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Amigo Mike,
It seems the more progress they make the harsher they are judged. As a company a few years back they were doing submillion dollar quarters and had no growth. Now they are doing almost $7.5M and are looking at a run rate of over $40M next year and people are selling as fast as they can. I guess that is what makes the market what it is. The CC is on Seeking Alpha in transcript form. As far as I can tell people are worried they are going to have to raise more money since they are still a few quarters away from break even. Bringing Roth Capital in may be for the sale of the mobile business and now would be a good time to put it on the block. Like comps would price it at around $200-$300M.
Joe
SA Article re the markman: Pandora Media Singing The Blues
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1057861-pandora-media-singing-the-blues?source=email_rt_article_readmore&ifp=0
Pandora Media Singing The Blues
December 11, 2012 | about: P, AUGT.OB
Disclosure: I am long AUGT.OB. (More...)
Back in June of 2011, I wrote an article called "Potential Problems With Pandora Media's IPO". While Pandora Media (P) has certainly had its ups and downs over the last 18 months, it recently hit an all time low just prior to releasing last weeks quarterly numbers. While the quarter's numbers were good in themselves, the guidance going forward was low and quickly sent the stock back downward.
From the original article there were several items of particular interest. The most relevant may be a patent infringement lawsuit over foundational technology apparently critical to Pandora's business model that was filed by Augme Technologies (AUGT.OB) against Pandora Media on April 29th, 2011. It appears so material in fact that Pandora itself chose to disclose it in their original S-1 filing prior to going public. What makes this relevant is that the original Markman hearing took place roughly nine months ago on February 27th, 2012 and just last week, the judge issued the long awaited ruling possibly sealing Pandora's fate.
Markman rulings determine what claim language the jury will hear when determining infringement. Patents often contain very technical language that the common layman would not know how to interpret. Both sides provide definitions of terms that are under contention, but try to put it in terms that the jury would understand. Which side the judge chooses is very critical as the plaintiffs are trying to get as broad a definition as possible to maximize damages and the defendant is trying to narrow the definitions to either eliminate the infringement or minimize potential damages. Markman results can and often do foretell the likely victor should the case proceed to trial.
In this case there were nine terms being decided upon. Here is a brief summary of the results directly from the ruling found here in its entirety.
The first term under dispute was "media appliance metaphor".
A. "media appliance metaphor" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: "a software device that exists in the realm of electronic communication and has a counterpart in the real world"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "a software device that exists in the realm of electronic communication and has a physical counterpart object in the real world that can be manipulated on the display screen in the same manner that the physical object is manipulated in the real world"
Court's Construction: "a software device that exists in the realm of electronic communication and has a counterpart in the real world"
Judge's comment. This additional limitation is not warranted.
Augme 1 Pandora 0
The second term under dispute was "web page".
B. "Web page" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This term does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Alternatively, "a document or information resource associated with a URL that may be downloaded or accessed from the World Wide Web"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: '~a document generated in Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML) that is accessed through a web browser and displayed by a web browser"
Court's Construction: "a document or information resource associated with a URL that may be downloaded or accessed from the World Wide Web"
Judge's comment. Pandora has not offered persuasive support for its criticism of Augme's proposal as overbroad. By contrast, Pandora's proposed construction is too narrow, limiting "Web page" to a document generated in HTML, even though the patent describes HTML as merely a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Augme 2 Pandora 0
The third term under dispute was "adding a media function to a webpage"
C. "adding a media function to a Web page" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: "providing audio, video, and/or graphic content (i.e. a media function) to a Web page. Examples of 'media function' include, but are not limited to, audio sounds, video images, graphic images, banner ads and/or informational feeds"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "adding a software program to a Web page that adds media content to the Web page"
Court's Construction: "adding a software program to a Web page that adds media content to the Web page"
Judge's comment. The specification indicates that the claimed "media function" includes the content itself.
(See '690 patent col.5 11.41-44 ("Web page display process 110 is performed ... to add function, such as streaming media or other media services to Web page 34 .... "); id. at col.lll.51-61 ("A recent advance in Web site technology is the addition of streaming media, as well as other more sophisticated functional enhancements, to Web sites."); id. at col.14 11.12-14) The parties agree that the media function includes content but disagree on whether it also requires software. On this issue, the Court agrees with Pandora: in the context of the patent-in-suit, software is required.
Augme 2 Pandora 1
The fourth term under dispute was "processor platform".
D. "processor platform" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This term does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Alternatively, Augme proposes "a networked computing device that includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and communications ports"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "a networked client-side (i.e. end user) computer device having a processor, memory, including a non-transitory memory, input/output lines, a Web browser and a display device"
Court's Construction: "a networked computing device that includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and communications ports"
Judge's comment. Augme's construction is consistent with the specification in that it contains the features common to both processor platforms, i.e., a CPU, a memory, and network ports. (See '690 patent col.3 11.63-65; id. at col.411.13-16, 49-54; id. at col.5 11.2-4; id. Fig. 1) Pandora's proposal, however,improperly adds, for example, the requirements of: (I) "input/output lines, a Web browser and a display device," which are features only of the disclosed second processor platform; and (ii) a"client-side (i.e., end user) computer," although only the second processor platform is strictly a client-side computer. (See id. at col.4 11.13-17)
Augme 3 Pandora 1
The fifth term under dispute was "a software device of a graphic representation representing a real world counterpart for display in connection with said webpage".
E. "a software device of a graphic representation representing a real world counterpart for display in connection with said Web page" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This phrase as a whole does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Augme has provided a proposed construction for the term "Web page" that appears in the phrase.
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "a computer code module that when executed results in a graphic representation of a real world counterpart media device displayed in a Web Page"
Court's Construction: No construction necessary.
Judge's comment. The Court further agrees with Augme that Pandora's proposed construction "confuses what the media appliance metaphor is with one embodiment for how it is displayed on the screen;"
Augme 4 Pandora 1
The sixth term under dispute was "server system".
F. "server system" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This term does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Alternatively, Augme proposes "a system having one or more computing devices and one or more databases that is connected to a network and that responds to requests from client computers on the network"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "a processor (CPU), a memory, a database structure having Web address database and visitor database, and a server structure for accommodating streaming media server and other media servers"
Court's Construction: "a system having one or more computing devices and one or more databases that is connected to a network and that responds to requests from client computers on the network"
Judge's comment. Augme's construction, which the Court adopts, is consistent with the specification, which discloses a server system that is networked and responsive to requests from the networked second processor platform by delivering a second code module that includes a service response.
