PATERSON, N.J., Sept. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quest Minerals & Mining Corp. (OTCBB:QMNM) (Frankfurt:QMNB.F), a Kentucky-based operator of energy and mineral related properties, is pleased to announce Pond Creek post improvement production information.
As announced earlier this week, the Pond Creek Mine has returned to production after a brief maintenance shutdown. According to Mr. Eugene Chiaramonte, Jr., President of Quest, "We needed to make a decision about how to proceed with the overhaul issues at the mine. I decided it was best to stop production temporarily, complete the overhaul, and get back to work on the coal. It appears to be a good decision based on the production over the last few days and the progress we are currently making."
Between Sept. 8 and Sept 9, the mine has shipped 35 trailers of coal, each holding 42 tons to its wash plant for processing. This is an average of about 700 tons of raw coal per day.
Mr. Chiaramonte, Jr. further noted, "The tonnage of coal coming out of the mine should increase on a daily basis, as we are still in the process of completing a turn to put us on the full face of the coal seam. For each portion of the turn we complete, the coal output increases considerably. We fully expect to have the turn completed within the next 8 days, barring any equipment failures or set-backs. Once that turn is completed we can then expect to proceed at or near full capacity."
The Pond Creek mine currently employs 20 full time miners in two shifts. The first shift has 12 miners that are dedicated to mining unless a major equipment failure occurs. The second shift of 8 miners is the maintenance shift, where routine maintenance is done. This second shift also mines coal when there is no maintenance work, or all work has been completed.
Mr. Chiaramonte, Jr. completed his statement by saying, "This is an exciting time for Pond Creek. We are attaining our goals and reaching the large main seam of coal, and I anticipate some large increases in production as we venture into the fourth quarter of this year."
Quest is committed to its mission and stock holders, and will publish further production information at Pond Creek and rehabilitation information on the Cedar Grove mine as it becomes available.
For more information visit: http://www.outcasttrader.com or http://www.questmining.net.
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.
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.