David Watkinson, the current president and CEO of Emgold's wholly-owned subsidiary, the Idaho-Maryland Mining Company, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Emgold Mining Corporation. Corporate headquarters are located in Vancouver, B.C. Watkinson will also sit on Emgold's board of directors.
According to the junior mining company's news release posted on its website yesterday (www.emgold.com), Watkinson "will be primarily responsible for securing the Conditional Mine Use Permit (CMUP) for the Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine, located in Grass Valley, California, as well as continued analysis and geologic modelling, preliminary mine planning and the day to day operations of the Company. Mr. Watkinson currently lives in Grass Valley as an integral member of the community and will continue to be Emgold's chief spokesperson for all permitting, community relations and operational matters."
The City of Grass Valley is in the midst of preparing an environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed underground hardrock gold mine at the site of the abandoned Idaho-Maryland mine, which closed in 1956. The EIR is slated to be completed sometime next spring and will analyze various alternatives, including no project, reduced project, and site configuration.
