http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/ Gold Bulletin is the free, international, peer-reviewed journal focused on the science and technical uses of gold. Published by the World Gold Council. en info@gold.org Copyright 2009 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11031/gold_bullion_is_valuable_wherever_people_go http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11031/gold_bullion_is_valuable_wherever_people_go
US-based dealer IRC Coins has outlined the benefits of investing in gold bullion, stating that it is valuable wherever people may go.

"No matter where you are - New Delhi, Madagascar, France – everyone is familiar with the value of an ounce of gold," the organisation noted.

It explained that the true price of gold bullion is judged on its melt value and that a profit can be made if the price of gold increases.

However, it added that the value of numismatic gold such as coins is not directly tied to the price of the precious metal, which means the value may rise over time regardless of the stock markets.

Based in Minneapolis, IRC Coins offers the opportunity to invest in Saint Gauden Double Eagle coins, which it claims are among the rarest and most desirable pieces in the world.
]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11032/jewellers_must_focus_on_customer_service http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11032/jewellers_must_focus_on_customer_service
Cindi Light, the owner of US company Jewelry by the Lighthouse, has stated that some gold merchants are experiencing higher costs as a result of the rising price of the precious metal coupled with the credit crunch.

She said that the key to surviving the slowdown is to "understand what styles of jewellery are currently in fashion" while keeping overheads down.

Ms Light also advised jewellers to "bend over backward" to meet customers' needs and take the time to comply with individual requests.

"The customer remembers who helped them out," she commented.

Elsewhere, a Taiwan-based company has created a range of gold jewellery to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Ox.

Emphasis Jewelry claimed that the designs represent symbols of good luck for the Chinese New Year.
]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11033/krishna_pearls_jewellers_opens_gold_store_at_rajiv_gandhi_international_airport http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11033/krishna_pearls_jewellers_opens_gold_store_at_rajiv_gandhi_international_airport
The shop stocks a range of gold jewellery and is located in the domestic departure area of the airport near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Viswanath Attaluri, chief commercial officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport, commented: "Hyderabad has always been referred to as the 'city of pearls' and the establishment of this store at the airport adds value to the shopping experience of passengers."

Based in Hyderabad, Krishna Pearls & Jewellers produces a range of innovative fine gold jewellery studded with pearls and precious stones.

Founded in 1983, the company has eight showrooms and a number of hotel outlets around Hyderabad in addition to the new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport store.

In other news, Kozhikode-based Malabar Gold has opened a new Mine store specialising in bridal jewellery in Kochi, Kerala with Mahendra Brothers.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11034/high_river_gold_provides_update_on_mines http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11034/high_river_gold_provides_update_on_mines
The update revealed that operations at its Taparko mill restarted in November 2008, with December gold production of around 4,100 ounces and plans to correct a mill vibration problem this month.

Commercial production was achieved at the Berezitovy mill on October 1st 2008 and throughput has regularly exceeded 85 per cent of the design capacity, achieving December gold production of approximately 1,400 ounces.

High River Gold is continuing to operate its Zun-Holba and Irokinda underground gold mines according to plan and has claimed that they are "currently on track to meet the budgeted 2008 whole year production target of 145,000 gold ounces".

The company's head office cash position was an estimated $11 million (£7.6 million) as of December 31st 2008

Based in Toronto, Ontario, High River Gold is an unhedged gold company with a number of projects at various stages in Burkina Faso and Russia.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11035/new_gold_couture_range_from_links_of_london http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11035/new_gold_couture_range_from_links_of_london
The couture pieces form part of the debut collection of the company's new creative director Elizabeth Galton, Retail Jeweller has reported.

Launched alongside the Links of London Flutter and Wow spring/summer collection, the new fine jewellery couture range will be on show in the firm's flagship store in Sloane Square, London.

Available on a made-to-order basis with prices on request, the couture pieces are based around a central design theme of an asymmetrical heart-shaped cage.

"My vision is to fuse modernity and offbeat glamour, reflecting the edgy styling and urban cool which makes London the epicentre of innovation," Ms Galton commented.

Founded in 1990, Links of London offers a range of men's and women's 18-c gold jewellery, including charms and charm bracelets and the brand is stocked by London fashion store Harvey Nichols.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11036/malabar_gold_opens_mine_store_in_kochi http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11036/malabar_gold_opens_mine_store_in_kochi
The Mine outlet in Kochi, Kerala, specialises in bridal jewellery, according to Indopia.

