Santa Fe Gold Begins Mining and Stockpiling Ore at Summit Silver-Gold Mine

Santa Fe Gold Begins Mining and Stockpiling Ore at Summit Silver-Gold Mine

Santa Fe Gold Corp, a U.S.-based mining and exploration enterprise focused on gold, silver, copper and industrial minerals, today reported that mining and stockpiling of ore had begun at its Summit mine in southwestern New Mexico. Processing of the stockpiled ore is planned to begin when construction of the Lordsburg processing facility is completed. Barring unforeseen delays, the company anticipates that the processing facility will be ready to accept ore in approximately two months. Construction of the Lordsburg facility began in the first quarter of 2008 and is proceeding within budget and according to schedule.

“Our 12’ x 12’ declined ramp has reached the ore zone as predicted, at a ramp distance of 650 feet and 420 feet below the surface. We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone,” said Dr. W. Pierce Carson, President and CEO. “Assays of the ore zone average 0.13 oz/ton gold and 10.8 oz/ton silver over a mining width of 10 feet. Individual assays of 2-foot samples range up to 0.26 oz/ton gold and 19.5 oz/ton silver. These results are consistent with the reserve grades previously calculated for the Summit deposit.

“The width and grade of the ore zone also were what we expected on the basis of two historic drill holes that intersected the ore zone approximately 80 feet to the southeast of the decline ramp intersection, one 30 feet in elevation above and the other 100 feet below the decline intersection. The two holes showed, respectively, 9.6 feet diluted mining width grading 0.09 oz/ton gold and 12.9 oz/ton silver, and 11.9 feet diluted mining width grading 0.15 oz/ton gold and 24.43 oz/ton silver.”

The company is proceeding to mine and stockpile ore employing an overhand cut and fill mining method using jumbo drills and rubber tired haulage equipment. Initially two development headings will be driven in ore in northwest and southeast directions. The mining rate is planned to build to 400 tons per day, to meet the capacity of the Lordsburg milling facility. Mining operations are being carried out on a double shift basis by the company’s own mining crews. Currently the company employs 12 people at the Summit mining operation and 16 people at the Lordsburg mill site.

Carson said, “We are excited by the progress at Summit and remain focused on achieving production in the near term. In light of worldwide economic troubles and rising gold and silver prices, we believe the company is well positioned to deliver long-term value to shareholders.”

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