Production
Trial mining from the Sheepshead and Deborah lines was suspended during the June quarter of 2007. Results from this phase of mining have been encouraging despite the disappointment with initial Reserves. The improving head grade shows that Bendigo reefs can be mined and processed economically using modern methods.
Gold head grades have averaged 5.5 g/t gold over the six month trial mining phase which is positive considering the levels of dilution incurred due to the mining of narrower than predicted mineralised shapes. The grade of 8.6 g/t achieved in March 2007 was very close to the original Probable Reserve estimate of 9 g/t gold.
Total gold production for initial phase of mining at Bendigo is displayed in the table below.
