Highlights from the Quest Teleconference
 After much hype and anticipation, Quest Minerals & Mining Inc. (OTCBB: QMNM) conducted their investor update teleconference this past Tuesday. All in all, I think the general consensus is that Quest's CEO was quite sincere in his dialogue. For those of you that missed the call, here are some highlights from my perspective:
The Pond Creek mine will soon (next 30 days) be into full production mode (1,500 - 2,500 raw tons per day) and updates will come next quarter. Please keep in mind that, at least to my knowledge, raw tons do not always translate into "marketable" tons. My guess is that 60%-70% of the raw tonnage will be used to fulfill contracts. I will check my estimate with Quest and get back to you all on that.
Chapter 11 - Quest aspires to move out of Chapter 11 in the next 90 days. The CEO seems to be pretty confident that between cash flow from mining operations and money from investors, bankruptcy will soon be a thing of the past. On another note, Management believes that its strategic decision to enter into bankruptcy proceedings for its Gwenco subsidiary essentially kept the company alive and strengthened its position by protecting it from lenders for a period of time and allowing it to begin generating cash flow to help pay back loans.
The Cedar Grove mine will be in full-production mode by the end of 2008. To the best of my knowledge, management expects almost identical output here as at Pond Creek.
Quest expects to be profitable from an operational perspective by the end of the 3rd quarter and also noted a massive increase in interest from private/public investors.
The Stock (Not From Teleconference)
 With four consecutive red closes under our belt this week, today is looking like a 5th with the stock down about 11% as of 1PM ET. With no hard financial data to review, maybe investors are still taking profits off the table or just simply protecting themselves from the downturn now that they know production numbers - which should move the stock in my opinion - are still aways off. Remember, many got in below a penny, thus making even $.014 a fairly attractive exit point. Particularly as the stock continues to drop presenting the opportunity for investors to potentially buy back in low before production data is released.
In my opinion, the move upwards just prior to the call may have been some investors anticipating tangible production figures, which will come next quarter as stated above. In the meantime, any positive developments could indeed breathe life back into the stock. Besides production numbers, news on Quest's progress in getting out of Chap 11., hiring on additional workers, reaching full production at Pond Creek, and receiving additional financing should all be forthcoming.
Labels: QMNM.ob, Quest and Coal, Quest Coal, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp
SQNM Still Has Potential for a Double
 One of my recent favorites, Sequenom Inc (NasdaqGM:SQNM) has seen shares surge from the $5 range back in April to a recent high of $23. Unfortunately, they can’t cure Down syndrome. Fortunately, the company has developed what many experts anticipate being the industry standards test for Downs in the future.
If we see a dip back into support at around 18, near-term, my guess is that many investors will be adding at that point in hopes of a run into the $30-$40 range, which is not out of the question if the test does live up to its hype. With shares selling off into the $20 range today, now is a great time to roll your sleeves up and conduct a little due dilly of your own on SQNM. Labels: Sequenom Inc, SQNM
EFCR is on our Radar
 EGPI Firecreek Inc. (EFCR.OB) commenced the production and sale of oil and natural gas during its fiscal 2007 and saw revenues from said activities generate approximately $451,000 in revenue versus total revenue of nearly $147,000 in 2006. The company also ended the fiscal year with just over $2M in cash on hand in comparison to next to nothing last year. Despite an alarmingly high outstanding share-count – in excess of one billion! – I’ll be watching this one closely over the near to mid-term because they are in fact producing oil & gas. Labels: EFCR.ob, EGPI Firecreek, EGPI Firecreek Inc., OTCBB: EFCR
Nighthawk Sets Record With Recent Purchase Order
 One of our old favorites, Nighthawk Systems Inc. (OTCBB: NIHK) continues to push forward with publicly stated plans to significantly increase revenues during 2008 and recently announced the largest order ever for its bread & butter remote disconnect units. During the 2nd week of July, NIHK announced an order for 1,000 of its CEO700 remote disconnect units from Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) (“Avista”) of Spokane, Washington. This marked the third order from the utility which generates annual revenues of more than $1.3 billion and provides electric and natural gas service to approximately 633,000 customers . For those of you not overly familiar with Nighthawk, the company historically provided remote disconnect hardware that in a nutshell allows for the wireless connect and disconnect of virtually any electronic hardware. From electricity meters to hard drives, NIHK’s solutions, namely its CEO700 allowed the company to blossom from annual revenues of $529K in 2005 to roughly $1.7M in ’07 with aspirations to hit the $8M mark in 2008. The reason for the aggressive outlook in 2008 is that NIHK recently acquired an IPTV set-top box business. For a point of reference, although I personally feel that the outlook may be just a tad on the optimistic side; Analysts are envisioning a market that will house 50 million subscribers by '09 and be worth nearly $40 billion by '10.
