This is a response that I received from a e-mail sent to Scott Sanner of the BLM in Idaho, so don't look for a open pit mine in the near future.

I can confirm that the EIS process for Elk City Mining's (Premium's joint
venture company) open pit gold mine near Elk City, Idaho is currently
on-hold. At this time I cannot confirm if the project will be continued.
Also, I don't know if any trips are planned for August. As for permitting
a mine on federal lands in Idaho, the company must comply with all federal,
state and local laws and regulations, and work with various federal and
state agencies. With respect to time frame for completing an EIS, it could
be done in under 2 years, but could take over 3 years. Mainly it depends
on the issues involved and if the final document does or does not get
appealed by concerned citizens. If the proposal ends up in the
courts...anybody's guess is as good as the next.

If you have any more question please let me know.

Regards,
Scott Sanner
Mining Engineer
Coeur d'Alene Field Office
208-769-5032
07/15/2009 06:52 Scott_Sanner@blm.gov

Good morning sir. I am currently a shareholder in Premium Exploration,
which is presently doing drilling in the state of Idaho in the Elk City
area. I have been reading that the EIS process has currently been halted
by the company at this time, but would be restarted once results from the
assays are completed. Could you possibly enlighten myself whether the BLM
or another arm of the US government is planning any trips to the Premium
sites in Idaho in the month of August? I currently am a shareholder in
another gold company in a EU jurisdiction that is having extremely hard
times with the current government in relation to the EIA process and was
wondering if you could enlighten myself on the necessary requirements in
the US and the state of Idaho to bring a gold project into production and
the estimated time frame.

Thanks for any information you may be legally able to send at this time.