FRANKFURT, Germany, Nov. 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Inc. (OTCBB:MFMM) (Frankfurt:M1M) is pleased to announce that Sonja Still, a German TV producer and director has filmed a documentary focused on the Company's amethyst mining operations in Zambia.
The documentary is being produced by ARTE in cooperation with Bayerischer Rundfunk, a broadcasting company and a member of the ARD, which encompasses all of the broadcasting stations in Germany. ARTE is one of Germany's most popular TV channels. The program will be aired in German and will also go out in French, and aired in France.
The documentary will be focused on Mayfair's amethyst mining operations in the Mapatizya district near Lake Kariba, the principal amethyst producing area of Zambia and will feature the actual mining of the stones as well as the sorting, sawing, knocking and grading of the final product and packaging for shipment to foreign markets at the company's depot in Kafue, south of Lusaka. The principals of Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Zambia were interviewed and the company and its mining activities will be extensively featured in the program, scheduled for release in coming months. The program also focused on the benefits that Mayfair Mining brings to the Zambian economy, by way of employing local people to work on its sites, improvements to the infrastructure in the areas of Mayfair's activities and the good relationships the company enjoys with local leaders and government officials, including those at the Ministry of Mining.
The company wishes to make clear that the producer of the documentary sought contact with Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Inc., as she wished to make a documentary on mining in a foreign country and the effects that had on the local population and country infrastructure. Mayfair Mining & Minerals, Inc., nor any of its directors, shareholders or any associated parties paid any consideration for the production of this program.
Clive de Larrabeiti CEO and President of Mayfair Mining stated that: -- "We are pleased with the progress we have made, with our local partners, in establishing the infrastructure to produce amethyst gemstones in growing quantities. We expect to make our first shipment of stones very soon and this will be the start of revenue and cash flow in our Zambian subsidiary. I commend our local partners in the achievement of this, utilizing strict budgets and conscientious employment policies. The social benefits to the area of our operations in Zambia, both in the amethyst area and on our gold and platinum projects are considerable and it will be a pleasure to continue to contribute, when and where we can to the society, and to continue to build our government relationships within this resource rich country. The market for all grades of amethyst is large and growing and we fully expect to be able to sell every grade of our production -- from the industrial through to the much sought after gem quality stones."
A Brief History of Amethyst
Purple has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst has been so much in demand during history. Fine amethysts are featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. Amethyst, transparent purple quartz, is the most important quartz variety used in jewelry.
Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence.
Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, amethyst was very important in the ornamentation of Catholic and other churches in the Middle Ages. It was, in particular, considered to be the stone of bishops and they still often wear amethyst rings.
In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it.
The Greek word "amethystos" basically can be translated as "not drunken." Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it. The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.
The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek myths. Dionysus, the god of intoxication, was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish. Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today.
Amethyst ranges in color from pale lilac to deep purple. The pale colors are sometimes called "Rose de France" and can be seen set in Victorian jewelry. The deep colors are the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with rose flashes.
Amethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as in Zambia, Namibia and other African countries.
Generally, amethyst from South America tends to be available in larger sizes than African amethyst but amethyst from Africa has the reputation for having better, more saturated, color in small sizes. Very dark amethyst, mostly in small sizes, is also mined in Australia.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Clive de Larrabeiti CEO & President For contact - + 44 1444 255149 info@mayfair-mining.com
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 Harbor" 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.