Mining Exploration News - Australia & SE Asia

Exploration News

A midden - a collective noun to describe a group of exploration companies.
After all, they are just a bunch of shells
-- Sam Lees

Proposed New Floats/
Share Issues

HERALD RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

DRILLING UPDATE , CONSTRUCTIVE MEETINGS HELD

Herald's 71% owned subsidiary, International Annax Ventures Inc. (IAX) reports as follows:

Sopokomil Prospect - Anjing Hitam Zone

The Company is pleased to announce assay results from hole SOP41D on line 9475N, the southernmost drilled section at the Anjing Hitam zone:

Hole
North
East
Dip/
Azimuth
(mag.)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP41D
9475
5225
87.5^o /250^o
369.0
375.6
6.6
15.6
9.1
26.8
MMH

MMH = Main Mineralised Horizon

Hole 42D, on the same section, and drilled to intersect the target horizon at ~80m updip from SOP41D, failed to intersect massive sulphide. There is a rapid termination in mineralisation on this western edge of the zone.

The LF70 rig is now drilling SOP42D, from the same site, targeting the zone about 100m downdip from SOP41D.

Sopokomil Prospect - Other Drilling

Results have been received from the Edson rig drilled holes SOP39D and SOP40D on line 10400N in the Basecamp Zone.

Hole
North
East
Dip/
Azimuth
(mag.)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP39D
10418
5005
60^o/250^o

incl.
41.0
134.0
146.0
44.0
153.0
149.0
3.0
19.0
3.0
4.2
3.2
10.1
2.8
0.2
1.1
7.2
15.6
56.9
JSZ
MVT
MVT

SOP40D
10421
5290
60^o/250^o
191.5
203.0
11.5
2.5
1.5
2.1
JSZ

JSZ = Julu Sedex Zone MVT = Mississippi Valley Type

The "sedex" zone in both SOP39D and SOP40D was strongly sheared and diluted with fault gouge.

The carbonate hosted MVT zinc mineralisation in SOP39D is typical of the "background" type grades commonly encountered and which might be amenable to open pitting in parts of the area.

The Edson rig is currently drilling a hole targeting both JSZ and MVT mineralisation in the Bongkaras zone, at 12000N.

Other Dairi Project Matters

Very constructive meetings were held with the Regent of the Dairi Regency in mid-November. The Governor of North Sumatra also expressed his support. Full support for the Dairi Project has been assured from these authorities who will be assuming greater powers in the decentralisation process presently taking place in Indonesia.

A technical presentation was made at the Governor's office in the provincial capital, Medan, on 23 November 2000 by the Chairman of Herald Resources Ltd, Mr Terrence Allen, and Project Geologist, Mr Robert Seed. The Deputy Governor also assured their support of the Company in its efforts.

Recent very heavy rains and flooding throughout Sumatra have not affected activities at the Sopokomil site. Drilling has proceeded without halt up to the date of this report.

LAKES OIL (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Chairman's Address - 2000 AGM

Dear Shareholder,

This is the 54th Annual General Meeting of Lakes Oil, Australia’s oldest listed oil company, and I would like to welcome you all to the Meeting.

We stand today at the beginning of what we believe to be the most interesting and exciting part of the Company’s history.

GIPPSLAND

This period will commence shortly with the drilling of two exploration wells in the Company’s Gippsland permits, named "Trifon-1" and "Gangell-1". In fact, the rig arrived at the Trifon site on Monday, 27 November and is rigging up as we speak to hopefully begin drilling on this coming Sunday, 3 December. We are anticipating about 21 days drilling for each well.

Dr. Greg Blackburn, who is a technical consultant to Lakes, will give you a technical run through on each of these wells at the end of this meeting. However, the most important thing to remember is that, because of the size of the reservoirs, any discovery of oil/gas could be large. In addition to this, any such discovery will be located only 9-10 kilometres from the Longford processing plant.

In our recently-released 2000 Annual Report, I mentioned our geological consultants, Jack Mulready, Eric Webb and Dr. Greg Blackburn, and I would like to again thank them for the excellent work they have carried out over the last year, particularly during the last 6 months where they have had to meet tight deadlines.

I would also like to thank you, the Shareholders, for your continued support, particularly in the recent capital raising, and I hope that the Trifon and Gangell wells provide rewards for you.

With oil prices at historically-high levels, it is surprising that there is not more onshore exploration activity. Lakes will have drilled 3 wildcat wells this year which, for a company our size, is remarkable.

The Company believes it is time for the Federal Government to look to stimulate the "risk" end of the industry, i.e. wildcat drilling, particularly onshore. The fact that a prospective oil and gas province like onshore Gippsland has only had some 60 wells drilled in it during the past 70-odd years (and over half of those could hardly be called oil wells), is a most disappointing outcome and points to a failure of Government policy in this area. Australia’s known hydrocarbon reserves, particular of oil, are running down rapidly and the country is facing a growing dependence on imported oil at increasing prices. There is an urgency for Government to do what it can to encourage the development of new fields within Australia.

Back in the 60’s, when onshore drilling activity was at a much higher level than it is today, the Government allowed an investor to claim a tax deduction for new capital raised for oil exploration. We would urge the current Federal Government to revisit this method for attracting much-needed funds for this vital sector of the industry. Importantly, no one is looking for a "free lunch" or to double-dip the system. Our proposal is that exploration companies, like Lakes, have an option to allow its investors to claim a deduction for drilling expenses, rather than the company. The present system operates to the serious detriment of companies such as Lakes which have no income and receive no current benefit from the tax deductions allowed for drilling programs. This compares with other companies which do receive taxable income and which are effectively able to claim exploration expenses as a deduction as against current income.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Those of you who have been shareholders for some years will remember back to 1992, when Lakes Oil held an interest in a well named "Troas-1", drilled offshore South Australia, near Robe, with BHP as the operator. At that time, we had probably the biggest and the smallest oil companies in Australia in partnership, being BHP and Lakes.

Troas-1 was the first valid offshore test of the Crayfish Formation sealed by the overlying Eumeralla Formation. The well intersected gas-bearing sands at 2,350 metres and was still drilling through gas bearing-sand at a total depth of 3,506 metres. A total of 1,150 metres of gross hydrocarbon-bearing section was intersected in the well, with a net hydrocarbon sand of 98 metres depth.

Lakes is delighted to announce that, as from today, its 100% owned subsidiary, Otway Resources Pty. Ltd., has increased its interest in EPP 24, in which the Troas well was drilled those 8 years ago, from 8.33% to 100% and has therefore assumed operatorship of the permit.

Reserve estimates from Troas are difficult to calculate, as unfortunately the well was never tested. However, gas in place was estimated to be up to 600 BCF, with maximum recoverable reserves of 418 BCF. Recent attempts have been made to value this asset but the figures obtained vary significantly depending on the assumed use of the gas and the price at which the gas could therefore be sold. It would appear from very preliminary case studies, that the maximum value would be obtained if the proposed Melbourne to Adelaide pipeline goes ahead. Notwithstanding these issues, I believe that this asset is a very valuable one for Lakes. Its location, which is only some 20 kilometres offshore and in water depths of 86 metres, lies approximately half way between Melbourne and Adelaide meaning that, should the proposed route of the pipeline go ahead, any future well drilled by Lakes could not be better situated.

The Otway Basin, in which EPP 24 is located, is ideally positioned to supply gas to either the South Australian or Victorian gas markets.

Deregulation and privatisation of the downstream gas transmission and retailing functions during the last three years has significantly increased the prospects of selling gas. There is substantial growth expected from the generation of electricity from gas in the medium to long term, as both Victoria and South Australia are short of intermediate generating capacity.

Pipelines now link the South Australian and Victorian markets to the NSW gas market, therefore there is the potential for gas swaps in these markets.

The current 5-year work program for EPP 24 calls for a 140 square kilometre, 3D seismic survey.

Lakes has had its consultants look at the possibility of using new computer technology, now available in the USA, to process the existing 2D seismic in a 3D format. Their recommendation to Lakes has been to not spend further money on seismic acquisition, as they believe the prospect is ready for drilling. Lakes will present a case to both the Primary Industry and Resources Department of South Australia and the appropriate Commonwealth Authority to have the work program for the 5th year changed to include the re-drilling of the Troas well.

Based on the current indicated reserves, and subject to a full feasibility study (as only very preliminary studies have been undertaken so far), the Troas field is potentially commercial, should the proposed Melbourne to Adelaide pipeline eventuate.

Lakes believes, as did some of its previous joint venture partners, that the original Troas well did not go deep enough and that we had in fact only reached the upper portion of the Pretty Hill section. There is potential for a re-drill of the well to confirm the possibility of the Pretty Hill-proper to have better permeability and porosity than that which was previously encountered in the first well. Should the lower portion of the Pretty Hill prove to be gas-bearing, it would significantly increase the reserves and the potential for commercial development.

By bringing forward the re-drill of the Troas structure, Lakes will provide a valuable input into the viability of the Melbourne to Adelaide pipeline.

In the event that the Troas field proves to be commercial, it would fill a window of opportunity which is currently opening for the supply of gas to South Australia and Western Victoria.

Lakes is delighted to now own 100% of this exciting project and discussions regarding its development are already taking place with potential drilling and end-user partners. By virtue of its 100% interest in this permit, Lakes is in a strong position to introduce new partners who will share the exploration costs, or to potentially establish a position such that its exposure would be low.

ACCLAIM URANIUM (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Following a meeting of the Wingellina Aboriginal Community and the Traditional Owners of the land within Exploration Licence 69/535 ("the Licence") at Wingellina, Western Australia, it has received confirmation from the Wingellina Aboriginal Community that:

representatives of the company are permitted to access the Licence area in order to identify for the Traditional Owners the location of the main ore body within that area; and
after due consideration, the Traditional Owners will then inform the company as to the culturally appropriate areas to peg a mining lease within the area identified by the company.

On 13 December 2000, representatives of the company will be accessing the Licence area for the purposes of identifying the ore body in accordance with the advice referred to in paragraph 1 above.

DRAGON MINING (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Dragon has completed a comprehensive Pre-Feasibility Study on the development of the Svartliden Gold Project in Sweden. Dragon currently has a 60% equity in the project rising to 80% on completion of a bankable feasibility study. Included in the Pre-feasibility Study were resource analyses, mining studies, metallurgical investigations, plant engineering studies and environmental investigations, undertaken by consultants in Australia and Sweden.
The study demonstrates that the Svartliden Gold Project will support an initial development of an economically robust open pit and CIP/ClL plant operating at 300,000 tonnes per annum at a diluted head grade of 4.79/g/tAu, producing 40,000ozs per year for 5 years. Capital costs for the project are expected to be a modest A$17M. At a gold price base of US$270/oz the Pre-Feasibility Study shows the project should generate a cash surplus of A$59M* pre-financing, with a Net Present Value on a 100% financed basis of A$27M.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY / OIL SEARCH (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Oil Search Limited as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that the Dua Dua - 1 Well was completed at total depth of 2,850 metres.
Electric logs completed over the interval drilled indicated significant porosity and potential hydrocarbons over the principal reservoir target, Iagufu Formation and in the secondary targets, being the Toro Sandstone and Digimu Sandstone.
However, after cutting side wall cores and undertaking RFT tests, no hydrocarbons were recovered and the well was plugged and abandoned.
The rig was released.

EQUINOX RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Equinox announced the successful completion of the Pre-feasibility Study on the Lumwana Copper Project in Zambia. The results of this detailed and comprehensive study by the Company's engineering consultants Bateman Engineering Pty Ltd ("Bateman") have significantly improved the financial viability of the project. This supports Equinox's decision to proceed, subject to finance, to a full bankable Feasibility Study.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Update on Louisiana completion activity

The Hosston Orange Sand interval between 9,802 and 9,820 feet has been perforated and allowed to build-up pressure. A Bottom Hole Pressure of approximately 3,000 psi was reported Monday and the well has been flaring gas and minor condensate. Based on these tests, the Operator estimates the Orange zone will deliver between 0.5 to 1.0 million cubic feet of gas per day without stimulation.

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kimberley has further narrowed down the search for the source of the alluvial diamonds at its Blina Diamond Project, with the latest results indicating it could be nearing the upstream extent of the Terrace 5 gravels, which extend continuously for wall over 14 kilometres.

Kimberley announced the recovery of a parcel of 3 diamonds weighing 2.22 carats (including a 1.76 carat gem diamond) from Pit 71, an area located about 2 kilometres upstream from Pit 61 - where the Company recovered 46 diamonds weighing 21.6 carats in September this year.

LION SELECTION GROUP (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

KEY POINTS - SEPTEMBER QUARTER

CSM
Agreement to sell 35 million shares and 12.5 million options for $14.5 million ($7.5 million profit), conditional on CSM shareholder approval.

GALLERY
Drilling in progress at Area 1, Mupane in Botswana is producing wide, high grade gold intersections. Potential new open pit/underground gold mine.

SPINIFEX
Resource increased at Nyakafuru in Tanzania to 0.73 million ounces (3.6 mt @ 6.3 g/t) confirms the potential for a high grade new gold mine.

MPI
New gold discovery below Stawell Gold Mine in Victoria has been named Golden Gift and has a sectional target area of 3.5 km strike and 1 km vertically.

WESTONIA
New investment during the quarter. Lion is funding a scoping study on 0.76 million ounce gold resource for new mine.

INDOPHIL
Potential acquisition of Tampakan copper-gold project in Philippines.

MARLBOROUGH RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

The signing of the lease to Telminex NL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marlborough Resources, marks the official start of work on the Ardlethan Tin Project. The construction phase is expected to take seven months, which will see first tin production in June 2001.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kenmore No 23 an Oil Development/Appraisal well situated approximately 220 metres south of kenmore no 13, latitude 26 deg, 39 min 08.23 sec south, longitude 143 deg 26 min 11.73 sec east. The well was spudded at 04:30 hours on November 19, 2000. 245mm surface casing was set at 162.48 metres RT. The well reached a total depth of 1572 metres RT. 140mm production casing was set at 1563.3 metres RT.
The well was cased and suspended as a future oil producer.

OIL SEARCH (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Oil Search Limited, as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that the Dua Dua-1 well was plugged and abandoned on the 26 November 2000. Hydrocarbon shows were indicated on electric logs, however Repeat Formation Tests (RFT's) confirmed the objective lagifu Sandstones to be water bearing.

TUART RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

Tuart Resources NL since its listing in August 2000 has undertaken an exploration programme on its Cashmere Downs Project. The programme comprised a continuous exploration of soil sampling over portions of the Western Shear, stream sampling over the Western Shear and a review of the stream sample results of the whole of the tenement.

A preliminary drilling programme was designed to follow up target A4 which indicated gold from 64 ppb to 4 g per tonne over three metres and to test for the presence of gold in association with or close to the sulphide gossan. The tests were positive.

A follow-up drill programme of approximately 3,000 metres is planned for mid-February to test some of the targets defined by the exploration conducted from September to December period.

The airborne EM coverage of five project areas has been completed. The results are being interpreted and the preliminary analysis has been used in location of the January drill holes.

AMITY OIL (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Velimese-1 Daily Update - Gas shows of 7-23% total gas (C(1) only) reported over the interval 1142 to 1162 metres in Danismen Formation sandstones and shales, in background gas levels of 1 to 4%. The significance of these shows will be determined from wireline logging to be carried out when the well reaches TD in the 311mm (12.25 inch) hole.
The well was drilling ahead at 1358m at midnight, Turkish time.

CENTAMIN EGYPT (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling at Sukari Prospect Egypt

Hole 160 at 10202.8mN and 10583.4m E at RL 118.9m drilled at 85 degrees grid west has intersected the following mineralisation, well outside the current pit design and the previously calculated resources:

131m@1.6 g/t from 185m, including 25m@3.49g/t from 228m, including 9m@6.00g/t from 237m. A further intersection of 4m@5.79g/t from 302m included 1m@20.1g/t from 305m.
A resource up-grade will follow shortly.

CROESUS MINING (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Davyhurst Production Forecast & Capital Return

DAVYHURST PROJECT

Over 110,000 metres of drilling and 3,000 drill holes completed since June 2000
Gold resources increased to over 540,000 ounces
Initial production forecast of over 200,000 ounces
Mining to commence in January 2001
Net cash from operations of over $40 million estimated

BINDULI

Fort William Mining Lease granted
Binduli production should continue until at least 2002

CORPORATE

Binduli and Davyhurst production for calendar 2001 forecast to exceed 140,000 ounces
Cash reserves of $20 million with no debt
Capital return of 5 cents per share to be distributed to shareholders January 2001 (subject to shareholder approval)

FIMISTON RESOURCES & TECHNOLOGY (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Oil analysis results have been received from 3 recent drill holes completed at the Companies 50% owned Julia Greek Oil Shale Project in Queensland.
The Fimiston drilling returned an average assay of 73.18 litres per tonne. The assays confirm the high-grade nature of the Southern Proposed Pit. The Southern Proposed Pit is one of three proposed pits designed by CSR that contain an in situ resource of 1789 million tonnes at an average grade of 63.5 l/t containing 715 million barrels of oil.

GALLERY GOLD (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Mulpane Prospect - New Drilling Results

Highlight of the new drilling at Mupane Area 1 has been strong gold intersections in Holes MUPC 83 and MUPC 87 . Hole MUPC 83 intersected 49 metres @ 4.3 g/t gold including 25 metres @ 5.4 g/t gold and terminated in mineralisation due to drilling difficulties. Hole MUPC 87, drilled 20 metres updip from Hole MUPC 83, intersected 58 metres @ 5.3 g/t gold including 8 metres @ 18.7 g/t gold and a further deeper intersection of 13 metres @ 7.4 g/t gold including 5 metres @ 12.6 g/t gold.

HILLGROVE GOLD (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report - HIGHLIGHTS

Underground development progressed well during the quarter. The final dewatering of the Eleanora Mine, the completion of development on Syndicate Lode 7 level and the development of the first ore shoot in Brackins Spur will allow for the planned operation of three separate mining production areas on the Hillgrove Field. Development Consent for the construction of the antimony trioxide plant has been granted and some bulk earthworks commenced on the plant site.

