MINERAL PROCESSING: Aurbel mill project on budget

QUEBEC — The refurbishment of the Aurbel mill located 1,000 metres from the Lac Herbin gold mine near Val d'Or is advancing on schedule and within budget, says owner Alexis Minerals of Toronto. Work began in July 2009 and is 50-60% complete.

Alexis expects to spend $5.5 million before reopening the 1,400-t/d mill in January 2010. It will treat ore from the Lac Herbin mine at lower costs than those associated with custom milling. The Aurbel facility will also have excess capacity which could be used to treat ore from other nearby Alexis properties or from properties belonging to other mining companies.

Meanwhile, Alexis has begun a 40,000-tonne bulk sample program at its Lac Pelletier project 4 km southwest of Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Mining there could recover approximately 109,300 oz of gold over a three-year period.

More information about Alexis and its aim to become a mid-tier producer are available at www.AlexisMinerals.com.