| To: T A P who wrote () | 8/26/1999 11:58:00 AM | | From: T A P | | | |
VGLD NEWS!!National Post!!
nationalpost.com
Thursday, August 26, 1999
Doug Lewis turns treasure hunter
Former minister heads company after gold bullion
Stephen Miles
Financial Post
Tom Hanson, The Canadian Press
Doug Lewis
Doug Lewis, former long-time member of federal Parliament, senior cabinet minister and solicitor general in the Mulroney government, has emerged at the helm of a new public company chasing a fortune in gold bullion, coins and precious gems in the Caribbean.
Toronto-based Visa Gold Explorations Inc., which went public on the Canadian Dealing Network yesterday, holds the rights to hunt for treasure off the coast of Cuba.
Mr Lewis, president of the fledgling firm and chief negotiator of salvage rights with the Cuban government, said the company yesterday began diving on the site of what is believed to be a fleet of Spanish galleons near Havana.
A major target in the search is the Santissima Trinidad, a Spanish galleon that foundered in a hurricane in 1711, taking $400-million worth of silver coins and other treasures to the seabed.
Dreams of untold riches from recovering precious gems and pieces of eight have captured the imagination of Visa Gold investors.
After opening at $1.50 on its first day of trading, Visa Gold stares traded as high as $1.70 before closing up 15½ at $1.60.
Visa Gold has a joint-venture deal with the Cuban government and state-owned Geomar SA, a branch of the Cuban Hydrographic Department, to excavate and salvage shipwrecks in two areas in Cuban waters that have been off limits to exploration by foreigners since the 1959 revolution.
The areas, totalling 5,000 square kilometres, are littered with shipwrecks, including 25 sunken galleons, the firm says. The first area stretches west from the mouth of Havana harbour and the second surrounds the Isle of Youth on the south coast.
Because of its geographical location, Havana was a major trade and commerce centre for almost 250 years, and a major launching point for ships headed to Europe. But pirates and rough weather made it risky to sail the waters.
Spanish galleons, many loaded with treasure from South America, often were lost in the region, resulting in the largest concentration of shipwrecks in the world.
Visa Gold hopes to salvage some of those wrecks.
Mr. Lewis, advisor to Visa Gold since 1993, said the project was more than just a treasure hunt. "This is a business deal, pure and simple," he said.
"We have a pretty good lead on the fleet that went down in 1711 in the Santa Anna River area. Five divers have gone down today to start the underwater search."
He said the firm would spend $30,000 (US) to $40,000 (US) a month on exploration. "When we find something we'll recover it properly. We're not in this to melt it down into a gold ingot.
"Anything we bring up will be evaluated. The Cuban government gets 50% of the net value and we get recovery expenses. Then we will divide the balance with Geomar, our joint-venture partner."
However, the former wily politician would not be drawn into estimating the value of any recoverable riches.
"I've refused to get into that because it's a mug's game," he said. "I prefer to look at it in terms of the area that we've got is the best in Cuba and we have the right equipment and resources to bring to bear on it."
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.
for more info go to T A P profile for url. |
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| To: T A P who wrote (1) | 9/3/1999 11:21:00 AM | | From: T A P | | | |
VGLD 9/1 Boston Globe Article
By Andrew Cawthorne, Reuters, 09/01/99
HAVANA - A Canadian firm has begun exploring the Caribbean waters near Cuba in a hunt for a hidden bullion of enormous historic and financial value that sank with Spanish galleons hundreds of years ago.
'We've reached the exciting part,' said Doug Lewis, head of Visa Gold Exploration Inc., which has been preparing since 1993 for the in-depth search launched last week.
Visa Gold is one of three foreign companies working in a joint venture with the Cuban government in what experts say could be the most lucrative gold hunt in marine history.
While they have tempted bounty hunters over the years, the shipwrecks and their treasure, worth billions of dollars now, have never been systematically tracked down.
Lewis's firm has two concessions from President Fidel Castro's government to search a 44-mile stretch from Havana westward on the northern coast, and another area around the Isla de Juventud in Cuba's southern waters.
Visa Gold's ship, the Explorad'oro - specially designed and transported from Montreal - took to the waters off Havana at the end of last week, towing a magnetometer and other high-tech equipment to detect metal on the ocean floor.
After a feasibility study, Visa Gold will start sucking up sand and breaking coral to get at the treasures.
The most eagerly sought galleon is the Santissima Trinidad, which went down near Havana in a hurricane in 1711 with bounty worth several hundred million dollars.
Visa Gold's joint venture with Cuban state marine company Geomar means the local company automatically receives 50 percent of the value of any finds, after deduction of Visa Gold's costs.