(See '690 patent col.41.49- col.5 1.4; id. at col.611.50-60; id. Fig. 1) This construction is further supported by the dictionaries and judicial decisions Augme cites for the proposition that "server" is "universally known in the computing arts as a networked computer that responds to requests from client computers on the network." (D.I. 41 at 14-15)
Pandora, by contrast, would limit the "server system" to the exemplary server system disclosed in the patent. (See '690 patent Fig. 1; see also id. at col.411.45-49) Pandora unpersuasively seeks to limit the disputed term to particular components of the exemplary system (e.g., not just a database but a "Web address database" and "visitor database;" not just a server but a "streaming media server").
Augme 5 Pandora 1
The seventh term that was under dispute was "formed by a server system as a service response in response to information provided by said processor platform to said server system."
G. "formed by a server system as a service response in response to information provided by said processor platform to said server system" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: "This phrase as a whole does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Augme has provided proposed constructions for the terms 'server system,' 'service response' and 'processor platform' that appear in the phrase." Defendant's Proposed Construction: "the processor platform provides the web address of the downloaded webpage, (ii) web browser information, and (III) processor platform information to the server system which uses this information to assemble software code that includes the service response"
Court's Construction: No construction necessary.
Judge's comment. The Court further agrees with Augme that the prosecution history argument made by Pandora is unavailing, particularly as it is based on prosecution of a different patent involving a different claim term.
Augme 6 Pandora 1
The eighth term under dispute was "automatically provided"
H. "automatically provided" (claims 1-6)
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This term does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning.
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "provided from the server system without any action by the user"
Court's Construction: Plain and ordinary meaning.
Judge's comment. The dispute here is whether "automatically provided" necessarily excludes any human intervention, as Pandora contends. The Court concludes that, in the context of the patent-in-suit,"automatically provided" does not have such a limited meaning. Pandora has not cited persuasive support for excluding all human intervention.
Augme 7 Pandora 1
The ninth term that was under dispute was "customized by said server in accordance with information content of said Web page"
I. "customized by said server in accordance with information content of said Web page"
Plaintiffs Proposed Construction: This term does not require construction beyond its plain and ordinary meaning. Alternatively, Augme proposes "tailored by the server system (as construed) to complement or relate to data contained in or otherwise associated with the Web page (as construed)"
Defendant's Proposed Construction: "the server system uses information derived from all publicly accessible characters and words written on a Web page to customize the media appliance metaphor"
Court's Construction: "tailored by the server system (as construed) to complement or relate to data contained in or otherwise associated with the Web Page (as construed)"
Judge's comment. Augme's proposed construction is supported by the specification. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the radio metaphor is tailored to complement a Web page about Texas cooking by playing country music. Pandora's proposal, by contrast, appears to exclude disclosed embodiments in which the server system customizes the metaphor "in accordance with" the claimed "information content of [the] Web page" without directly "using" that information.
Augme 8 Pandora 1
A recent article written by James Altucher, Google Vs. Vringo: Vringo Delivers A Knockout In Round One has shown how important the Markman ruling can be in the final outcome of a case. Being able to make a jury understand what is often very technical material is the key and having the broadest definitions possible add to the potential damages. Of the nine terms ruled upon, eight being in favor of Augme is significant.
With respect to the one term where the Judge sided with Pandora, his comments appear to provide clarity that media function includes content itself, without limitation of content type. Given Pandora's use of both software and media, some feel that in the absence of wins in other argued terms, this term provides no argument or relief for Pandora. Conversely, it seems to actually benefit Augme who argued that audio, video, graphic content, audio sounds, video images, video images, graphic images, banner ads, and information feeds were content types included in the invention based on their presence in the specification. All of these items got into the court's construction with Judge Stark noting in his decision "The specification indicates that the claimed "media function" includes content itself." With "content" not being limited to content of any specific type.
Further, the limitation of software being present is not a limitation that would hinder Augme vs. Pandora. Considering that most can only conclude this Markman ruling as very close to being a complete and clean sweep for Augme (9-0), the presence of software limitation being the sole element that Augme argued to have removed as a limitation that remains post ruling. The presence of software limitation, in Pandora's case, given this construction of the court is a key to their value proposition across all of their offerings.
A company that wins a patent case can use that in other litigation to win additional settlements or command premium licensing of its technology. In Augme's case, they have ongoing litigation against AOL (AOL), Time Warner (TWX), Millennial Media (MM), Velti (VELT) and Gannett (GCI) and Yahoo (YHOO).
While certainly the Markman is an important step along the litigation path it is of course just one step. Litigation has and always will be a slow path with many ups and downs along the way. As has been seen in recent case with companies like VirnetX (VHC) and Vringo (VRNG) it can be very rewarding to its shareholders over time.
In Augme's case, they uniquely differ from these NPE's only seeking to monetize their patents. Augme also owns Hipcricket, one of the top mobile marketing companies in the US currently running at an approximate $30 million run rate. By also having a high growth mobile business, where it actually uses its patented technology and which is growing almost 100% year over year and roughly 20% quarter over quarter, the company offers a fundamental growth story in conjunction with the potential upside of their patents.
2Guys,
I can see why you wouldn't want to tell anyone any other stocks you own.
Joe
2Guys,
The stock going up to .30 would be good for everyone except those who sold their shares at a lower price. Can you name a few other stocks you own?
Joe
JunkHustler,
In what aspect? Its already at .10. Are we going to start owing money? Didn't you sell your shares like 2Guys did?
Joe
2Guys,
If those guys exercise those warrants the stock will be almost 3X from the current price. I don't see how that wouldn't be a good thing unless you finished selling your shares here.
Joe
Its only a benefit to insiders if the stock goes above .25 and .30 which at this point would be a benefit to us all. Right now I see it as a don't care until the stock moves back up.
Joe
AOL case going to trial.
MEMORANDUM ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON THE DISCRETE ISSUE OF WHETHER THE "DATA AGENT/DATA TAG" COMBINATION OF ELEMENTS INFRINGES THE PATENTS IN SUIT BY EQUIVALENTS: This case is among the oldest on the Court's docket. I take principal responsibility for that; I am the person who misplaced the file in this matter. But we need to get the case tried during this calendar year, or at the very latest early next year. Therefore, I need from each side, by June 8, a written assessment of what needs to be done in order to have the case ready for the filing of a Joint Pre-Trial Order by a date no later than November 2, 2012. If we can get the case into a trial ready posture earlier, so much the better. This order finally disposes of the pending motions for summary judgment. As I advised the parties in a telephone conversation earlier this week, any stay of this or any other action that purports to relate to the '691 and '636 patents is hereby lifted. (Signed by Judge Colleen McMahon on 5/31/2012) (lmb) (Entered: 05/31/2012)
2Guys,
You are now saying Norm knew about Mesa. Did you talk to Norm or are you just assuming? If he does know Mesa and they filed patents on the AMY process what does that tell you? Please let us know what Norm said when you confirmed this with him.
