Medusa Mining Limited: Co-O Drilling Update
COMO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/09/12 -- Medusa Mining Limited ("Medusa" or the "Company") (ASX: MML)(LSE: MML), through its Philippines operating company Philsaga Mining Corporation, announces an update of the Co-O Mine surface and underground drilling undertaken from 31 March 2012 to 30 June 2012.
Highlights include:
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Width Grade (uncut)
Hole Number (metres) (g/t gold)
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EXP 144 1.00 21.70
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EXP 145 2.15 52.06
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EXP 146 1.20 21.40
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EXP 156 1.35 185.21
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EXP 157 2.90 78.94
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L5-092 2.05 18.76
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L5-20W-004 1.15 24.75
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L6-028 1.10 25.60
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L6-23E-031 1.55 31.33
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L6-23E-033 1.20 45.03
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Surface drilling since 31 March 2012 continues to provide resource infill and extension information for mine planning mainly to the east of the Oriental Fault, including the multiple East Agsao Veins and veins associated with the Roysan Vein. Two surface drill rigs are drilling to the west of the Oriental Fault and four on the east side of the fault.
Underground drilling continues to confirm vein continuity. Recent statistical studies indicate that 3 to 5 holes out of every 10 holes in a particular vein are required to return ore-grades to indicate that the vein will be mineable.
Peter Hepburn-Brown, Managing Director of Medusa, commented:
"The Co-O Mine drilling continues to deliver high grade intersections. These drill results are the last set of results for this financial year that will be incorporated into the annual resource estimate.
"I am pleased to report that for the first time we are achieving significant vein intersections to the west of the Tinago Fault which truncates the known veins at the western end of the mine. Whilst assays are awaited, in EXP 167 the veins are identical to the veins in the mine area. Continued success in extending the vein system westwards may have a significant positive impact on the future mine plans.
"Drilling at the current rate will continue for the foreseeable future."
Co-O MINE DRILLING
Discussion
This report lists the surface and underground drill holes with new assay results returned from 31 March 2012 to 30 June 2012.
Previous detailed drilling reports for Co-O Mine are available on the Company's website: www.medusamining.com.au.
Results down to 0.2 metres wide are reported since underground development shows that in many cases as the veins approach cross-cutting faults, they narrow down on both sides of the fault over 5 to 10 metres before widening out, and hence the narrower intersections are important in defining vein continuity. There is also some pinching and swelling of veins along strike. Most drilling is sub-parallel to the cross-cutting fault direction (and perpendicular to the strike of the veins) and rarely intersects the faults, which are subsequently identified by underground on-vein development or underground drilling.
It should also be emphasised that drilling of vein systems rarely provides ore-grade intersections in every intersection in a vein. A recent statistical assessment of the percentage of ore-grade drill hole intersections required in each vein to indicate the vein will be mineable shows that 3 to 5 holes out of every 10 holes is required to intersect ore grades. This is consistent with other large vein systems in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.
Drill hole collar positions are surveyed by a qualified surveyor and surface drill holes are surveyed downhole at regular intervals using a digital multi-shot downhole camera.
It is important to note that the drilling of narrow epithermal veins generally provides an indication of the presence of the gold mineralised vein but may not always provide good quantitative data with respect to accurate grade and volume estimations for some or all of the following reasons:
-- Veins commonly pinch and swell and may be brecciated or displaced by
faults;
-- Gold distribution may be erratic; and
-- Drill core recovery may be reduced because of the brecciation and soft
unconsolidated material and hence the recovered material may not be
representative of the material drilled.
The Company regards the initial drilling as indicative only and operates the policy of using drilling to locate the position and extent of the mineralised veins. This is then followed by on-vein development to support the drilling results, and to provide a more accurate estimate of vein grades which results in the upgrading of the resource category from Inferred to Indicated. The development supports the estimation of resources and facilitates the conversion of resources to reserves.
Further information on narrow veins and the Company's policies regarding exploration, development and resources-reserves is contained on the Company's website, www.medusamining.com.au.
Drilling Results
Figure 1 (attached) shows the locations of the recently completed and in progress surface drill holes EXP146 to EXP175. Completed holes (excluding EXP169, EXP170, and EXP172 to EXP175 in progress) comprise 25 holes for a total of 16,315 metres. Assay results are awaited for holes EXP 154, EXP161, EXP163 and EXP165 to EXP175 and will not be included in the resource estimate.
