I don't wish to challenge your mining knowledge, but your suggestion that only one portal exists at Smokey Hills appears to incorrect.
Based on the very latest presentation on PLA website - Africa DownUnder 2010 - Sep 2nd 2010.
Slide 10 SH mine plan as at August 2010 appears to show six adits, three into the side of each hill.
Going back through various documents this appears to be in line with the initial design from the BFS.
Further comments about "Why will the new contractor be any different, the mining method and the production schedule has not changed, and the workforce comes from the same local community".
The workforce will probably be the same, but the management and supervision crew won't be.
Apparently Redpath has be using more labour on site than what the contract allowed for. I am surmising, due to the inadequate management and supervision we have a resulting inefficient operation.
JIC obviously believe they can remedy the situation so as to achieve the necessary production targets with the original manpower requirements.
PLA has certainly had a tough start up, and probably deserves to be at current SP levels as a result.
But if JIC deliver any form of improvement first up, then PLA will recover very quickly.
PLA Price at posting:
60.3¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