Joe
News for 'AUGT' - (Augme Technologies Acquires Key Mobile Technology Patents Patent Rights Enhance Company's Mobile Marketing and Mobile Advertising Portfolio by Adding Interactive Mobile VoIP to Augme's AD LIFE(R) Platform)
NEW YORK, NY, May 29, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Augme Technologies, Inc.
(OTCBB: AUGT), a technology and services leader in interactive media marketing
that offers the only patented end-to-end mobile marketing and mobile advertising
platform, today announced that it has acquired a family of five (5) issued
United States patents. The patents cover Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP")
and other critical mobility inventions.
The acquired patents include numbers 7,606,217 entitled "System and method for
routing telephone calls over a voice and data network"; 7,460,480 entitled
"Dynamically adapting the transmission rate of packets in real-time VoIP
communications to the available bandwidth"; 7,676,599 entitled "System and
method of binding a client to a server"; 7,782,878 entitled "System and method
for sharing an IP address"; and 7,957,401 entitled "System and method for using
multiple communication protocols in memory limited processors".
Additionally, Augme has acquired seven (7) U.S. patent applications from the
same seller, Geos Communications IP Holdings, Inc., and eighteen (18) pending
international patent applications in related invention families within the field
of mobile VoIP. The patents will allow Augme Technologies, Inc. to expand its
mobile marketing and mobile advertising technology offerings to include adaptive
voice technologies for any mobile environment, VoIP-enabled mobile marketing and
advertising, VoIP-enabled E-Commerce and VoIP-enabled services and support
features within Augme's industry-leading AD LIFE(R) mobile marketing and mobile
advertising platform.
"This patent acquisition supports Augme's growth strategy, which includes the
monetization of both its Hipcricket operating business and its intellectual
property ('IP') portfolio," stated Nathaniel Bradley, Augme Technologies' Chief
Technology Officer. "The new patents enhance the IP protection capabilities of
our AD LIFE(R) platform and our newly enhanced AD SERVE(R) mobile advertising
solution. They will also facilitate the build-out of our enterprise channel,
which will now have additional patented features and capabilities. This
acquisition expands our IP portfolio to include 14 issued patents and over 60
pending patents in the U.S. and internationally with over 2,000 claims in the
telecom, media and Internet, ('TMT') space. Although the Company's stated IP
strategy focuses in large part on licensing, Augme remains committed to the
vigorous defense of its intellectual property rights."
Augme Technologies recently signed its first major licensing agreement, with
LucidMedia, creating a framework for future patent and brand licensing
activities. The newly acquired patents will enhance Augme's IP business model
and expand its domestic and international applications.
"The acquired patents will strengthen Augme's leadership in the mobile marketing
and mobile advertising industry," said Fred DuFrense, Senior Advisor at
ipCapital Licensing Company and a Member of Augme's Advisory Board. "It better
equips the Company to map specific critical functions involving patent protected
capabilities and new and advanced feature sets. Licensing is a serious and
growing business for Augme, and these new patents amplify coverage in critical
areas."
About Augme Technologies, Inc.
Augme(R) Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: AUGT) provides strategic services and mobile
marketing technology to leading consumer and healthcare brands. Selling its
products and services under the Hipcricket brand, Augme's platform has provided
measurable successes across an industry-leading 175,000 campaigns for its
clients, which include many of America's brand-name leaders (e.g., Macy's,
MillerCoors, Nestle, Clear Channel) in a variety of industries, along with their
agencies.
Augme's offerings allow marketers, brands, and agencies to plan, create, test,
deploy, and track mobile marketing programs across every mobile channel,
including SMS, MMS, 2D/QR codes, mobile websites, advertising networks, social
media and branded apps. Augme's AD LIFE platform facilitates consumer brand
interaction and the ability to track and analyze campaign results. Using its own
patented device-detection and proprietary mobile content adaptation software, AD
LIFE(R) solves the mobile marketing industry problem of disparate operating
systems, device types, and on-screen mobile content rendering. Augme also
provides business-to-consumer solutions, including national mobile couponing
campaigns, strategic mobile healthcare tools, custom mobile application
development, and consumer data tracking and analytics. In addition to AD
LIFE(R), Augme in 2011 acquired the assets of Hipcricket, Inc. and JAGTAG, Inc.
and licenses the digital broadcast platform BOOMBOX(R). The company's
industry-leading patent portfolio now includes 14 issued patents and over 60
patent applications pending in the U.S. and internationally. Augme is
headquartered in New York City, with operations in Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and Tucson. For more information visit
www.augme.com or www.hipcricket.com.
Augme Technologies, Inc.(TM), Hipcricket(R), Augme(R), AD LIFE(R), BOOMBOX(R),
AD SERVE(R) and the Augme logo are trademarks of Augme Technologies, Inc. All
rights reserved. 2009-12.
2Guys,
I guess when I see you asking this question on multiple message boards it seemed you were interested in getting opinions from people who you have no idea what their background is. At least with Norm Chow you know who he is. Just because he is a known expert does not mean you have to take everything he says as gospel but it does give you another opinion which is the reason you have asked the question multiple places, right?
Joe
2Guys,
You don't think an expert in this area might have some better insight to the difference between AMY and Mesa and also might be able to tell you why they have not been able to get into production? Seemed like a better idea than asking people on a message board.
Joe
2Guys,
Instead of asking your questions on various message boards have you thought about asking someone like Norm Chow? Somehow I would think he would be much better suited to answer your questions than random posters on a message board. Right?
Joe
Norman Chow, P.Eng, Kemetco Research Inc. Ph.: 604-273-3600 Ext 228 Email: nchow@kemetco.com
Understanding the Future of American Manganese and the Latest Pre-Feasibility Report
Added May 28th, 2012 – Vancouver, British Columbia
Larry W. ReaughBy Larry W. Reaugh – President & CEO of American Manganese Inc.
http://www.americanmanganeseinc.com/understanding-the-future-of-american-manganese-and-the-latest-pre-feasibility-report/
It has been a busy month for us here at American Manganese, with the completion of our Pre-Feasibility report for the Artillery Peak project and the public release of parts of that report on May 17th. The release of this report is one more step towards the future of our company and the production of manganese in North America. (A copy of the public PFS material can be found here)
As with any release of this nature, there are always questions that arise from our shareholders and the general public. It is our resolve to answer those questions to the best of our ability. As part of our efforts, we held a press conference on Friday, May 18th which can be heard in its entirety here.
There are several questions that seem to resonate the most with those interested in the PFS release, so we felt it best to address them in as simple a manner as possible.
• Why has the cost of developing the Artillery Peak project risen?
