1.
LS shaft head frame, zoon in
6 ft

2.
CU frame, pan to top
11 ft

3.
Earth Mover MS
14 ft

4.
MS head frame. drill in foreground
15 ft

5.
Man works diamond drill
16 1/2 ft

6.
CU drill
17 ft

7.
Man classifies core samples
22 ft

8.
CU information recorded
23 1/2 ft

9.
CU sample
24 1/2 ft

10.
CU hoist brings out waste
28 ft

11.
Miner drills in shaft
31 ft

12.
CU drill
33 ft

13.
CU two miners operate drill
38 ft

14.
CU miner
41 ft

15.
CU miners working
42 ft

16.
CU drill handle, hose join
44 ft

17.
Miners out of shaft on hoist
49 ft

18.
CU miners
51 ft

19.
CU pan head frame of shaft
58 ft

20.
MS head frame of shaft/GV
63 1/2 ft



Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Engineers and miners are sinking exploratory mining shafts at WIDGIEMOOLTHA (pronounced wig-ee-mool-ta. oo as in moon) near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. It is the latest move int eh Australian mining boom -- and the potential for nickel development is said to be promising.

In a joint announcement International Nickel Australia Ltd. and the Broken Hill Proprietary Company stated that several nickel sulphide showings had been located and that shafts would be sunk to evaluate potential.

As part of the investigation in the area a program of diamond drilling is being undertaken. Several hundred tests have ben made and the core samples from these are first identified then sent to Kalgoorlie for further laboratory trials.

With the completion of the head frame and associated equipment, the first load of waste was hauled from the shaft.

Miners are working in two shifts in the shaft, which will eventually reach a depth of 1000 feet. From the shaft, horizontal workings will e driven into the mineral zones to check the continuity and nickel content of the mineralisation. Samples will be obtained for mill and metallurgical testing.

Because the rock is weathered and faulted, the first 200 feet of the drill is hard going. At the end of each shift miners come to the surface to fire charges set below. The next shift removes the blasted rock.

Apart from information about possible nickel deposits, the shaft is also expected to increase knowledge of the geological formation in this desolate outback area. The district was combed formerly for gold by early prospectors who had only picks and shovels.