good news

ASX/MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
5 June 2009
Norton posts major milestone: Homestead Underground Mine
opening
Norton Gold Fields Limited, one of the largest ASX-listed (ASX: NGF) Australian gold producers,
today posted a major milestone in its production ramp up with the opening of its Homestead
Underground Mine near Kalgoorlie.
The Homestead Underground Mine was officially opened today by the Honourable Norman
Moore MLC, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, and John Bowler MLA, Member for Kalgoorlie.
The $13 million, high-grade mine is due to be in production before the end of the calendar year
and will add 60 long-term jobs to the current total of 165 at Norton’s Paddington operations
near Kalgoorlie.
“Homestead is a major plank in Norton’s growth plans in the Goldfields. The mine will drive a
significant increase in production at Paddington. It opens up the Mount Pleasant Gold Camp
which is expected to deliver approximately 50,000 oz pa, in addition to 150,000 oz pa from base
load open cut operations at Paddington,” Managing Director, Jon Parker, said.
The project is north-west of Kalgoorlie 18 kilometres from the Paddington mill. It is based on a
high grade ore body that is expected to deliver plus 6 g/t mill feed grade and lift production at
Paddington to approximately 200,000 oz pa, and reduce unit costs.
On site to open the Homestead Underground development, Minister Norman Moore said the
expansion of Paddington was a positive sign for the industry and a vote of confidence for the
Goldfields and the regional community.
“It is encouraging to see continued growth in the Western Australian resources industry, and
that, notwithstanding the current global economic climate, there is an optimistic outlook that is
driving new developments such as this,” Mr Moore said.
“The gold industry in Western Australia has showed its long-term strength, and it is continuing to
provide revenue and employment for regional areas and the State”, he added.
Capital costs have been minimized by using existing infrastructure plus infrastructure assets
acquired from a recent mine closure. Total cash costs are estimated at less than A$600 per oz.
Access to the ore body will be from a twin decline 1,300 metres from a portal in the depleted
Quarters open cut mine.
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“Paddington is a long life mine, with the current life of mine plan covering the first ten years of
production. The opening of our first underground operations is another great milestone for the
Company, and we look forward to continuing to grow in the region over the coming years,” Mr
Parker said.
Visit us at www.nortongoldfields.com.au