Yes, the cost of the Artillery Peak project is more than originally anticipated. AT $477 million to develop, it is a capital expenditure that we cannot avoid going forward. However, the rise in expenditures has been seen across the board industry wide, with a rise in the cost for supplies and construction. A large contributor to escalating costs is the doubling of the plant size as a result of the reduced grade of the manganese in the final mine plan developed by Tetratech Wardop Engineering. In addition, while our initial capital expenditures are higher than expected, our overall operating expenditures remain some of the lowest in the manganese market with a low-cost production process.
• Will Artillery Peak be in production in 2014?
While we are firmly committed to advancing towards a 2014 start date, we cannot predict the future of the manganese market. As with any mining operation, our development and production is reliant on the market value of the material we are mining. If the value of electrolytic manganese metal does not support a feasible business model, a 2014 start date may not be achievable. However, the CPM report predicts a growing demand for electrolytic manganese metal and that prices will continue to remain strong and steadily grow over time; if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be in this business.
• Is our hydrometallurgical process scalable?
Our patent pending process is an achievement we are proud to be using in the Artillery Peak project. In a market that is generally reliant on high-energy consumption models, our hydrometallurgical process allows for a cleaner, more energy efficient model. The model has been rigorously tested by Kemetco Research, and in the PFS report, Tetratech Wardrop ultimately found that the process can be scaled to a working model for the Artillery Peak project.
• How do we plan on raising the capital funds needed to develop the Artillery Peak project?
Manganese is a commodity that is in short supply, as such; we believe that a strategic partner can come on board to help finance the final stages of this project. The company has a history of raising the capital needed during various rounds of financing, and we are confident there is enough interest in our material that financing will be achievable.
• Why have the tonnes per day increased to 7,000?
To keep up with our planned annual production of electrolytic manganese metal, about 50,000 tonnes per annum, we had to raise the tonnes per day. This increase is reflective of the ore grade and the capabilities of the hydrometallurgical processing.
The electrolytic manganese market is a growing industry that we are confident will require a North American producer. American Manganese has the opportunity to become a strategic supplier for the North American market. This is why the company has been invited to speak at the Strategic Metals Conference on June 6th in Washington D.C. I will be speaking on behalf of the company regarding the state of the manganese market, the growing demands for manganese and the need for domestic production in North America. If you are able, I invite you to attend the conference to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, I and the staff of American Manganese are available to answer shareholder questions.
2Guys,
I see it less of a buyout and more of a payout. They buy the technology and resource and AMY gets out of the way. A major mining company needs to see the economics and decide they want to build the plant. I'm not saying this is going to happen but if I am a major mining company looking for a project in the US that could really payback in a 5 year time frame even a half a billion investment is not out of the question. Most mines these days in other countries are probably in the same investment category and the risks are completely different in say Mexico or Chile than here. Plus if it really is a green mining process that could be worth its weight in gold for publicity.
Joe
Blairman,
Its hard to say. I could see Larry taking a one time payment and a small % of each pound sold. I just don't see Larry putting together a half a billion dollar mine. Certainly if they can show viability with EMD the value increases. If they can build a better mouse trap, i.e. a better battery, because the material is purer that would also be very important and might bring in other potential partners.
Joe
Blairman,
Still here but the economics of the entire investment have obviously changed with now needing half a billion dollars to build a plant. That is going to require one very large partner to make that happen and if I was them I would just buy out AMY at these levels and own the entire operation myself. On the other side of this report instead of doubling in size and cost I wonder if they looked at the economics if just processing at the original rate and getting 50% less material out with the plan to duplicate the plant 2 years down the road? That gives the company options to improve a second plant from what is learned in the first plant. Plus $200M would have sounded a lot more palatable to most investors. Granted you are only making half the money but there is a supply/demand situation out there that says EMM prices should rise over the next few years with China producing less and demand increasing. Meaning in 2015 if EMM prices have risen to $2.5/lb and production costs are really $1/lb finding investors will be much easier. I think Larry likes to swing big and that is not necessarily going to produce home runs on every swing.
Joe
News for 'AUGT' - (Hipcricket Completes AD SERVE(R) Integration with AD LIFE(R) Platform to Provide Comprehensive Pre- and Post-Click Management and Measurement of Mobile Advertising Campaigns Latest version of Hipcricket's AD SERVE(R) empowers agencies and brands to support all mobile advertising needs with analytics capabilities and enhanced dynamic ad targeting)
KIRKLAND, Wash., May 03, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hipcricket(R)
("Hipcricket"), the
one-stop mobile marketing and advertising subsidiary of Augme(R)
Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: AUGT or
"Augme"), today unveiled
the newest version of AD SERVE(R) ("AD
SERVE"), Hipcricket's
patented mobile ad server. Now fully integrated with the AD
LIFE(R) ("AD
LIFE") platform, AD SERVE is a self-service tool that
empowers marketers to create, manage and optimize their mobile advertising
campaigns throughout the customer engagement lifecycle--both pre-and
post-click--across all mobile media, including mobile ads, SMS, QR codes, mobile
sites, and applications.
With the integration of patent-protected ad serving and enhanced analytics into
AD LIFE, Hipcricket is now the only company to deliver the full lifecycle
solution within a single platform. AD LIFE aggregates analytics for advertising,
mobile web, SMS, and 2D barcodes (such as QR codes) into a single dashboard.
Traditionally, marketers have found it necessary to
"toggle" between a number
of multiple reporting tools in order to measure the overall success of their
campaigns. Hipcricket enables powerful multi-channel analytics, and clients can
easily use powerful APIs to incorporate additional enterprise data from leading
ERP systems.
"With AD SERVE, for the first time, marketers can
manage their entire mobile campaigns--from creation to beyond the click or
install --from a single platform," said Hipcricket
COO Eric Harber. "Now, the AD LIFE platform is further
pushing the mobile marketing and advertising envelope by measuring mobile
customer engagement, not just click-throughs, downloads or other discrete
activities. This longitudinal view is critical for our clients to fully extend
their customer relationship management from the back office onto their
customers' mobile
devices."
Additional key features and benefits of the self-service AD SERVE platform
include:
-- Powerful targeting capabilities: AD SERVE offers mobile-specific options for
precise targeting of rich media that go above-and-beyond traditional mechanisms.
The platform creates full, custom mobile advertising plans for clients based on
the specific requirements entered for each campaign. Targeting based on device
type and ambient conditions (including local weather) is now available in AD
SERVE, and is protected by USPTO patents 6,594,691, 7,269,636, and 7,958,081
-- Integration made simple: With distinct tools available to both advertisers
and publishers, ad management set up can be done with just a few clicks. Fully
integrated into the AD LIFE platform, AD SERVE is also positioned to easily
integrate into industry-leading enterprise marketing applications. Unique
features have been implemented that allow clients to maintain all of the data
that is collected from disparate sources associated with ad campaigns within a
single interface. This reduces significant numbers of man-hours that have
traditionally been invested in day-to-day operations, empowering clients to
focus on achieving core campaign objectives, as opposed to laboring over
spreadsheet manipulations.
