Perth, May 27, 2009 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Gold producer Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML)("Focus") has reached another significant milestone in the development of its Coolgardie Gold Project in Western Australia after recently surpassing one (1) tonne (35,274 ounces) of total refined gold production.
Since commencing gold production at Coolgardie in April 2008, Focus has made significant progress in adding to its resource and reserve base and maximising production recoveries and efficiency.
Focus' Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Baird, said the milestone - which was achieved during the Company's current milling campaign (its eighth overall) - occurred on May 23 and cemented Focus' status as a significant regional producer.
"We have come a long way since our first gold pours back in April 2008 and it is a credit to everyone involved with Focus that this milestone has been achieved," said Mr Baird.
"The first year of production for any project is inevitably the hardest in terms of maximising recoveries and running at optimal efficiencies, but I think we have now laid the foundations for a very bright future."
Mr Baird said the Company was aiming to achieve significantly increased gold production in the coming years, with the A$17 million refurbishment and recommissioning of the 1.2 million tonne per annum Three Mile Hill processing plant to underpin production of 80,000 ounces in 2010 and +100,000 ounces from 2011 onwards.
"Como Engineers has recently commenced refurbishment of the plant and it will be ready to process its first ore later this year," said Mr Baird.
"Three Mile Hill will be the catalyst for us to deliver a much higher level of production which would not have been possible under the current toll treating agreement with the Greenfields Plant.
To ensure that a long-term production profile can be sustained, Focus plans to recommence exploration at the Coolgardie Gold Project in June. The Company will be concentrating on the delineation of further high-grade deposits in the region, which it considers underexplored by modern standards, especially at depths below 200m.
About Focus Minerals Ltd
With over 3.8Moz of Mineral Resource, Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) has a highly strategic portfolio of assets across Australia's two leading gold producing districts – the Kalgoorlie/Coolgardie belt and Laverton – and the financial muscle to continue to unlock further potential for growth.
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