Avoca's Athena almost here Michael VaughanFriday, April 21,...

Avoca's Athena almost here

Michael Vaughan
Friday, April 21, 2006

AVOCA Resources expects to have the highly anticipated maiden resource for the Athena Lodes at its Higginsville gold project, along with an updated global resource for Higginsville, to be ready in the first half of May rather than this month as originally anticipated.



Visible gold from Avoca's first drill hole at the Higginsville gold project in Western Australia.

Avoca blamed the slight hold-up in the Athena Lodes estimate on delays in finding experienced resource consultants.

The company says it is preparing new estimates for several near-surface resources at Higginsville using modern techniques. Pit optimisation models will be run on the deposits to determine economic viability.

Avoca has started a 380-hole RAB-aircore drilling program at the Andre target at Higginsville, and the company is awaiting assay results for the first 40 holes that were finished by the end of the March quarter.

Meanwhile, dewatering of the Poseidon South pit at Higginsville is about 30% complete and is expected to be completed by the end of May.

Avoca intends to access the Trident deposit, including the Athena Lode, by moving the underground work at the Poseidon pit further south.

A definitive feasibility study for the Trident development is due for completion in August. The company says it remains on track for gold production in the second half of the year.

In anticipation for the transition from explorer to producer, Avoca recruited Tony James to the position of general manager of mining. James was previously working with LionOre as general manager of mining. He has also had senior operational roles at Kanowna Bell, Lennard Shelf and Telfer.

Shares in Avoca remained unchanged at 79.5c in afternoon trade.