MLN 955 Gove Annual Report for the period 30 May 2011 to 29 May 2012

Abstract

During the anniversary period 30 May 2011 to 29 May 2012 Pacific Aluminium, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, mined approximately 7.37 million dry tonnes of bauxite at the Gove mining operation. Yearlong Contracting drilled 1,889 holes, for a total of 9,452.75 m at an average depth of 5.0 m in areas that are scheduled to be mined in the next five years. The drilling was planned to be conducted in five separate areas, but due to unforeseen circumstances the last two scheduled areas were not completed. Drilling was carried out on a 50 m by 50 m grid to achieve more accurate grade estimation which complimented previous drilling information, based on a 200 m by 200 m spaced exploration holes. The majority of holes intersected bauxite and the ore grade intersections will be used for grade control mine planning.