Table I shows the results greater than or equal to 3 g/t gold over greater than or equal to 0.2 metres for holes EXP138 to EXP164. The locations of holes EXP138 to EXP145 were shown in the announcement of 16 April 2012.
Figure 2 (attached) shows the locations of the recently completed underground drill holes totalling 7,932 metres in 46 holes. Table II lists underground drill hole results greater than or equal to 3 g/t gold over greater than or equal to 0.2 metres received since 31 March 2012 as well as some previously completed holes whose locations were shown on Figure 2 in the announcement dated 16 April 2012. Assays are awaited for holes L2-2E-001, L5-35W-109, L5-43E-012, L5-20W-008 and L6-23E-034 and will not be included in the resource estimate.
Table I. Surface drill hole results greater than or equal to 3 g/t gold and greater than or equal to 0.2 metres downhole for previously completed holes EXP138 to EXP145 and new holes EXP146 to EXP164.
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Grade
Dip Azimuth From Width (uncut)
Hole number East North (degrees) (degrees) (metres) (metres) (g/t gold)
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EXP 140 614659 913216 -54 180 309.20 1.00 3.07(i)
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421.20 0.25 3.01(i)
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484.35 1.20 15.73(i)
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488.05 1.00 6.08(i)
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499.90 1.45 6.91(i)
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504.20 0.20 24.60(i)
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604.60 0.50 27.93(i)
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609.45 1.45 7.76(i)
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640.15 1.35 5.94(i)
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732.40 0.30 4.75(i)
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EXP 141 614550 912992 -69 180 266.30 0.35 7.23(i)
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344.20 1.00 4.30(i)
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397.50 0.20 101.60(i)
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472.60 0.45 4.50(i)
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481.20 0.25 3.79(i)
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568.85 0.55 4.77(i)
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656.10 0.35 69.50(i)
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746.00 1.00 3.75(i)
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EXP 142 614604 913032 -55 180 391.50 0.20 11.33(i)
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593.75 1.00 4.22(i)
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637.65 3.00 3.79(i)
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EXP 144 614519 913082 -51 180 219.00 1.00 3.87(i)
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231.60 0.30 3.70(i)
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459.00 1.00 8.93(i)
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496.85 1.00 21.70(i)
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531.15 0.35 8.03(i)
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532.70 0.90 7.19(i)
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633.85 0.20 7.67(i)
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634.45 1.00 8.47(i)
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EXP 145 614442 912987 -69 180 397.30 2.15 52.06(i)
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489.50 0.20 21.00(i)
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618.35 0.25 3.13(i)
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620.00 2.25 3.25(i)
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765.30 0.25 8.35(i)
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800.50 0.20 4.93(i)
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EXP 146 614550 913122 -66 180 370.80 1.60 3.27(i)
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432.90 1.20 21.40(i)
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494.10 0.40 3.71(i)
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527.50 0.75 60.46(i)
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571.70 0.35 3.46(i)
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582.30 0.30 8.50(i)
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620.50 1.00 3.53(i)
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735.05 1.35 16.66(i)
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746.40 0.25 4.87(i)
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EXP 147 614394 913026 -67 180 381.15 0.20 6.03(i)
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394.85 0.40 3.87(i)
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415.75 0.20 53.23(i)
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418.80 0.20 5.23(i)
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520.60 1.00 9.70(i)
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773.65 0.45 3.53(i)
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EXP 149 61439 913101 -64 180 141.20 1.40 3.41(i)
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362.55 1.45 6.12(i)
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385.95 0.30 17.40(i)
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528.25 0.50 8.43(i)
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675.70 0.20 7.00(i)
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682.05 2.00 3.15(i)
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742.25 2.10 3.32(i)
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766.10 0.20 55.19(i)
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EXP 150 614129 913260 -51 180 154.45 0.55 3.28(i)
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234.60 0.30 16.37(i)
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517.10(i) 1.00 4.73(i)
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EXP 151 614442 912987 -57 180 349.60 2.70 5.67(i)
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384.40 1.20 3.82(i)
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423.00 0.45 13.77(i)
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535.30 1.85 5.20(i)
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602.90 2.75 6.60(i)
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644.15 0.90 52.33(i)
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EXP 153 614195 912789 -58 180 153.70 0.30 44.67(i)
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169.45 0.35 5.53(i)
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EXP 156 614199 913138 -55 180 187.05 0.75 15.33(i)
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193.10 0.55 7.07(i)
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303.00 1.00 3.86(i)
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377.60 1.45 3.33(i)
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423.85 1.00 3.32(i)
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483.45 0.90 31.84(i)
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536.05 1.35 185.21(i)
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EXP 157 614510 913158 -49 180 246.10 0.40 7.00(i)
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283.40 0.35 8.83(i)
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310.30 1.00 4.19(i)
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441.45 2.90 78.94(i)
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468.85 0.20 20.15(i)
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474.05 0.20 523.07(i)
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543.90 3.00 10.20(i)
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701.10 0.45 52.87(i)
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779.10 0.40 3.67(i)
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792.60 0.25 6.50(i)
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EXP 160 614354 912823 -52 180 226.60 1.50 8.17(i)
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Notes:
(i) Intersection widths are downhole drill widths not true widths;
(ii) Assays denoted by (i) are by Philsaga Mining Corporation's laboratory,
all other assays are by Intertek McPhar Mineral Services in Manila;
(iii) Grid coordinates based on the Philippine Reference System 92.
