Growth
Gold Fields has a target of achieving five million ounces per annum,
either in production or in development, by the end of 2015. To this
end we are in the process of developing an extensive pipeline of
projects which is discussed below.
Project development
Far Southeast (FSE)
During the quarter the second down-payment of US$66 million was
made in terms of the option agreements to acquire a 60 per cent
interest in the undeveloped gold-copper FSE deposit in the
Philippines. Refer to the Corporate section for more detail.
Exploration at the project continued with eight underground diamond
drill rigs operating, drilling 10,745 metres during this quarter. The
initial proof-of-concept drilling programme was completed and
broadly confirms that the scale and grade of the deposit is consistent
with initial expectations. The higher grade mineralised zone (1.5 to
2.5 grams per tonne gold equivalent) central to the porphyry body
has been confirmed by the recent drilling. This programme also
demonstrated that significant upside potential exists at depth and in
most lateral directions. Ongoing drilling intends to scope the full
scale of the FSE mineralised system as well as complete a sufficient
number of in-fill holes to support the first resource model to be
delivered in the second half of 2012.
Surface diamond drilling commenced during the quarter to provide
detailed geotechnical data required for mine design studies. A
comprehensive geotechnical data collection programme is also
underway. Preliminary studies on hydrogeology and mine
geotechnical design parameters were completed during the quarter.
Chucapaca
At Chucapaca we announced an updated indicated and inferred
mineral resource of 7.6 million gold equivalent ounces for the
Canahuire deposit. This represents a 35 per cent increase over the
initial resource of 5.6 million ounces declared in May 2010.
Mineralisation remains open to the west. Drilling for the feasibility
study with geotechnical, civil and sterilisation drilling was completed
in October 2011. Work on the project description for submission to
the EIA and ongoing work on the feasibility study is progressing to
plan. Metallurgical test work is almost complete and the process flow
sheet will be finalised during the December 2011 quarter. The EIA
submission and the feasibility study are scheduled for completion by
mid-2012.
Arctic Platinum project (APP)
The Arctic Platinum project incorporates a pre-feasibility study on the
Suhanko project (mining and processing of the Konttijarvi and
Ahmavaara PGE-Cu-Ni deposits) and a preliminary assessment of
the mineralisation potential in the Suhanko extension area. This
extension includes known deposits at Little Suhanko (adjacent to the
Ahmavaara deposit), Vaaralampi, Tuumasuo and Suhanko North
which fall within the Suhanko II area, and is subject to the mining
lease application.
Work is focused on a base case pre-feasibility study on mining and
processing two PGE-Cu-Ni deposits (Konttijaarvi and Ahmavaara).
The proposed process route is to float a concentrate to feed into a
Platsol © high pressure oxidation process, followed by a
hydrometallurgical refinery to recover metals. Two 50 tonne pilot
plant test programmes were completed during the quarter, largely
confirming the bench-scale test work reported previously. The base
case pre-feasibility study should be completed by early 2012.
An amendment to the existing environmental permit to include the
proposed change to the process facility will be submitted in the
December 2011 quarter. Baseline work for the Suhanko II EIA for an
extended mining lease application on an upside case is proceeding in
parallel. The objective is to complete the EIA process by June 2012
and submit an environmental permit application for Suhanko II shortly
thereafter.
Scout exploration drilling on the Suhanko II extended area was
completed at the Tuumasuo and Vaaralampi deposits targeting
lateral and depth extensions. Eleven core holes for 3,492 metres were completed and significant intersections of sulphide
mineralisation encountered. These extensions will be in-fill drilled
over the upcoming winter season.
Confirmation drilling on the Suhanko North prospect, located adjacent
to Tuumasuo, was also completed with visual encouragement in four
drillholes. Assays are pending but zones of sulphide mineralisation
up to 89 metres thick were intersected down-dip from previous
shallow drilling.
Extensional drilling at Little Suhanko commenced towards the end of
the quarter to determine the potential size of this shallow deposit
which is located 400 metres east of the Ahmavaara deposit. Eight
holes were completed for 672 metres, and confirmed near surface
extensions to the south and east of previous drilling. The drilling
programme is expected to be completed in the December 2011
quarter.
