Production begins at Cruse/Belmont

The associated companies recently began full production at the Cruse/Belmont mine after contracting a small 100-ton-per-day mill to process its ore.

The companies say underground work is proceeding on schedule at the mine, with about 8,000 tons of 0.6 oz gold per ton broken in stopes and ready for shipment to the mill. The current working faces are producing about 100 tons of ore per day on a three shift basis, the companies noted.

A decline to the 850 level will begin in early July. The partners said drilling to date on this level has indicated grades of 0.6 to 0.65 oz gold. Reserves stand at 90,000 tons proven, probable, and drill- indicated at a grade of 0.6 oz, with an additional 150,000 tons in the drill-inferred category.

In order to access this area from underground, the companies plan to open the Excelsior tunnel under option from Marysville Gold Mining Co. An underground drill program is slated to begin when re-furbishing is comp leted.

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