Operations

 Previous mining at Porphyry was undertaken in the 1980's by Edjudina Gold Mines. This included an underground operation where a room and pillar mining method was employed to extract the relatively shallow dipping near-surface lode. This was an extension of the lode that was previously exploited through surface mining. All underground decline development was in ore, resulting in very low capital costs. Both the nature of the deposit and the method of extraction bear strong similarities to the Defiance gold mine at St Ives in Kambalda. Underground operations at Porphyry were abandoned in the late 1980s due to a lower gold price.

Recent mining at the Porphyry pit has necessitated the dewatering of the pit, which has revealed the existing portal and adits into the old workings at the base of the pit. Dewatering of the old under ground workings is continuing via a bore that was sunk into the deepest part of the mine. Following on from a feasibility study, if successful, a program of remedial work is likely to commence on the existing decline to access the underground workings, as well as plans for a secondary means of egress, and a hanging wall ventilation drive.

A similar mining method to that employed in the 1980’s is currently being considered to further exploit the underground resource, whilst minimising capital start-up costs. The deposit is currently open down dip and plunge with a drilling program planned for the next 12 months. Underground resources at Porphyry currently are 1.3Mt @ 4.1g/t for 171koz, with reserves of 643kt @3.4g/t for 70koz.