Either way, we’re currently looking at a very lucrative, yet fragmented market with no dominant supplier. Even if NIHK can just take a small chunk of the IPTV space, which it appears to be doing through initial contracts with leading hospitality technology providers, that coupled with its thriving utility business creates a very exciting situation going forward. Particularly for people like myself that have been watching the company closely for the past 3 years. Labels: Nighthawk, Nighthawk Systems Inc., NIHK, OTCBB: NIHK
Coal Deficit Great for Proven Suppliers
 The world's fastest growing fuel source is currently running a deficit the size of the state of Texas.
As a result of this startling fact, the price of coal continues to skyrocket. This dynamic has translated into stellar earnings for upper-tiered suppliers including Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) and Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) and also a very positive industry outlook for the foreseeable future.
Here's a quick look at some
facts on the deficit:
-- The world could face a coal supply deficit of 33 million to 44 million short tons (30-40 metric tons, or tones) -- China is currently faced with its biggest energy predicament since 2004. -- India is running a coal deficit, with coal demand last year for the steel and energy industries reaching 452m tones, of which 61m tones had to be imported.
-- By 2015, the country will be consuming about 800m tones of coal but will have to import more than a quarter of this, according to estimates from KPMG. -- Supply disruptions in Australia - the world's premier coal supplier - led to an $800M dip in monthly coal exports during the month of April.
-- Arch Coal management forecasts coal demand to eclipse supply by 25 million to 35 million metric tones, and expects this supply deficit to grow through 2010. -- Coal accounts for about 69% of total US energy demand. -- The World Coal Institute expects energy consumption to rise by 8% to 10% per year through 2020. -- In a recently issued research note, Citigroup stated that prices for met coal could reach $330 - $350 per ton by 2010. In our opinion, the ongoing coal deficit is extremely positive for proven suppliers ranging from upper-tiered players like Arch Coal to emerging producers including Quest Minerals and Mining (OTCBB: QMNM). Tune into Quest's investor call on Tuesday to learn more about how the company is now capitalizing on a very positive business environment. Labels: Coal, OTCBB: QMNM, QMNM, Quest and Coal, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp
HTOG Trading Like a Mad Man
 Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. (OTC BB: HTOG) (FWB: HOCA) gained nearly 9% Thursday on an OTC Bulletin Board high 139.5 million shares - nearly 4X the outstanding share count as of HTOG's most recent filing - traded on news that the company has discovered a well yielding nearly 65 barrels of oil per day on one of its properties.
The best part of the story is that HTOG also stated plans today to commence drilling on the remaining 500,00 acres it owns under lease in the area. For a point of reference, HTOG sold $521,982 of natural gas during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and logged total revenues of approximately $547,000 with a net loss of about $847,000. As of the last filing there are 42.2M shares out.
HTOG is Trading Like a Mad Man
 The stock has been trading like a madman as of late, in regards to both volume and share price. Just one month ago, shares closed at a recent low of $.0025. The stock saw a recent high of $.015 today, nearly doubling yesterday's low price of $.0078 and breaking out of sub-penny range for the first time in about a month. In regards to volume, the stock has traded more than 2 billion shares in the past month.
Parent Company UPDV Presents Another Interesting Play
 Universal Property Development (OTCBB: UPDV - News) is Heartland's parent company. The stock closed today up more than 13% on volume of 38 million shares and was the 5th most heavily-traded on the BB. UPDV and HOTG's 3 month charts look eerily similar other than UPDV not bouncing back as high in certain instances in comparison to its portfolio asset.
UPDV logs significantly higher annual revenues ($30M in '07) than HOTG, but also packs a much heftier bottom line deficit ('07 Net Loss of $117M). With just over 107M shares out, UPDV represents a compelling low-cost play on the booming oil & gas sector. Despite a struggling bottom line, the company has recently made the transition from start-up to established industry competitor with a blistering year-over-year revenue growth rate and significant energy-related assets.
HTOG Should be on Your Radar Screen
In our opinion, HTOG's recent trading activity and operational developments warrant a second look tonight and a spot on your watch list tomorrow morning.
This situation reminds me a lot of the one currently transpiring at Quest Minerals & Mining (OTCBB: QMNM). Day traders and flippers appear to be settling for modest gains again and again rather than letting the stock run despite massive buying interest. Either way, I'll be very curious to see how things unfold on Friday with positive news flowing, the stock now priced above a penny, and the potential that some weaker hands were taken out with Thursday's high volume.
