Medusa Mining Limited: Co-O Mill & Mine Expansion Update
COMO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/08/13 -- Medusa Mining Limited (ASX: MML)(LSE: MML) ("Medusa" or the "Company"), through its Philippines operating company Philsaga Mining Corporation advises the current status of the Co-O mill and mine expansion as follows:
MILL
Leach tanks: conversion from Carbon-in-Pulp to Carbon-in-Leach completed and commissioned. Six old small leach tanks removed.
Thickener: upgrade completed and in operation.
Gold room upgrade: completed and in operation.
Detoxification plant: on schedule for commissioning in April (Photo 1).
SAG mill: installation on schedule for commissioning in June (Photo 2).
Primary crusher: on schedule for commissioning in June (Photo 3).
Emergency feed facility: completed.
Upgraded and new sub-stations: the main sub-station, and mill and mine transformer stations are all completed and electrified (Photos 4, 5 and 6).
Electrical wiring of new plant: the installation of approximately 42 kilometres of cabling is in progress with expected completion in May.
MINE
Level 8 development: approximately 200 metres of horizontal development measuring 3m x 3m have been completed and 4 veins have been intersected (Fig. 1) to the south of the Saga Shaft, with another 7 veins to be intersected. Development for infrastructure installation is on- going. On-vein development is progressing on the East Agsao 13, 14, 15 and 16 Veins with 7 headings active. At June 30 approximately 12 on-vein headings should be operational and producing development ore.
Ore passes: The winze ore pass from Level 5 to Level 8 is expected to be connected to the level development in July 2013. Two Alimak rise ore passes are in progress from Level 8 to Level 6 and are expected to be operational in August 2013. Ore from these ore passes will be fed by conveyor to the ore bins.
To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101FIG1.pdf
RESEARCH
The Company has recently received research results conducted by the Centre for Exploration Targeting, School of Earth and Environment at The University of Western Australia. The research involved measurement of the temperatures of ore formation and the salinity of the ore fluids with the aim to determine the trends and dimensions of the gold potential in the Co-O hydrothermal system.
The samples were collected in June 2011 and April 2012 from available drill holes throughout the various veins at the Co-O Deposit.
The temperatures of formation are epithermal (19 vein samples recording 216 +/- 32 degrees C), i.e., no temperatures are too high or too low which would be unfavourable for epithermal gold deposition. In addition, the salinity of the ore fluid compositions in all samples indicates meteoric or ground water has been involved in the ore formation, i.e., all water composition determinations are within the range of normal epithermal gold deposition. There are no apparent trends to indicate that the margins of the epithermal gold zone had been reached.
These results support the "potential exploration target size" of 3,000,000 ounces in 9,800,000 tonnes to 7,000,000 ounces in 23,500,000 tonnes using a grade range of 9 to 11 g/t gold with a preferred average grade of 10 g/t gold. The potential exploration target size and grade is conceptual in nature, and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being defined as a mineral resource. Refer to Stock Exchange announcement dated 24 August 2011.
As drilling subsequent to June 2012 has extended the mineralisation, the Company is investigating undertaking additional sampling and research to expand the ore formation temperature and ore fluid data sets in an attempt to define the potential dimensions of the Co-O gold-bearing hydrothermal system.
To view photos 1 to 6, please visit the following links:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo2.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo3.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo4.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo5.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/865101Photo6.pdf
DISCLAIMER
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. The words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'expect', 'project', 'forecast', 'estimate', 'likely', 'intend', 'should', 'could', 'may', 'target', 'plan' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance are also forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Medusa, and its officers, employees, agents and associates, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
Actual results, performance or outcomes may differ materially from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those assumptions are based.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and neither Medusa nor any of its directors, employees, servants or agents assume any obligation to update such information.
ABN: 60 099 377 849
Contacts:
Australia
Medusa Mining Limited
Peter Hepburn-Brown
Managing Director
+61 8 9367 0601
www.medusamining.com.au
United Kingdom
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
Ewan Leggat/Laura Littley
+44 (0)20 3463 2260
