Southern Cross

Southern Cross Operations

St Barbara’s Southern Cross operations are centred at Marvel Loch, 30km south of the town of Southern Cross and 360km east of Perth, Western Australia. Current operations are based at the Marvel Loch underground mine GVG district 13km to the south and Nevoria district 10km to the south-east. Southern Cross Operations produced 157,477 ounces of gold for the 2008 financial year, meeting forecast production. The immediate strategic focus is to sustain and extend the life of the Southern Cross Operations through expansion of underground and open pit reserves. 

The key focus at Southern Cross is the development of deposits to deliver a feed grade greater than 3.5 grams per tonne.  Underground deposits greater than 3.5 grams per tonne and open pit deposits of greater than 2.5 grams per tonne are being targeted.

Marvel Loch Underground

The Marvel Loch underground mine is the cornerstone of t Barbara’s Southern Cross operations. Gold mineralisation extends over a 1.3km strike length and has been identified to depths of over 700 metres below surface. The ore body comprises multiple lodes. Those currently being mined include Sherwood and Undaunted at the North; Exhibition at the Centre; and East and New at the South. Mining methods include uphole benching and open stoping with rock fill, where necessary. 

Ore production from Marvel Loch underground mine for the 2008 financial year was 900,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.7g/t. 

Capital expenditure for 2009 will be targeted on improvements to the Marvel Loch processing plant. The plant has been in operation for more than 15 years and has a production capacity of 2.4 Mtpa. 

Open Pit Operations

Open pit mining at GVG is being replaced by production from Nevoria. Nevoria located 10km south-east of the marvel loch processing plant has existing mining related infrastructure.  Mining is expected to commence in the Transvaal district located 30 kilometres to the north of the Marvel Loch processing plant. The district is also connected by a dedicated haul road to the Marvel Loch plant has been mined in recent past. Mining in the GVG district will scale down during the year. 

Southern Cross operations are forecast to produce between 180,000 and 190,000 ounces of gold for the 2009 financial year.

 

 

Map of Operations

View map of our Operations View map