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Coordinates: 27°00′S 118°43′E / 27.000°S 118.717°E / -27.000; 118.717
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#REDIRECT [[Bluebird Gold Mine]]
{{Infobox Gold Mine
| name = Bluebird
| image =
| width =
| caption =
| location = Australia
| lat = -27.00
| long = 118.43
| place = [[Meekatharra, Western Australia|Meekatharra]]
| subdivision_type = [[States and territories of Australia|State]]
| state/province = [[Western Australia]]
| country = [[Australia]]
| owner = [[Mercator Gold PLC]]
| official website = [http://www.mercatorgold.com/index.asp Mercator website]
| acquisition year = 2005
| stock_exchange = [[Alternative Investment Market|AIM]]
| stock_code = [http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-news/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB00B0P4LQ95GBGBXAIM MCR]
| financial year = 2007-08
| amount = 32,145
| opening year = 1980's
| closing year = 2008
}}

The '''Bluebird Gold Mine''' is a [[Gold mining|gold mine]] located 15 km south-south-west of [[Meekatharra, Western Australia|Meekatharra]], [[Western Australia]].<ref name= Minedex >[http://minedexext.doir.wa.gov.au/minedex/external/common/appMain.jsp MINEDEX website - Meekatharra - Bluebird search result] accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

It is currently owned by [[Mercator Gold PLC]] and is on care and maintenance after Mercator went into [[Administration (law)|administration]] in October 2008.<ref name=Suspension >[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/081009%20Statement%20re% Statement re Suspension] Mercator website, Published: 9 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> <ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/business/gold-output-lags-as-price-goes-up-20081123-6ewu.html Gold output lags as price goes up] ''[[The Age]]'', published: 24 November 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

==History==
[[File:Gold mines Meekathara Leinster.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Gold mines in the [[Kalgoorlie, Western Australia|Kalgoorlie]] region]]

The mine was owned by [[St Barbara Mines Ltd]] from 1991 to October 2005, when St Barbara sold it to Mercator,<ref name= Minedex >[http://minedexext.doir.wa.gov.au/minedex/external/common/appMain.jsp MINEDEX website - Meekatharra - Bluebird search result] accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> for A$18 million in cash and shares and an $3 million environmental bond.<ref>[http://www.mercatorgold.com/admin/Press/Docs/Acquisition%20of%20St%20Barbara%20Mines%20FINAL.pdf Proposed Meekatharra Asset Acquisition from St Barbara Mines Limited] Mercator website, published: 3 November 2005, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> At the time of the purchase, Mercator already owned a number of exploration leases in the area.<ref>[http://www.mercatorgold.com/australian_gold_history.htm History of Australian Gold Production] Mercator website, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

St Barbara spent A$ 30 million on the mine in the early 2000's on upgrading plant and developing its surface and underground operations.<ref name=Handbook >''The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition'', page: 108, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> Mining at Bluebird was suspended in May 2004.<ref name=Stbarbara >[http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=00472169 St Barbara annual report 2004] published: 27 October 2004, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

Mining resumed under Mercator in the fourth quarter of 2007.<ref name=Annual08 >[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/090401%20FINAL%20Preliminary%20Announcement%202008.pdf Final Results Year Ended 30 June 2008] Mercator website, Published: 1 April 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> The company planed to produce 90,000 ounces of gold in its first year, rising to 120,000 in 2008.<ref>[http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/123/mercator-gold-is-re-establishing-meekatharra-gold-district-0123.html Mercator Gold is Re-establishing Meekatharra Gold District] proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 4 November 2006, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> Mining was carried out at the ''Surprise'' and the ''Bluebird'' [[Open-pit mining|open pit]].<ref>[http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/123/mercator-gold-the-aim-market-seems-slow-on-the-uptake--0123.html Mercator Gold: the AIM market seems slow on the uptake] proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 1 April 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