INTERCONTINENTAL GOLD & MINERALS (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

During October 2000 the Joint Venture commissioned an independent review of the feasibility of mining the Janet Ivy deposit, both on a heap leach and a toll treatment CIP basis.
Following and pursuant to that review the total independent value assigned to the joint venture tenement "depending on the circumstances of the prospective purchaser" was between $50,000 and $400,000.
Subsequent to review in turn by the company's consultant geologist, the Directors wish to advise that agreement has been reached with Intermin Resources Ltd, the 75% interest holder in the tenement for that company to acquire IGM's 25% interest for a consideration of $100,000.
Settlement of the sale and purchase of that interest is scheduled for 30th November 2000.

IVANHOE MINES (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

In October, Ivanhoe announced that it is considering various options to generate additional cash and/or reduce expenditures in support of the ABM merger. As a start, Ivanhoe has taken immediate steps to significantly reduce its exploration activities, which it believes will save the company up to US$4 million annually. The company's planned 2001 exploration programs will be restricted to South Korea and Mongolia.

Ivanhoe is also looking at the possibility of disposing of certain of its non-core, non-performing gold assets, including its shareholdings in Emperor Mines Limited and the Bakyrchik Gold Mine.
Ivanhoe owns approximately 18% of the issued common shares of Emperor Mines, an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company. Emperor produced 143,000 ounces in the year ended June 30, 2000, from its gold mine in Fiji. The production was the highest ever achieved in the mine's 65 years of operation. However, over the past few months Emperor has been beset with a number of serious operational problems as well as difficulties resulting from Fiji's recent political instability.

The Bakyrchik Mine remained on care and maintenance during the quarter. Decisions on future development plans at the mine are contingent on gold prices achieving levels consistently higher than the recent market values.

OROGEN MINERALS (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

In a report to the ASX for the quarter ending 30 September 2000, Orogen Minerals Limited ("Orogen") noted that the company had been served, and was evaluating, a "sole-risk" notice from Oil Search Limited in relation to drill testing the Saunders and SE Gobe Deep prospects. These prospects are located in an area covered by Petroleum Development Licence - 4 ("PDL-4"), to the east-south-east of the South East Gobe oil field in Papua New Guinea. Orogen owns 30.1875% of PDL-4.

Orogen has evaluated the sole risk proposal and following a meeting of all PDL-4 joint venture participants, the sole risk notice has been withdrawn. All participants in the PDL-4 joint venture have agreed to the following:

A further seismic strike line and possibly a further dip line will be acquired in the vicinity of the Saunders/SE Gobe Deep Prospects with the objective of supplementing existing seismic data and confirming closure of the SE Gobe Deep structure. Line cutting will commence in early February 2001.
Analysis of acquired data will occur promptly, to determine the optimal location for drill testing the Saunders and/or SE Gobe Deep Prospects. A decision to test both Prospects from a single well or from two separate wells will be made as part of the data evaluation.
If needed, construct a well pad(s) and drill a well(s) to test the Saunders and SE Gobe Deep prospects. Spudding of the first well is scheduled for the third quarter 2001.

The unrisked, expected range of recoverable reserves associated with the Saunders and SE Gobe Deep Prospects are estimated to be as follows:

P90 P50 P10

Saunders Prospect
Recoverable Oil (MMSTB) 7.6 20.0 52.6

SE Gobe Deep
Prospect Recoverable Oil (MMSTB) 10.3 51.1 253.9

Given the potential size of reserves and proximity of the Saunders and the SE Gobe Deep prospects to existing processing facilities and flowlines, Orogen places a high priority on testing of these prospects.

RESOLUTE (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Resolute announced significant results from a combined RC and diamond drilling (DDH) programme at Golden Pride.
The programme, of approximately 8,000m commenced in September. It is designed to test three areas along the strike of the deposit where recent remodelling and re-optimisation of the mineralisation suggests the pit can be deepened.
The drilling in-fills previous wide spaced (50m) drill sections and extends the drilling beneath the current pit. It is aimed at establishing continuity and grade of mineralisation in these areas.
It is intended to remodel and reoptimise the pit and produce a revised Life of Mine plan for the operation once all the results are available.

A total of 24 RC holes, 16 RC precollars and 16 diamond holes ("DDH") have been completed. Results for the precollars, 19 RC holes and one DDH have been received. A further 12 RC holes and one DDH are planned.
Continuity of the higher grade, plunging shoots has been demonstrated in the 11400E to 11600E area. Extensions to known mineralisation beneath the current pit design between 11900E and 12100E have also been confirmed.
The most significant result is from GPR370D which intersected two wide zones of mineralisation of 34m at 4.84g/t between 156-190m and 30m at 3.39g/t gold between 265 and 295m on section 11550E.

ST BARBARA MINES (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

Significant assays have been received from the first holes of a 21 hole, 3400 metre infill and extension RC drilling programme at NOA2, 30 km south of the Bluebird CIP plant.
Two holes testing for down-dip extensions to the mineralized zone had only low value intercepts and showed it was closed at depth (140 metres below surface) on the two drill sections tested in the south-central part of the target zone. However, three infill holes in the same part of the target zone, and to a maximum depth of 115 metres below surface, all cut significant gold mineralization - 8 metres at 20.98 (including 3 metres at 53.63 g/t) with a separate up-hole intercept of 12 metres at 1.88 g/t, 10 metres at 8.57 g/t, and 4 metres at 12.72 g/t. Complete details are shown on the accompanying table; true widths are approximately 90% of drill intercepts.

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

Ashanti announced that it has secured the approval of its shareholders, at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Obuasi, Ghana on 27 November, 2000, for the sale of a 50% interest in its Geita gold mine in Tanzania to AngloGold Limited ("AngloGold") and for the parties to enter into a joint venture to jointly operate and manage the Geita Project.

AUSTRAL COAL (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

Austral Coal's Tahmoor Colliery now has a mine life of at least a further 20 years following an interim expansion report by International Mining Consultants (IMC).
In its interim report on the optimum future development of Tahmoor Colliery, IMC has recommended development of the Tahmoor North reserves ahead of the Bargo area and says the Tahmoor North expansion will sustain around ten years of mining in addition to the current mine-life estimate.

AUSTRALIAN WORLDWIDE EXPLORATION (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

AWE advised on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary AWE Argentina Pty Limited that the Puesto Carrelini-1 well in CNQ-16/A in the Neuquen Basin, Argentina has commenced drilling operations .
Puesto Carrelini-1 commenced drilling operations on November 23, 2000 and as at 2000 hours on November 27 the well had reached a depth of 639 metres and was preparing to drill out of surface casing. The well is planned to be drilled to a total depth of 2400 meters.

BEACH PETROLEUM (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

Beach Petroleum reports that Kenmore-23 has reached a total depth of 1,572 metres. A drill stem test of the Hutton Sandstone has flowed oil at a rate of approximately 190 barrels per day. The well will be cased and suspended for future completion as an oil production well.
Subject to weather conditions, the next well in the program, Kenmore-25, is expected to spud early next week.

BHP (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

BHP announced it has agreed to sell BHP Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd's interest in the Timor Sea located Buffalo oil field to the InterOil Corporation (InterOil) for US$21 million.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Rimu B-2 has reached a total depth of 3542 metres measured depth in Rimu limestone. 7" casing has been set at a depth of 3421 metres. Due to loss of cement to the fracture zone during cementing operations, it has been necessary to re-cement the lower portion of the 7" string, and a cement squeeze has been carried out. Current operations consist of the drilling out of cement back into open hole below the 7" casing shoe.

CENTAMIN EGYPT (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

An agreement with WMC Resources regarding the Nelson's Fleet Gold prospect (M15-570) near Kambalda has been finalised whereby WMC Resources will pay a royalty to Centamin Egypt Limited for every tonne of ore mined from the property.
WMC's Saint Ives Gold Treatment Plant is about 5 kilometres from the Nelson's Fleet Gold Prospect.

Drilling by Centamin has tested about 200m of the 700 metres strike length of the mineralised body and 250,000 ounces was delineated in a measured resource of 2.5 million tonnes averaging 2.7g/t gold to a depth of 150 metres. The system is capable of hosting many more ounces.
The royalty payment is expected to provide substantial income to Centamin in the future.

NOVUS PETROLEUM (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

Novus announced that its Neith South-3X appraisal well in the southwestern part of the Khalda Offset Concession in Egypt's Western Desert has tested oil . The well flowed at a rate of 1,100 barrels of oil per day from one zone in the Jurassic age Khatatba Formation. The oil has a specific gravity of 45 degrees API.
Neith South-3X was drilled 1.5km east of the discovery well, Neith South-1X. It was spudded on 20 August 2000 and reached a total depth of 4556 metres on 5 November 2000.

PIMA MINING (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

SAMAG Limited has purchased the Myrtle Springs and Huandot magnesite deposits from Unimin Australia Limited (formerly Normandy Industrial Minerals Ltd (NIML)) for A$480,000 cash.

RESOURCE EXPLORATION (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

A letter of agreement has been reached with Magmatic Metals Ltd for the option of the majority of the company's exploration portfolio.
The main terms of the option are 2 years for exercise, at a price of $200,000, and Magmatic has taken over all tenement maintenance and holding costs effective from today.
The tenements the subject of the option agreement include all of the Mt Gibson tenement holdings of ResX, which form the majority of its mining tenement interests and tenement holding costs Magmatic is associated with two former directors of ResX, Brian Richardson and Simon Attwell.
Negotiations are also in progress for sale of all other tenement holdings.

TAP OIL (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Rubicon-1 exploration well spudded at 16.30 hours on Monday, 27 November 2000.

The Harriet Joint Venture ("HJV") has agreed with Origin Energy to increase the contract quantity for the Gas Sale Agreement entered into in July 1997.
Specifically, an additional daily contract quantity of up to 9 TJ/d to the end of the contract in 2008 representing a further contract quantity of approximately 25 PJ has been contracted. The gas is to supply Origin Energy's customers, which includes Anaconda's requirements for the Murrin Murrin nickel cobalt project.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

Woodside , Operator of the WA-1-L Joint Venture, reports that the Gaea-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was performing wireline testing operations on 21 November 2000. The present depth of the well is 4110 metres. All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

Initial interpretation of the wireline logging data indicates two separate gas accumulations. The well intersected 22 metres of net gas in the upper reservoir and, to date, 95 metres of net gas column has been drilled in the lower reservoir. The forward plan is to complete wireline sampling operations and then continue drilling to the base of the gas in the lower reservoir. As a consequence of the hydrocarbons so far encountered, the well will be deepened from an initial total depth of 3950 metres to a depth where the gas water contact is intersected.

QUEENSLAND GAS (27 NOVEMBER 2000)

QUEENSLAND GAS COMPANY’S COALBED METHANE WELL ARGYLE NO. 1 FLOWS GAS AT A RATE IN EXCESS OF 1 MILLION CUBIC FEET PER DAY

The Directors of Queensland Gas Company (QGC) are pleased to announce that the second well in their five well Initial Drilling Program, Argyle No. 1 coalbed methane (CBM) well, has flowed CBM gas from coal seams of the Walloon Coal Measures over the interval 220 metres to 253 metres to the surface through a 1 inch choke at a rate in excess of 1 million cubic feet per day day (28,300 cubic metres per day).

Argyle No. 1 is located approximately 25 km southwest of the township of Chinchilla in the Surat Basin in Queensland and approximately 31 km west of QGC’s first well Wyalla No. 1 which flowed CBM gas at a rate of approximately 75,000 cubic feet per day. Programmed total depth for Argyle No. 1 is approximately 350 metres.

ALLEGIANCE MINING (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

As part of its continuing exploration for high grade nickel copper deposits at Melba Flats, 10 kms north of Zeehan and 15 kms north-east of AVEBURY, Allegiance recently completed a cored drill hole MF 13 at the NICKEL REWARD prospect.
MF 13 intersected a series of narrow gabbro dykes contained within a 50 m wide interval of sediments. Each of these dykes contained significant nickel and copper mineralisation, including a very high grade interval from 88.3-89.7 m (1.1 m true width) which assayed 7.26% Ni and 2.1% Cu.
This high grade intersection is interpreted as a down-dip extension of an intersection drilled last year in drill hole MF 11 which assayed 3.6 m, 4.36% Ni and 2.86% Cu.
These two intersections are approximately 50 m apart and scope exists for the mineralisation to extend further in both strike and dip.
An additional encouraging feature of MF 13 was the nickel content of the other gabbro dykes within the zone, which suggests an overall strengthening of mineralisation to the south of previous drilling.
The four nickel sulphide bearing dykes are currently being assayed for gold and platinum group elements.

AQUILA RESOURCES (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

Aquila is pleased to announce the completion of a Reverse Circulation Drilling ("RC") programme comprising of 9 holes for 1,232 metres at the Enterprise Project.
The RC drilling has been designed to extend the known gold mineralisation at the United North area, along strike and down dip of the previously reported results in holes UNRC03 intersecting 5m @ 3.91 g/t gold from 47 metres and 4 m @ 24.45 g/t gold from 62 metres and UNRC02 with 7 m @ 1.66 g/t from 65 metres. The initial drilling confirmed the existence of two shallow high grade mineralised zones.
The completed RC drill holes have successfully drilled to the north and south of UNRC02 and UNRC03, testing a 300 metres strike length with holes drilled to a maximum down hole depth of 171 metres.
The RC drill holes have intersected previously reported gold mineralised zones in the United North area, being a quartz stockwork within basalts and a sheared mafic - granite contact. Both zones have now been geologically identified over a 300 metres strike length to a depth of 171 metres. The deeper holes have also indicated that the mafic - granite contact pinches and swells in thickness. Intersections of 5 metres width with sulphides were encountered where the previous shallow holes had intersected 1 to 2 metre widths.
Drilling samples are currently being analysed with results expected in the next 2 weeks.

DIAMOND ROSE (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

Exciting results at Upper Beta Creek

The main aim of the recently completed field program was to prove the existence of kimberlite at some of the targets previously indicated by geophysics and mineralogy to have kimberlitic properties.
The very first diamond drill hole drilled this field season produced a l2cm layer of material logged as kimberlitic clay by Jeff Krenske and Kent Williams. These are geologists with many years of experience in diamond exploration, in particular crucial experience in the identification of weathered kimberlite, of the kind to be expected at Upper Beta Creek.

The extremely positive preliminary results from the recent exploration work have underscored Diamond Rose's confidence that kimberlite diatreme sources for the known alluvial diamonds at Upper Beta Creek exist in the project area.

WEST OIL (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

Coleraine-1 Drilling Update - pressure samples taken in the Flamingo Formation, which was intersected between 3,349 and 3,390 meters, indicate the sand has little or no permeability and therefore is unlikely to be able to produce hydrocarbons at economic rates.
Analysis of the Elang Formation indicates that most of the sand has little permeability and would not flow hydrocarbons at economic rates. A sample collected from a depth of 3,456.8 meters recovered hydrocarbons and water indicating it was taken from below the oil water contact.
After considering the above information and considering all the options West Oil has agreed with the operator's recommendation to plug and abandon the well.

AMITY OIL (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Velimese-1 Republic of Turkey Progress Report - Operations Last 24 Hrs: Cement casing, wait on cement, install and test wellhead and Blowout Preventers, prepare to drill 311mm (12 1/4 inch) hole.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

At 600 hours on 23rd November, 2000 the Dua Dua-1 well was preparing to log at a total depth of 2,850 metres.
During the week, 9(5/8)" casing was set at 2,236 metres and 8(1/2)" hole was drilled to TD. Progress for the week was 1,368 metres.
After completion of logging, results will be assessed and the forward programme will be finalised.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Following is a zone by zone update on completion procedures in progress at the Terry Ewing No 1 well.

COTTON VALLEY ZONE (11,919 TO 11,970 FEET)
This is the deepest zone in the well and has been isolated to enable future access and production. Studies indicate this interval requires a new cement squeeze to close a water channel below the Cotton Valley formation.

HOSSTON GREEN SAND (10,726 TO 10,746 FEET)
This tight formation tested gas productive (flare to 6 feet) and has been isolated for future fracture stimulation and gas production.

HOSSTON ORANGE SAND (9,802 TO 9,820 FEET)
The interval between 9,802 and 9,820 feet has been perforated and has flared gas measuring up to 25 feet. The Operator plans to produce this internal commingled with the Yellow Sand.

HOSSTON YELLOW SAND (9,896 TO 9,906 FEET) AND (9,920 TO 9,940 FEET)
Plans are to perforate and test these two gas intervals on Monday. The Yellow Sand is a prolific producer within the Clear Branch Field. Gas from both Yellow Sand intervals will be commingled with gas from the Orange Sand.

HOSSTON BLUE SAND (9,848 TO 9,062 FEET)
The Blue Sand will be perforated and tested following completion of the Yellow Sands. Plans are to produce this interval through a separate annulus. The Blue Sand is productive in the Clear Branch Field.

The above schedule should enable gas sales to commence from all four Hosston intervals (Orange, Upper Yellow, Lower Yellow and Blue) by late next week.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling & Production Testing Report

Well Name: 11C-26-40-1 - Cased for Glauconite Oil - Rig Released 18 Nov 00

Well Name: 10-36-49-25 W4M - Cased for Sparky Oil - Rig Released: 19 Nov 00

Well Name: 6B2-26-40-1 W4M - Spud: 18 Nov 00

Well Name: B3-8-45-27 W3M - Drilling ahead

Well Name: 7-14-42-23 W4M - Drill and survey ahead

Well Name: PEP38718 Tuihu-1 - Drilling ahead

GME RESOURCES (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Both Resolutions put to the Members of the Company at the Annual General Meeting were passed unopposed.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESOURCES (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Golden Triangle Resources will now be proceeding with the Definitive Feasibility Study to upgrade the operating and capital costs for the Woodsreef Magnesium Project. The original cost data were produced by Bateman Brown & Root (Asia Pacific) in the 1999 Prefeasibility Study as A$0.92/lb direct cost of production, and A$681 million capital cost.

MAJESTIC RESOURCES (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Majestic Resources NL has recovered several outstanding diamonds from its commissioning activities of the new Riet River mine in South Africa.
In the first fortnight of commissioning, over 60 carats of gem quality diamonds have been recovered. This includes 18 diamonds exceeding 1.0 carat with four stones ranging from 4.59 carats to 5.95 carats.
The diamonds recovered to date are of the highest gem quality. Previous diamonds from Riet River have attracted an average value of over $1,900 per carat.
The plant is now operating at design capacity and diamond production to date has exceeded expectations.