Damang super-pit
The conceptual study of the super-pit identified an exploration target
of between 3 to 4 million ounces based on a tonnage of 50 million to
80 million tonnes, at grades of 1.6 grams per tonne to 1.8 grams per
tonne. Drilling has demonstrated continuity of mineralisation to
depths of over 350 metres below the current pit floor and consistent
in style with current mined ores. Evaluation of conceptual models,
based on extrapolation of grade control data, demonstrates potential
economic viability to depths of 400 metres below surface, capable of
supporting a significant expansion and extension to the life of the
mine.
The Phase 2 pre-feasibility drilling programme which commenced in
May 2011 is near completion. Over 37,000 metres of a planned
44,000 metre programme of RC and diamond core drilling has been
completed, which will inform a resource model suitable for the ongoing
study. A geological model will be constructed and declaration
of an updated resource is expected by mid-2012.
Metallurgical, geotechnical, and environmental testwork is running in
parallel with engineering and design activities. Work on permit
applications has started.
Greenfields exploration
In addition to the four resource development projects mentioned
above, the greenfields exploration portfolio also consists of two
advanced drilling projects, six initial drilling projects and nine target
definition projects in Peru, Chile, Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Canada,
Kyrgyzstan and Australia.
Africa
A scoping study was completed for the Yanfolila project in southern
Mali (Gold Fields 85 per cent) which indicates the project requires a
minimum 1.5 million ounces resource base to meet internal
investment criteria. Exploration drilling recommenced in the
December quarter at the end of the high rainfall season. Drilling will
focus on expanding the resource base, targeting the mineral potential
already identified at six additional prospect areas within 25 kilometres
of the central Komana camp. An additional 60,000 metres of scoping
and in-fill RC and core drilling is planned. A further 30,000 metres of
aircore drilling is also planned to delineate anomalies identified during
geochemical surveys completed during the 2011 field season.
First pass diamond and RC drilling was completed on the Tinguélé
prospect at the Kangaré project (Gold Fields 90 per cent) in Mali.
Drill testing of an extensive geochemical anomaly intersected broad
intervals of low level mineralisation in the three drill holes completed.
Follow-up drilling is planned for the approaching drill season.
At the Asheba project in Ghana (Gold Fields 90 per cent) assays
were received from initial drilling completed in early 2011, which
confirmed mineralisation in two prospect areas. Conceptual
modelling demonstrated sufficient mineral potential to justify further
follow-up drilling which is scheduled for completion by June 2012. An
auger drilling programme to explore below transported cover
commenced late in the quarter and aims to identify extensions to the
known mineralised trends.
North America
In British Columbia, Canada, Gold Fields can earn up to a 70 per
cent interest in the Woodjam project with joint venture partners
Fjordland Exploration Inc. (TSX.V:“FEX”) and Cariboo Rose
Resources (TSX.V:“CRB”). Resource in-fill drilling of the Southeast
zone porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum target was completed during
the quarter, and conceptual studies progressed. A total of 42 holes
for 17,195 metres of core were completed, which will contribute to a
maiden SAMREC compliant resource to be finalised by March 2012.
In-fill and reconnaissance drilling was also completed on the
Deerhorn, Megabuck and Tisdall Lake prospects respectively.
A first pass 7-hole, 2,448 metre diamond drilling programme was
completed at the Toodoggone project in British Columbia, Canada
where Gold Fields can earn up to 75 per cent in a joint venture with
Cascadero Copper Corporation (TSX.V:“CCD”). The drilling
programme tested the Mex copper-gold target and successfully
intersected porphyry related copper-gold mineralisation.
A 5-hole, 1,706 metre diamond drilling programme was completed on
the new Eldorado property, British Columbia, Canada. Four of the
five holes intersected variable widths of quartz-carbonate brecciation
with local sulphides within altered quartz diorite. Assay results are
expected later this year.
South America
Diamond drilling commenced at the Pacosani Target, Moquegua
project, Peru and RC drilling commenced at the Ichocollo target in the
Tacna project, Peru.
Preparation is underway to commence diamond drilling at the Salares
Norte project in the Maricunga district of Chile in the December 2011
quarter, following-up on drilling completed earlier this year.