Visa Gold has invested more than $500,000 in the project and 'would like to have $1 million in the bank' for future work.
While this was a business project, it also had important historical ramifications, Lewis stressed, and care would be taken to protect the marine environment.
This story ran on page A16 of the Boston Globe on 09/01/99.
¸ Copyright 1999 Globe Newspaper Company.
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url |
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| To: T A P who wrote () | 9/23/1999 4:51:00 PM | | From: T A P | | | |
VGLD NEWS!!
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS INC.
41 Peter Street North,
Orilla, Ontario, L3V 4Y9
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 23, 1999
Listed: CDN (Canadian Dealing Network) Current Price: $ 1.60 (Cdn)
Symbol: VGLD Shares Outstanding: 10,535,136
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS ANNOUNCES $1,125,000.00 PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Toronto, CANADA - The Hon. Doug Lewis, President of Visa Gold Explorations Inc.is pleased to announce a private placement of 500,000 Units at $2.25 for total proceeds of $1,125,000.00 to arm's length parties. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. This warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $3.00 until September 30, 2000. The private placement is anticipated to close upon the completion of documentation, due diligence and is subject to regulatory approval.
These funds will provide additional working capital necessary for the recovery stage of the project. This stage will focus on our initial underwater targets.
Visa Gold Explorations Inc. through it's wholly-owned subsidiary, Visa Gold Resources Inc., is party to a joint venture agreement with Geomar S.A., a Cuban state-owned entity, to search for shipwrecks in two designated areas in the coastal waters of Cuba. Visa Gold has completed extensive archival research as to the potential shipwrecks in an area, which extends 70 kilometers west from Havana harbour. This stretch of sea is commonly known as Galleon Alley. Visa Gold's principal exploration targets are located, west of Havana, where a fleet of galleons went down in 1711.
For more information, contact:
Investor Relations: The Winfield Group
Tel: 416-745-9697, Fax: 416-740-7785; E-mail: winfield@iprimus
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url |
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| To: T A P who wrote () | 10/6/1999 11:59:00 AM | | From: T A P | | | |
ATTENTION IMPORTANT UPDATE!! VGLD new updated website URL address is now visagoldexplorations.com Report from Pres. Hon. Doug Lewis will be posted 10/11/99. VGLD has located objects on preliminary dives targeting what is believed to be The Santissima Trinidad, a Spanish galleon that foundered in a hurricane in 1711, taking $400-million worth (todays prices) of silver coins and other treasures to the sea bed and is preparing a feasibility document, according to World Heritage standards, for the Cuban government to review and approve. Numerous shipwrecks including 25 sunken galleons have been documented in the contract area which, until recently, remained off-limits to foreigners. VGLD has a 5 year contract with a 3 year extension clause with Cuba to recover the sunken treasures.The total worth of these 25 Galleons is estimated to be in the Billions at todays Gold & Silver prices.
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url! |
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| To: T A P who wrote (4) | 10/7/1999 10:19:00 AM | | From: lookin forward | | | |
Based on what I've seen on the web page under accomplishments,( visagoldexplorations.com They have no successful recoveries to date and haven't made a dime in five years. If I'm mistaken how about straighten me out. If I were trying to impress me, under accomplishments, I would show some actual diving undertakings that have been profitable or at least successful. What has this exploration cost so far? How much goes to the Cubans? What does it cost per day to maintain exploration? And how much time can they actually spend searching, all things considered? Since they are looking for Spanish ships, has the Spanish government released all claims to these vessels or will they try to litigate which could hold up any actually selling of these artifacts for years.
Just my .02
R.M. |
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| To: T A P who wrote () | 10/7/1999 1:40:00 PM | | From: lookin forward | | | |
Tap are you going to ignore my questions? I think they are legitimate and deserving of an answer. Why would anybody care about your new division if all you do is pump but ignore serious questions by serious investors?
R.M. |
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| To: Zhivago who wrote (5) | 10/18/1999 10:49:00 AM | | From: T A P | | | | |
Zhivago....you dont have a clue...stocks go up and down everyday of the week whether T A P promotes them or not based on the investors perception of how the stocks will do going forward. Take NTWK for instance, T A P began coverage when the symbol was MGHI at around $3 1/4 and NTWK is now $6 and T A P's contract expired over a month ago when it was at @ $5 5/16th so your comments are not justified and are without any proof of your allegations. You follow T A P to all the other company message boards and post the same garbage because why?? Did one of the stocks T A P promotes go down while you were holding....imagine that....a stock went down after a major run due to profit taking! You only take up space on these message boards and never add any research in regards to company...just repeat your same worthless unproven opinion. You might take Rocket Mans que over on VGLD Raging Bull message board as he seems to be changing his point of view and looking into VGLD regardless of what posters like you say about T A P. |
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| To: T A P who wrote (8) | 10/19/1999 10:33:00 PM | | From: Zhivago | | | |
TAP, you are a crook devoid of any ethics. I have NEVER bought one of your stocks, because I know better.