-- Patented ad rendering capabilities: AD SERVE is built on
Hipcricket's patented technologies, ensuring that
mobile ads are rendered, targeted, and distributed correctly across all mobile
devices and platforms. Universally compatible and targeted advertising delivery
technology is protected by patents 6,594,691, 7,269,636, 7,783,721, 7,831,690,
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2Guys,
How do you know that it has not impacted the stock price? Junior miners have been in a downward spiral for over a year. Maybe we would be lower if Larry had not been out there. Hard to say. I did see the latest presentation from this weekend on the website.
http://www.amydata.com/data/Powerpoint/AMY_May1_2012.pdf
I did not see much new.
Joe
It certainly is perking up a bit. Nice to see the volume increase before their year end CC. Here are some comments from the Northland analyst who covers Augme.
First “IP” Domino Falls For AUGT With Lucid Media
· Augme announced this morning that it has finalized a technology patent license and services partnership with Lucid Media (LM) Networks as a result of the settlement the Company reached with LM (filed on Pacer a few months back).
· While no financial terms of the deal were released, the PR reads as though there is a cross-license of technology (very common in settlement cases) with an advertising partnership involved (from our perspective). We believe net, net this deal is favorable to AUGT, despite there having been counter-claims made by LM.
· While Lucid Media is not a household name, we believe this serves as one of the first “intellectual property” dominos to fall for Augme, and see it as a very encouraging sign, given our belief of wide-spread infringement of Augme’s IP by Companies of similar size and scope as LM (as well as much larger entities).
· We reiterate our Outperform rating and $5.75 PT, and believe shares are grossly undervalued, even from a fundamental and operational basis, alone, at ~$2
Caught this over on Stockhouse. Larry will be presenting.
Mining Americas Summit. June 5-6th, 2012
http://www.miningamericas.com/programme.asp
Domestic Critical MetalsCase Study: The Artillery Peak Project: Realizing the Potential for Domestic Critical Metals Production
•Role of electrolytic manganese in the future of green energy applications
•Assessing demand and the need for a domestic supply
•Evaluating cost and price in foreign and domestic markets
•Minimizing energy and water requirements in an environmentally sound extraction process
Larry Reaugh
President & CEO
American Manganese Inc
Chicago Resource Expo April 27-28/2012
"On Saturday, April 28th, we will begin the day with a Continental Breakfast in the Woodfield Auditorium. My boring opening comments begin promptly at 8:10 a.m. Fischer-Watt, a multi-uranium property company, with a new President, will begin the program. Crosshair Energy, a Peter Grandich recommendation, will follow. Crosshair Energy is a dominant player in the exploration and development of uranium and vanadium in North America. Platinum Group Metals just made the front page of The Northern Miner. The company is managed by my lifetime friend, R. Michael Jones. This is my number one junior platinum play. Kim Harris follows with Sika Resources. West Kirkland is next and has over two dozen properties in Nevada and in Ontario. Eric and I are very familiar with these two territories. African Queen is building a portfolio of properties in Southern, Eastern and Western Africa. Nevada based, American Vanadium, is working on their world class Gibellini Project which is a near term producer. Past participant, Santa Barbara, is a major exploration play in Peru and Chili. American Manganese follows which is managed by my old friend, Larry Reaugh, with 47 years in the business. This company has the potential of becoming the lowest cost producer of manganese in the business. Buchan Minerals was recently recommended by our Keynote Speaker, Peter Grandich. See his report on our website. Hinterland has exploration properties in the Yukon, Ontario and Quebec. Otis Gold, an Al Korelin company, has it’s flagship Kilgore Project in Idaho. Both Kivalliq Energy and Focus Minerals are the best of the show for the last six months plus 100%."
Amigo Mike,
The stock certainly has looked strong on weak market days. Posting wise there are a bunch of nuts on the Yahoo message board and a few who post on Ivillage. Not much happens here.
Joe
American Manganese Inc. invites you to view the following Metal-Pages Article:
18 Apr 2012 by Metal-Pages
European manganese market eyes huge price jump
manganese flakeLONDON (Metal-Pages) 18-Apr-12. The European spot manganese flake market, which has increased more than 5% this month, is set to jump more than a quarter next month as importers will be forced to buy only legitimate material from its key supplier China, which has clamped down on illegal smuggling since March, dealers told Metal-Pages on Wednesday.
The European market, which was up at $3,700 a tonne last October, is at $3,100-3,200 a tonne basis in-warehouse. Prices may hit $4,000 a tonne through the current quarter as legitimate sales have an export tax of 20%.
European prices were boosted earlier this year when Chinese authorities blocked black market sales across the border with Vietnam in an effort to stop that trade, although the move lasted only a few weeks and smuggling soon returned.
"The market in Europe has been consolidating after the latest jump in prices," one dealer told Metal-Pages.
"However, we expect much higher prices in May despite only muted demand in Europe at the moment.
"There is not much material warehoused in Europe and there is material being blocked along the Chinese border with Vietnam, so there will be a real shortage of manganese flake soon as European stocks are used."
Dealers said that as shipments take about 6 weeks to reach Rotterdam from China there is a distinct possibility of a critical shortage of manganese flake supplies in Europe in the coming weeks.
China produces more than 95% of the world's annual manganese flake supply, producing about 1.3-1.4 million tonnes of manganese metal last year.
The Chinese/Vietnam border is expected to be strictly policed for the foreseeable future, according to industry sources.
Dealers reported sales of manganese lump this week at some $3,400 a tonne basis in-warehouse, and with that market typically $100 above flake prices, prics for the latter may again increase, they said.
About two-thirds of manganese production capacity in China is currently idled, with no sign of it being restarted in the near term. China has a total annual production capacity of some 2.2 million tonnes of manganese metal, while annual European consumption is some 60-80,000 tonnes.
In comparison, South Africa, another key producer, produces about 27,000 tonnes a year of manganese metal.
European consumers are currently opting to use their stocks and looking mostly to replenish their raw materials on a monthly basis, dealers said.
The bulk of total world manganese production is used in alloy form in steel for use mostly in construction.
- By Declan Conway in Europe (declan@metal-pages.com)
April 19, 2012
www.minesite.com
American Manganese Plans To Deploy Proprietary Technology To Become A Major Manganese Producer At The Lower End Of The Cost Curve
By Ryan Jackson in Vancouver
American Manganese is preparing to release a prefeasibility study on its Artillery Peak manganese property in Arizona. The company is looking to use proprietary technology to bring into production the US’s first large scale manganese mine since the 1950s. Recently, metallurgical testing has further de-risked the project, exploration has been expanding its scope, while political developments in China have highlighted the need for new production in the West.