Australasia
Minimal drilling activity was completed in Australia due to seasonal
rainfall and agricultural restrictions. Preparation for the approaching
summer drill season is complete and more than 20,000 metres of
drilling is planned on the East Lachlan gold-copper porphyry
prospects.
Other regions
At the Talas project in Kyrgyzstan (Gold Fields 60 per cent in a joint
venture with Orsu Metals Corp, AIM:OSU, TSX:OSU), minor field
activities completed include initial low-level soil sampling on new
target areas (MMI), and detailed ground magnetic surveys to aid
future drill targeting.
Further activity remains on hold following an attack by about ten
horsemen on the exploration camp as reported early in October. A
criminal investigation is underway.
Project generation and near mine exploration
St Ives
Recent activity at St Ives focused on completing resource model
updates for the combined deposits in the Neptune and Revenge
areas which have historically produced in excess of 2 million ounces
of gold. More than 25,000 metres of drilling was completed on this
complex of deposits during 2011 and work on geological and
resource modelling is being completed.
Additional resource development drilling programmes totalling in
excess of 25,000 metres were also completed at Greater Santa Ana,
Cave Rocks and the Leviathan area. Drilling has targeted potentially
economic extensions to the established mining centres.
Early-stage target definition and initial drilling activities totalling
24,700 metres were completed on a number of high ranking
prospects across the St Ives tenement. Of significance is a series of
high grade aircore intersections returned from the Incredible
prospect. A drilling programme designed to extend the existing
1.5 kilometre long Incredible pit’s gold anomaly laterally to the west is
underway.
Agnew
A programme of 14,500 metres of directional diamond core drilling to
prove geological and grade continuity on three newly defined highgrade
shoots in the Main Lode-Kim corridor commenced in July 2011.
Initial indications confirm the presence of three steep-plunging high
grade lode structures. Drilling will continue into the December
quarter so that an initial inferred resource can be completed before
committing to the next stage of drilling.
Positive optimisation of the Cinderella resource suggests a potentially
economic open pit position. A 50-hole programme of RC drilling is
planned to be completed in the December quarter in order to
evaluate the short range variability in the deposit and allow the
construction of a final indicated resource.
Damang
Following almost twelve months of dedicated and intensive activity on
the Damang super-pit, drilling returned to target the potential
extension of the deposits in the Greater Amoanda area. Detailed
geological studies completed during the quarter highlighted that
significant extensional opportunity exists at both the Rex and
Amoanda deposits.
On the eastern flank of the Damang anticline, a reconnaissance drill
programme of 31 holes (3,100 metres diamond core) is planned at
the Bonsa forest hydrothermal prospect, targeting both structural
hydrothermal mineralisation and potential conglomerate reef
positions.
Cerro Corona
All results from the phase 2 in-pit extensional drill programme have
now been received and essentially confirm the gold and copper
distribution to be consistent with the December 2010 model.
Localised higher grade zones are also evident, which have potential
to provide short-term production grade increases over the life of
mine.
Significantly, the phase 2 drilling also identified a number of
intersections outside the planned pit designs, particularly at depth. A
programme of deeper drilling is planned in 2012 to scope out the
potential for resource expansion opportunities below and lateral to
the current pit limits.
12-hole programme at Sylvita on the northern flank of the Cerro
Corona porphyry was completed and logged. Intervals of altered
porphyry, along with skarn mineralisation containing visible copper
and zinc sulphides were intersected. All assay results are pending.
Business development
Gold Fields entered into an option agreement with Bezant Resources
PLC (Bezant) to acquire the entire issued share capital of Asean
Copper Investments Limited which is incorporated in the British Virgin
Islands, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bezant. Asean holds Bezant’s
entire interest in the Guinaoang porphyry copper-gold deposit (the
Mankayan project) located on Luzon Island in the Philippines.
Subject to approval from Bezant’s shareholders and the payment of
an upfront non-refundable option fee of US$7 million, Gold Fields will
be granted the option to acquire the entire issued share capital of
Asean for US$63 million. The option can be exercised from the date
upon which it is granted until expiry on 31 January 2013. The
Mankayan project is located approximately 4 kilometres east of the
FSE deposit.
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