Opened by film star and Malabar Gold brand ambassador Mohanlal, the new store is the sixth Mine shop in India and other Mine stores are currently located in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Erode and Mangalore.

Based in Kozhikode, Malabar Gold is a retail jewellery chain that was founded in 1993 and now has 25 international showrooms, with plans to dramatically expand its reach in India and the Middle East over the next two years.

The premium jewellery company is currently running the Vivaham Bridal Jewellery Festival at all its showrooms until January 24th.

Malabar Gold has launched a new scheme to enable customers to display heirlooms at its showrooms, with prizes for the best collection, while the firm's new Gold Purchase Scheme helps customers to accumulate gold in monthly installments.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11038/new_mine_planned_for_west_sumbawa http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11038/new_mine_planned_for_west_sumbawa
According to the Jakarta Post, Sumbawa Barat Sejahtera Bersama (SBSB) has been issued with a mining licence to mine gold in Batu Hijau, West Nusa Tenggara.

The concession from the West Sumbawa regency administration will allow SBSB to operate in the Brang Ene district, conducting research and soil analysis in an area consisting largely of damaged forest.

According to West Sumbawa regent Zulkifli Muhadli, the prospecting license for a 23,000 hectare concession was issued to SBSB after it agreed to allot a 15 per cent stake and 2.5 per cent of its net profits to the regency administration and ensure that 75 per cent of its workforce is local.

SBSB is reportedly planning to process gold ore into ingots, which will be exported overseas.

Meanwhile, Australian miner Oz Minerals is looking for a buyer for its Martabe gold project in Indonesia this month.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11039/arctic_oil_gas_rapidly_progressing_placer_mine_developments http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11039/arctic_oil_gas_rapidly_progressing_placer_mine_developments
The resources development firm plans to commission the two Alaskan projects in 2009, producing around 300,000 ounces of gold a year during their first year in production.

According to Arctic Oil & Gas, gold resources are expected to total at least one million ounces of placer gold and additional large-scale placer gold deposits in warmer regions are also being evaluated.

The company is currently re-evaluating historical drilling and bulk sampling and claims that the Nome offshore placer mining project could be implemented on an increasingly larger scale as a result of the "potentially large resources available".

A $250 million (£172.5 million) private offering is being distributed for delivery of 500,000 ounces of gold at $500 per ounce.

Arctic Oil & Gas's gold exploration division recently established a joint venture to pursue precious metals resource opportunities and is an 80 per cent equity partner in the Norton Sound Oceanic placer gold project.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11040/northern_gold_mining_publishes_2008_drilling_update http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11040/northern_gold_mining_publishes_2008_drilling_update
The company drilled 13,524m at the Fidelity area on the Kirkland Lake prospect and 40 drill holes totalling 6,041m were drilled in the Fidelity area, with initial surface sampling indicating high gold values.

Northern Gold Mining has logged a total of 10,539m out of the 13,524m drilled and logging has been completed on 72 drill holes out of 82 completed in this programme.

Work has now started on the Fredrick House Lake project in the Timmins, Ontario area in preparation for a diamond drill programme planned for winter 2009.

Based in Toronto, Northern Gold Mining is a junior resource company dedicated to gold exploration in Kirkland Lake and Timmins in Northern Ontario.

The firm is in the process of developing the Benoit property and Kirana claims in Kirkland Lake and the Frederick House Lake, Hoyle North, Matheson, and Pamour claims in Timmins, two of Canada's most prolific mining regions.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11041/new_gold_rush_being_seen_in_us_state http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/05/story/11041/new_gold_rush_being_seen_in_us_state
People are exchanging their savings and stock portfolios for the precious metal as they believe it is "recession-proof", reports the Idaho Statesman site.

James Porter, the manager of a gold exchange in Boise told the news provider: "There is a lot of safe-haven buying."

And Paul Baiocchi, a market analyst from Delta Global Advisors, was quoted as saying: "Gold has always held the image of the truest form of money."

The site noted that the physical nature of gold draws investors in times of economic strife as it is a tangible asset.

