http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/7060064/focus-up...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/7060064/focus-up-on-potential-of-the-mount/

Focus up on potential of The Mount
The West Australian April 14, 2010, 10:35 am

Gold miner Focus Minerals said trial mining at The Mount deposit near Widgiemooltha has given the company confidence the project could eventually produce as much as 60,000 ounces a year.

The company has issued a maiden JORC estimated probable reserve of 68,000 tonnes at 8.6 grams per tonne gold for 19,200 ounces.

Focus said the deposit had already produced more than 7200 tonnes at 9.2 grams per tonne gold offering 2150 ounces from trial mining over the past four months.

It said the The Mount was made up of about 15 parallel sub-vertical lodes that were open in all directions and at depth, offering potential for reserve upgrades.

Focus chief executive Campbell Baird said The Mount was shaping up as a potential second operating centre for the company outside its Tindals operation near Coolgardie.

"With The Mount exceeding initial expectations, we are looking to produce approximately 10,000 ounces from it in 2010, over 20,000 ounces in 2011 and with full expansion, the Mount could produce at a rate equivalent to 60,000 ounces per annum," he said.

Ore from The Mount will provide additional feedstock for the company's recently commissioned 1.2mtpa Three Mile Hill mill at Tindals.
Focus shares were up 0.3 cents, or 5.36 per cent, to 5.9 cents at 10.30am.