Larry Reaugh
American Manganese plans to develop a long term mining operation that will produce ultra-pure electrolytic manganese at the lowest cash costs in the industry. That may sound like a tall order, but Larry Reaugh, the company’s chief executive, is confident he can deliver. “This project has moved from an idea in 2007 through to the prefeasibility stage that it is in today”, he says. “We’ve taken a project that’s been overlooked in the US for almost 100 years, because of the grades, and used technology that was developed in wartime along with new technology developed today.” The result, he says, will help insulate North America from likely supply shortages in the future.
There’s been much reporting of the likely shortages of rare earths that the West will face, as the Chinese turn the screw on supply. But the Chinese also have a near stranglehold over global manganese supply. Manganese is essential for steel production and for an increasingly important battery industry. Most of the world’s current manganese production comes from China, which currently exports around 400,000 tonnes of the strategic metal a year. “The Chinese are consolidating their electrolytic manganese metal”, says Larry. “With China consolidating, they’re going to start restricting the amount that they export and it is predicted that in three years they will be net importers. So where is the 400,000 tonnes, and it’s growing by five-to-six cent annually, going to come from?”
That’s where American Manganese comes in. Larry plans to produce around 50,000 tonnes per year at Artillery Peak, but if pressed thinks that American Manganese may be able to fill most of that 400,000 tonne demand. To really prove the new technology, American Manganese has built a pilot plant in Surrey, British Columbia, which has been test processing ore from Artillery Peak. In particular, the company is testing Kemetco Research’s hydrometallurgical process which has, so far, been successful in using commercially available equipment to achieve recovery rates of 92 to 93 per cent while maintaining a low cost and low energy use. The electrolytic manganese metal produced by the process has been at a purity of over 99.7%.
“We certainly have advantages over other operations because we have a hydrometallurgical process”, says Larry. “We don’t have the roasting and grinding that usually introduces contaminants into the manganese. We hope to have a very pure product at the end of the day.” Additionally, the process is a greener option when compared to traditional production methods, because it is extremely water and energy efficient. All of which means that the low grade ore at Artillery Peak becomes highly commercial.
While the testing of the hydrometallurgical process continues, Kemetco Research is assessing the potential of a circuit that will produce lithiated manganese powder, which is used in rechargeable lithium batteries, from ore supplied by American Manganese. Kemetco is even building test batteries, with manganese from Artillery Peak, to prove the viability of its technology. If successful, production of lithiated manganese powder could be integrated as an adjunct to the Kemetco hydrometallurgical process. Currently, electrolytic manganese dioxide, which is processed into lithiated manganese powder, is subject to a 20 per cent duty when exported from China and then another 14 per cent duty when entering the United States. So American Manganese may find itself in a position to provide the US market with a new source of high grade lithiated manganese powder at more than competitive prices.
Even as the company progresses through the prefeasibility stage, the company is planning to build on its already impressive resource base. “We have a resource that’s 13.8 billion pounds of indicated and 3.5 billion pounds of inferred but we’ve only touched about 20 to 30 per cent of the property so we would like to expand on that”, says Larry. In addition to looking for additional resources, the company will infill the current inferred resource to bring it up to the indicated category.
“In my experience in the market”, says Larry, “if you’re going to attract the big companies you need to have big resources. We have a world class resource there now but we’ve hardily scratched it. You can go all over the property and look at a face that’s 40 metres thick running 4% manganese and does not have a drill hole in it. These are the types of resources we want to bring into the fold.”
Larry expects the prefeasibility study to be completed imminently, but at this stage an off-take agreement still looks some way away. “We’ve had discussions with 15 offtakers but the feeling in the markets is that they don’t want to do anything until you get close to production. They don’t want to be exposed to any risk anymore.” Even so, there should be plenty of positive newsflow in the coming weeks and months as the company moves from the pre-feasibility into the feasibility stage and steps up the exploration pace. It should be interesting to watch.
I found it encouraging that Larry still expects to get the final draft by the end of this week. Plus his mention that costs will still be much below China is really the key to commercial success.
American Manganese Inc. Update on Pre-Feasibility Study
Added March 28th, 2012 – Vancouver, British Columbia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry W. Reaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Manganese Inc. (“American Manganese” or the “Company”), (TSX.V: AMY; Pink Sheets: AMYZF; Frankfurt: 2AM), is pleased to report the Company has received portions in final draft of the Preliminary Feasibility Report from their contractors, Tetra Tech Wardrop (“Tetra Tech”), for the Company’s review.
The Company has received the preliminary process flow sheets and mining plan of operations for review. Tetra Tech estimates the delivery of final draft reports for the Company’s review on or before April 13th at which time management will expedite a full review of the drafts and get back to Tetra Tech as soon as practical.
Mr. Reaugh states “I am very pleased with the progress of our contractors regarding the preliminary feasibility study. Having been involved in commissioning five or six preliminary economic evaluations, pre-feasibility studies and bankable feasibility studies over the years I have to say that our current EMM study has presented challenges over and above the usual base and precious metals studies I have previously been involved in.”
http://www.ceoclips.com/companies/American-Manganese-CEO-2012.html
President & CEO, Larry Reaugh discusses their manganese deposit in Arizona, the largest manganese deposit in the south western US, with a complete pre-feasibility study coming soon.
Listening to the interview it sounded to me like he still thought there was a chance it would be done by month end but my guess is he has been around long enough to expect delays. What I did not realize was how iterative the prefes. study is going to be. They are going to get pieces and send back comments. Eventually they get the final draft in around 2 weeks(iffffffff they hit this schedule). At that point there are probably some changes and then another review cycle. I think what really ignites the stock is ifffff their LMD batteries perform better than the standard battery because of the purity of the materials. I also hope they are sending some of these materials to some of the development companies and universities for them to play with.
The Company has received the preliminary process flow sheets and mining plan of operations for review. Tetra Tech estimates the delivery of final draft reports for the Company's review on or before April 13th at which time management will expedite a full review of the drafts and get back to Tetra Tech as soon as practical.
Mr. Reaugh states: "I am very pleased with the progress of our contractors regarding the preliminary feasibility study. Having been involved in commissioning five or six preliminary economic evaluations, pre-feasibility studies and bankable feasibility studies over the years I have to say that our current EMM study has presented challenges over and above the usual base and precious metals studies I have previously been involved in."
Larry at PDAC
Blairman,
When you met with Larry did he say directly to you that there would be no delays with the PFS? I know that was your number one question. Also why do you buy into any time line that the company puts out at this point?
Joe
Clean Mining at PDAC
Added March 21st, 2012 – Vancouver, British Columbia
http://www.americanmanganeseinc.com/clean-mining-at-pdac/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Larry W. Reaugh – President & CEO of American Manganese Inc.
