St. Andrew Goldfields plans ramp, road builds.

Timmins -- St. Andrew Goldfields is gearing up for production on its Clavos Mine site in the Timmins Mining Camp.

The Toronto-based junior mining company owns three properties collectively called the Stock Gold Complex, comprised of the Clavos and Taylor Mines, and the Stock Mine and Mill site, located approximately 50 kilometres east of Timmins.

Mine manager Claude Schimper says all three sites are in different stages of exploration. About 25,000 metres of underground exploration drilling have been completed at the Clavos Mine site. In July, the company performed some bulk testing on the ore body itself and moved into production.

Gold from the Clavos Mine grades at seven grams per tonne, with production amounts estimated at 700 tonnes per day.

The company's report describes plans to extend a decline ramp by almost 500 metres to a depth of 325 m below the surface, which will provide access to additional gold resources.

The construction of a 10-km haul road, along with the installation of a power line from the Clavos Mine to the Stock Mill will increase accessibility and reduce shipping costs. Officials expect that build to wrap up this month.

The company has also been preparing the Stock Mill.

"We've been cleaning it up and getting it ready for July," Schimper says.

The mill has been out of production since 2001, although it ran for three months, earlier this year. Its capacity sits at 1,300 tonnes/day, but can be increased to 2,300 tonnes/day.

Located near the mill is the Stock Mine.

"It is in a state of advanced drilling for the lower extensions," Schimper says.

Historically, the mine produced 131,000 ounces of gold from 824,000 tonnes of ore, averaging 0.16 oz/tonne from 1988 to 2000. Presently, it is a suspended operation until further production decisions can be made.

Meanwhile, the Taylor Mine is waiting on two environmental assessment permits. Schimper says once approval is granted, they will have the authority to start digging the portal and getting a line of production. With about 50 percent of the engineering completed, he doesn't foresee any problems.

"Pending financing and permitting limitations, we expect to be starting the exploration phase in October," he says. "Production is expected in early 2007."

Schimper estimates the whole program is worth about $6 million.

With a current workforce of 50 people (June 2005), Schimper says they are now hiring and intend to have 80 employees by the end of the year. He also believes there will be more potential jobs in the Black River Matheson area, where the Taylor Mine site is located.

Preparing the mine sites and mill led to local jobs for area contractors, when the company contracted out the power line installation and the construction of the haul road.

St. Andrew Goldfields also has property in Alaska and British Columbia.

www.standrewgoldfields.com

By ADELLE LARMOUR

Northern Ontario Business