Gold production at the Vatukoula Gold mine is progressing well following the discovery of new gold deposits.
“New high levels of gold deposits have been explored and that is now the new direction the Vatukoula Gold Mine is moving towards,” the Minerals Resources ministry permanent secretary Filimoni Kau confirmed.
“We are now achieving the level of gold production that was achieved during peak time and we are hoping that this could develop further.”
The discovery of Baron d'Este, a new high grade ore zone, at the Vatukoula Mine was announced by the company recently.
This is the first new discovery of a new high grade ore zone at Vatukoula since the discovery of the Prince William ore zone in the 1980's.
“The Baron d'Este discovery is contained within the current mining leases and is approximately 300 meters north of current mine workings,” Mr Kau said.
The three holes drilled which targets this gold ore zone was completed between August this year and f September and consisted of a total of 3,116 metres.
All three holes intersected mineralized structures with the most significant composite intersections being 124.7 grams of gold per tonne over 0.46 meters, 33.6 grams of gold per tonne over 2.86 meters, 25.46 grams of gold per tonne over 1.07 meters and 39 grams of gold per tonne over 0.48 meters.
Mr Kau says the company has now begun to relook at its policies towards the workers and the community.
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