Recently, Len Sham from the South African Coin Exchange revealed that the demand for gold items from the country, such as Krugerrand gold coins, has reached "phenomenal" levels.

He said that this is due to more people wishing to own the coins in times of economic turbulence.
]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11020/fronteer_development_reports_new_drill_results_for_long_canyon http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11020/fronteer_development_reports_new_drill_results_for_long_canyon
According to the Vancouver-based company, the latest drill results for the prospect have "both strengthened and extended high-grade, oxide gold mineralisation".

Drilling highlights include 9.03 g/t gold over 25.8m, including 14.44 g/t over 6.9m in hole LC173C in a 150m long gap between mineralised holes in the West Zone.

In several step-out holes extending the north-east and Shadow zones, Fronteer Development also discovered 5.45 g/t over 7.6m, including 9.36 g/t over 3m in LC172, 4.34 g/t gold over 16.8m in LC130C and 1.18 g/t over 27.5m in LC158.

"With drilling consistently intersecting near-surface, high-grade oxide gold mineralisation, Long Canyon is developing into a high-quality gold deposit," the firm said in a statement.

Through a participating joint venture with AuEx Ventures, gold-focused exploration and development business Fronteer is the majority owner and manager of Long Canyon and Sandman, Northumberland and Long Canyon are currently its leading gold properties in Nevada.]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11024/zara_phillips_accessorises_with_gold_coin_earrings http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11024/zara_phillips_accessorises_with_gold_coin_earrings
Now sporting a stylish fringe, the young Royal accessorised with a dramatic magenta fascinator by Philip Treacy, the Daily Mail reports.

More than 2,000 people turned out to watch Royal family members attend the annual Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Zara, 27, wore a stylish ponytail at Cheltenham Races on New Year's Day this year with a pair of pretty earrings and a warm grey scarf.

Meanwhile, US television station Extra has announced that one person who signs up to become an 'Extra' friend will receive a pair of 18-c white gold Lorraine Schwartz triple-hoop earrings worth over $13,000 (£8,980).]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11025/new_white_gold_range_from_zam_gems http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11025/new_white_gold_range_from_zam_gems
The Premium White Gold collection is available in Sri Lanka and is a response to the increased popularity of white gold in the country, the Sri Lankan Daily Mirror reported.

Ahsan Refai, Zam Gems managing director, said: "The advanced technological methods we are introducing will give white gold jewellery a whole new dimension as you will have the highest quality and highest level of visual appeal as well."

Available from all Zam Gems outlets, Premium White Gold items are pure white, will not change their colour and are available in a range of exclusive designs.

Specialising in fine yellow and white gold jewellery, Zam Gems was established in 1976 by ZAM Refai and employs master craftsmen and designers.

The firm's showrooms are in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan and the Maldives.]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11027/timberline_publishes_2009_exploration_results http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11027/timberline_publishes_2009_exploration_results
The firm is concentrating its exploration efforts on "the advancement of the Butte Highlands project" and has revealed that its 2008 gross revenues increased by 65 per cent to $31.73 million (£21.92 million).

A four-hole drill programme was carried out at the Butte Highlands gold project, with hole BH-DDH 08-03 returning several mineralised gold intervals including 2ft at 0.62 oz/t of gold, 37ft at 0.22 oz/t, 9ft at 0.43 oz/t and 35ft at 0.14 oz/t.

Timberline Resources claims that its latest results have demonstrated the north-west extension of the upper, middle and lower zones and states that its exploration staff believe that "both the extension and the discovery have the potential to greatly increase mineralisation estimates at Butte Highlands".

Trading under the symbol TLR on the NYSE Alternext US, Timberline Resources combines mining services and mineral exploration into an investment vehicle that includes drilling subsidiaries in the western US and Mexico focused on high-potential, district-scale projects.]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11028/indian_bank_unveils_plans_to_sell_gold_coins http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11028/indian_bank_unveils_plans_to_sell_gold_coins
Andhra Bank is looking to grow in the New Year and is offering the gold coins as well as launching new online and mobile banking services.

The organisation will offer 24-c gold coins from Switzerland in four, eight and ten gram varieties.

Each piece will come with a certificate of assay guaranteeing its quality.

In 2008, India Post announced it was to sell gold coins through its post office outlets throughout the country.

