Not sure if this is the place to post this, but here goes, PHPI,
Etruscan Resources Inc.: Mine Manager Appointed for Tirisano Diamond Mine
WINDSOR, NOVA SCOTIA--Etruscan Resources Inc. (EET:TSX) and
Mountain Lake Resources (MOA:TSX) announced today the appointment
of Daniel Van Der Merwe as Mine Manager for the Tirisano Diamond
Mine located near Ventersdorp, South Africa. Mr. Van Der Merwe
has extensive operating experience with alluvial diamond mines in
South Africa. He most recently worked as Project Manager for
Namakwa Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd. overseeing their West Coast
Project. Prior to this Mr. Van Der Merwe was Superintendent -
Metallurgy & Engineering for Trans Hex Group's Saxondrift Mine
where he successfully built, commissioned and operated a number
of diamond processing plants. Trans Hex is the second largest
producer of diamonds in South Africa.
Gerald McConnell and Allen Sheito, respectively President and
Chief Executive Officers of Etruscan and Mountain Lake jointly
stated, "We are pleased to have an individual of the calibre of
Mr. Van Der Merwe as Mine Manager at Tirisano. Mr. Van Der Merwe
brings a wealth of experience to the company and is building a
solid operating team at the mine. On behalf of Etruscan Diamonds
(Pty) Ltd. , we extend a sincere welcome to Mr. Van Der Merwe."
The initial phase of the Tirisano Mine is forecast to process 1.2
million tonnes and recover 19,200 carats per annum. The plant
was successfully commissioned at the end of October and since
that time a number of modifications have been made to increase
plant efficiency. The scrubber unit has experienced down time as
a result of a manufacturing flaw in the drive assembly, which has
now been remedied. This down time has limited production.
However, the gravels processed to date have yielded gem quality
diamonds in a size range consistent with original projections.
The largest single stone that has been recovered from Tirisano
since processing began in late October is 14.05 carats. Etruscan
Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. will report on the details of the diamonds
recovered once a minimum of 100,000 tonnes of diamondiferous
gravel has been processed.
Further information about the Tirisano Mine can be found on
Etruscan's website at www.etruscan.com. The common shares of
Etruscan are traded on The TSX Exchange under the symbol "EET".
The common shares of Mountain Lake are traded on the TSX Venture
Exchange under the symbol "MOA".
KC
