largest smo volume in 14mths and activities report released today. which brokers are buying and selling? same as those active on 20/12/02 and 24/1/03?
SMO - ASX Company Announcement $gen0 THIS IS A PRIORITY ITEM 4 February 2003 Part 2/2 -------- SMC GOLD LIMITED ----------------
HOMEX - Brisbane ------------------------- Second Quarter Activities Report
MINING
PRODUCTION COSTS
The December Quarter Cash Operating Cost Per Ounce of $399 per ounce was a good result for the company especially when matched against a rising gold price. During the month of December SMC sold gold for an average price of $606.60 per ounce.
SMC adheres to the Gold Institute's Standard for reporting production costs. The Company takes into account movements in Ore Stockpiles, Gold in Circuit, Gold on Hand and total mothly Gold Sales to determine quarterly gold production costs.
HADLEIGH CASTLE
The Hadleigh Castle underground mine, which is located 11 km east of the Rishton mill, has improved its overall performance during the quarter. Two relatively large stopes have been developed during the December quarter and production improvement should be noticeable during the third quarter as a result of the effort that has been put into the development of these stopes.
Also, primary development has not been ignored during the quarter. The decline has now been mined past the next level, the 795 m Level. Development on this level will alternate between ore and waste development depending on the requirement for waste to act as fill on the level above. By utilising the waste produced from development headings as fill the company eliminates the need to truck waste to surface, thereby reducing the overall cost of mine development. It is anticipated that the 795 m Level will be completely developed over the next few months, well in advance of the completion of stoping on the 815 m Level.
The new two boom jumbo, an Atlas Copco M2D, continued to perform well during the quarter.
FAR FANNING
As anticipated in the previous quarterly report the open cut mine at Far Fanning continued to produce high grade ore. In fact the grade of ore mined increased from 5.34 g/t to 6.37 g/t, a very satisfactory result. Open cut operations are continuing and these operations are now expcted to continue to produce profitable results until the end of the third quarter.
Planning for underground mining at Far Fanning is continuing. Currently a start date has not been set due mainly to the uncertainty with regards to the wet season. However, SMC has gained further confidence about an underground operation following the high grades being achieved in the current pits in areas directly above the proposed underground mine.
EXPLORATION (SMC 100%)
During the December quarter a "Cation Leach" soil sampling orientation study was commenced over selected gold prospects located within the "Mine Corridor". Three lines of samples totalling 900 metres were collected. A further 400m of soil sample lines remain to be taken The aim of the orientation study is to determine the best method for analysis and expected levels of anomalism for the "Mine Corridor". The results of the orientation study will be used as a reference for soil sampling planned for structures and structural intersection, highlighted by the ground magnetic survey completed in June 2002.
Selected companies have been invited to view the exploration database for the Rishton tenements. Some groups have expressed interest in joint exploration but won't be making a decision until the next quarter.
MINERAL RESOURCE/ORE RESERVE STATEMENT
Table 1 below details identified Mineral Resources (gold) as at 31st August 2002.
TABLE 1
DEPOSIT CLASSIFICATION CUTOFF TONNES GRAD OUNCES TOPCUT GRADE g/t g/t
Christian Kruck Indicated 3.0 23,000 4.6 3,400 50.0
Inferred 1.0 29,000 5.4 5,100 50.0
Total 52,000 5.1 8,500
Joe's Delight Inferred 4.0 51,000 7.0 11,400 -
Total Resources 713,956 6.7 153,800
Table 2 following details Ore Reserves as at 31st August 2002 that have been delineated by applying appropriate dilution and recovery factors to the mineral resource quantities.
Christian Kruck Probable 3.0 28,000 3.2 2,800 50.0
Total Ore Reserves 338,500 5.6 60,900
RG Kidd MANAGING DIRECTOR
The geological information contained in this report was prepared by a Corporate Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Both have more than five yars experience in the field of the activity on which they report. The members concerned, Messrs RG Kidd and HM Mustard, are Competent Persons as defined by the Australian Code for Reporting of Identified Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. They have consented to the inclusion of their report in the Quarterly Report on Operations July to September 2002 for SMC Gold Limited. This report accurately reflects the information compiled by those members.
ends - AAP
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SMO Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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