awards cont for ventilation shaft construction to

ASX and Media release: 2 February 2005
BGF Awards Contract for Ventilation Shaft
Construction to Mancala Pty Ltd
Ballarat Goldfields NL (BGF) is pleased to announce it has awarded the
contract for construction of a new mine ventilation shaft at Ballarat East to
Mancala Pty Ltd.
Mancala is an established mining contracting company operating out of Melbourne
and Sydney. The company has over 10 years experience in shaft construction having
completed projects in many states of Australia for a number of major mining
companies.
The new shaft, named the “North Prince Extended”, will be concrete lined, 6 metres
in diameter, and located within the mine lease area on crown land some 700 metres
to the north of the decline portal. It will replace the current, (smaller) timber lined
ventilation shaft, and will provide sufficient exhaust capacity for the life of the Ballarat
East mine.
The shaft will be sunk using a conventional “blind sink” method. Whilst conservative,
this will ensure a quality and timely outcome.
BGF Managing Director, Richard Laufmann, said, “The key factors in the selection of
Mancala were the company’s expert knowledge and experience, safety management
and their contract program.. Mancala has also successfully operated in built-up
environments including Beaconsfield in Tasmania.”
“The awarding of this contract to Mancala is an important milestone in the
development of the Ballarat East project and complements the current underground
development work,” Mr Laufmann said.
The contractor will begin preparation and fabrication works shortly and commence
site civil works in mid March 2005 to fit in with the underground development
schedule. The total construction time is expected to be between 20 and 25 weeks,
depending on the total depth of the shaft to be established.
For further information, please visit our website www.ballarat-goldfields.com.au or contact
Joel Forwood, Manager Corporate and Markets, on 03 5327 1111
.