Development Strategy
Results from the initial three months of production to end December 2006 warranted a major shift in strategy.
Bendigo is Australia's second largest goldfield having historically produced some 22 million ounces of gold, down to an average depth of 750 metres.
The Company is exploring for gold mineralisation beneath or along from historic mines on the richest lines of mineralisation within the goldfield. The key lines are Garden Gully and New Chum as they accounted for some 70% of historic production. The better parts of each line are identified using the volume and grade of gold produced from each historic area. This technique has identified multiple targets across the goldfield.
Exploration drilling is conducted from underground locations within the Company's modern mine; which has been developed down to depths of 900 metres and over a length of three kilometres. Assets such as a 600,000 t/y process plant, mining equipment and various infrastructure (ventilation, water treatment plant and pipelines) are in place to capitalise on exploration success.