NORWEST ENERGY (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy N L advises that at 6am Central Standard Time wireline logs were being run in Coleraine 1 to evaluate the well. Preliminary evaluation of the programme ran to date has identified two sand units, which contain hydrocarbons. The first of these are within the Flamingo Formation, were intersected over the interval 3349 to 3390 meters. These have an average porosity of 9.6% with a maximum of 14%. The second is within the Elang Formation and was intersected from 3442m to the total drilled depth of the well at 3467 Meters with an average porosity of 9.5%.
Further wireline testing will be undertaken today to further evaluate the possibility of movable hydrocarbons within these two sands.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kenmore No 23 an oil development/appraisal well situated approximately 220 metres south of Kenmore No 13, latitude 26 deg, 39 min 08.23 sec south, longitude 143 deg, 26 min 11.73 sec east. The well was spudded at 04:30 hours on November 19, 2000. At 06:000 hours today the rig was at a depth of 1237 metres RT and drilling ahead. 245mm surface casing was set at 162.48 metres RT. Progress for the week was 1237 metres.
The primary targets of the well are the sands of the Birkhead Formation, Hutton Sandstone and the Basal Jurassic. Proposed total depth of the well is 1445 metres RT.

OIL SEARCH (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Oil Search Limited, as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that at 06.00hrs on 23 November 2000 the Dua Dua-1 well is preparing to log at a total depth of 2850m. During the week, 9 5/8" casing was set at 2236m and 8 1/2" hole was drilled to TD. Progress for the week was 1358m.

SANTOS (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

Weekly Drilling Summary W/E 23/11/00

WELL: Barrolka 5 DW1 - Drilling ahead. Current measured depth is 2711m,
with 329m progress for the week.

WELL: Kenmore 24 - cased and suspended as a future oil producer.

WELL: Kenmore 23 - Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1237m.

WELL: SE Gobe 9 - Running in hole to set abandonment and kick off plugs.
Iagifu Sandstone is oil bearing. Well is being
sidetracked down dip to optimum production location.
Total depth of the well is 2454m, with 483m progress
for the week.

WELL: Wilkinson #1 - Drilling ahead. Current depth is 3237m with 507m
progress for the week.

WELL: Moomba 121 - cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer.

WELL: Moomba 134 - Drilling ahead. The current depth and progress for
the week is 1350m.

WELL: Ramses 1 - Waiting on road access prior to drilling ahead. The
current depth is 2750m with 343m progress for the
week.

WELL: Winninia North 2 - Waiting on road access prior to drilling ahead.
Current depth is 764m, with 753m progress for the
week.

WELL: Raven 2 - Drilling ahead. The current depth is 2885m with 1853m
progress for the week

WELL: Bow 1 - Running wireline logs. The well reached a total depth
of 3054m with 553m progress for the week

WELL: Moomba 135 - Preparing to nipple up blow out preventors having run
and set intermediate casing. The current depth is
2004m with 1206m progress for the week

BEMAX RESOURCES (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

BEMAX CONFIRMS VIABILITY OF $167 MILLION GINKGO DEVELOPMENT

$1 BILLION DEPOSIT COULD BE ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S LARGER MINERAL SANDS PROJECTS

A Pre-Feasibility study commissioned by BeMaX Resources NL has confirmed the potential viability of a $167 million development of its 75% owned Ginkgo mineral sands deposit in the Murray Basin. Such a development would establish Ginkgo as one of the larger mineral sands projects in Australia generating $100 million in revenue from mineral sands products per year.

The Queensland-based Company now intends to move to a full $6 million Bankable Feasibility Study on the deposit, one of the most significant to date in the Murray Basin, after announcing the results of a Pre-Feasibility Study which found there were no major impediments to successful development.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the study, which has confirmed that it is technically and economically feasible to bring Ginkgo into production, enabling us to extract mineral sands with an estimated revenue stream of A$1 billion," said BeMaX's Managing Director, Mr Stephen Everett.

"This positive result makes the development of Ginkgo very attractive and confirms the enormous strategic significance of this deposit, and BeMaX's other nearby prospects, to the overall development of the northern Murray Basin as Australia's next major mineral sands province," he added.

The study was carried out by "The Mining Consultancy", with the mine design and resource estimation being undertaken by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, and focused on the dredging of 128 million tonnes at 3.5% heavy minerals (HM) from the Ginkgo Indicated Resource of 252 million tonnes at 2.8% HM. MD Mineral Technologies undertook the wet plant and mineral separation plant designs.

Key highlights of the Study included:

at a throughput of 12 million tonnes per annum, the capital cost of the project would be $167 million with a mine life exceeding 11 years - making it one of the more significant mineral sands projects in Australia;
Ginkgo would generate $100 million worth of mineral sands products per annum - 55,000 tonnes of rutile, 35,000 tonnes of zircon, 165,000 tonnes of ilmenite and 90,000 tonnes of altered ilmenite (titanium enhanced minerals leucoxene and pseudorutile);
project commissioning could occur as early as 2003;
the project would have a Net Present Value of $55 million, an Internal Rate of Return of 17% after tax and a payback of only four years, however, project economics are not optimised and considerable potential exists to increase value;
the optimal location for the Mineral Separation Plant, treating up to 450,000 tonnes per annum of wet concentrate on a continuous basis, is at this stage, Broken Hill, subject to confirmation in the Bankable Feasibility Study;
the potential exists for development of other nearby deposits, which could significantly extend the mine life; and
metallurgical recoveries are excellent and marketing studies are favourable, with a positive price outlook for mineral sands products

Mr Everett said the average operating costs over the project life were estimated at $126/tonne of concentrate, which included an allowance for the secondary processing of a portion of the ilmenite stream by roasting and magnetic separation. This would be required to ensure that the ilmenite product meets market specifications.

"Market studies show that a window of opportunity exists for a project such as Ginkgo - with its short lead time and location in an region in a region of low political risk - to be developed within the next five years," he said.

"Given the very favourable outcome of this study, we are planning to proceed to the next stage, which will involve commissioning a Bankable Feasibility Study at an estimated cost of $6 million leading to a project development decision by March 2002," Mr Everett said.

Detailed studies which are part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process have already commenced and permitting requirements are being advanced with governmental authorities.

Mr Everett said the robust economics of the Ginkgo deposit illustrated the inadequacy of Iluka Resources Limited's 24 cents-a-share takeover offer, which values the Company at only $18 million.

"The results also suggest to my Board that the preferred valuation for BeMaX of 50.5 cents per share determined by independent expert, KPMG Corporate Finance Pty Ltd, may be conservative," he said. "The positive study will also enable BeMax, if it so wishes, to facilitate attraction of potential strategic investors and could lead to the formation of strategic alliances with major industry participants or consumers."

BeMaX holds a 75% interest in the Ginkgo deposit through the BIP Joint Venture with Probo Mining Pty Ltd. The deposit is located in the northern sector of the Murray Basin.

AMITY OIL (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Velimese-1 Progress Report - Drill 444mm (17.5 inch) hole, run survey, wiper trip, trip out of hole, run 340mm (13(3/8) inch) casing, cement casing.

ANACONDA NICKEL (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Anaconda Industries Limited ("Anaconda") has entered into an agreement with Ashton Mining Limited ("Ashton") and Lynas Corporation Ltd ("Lynas") to purchase all of the issued capital of the Mt Weld Companies from Ashton.
This will catalyse prompt execution of studies for the development of the Mt Weld Tantalum, Niobium, Titanium and Rare Earths Projects under technical processes which are innovative and undergoing full patent application.

BEACH PETROLEUM (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

A significantly expanded Australian oil and gas drilling program of more than 'one well a month' over the next 10 months was announced by Beach Petroleum NL at its Annual General Meeting.
The upgraded program will take to 17 the number of new exploration and development wells in which Beach will participate during the 2000/2001 financial year and the first quarter of 2001/2002.

BHP (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

BHP Limited (BHP) today announced production had begun from the Keith oil field located north east of Aberdeen in UK North Sea block 9/8a.
The sub-sea development was finished on schedule less than a year after the project gained government approval and was completed to budget with no major safety incidents.

This single well will access around 15 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) of proved and probable reserves (4.8 mmboe net to BHP) for a total capital expenditure of approximately A$62 million (A$19 million net BHP).

GALLERY GOLD (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Due to recent price increases in Gallery Gold's shares and in the interest of keeping the market fully informed, the Company wishes to again advise that drilling is in progress on its Botswana Gold Project. Preliminary drill hole analyses are presently being received and the results collated and assessed.
The Company recently reported in its September 2000 Quarterly Report (released 31 October 2000) that a three rig RC percussion drilling program had commenced on the Project on 9 October. This program is proceeding according to the plan outlined in the Quarterly Report. The main focus of the current drilling program is Mupane Area 1 where previously reported drilling had intersected significant widths of gold mineralisation.
Eight of the planned 14 RC percussion holes in Mupane Area 1 have now been drilled and preliminary unaudited results have been received from the first six of these holes.
Once audited results from the current drilling program are to hand and a meaningful assessment made, the Company will be able to report progress results to the market. This is anticipated by mid next week.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESOURCES (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Golden Triangle outlined plans to exploit a 24 million tonne, artificial mountain of serpentinite to produce high-grade magnesium worth around US$10 billion at current prices.
The 1km long X 60 metre high tailings resource is part of the old Woodsreef mine (closed in 1983) 100 kilometres north of Tamworth NSW.
GTR's general manager, Mr Chris Laughton, said today that the combination of cutting edge refining technologies through their Israeli-Russian Joint venture and a readily available above ground resource in Australia, would create a new generation of products with an extraordinary range of uses.

GYMPIE GOLD (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Gympie Gold Limited, will step up its commitment to exploration following the identification of more significant stockwork mineralisation at its gold mining operations at Gympie in south east Queensland. Today the Company announced the drill-intercept of new stockwork mineralisation assaying 31 metres at 12g/t and 19 metres at 9g/t. Interpretation of this new area between Monkland Mine Levels 12 and 13 is at a preliminary stage.

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

A parcel of 31 predominantly gem quality diamonds weighing 10.67 carats recovered by Kimberley Diamond Company NL (ASX: KIM) from Pit 67 South at its Blina Diamond Project has taken its total haul in the area to 47 diamonds within a week, extending its run of exploration success.

MURRAY BASIN MINERALS (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

TIMETABLE OUTLINED FOR $42m SA MINERALS SAND PROJECT

The development and financing timetable for Murray Basin Minerals NL's $42 million mineral sands project in South Australia has been announced - with construction of the mine expected to commence in 2001.
The project timetable was detailed in Adelaide today by the Company's Chairman, Mr John Branson and Managing Director, Mr Chris Neal, while addressing shareholders at the annual general meeting.
The meeting - which approved a change in name for the Company to Southern Titanium NL - was also told of:

A proposal to sell Southern Titanium's gold tenements in Western Australia to Perth-based Quaestus Limited
The completion by November 30 this year of a successful $1.36 million capital raising via a 1-for-5 non-renounceable rights issue
The expected completion by May next year of the bankable feasibility study into the Company's flagship Mindarie mineral sands project in South Australia's Murraylands
Acquisition of a 100% interest in the Mindarie project, and
A 320% increase in Mindarie's resource estimates to 65.6 million tonnes of 3.3% heavy mineral (HM) in the past 12 months.

PILBARA MINES (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Pilbara announced that joint venture partner, Inmet Mining Corporation (Inmet) of Canada, are to commence exploration at Teutonic Bore in the December quarter 2000. Pilbara announced recently that Inmet have the right to earn 70% equity in the Teutonic Bore project, (excluding the surface resources, which are currently the subject of a pre feasibility study by Pilbara), by spending $3.5 milli million dollars over 4 years.

Inmet have indicated that their immediate priority is a high powered ground electro-magnetic geophysical survey (EM) to detect massive sulphide mineralisation associated with volcanogenic base metals (zinc and copper), similar to that mined at Teutonic Bore previously.

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Following the grant of an Assessment Lease, the first in New South Wales under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act, Sydney Gas Company NL ("SGC") is pleased to announce that it has commenced the construction phase of its pipeline that will run along Cawdor Road. The Assessment Lease will enable SGC to produce and sell gas to AGL via its gas pipeline to Camden.

TAP OIL (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Hero-1 Update - Drill Programme Summary

Since the last report, the Hero-1 well has drilled to its total depth of 152 metres measured depth ("MD"), intersecting the upper Mardie Greensand reservoir at a depth of 124 metres MD. The reservoir, which is approximately 4 metres thick, was cored and a gas peak of 248 units was measured. No drill stem test was carried out as reservoir quality was interpreted to be poor at this location.

WESTERN AREAS (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

PLUMRIDGE PROJECT (WSA 100%)
Drilling will commence at the end of November to test for nickel-copper sulphides, platinum group metals and chromite in the western sequence of the Plumridge layered intrusive complex. No previous drilling has been carried out in this area due to the remoteness (400km northeast of Kalgoorlie) and the difficulty in gaining access to the tenements north of a major drainage, Salt Creek. The initial RAB and Aircore drilling program follows several months work in obtaining environmental approvals to clear a track so that drill rigs can access the tenements.

This program offers a rare chance to test what is interpreted to be a highly prospective, sequence of ultramafic and gabbroic units forming a large intrusive complex on the eastern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. Previous exploration by other companies immediately south o Western Areas tenements supports the potential of the intrusive complex with reports of chromite bands and boulders assaying up to 48.7% chromite and 4.0g/t platinum. Unconfirmed surface float assays up to 9g/t platinum have also been reported.

The Plumridge drilling forms part of a very active program being carried out by Western Areas during the next two months. Work on other nickel sulphide properties includes:

MT ALEXANDER PROJECT (WSA 100%)
A surface electromagnetic survey is in progress testing fo conductive nickel sulphide bodies within a 1.2km wide channel at the base of stacked ultramafic flows in the North Gossan area. Only two drillholes spaced 700m apart have tested this area previously (WM 2 and WM 3, drilled in 1978). Both intersected massive and semi massive sulphide with intersections of 1.2m @ 0.97% Ni and 2.6m (a.) 0.57% Ni.

MT JEWELL PROJECT (WSA 100%)
Two deep RC holes will be drilled at the end of November to test a coincident electromagnetic and magnetic anomaly located 800m northwest of diamond hole MJD08, reported in October. MJD08 intersected massive sulphide mineralisation with 0.65m @ 5.47% nickel, 1.47% copper, 0.48g/t platinum and 0.97g/t palladium.

BULLFINCH NORTH PROJECT (WSA EARNING 70%)
Recent RAB drilling at the Hook prospect located 4km south of the Trough Well nickel sulphide deposit, intersected encouraging nickel results. The best intersection is from hole ER020 with 28m @ 0.46% Ni from 12m depth to the end of hole at 40m. Field evidence suggests the anomalous nickel values are not due to laterite enrichment but may be derived from a sulphide source. Platinum group metal assay results are awaited. A surface electromagnetic survey will proceed as soon as gridding is completed and geophysical contractors are available.

Following the recent granting of a tenement adjacent to Trough Well, a surface electromagnetic survey will be carried out to test for extensions to known nickel sulphide mineralisation, after the survey at the Hook prospect is completed.

WEST OIL (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

Coleraine-1 Drilling Update - at 6.00 am (CST) Wednesday, 22nd November, Coleraine-1 was at total depth of 3,467 metres and preparing to run wireline logs to evaluate the well.

XENOLITH GOLD (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

"Update on East Lost Hills
Berkley #2 has penetrated approximately 1,250 feet of the Temblor formation and a seven-inch liner has been successfully run to a total depth of 17,650 feet and cemented in place over the weekend.

During drilling from October 18 to November 9, numerous lost circulation zones were encountered and gas was flared at surface for several hours on October 31. A complete suite of evaluation logs were run from 14,250 feet to total depth and 17 sidewall core plugs were obtained.

Based on mud losses while drilling, indicative of excellent reservoir permeability, gas kicks and flaring at surface, as well as sand/reservoir and fracture data from logs and cores, Berkley #2 was cased to total depth as a potential gas well. Production rates will be determined from formal production testing. As mentioned previously, Berkley #2 can be quickly and cost effectively tied into the pipeline system currently being constructed for Berkley #1.

The combination of lost circulation and strong gas kicks made further drilling operationally difficult and expensive. With the seven inch liner in place and the existing gas zones safely behind pipe, it is now possible to drill additional Temblor section and evaluate deeper potential zones with respect to reservoir quality, gas column and pressure gradient. The joint venture participants have agreed to drill up to an additional 250 feet out of the base of the liner, which will take approximately 20-30 days. Should prospective zones be encountered at any time during drilling operations the option of calling total depth and running a 4.5" liner is available. Production testing will commence within 30 days of final total depth.

The decision to drill ahead is based on the joint venture participants assessment that for relatively low incremental cost important information for the overall East Lost Hills Temblor Play could be gained without compromising existing penetrated gas zones. The information gained during this relatively short time will allow for possible design modifications on the wells yet to be drilled or re-worked including Berkley #4, which is scheduled to spud November 25th and Bellevue #1-17R. This will ultimately assist in accelerating drilling time and reduced costs. Deepening of Berkley #2 will commence within a week."

We commend the joint venture partners for their decision to proceed to drill into the 2nd Carneros sands. It is a sound, cost effective decision that will provide access to an additional, potential production zone for minimal added cost in both time and dollars. It is also worthy of note that the most recent and informative press release, by the joint venture partners, would appear to indicate that the partners are conscious of the high profile nature of the East Lost Hills project and the need to keep the market informed with factual information.

NORWEST ENERGY (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

At 6:00am (CST) Tuesday, 21st November, Colerine 1 was at a depth of 3,461 metres and drilling ahead. The top of the Elang sands were encountered at 3,444 metres. These sands are described as fine to medium grained with silica cement and clay matrix, no visual porosity was noted in cuttings samples and no significant increase in gas was recorded. The well is currently at 3,467 metres and it has been decided to halt the drilling at this depth. The well will be logged prior to evaluate hydrocarbons intersected in the upper sector of the well.

The securities of Norwest Energy will be placed in pre-open pending the release of an announcement by the Company.

ST BARBARA MINES (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

SBMhas entered into an Agreement with AngloGold Australasia Limited (AngloGold) in respect to an exploration joint venture. The Agreement covers a 67sqkm area in the Tuckanarra area which is situated approximately 60km south/south west of Meekatharra. Under the general terms of the Agreement, AngloGold can acquire a 51% participating interest after a total expenditure of $1m, with a further $0.75m expenditure increasing their interest to 70%. The total earn-in period is four years.

