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News ReleaseNorth American Gem Inc. Potential Alternative Refining Processes, Markets Identified for Concentrate, Louise Lake ProjectDecember 5, 2006: North American Gem Inc. (TSX-V symbol: NAG) is pleased to announce that independently retained consultants and related experts in the field of base metal refining have identified numerous extraction techniques potentially employable as alternatives to standard smelting techniques for concentrate from North American Gem's Louise Lake deposit. This investigation was performed following results of a metallurgical study completed by G & T Metallurgical Services of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
North American Gem felt verification of the existence of potentially viable techniques was necessary for re-commencement of exploration on the Louise Lake copper-gold-molybdenum-silver deposit, due to challenges provided by arsenic grades of 11.4% in concentrate. The road-accessible Louise Lake property is located 35 kilometres west of Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, a full-service community with excellent access to highway, rail and electrical power infrastructure. One of the most promising extraction techniques is the "CESL" copper-gold extraction process, developed by Cominco Engineering Services Ltd. Advantages of this process include on-site processing, eliminating transportation charges, and modification of arsenic to environmentally stable ferric arsenate (CESL website, 2006). Acceptable feed ore minerals include chalcopyrite and enargite, the two copper minerals comprising almost all copper mineralization at Louise Lake, as determined by G & T Metallurgical Services. Another potential technique is the "BIOCOP" bioleaching process developed by BHP Billiton to treat ore containing chalcopyrite and enargite. The process has been shown to be effective, with high copper recoveries. A third potential treatment is "Total Pressure Oxidation", involving chemical oxidation of the concentrate. The residue fixes arsenic as an iron-arsenic precipitate. A fourth technique involves leaching of arsenic and antimony using high pH (strongly alkaline) solutions which can selectively remove arsenic and antimony. The cost of reagents for this particular process is very high; therefore viability will depend on metal value within the deposit. Various other copper leaching processes also exist, which deal with concentrates containing chalcopyrite that may also be amenable to extraction of copper from enargite. Viability of these will depend on rates of precious metal recoveries and quality of residues. At least two "standard" smelters may also be amenable to concentrate from Louise Lake, depending on volume submitted. The findings of these investigations indicate that extraction techniques for high-arsenic-bearing ores exist, together with acceptable disposability of arsenic. Economic viability will depend on costs of extraction and treatment, as well as typical mining, processing and shipping expenditures. North American Gem has now recommenced preparation of its planned 2007 diamond drilling program, consisting of approximately 6,000 metres consisting of approximately 20 holes. This program, to begin in early February, is designed to test potential strike extension of the deposit, as well as to upgrade current resource categories. The Main Zone hosts an unusual mineral assemblage, with copper occurring as a mixture of chalcopyrite and enargite, suggesting upper levels of a porphyry system. The 2004 and 2005 programs extended the known dimensions of the east-west striking, moderately north-dipping tabular Main Zone both to the west and east, as well as down-dip to the north. Year-2006 results indicate the Main Zone now has a minimum strike length of 950 meters, is up to 170 meters thick, and extends to a depth of 250 - 270 meters, where it is abruptly truncated by the flat-lying "Terminator" fault. In 2006 North American Gem commissioned G & T Metallurgical Services Ltd. of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, to conduct metallurgical testing of a 150-kg representative sample of Main Zone core. Excepting high arsenic levels, results were very positive, indicating that a copper concentrate containing 28.9% copper may be produced at a recovery of 85%. The concentrate contained payable levels of gold, at 17.9 g/t, at a recovery of 54%, as well as silver, at 364 g/t with a 44% recovery. The concentrate also contained 0.650% Mo at a recovery of 80%, potentially recoverable as a separate saleable product (see News Release dated November 16/06). The metallurgical study was done in response to positive results released in July, 2006 from the first NI 43-101 verifiable resource estimate on the property, done by SRK Consulting Canada Inc. and commissioned by North American Gem Inc. Results of this study are listed below: Table 1: - SRK classified mineral resources for the Louise Lake deposit.
*All resources quoted at 0.25% CuEq cut-off **CuEq calculated using the following metal prices: Cu US$1.2/lb, Mo US$8/lb, Au US$450/oz, Ag US$7/oz ***metallurgical recoveries and net smelter returns assumed at 100% This News Release was reviewed and approved by Carl Schulze, BSc, PGeo, Qualified Person for the project, in accordance with regulations under National Instrument 43-101. All sample analysis was done by ALS Chemex of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The metallurgical study was done by G & T Metallurgical Services of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Private Placement The Company has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,000,000 units at a price of $0.15 per unit for total proceeds of up to $750,000 subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Up to 1,000,000 units will be issued as non flow-through units consisting of one common share and one full warrant. One full warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.175 per share for the first year, and $0.20 per share in the second year. Up to 4,000,000 units will be issued as flow-through units consisting of one common share and one half (1/2) share purchase warrant, one full warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.175 per share in the first year and $0.20 per share in the second year. The proceeds of the private placement will be used for exploration work on the Company's mineral properties and general working capital. About North American Gem Inc. North American Gem Inc. (TSX-V symbol: NAG) is a junior exploration Company based in Western Canada. The Company's primary goal is to explore for Uranium, Molybdenum, Gold, Copper and other base metals. The Company is actively pursuing several opportunities, including the Louise Lake copper-gold-molybdenum-silver deposit and Mt. Ogden molybdenum property, both located in British Columbia, Canada. The Company is also pursuing its uranium projects, consisting of the Whiskey Gap, Del Bonita, Western Basin, and Bonny Fault projects, all located in Alberta, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors NORTH AMERICAN GEM INC. "Charles Desjardins" Charles Desjardins President and Director The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, historical estimates should not be relied upon, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. News release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
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