At American Manganese, we’re proud of the low energy and low water process we’ve designed for producing electrolytic manganese metal. As we described in February, our Artillery Peak property in Arizona’s process is to use a fraction of the power of today’s processes and dramatically less water. Our tailings are to be virtually dry and environmentally benign. We’re in the process of applying for a worldwide patent on our process.
Some have written that we might set a new standard in the production of critical metals.
We’re proud of what we’re doing in our way to help lower the environmental footprint of mining. And, as we saw at this year’s PDAC show in Toronto this month, others are starting to think the same way.
Here are a selection of other interesting companies we saw at PDAC that are trying to advance the mining sector by reducing waste, toxins and water use.
Energold Drilling (TSX-V: EGD) – A specialty driller that operates 230 rigs in 22 countries. Its drills are portable and can be moved with manpower, allowing projects to be completed without damaging trees or creating access roads. PDAC’s E3 program (“Environmental Excellence in Exploration”) highlights one of Energold’s case studies on how to conduct drilling programs.
Neomet Technologies – In the same way American Manganese aims to revolutionize electrolytic manganese production with a new process, Neomet Technologies aims to help the world rethink gold production. The company is developing a new cyanide-free process that it believes can still offer 95% gold recovery at 99.99% purity, with inert tailings and zero atmospheric emissions and zero chemical waste.
Newterra – A rebranding of three amalgamated companies: Filter Innovations, MLE Equipment, and Pacwill Environmental. Newterra targets the mining industry, among others, for its produced water filtration systems, using membranes and other approaches. The company aims to treat, recycle and reuse produced water, and offers pH adjustment, solids removal/filtration, and oil/water separation. The company claims 2,500 remediation projects across North America.
BacTech Environmental (CNSX: BAC) – A company using a biological process to remediate toxins at mining sites. The company’s BACOX process uses naturally occurring bacteria to oxidize sulphides in as little as 5-6 days, as opposed to the years it normally takes in nature. The process can also used to free gold and other metals like copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt and molybdenum, according to the company.
These are just a handful of companies that are finding commercial opportunities to make mining cleaner and less resource intensive.
Many of them, including American Manganese, are certainly motivated by the potential to use new technology to lower costs and improve margins. At the same time, they (and we) are gratified that cleaner approaches happen to be the right thing for the communities in which we have been given the privilege to operate … and for this planet we call home.
Larry Reaugh, President & CEO of American Manganese (TSXV:AMY.V - News) (FRANKFURT:2AM.F - News) (www.americanmanganeseinc.com) will discuss the company`s projects. The company is actively engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of a diverse portfolio of metals in demand in the commodity markets. The company focus is on the growing market opportunities in the Steel Industry, evidenced by its acquisition of Artillery Peak Manganese Properties in Arizona, recognized as the largest known manganese deposit in the Southwest USA at a time when this strategic metal faces a declining supply in resources. Drilling, leach testing, and mine planning are underway.
To view Jay Taylor`s recent "Face the Analyst" video interviews, please visit www.investmentpitch.com and enter "face the analyst" in the search box.
InvestmentPitch.com, a multimedia company providing a combined solution for creating, hosting, and distributing financial video content across multiple platforms to investors and financial professions, specializes in producing three minute "video news alerts" based on significant news releases and research reports. InvestmentPitch.com is currently pre-public and raising $200,000 in $0.10 units with accredited investors.
Jay`s weekly, two hour VoiceAmerica radio show, "Turning Hard Times into Good Times" will be broadcast Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 3:00PM Eastern Time and 12:00 Noon Pacific Time and can be located by clicking here or at www.voiceamerica.com/Show/1501. It is also archived, and can be heard on www.jaytaylormedia.com.
Gharma,
Every patent that I am listed on as one of the inventors belongs to my company that I work for. My company is never listed as the inventor. For every application there are fees and lawyers costs. You can bet American Manganese paid for it all. They own the US rights.
Joe
Dan,
Not Irish either but have been known to tip a green one back from time to time. My thoughts all go back to the risk reward and looking at the chart. The .40 level looks pretty solid and even a delay I would be surprised to see it dip much below that if at all. So maybe there is a .05 opportunity on the downside. Upside none of us have a good feel for how fast or far this could run. I honestly don't know if the prefes drives us up .20, .50, a buck??? who knows. A lot while be in what it says. Could go down on the prefes if everyone here is waiting for a huge pop and it does not happen. Well there is my 5 cents worth. Now back to watching more basketball than any one man should be allowed to watch in one day. LOL.
Joe
Please follow the link below to view the March, 2012 SmartStox Report on American Manganese Inc. (TSX-V: AMY; Pink Sheets: AMYZF):
www.smartstox.com/reports/amy
News for 'AMYZF' - (American Manganese Inc. Announces Publication of Advanced Process Patent)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Mar 14, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Larry W.
Reaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Manganese Inc.
("American Manganese" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AMY)(PINKSHEETS:
AMYZF)(FRANKFURT: 2AM) is pleased to announce that the Company's Advanced
Hydrometallurgical Process Patent Application developed by Kemetco Research Inc.
has been published by the International Bureau at the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO), based in Geneva, Switzerland on February 23, 2012.
The publication can be viewed on WIPO's website on the following link:
http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/search/en/WO2012024294
The patent application describes key details in which manganese can be recovered
from a low grade resource with the following key advantages:
-- Low energy requirement.
-- Low water use.
-- Robust process with a unique assembly of commercially available
equipment.
-- Suitable for production of high purity electrolytic manganese metal
(EMM) without the use of selenium, a toxic concentration found in
traditional Chinese EMM production.
-- Suitable for production of high purity electrolytic and chemical
manganese dioxide for use in high tech lithium ion batteries.
With the trend of increasing metal prices, decreasing resource grades and
environmental regulations becoming stricter, ownership of this intellectual
property creates significant opportunity for American Manganese on a world
scale.
Some would say that could be good Karma.
Joe
Mike and Chris Berry Morning Notes
2. IMPORTANT NOTE: Tomorrow we head for Washington D.C. to present at the TREM Conference (March 13 and 14) at the Pentagon City Ritz Carleton. Senator Murkowski is a keynote speaker.
I will be on a panel discussion on supply and demand on Thursday at 2:30 PM. Please see the TREM12 website for more information.
http://www.retailinvestorconferences.com/retail_investor_conferences_march2012.html
Nation-E to sponsor the TREM12 Policy Conference: Critical Materials for Energy & Defense Mar 13-14
The company’s founder Daniel Jammer will give a presentation on Automotive and Grid Storage alongside a host of speakers who are leaders in the minerals, defense technology, cleantech, automotive and finance sectors
Nation-E, a world leader in development, manufacturing, and marketing of unique green energy solutions is a sponsor of the TREM12 Policy Conference: Critical Materials for Energy & Defense the company announced today. The conference will take place March 13-14 at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City in Washington DC.