TAP OIL (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Tusk-1 well spudded on 8 September 2000.
Three oil bearing sandstones were intersected within the Jurassic Athol Formation. Oil was recovered on wireline sampling (RDT tool) at depths of 1,166 metres (17 degree API) and 1,217 metres (18 degree API).
In addition, an oil column was intersected at the top of the Triassic Mungaroo Formation sandstone at a depth of 1,297 metres measure depth with an oil/water contact established at a depth of 1,307 metres. Oil was recovered on wireline sampling at a depth of 1,300 metres with an API gravity of 18 degrees.

WEST OIL (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

West Oil announced that the spudding of the Puffin-6 appraisal well in AC/P22 is now likely to be in late December 2000 or early January 2001.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Gaea-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was drilling an 8(1/2) inch hole at 3991 metres on 21 November 2000.
Logging while drilling measurements indicate that the well has encountered two separate hydrocarbon pools. The forward plan is to continue drilling to the base of the lower hydrocarbon pool and then evaluate the well with wireline logging.

PAN AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

GOLD ASSAYS AND LEACH TESTS HOLD PROMISE OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT AT PHU KHAM, LAOS

Overview

Pan Australian Resources N.L. has been conducting check assay and metallurgical test work on the Phu Kham Deposit as part of its due diligence investigation for the Call Option Agreement with Normandy Anglo Pte Ltd to acquire an 80% interest in Phu Bia Mining Ltd, a company registered in Laos.

The focus for the assay and bottle roll test work has been the gold oxide cap and the copper heap leach zones of the Phu Kham Deposit.

Re-assaying of drill core recovered from the gold oxide cap show grades of gold 18% higher than previously reported. While this work was too limited to be applied across the whole deposit, it does increase confidence in the Inferred Mineral Resource of 10 million tonnes at 1.0 g/t gold.

The gold cap at Phu Kham extends from the surface to a depth of 20 metres, and is estimated to contain 300,000 ounces. Bottle roll tests demonstrate that 99.5% of the gold mineralisation is leachable.

Extensive bottle roll tests on the underlying copper heap leach zone indicated that more than 80% of the copper mineralisation is leachable. The Inferred Mineral Resource of the copper heap leach zone is 40 million tonnes at 0.5% copper.

These results support the concept of a three-stage mine development at Phu Kham starting with the gold oxide cap and then progressing to the underlying copper heap leach zone. The third stage of the conceptual development would be the mining of the copper-gold sulphide zone where an Inferred Mineral Resource of 85 million tonnes at 1.1% copper and 0.5g/t gold has been estimated by Pan Australian.

This three-stage mine development concept would shorten the lead-time to develop a mine within the Laos Contract Area held by Phu Bia Mining. The certainty of mining title is also an attractive aspect of the conditions of the Laos Contract Area. Should Pan Australian proceed with the acquisition of the interest in Phu Bia Mining then the initial evaluation and development focus is likely to be on the Phu Kham gold oxide cap and nearby gold deposits where gold has been intersected from surface to a depth of 100 metres.

ICON OIL (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

ACTIVITY REPORT

AUSTRALIA

Icon Energy Limited advises the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) conducted by Queensland Gas Company Ltd under a farmout agreement has commenced. Argyle # 1 is the first well in ATP 620P (Surat Basin) and is currently drilling ahead at 211 metres. The total estimated depth is 350 metres with a casing depth of 225 metres.

The well is located over a section of the Walloon Coal Measures over which a production licence has been issued at Xyloleum # 1, four kms NW of the Argyle location. Gas shows in the coal seams were recorded in the nearby Xylane # 1 well and a gas blowout occurred in the nearby coal exploration bore ML 33.

It should be noted that under CBM drilling operations initial gas production rates maybe low and that gas production rates increase over time. Gas may not be encountered immediately and wells usually requires pumping for a period of time to release water pressure and stimulate gas flows. In a normal commercial CBM operation the drilling of many shallow wells is required to produce gas at commercial rates. Argyle # 1 is located close to the Roma to Brisbane gas pipeline and early success can be developed at low cost.

Icon has a 12.5% interest in Argyle # 1 on completion of the farmout agreement.

USA

In Louisiana the preparations for the first well is proceeding and the well will commence as soon as possible following the completion of the current capital raising. The first well will be known as Icon Victory # 1 and programmed to a depth of 12,500 feet (3,810 metres). The objectives will be proven undeveloped (PUD) oil reserves and a deeper exploration gas target.

Oil prices are approximately $AUD68.00 per barrel and $AUD11.70 per MCF for gas in Louisiana. This Henry Hub gas price is almost six times the price Icon would receive for gas in Queensland, and markets and infrastructure such as pipelines are close to Icon’s operational areas, along the western bank of the Mississippi River.

QUEENSLAND GAS (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

SECOND WELL SPUDS

The Directors of Queensland Gas Company Limited (QGC) are pleased to announce that the second well in their five well Initial Coalbed Methane (CBM) Drilling Program, Argyle No 1 spudded at 0800 hours on Saturday 18 November 2000.

The well is located approximately 25 kilometres south-west of the township of Chinchilla in the Surat Basin in Queensland and approximately 31 kilometres west of the first QGC well, Wyalla No 1 which flowed gas at a rate of approximately 75,000 cubic feet per day and was completed as a potential gas producer.

Argyle No 1 is programmed to a total depth of about 350 metres and will evaluate the CBM potential of several coal seams in the upper section of the Walloon Coal Measures.

ADMIRALTY RESOURCES (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

Admiralty Resources NL has entered into a 90 day option agreement to acquire the Rincon Salar. This is a major poly-elemental brine resource located in the Salta Province of Argentina and close to two of the largest producers of potassium and lithium in the world. The Salar covers an area of 230sqkm contained within 54 lease applications.
Consideration for the option is USD$20,000.

AMITY OIL (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

Velimese-1 Republic of Turkey Progress Report - Drill 444mm (17.5") hole, run surveys, repair rig, wiper trip.

ANVIL MINING / GOLDEN STATE RESOURCES (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

Golden Star Resources Ltd (Amex: GSR: Toronto: GSC) announces: that the Government of Ghana has advised Barnato Exploration Limited ("Barnex") of its intention to abrogate Barnex's mining and related rights in Ghana, including its rights to the Prestea mining lease. As a result of this decision by the Government of Ghana, Golden Star and Barnex will allow their August 3, 2000 letter of intent relating to the acquisition by Golden Star of a 90% interest in the Prestea gold project to expire as scheduled on November 17, 2000.

Golden Star is contacting senior government officials in Ghana to assess the situation.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Rimu B-2 has reached a total depth of 3542 metres measured depth in Rimu limestone. Oil and gas shows were encountered in a 10 metre section of Upper Tariki sandstone at a depth of 3484 metres. While drilling into the Rimu limestone, at a depth of 3541 metres, the well flowed oil and gas to surface, and pressure control measures were implemented. Considerable quantities of oil and gas were flared over the next 24 hours, while the well was brought under control. In excess of 1000 barrels of drilling mud were lost to the zone through lost circulation during this process. The presence of significant "fracture porosity" in the Rimu limestone is suspected. The decision has been made to run 7" casing in the well, before any further testing or drilling can be safely accomplished. As of report time the 7" casing had been run to a depth of 3421 metres and was being cemented, leaving approximately 120 metres of open hole, including the Upper Tariki and Rimu sections. Well condition precluded the setting of the casing immediately above the Rimu limestone, as originally planned.

LYNAS CORPORATION (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

Lynas Corporation Limited has finalised a key agreement with Anaconda Nickel Ltd subsidiary Anaconda Industries Limited and Ashton Mining Limited which will see it emerge with a 50% interest in a new Joint Venture with Anaconda to fast track development of the Mt Weld Rare Earths Project, potentially as part of a larger mining & processing complex.
Under the agreement, Lynas will be Manager of the Mt Weld Rare Earths Joint Venture, with Anaconda to conduct and sole fund the completion of a definitive feasibility study on project development to earn its 50% interest. Anaconda will be Project Manager during the feasibility study and development periods.

WMC (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

WMC Resources Ltd has sold the biggest of the four lease blocks at its Kambalda Nickel Operations which were put up for sale earlier this year.

The sale of the lease block containing the Miitel, Mariners and Redross mines to a joint venture of Mincor Resources NL (76%), Clough Mining Pty Ltd (12%) and Donegal Resoures Pty Ltd (12%) was finalised today.

The sale is subject to certain conditions which are expected to be met during December.

WMC Executive General Manager - Nickel, Peter Johnston, said WMC would receive a total of $38 million in cash from the sale.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-1-L Joint Venture, reports that the Gaea-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was drilling an 8(1/2) inch hole at 3991 metres on 21 November 2000.
Logging while drilling measurements indicate that the well has encountered two separate hydrocarbon pools. The forward plan is to continue drilling to the base of the lower hydrocarbon pool and then evaluate the well with wireline logging.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY / OIL SEARCH (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

Oil Search Limited, as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that the Dua Dua - 1 well was spudded at 0200 hours on 6th November 2000.

AMITY OIL (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

A six day production test of the 22metre perforated zone in the Gocerler-1 well was completed on 16th November 2001). The test was designed by independent specialist well test experts Performance Sciences Inc of Golden, Colorado and implemented by independent specialist well test operators, D C Production Services Inc of Wyoming.
The well was flowed continiously for 5 days through a three stage separator and the gas burned in a vertical flare. The gas contains 7.5 barrels of condensate per million cubic feet (28,321 m3) and the gas is free of carbon dioxide. No formation water was recovered during the test.

Performance Sciences Inc are still analyzing the data but issued a preliminary report on the test on the 19th November. A summary of their findings follows.

calculated wellhead flow potential 23 MMcfd (million cubic feet per day) (651,373m3)
estimated Sandface Absolute Open Flow potential 40 to 55 MMcfd (1,132,823m3 to) 1,155,763m3)
reservoir pressure 2100 psi ( pounds per square inch)
The test investigated an area of 138 acres without encountering a reservoir boundary or thinning pay.
The area of investigation represents more than 9 Bcf (0.25 Bm3) of gas in place.
If the reservoir continues to the limit of the mapped seismic closure, gas in place could be upwards of 90 Bcf (approx 70 Bcf recoverable )

The independent analysts findings confirm the discovery of a significant gasfield at Gocerler, capable of prolific production.
The reserve numbers quoted by Amity on the 23 October and the Performance Sciences Inc reserve numbers refer only to the 22m of perforated net pay. If the remaining unperforated 21.9m of interpreted net pay, with wireline log characteristics identical to the producing zone are included and extended to the limit of the mapped closure, reserves could increase to more than 130 Bcf (3.7Bm3) recoverable.

VELIMESE-1 EXPLORATION WELL SPUDS IN
The Velimese-1 exploration well, located 15 kilometers South-east of the Gocerler-l well, spudded at lam on 19th November 2000. At midnight on the 19th November the well had reached a depth of 200m in 17.5 inch (444mm) diameter hole in Ergene Formation. The rig will drill to about 470m, where 13 3/8 inch (340mm) casing will be cemented in and Blow-out Preventors installed prior to drilling ahead in 12.25 inch (311mm ) hole to the secondary objective.

ARROW ENERGY (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

SEISMIC SURVEYING
Seismic surveying in the Clarence Moreton Project area is well advanced, with data acquisition complete over all target leads in ATP 641P. 40km of the planned 110km has been acquired to date. Processing over the Glamorgan prospect has enabled the drill hole location to be finalised, and a number of subsidiary leads have been identified on the seismic, which demonstrate potential for further follow up following drilling of Glamorgan #2. Processing and interpretation of seismic data over the Tarampa, Normanton, Warrill, Kruger and Bremer leads will be available in the next week and drill locations at Normanton and 2 additional wells in ATP 641P finalised. The seismic survey contractor, Trace Terracorp is currently acquiring data over the South Moreton Anticline in ATP 644P, and south of Beaudesert in south east Queensland.

DRILLING PROGRAM - 4 WELLS
Arrow has contracted Mitchell Drilling Pty Ltd to drill five holes on the company's projects in south east Queensland. Owing to the heavy demand for drilling rigs and delays caused by heavy rains in central and southern Queensland, the spud date for the first well, Glamorgan #2, has been delayed to 24 November 2000.
The Glamorgan #2 well is prognosed to intersect a gas bearing sand at approximately 200m in the Jurassic Marburg Formation.
The first 4 holes will be located on ATP 641P on the Clarence Moreton Project area, where Arrow is earning a 40% interest from Duke Energy Australia Trading and Marketing Pty Ltd. The titleholder, BNG Pty Ltd in which Arrow has a 50% interest, also has various buy back rights to a further interest from Duke Energy Australia Trading and Marketing Pty Ltd of up to 35% or to convert to a 10% overriding royalty.

Arrow plans to complete the drilling of 4 wells in ATP 641P by the end of December 2000, and plans to follow this with a coal seam methane test well on ATP 683P in the Eastern Surat Project.

EAST SURAT PROJECT - 158KM SEISMIC & PROPOSED COAL SEAM METHANE TEST WELL
Arrow's 100% owned ATP 683P covers the Eastern Surat Basin approximately 175km west of Brisbane covering some of the thickest recorded coal seams in the Walloon Coal Measures.
Recently announced results by Queensland Gas Corporation Limited underscore the prospectivity of the Walloon Coal Measures for coal seam methane. Queensland Gas Corporation recently reported 75,000 cubic feet/day gas flow in Wyalla #1 from the Walloon Coal Measures near Chinchilla, some 300km to the north west of Brisbane.
Arrow has recently recovered several additional historical references to gas in water bores in its tenement ATP 683P and is currently undertaking an analysis of this data.
The 158km seismic program is planned to commence in ATP 683P on 24 November 2000, a week earlier than planned, with processing complete by mid December 2000. Accurate planning for the proposed coal seam methane hole in January 2001 will be based on interpretation of the seismic data and the detailed water bore and coal exploration drill hole data.

AUSTRALIAN WORLDWIDE EXPLORATION (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - September 2000 Quarterly Report

Beharra Springs gas field (AWE 33.00%) continues to exceed joint venture budget production forecasts by 75% following a new gas sales contract for the remaining reserves of the field signed with Alcoa.
Ladbroke Grove gas field (AWE 24.29%) in full production and exceeding joint venture budget forecast by 35%.
BassGas Project (AWE 30.5-36.0%) declared ready for development once customers are secured
Company in strong position for future growth, with good cash reserves (A$22.3m), low debt, long term cash flow and a diverse range of exploration and appraisal project opportunities
Significant drilling campaign (12 wells) to start in next quarter.

BEACH PETROLEUM (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

Beach Petroleum reports that the Kenmore-23 development well spudded at 0430 hours on 19 November. The well has a programmed total depth of 1,435 metres.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

Circumpacific Energy Corp - Lambert Gas Well Progress Report -

At our last report on 20th October, 2000, we reported to the ASX that the well had reached a total depth of 4,900 metres in the Cambrian system and that logging was in progress.
The well encountered three (3) potentially economic gas zones, including a gas column of 20 metres at the base of the targeted Devonian Leduc formation. Log and core interpretation suggests that the well may have Intersected the toe (base) of much larger pinnacle reef reasonably adjacent to the well. This could be similar to the Devonian Leduc reef 2 kms to the east, which produced 30 million cubic feet per day ("mmcf/d") raw for its first year of production.

Progress Report - Dua Dua-1 Exploration Well PPL179 PNG
At 0600 hours on 17th November 2000, the well was drilling ahead at a depth of 1492mRT. During the week the 13(3/8)" casing was set at 709mRT. After running and cementing 13(3/8)" casing, blow out preventers (BOPs) were successfully installed and tested. A 12(1/4)" drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA) was made up and after drilling cement, returns were lost 4m into the Darai Formation.
Drilling continued without returns to 1471mRT at which depth the BHA twisted off Attempts to retrieve the BHA were unsuccessful. The well was successfully sidetracked and the well is now drilling ahead in the Darai Limestone.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESOURCES (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Directors announced that they have produced, high quality, magnesium metal ingots of 99.93% purity (without any further refining of the metal) directly from serpentinite tailings feedstock taken from the former Woodsreef Mine in Northern NSW.

NORWEST ENERGY / TAP OIL (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy advised that the Lindsay 1 exploration well within EP-364 will commence drilling earlier than expected and will spud during early December 2000. Drilling of this well will be operated by Tap Oil NL.
Lindsay 1 will be drilled by the Ron Tappmeyer jackup rig, to a total depth of 535 meters. The water depth at this location is only 14 meters and will be designed to test the Mardie Greensand equivalent. The structure has the potential to contain 40 million barrels of oil recoverable.

Norwest Energy NL advises that at 6am Central Standard Time today Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 3,412 meters and drilling ahead.

METALLICA MINERALS (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

Metallica Minerals Limited is a mining company focused on evaluating and developing existing high grade nickel-cobalt laterite deposits in the Greenvale Nickel province of North Queensland.

Metallica is offering 15 million ordinary Shares at 25 cents and 7.5 million free attached options to raise $3,750,000. Over-subscriptions of up to 5 million ordinary shares (and 2.5 million free attached options) will be accepted to raise a further $1,250,000.

HERALD RESOURCES (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Company is pleased to announce assay results from holes SOP36D on line 9570N, SOP33D (extended) on line 9700N at the Anjing Hitam zone and SOP38D at the north end of Anjing Hitam, Sopokomil at its Dairi Project in North Sumatra.

Hole
North
East
Dip/
Azimuth
(mag.)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP33D
9700
5086
62.5/074^o
314.4
316.3
1.9
23.3
15.2
16.3
MMH

SOP36D
9570
5157
77^o/072^O
361.0
372.4
11.4
16.3
8.4
13.0
MMH

SOP38D
10000
4975
51.5^o/249^o
38.1
41.5
3.4
6.7
14.9
32.2
MMH

SOP41D
9475
5225
87.5^o/250^o
369.0
375.6
6.6
Results awaited
MMH

MMH = Main Mineralised Horizon

Hole SOP33D, on section 9700N, previously drilled to 299.7m, was deepened to Jehe carbonate unit basement and hit a 1.9m high grade base metal zone. This increases the downdip extension on this section to about 350m, albeit at narrow width.

Hole SOP38D was drilled on 10000N, at the north end of Anjing Hitam and encountered a 3.35m MMH zone of high Pb>Zn sulphide. The Upper Mineralised Zone in this hole is oxidised.