Mercator announced on 25 September 2008, that mining at its ''Surprise'' pit had been suspended because the proximity of the pit to the [[Great Northern Highway]] raised concerns. Milling was to continue until October that year and then resume in January 2009. Mercator also planned to raise A$58 million to refinance its operations and pay off its debts.<ref>[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/080925%20FINAL%20Mining%20&%20%20Financing%20Update.pdf Mining & Financing Update] Mercator website, Published: 25 September 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

On 9 October 2008, Mercator requested a suspension of trading following the appointment of [[Ferrier Hodgson]] as administrators to the company's operating subsidiary, Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd.<ref name=Suspension >[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/081009%20Statement%20re% Statement re Suspension] Mercator website, Published: 9 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> All mining activities at Bluebird were suspended and the mine placed in care and maintenance.<ref>[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/081013%20Corporate%20Update.pdf CORPORATE UPDATE] Mercator website, Published: 13 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> <ref>[http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/300/mercator-gold-enters-administration-while-it-seeks-refinancing-0300.html Mercator Gold enters administration while it seeks refinancing] proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 13 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref> For the 2007-08 financial year, Mercator posted a loss of £31,883,479.<ref name=Annual08 >[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/090401%20FINAL%20Preliminary%20Announcement%202008.pdf Final Results Year Ended 30 June 2008] Mercator website, Published: 1 April 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

At the end of 2009, Mercator was hopeful, that the sale of the mine to [[Meekatharra Gold Corporation]], a company to be listed on the [[Toronto Stock Exchange]], should be finalised in 2010.<ref>[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/091231%20Trading%20Statement%20-%20UK%20Release%20Final(3).pdf Trading Statement & Interim Results for the 12 month to 30 June 2009] Mercator website, Published: 31 December 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>

==Production==
Production of the mine:
{| class="wikitable"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#DAA520"
| '''Year'''
| '''Production'''
| '''Grade'''
| '''Cost per ounce'''
|- align="center"
| 2000 <ref name=Handbook >''The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition'', page: 108, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 86,798 ounces
| 0.93 g/t
| A$ 321
|- align="center"
| 2001 <ref name=Handbook >''The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition'', page: 108, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 111,380 ounces
| 1.67 g/t
| A$ 469
|- align="center"
| 2002 <sup>1</sup> <ref name=Handbook >''The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition'', page: 108, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 97,254 ounces
| 2.29 g/t
| A$ 459
|- align="center"
| 2002-03 <ref name=Stbarbara >[http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=00472169 St Barbara annual report 2004] published: 27 October 2004, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 96,611 ounces
| 1,47 g/t
|
|- align="center"
| 2003-04 <ref name=Stbarbara >[http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=00472169 St Barbara annual report 2004] published: 27 October 2004, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 37,983 ounces
| 0.84 g/t
|
|- align="center"
| 2004-07
| ''inactive''
|
|
|- align="center"
| 2007-08 <ref name=Annual08 >[http://www.mercatorgold.com/UserFiles/Image/File/PressReleases/090401%20FINAL%20Preliminary%20Announcement%202008.pdf Final Results Year Ended 30 June 2008] Mercator website, Published: 1 April 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010</ref>
| 32,145 ounces
|
|
|- align="center"
| 2008-10
| ''inactive''
|
|
|}
* <sup>1</sup> Figures for January to September 2002 only.

==See also==
* [[List of active gold mines in Western Australia]]

==Sources==
* ''The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition'', Louthean Media Pty Ltd, Editor: Ross Louthean
* [http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/documents/000221.jemma.williams.pdf Western Australian Mineral and Petroleum Statistics Digest 2008] Page 34: Principal Mineral and Petroleum Producers - Gold

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://minedexext.doir.wa.gov.au/minedex/external/common/appMain.jsp MINEDEX website]

{{coord|27|00|S|118|43|E|region:AU-WA_type:city(300)|display=title}}

[[Category:Gold mines in Western Australia]]
[[Category:Surface mines in Australia]]
[[Category:Underground mines in Australia]]
[[Category:Mid West region of Western Australia]]