Table II. Underground drill hole results greater than or equal to 3 g/t gold and greater than or equal to 0.2 metres downhole for new holes and previously completed holes designated +.
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Grade
Dip Azimuth From Width (uncut)
Hole number East North (degrees) (degrees) (metres) (metres) (g/t gold)
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LEVEL 2
L2-057+ 613275 912928 0 61 20.90 1.00 4.41(i)
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LEVEL 3
L3-027+ 613737 912900 3 195 53.70 0.20 3.50(i)
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96.30 0.30 11.22(i)
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L3-028+ 613733 912898 3 143 83.45 0.55 3.138
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LEVEL 5
L5-087+ 25.50 0.70 4.80(i)
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82.75 0.90 16.50(i)
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85.80 0.50 17.41(i)
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127.55 0.70 3.32(i)
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134.80 0.40 4.67(i)
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136.35 0.45 4.33(i)
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L5-091+ 613615 912851 0 63 4.95 0.45 3.66(i)
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47.95 1.05 17.57(i)
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288.80 0.90 3.47(i)
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L5-092+ 613951 912921 -60 226 14.20 2.05 18.76(i)
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57.65 0.35 3.40(i)
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97.65 1.05 3.42(i)
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121.30 1.35 4.34(i)
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129.35 0.25 3.43(i)
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240.45 1.70 4.50(i)
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243.60 0.70 3.59(i)
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358.60 0.45 8.29(i)
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L5-096+ 613613 912853 0 27 0.00 0.80 3.84(i)
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30.00 0.20 32.60(i)
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32.80 0.40 4.80(i)
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46.20 0.25 57.30(i)
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L5-105+ 614196 912960 0 202 2.15 0.65 15.17(i)
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67.15 0.95 9.37(i)
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L5-20W-003 613760 912853 0 177 5.30 0.55 26.40(i)
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L5-20W-004 613759 912853 0 204 6.45 1.15 24.75(i)
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97.60 0.45 12.87(i)
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L5-20W-005 613758 912854 0 219 90.85 0.20 6.57(i)
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L5-20W-007 613764 912855 -18 133 5.00 2.30 10.01(i)
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L5-35W-107 613608 912813 0 134 1.23 0.37 6.10(i)
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30.52 0.33 15.20(i)
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L5-35W-108 613606 912814 0 171 1.10 0.90 5.34(i)
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18.80 0.25 6.70(i)
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74.15 0.20 34.00(i)
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86.70 0.20 18.66(i)
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L5-35W-109 613605 912814 0 189 6.50 0.50 3.62(i)
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L5-35W-110 613604 912814 0 215 2.60 0.40 3.74(i)
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61.00 0.60 29.33(i)
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L5-35W-111 613602 912814 0 230 34.50 0.80 10.18(i)
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60.80 0.60 8.50(i)
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L5-35W- 112 613606 912814 0 243 67.50 0.40 3.27(i)
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90.90 0.20 5.59(i)
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L5-42E-013 614377 912690 -22 305 27.35 0.95 45.18(i)
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70.05 0.75 13.25(i)
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74.00 2.10 12.59(i)
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246.80 1.60 26.85(i)
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268.00 0.40 46.87(i)
-----------------------------
397.20 2.00 6.02(i)
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L5-42E-014 614378 912690 -22 314 137.60 1.60 10.92(i)
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159.50 2.30 17.44(i)
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184.70 1.00 4.61(i)
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275.70 0.35 6.20(i)
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L5-42E-015 614379 912691 0 321 22.50 0.50 7.50(i)
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130.85 0.75 3.57(i)
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156.30 1.60 10.71(i)
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LEVEL 6
L6-024+ 614212 912729 3 204 3.55 0.35 39.90(i)