I'll also have my eye on UPDV as its trading mimics that of HOTG quite closely and the company stands to gain a great deal from the success of its portfolio subsidiary.
Labels: Heartland Oil and Gas Corp., HTOG
Quest Shares Bouncing Back
 Quest Minerals and Mining Corp. (OTCBB: QMNM) is again showing promise in the market in addition to the field. The stock closed up nearly 9% today at $.0203 on volume of more than 46 million today.
With coal now being produced and a conference call scheduled for next week to update investors on the company's progress. Quest appears to be the real deal.
After being battered for nearly a week straight on one positive corporate announcement after another, the stock appears to be bouncing back. Labels: QMNM, QMNM.ob, Quest and Coal, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp
No Rest For Quest
On the heels of an anxiously awaited coal production announcement last Thursday, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp. (OTCBB: QMNM) stated plans late Friday night to soon bring a second, more lucrative mine online in the very near future.
Since hitting a recent high of $.075 on 6/23, shares have depreciated about 2/3, closing last week at .0247.After two consecutive red finishes subsequent to Quest's biggest corporate announcement to date, the stock could benefit greatly this week from Friday's unexpected news, which arguably makes the company twice as valuable now.
Whitestar Gives Cedar Grove Thumbs Up According to the release, Quest's contract miner Whitestar Mining LLC is already taking the initial steps necessary to initiate coal production at the company's Cedar Grove location. On a very positive note, the second mine is expected to require far less rehab than Pond Creek, which took about 5 months to bring online. Also, Cedar Grove is expected to house higher quality coal than Quest's first mine. Judging by the wild movement in the stock prior to mine #1 being brought into production stage, I wouldn't be too surprised to see a similar increase in investor interest here as Cedar Grove begins rehab.
More Efficient Mine a Huge Bonus For Investors since management has stated thus far that the Cedar Grove mine:(1) Requires far less time and expenditure to bring into production than Pond Creek; (2) Holds as much coal: between 1,000 and 2,000 raw tons/day and (3) Houses higher quality coal than what is currently being mined at Pond Creek; Friday's development adds a whole new positive element to the deal for investors. In my opinion, the advances made by the stock over the past few weeks were made strictly on the potential of the Pond Creek property. A second mine is surely icing on the cake. If Quest can bring both Pond Creek and Cedar Grove online within the next few months and begin producing about 3,000 raw tons per day between the two properties - right in the middle of their current forecast - at $100 per ton, the company would be generating $300,000 per day or $2,100,000 per week.
Even if it cost the company $50 to produce each ton, that still leaves more than $1 million per week in profits. Erring on the side of conservatism, if Quest only produced 2,000 tons per week between the two mines and it cost the company $80 to produce each ton, at a price of $100 per ton, QMNM would still turn a profit of $14.6M after one complete year of full production. It is quite clear; the company's potential for significant future profitability is high as long as it can stay on track with production goals and bring the Cedar Grove property online as easily as expected. "Quest Minerals & Mining Initiates Coal Production At Pond Creek"
Second Mine Comes at an Ideal Time
Did you know?
25% of the world's energy is derived from coal;
50% of U.S. electricity is coal-powered;
92% of coal is used to make electricity; and
72% of the world's steel production is coal-based.
In other coal industry news:
(1) In a recently issued research note, Citigroup stated that prices for met coal could reach between $330 - $350 per ton by 2010;
(2) Benchmark spot prices for top-grade 5,800 kcal/kg at Qinhuangdao, China's top coal shipping port, recently hit $144.40-145.90 a ton -- more than doubling from a year ago; and
(3) The thermal coal price at Australia's Newcastle hovered near record levels at about $195 a ton over the past week. This facilitates a very favorable operating environment for Quest as the company pushes its second mine into production mode. "The Dirt on Coal"
$2M Chapter 11 Filing Shouldn't Be a Biggie One major question that we have heard from investors time and time again relates to QMNM's past chapter 11 filing. From the filing. "On August 3, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approved Gwenco's request for debtor-in-possession financing in an amount of up to $2,000,000. In February 2008, Gwenco submitted a preliminary plan of reorganization to the court for approval.” I will follow up with management here. But from what I gather, once Quest pays back the $2,000,000, the situation is settled. They surely aren't the first or the last company to file for Chapter 11. Moreover, most filing for chapter 11 don't currently lay claim to more than 12 million tons of an asset valued at more than $100 per ton in some regions of the world. Gwenco, Inc. Chapter 11 Reorganization. QMNM recently gained more than 4,000%, moving from $.0016 (6/19) to a high of $.075 (6/23). With share price now settled back down below $.025 and news that a second, more profitable mine will be coming into production soon hitting the market, expect all eyes are on Quest again on Monday. Labels: Coal, OTC: QMNM, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp
QMNM Announces Coal Production
 Quest Minerals and Mining Corp. (OTCBB: QMNM) finally gave investors what they were looking for today. The company announced that after a rough five month rehabilitation process, its Pond Creek Kentucky mine is now producing coal.