The LF70 rig has just completed hole SOP41D at 9475N, on the Anjing Hitam zone, and has obtained a massive sulphide intercept of 6.6m with estimated typical Zn/Pb grades. This extends the strike a further 100m SE.
The LF70 rig will drill two further holes from the present site on 9475N.

Sopokomil Prospect - Other drilling

The small Edson diamond rig is being used to drill other positions extending away from the Anjing Hitam Zone. Hole SOP37D was drilled at the edge of the Dang Takkas zone, on a major UTEM geophysics anomaly to the SW, but failed to intersect significant sulphides.

Hole SOP39D, on 10400N, and targeting both massive sulphide and carbonate hosted MVT type mineralisation, hit the interpreted main horizon but in a fault zone. A 3m section has blocks of massive sulphide and is correlated with an intercept in the 1998 hole SOP5D with 5.2m assaying 6.3% Zn, 3.5% Pb.

A 22m zone of sphalerite bearing brecciated dolomite can also be correlated with the latter hole, where 10m assayed 6.2% Zn, out of a 26m intercept @ 3.5% Zn.

Hole
North
East
Dip/
Azimuth
(mag.)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP37D
9600
4250
76^o/070^o
No significant mineralisation

SOP39D
10418
5005
60^o/250^o
41.0
134.0
44.0
156.0
3.0
22.0
Results awaited
JSZ MVT

JSZ = Julu Sedex Zone
MVT = Mississippi Valley Type

The Edson rig is currently drilling a downdip hole on 10400N and will then move to the northern extension of the Julu Sedex Zone to drill holes at 12000N and 12300N.

AURIDIAM CONSOLIDATED (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Ellendale Project E04/813 - the area in which this tenement is located has been the focus of excellent diamond recoveries in recent months. The Company is therefore pleased to advise that the relevant exploration license has been extended for a further period of 2 years to 8 August 2002.
In addition, the company has lodged an exploration license application for an area covering 210 square kilometres South of the above tenement. The new tenement is located within 4 1/2 kilometres of E04/813. The extension of the company's interests in the region underpins its belief that the recent diamond discoveries are extensive and significant.

COAL & ALLIED INDUSTRIES / ESSO (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

CAIL and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, today jointly announced that they have signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement for Coal & Allied to acquire from Esso for US$134 Million in cash the Lemington Mine and related interests, including shares in Newcastle Coal Shippers Pty Limited and Mount Thorley Coal Loading Limited.

In 1999, the Lemington Mine produced 3.4 million tonnes of thermal and semi-soft coal, all of which was exported through the Port of Newcastle.

COEUR D'ALENE MINES (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp (NYSE: CDE) reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $8.5 million, or $0.23 per share, for the third quarter of 2000 compared to a net income of $7.0 million, or $0.29 per share, in the third quarter of 1999. Operating results for the latest quarter were highlighted by record silver production and sharply lower silver cash costs at Coeur Silver Valley in Idaho.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Produced 3.1 million ounces of silver, an increase of 28 percent as compared to the third quarter of 1999.
Achieved record silver production at Coeur Silver Valley.
Produced 37,848 ounces of gold, a decline of 7 percent from last year's third quarter.
Cash costs at primary silver operations were below $4.00 per ounce.
Cash costs at primary gold operations increased to $336 per ounce, primarily due to severe winter conditions experienced by Coeur's Chilean operations.
The high-grade Cerro Bayo gold-silver vein system was discovered near the Company's Fachinal mine.
Increased resource estimate at San Bartolome by 15 percent to 122 million contained ounces of silver.
Continued major exploration and drilling programs at Coeur Silver Valley and Rochester are increasing reserves and resources.
Coeur has commenced an exploration drilling program on the recently acquired Wonder silver property in Nevada. The Wonder property is a highly prospective, past-producing silver property.

GOLDFIELDS (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Goldfields Limited announces the latest drill results from its Raleigh gold deposit located 2.5 kilometres south of the Kundana Gold Mine near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The current drill program commenced in early October and is designed to upgrade confidence in the previously announced Inferred plus Indicated Resource (668,000 tonnes grading 35.2g/t gold for a total of 757,000 contained ounces of gold) and also to test for, and define, additional resources at depth.

The results confirm the continuity and high-grade nature of the Raleigh Vein and indicate it to be more continuous and extensive at depth below the original resource boundary than previously thought on both the Goldfields 100% owned tenement and the adjoining East Kundana Joint Venture (Goldfields 51%) tenement.
Of particular significance are the holes drilled on Joint Venture ground to a vertical depth of approximately -600m. All intersected the Raleigh Vein, two with above average grades of 0.5m at 111 g/t Au and 0.5m at 79.7g/t Au, and a third intercepting 0.7m of vein with visible gold for which the assays are awaited. In addition, hole RMRCDO68 which was drilled on the Goldfields 100% owned tenement, intercepted 0.3m of laminated quartz vein (assays awaited). Together these results indicate a potential strike length of up to 600m for the Raleigh Vein at this depth.

HERON RESOURCES (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Two RC rigs are continuing to drill at the Goongarrie Nickel Project, returning exceptionally high grade intercepts of nickel-cobalt Limonite Ore. Heron has now completed its One Thousandth Drill Hole at Goongarrie. Resource definition drilling on an 80x8m pattern has been completed over a strike of 1.8km at Scotia Dam, 1.8km at Big Four and at Goongarrie South, 4km has been drilled, with new open ore positions to the north continuing to be drilled (the new zone is designated the Patricia Anne Zone).

At Goongarrie South, ore has now been identified from near surface to 95 metres depth. Intercepts in the newly discovered high grade zones include:

36m at 1.13% Ni and 0.22% Co,
41m at 1.13% Ni and 0.08% Co,
45m at 1.21% Ni and 0.21% Co, with ore still open at the 95m End-of-Hole vertical depth.

KINGSGATE CONSOLIDATED (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Chatree Gold Project Thailand - Commencement of Construction.

The conditions precedent for the USD35 million project loan have now been met and the first drawdown of funds occurred yesterday 16th November, 2000.
This represents the formal commencement of construction of the project.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

At 6am Central Standard Time today Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 3297 meters, circulating and increasing mud weight. Yesterday, at a depth of 3297 meters, the well took a kick which when circulated to the surface comprised 21% gas. A shale sample at 3285-3295 meters was dated as base Flamingo Formation, indicating the top objective sandstone reservoirs are not much deeper.
While the formation tops in Coleraine 1 are lower than predicted, it is now interpreted that this structure is deeper and, therefore the total depth of the well has been increased from 3322 to 3440 meters in order to reach the objective Jurassic sands.

OIL SEARCH (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling Update - Dua Dua-1 Exploration Well:
Oil Search Limited, as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that the Dua Dua-1 well was spudded at 0200 hours on 6 November 2000. At 0600 hours on 17th November 2000, the well was drilling ahead at a depth of 1492mRT. During the week the 13(3/8)" casing was set at 709mRT. After running and cementing 13(3/8)" casing, BOP's were successfully installed and tested. A 12(1/4)" drilling BHA was made up and after drilling cement, returns were lost 4m into the Darai Formation. Drilling continued without returns to 1471mRT at which depth the BHA twisted off Attempts to retrieve the BHA were unsuccessful. The well was successfully sidetracked and the well is now drilling ahead in the Darai Limestone. Progress for the week is 754m.
The Dua Dua-1 prospect is located 375km west of Port Moresby and 80km southwest of the Kumul oil loading terminal. The well will be drilled to a depth of 2,850m over a planned 25 day schedule.

SE GOBE-9 DEVELOPMENT WELL PDL3
The SE Gobe-9 development was testing BOP's and preparing to drill out of the 9 (5/8)" casing set at 1970.5mMD at 0600 hours on 17 November 2000. Progress for the week was 630m.
The SE Gobe-9 development well is being drilled from the SE Gobe-1 well pad. It is a deviated development well, aimed at intersecting the productive Iagifu reservoir to the NW of the surface location.

STUART PETROLEUM (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Stuart Petroleum NL says it hopes to be able to announce the finalisation of native title negotiations on its newly-awarded CO98-E and CO98-H oil and gas acreage in the Cooper Basin area of South Australia "within a very short period of time".
Stuart's Chairman, Mr John Branson, told the Company's Annual General Meeting in Adelaide today that he had in fact hoped to make such an announcement before today's meeting.

"However, the finalisation of negotiations and the completion of documentation, has not yet occurred.
"As soon as licences for these two blocks - Pando and Paning - have been issued, Stuart will commence its drilling program for these areas and also progress native title negotiations for our other two blocks, Packsaddle, and Priscilla," Mr Branson said.

XENOLITH GOLD (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

The following information has been released to the North American market with respect to the above project in which Xenolith has an indirect interest via its equity in Kookaburra Resources Ltd and KOB Energy Inc

EAST LOST HILLS, CALIFORNIA
Construction of the pipeline and wellsite facilities for the Berkley #1 gas project have commenced, an early January 2001 start up is expected. The current Californian natural gas day price is approximately $13.00 mcf Cdn
Berkley #2 has reached a depth of 17,650 feet, has been evaluated with open-hole logs, and will be eased as a potential gas well. In total, 1,250 feet of Temblor section has been penetrated thus far. Considerable circulation losses were encountered in the Temblor, indicative of excellent reservoir permeability. Gas was flared from the Temblor when the mud weight was lowered in an attempt to cure the lost circulation. The partners are extremely encouraged by these initial results. The #2 well, when successfully completed, can be tied into the gathering system being constructed early in 2001.

Independent reservoir engineering assigns gross proven and probable gas in place of 470 bcf for Berkley #1 and 190 bcf for Bellevue #1-17R for the perforated intervals only. Recovery efficiency will be more accurately determined as reservoir performance is established by production.

Berkley #3, testing a separate exploration prospect west of the initial East Lost Hills anticline, is currently drilling at a depth of 17,000 feet.

Berkley #4, currently rigging up, will spud within the next 10 days with an anticipated total depth of 20,000 feet.

With production from Berkley #1 on schedule to commence in January and Berkley #2 already demonstrating its potential as a gas well, management has growing confidence in the likely success of the Berkley #4, step out well, which will commence drilling within 10 days.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling & Production Testing Report - Tuihu-1

Current Status:

Ran and cemented 13(3/8)" casing at 1323m
Rigged up blow out preventers
Ran in hole and performed Formation Integrity Test
Current activity: Drilling ahead in 12(1/4)" hole at 1351m. Working to clear minor amounts of junk from the hole
Lithology is 100% claystone in Manganui Formation

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA / BEACH PETROLEUM (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kenmore No 24 an oil development/appraisal well situated approximately 230 metres west-south-west of Kenmore No 14, latitude 26 deg 38 min 50.67 sec south, longitude 143 deg 25 min 53.65 sec east. The well was spudded at 20:00 hours on November 7, 2000 and reached a total depth of 1452 m RT at 20:00 hours on November 11, 2000. At 06:00 hours today the rig was running in hole for a wiper trip prior to running 140 mm production casing. Progress for the week was 1286 metres.

A drill stem test of the Hutton Sandstone over the interval 1397 to 1406.24 metres RT recovered 25 barrels of oil, 3 barrels of watery mud and 1.5 barrels of mud.

SANTOS (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Weekly Drilling Summary :

Barrolka 5 DW1 - Conducting rig repairs prior to running in hole to
drill ahead. Current measured depth is 2382m, with
612m progress for the week.

Kenmore 24 - Running in hole on wiper trip prior to pulling out to
run 140mm production casing. Total depth of the well
is 1452m, with 1286m progress for the week. A drill
stem test of the Jurassic aged Hutton Sandstone over
the interval 1397m-1406m recovered 4 cubic metres
(25 barrels) oil, 0.5 cubic metres (3 barrels)
watery mud, and 0.25 cubic metres (1.5 barrels) mud.

Z83M - Well cased and suspended. The well reached a total
measured depth of 1869m, with no progress for the
week. The rig was released on 10/11/2000.

SE Gobe 9 - Running intermediate casing. Current measured depth
is 1971m, with 630m progress for the week.

Moomba 121 - Pulling out of hole at total depth prior to running
wireline logs. The well has reached a total depth of
2989m, with 773m progress for the week.

Baryulah 3 - Cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer.
The well reached a total depth of 2634m with no
progress for the week. The rig was released on
9/11/00.

Ramses 1 - Running in hole with new bit to drill ahead. Current
depth is 2407m, with 1014m progress for the week.

Winninia North 2 - Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the
week is 11m. The well spudded at 06:00 hours on
16/11/00.

Raven 2 - Cementing surface casing. Current depth and progress
for the week is 1032m. The well spudded on 13/11/00.

Bow 1 - Pulling out of hole for bit change. Current depth is
2501m, with 1876m progress for the week.

Moomba 135 - Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the
week is 798m. The well spudded on 12/11/00.

WEST OIL (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Coleraine-1 Drilling Update

At 6.00 am (CST) Thursday, 16th November, Coleraine-1 was at a depth of 3,150 metres and drilling ahead.
It is expected that Coleraine-1 will reach the objective sands before the weekend.
Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

QUEENSLAND GAS (16 NOVEMBER 2000)

Queensland Gas Company completes first coalbed methane well within Walloon Coal Measure in Surat Basin

Queensland Gas Company Limited (ASX: QGC) today announced that the first well in their five well Initial Drilling Program, Wyalla No 1 coalbed methane (CBM) well has been completed as a potential gas producer from the Walloon Coal Measures.

The Wyalla No 1 well is located approximately 28 kilometres south-east of the township of Chinchilla in the Surat Basin in south-east Queensland. It falls within part of Authority to Prospect No 676-P where QGC can earn a 50% interest.
Mr Norm Zillman, Managing Director said that the Company was very encouraged by the excellent result from their first well.

"The Initial Drilling Program is right on schedule with the completion of Wyalla No. 1 well. The drilling rig will now move on to the second well, Argyle No. 1 located approximately 31 kilometres to the west in ATP-620-P where QGC can also earn a 50% interest"

Testing of Wyalla No. 1 well following under-reaming of the coal seams out to 10 inch diameter resulted in a gas flow at the surface of approximately 75,000 cubic feet per day (2,124 cubic metres per day) at zero back pressure.

The initial five well drilling program is anticipated to be completed before the end of December 2000.

MINOTAUR GOLD (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling to Commence at Mabel Creek

Minotaur Gold NL announces that its subsidiary, Minotaur Resources Ltd has signed a Native Title Mining Agreement with the Antakirinja Native Title Claimants allowing exploration to proceed on tenements EL 2682 and EL 2730, northwest of Coober Pedy.

These tenements form one of a number of key joint ventures between Minotaur and Billiton Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd in which Billiton has the right to fund the first $900,000 of expenditure to acquire a 70% interest in the tenements.

Heritage clearances have been obtained for the drilling of two targets that represent potential Olympic Dam style mineralisation beneath some 250-300 metres of cover sediments.

Drilling will commence in late November and is expected to take up to two months to complete.

For further information on the targets to be drilled see the Minotaur Resources Prospectus and Minotaur Gold’s Annual Report at www.minotaurgold.com.au

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kimberley has recovered another parcel of mainly gem quality diamonds from processing the latest bulk sample from its Blina Diamond Project in Western Australia, further highlighting the significant economic potential of the project.
The latest results are from Pit 67 North, which is located upstream from Pit 63 and Pit 66, where Kimberley last week announced the recovery of a four-carat fine white gem diamond as part of a parcel of 31 diamonds weighing 12.51 carats.
Processing of the 120-tonne sample, excavated from a trench, yielded 16 diamonds weighing 8.32 carats in total (an average of 0.520 carats).

MARLBOROUGH RESOURCES (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Ardlethan Tin Project

Marlborough has reached agreement with BARCLAYS BANK LONDON on a Put Option covering the value of 1,000 tonnes of tin at a strike price of US$4,500 per tonne. This quantity of 1,000 tonnes represents about 70% of the estimated production over for the period from December 2001 to November 2003. This will ensure that Marlborough has the right, but not the obligation, to call on the Put Option so that it will receive US$4,500 per tonne should the LME tin price fall below that level.

This means that Marlborough will receive in excess of A$8,000 per tonne for this 1,000 tonnes, which should cover all operating costs plus 150% of financing and interest costs over the two year period. Marlborough does not have to deliver into this agreement and it could just sell at spot price of tin which is currently in excess of A$10,000 per tonne. As shown on the attached graph, tin price in Australian dollar terms is at a ten year high.

The remaining 30% of estimated production from Ardlethan is free for sale into the spot market or other forward selling agreement and should generate further cash surplus.

At the current spot tin price, it is estimated that the first stage of the project should generate in excess of A$11,000,000 of surplus cash (before interest and tax) over the first three years of full operations.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

On November 10th, 2000 the Company successfully completed fracture stimulation ("fraccing") operations on Seam 8 (the target seam) of the final re-drilled well, LW-L2B, in the Liulin Coalbed Methane (CBM) gas project, Shanxi Province, China.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy advised that the current operation at Coleraine 1 is running into the hole with the 6-inch bit. Once the cement plug on bottom has been tagged the well will be circulated prior to recommencing drilling.
It is expected that Coleraine 1 will commence drilling new hole today but after the Australian Stock Exchanged has finished trading.

PANCONTINENTAL OIL & GAS (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Pancontinental announced that it has reached agreement with Westech Energy New Zealand to earn a 7.5% equity in PEP 38335 in the East Coast Basin of the North Island of New Zealand by contributing 10.0% to the US$1.327 million during costs of the Waitaria 2 well. Waitaria 2 is scheduled to be spudded in January 2001. Pancontinental will only contribute 7.5% to completion and testing costs. This agreement is still subject to final documentation and Government approvals.

SELWYN MINES (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Selwyn has announced an inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate for the Selwyn Line deposits (100% owned), at its Selwyn Project, situated approximately 150 kilometres southwest of Mt Isa, north-west Queensland.
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants ("Snowden") has completed a Mineral Resource Estimate covering approximately 6 kilometres of the Selwyn Line, a north-south striking belt of mineralisation, passing approximately 1.5 kilometres east of the Selwyn Plant.
The new Mineral Resource totals 300 million tonnes @ 0.39% copper and 0.53g/t gold containing 1.17 million tonnes of copper and 5.07 million oz of gold. It comprises firstly, 254 million tonnes @ 0.34% copper and 0.48g/t gold above 1000mRL (approximately 400m below surface), at a 0.2% copper equivalent cutoff grade, and secondly, 46 million tonnes @ 0.64% copper and 0.81g/t gold below 1000mRL, at a 0.5% copper equivalent cutoff grade.