Revision as of 10:20, 15 January 2010

Bluebird
Location
LocationMeekatharra
StateWestern Australia
CountryAustralia
Production
Production32,145
Financial year2007-08
History
Opened1980's
Closed2008
Owner
CompanyMercator Gold PLC
WebsiteMercator website
Year of acquisition2005

The Bluebird Gold Mine is a gold mine located 15 km south-south-west of Meekatharra, Western Australia.[1]

It is currently owned by Mercator Gold PLC and is on care and maintenance after Mercator went into administration in October 2008.[2] [3]

History

Gold mines in the Kalgoorlie region

The mine was owned by St Barbara Mines Ltd from 1991 to October 2005, when St Barbara sold it to Mercator,[1] for A$18 million in cash and shares and an $3 million environmental bond.[4] At the time of the purchase, Mercator already owned a number of exploration leases in the area.[5]

St Barbara spent A$ 30 million on the mine in the early 2000's on upgrading plant and developing its surface and underground operations.[6] Mining at Bluebird was suspended in May 2004.[7]

Mining resumed under Mercator in the fourth quarter of 2007.[8] The company planed to produce 90,000 ounces of gold in its first year, rising to 120,000 in 2008.[9] Mining was carried out at the Surprise and the Bluebird open pit.[10]

Mercator announced on 25 September 2008, that mining at its Surprise pit had been suspended because the proximity of the pit to the Great Northern Highway raised concerns. Milling was to continue until October that year and then resume in January 2009. Mercator also planned to raise A$58 million to refinance its operations and pay off its debts.[11]

On 9 October 2008, Mercator requested a suspension of trading following the appointment of Ferrier Hodgson as administrators to the company's operating subsidiary, Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd.[2] All mining activities at Bluebird were suspended and the mine placed in care and maintenance.[12] [13] For the 2007-08 financial year, Mercator posted a loss of £31,883,479.[8]

At the end of 2009, Mercator was hopeful, that the sale of the mine to Meekatharra Gold Corporation, a company to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, should be finalised in 2010.[14]

Production

Production of the mine:

Year Production Grade Cost per ounce
2000 [6] 86,798 ounces 0.93 g/t A$ 321
2001 [6] 111,380 ounces 1.67 g/t A$ 469
2002 1 [6] 97,254 ounces 2.29 g/t A$ 459
2002-03 [7] 96,611 ounces 1,47 g/t
2003-04 [7] 37,983 ounces 0.84 g/t
2004-07 inactive
2007-08 [8] 32,145 ounces
2008-10 inactive
  • 1 Figures for January to September 2002 only.

See also

Sources

References

  1. ^ a b MINEDEX website - Meekatharra - Bluebird search result accessed: 13 January 2010
  2. ^ a b Statement re Suspension Mercator website, Published: 9 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  3. ^ Gold output lags as price goes up The Age, published: 24 November 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  4. ^ Proposed Meekatharra Asset Acquisition from St Barbara Mines Limited Mercator website, published: 3 November 2005, accessed: 13 January 2010
  5. ^ History of Australian Gold Production Mercator website, accessed: 13 January 2010
  6. ^ a b c d The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition, page: 108, accessed: 13 January 2010
  7. ^ a b c St Barbara annual report 2004 published: 27 October 2004, accessed: 13 January 2010
  8. ^ a b c Final Results Year Ended 30 June 2008 Mercator website, Published: 1 April 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010
  9. ^ Mercator Gold is Re-establishing Meekatharra Gold District proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 4 November 2006, accessed: 13 January 2010
  10. ^ Mercator Gold: the AIM market seems slow on the uptake proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 1 April 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  11. ^ Mining & Financing Update Mercator website, Published: 25 September 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  12. ^ CORPORATE UPDATE Mercator website, Published: 13 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  13. ^ Mercator Gold enters administration while it seeks refinancing proactiveinvestors.co.uk, published: 13 October 2008, accessed: 13 January 2010
  14. ^ Trading Statement & Interim Results for the 12 month to 30 June 2009 Mercator website, Published: 31 December 2009, accessed: 13 January 2010

External links

27°00′S 118°43′E / 27.000°S 118.717°E / -27.000; 118.717

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