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30.60 0.30 5.27(i)
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L6-025+ 614209 912724 3 24 72.00 0.25 12.20(i)
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80.10 0.40 11.00(i)
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90.00 0.30 9.57(i)
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L6-026 614213 912728 3 38 23.00 0.30 64.33(i)
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L6-027 614213 912727 3 71 77.80 0.50 13.40(i)
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L6-028 614213 912727 3 68 79.40 1.10 25.60(i)
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L6-029 614213 912726 3 139 10.80 0.45 23.23(i)
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29.90 1.35 3.81(i)
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L6-23E-030 614212 912724 0 167 5.30 1.20 23.37(i)
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L6-23E-031 614208 912725 0 206 5.65 1.55 31.33(i)
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L6-23E-032 614207 912727 0 251 24.00 0.40 3.60(i)
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L6-23E-033 614207 614207 0 225 8.40 1.20 45.03(i)
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10.70 2.50 23.47(i)
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Notes:
(i) Intersection widths are downhole drill widths not true widths;
(ii) Assays denoted by (i) are by Philsaga Mining Corporation's laboratory,
all other assays are by Intertek McPhar Mineral Services in Manila;
(iii) Grid co-ordinates based on the Philippine Reference System 92.
DRILL HOLE SAMPLING AND ASSAYING PROCEDURES
Samples are taken from mainly HQ sized (hole outside diameter 96 mm, hole inside diameter 63.5 mm) and some NQ sized (hole outside diameter 75.8 mm, hole inside diameter 47.6 mm) drill core. The selected sample intervals are halved by diamond saw and half the core is bagged, numbered and sent to the Company laboratory. In a small number of cases to confirm the geological logging, the selected interval was re-split and 1/4 core re-submitted for assay.
Initial sample preparation and assaying is undertaken at the Company's on-site laboratory. Samples are dried at 105 degrees C for 10 to 16 hours, crushed to less than 1.25 cm by jaw crusher, re-crushed to less than 50 mm using a secondary crusher followed by ring grinding of 1 kilogram of sample to nominal particle size of less than 200 mesh. Barren rock wash is used after every five samples in the preparation equipment. The samples are assayed by fire assay with Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) finish on a 30 gram sample. All assays over 5 g/t gold are re-assayed using gravimetric fire assay techniques on a 30 gram sample. Duplicate samples are inserted every 10 samples and standard samples are included in every sample batch.
Check assaying of approximately 50% of samples used in the yearly resource estimates is undertaken by Intertek McPhar Mineral Services ("Intertek"), a NATA and ISO 9001/2000 accredited laboratory in Manila. The pulps are airfreighted to Intertek who fire assay 30 grams of samples using AAS finish and a selected number of samples are checked using gravimetric fire assay techniques. Duplicate samples and standards are included in each batch of check samples. When reporting results, where available, the assays of Intertek as an independent laboratory have been given priority over the Company laboratory's results.
To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/mml0709fig1.pdf.
To view Figure 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/mml0709fig2.pdf.
Information in this report relating to Exploration Results has been reviewed and is based on information compiled by Mr. Geoff Davis, who is a member of The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr. Davis is the Non-Executive Chairman of Medusa Mining Limited and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a "Competent Person" as defined in the 2004 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr. Davis consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
DISCLAIMER
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. The words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'expect', 'project', 'forecast', 'estimate', 'likely', 'intend', 'should', 'could', 'may', 'target', 'plan' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance are also forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Medusa, and its officers, employees, agents and associates, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
Actual results, performance or outcomes may differ materially from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those assumptions are based.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and neither Medusa nor any of its directors, employees, servants or agents assume any obligation to update such information.
ABN: 60 099 377 849
Contacts:
Australia: Medusa Mining Limited
Peter Hepburn-Brown
Managing Director
+61 8 9367 0601
+61 8 9367 0602 (FAX)
Medusa Mining Limited
Geoffrey Davis
Non-Executive Chairman
+61 8 9367 0601
+61 8 9367 0602 (FAX)
admin@medusamining.com.au
www.medusamining.com.au
United Kingdom: Fairfax I.S. PLC
Ewan Leggat/Laura Littley
Financial Adviser and Broker
+44 (0)20 7598 5368