SUN RESOURCES (15 NOVEMBER 2000)

Sun advised completion of an agreement with Westech Energy New Zealand ("Westech") to earn a 7.5% interest in PEP 38335, East Coast Basin on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Sun will contribute 10.0% of the US$1.327 million dry hole drilling costs of the Waitaira Prospect after which its ongoing contribution will be at its 7.5% interest. This agreement is still subject to final documentation of the Joint Operating Agreement and New Zealand Government approval.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling Activity and Project Status Report:

NEW ZEALAND - PEP38719, Taranaki Basin, Bligh Interest: 5.00%
The Rimu B-2 well is currently at a depth of 3019m, drilling ahead in 8(1/2)" hole.
The Rimu B-2 well will be drilled to a depth of approximately 4600 metres, to provide further geological information on the Upper and Lower Tariki reservoirs and the Upper Cretaceous North Cape sand, on the Rimu-Kauri trend. It is anticipated that the Rimu B-2 well will encounter the Upper and Lower Tariki reservoirs at a structural elevation low to the Rimu B-1 well, but high to the Rimu A-1 discovery well.

NEW ZEALAND - PEP38718, Taranaki Basin, Bligh Interest: 10.00%
The Tuihu exploration well is at a depth or 1327m. The current operation is preparing to drill out of 13(3/8)" casing.
Tuihu #1 will be drilled to a minimum depth of approximately 4300 metres to evaluate the Tariki sandstones, on a structure with approximately 30 square kilometres of closure. Depending upon the results encountered in the Tariki formation, the well may be deepened to test the Kapuni formation, at a depth of approximately 4500 metres.

NEW ZEALAND - PEP38728, Taranaki Basin, Bligh Interest: 40.00%
Line surveying and shot hole drilling operations on the Tangahoe seismic survey are continuing. Recording is expected to commence in late November.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA - PPL206, Bosavi, Foreland/Darai Plateau. Bligh Interest: 50.00%
Surveying and drilling operations continued on the Okari seismic survey. Seismic data recording has commenced.

UNITED STATES - Bayou Choctaw Project, Iberville Parish, Louisiana. Bligh Interest: 100.00%
During the past week, workover operations have been conducted on the Lear Schwing #1 well, to determine its suitability as a re-entry candidate. It was hoped that the wellbore could be deepened from its historical total depth of 12,600 feet, to a new depth of 14,500 feet, to test several deep plays which are evident on this feature at depths of 13,000 - 14,500 feet. Unfortunately, it has been determined that the wellbore contains approximately 2300 feet of tubing, parted below a depth of 9400 feet. This was apparently inadvertently cemented into place, during workover operations conducted on the wel in 1986-1987, preventing any further work on the wellbore at that time. The presence of the tubing was not indicated in any of the historical plugging reports which are available.

The Lear Schwing #1 has 10-15 feet of gas pay, which is evident at a depth of 11,816 feet. It is believed that this zone was prematurely abandoned, and that remaining reserves of approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas are present. Consideration is being given to a sidetrack of the well, to a point 750 feet northeast, to place this zone on a production as a source of early cash flow. A decision on this will be made within the next week. Alternative strategies are being considered for the testing of the deep plays at 13,000 - 14,500 feet on the Schwing prospect area.

EXCO RESOURCES (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Exco's North Queensland exploration program, under its Strategic Alliance with BHP, has enjoyed a significant boost with the announcement of a promising early discovery at its Hazel Creek Copper Project, located 90 kilometres north of Cloncurry.

Exco saidthat reverse circulation drilling in the northern part of the Hazel Creek tenements, an area known as Eight Mile Creek North, had produced results including 36 metres averaging 0.91% copper from 42 metres in hole EHRC69.
This intersection included higher grade zones of 14 metres at 1.04% copper from 42 metres down hole and 6 metres at 1.98% copper and 0.19 g/t gold from 72 metres down hole.

GREENSTONE RESOURCES (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Greenstone announced the granting of its 100% owned Exploration Licence at Lake Kopiago in Papua New Guinea.
The tenement area is 266sqkm covering Oligocene to Miocene rocks on the northern edge of the Papuan Fold Belt. Access to Lake Kopiago is by the Southern Highlands Highway, or by light plane.
The target is based on aeromagnetics and previous stream sediment sampling which indicate possible Porgera style mineralisation. The aeromagnetics clearly indicate a cluster of 9 small intrusives which lie within a drainage pan concentrate gold anomaly of 165 micrograms gold, covering an area of approximately 30 sqkm

TAP OIL (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Hero-1 Update :

As at 6.00am today, the well has drilled ahead to 59 metres measured depth and will continue to drill ahead to the planned total depth of 160 metres measured depth.
The well has experienced some engineering difficulties after encountering shallow gas containing hydrogen sulphide gas. These difficulties have been resolved and the well will be drilling ahead tomorrow. The well is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

WEST OIL (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Coleraine-1 Drilling Update:

At 6-00 am (CST) Tuesday, 14th November, Coleraine-1 was running in the hole with the 6' bit.
Yesterday, the top of the 7' liner was successfully pressure tested. It is now planned to finish running in the hole and then pressure test the base of the 7' liner. Once this is successfully completed, Coleraine-1 can drill ahead to the top of the Elang sands, expected at 3,163 metres.

WMC (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

WMC Sells Shares in Mondo Minerals Oy

WMC announced that it will sell its 50 per cent shareholding in the Mondo Minerals talc joint venture to partner, Omya.

“We were committed to building a first-class talc business on an international scale. However, our partner Omya saw particular potential in developing Mondo Minerals alongside their calcium carbonate business”, said WMC Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Morgan. “Their offer of SF110 million is above what we could expect to extract from our Mondo shareholding in the reasonable term, therefore we accepted their offer.”

WMC Advances Corridor Sands Project

WMC announced that it will exercise its exclusive option over the “Corridor Sands” project in southern Mozambique, moving forward to undertake a bankable feasibility study on the world-class titanium resource.
The cost of exercising the option to this next stage is US$15M, and WMC will progress the project with partners Southern Mining Corporation Limited (Southern Mining) and the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (“IDC”).

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (14 NOVEMBER 2000)

Progress Report - WA-1-L Gaea-1 :

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-1-L Joint Venture, reports that the Gaea-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was drilling a 12 1/4 inch hole at 3191 metres on 14 November 2000.

MACMIN (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

RECOMMENCEMENT OF EXPLORATION
AT TEXAS SILVER PROJECT, QUEENSLAND

Exploration has recommenced at the Texas Silver Project in south east Queensland.

This exploration will initially target five silver/base metal prospect areas, also identified as aerial potassium radiometric anomalies similar to the potassium anomaly at the Twin Hills Mine site.

These prospects are geographically separate from the above proposed mine. The prospect areas cover at least 15 sq kms and initial reconnaissance has identified alteration/rocks similar to those at the proposed mine site at each of these prospects. Extensive rock chip and some geochemical soil sampling will be completed over the next four weeks and subject to results received, drill testing could commence early in 2001. These new prospect areas have the potential to substantially increase the silver resource in the Texas district.

QUEENSLAND GAS CO (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

Queensland Gas Company reports first coalbed methane gas flows
from Walloon coal measure in Surat Basin, Queensland

Queensland Gas Company Limited (ASX: QGC) today announced that the first well in their five well Initial Drilling Program, Wyalla No 1, has flowed coalbed methane gas (CBM) from the upper section of the Walloon Coal Measures, in the Surat Basin in southeast Queensland.

The Wyalla No 1 well, which is located approximately 28 kilometres southeast of the township of Chinchilla, falls within part of Authority to Prospect No 676-P where QGC can earn a 50% interest.

Commenting on the event, QGC Managing Director Mr Norm Zillman said that the flow from Wyalla No 1 well represented the first gas ever produced from the Walloon Coals intended for commercial production.

"The flow is significant in that natural gas is being produced at the doorstep of the major market of South-East Queensland. All five wells will be within 20 kilometres of the existing Roma to Brisbane gas pipeline or the Peat/ Scotia to Condamine gas pipeline presently under construction.

"Furthermore, as our prospect is on freehold land, we will not experience any potential Native Title problems. The wells are also within close proximity of existing infrastructure such as roads, power and towns," Mr Zillman said.

On November 12, the well was at a total depth of 121.12 metres with 6 5/8 inch surface casing set at 49.5 metres. An openhole test of the 6 inch hole from 49.5 metres to 121.12 metres resulted in a stabilized CBM gas flow of 45,000 cubic feet per day (1,275 cubic metres per day) at a back pressure of between 15 and 16 psi with no water.

"We expect that the Wyalla 1 flow rate can be increased substantially following operations to decrease the back pressure on the producing seams and clean out and increase the diameter of the well bore.

"By way of comparison, CBM producing wells from comparable depths in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming in the United States would average about 100,000 cubic feet per day," Mr Zillman added.

Future operations at Wyalla No 1 will include wireline logging, underreaming to increase the diameter of the hole, possible stimulation and further testing.

Mr Zillman said, "the Company is very encouraged by this excellent early result at Wyalla No 1 which is in line with expectations as outlined in the prospectus".

AMITY OIL (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

Thrace Basin Gas Project - Turkey

GOCERLER-1 WELL PRODUCTION TESTING

Production testing commenced at 1830 hours on 10 November, 2000, with
continuous gas flow to report date. Well performance has been very
good, with no water production or carbon dioxide in the gas and small
quantities of condensate.

Flow testing will continue until 15 November, to establish reservoir
production parameters.

VELIMESE-1, RIG MOBILISATION

Rig mobilisation to the Velimese-1 well site is complete and rig up
is in progress. Well spud is anticipated on or about 20 November.

DELEN-1 WELL GAS ZONE IDENTIFIED

Computer aided wireline log analysis of logs from the plugged and
suspended Delen-1 well, 4.2 kilometres northwest of the Gocerler-1
well, has identified 35 metres of likely gas pay from a depth of 1221
metres in Danismen Formation sandstone. The gas zone was not
identified or tested during drilling of Delen-1 in 1982 and is
presently behind casing. Delen-1 was drilled to test deeper targets
between 3650 metres and 3997 metres (TD). Some gas was located in
deeper targets during drilling and the well eased and suspended in
1982 for possible later production.

The newly identified gas zone in the well has log characteristics
similar to the discovery zone on the Gocerler-1 well. The sandstone
has log derived porosities of between 22 and 25% and high gas
saturation.

The Delen-1 well appears from seismic mapping to be located in a
separate structural culmination within a larger structural feature
which includes the Gocerler culmination structure.

The joint venture intends to re-enter the suspended Delen-1 well to
perforate casing and test the interpreted gas zone. This will be
carried out after drilling of Velimese-1 well.

GOCERLER-DELEN APPRAISAL

The Thrace Joint Venture participants have agreed in principal to
proceed with appraisal and development drilling in the Gocerler-Delen
structure as soon as practical after drilling the Velimise-1 Well.

BEACH PETROLEUM (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

Beach Petroleum has enhanced its gas exploration program in southeastern Australia through the award of two new exploration areas in the South Australian portion of the Otway Basin. The areas, recently put up for competitive bidding by the SA Government, include portions of the Penola Trough, which hosts all of the producing gas fields in the South Australian Otway Basin.

Block OT2000-C covers an area west of Penola, predominately within the Penola Trough. Existing seismic data in the block indicates the presence of a number of exploration prospects and leads that are geologically similar to the producing fields in the region. Initial exploration activity in OT2000-C will be the acquisition of 3D seismic, followed by exploration drilling.

COPPER MINES AND METALS (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

A drilling programme to test tantalite targets at Londonderry 20 kilometres south of Coolgardie is to commence this week. Prices for tantalite have recently reached US$120 per pound due to increasing demand for capacitors in the growing electronics industry.

Within Copper Mines and Metals Ltd's tenement area, large scale pegmatites containing rare minerals of lithium, beryllium and tin have been known and extracted since early last century. Locations such as Tantalite Hill and Lepidolite Hill indicate local abundance of rare minerals of tantalum and lithium.

GILT EDGED MINING (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

In conformation with the East Kundana Joint Venture Agreement Goldfields Ltd has informed Rand Mining NL ("Rand") of its intention to acquire, through its 100% owned subsidiary Gilt-Edged Mining NL, a 9% equity interest in each of the East Kundana Tenements from joint venture partners Rand and Tribune Resources NL. Assuming this final acquisition option is exercised the joint venture equities will stand at:

Gilt-Edged Mining NL 60%
Tribune Resources NL 30%
Rand Mining NL 10%

KINGSTREAM STEEL (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

The company has recently had completed a resource optimisation study carried out by Exploration and Mining Consultants ("EMC") on the company's Koolanooka and Tallering Peak deposits. As a result of this study the company's reserve base, which encompasses reserves at Tallering Peak, Weld Range and Koolanooka, can now sustain a project life in excess of 65 years.

The company has also recently completed a drilling programme at Tallering Peak. Initial resource calculations carried out by EMC have indicated a substantial increase in resources at Tallering Peak. Test work and an optimisation study will now be conducted to determine upgraded reserve estimates.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

ZOCA 96-16 Coleraine-1 Update

The 7-inch liner has been successfully run to 3090 meters and cemented. The liner running tool is being pulled out of the hole prior to cleaning down to the top of the liner. A pressure test of the liner top will be carried out before recommencing drilling. It is anticipated that drilling ahead towards the objective sands will recommence on Wednesday 15th November 2000.

PACMIN MINING (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

Carosue Dam Gold Mine:

PacMin Mining announced the completion of the construction phase of the new Carosue Dam Gold Mine on budget and two months ahead of schedule. Commissioning of the plant is well advanced with stable operation of the crushing, milling and leaching circuits being attained at near design capacity and first gold production expected this month. It is expected that the Carosue Dam Gold Mine will achieve full gold production targets by year end.

Carosue Dam is the Company's newest gold operation, located 110 kilometres northeast of Kalgoorlie in the Pinjin area of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. During the last year, PacMin completed a detailed bankable feasibility study on the project and, based on the project's robust economics, formally committed to the development of the Carosue Dam Gold Mine in February 2000. Construction of the new plant and mine infrastructure commenced in April this year, and has been completed without safety or industrial incident.

The ore reserve at Carosue Dam presently stands at 1.2 million ounces, comprising primary mill feed of 15.5 million tonnes at 2.18g/t containing 1.08 million ounces of gold, plus low-grade ore.
The feasibility study confirmed an anticipated 110,000-140,000 ounces per annum production profile based on a new stand-alone 1.8-2.0 million tonnes per annum plant.

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (13 NOVEMBER 2000)

Logan Brae # 6 (spudded on 3 November 2000) reached total target depth of 840 metres at close of business on Friday 10 November 2000.

Logan Brae # 7 was spudded this morning and the target depth is 840 metres.

GOLDEN CROSS RESOURCES (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

ANACONDA NICKEL TO EXPLORE
GCR’S EURONGILLY AND WALLENDBEEN PROPERTIES

Anaconda Nickel, one of Australia’s leading nickel miners and explorers, has taken a two-year option to explore two of GCR’s 100%-owned Lachlan Fold Belt properties. The two properties, Eurongilly and Wallendbeen, are highly prospective for lateritic nickel, cobalt, platinum group elements, gold and copper. GCR will explore the properties for gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc concurrent with Anaconda’s exploration for lateritic nickel.

MACMIN (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

MINING LEASE APPLICATION FOR TEXAS SILVER PROJECT

At a Land and Resources Tribunal directions hearing on the 9th November 2000 in respect to mining lease application 50161, Texas Silver Project, two objectors (Morrice Fowler and Snadra Pty Ltd) withdrew their objections to the grant of the lease.

The final objector Robin Haeusler of Bebo (35 km west of the proposed mine site) informed the Tribunal that most of his concerns had been satisfied. The Tribunal considered a further adjournment of the hearing was warranted so that further discussions could be held between the company and Haeusler in an attempt to satisfy his remaining concerns. The hearing was adjourned until November 23rd 2000.

The company believes there is a reasonable to good chance that Haeusler’s concerns can be overcome and that he will withdraw his objection prior to the next hearing date. If that is the case, (to the best of our knowledge) there are no further impediments to delay the grant of the mining lease. If Haeusler does not withdraw his objection, the company will request an early date for a full hearing and determination of the matter by the Tribunal.

AURIDIAM CONSOLIDATED (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kimberlite BK16 - Botswana

A total of 1,159 tonnes of material from Kimberlite BK16 has now been processed from approximately 2,300 tonnes mined.
The material processed to date has yielded a total of 29 macro diamonds weighing 16.47 carats. The diamonds, which varied from 1.6 to 0.01 carats were in the main clear, white and high quality with seemingly few inclusions.
Overall it is considered that the results are not significant enough to proceed with further large-scale bulk sampling of this pipe.

BRITANNIA GOLD (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Britannia advised that several interim results considered significant have been obtained in drilling by JV partner MIM Exploration Pty Ltd at the Company's Jervois Project in the Northern Territory.
In Hole J13 a down hole intersection from 128.5-169m (40.5m) assayed 1.86% copper, 0.93% lead, 0.67% zinc, 126 g/t silver and 0.27 g/t gold. True width of the intersection is estimated to be ca.23 metres.

DIORO EXPLORATION (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Dioro announced initial results of the recent program of infill and extensional drilling at the Frog's Leg prospect at the Mungari East project near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Dioro has a 49% interest in the project with Mines and Resources Australia Pty Ltd.
The joint venture partners have agreed in principle to a provisional budget and program for the five-month period ending March 2001 totalling approximately $1,800,000. Work on this substantial program, which is subject to confirmation, will commence immediately.

HIGHLIGHTS
DRILLING RESULTS

The program comprised 2,800 metres of combined reverse circulation ("RC") and diamond core drilling.
Assaying is not yet complete, however, extensional drilling to test for depth continuity of Contact Zone mineralisation has confirmed an 18 metre long diamond core intersection grading 6.81 g/t (incl 8 metres @ 11.84 g/t) from 235 metres depth downhole, 70 metres below the previously reported intersection of (29 metres @ 6.86 g/t) in diamond hole MERC113D.
RC infill drilling results included 3m @ 12.14 g/t from 41 metres, 5m @ 3.16 g/t from 40 metres and 4m @ 8.08 g/t from 68 metres.
RC drilling has extended the strike length of the Frog's Leg mineralisation by at least 40 metres to the south and remains open along strike. Preliminary intersections from 4m composite samples include 4 metres @ 9.36 g/t from 92 metres (including 2m @ 18.29 g/t) and from 1 metre re-samples 6m @ 3.86 g/t from 74 metres depth.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY / OIL SEARCH (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Dua Dua-1 well was spudded at 0200 hours on 6th November, 2000.
At 0600 hours on 9th November, 2000, the well was preparing to run 13 3/8" casing at a depth of 738m.
Progress for the week was 738m.
The Dua Dua-1 prospect is located 375 km west of Port Moresby and 80 km south west of the Kumul oil loading terminal. The well will be drilled to a depth of 2.85m over a planned 25 day schedule.

