PATERSON, N.J., June 25, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Quest Minerals & Mining Corp. (OTCBB:QMNM) (Frankfurt:QMNB), a Kentucky-based operator of energy and mineral related properties, announced today that their contract mining group, Whitestar Mining, LLC., will be making the final maintenance and equipment repairs necessary to gear up for the upcoming coal mining stage. The company is currently preparing to mine its Pond Creek location, held under its wholly owned subsidiary, Gwenco, Inc.
Everett Hampton, President of Whitestar Mining, LLC., stated, "Upon review of the mine maps, all rehabbed areas should be 100% complete pending no major complications by early next week. We are at a point now where we need to repair and touch up our equipment so that we can meet the expected production goals of 1,200 to 1,500 tons per day as determined when we first took on this project. We have accomplished what other contract miners have avoided for the last 5 years. It was not easy or inexpensive, but it's ultimately nearing fruition. The rock and metal left in the roof that needed to be cut down has been some of the toughest work I have experienced in my 25 years as a coal miner. This is a great coal mine, with many years of production."
Eugene J. Chiaramonte, Jr., President of Quest Minerals & Mining Corp., stated, "I am proud that we have persevered through the rehab phase, and have taken the time to do it right. I have been receiving calls daily with offers to procure our coal. The local coal buyers visit the mine weekly to see what we have achieved. Everyone is excited and pleased. We are finally ready to move forward and I believe 100% in Whitestar's ability to get the job done."
About Quest Minerals & Mining
Quest Minerals & Mining Corp., or Quest, acquires and operates energy and mineral related properties in the southeastern part of the United States. Quest focuses its efforts on properties that produce quality compliance blend coal. For more information on Quest Minerals & Mining Corp., please visit our website at www.questmining.net.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains discussion of items that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Quest believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, lack of revenue producing operations, lack of working capital, debt obligations, judgments and lien claims against Quest and certain of its assets, difficulties in refinancing short term debt, difficulties identifying and acquiring complementary businesses, fluctuations in coal, oil & gas, and other energy prices, general economic conditions in markets in which Quest does business, extensive environmental and workplace regulation by federal and state agencies, other general risks related to its common stock, and other uncertainties and business issues that are detailed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.