Production Update

 
TIDMHMB 
 
 

  Hambledon Mining plc 
 

  ("the Company") 
 

  14 July 2009 
 

  Production Update 
 

  The Company reports its production for the three months from 1 April 2009 to 30 June 2009. 
 
                        April   May     June    Total 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Milled tonnes (dry)     67,825  66,430  78,017  212,272 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Gold grade (g/t)        1.15    1.05    1.13    1.11 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Contained gold (gms)    77,999  69,751  87,770  235,520 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Contained gold (oz)     2,516   2,243   2,822   7,581 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Gold recovery %         80.6    82.1    80.1    80.8 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Recovered gold (oz)     2,027   1,841   2,260   6,128 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
Recovered silver (oz)   5,132   3,741   4,736   13,611 
=------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 

  Our production results for April and May were announced along with our preliminary results in June, but are repeated here as part of our usual quarterly reporting cycle. 
 

  The amount of ore treated in the quarter has shown a significant increase over previous quarters, resulting from the large number of modifications that have been made to the crushing circuit. The June total of 78,017 tonnes milled represents some 12% greater throughput than the original design capacity of the plant. After a further small modification is made to the tailings line, expected in August 2009, an even greater throughput should be possible. 
 

  The area of the pit currently being mined has a higher waste stripping requirement than is expected to be later in the pit life, making it difficult to mine the quantity of ore that can now be treated in the process plant. Consequently, some low grade ore is being processed, bringing down the average grade. As the pit deepens, and the stripping ratio falls, we expect to be able to provide the additional tonnage at standard mined grades. Various options are also being investigated to increase the mining rate in the short term. 
 

  Enquiries: 
 

  Hambledon Mining:Telephone [phone]Charles Zorab 
 

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