Mining leases granted for Jump-Up Dam Project

The Western Australian Government has granted the three Mining Leases for....

  The Western Australian Government has granted the three Mining Leases for Heron Resources’ Jump-up Dam Project, situated 150 km North East of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.The granting of these tenements, for a renewable term of 21 years, provides Heron with certainty of tenure for the Jump-up Dam Project and continues the project’s positive momentum.According to the company, the mining leases cover some 3,360 hectares and will be of sufficient size to support all of the necessary mining and processing infrastructure over the life of the project.Heron’s Managing Director Mathew Longworth said the granting of the Mining Leases was another positive step for the Jump-up Dam Project.“The mining leases allow Heron to proceed with trial mining and leaching to demonstrate the viability of the Jump-up Dam project commencing last quarter 2007,” Mr Longworth said.“The company will now focus on the approvals process for the demonstration, working with the relevant government departments and stakeholders. The granting of the mining leases is valuable recognition for the stakeholders in the Jump-up Dam Project including the local indigenous communities.“Heron is proud of its relationships with stakeholders in all of the communities in which it operates and will continue to work hard to foster these relationships.”The pre-feasibility study for the project is scheduled for completion in October 2007. Two drilling rigs are currently on site drilling selected areas for better resource definition and final positioning of the trial-pit location.Water exploration continues with a number of new sources of water identified. These sources are particularly in the Aubils area where bores with good flows of reasonable quality water are currently being test-pumped.Metallurgical testwork is also continuing with 4m, 3m and 2m columns.