BEWARE OF THIS VULTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zhivago |
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| To: T A P who wrote () | 10/20/1999 1:43:00 PM | | From: T A P | | | |
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS INC. NEWS~ FOUND ARTIFACTS!!!
Canadian Dealing Network
VGLD. (CDN)
Attention Business Editors:
Visa Gold Explorations announces artifact discoveries
Listed: CDN (Canadian Dealing Network) Current Price: $ 1.50 (Cdn)
Symbol: VGLD Shares Outstanding: 10,535,136
TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - Visa Gold Explorations Inc. is pleased to
announce extensive galleon artifact finds just west of Havana Harbour (6
leagues west) in an area called Jaimanites (Visa Gold site 31). After many
weeks of magnetometer tow runs and underwater video tow runs Ed Burtt, Vice
President of Operations for Visa Gold Explorations Inc., has confirmed several
different artifact discoveries that may belong to a fleet dating back to the
mid 1600's.
The company's underwater exploration staff has discovered a complete
intact stone ballast pile (ballast stone was used before lead keels were
invented) just east of the ``Santissima Trinidad' target in the Santa Ana
area. After weeks of meticulous computer analysis, Mr. Burtt has issued
photographic evidence that shows many different artifacts that include: cannon
balls, a lead sounding weight (used to check depth of water), pottery with
blue markings (possibly originating from the Ming dynasty), a gold chalice, a
gold holy cross necklace and chain and a possible cannon.
``This discovery coupled with extremely high magnetometer readings have
pleasantly surprised the crew' stated Mr. Burtt, ``as these significant finds
were not originally expected in this area'. ``However after weeks of
extensive research, our primary documentation from historical archives in
Seville, Spain lead us to believe that this debris area belongs to a fleet in
the mid 1600's.'
Historical documents retrieved from Spanish archives showed:
``The merchant ship named the `ATOCHA', whose master is Geronimo Beleno
that was with the Flota under the command of Admiral Juan deCampos sailed from
this port (Havana) with the others and likewise encountered a storm, in the
month of January. In convoy with the Armada, and while within sight of Havana,
the storm overtook them. This caused the said merchant ship, ATOCHA to ground
at midnight about a shot of musket distant from the Fuerza de la Punta.
Another ship of this armada also grounded with less success, because almost
all of the people on board drowned, 6 leagues from here. The wealth will be
salvaged when the weather permits, which has been bad for several days now and
considering this place is very rough, it is expected that much will be lost
for the warehouses and the benefit of Justice and the Royal Officials. There
being nothing more to announce in this advisory and desiring to be of service
to Our Majesty I end this notice in accordance with the conformance of my
obligation. Our Senor (God) grant to Our Majesty whatever he desires, Havana 5
September 1642.'
From: AGI Sevilla, Seccion Indiferente General, Legajo No. 2699.
Vice President Burtt has over 35 years experience in the diving and
shipwreck locating discipline. He has worked in Mexico, Bahamas and in Florida
with the legendary Mel Fischer. He is a leading Canadian expert in
archeological research and search and recovery of precious shipwrecks in
Canada. He has worked for several Canadian governmental agencies and was
responsible for locating the historical `AVRO Arrow' models in Lake Ontario
back in 1993.
``These new discoveries continue to provide evidence that `Galleon Alley'
has the potential to dwarf all previous finds of shipwreck treasure throughout
the world' stated Mr. Burtt, ``over 13,000 ships passed through this area
which is by far the most exciting stretch of sea for underwater galleon
exploration in the world'.
Visa Gold Explorations Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Visa
Gold Resources Inc., is party to a joint venture agreement with Geomar S.A., a
Cuban state-owned entity, to search for shipwrecks in two designated areas in
the coastal waters of Cuba. Visa Gold has completed extensive archival
research as to the potential shipwrecks in an area, which extends 70
kilometers west from Havana harbour. This stretch of sea is commonly known as
Galleon Alley. Visa Gold's principal exploration targets are located, west of
Havana, where a fleet of galleons went down in 1711.
-30-
For further information: Investor Relations: The Winfield Group,
Tel: (416) 745-9697, Fax: (416) 740-7785; E-mail: winfield@iprimus.ca
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For free membership and more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies and to submit new products for review to Turn Around Products go to T A P profile for url.
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