Exploration
Total exploration expenditure during the second quarter, inclusive of expenditure at equity accounted
associates, was $43m ($23m brownfields, $20m greenfields), compared with $31m ($15m brownfields, $16m
greenfields) the previous quarter.
BROWNFIELDS EXPLORATION
In South Africa, surface drilling continued in the Project Zaaiplaats area with MMB5 continuing to drill
deflection 5 which is designed to intersect the Vaal Reef along the Jersey Fault cut-off. By the end of the
quarter, drilling had advanced from 2,653m to 2,874m. The Denny’s Reef was intersected at 2,859m and a
Vaal Reef intersection is now expected in August 2009. MZA9 continued drilling a long deflection to the east,
and reached a depth of 2,380m. The first reef intersection is only expected in the fourth quarter. MGR8
advanced to 3,023m. In the Moab North area, Borehole MCY4 was stopped after obstructions in the hole
could not be cleared. Rehabilitation and a move to MGR6 are underway. In the West Rand, drilling of UD51
commenced early in June. The hole is currently at a depth of 2,578m and is expected to intercept the VCR at
about 3,900m.
At Obuasi in Ghana, exploration continued with two holes advancing below 50 level. These holes are all
targeted at the Obuasi Fissure in the KMS Deeps area.
In Argentina, at Cerro Vanguardia, the exploration programme continued with 20,036m of Mineral Resource
delineation drilling, 8,643m of reconnaissance drilling and 2,159m drilling for the underground project. For
the El Volcan project initial exploration has started and a detailed airborne magnetometry survey is planned
for the summer.
In Australia, at Sunrise Dam, 10,007m were drilled from 35 diamond drill holes during the quarter. These
aimed to infill and extend surface and underground lodes within the immediate mine area. The extensions of
the high-grade GQ, Astro and Cosmo lodes were specifically targeted with significant intercepts being
obtained. The extensions of these lodes are likely to result in significant mineral resource additions and
results of their impact will be forthcoming in the next few months. Additional investigations on the extensions
to high-grade gold mineralisation that lies open below 1km vertical, continues. Assessment of the potential for
further internal cutback opportunities to Mega Pit are continuing and the outcomes of this work are anticipated
during the next period. The regional drilling at the Wilga project (AGA earning 70% from Chalice Ltd), located
10km from Sunrise Dam, commenced. During the period, 7,726m were drilled from 180 aircore holes with
results pending.
In Brazil, at the Córrego do Sítio Sulphide Project, drilling continued with 2,770m being drilled from surface
and 1,614m drilled from underground. At the Lamego project, 1,856m of surface drilling was completed. At
Serra Grande, drilling focused on Fiuca and Pequizão, with a total of 5,088m being drilled.
At Siguiri in Guinea, exploration continued to focus on the generation of new targets with soil sampling of
Setiguiya & Sintroko East, target delineation along the southern extension of Sintroko and selected drilling of
the combined pits. Mapping and modelling of pits and drill hole data has focused on developing the structural
setting and controls for the Siguiri mineralisation.
At Geita in Tanzania, focus for the quarter has been on target delineation, infill and extensional drilling.
Compilation and review of exploration targets has been completed with 41 targets identified and geological
reconnaissance of EM targets is now underway. At Kalondwa Hill, drilling is nearing completion, with
geological & structural mapping ongoing to assist with developing the geological understanding and controls.
Drill planning for Matandani-Kukuluma-Area 3 gaps is underway while at Chipaka, RC infill drilling has been
completed. Two diamond drill holes were completed at Star & Comet as part of Mineral Resource risk
amelioration.
At Morila, in Mali, diamond drilling was completed in April 2009 with no significant intersections. At Sadiola
and Yatela, steady progress is being made with the regional exploration programme with anomalous and
ore-grade intersections being returned from gravity anomalies close to Yatela (e.g. YN, YG3, YG6), in
addition to ore-grade intersections below the previously mined Alamoutala pit. A recent review of the
structural controls of the Sadiola & Yatela mineralisation, including satellite deposits such as Alamoutala and
the FE group, has highlighted significant potential for deeper drilling in order to target sulphide
mineralisation. Targets based on this interpretation are being developed and will be incorporated into the
current exploration programme.