:: Lafayette Begins Commissioning at Rapu Rapu

Lafayette Mining Ltd has begun commissioning the processing plant at its Rapu Rapu polymetallic project in the Philippines.

The project is expected to achieve first gold production during the current quarter, according to Andrew Mcllwain, the company's managing director. The base-metals plant will be commissioned later this year.

The focus of the mine plan is the Ungay deposit, estimated to contain proven reserves of 5.85 Mt at an average grade of 2.5 g/t Au, 28.1 g/t Ag, 1.2% Cu and 2.1 % Zn, plus probable reserves of 120,000 tat 2.1 g/t Au, 22.7 g/t Ag, 1.0% Cu and 1.9% Zn.

The sulphide ore will be processed with a conventional flotation route, to produce separate copper and zinc concentrates, with precious metals reporting to the copper concentrate.