MARIGOLD MINE/MILLENIUM PROJECT
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Property NewsJuly 30, 2010 Goldcorp’s share of Marigold’s gold production for the second quarter of 2010 was 13%, or 2,600 ounces, less than in the second quarter of 2009. Ore body model reconciliation issues and the resulting higher strip ratio during the quarter led to less ore being mined as the sequence shifted to the upper levels of the Basalt Phase 7 Pit. Infill drilling and new modeling of this area have been completed. Based on the revised ore body model, production in the second half of 2010 is expected to be similar to the first half. Total tonnes mined during the second quarter of 2010 were 30% higher than in the second quarter of 2009 due to an expanded truck fleet, which includes the seven new 300-tonne haul trucks commissioned during the third quarter of 2009. September 30, 2008 Pit development was focused on the Basalt pit bottom, Phase 6 of the Antler Pit and waste removal from Phase 5 of the Basalt Pit. The slightly higher strip ratio in the quarter over the corresponding period of the previous year was the result of fewer ore tonnes mined due to long truck hauls from the bottom of the Antler Pit. The cash cost of gold produced during the quarter increased by 19% over the third
quarter of 2007 due to higher consumable supply costs, primarily attributable to fuel, which increased by 68%.
Gold production during the quarter was 13% lower than in the second quarter of 2008 due to a 17% decrease in gold ounces mined and stacked on the leach pad. The decrease in ounces stacked was the result of lower ore production caused by long truck hauls from the bottom of the Antler Pit. Cash costs per ounce increased by 6% from the second quarter to the third quarter, primarily because of the reduction in gold production. Aggregate operating costs quarter over quarter decreased by $2 million, primarily driven by lower labour, fuel and explosive costs. June 30, 2008 Gold placed on the leach pad during the quarter was 57% higher than the corresponding period in 2007 due to an increase in both tonnage and in the grade of ore mined in the Antler Pit.
Pit development was focused on ore mining from phase 6 of the Antler Pit and waste removal from phase 5 of the Basalt Pit. The lower strip ratio in the second quarter was the result of higher than expected waste removal during the first quarter to stabilize a section of the east wall of the Antler pit. The cash cost of gold produced during the quarter decreased by 13% over the second quarter of 2007 due to increases in gold production, which offset higher consumable supply costs. Substantial increases in consumable supply costs were primarily attributable to fuel, which increased by 75% over the same period in 2007. Gold production during the quarter was 14% higher than in the first quarter of 2008 due to an 82% increase in gold ounces mined and stacked on the leach pad. The increase in ounces stacked was the result of increased ore tonnes mined due to waste that was moved
ahead of plan in the first quarter for the purpose of wall stabilization in the Antler pit, as well as improvements in head grade. Development drilling was completed in the northwest portion of Basalt Phase 5 and moved into the middle Basalt pit to fill in and locate the deeper portions of mineralization. Exploration drilling continued the evaluation of the Lil’ Gun Target and the Trout Creek Fault Zone.
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