During the event Nation-E founder Daniel Jammer will give a presentation on Automotive and Grid Storage. Jammer’s mission to lower carbon emissions and curb the country’s dependency on oil has led him and his team of experts to develop new inventions within the arena of Energy Storage and Energy Efficient Management Industries.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of the TREM12 conference in a sponsorship capacity as well as a featured speaker. The conference is renowned for bringing together industry leaders for an exchange of ideas and discussions that help shape policy and assure a cleaner future and the concepts that come from the conference perfectly align with Nation-E’s mission,” Jammer said.
The TREM12 Policy Conference is an event that offers insight into the future of renewable energy from executives, experts and policymakers. It’s attended by leaders in the minerals, defense technology, cleantech, automotive and finance sectors. In addition to Jammer, this year’s TREM conference will include presentations from the likes of His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki—Ambassador Extraodinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the USA; The Honorable Lisa Murkowske—United States Senator from the State of Alaska; The Honorable David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Energy; and Robert F. Cekuta, The Energy Resources Bureau’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
Nation-E’s sponsorship of the conference is appropriate because Technology & Rare Earth Metals (TREM) are essential parts of the clean technology and defense industries while Nation-E is revolutionizing the way markets store, manage and distribute energy. Nation-E’s energy solutions are based on matrix battery technology developed by Nation-E that allows different power sources to communicate through an open protocol. Adaptable to all business levels, transportation, infrastructure, military and home use, the technology gives the battery the capability of storing energy from power grids, batteries, windmills, solar panels and generators with a 98 percent power output.
For more information about Nation-E’s green energy solutions visit www.NationE.com
About TREM12 Policy Conference
The TREM12 Policy Conference offers insight into the future by bringing together the leading companies, policymakers and stakeholders from the minerals, defense technology, cleantech, automotive and finance sectors. Organized by the TREM Center, the event is another way TREM helps industry professionals create dialogue, make connections, educate and advance policies that ensure secure and diverse supply chains for technology metals.
About Nation-E
Nation- E specializes in storage technology and fast charging systems. Nation-E combines strategic knowledge with established market-based R&D. The Nation-E solutions are innovative, future-proof and state of the art. Nation-E AG is a developer and marketer of Lithium Batteries for Storing Regenerative Energies that enable Demand Response and Fast-Charging Technologies for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Nation-E AG also offers advanced High-Tech Solutions for Smart Grid IT and Infrastructure, Smart Metering and a Variety of SmartOffice/Smart Home Appliances.
Tom Still | Business Commentary
Modern technology allows for clean mining
Middle ground possible on Wisconsin mining legislation
March 10, 2012
Some members of the Wisconsin Legislature wouldn't vote for streamlined state mining rules if The Lorax himself descended from above to run the drilling rig. Others would vote for any bill that makes it easier to extract ore in Wisconsin, regardless of the risks to land, air and water.
Somewhere in between are Wisconsin lawmakers who might support the return of iron mining to northern Wisconsin - and the jobs that would come with it - so long as modern environmental standards are met.
Unless there's a dramatic turn of events, however, those lawmakers may never get another chance to demonstrate that compromise is still possible in Wisconsin.
After the state Senate narrowly rejected a bill to change how state mining permits are issued, the head of Gogebic Taconite announced last week the company has dropped plans to build an iron mine southeast of Ashland in northwest Wisconsin.
"We get the message," company president Bill Williams said. "GTac (Gogebic Taconite) is ending plans to invest in a Wisconsin mine."
Is that the final word? Company executives who spend millions of dollars on a project only to watch it falter don't often bluff when it comes to cutting their losses.
Then again, the mining bill was only one vote shy of winding up on Gov. Scott Walker's desk for his signature. Anything can happen when the clock is ticking toward the end of a legislative floor period, especially if the debate is recast in a way that allows lawmakers to reconsider.
The emerging role of clean technologies in modern mining might provide such a framework.
While opponents of the Gogebic mine are correct to point out the many sins of mining over time, from toxic emissions to acid mine drainage, the industry is undergoing what one expert calls "the quiet, clean mining revolution."
Dallas Kachan, the former managing director and executive editor of the Cleantech Group, is generally credited with coining the term cleantech and helping to launch the cleantech investment class. He has written hundreds of reports and articles on clean technologies and speaks at cleantech events around the world.
In a February column for Renewable Energy News, Kachan wrote that technology is helping mining clean up its act. Those technologies are reducing power needs, lowering water requirements and improving remediation strategies, all of which helps mining companies be a lot cleaner while saving money.
"In other words, now that it's starting to be less expensive on net for mining companies to be clean, they're starting to move in that direction," Kachan wrote.
Among examples he cited is an Arizona project by American Manganese, which is preparing to produce electrolytic manganese from low-grade ore while using a fraction of the normal energy and water. Kachan also noted that Canadian companies BacTech Environmental and REBgold are using a patented biological process to remediate toxins and recover gold. BioteQ Environmental Technologies, another Canadian company, is among companies that Kachan believes have developed ways to remove heavy metals, acids and toxins from mine tailings before they seep into groundwater.
Closer to home, institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and UW-Madison are leaders in researching clean water technologies. Many of those innovations were discussed last week at the Green Energy Summit in Milwaukee.
The state's water technology "cluster" of companies, large and small, is producing innovative ways to treat and prevent environmental contamination. AquaMost, a Wisconsin company backed by investors such as the Golden Angels Network in Milwaukee, has developed technologies that can be used to clean water in hydraulic fracturing. "Fracking" is a way to tap into natural gas and oil otherwise locked in deep shale formations.
Finally, the mine itself would employ science and technology professionals whose jobs would revolve around ensuring environmental compliance. They include chemical engineers, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, electrical engineers, environmental scientists, geochemists, geo-engineers, geophysicists, drafting technologists, metallurgical engineers and quality control engineers.
There's no guarantee the Gogebic mine would be totally safe, of course, but the combination of new technologies, professional management and continued careful review by the state Department of Natural Resources and the federal government increase the odds of reliably clean operations.
Lawmakers can wait for Dr. Seuss' Lorax to save the day, but that only happens in the movies. Better yet, they can trust that innovations in mining technologies and smart regulation will provide northern Wisconsin with a brighter economic future. That choice, if still available this late in a critical game, seems clear.
Tom Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council and the Wisconsin Innovation Network. He can be reached at tstill@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.
"We are a few weeks away from Prefes study" says Larry.
http://www.kereport.com/2012/03/10/gold-politics-insights-medical-care/
Segment 2
New word "Superior"
It a One of a kind.
The perfect storm.
More drilling - Water wells, open pit