GOLDSEARCH (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Goldsearch has negotiated an extension of the date by which it must decide to earn an equity in 13 Mining Leases and 1 Exploration Permit Area at Mt Kelly located 120kms by road north of Mt Isa.

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kimberley has announced the recovery of a four-carat fine white gem diamond from its Blina Diamond Project - one of the largest stones ever reported in the Ellendale area - further highlighting the economic potential of its emerging alluvial resource and continuing its run of excellent results.
The stone, which at 4.01 carats is the largest ever recovered from the Terrace 5 gravels, was part of a total recovered sample of 31 diamonds weighing 12.51 carats. The diamonds were recovered from a 310-tonne bulk sample taken from Pit 66.

MINCOR RESOURCES (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Exploration & Business Development Update :

Reko Diq Copper Project: Diamond Drill Hole RDDD84 completed at the H4 Project - 77m of supergene enriched copper blanket intersected from 45m, with chalcocite copper mineralisation over a width of 48m from 45m to 93m down hole. Assay results are awaited. Previous BHP drilling 200m to the south (RDRC28) intersected 0.88% copper over 27m.
Diamond Drill Hole RDDD85 is currently underway on a grid pattern 400m to the south of RDDD84.
Further information on Australian exploration licence applications submitted during October:
Contiguous licence applications covering an entire belt of Archaean rocks in the Norseman region south of Kalgoorlie - postulated as the under-explored continuation of the Eastern Goldfields;
Licence applications over several old gold districts amenable to modern interpretations which suggest good potential for porphyry-style copper-gold mineralisation in the Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales;
Licence applications covering geophysical and conceptual anomalies in South Australia prospective for buried Olympic Dam style mineralisation.
Intensive business development activities focused on the acquisition of a producing or near-production mineral resource in Australia.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Company has completed the third well of its four well pilot production test after the successful cavitation of the HW-LIB well at the Liulin coalbed methane gas project in China.
All three completed wells are flowing gas constantly, even though the LW-LS well has not reached desorption pressure. The gas flow rates are encouraging and are expected to increase announcements during the production test period. Molopo intends to make monthly announcements on gas flow rates once all 4 wells are completed and critical desorption levels reached.
The fourth well in the pilot, LW-L2B, has been successfully re-drilled and will be completed via a cross-linked gel frac over the next few days.
On completion of the fourth well Molopo will have met its first two-year work commitment under the Production Sharing Contract. Production test results over the next 3-12 months should give the company a strong indication of the commercial viability of Liulin's large in-place gas resource.

QUANTUM RESOURCES (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Quantum has agreed to purchase Topalite Resources Pty Ltd ("Topalite") from Autogen Limited for a cash consideration of $10,000 and a 3 per cent net profits interest.
Topalite owns the Torrington Topaz Project in New South Wales and has been conducting research for a number of years into the production of hi-tech strengthening materials for the ceramics industry based on the topaz deposit and proprietary processing technology.
The Company recognises that ceramics is a growing market and hopes that the Torrington Topaz Project will eventually see Quantum become a participant in this market.

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Sydney Gas Company NL advises that Logan Brae #6 (spudded on 3 November 2000) has reached a depth of 726 metres with surface casing set at 186 metres.
The Bulli coal seam was reached at 689 metres with a thickness of 3.5 metres. The Balgownie coal seam was reached at 701 metres with a thickness of 2.3 metres.
Following a review of geological data during drilling it has been decided to extend the total target depth from 720 metres to 850 metres to below the base of the Tongarra coal seam in order to investigate the methane resource in the lower Illawarra coal measures consisting of Wongawilli, Hargreaves, American Creek and Tongarra.
After analysis a decision will be made whether to proceed with multiple coal seams fracture treatment with the aim to produce gas from multiple coal seams simultaneously.

WEST OIL (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6-00 am (CST) Friday, 10th November, Coleraine-1 is pulling out of the hole to run the 7" liner.
Yesterday, the temporary plug was set and cemented at the bottom of the 9-(5/8)" casing to secure the well. It is now planned to finish pulling out of the hole and then run the 7" liner. The 7" liner will be fitted with a drill shoe which can drill through the temporary plug and ream down to 3,090 metres where the liner will be set.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

Kenmore No.24, an oil development/appraisal well situated approximately 230 metres West-South-West of Kenmore No.14, latitude 26 deg, 38 min, 50.67 sec South, longitude 143 deg, 25 min, 53.65 sec, East. The well was spudded at 20:00 hours on November 7, 2000. At 06:00 hours today the rig was at a depth of 166 metres RT and pressure testing blow out preventors. 245mm surface casing was set at 162.1 metres RT. Progress for the week was 166 metres.

The primary targets of the well are the sands of the Birkhead Formation and the Hutton Sandstone. Proposed total depth of the well is 1445 metres RT.

OIL SEARCH (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

DUA DUA-1 EXPLORATION WELL PPL179

Oil Search Limited, as operator of PPL179 in Papua New Guinea, reports that the Dua Dua-1 well was spudded at 0200 hours on 6 November 2000. At 0600 hours on 9 November 2000, the well was preparing to run 13(3/8)" casing at a depth of 738m. Progress for the week was 738m.

The Dua Dua-1 prospect is located 375km west of Port Moresby and 80km south-west of the Kumul oil loading terminal. The well will be drilled to a depth of 2,850m over a planned 25 day schedule.

SE GOBE-9 DEVELOPMENT WELL PDL3

The SE Gobe-9 development was drilling ahead at a depth of 1,341m at 0600 hours on 9 November 2000. Progress for the week was 1,262m.

The SE Gobe-9 development well is being drilled from the SE Gobe-1 well pad. It is a deviated development well, aimed at intersecting the productive Iagifu reservoir to the NW of the surface location.

SANTOS (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 9/11/00

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Barrolka 5 DW1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Development
LOCATION: PL 112, Aquitaine B Block, high angle gas development well, 2.4km SE of Barrolka 1 and 3.2km W of Barrolka 3 and some 55km N of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 1770m, with 1726m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3158m

WELL: Bodalla South 13
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: PL 31, Eromanga Basin, 0.25km ENE of Bodalla South 4, 0.2km SSW of Bodalla South 1, and some 170km NE of the Jackson Oil Facility.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Rig released. Well cased and suspended. The well reached a total depth of 1681m, with 22m progress for the week. The rig was released on 05/11/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1665m

WELL: Kenmore 24
TYPE: Oil Development / Appraisal
LOCATION: PL 32, Eromanga Basin. 230m WSW of Kenmore 14 and some 180km NE of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Pressure testing blow out preventors having run and set surface casing. Current depth and progress for the week is 166m. The well spudded on 07/11/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1455m

WELL: Z83M
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: L-1H, Barrow Island
STATUS AT 08/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Pulling out of hole having set pre-drilled liner. The well is at a measured depth of 1869m, with 340m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2220m

SANTOS (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 9/11/00

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Beckler 3
TYPE: Gas Appraisal
LOCATION: PPL 96, 0.9km NE of Beckler 1 and some 75km E of the Moomba Gas Plant
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Rig released. Well cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 3051m with 208m progress for the week. The rig was released on 08/11/00
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3072m

WELL: Merrimelia 41
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, 1.0km NW of Merrimelia 7, 1.4km W of Merrimelia 32 and some 40km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Rig released. Well cased and suspended as a future Jurassic gas/condensate producer. The well reached a total depty of 2463m, with no progress for the week.
The rig was released on 05/11/2000 and moved to Bow 1 a PPL 141 Gas exploration well.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2392m

WELL: Bow 1
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: PPL 141, Toolachee Block, 4.0km NE of Beckler 1, and some 75km E of the Moomba Gas Plant
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Preparing to run surface casing. Current depth and progress for the week is 625m. The well spudded on 07/11/2000
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3093m

SANTOS (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 9/11/00

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Big Lake 66
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.75km SW of Big Lake 1, 1.3km E of Big Lake 35, and some 20km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Big Lake 66 has been cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 3039m, with 143m progress for the week. The rig was released on 09/11/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3072m

WELL: Moomba 121
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.9km W of Moomba 103 and 6.5km N of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2216m, with 1300m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2978m

QUEENSLAND
WELL: Baryulah 3
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Appraisal
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 1.25km NNE of Baryulah 1, 3.25km WNW of Baryulah East 1, and some 40km S of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Nippling down blow out preventors. The well has been cased as a future Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2634m, with 78m progress for the week. The rig is expected to be released today.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2634m

WELL: Ramses 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Wareena Block, 28km SW of Whanto 1, 29km NW of Wareena 1 and some 75km NE of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 09/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1393m. The well spudded on 03/11/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2987m

SANTOS (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 9/11/00

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WELL: SE Gobe 9
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: PDL 3, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tangential well being drilled from SE Gobe 1 location.
STATUS AT 08/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current measured depth is 1341m, with 1262m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2556m

INDONESIA

WELL: Anggur 1
TYPE: Exploration
LOCATION: Sampang PSC, Indonesia. Offshore Madura Island, 25km SW of Sampang and 45km E of Surabaya, Java.
STATUS AT 08/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Mobilising equipment to kill well and to plug and abandon. As reported earlier this week Anggur 1 sustained a blow out causing a rig fire and crew evacuation. Fire is out and gas flow is diminishing. Current depth is 585m, with 163m progress for the week. The well spudded on 26/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2477m

USA

WELL: Wilkinson #1
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Orange Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas.
STATUS AT 08/11/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current measured depth is 2587m, with 628m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 4785m

TRIAKO (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Company has been obtaining wide zones of moderate to high grade copper mineralisation at its Parkers Hill prospect located 100 metres east of the Mineral Hill mine in NSW.

This has resulted in two mineral resource estimations:

a) a global resource of the wide zones of copper mineralisation (915,000 tonnes @ 2.38%Cu, 0.23g/t Au and 31g/t Ag) and
b) a much more restricted resource of the highest grade zones (125,000 tonnes @ 7.03%Cu, 0.68g/t Au and 112g/t Ag) .

If this deposit can be successfully mined and treated, it has potential to extend significantly mine life. A decision on development is expected during the first part of 2001.

WEST OIL (10 NOVEMBER 2000)

As at 6.00 am (CST) Thursday, 9th November, the Coleraine-1 well is being circulated clean prior to setting a temporary plug in the bottom of the 9-(5/8)' casing. After drilling out the cement plug, the well took a 9 barrel gain as expected. The temporary plug has to be set to control the well prior to running the 7" liner. It is then planned to pull out of the hole and run the 7" liner. The 7" liner will be fitted with a drill shoe which can drill through the temporary plug and ream down to 3,090 metres where the liner will be set.

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Third Quarter 2000 Results

Ashanti registered a record quarter for gold production and further lowered cash operating costs. Total production costs were reduced to US$254 per ounce, US$17 per ounce lower than second quarter 2000 and US$38 per ounce lower than the costs for the corresponding period in 1999. This is the best cost performance since 1996.

Gold production for the quarter ended 30 September 2000 was a record 448,208 ounces, 4% above the 433,050 ounces reported for the previous quarter and 18% over the 379,543 ounces recorded for third quarter 1999.

Year to date gold production of 1,299,108 ounces was 7% above the 1,218,000 ounce target and 16% above the 1,124,314 ounces produced during the nine months ended 30 September 1999.

Obuasi showed good progress as it continued its transition, posting cash operating costs of US$195 per ounce. This is the lowest in Obuasi since 1995. All the other mines reported good results in the quarter.

BHP / WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-1-L Joint Venture, reports that the Gaea-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was spudded at 1045 hrs WST on 4 November 2000. On 7 November 2000 the operation was drilling a 17.5 inch hole at 1710 metres.

The Marine 500 semi-submersible rig is drilling the well. The location is approximately 11 kilometres south-west of the North Rankin A platform. Water depth at the location is 126 metres and planned total depth is 3950 metres.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Progress Report - Coleraine -1

COLERAINE-1 DRILLING UPDATE

West Oil NL announces that as at 6.00 am (CST) Tuesday, 7th November, Coleraine-1 was repairing the annular BOP. This operation is expected to take 3 days. Once the BOP is repaired, the well will drill out the cement plug and circulate the well clean prior to running the 7' liner.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddle's the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P5O potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL advises that following the successful setting of a cement plug inside the 9-5/8" casing, the well has been secured. Operations to release the annular sections of the BOP are underway. This will allow servicing the BOP and replacing the worn out rubber elements. This task should take approximately three days to complete.

Coleraine 1 is being drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minotaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

SANTOS (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Update on the gas blow-out at the Anggur 1 exploration well.

The fire on the rig is out, although gas is still escaping from the well bore. Specialist well control personnel have been mobilised and are currently assessing the situation at the well site. Equipment required to kill the well and effect a plug and abandon operation is currently being mobilised locally and from Singapore. Santos expects the cost of damage from the blow-out to be covered largely by insurance. Following the plugging and abandonment of the well, an assessment will be made of the cause of the blow-out and the future drilling program in the Sampang PSC.

TAP OIL (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

The estimate of reserves for the Gipsy and North Gipsy fields as announced on 6 November 2000 contained a typographical error. The estimate of proven and probable reserves for these fields (currently under development) is 4.6 mmbls, not 10 mmbls.

CLIMAX MINING (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Climax Mining Ltd announced that following an international tender process Clough Engineering Ltd has been selected as project contractor for the development and construction of the Dinkidi gold, copper mine in the Philippines. Climax's work with Clough during the year has resulted in substantial reduction in the construction schedule with production now to commence two years from the start of construction.

TAP OIL (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Gipsy-2H development well spudded at 01:00 hours on 2 November 2000 and the Gipsy North-2H development well spudded at 17:30 hours on 2 November 2000.

The wells are being drilled in an alternate batch drilling programme by the same rig, at the same surface location.

These wells are located in TL/1, 15 kilometres east of Varanus Island at latitude 20(deg)38'11.82"S and longitude 115(deg)43'38.85"E.

The Gipsy-2H well will be drilled to a total depth of 2,847 metres measured depth (2,147 metres true vertical depth). The North Gipsy-2H well will be drilled to a total depth of 2,824 metres measured depth (2,222 metres true vertical depth).

WESFARMERS (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

The directors of Wesfarmers Limited have reported a strong start to the 2000/2001 financial year with a first quarter operating profit after tax of $42.6 million. This was 48 per cent above the figure of $28.8 million recorded in the comparative period last year and well ahead of budget.

The result was achieved on operating revenue of $899 million which was 23 per cent higher than last year's $729 million.

A significant factor in this growth was the inclusion, for the first time, of the result of the newly acquired Curragh coal mine in Queensland and most other business units reported first quarter results ahead of expectations.

The group earnings per share (before goodwill amortisation) of 16.8 cents for the three months was 47 per cent above the 11.4 cents in the corresponding period last year. Cash flow per share of 31.2 cents was also higher than last year's 22.1 cents.

WELLS GOLD CORPORATION (7 NOVEMBER 2000)

Wells Gold Corporation Ltd (Wells) advises that further to the announcement made on 4 September 2000, Wells has completed the acquisition of West Swan Wineries Limited (WSW) whereby Wells has acquired 100% of the issued capital of WSW by the issue of 76,666,666 fully paid shares in Wells.

WEST SWAN WINERIES LTD

WSW operates a 43 acre property in the Swan Valley of metropolitan Perth. The company has focussed on the redevelopment of an old vine vineyard comprising shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, verdehlo and muscat varieties and is in the process of developing a "state of the art" winery and associated tourist facilities.

BEACH PETROLEUM (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

A second development well will be spudded this week by Beach Petroleum NL after an encouraging start to the Company's current five well program in southwest Queensland.

Drilling on Kenmore-23 is scheduled to commence Tuesday November 7, 2000 after the first well, Bodalla South-13, was cased and suspended on Saturday for future completion as an oil producer.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

DURBAN ROODEPOORT DEEP (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

September 2000 Quarterly Results
GROUP HIGHLIGHTS

Gold production 8 961 kg (288 107 ounces)
Cash operating profit R26.9 million (US$ 3.8 million)
Cash cost R 54 995/kg (US$ 245/oz)
Capital expenditure R 20.1 million (US$ 2.8 million)

Incorporating the results of all Durban Roodepoort Deep subsidiaries, including Blyvooruitzicht Gold Mining Company Limited, Buffelsfontein Gold Mines Limited, West Witwatersrand Gold Holdings Limited, Crown Consolidated Gold Recoveries Limited, Hartebeestfontein Gold Mines Limited, DRD Australasia and Dome Resources NL

JULIA CORPORATION (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Company has made a major shift in exploration focus from gold to tantalite. This mineral is used extensively in the telecommunication and computer industries where it is a component of capacitors. Being cognisant of the world wide shortage of the mineral and Australia's pre-eminent production position the Company has been evaluating prospective areas for some time, which has resulted in the consummation of an option agreement covering production and exploration tenements over freehold tenements south of Darwin, in the Pine Creek Geosyncline.

MOSAIC OIL (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

SILVER SPRINGS (QLD) WORKOVER ACTIVITY (MOSAIC 100%)

* A 200 meter pipeline is being built to re-connect the Taylor 17 well.

* Taylor 16 has been re-entered and the tubing replaced and will be placed on line this week.

* Three wells in the Tinker Area have had their tubing replaced in preparation for plunger lift systems. These units have arrived from the USA and should be installed by end November.

