Production Update

 
TIDMHMB 
 
 

  Hambledon Mining plc 
 

  ("the Company") 
 

  Production Update 
 

  The Company reports its production for the three months from 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2009. 
 
                         January    February    March     Total 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Milled tonnes (dry)      30,742     22,930      48,092    101,765 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Gold grade (g/t)         1.50       1.06        1.20      1.26 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Contained gold (gms)     46,035     24,325      57,927    128,288 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Contained gold (oz)      1,480      782         1,862     4,125 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Gold recovery %          79%        80%         80%       80% 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Recovered gold (oz)      1,169      626         1,490     3,285 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Recovered silver (oz)    2,108      1,096       3,632     6,836 
=------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 

  As previously disclosed, operations during the quarter were severely affected by deficiencies in the crushing plant and consequent shutdowns for repairs and installation of new equipment. A new cone crusher was installed in early March and various other modifications were made during the shut-down. The newly supplied cone crusher drive motor failed shortly after installation and further shutdowns occurred later in the month for the installation of new feeder arrangements and modifications to improve the flow. 
 

  Ore grade was lower in the quarter than usual and recovery of gold has been consistently below planned levels, albeit higher than the previous quarter, largely as a result of the failure of the gravity concentrator to work properly. This has now been upgraded by the suppliers and other installation modifications have been made which are expected to improve recoveries in the current quarter. 
 

  Since the restart on 1 April 2009, the changes have proved successful. In the first 12 days of full operation, some 24,100 tonnes were milled and 900 ounces of gold were produced. 
 

  Enquiries: 
 

  Hambledon Mining:Telephone [phone]Charles Zorab 
 

  Fairfax I.S. PLC: Telephone [phone]Nominated Adviser and BrokerEwan Leggat