With coal recently fetching as much as $201 in some regions of the world, if QMNM can stay on track with plans to produce between 1,500 and 2,000 raw tons per day from its first mine, the company will make some very very happy investors going forward. Not that it hasn't already.
The NanoCap Sucess Story of the Decade?
For those of you that have been hiding under a rock for the past month, in one of 2008's biggest nano-cap runs, QMNM recently gained more than 4,000%, moving from $.0016 (6/19) to a high of $.075 (6/23) before settling back into the $.02 - $.03 range while the market anxiously awaited news of production.
Shares Surge 100% in One Hour
Subsequent to the news today, shares surged up over 100% to an intra-day high of $.048 and ended the day at $.0339, up 42% on volume of 133,921,767. What I found most encouraging about today's action is the fact that the production announcement was issued with just over 1.5 hours left in the trading session and the stock had traded relatively flat on about 20 million shares or so prior to the big news.
Now that the day traders, flippers, and scaredy cats all had the chance to take some profits off the table, I think that we could be off to the races tomorrow. The stock simply behaved too beautifully prior to production and has attracted too many eyeballs over the past few weeks not to.
Moreover, the company also announced today that it is working diligently to bring a second mine into full production mode very soon which will produce just as much coal as the Pond Creek location. Now boasting the potential of 3,000 - 4,000 raw tons of coal per day, QMNM provides investors with both the piece of mind of knowing that they are 100% capable of bringing a mine into production mode as well as the prospect of yet another, equally productive mine coming online very soon.
Capitalizing on Massive Global Demand
As the image above shows, Coal prices have proven to be both lower and more stable than that of oil and gas historically. According to the World Coal Institute, "Coal provides 25% of global primary energy needs and generates 40% of the world's electricity". The institute also states that: "At current production levels, proven coal reserves are estimated to last 147 years. In contrast, proven oil and gas reserves are equivalent to around 41 and 63 years at current production levels respectively".
Despite the obvious negative environmental impact of burning coal, the natural resource will be in high demand for the foreseeable future. This facilitates a very favorable operating environment for Quest going forward as the company moves into production and begins fulfilling orders including previously announced $8M deal with Logan & Kanawha Coal Company, LLC.
Risk Tolerant Investors Continue to Cash In
Quest Minerals and Mining has provided some much needed profits for investors willing to gain an ownership position at a fraction of a penny in tough economic times. With both contracts and coal in hand, the future looks very bright indeed.
Commenting on the big news today, Quest President Eugene J. Chiaramonte, Jr., stated "I am ecstatic to announce that after a lengthy five month rehabilitation process, we have begun mining coal at our Pond Creek location. Despite a number of delays and setbacks experienced in bringing the property online into the coal production stage, we feel that production could not have come at a better time given the recent surge in global coal prices."
After weeks of waiting, Quest is now producing coal and the market is fully aware. In my opinion, Wednesday's pullback could have created a very nice entry point for those confident that another run-up is imminent. Do your due diligence and weigh risks against the rewards. If you have not educated yourself on the Pond Creek potential, this would be the time to do so.
Labels: Coal, Massive Global Demand, OTC: QMNM
QMNM Shares Soaring on Production Announcement
Quest Minerals & Mining Corp. (OTC  BB:QMNM.OB - News) (Frankfurt:QMNB.F - News), announced that it is finally producing coal, and the market is loving it. Shares are already up nearly 70% since the announcement about an hour ago.
QMNM shares recently gained more than 4,000% , moving from $.0016 to a high of $.0725 before settling back into the $.02 - $.03 while the market anxiously awaited news of production.
I'll bring you much more in-depth coverage on the company shortly, folks, but for now I URGE YOU ALL TO CONTEMPLATE GAINING AN OWNERSHIP POSITION IN THE STOCK RIGHT NOW!Labels: OTCBB: QMNM, QMNM.ob, Quest Minerals and Mining Corp
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After much hype and anticipation, Quest Minerals & Mining Inc. (OTCBB: QMNM) conducted their investor update teleconference this past Tuesday. All in all, I think the general consensus is that Quest's CEO was quite sincere in his dialogue. For those of you that missed the call, here are some highlights from my perspective:
