GOOD PICTORIAL COVERAGE. PAN DOWN MINE VEHICLE TRACK TO MINERS WORKING OUTSIDE MINE. VARIOUS SHOTS OF DESERTED GHOST TOWN OF DEADWOOD. ORE BEING DUMPED FROM CARTS, SHOTS OF MEN AND MACHINES ???GING UNDERGROUND DAVID ???OARE STATEMENT AS INDICATED REPORTER WRAPUP.




Initials


REPORTER: DON OLIVER

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE STRENGTHENING ECONOMY AND SOARING GOLD PRICES, WHICH HAVE DOUBLED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, HAVE PROMPTED SOME MINERS TO REOPEN A LONG CLOSED GOLD MINE IN THE GHOST TOWN OF DEADWOOD, CALIFORNIA. DEADWOOD WAS ONCE A THRIVING COMMUNITY ABOUT 100 YEARS AGO. MORE THAN 35 MINEEE MILLION DOLLARS OF GOLD CAME OUT OF THIS MINE, BUT THE GOLD GAVE OUT AND THE PRICE OF GOLD DROPPED, FORCING THE MINE TO CLOSE. NOW THE MINE IS OPEN AGAIN AND ALTHOUGH MINERS HAVEN'T STRUCK A VEIN YET THEY ARE CERTAIN THAT A FEW MORE MILLION DOLLARS, IN GOLD MJSEEE MUST BE DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE. ONE MINER, DAVID HOARE, AEEE SAID THE REASON HE WAS WORKING THE MINE WAS THAT THE PRICE OF GODEE GOLD HAD GONE UP AND HE FELT CERTAIN THAT MONEY COULD BE MADE AT THE BROWN BEAR MINE.