NEW YORK, Aug. 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MFMM) (Frankfurt:M1M) is today pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bjorn Anckar, MSc., as the Company's Chief Gemologist to further the Company's continuing efforts to optimise and expand the production of the Company's gemstone deposits in Zambia and Madagascar. Mr. Anckar will be based in Zambia.
A Swedish national, Mr. Anckar studied geology at the University of Goteborg attaining an M.Sc. in Earth Sciences, a degree which emphasized mineralogy, petrology, ore geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology and underground mine construction. Subsequently, he studied at the Chalmers University of Technology in Goteborg, Sweden attaining an M.Sc. in Petroleum Exploration, a degree which encompasses sedimentology, sedimentary petrology, structural geology, reservoir description, wireline log analysis, geophysics and seismic interpretation. He also studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California attaining a diploma as a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and at the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in London receiving the Fellowship Diploma (F.G.A.). As well as speaking fluent English and Swedish, Mr. Anckar is also conversant in Portuguese, French, Spanish and German.
Mr. Anckar is a highly qualified Geologist specializing in gemstone deposits. His work experience includes exploration and feasibility studies, alluvial diamond and colored gemstone deposits, kimberlite mineralogy, geology and exploration, emerald geology, pegmatite geology and metamorphic, hydrothermal and skarn gemstone geology. He is an experienced gemologist, having worked in the identification, valuation and marketing of colored gemstones and diamonds, and has designed courses in practical gemology. He also has extensive experience in small-scale mining as an advisor in small-scale exploration and mining operations in Sweden, Botswana, South Africa, Brazil, Angola and Zambia.
He is a contributing author to "Gems and Gemology," the world's leading gem industry magazine and has co-authored articles entitled -- "Emeralds from the Kafubu Area, Zambia," "Amethyst Mining in Zambia" and "Trapiche Tourmaline from Zambia." He also gave a presentation on Zambian amethyst mining at the 4th International Gemological Symposium / GIA Gemological Research Conference in San Diego, California in 2006.
Mr. Anckar's twenty-year career in geology and gemology has included most recently a five-year assignment with the European Union's Mining Sector Diversification Programme - Zambia, as a valuation expert, geologist and gemologist, and as a Consultant in South Africa as a gemstone valuer and cutter on an alluvial diamond project. Some of the major companies Mr. Anckar has worked with include, amongst others -- Xanadu Mining (Pty) Ltd., of South Africa, as an exploration geologist, Sphere Mining Development of Angola as their Geology Manager, and Mineral Services Pty. Ltd., as the Laboratory Manager, Principal Geologist and Diamond Valuer. He was also self-employed for a number of years as an Independent Consulting & Contracting Geologist and Gemologist, involved in the evaluation and cutting of gemstones and as a wholesale dealer in Sweden and Japan in rough and polished gemstones, which included emeralds, sapphires, rubies, diamonds and various other precious and semi-precious stones.
Clive de Larrabeiti, President of Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Inc. stated:
"With his wide breadth of education and extensive experience in the geology and gemstone sectors in mining, evaluation, marketing and sales, we welcome Bjorn, who will be able to provide us with invaluable advice and guidance in our plans for developing and expanding our gemstone operations in both Zambia, where we are actively mining amethyst, and Madagascar, where we expect to reactivate and expand our sapphire mining operations this calendar year. We are delighted to be able to attract a qualified professional like Bjorn to share our vision of a diverse and successful gold and gemstone mining Company in the Southern African Development Community."
The Company also wishes to announce that Dr. Michael Smith has recently resigned as a Director. The Company and its Board of Directors wish to thank Dr. Smith for his time spent with us and his invaluable contribution to the Company's corporate development to date, in Zambia.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Clive de Larrabeiti CEO & President
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the Company's analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various mining project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "will," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "goal," "expects," "future," "intends" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in this press release. Such risks include, but are not limited to terrorist activities that may affect our business or the economy in general; lack of success in mining activities; the prices of metals and gemstones; lack of funds to conduct mining activities; increase in costs of production, and similar risks. For further information about the Company, please refer to its materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov