limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and shale.
A select sample of this material collected in 2004 yielded 9.14% Ni, 0.23% Cu, 0.03% Co, 0.28% As and 0.14% Sb. Soil samples collected near the head of the float train yielded up to 128 ppm Co, 305 ppm Cu, 120 ppm Ni, 337 ppm Pb and 3990 ppm Zn. Soil sampling in the adjacent topographic lows indicated similar anomalous metal values including Pb to 904 ppm and Cd to 38 ppm.
The 2005 program was focused on due diligence sampling and confirmation of target areas identified by mapping, stream soil and rock sampling, and prospecting in 2004.
High grade nickel was associated primarily with arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), bismuth (Bi) and lead (Pb). The base metals were accompanied by specular hematite, manganese oxides, rare earths and other incompatible elements (including Ta, Nb, Be, Cs, Zr), elevated potassium (K) and only traces of sulphur (S) within the oxidized surface material. The suite of eleven rock samples collected in 2005 exhibited highly anomalous multi-element metal values including: Ni to 15.85%, As to 9.84%, Sb to 1.54%, Cu to 1.22%, Bi to 1.36%, and Co to 1125 ppm.
"The Yukon regional program has resulted in the discovery of an excellent base metal target during the search for colored gemstones and, with confirmation of additional high grade metal values, will move forward with an aggressive 2006 summer exploration program to investigate the source of the metals," said Greg Davison, VP Exploration.
The planning and execution of the base and precious metal exploration and quality control programs at the Company's properties, including Corundum Dome, are under the supervision of Greg Davison, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
True North Gems is a public company listed on the TSX Venture exchange and is engaged in the exploration and development of coloured gemstone deposits in North America and Greenland.
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 Toll Free: 1-800-399-8055
greg@truenorthgems.com
www.truenorthgems.com