People can now buy 24-c gold coins in 0.5, one, five and eight gram forms from post offices in Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

The items are packed in a sealed cover and are sold with a certification paper from Valcambi, Switzerland.

Prior to the launch of the service, 102 post offices in key cities were identified as the most appropriate locations to introduce the gold coins.
]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11029/gold_jewellery_created_to_commemorate_year_of_the_ox http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11029/gold_jewellery_created_to_commemorate_year_of_the_ox
Designs include an ox dressed in the attire of a money god and an ox holding a Chinese gold ingot, which both signify prosperity and the bull market.

Additionally, the company has released gold charms featuring the 12 Chinese symbols of the zodiac.

The firm claimed that these pieces represent a "fusion of traditional and modern styles", adding that they have been created following consultations with fortune tellers.

Traditionally, the Chinese New Year is a cause for the celebration of change and the colours of red and gold are featured heavily in decorations as they are considered to signify wealth and happiness, according to Family Values.

The site recommends that Chinese people adorn their homes with the colours to help them enjoy good fortune.
]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11030/gold_nanoparticles_attached_to_dna http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2009/01/02/story/11030/gold_nanoparticles_attached_to_dna
Hao Yan and Yan Liu from Arizona State University conducted the work, which was supported by the National Science Foundation.

They wanted to create an effective way of assembling structures using nanotubes so they looked to the natural self-assembling properties of DNA to help them.

By changing the size of the gold particles that were bound to the DNA, they were able to manipulate the size and shape of the nanotubes, meaning that they could be used to build a number of three-dimensional structures.

"The ability to build predicted structures and provide experimental feedback to current theories is critical to the nanotechnology field," remarked Hao Yan.

In related news, Wisconsin-based gold nano products firm Platypus Technologies has appointed Richard Schifreen as its president and chief executive officer.
]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11014/bonaventure_updates_on_nevada_gold_exploration http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11014/bonaventure_updates_on_nevada_gold_exploration
At Squaw Creek, a core drilling hole intersected an area of 1.07 g/t gold over 37 metres, including two assays of three g/t gold in a deeper offset zone.

The firm noted that gold content at the site continued to increase with depth and that further exploration work is needed in 2009 to provide more information on the high-grade gold veins.

Bonaventure stated that it hopes to find similar mineralisation at Squaw Creek to Newmont's Midas mine and Great Basin Gold's Hollister deposit, both located nearby in the Carlin gold trend.

At Cottonwood, Bonaventure has conducted magnetic surveys and believes that Carlin-style gold mineralisation is present in the region.

Meanwhile, a business deal between Linear Gold and Central Sun Mining has been described as an "attractive opportunity" for both organisations.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11015/tara_gold_finalises_la_currita_agreement http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11015/tara_gold_finalises_la_currita_agreement
The newly-acquired area is adjacent to Coeur d'Alene's Palmarejo gold prospect that is currently under construction.

Under the agreement, Coeur has paid Tara Gold an initial sum of $250,000 (£172,078) and will make extra payments over a two-year period.

The final total of the transaction will amount to £2.75 million, allowing Coeur to obtain the complete 100 per cent interest in the property.

It borders the south-east part of the firm's Guadalupe deposit in the Palmarejo district, where the company has been drilling and identifying mineral resources.

Surface gold has been discovered at the La Currita project, with sample returning values of up to five g/t gold.

Meanwhile, AuEx Ventures has announced that it has recorded the "best results yet" from its Long Canyon project in Elko County, Nevada.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11016/gold_nano_firm_appoints_new_executive http://www.goldbulletin.org/news/2008/12/31/story/11016/gold_nano_firm_appoints_new_executive
Richard Schifreen has been named as president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin-based Platypus Technologies.

The company has a range of nano products, including line of gold-coated substrates to be used in industrial applications.

Mr Schifreen joins the organisation after fulfilling the role of vice president of research products at Mirus Bio.

He replaces Platypus' previous president Jeffery Williams, who left the company to build on opportunities in molecular biology.

Platypus states that its gold substrate products allow those in industry to avoid contamination and reproducibility problems.

Features of the items include metal films created using electron beams and plasma-cleaned surfaces.

In addition, they are produced in a dedicated clean environment.

The company also offers a bespoke gold-coating service for use in the engineering, electrical, materials science, biological and chemical industries.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000