PEMBROKE WELL ATP 212P (QLD) (MOSAIC 60.6%) NEW EXPLORATION WELL

* Site Preparation has been completed for Pembroke 2 and the rig shift has begun. The medium case for the target size indicates potential for 1.2 million barrels recoverable.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6-00 am (CST) Monday, 6th November, Coleraine-1 was preparing to repair the annular BOP (blow out preventer) which is required to ensure the safety of drilling operations. A cement isolation plug has been successfully run inside the 9(5/8)" casing to isolate the well during repairs to the BOP. Once the BOP is repaired, the well will drill out the cement plug and circulate the well clean prior to running the 7" liner.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

OIL SEARCH / DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drillsearch Energy NL advises that it has farmed into PPL 179 Southern Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea. The operator is Oil Search Limited. Drillsearch Energy will earn a 5% working interest in the whole of PPL 179 by contributing US$250,000 to the dry hole well cost of Dua Dua -1 Exploration Well in PPL179.

If the well cost exceeds US$4 million Drillsearch will pay it's pro rate share (5%) of any expenditure related to the drilling and testing of the Well in excess of US$4 million. By making such contribution it will also earn a 5% working interest in the adjoining PPL200.

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Sydney Gas Company NL advises that Logan Brae #6 (spudded on 3 November 2000) has reached a depth of 186 metres. Slight gas shows were encountered at the surface hole from 158 metres and 170 metres. Drilling is continuing and total target depth of 730 metres is expected to be reached at the end of this week.

AMITY OIL (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Turkey Gas Project Progress Report

GOCERLER-1 WELL

The drill rig has commenced rigging down for mobilisation to the Velimese-1 wellsite. The rig move of approximately 15 kilometres is anticipated to take about 10 days.

Production testing of the Gocerler-1 well is set to start after the rig is clear of the wellsite.

VELIMESE-1 WELL

Site work has been completed and subject to mobilisation, spud is anticipated in about 10 days.

Velimese-1 is located on a robust, unfaulted domal structure, updip from the producing Yulafli gasfield, some 3.5 kilometres to the south. Seismic lines over Velimese-1 exhibit a direct hydrocarbon indicator "DHI", indicative of the presence of gas.

Velimese-1 has objectives in the Danismen and Osmancik Formations, both of which are productive in the Yulafli field and nearby Karacalli field.

The structure is approximately the same size as the Gocerler discovery structure and, assuming 7.6 metres of net reservoir pay, is capable of holding some 30 Bcf of recoverable gas, if gas is present.

The structure is located adjacent to factories and an electric railway line in the heart of the Thrace industrial area, between the towns of Corlu and Cerkezkoy.

The well is anticipated to take 20 days to drill. Amity holds a 50% interest and will operate the well as agent for the licence operator, Turkish Petroleum Corporation, who also hold a 50% interest.

BLACK RANGE MINERALS (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

SYERSTON NICKEL - COBALT - PLATINUM PROJECT

Black Range Minerals Limited has filed a detailed Environmental Impact Statement with the State Government of New South Wales. This Statement accompanies BLR's application for development consent for the Syerston nickel cobalt platinum project near Condobolin, in NSW. A period of Government assessment and public consultation will commence shortly and development consent is reasonably expected in early 2001.

Within the Helix joint venture areas to the north and east of Syerston, a six hole reverse circulation drill program on an anomaly adjacent to the Syerston orebody has produced ore grade intercepts in 5 of the 6 holes drilled. The results confirm the potential for significant resource extension through this area.

BEACH PETROLEUM (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Beach Petroleum reports that Bodalla South-13 has reached a total depth of 1,665 metres. The well has achieved its objectives and will be cased and completed for oil production from the Birkhead Formation and Hutton Sandstone. The well is expected to commence production in January.

The next well in the program, Kenmore-23, is expected to spud early next week.

CUE ENERGY RESOURCES (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Drilling Status - Sampang PSC/SE Gobe Unit

Santos Ltd has informed Cue that there has been a blow-out while drilling the Anggur-1 exploration well.

At approximately 15:00 hours local time on 2 November, the well sustained an uncontrollable release of gas while drilling at a depth of 585 metres. The gas subsequently ignited. All personnel had already been evacuated safely from the rig. There were no casualties sustained and no injuries. All personnel have been accounted for. The fire is currently subsiding and Santos is taking all necessary steps to bring the well under control.

The Sampang PSC is located offshore in the Madura straits, Indonesia, approximately 35 km east of Surabaya. The well was being drilled in a water depth of 14.8 metres by the PT Hitek Nusantara Trident-9 jack-up drilling rig.

GOLDEN VALLEY MINES (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

The Company has sold part of its 12.5% shareholding in the Toronto listed mining investment company, Thistle Mining to a group of overseas investors.

The sale, which was carried out on-market at a price of C$0.35 per share (A$0.44), will realise gross proceeds of approximately A$2.13 million. These funds will be applied to significantly reduce the Company's A$2.5 million loan to Thistle leaving the Company substantially debt free and well placed to consider new business opportunities.

Following the sale, the Company's shareholding in Thistle is reduced to approximately 6.6 million shares.

HORIZON ENERGY INVESTMENT (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Horizon Energy Investment Management Limited notes that industrial action took place last night 2nd November 2000 at Loy Yang A Power Station.

The result of this action was a complete shutdown of all four units at Loy Yang Power from 8.30pm until 11.30pm.

The Company is awaiting advice from the management of Loy Yang A as to the financial impact for the Loy Yang Power partners.

KALREZ ENERGY (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

BULA FIELD UPDATE

* Kalrez shipped 49,954 barrels of oil from its Bula Oil Field in the month of October.

* The price received by Kalrez for oil shipped was US$30.71 per barrel amounting to US$1,534,087 (approximately A$2,950,000) for the shipment. Payment for the shipment is expected to be received later this month.

* Daily production at Bula continues uninterrupted and in accordance with forecast schedules.

NORWEST ENERGY (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL advises that the first squeeze conducted Thursday, 2 November treated fractures over the zone 2915 to 2921 metres. A second squeeze is being prepared to treat the zone 2908 to 2915 metres.

Coleraine 1 is being drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minotaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

During 1999 Phillips Oil Company farmed into ZOCA96-16 for the drilling of Coleraine 1. Under terms of that agreement Norwest will fund 5.714% of the drilling and if warranted, costs of the Coleraine 1 well to retain 14% interest in the PSC.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (6 NOVEMBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6.00 am (CST) Friday, 3rd November, Coleraine-1 was at 3,090 metres and squeezing gel into the fractures from 2,908 - 2,915 metres. Yesterday, gel was successfully squeezed into the fractures from 2,915 - 2,921 metres. Once these fractures are squeezed off, the drill string can be pulled out of the hole and the 7' liner run and cemented. Once the liner is run, the well will be drilled to its proposed total depth of 3,322 metres to evaluate the objective sands of the Elang and Plover formations.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

BEMAX (1 NOVEMBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT

HIGHLIGHTS

BeMaX shareholders agree to the purchase of an additional 25% beneficial interest in the BIP Mineral Sands Joint Venture, which owns the Ginkgo Deposit and other heavy mineral strandline prospects in the Murray Basin Mineral Sands Province. The transaction was completed on 10 October 2000, after the Imperial One Limited shareholders approved the transaction on 9 October 2000.
In July 2000, the BIP Joint Venture commenced a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Ginkgo Deposit, budgeted at $600,000. The PFS is scheduled for completion in November 2000. Results to date support the Directors' confidence that the Ginkgo project will be technically feasible and economically viable.
During August 2000 Iluka Resources Limited inadvertently drilled 17 holes on the BIP Joint Venture's Pooncarie tenement EL5474. Results from Iluka's drilling on their Trelega prospect are contained in their Bidders Statement lodged on 20 September 2000. BeMaX believes Iluka's results, when interpreted in conjunction with previously announced results from the Snapper prospect on the BIP Joint Venture's EL5474, are very significant in terms of exploration potential. BeMaX's interpretation suggests that a potentially significant heavy mineral strandline discovery straddles the common boundary of Iluka's and the Joint Venture's properties.
On 5 September 2000 Iluka Resources Limited announced an off market cash takeover offer for all ordinary shares in BeMaX at 24 cents per share. Since the time of that offer BeMaX shares have traded in the 28 to 36 cent range.
The Murray Basin Mineral Sands Infrastructure Planning Study, which was released in August 2000, identifies the Pooncarie area as one of the major zones of opportunity in the Murray Basin. Key findings include recognition of the substantial inventory of heavy minerals and the potential of the Murray Basin to become a new Mineral Sands Province.

CULLEN RESOURCES (1 NOVEMBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT - HIGHLIGHTS

SLATE BORE: RC drilling intersects gold mineralised shear zones in a broad alteration zone. Best intersection is 2m @ 1.46ppm Au.

HARDEY JUNCTION: Two Exploration Licences are now granted over 30 kms of a prospective structural/host rock environment in a new project area SW of De Courcy.

GUNBARRELL: Shallow drilling has commenced to identify gold anomalies for follow up.

KILLALOE: Reinterpretation of prior airborne magnetic and geochemical data identifies gold and nickel prospects.

GRENFELL RESOURCES (1 NOVEMBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT

Tarcoola Region, Gold and Base Metal Exploration

Discussions with potential joint venture partners in the Tarcoola Region within the Gawler Craton are ongoing. These include high grade gold projects, centred on the Tarcoola Goldfield, iron-oxide, copper-gold prospects focused on the strong magnetic anomalies which occur throughout tenement holdings and nickel prospects related to the relict Archaean greenstone belts in our southern tenements.

RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Base Metal Exploration

BHP commenced operational work during the quarter on the Alwar/Bharatpur Joint Venture areas in northern Rajasthan. A total of 12 targets within the JV area was followed up by ground geological inspection and, of these, 10 were also covered with ground magnetics. Most of the targets outcrop and were explained by either barren to weakly geochemically anomalous magnetite-bearing iron formations, magnetite-bearing veins and stockwork zones and magnetite-bearing conglomerates.

Four targets remain prospects with large scale potential and are under consideration for drill testing in November.

The area is also being reviewed for other styles of copper mineralisation which may not have a direct magnetite association.

CORPORATE

At the end of the quarter the company has cash reserves of $3.6 million.

MICHELAGO LIMITED (1 NOVEMBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT - HIGHLIGHTS

A capital raising was completed in August 2000, raising approximately $1.2 million after costs. Concurrent with the capital raising, the Company appointed a new Director, Mr Alan Phillips.
In September 2000, Michelago announced the sale of seven exploration projects to Golden Cross Resources Limited (GCR) for 1.8 million GCR shares. Concurrent with the sale to GCR, Michelago announced the acquisition of the exploration interests held by Sipa Exploration NL in New South Wales in joint venture with Michelago .

GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES (Ex Duketon Goldfields) (30 OCTOBER 2000)

Genetic Technologies (ex Duketon Goldfields) has decided to sell the Golden Mountain Project in Victoria. The project is a small heap leach project suitable for hands on prospectors and operators.

MOUNT BURGESS (30 OCTOBER 2000)

September Quarterly Highlights

AUSTRALIA
Telfer - Gold and Base Metals

Continuous trend of gold mineralisation for over 600 metres defined at South Corridor.

Tay - Nickel and Gold

Ten further electromagnetic targets have been generated which are currently being drill tested.
AFRICA
Tsumkwe, Namibia - Diamonds

A number of magnetic targets are currently being drill tested.

QUEENSLAND GAS COMPANY (30 OCTOBER 2000)

QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2000

The operational office of Queensland Gas Company Limited has now been established and is located on the 28th Floor of Comalco Place at 12 Creek Street, Brisbane. This office is now fully operational with full time staff appointed and computer, Internet, telephone and facsimile facilities now installed.

INITIAL DRILLING PROGRAM

Casing, wellheads and all other necessary equipment for the wells has been ordered and drilling is programmed to commence in early November this year.

QGC has accepted an offer by Mitchell Drilling for a "Turnkey Operation" (fixed price) to undertake the drilling of these wells. Mitchell Drilling has significant experience in drilling Coal Bed Methane wells in the Sydney Basin in New South Wales and the Bowen Basin in Queensland.

As a result, all is now ready for QGC to drill the first ever wells designed specifically to test and produce gas from the Walloon Coal Measures in the Surat Basin

BEMAX (30 OCTOBER 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 1999/2000 FINANCIAL YEAR

The Murray Basin continues to gain recognition as Australia's most important new mineral sands province. BeMaX is recognised as a key participant in exploration and development of the Basin.

The Ginkgo Deposit is confirmed by a major drilling programme as the largest coarse grained single "Indicated Resource" in the Murray Basin with an Indicated Resource of 252 million tonnes @ 2.8% Heavy Minerals.

A major Pre-Feasibility Study of Ginkgo initiated in July 2000 is scheduled for completion in November 2000. Preliminary results support Directors' confidence that development of Ginkgo is technically feasible and economically viable.

Mineralogical testing indicates that Ginkgo heavy mineral concentrate is capable of being processed into marketable ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile and zircon products.

Two mineral sands discoveries (BeMaX earning 70%) are made at the Yabbie and Shamrock prospects, 20km southeast of Ginkgo.

Seven new Exploration Licences covering 5,206km² in the northern region of the Murray Basin are granted to BeMaX. BeMaX now holds interests in approximately 10,000km² of the northern Murray Basin.

BeMaX acquires Imperial Mining (Aust) NL in October 2000 to increase BeMaX's beneficial interest in the BIP Joint Venture, owner of the Ginkgo deposit, by 25% to 75%.

$1.7 million of new capital raised at an average price of 14.14 cents/share.

MINOTAUR GOLD (30 OCTOBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER 2000 QUARTERLY REPORT
HIGHLIGHTS

1. CORPORATE

The EGM to approve the spin-off of the company’s base metal assets and the acquisition of Colloqui Pty Ltd has been called for 11.00 am on Tuesday, 31 October 2000.

The prospectus to raise funds and achieve a listing on the ASX of Minotaur Resources Ltd, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, was prepared during the quarter and lodged with the ASIC on 17 October 2000.

Agreement was obtained from Billiton to novate the Company’s agreement with Billiton to Minotaur Resources Ltd.

2. EXPLORATION

Mabel Creek Joint Venture

Agreement was reached with Native Title Claimants on the Mabel Creek Joint Venture tenements in October and clearances were completed on two of the priority targets within the joint venture area. Drilling is scheduled to commence in November.

Mutooroo Joint Venture

Airborne geophysical data is being assessed with a view to establishing drill targets for the December quarter.

HERALD RESOURCES (27 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company is pleased to announce the following results from the latest drilling on line 9570N at the Anjing Hitam zone at its Dairi Project in North Sumatra.

Hole
North
East
Dip/Azimuth
(mag)
From (m)
To (m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP35D
9570
5156
-75°/252°
255.39
260.92
5.53
15.4
8.7
12.4
MMH

SOP36D
9570
5157
-77°/072°
361.04
372.42
11.38
Assays awaited
MMH

MMH = Main Mineralised Horizon

BALLARAT GOLDFIELDS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Ballarat Goldfields NL have entered into negotiations to divest the gold assets held within the BGF group.

A proposal to acquire the complete portfolio of BGF's minerals assets has been received from a listed gold mining entity.

The parties have undertaken to develop a formal Acquisition Agreement. This is expected to provide for a distribution of new shares in the acquiring company to BGF shareholders, based on independent valuations of the minerals assets of each party. The terms of the sale and other relevant information will be detailed in an Information Memorandum to be issued to shareholders following execution of the Acquisition Agreement, at which time the contracting party may be disclosed.

BHP / WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Drilling Reports - Cavalier-1/Laverda-1 & Anama-1

WA-9-L
CAVALIER-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-9-L Joint Venture, reports that the Cavalier-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was plugged and abandoned at a depth of 3696 metres on 21 October 2000.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

WA-271-P
LAVERDA-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Laverda-1 exploration well located 13 kilometres west of Woodside's Enfield oil accumulation was running in hole to cut core number 2. Since the last report the 14(3/4) inch hole was drilled to 1585 metres and the 9(5/8) inch casing was run and cemented. The 8(1/2) inch hole was drilled to core point where core number 1 was cut.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

PPL188
ANAMA-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Anama-1 exploration well located in the Gulf of Papua was drilling the 9(5/8) inch casing shoe track with an 8(1/2) inch bit on 24 October 2000. The 9(5/8) inch casing was run and cemented at 2364 metres.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.

PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Bligh derives oil and gas production from its 1.62% working interest in the TAWN Joint Venture, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand and from its Bayou Choctaw project in Louisiana, United States. Production net to Bligh from these projects is approximately 80 barrels of oil per day and 400 thousand cubic feet of gas per day.

CONSOLIDATED MINERALS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

SUMMARY FOR THE QUARTER

* Mining has been completed at the Big Mack Deposit and is continuing at the Hanna and Chutney Deposits.

* Development drilling at Bell's Pit has commenced to prove up the ore reserve component of the current resource estimate.

* Drilling continued at the Lewis deposit (formerly Anomaly 17). Mineralisation (>35% Mn) has now been outlined over 250m by 40-90m. The inferred resource at the Lewis deposit is 906,000 tonnes at a 35% Mn cut-off.

* Consolidated Minerals Limited was chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.

* Sales agreements in place for the 2000/2001 production.

* Long-term (5 and 10 years) sales agreements have been established for 70% of the Company's annual production.

* The Company reported a profit of $2.27 million for the financial year ended June 2000 on sales revenue of $34.39 million.

* Financial performance for the September quarter was substantially better than the previous quarter with trading in line with budget.

* $2.1 million raised in equity capital through the placement of 6,000,000 fully paid shares.

DELTA GOLD (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Delta Gold has announced the development of the Wallaby project by the Granny Smith Joint Venture (GSJV, Delta 4O%). Granny Smith is Australia's second largest gold mine and mining of the Wallaby deposit will extend the remaining life of this operation to at least ten years.

Delta also announces that the GSJV has agreed on terms with, Homestake Mining to allow access to the adjoining Just-In-Case resource (500,000 ounces) enabling the optimal development of the Wallaby open pit. The GSJV will make payments to Homestake totalling $25 million over a six year period, together with a 3.5% net smelter return on gold produced from the Just-In-Case lease.

DELTA GOLD (25 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

WALLABY GOES AHEAD

The Wallaby Feasibility Study was completed during the quarter and the decision to commence the development of this two million ounce reserve has been made. Terms have been agreed to allow access to the adjoining Just-In-Case resource, enabling optimal development of the Wallaby open pit.

SOUND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Unaudited profit after tax for the first quarter of the 2000/01 financial year was $8.0 million. Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $22.6 million.

Abridged, unaudited financial statements for the three months ended 30 September 2000 are included in this report.

IMPRESSIVE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Continued strong performance at Delta's Australian operations resulted in attributable gold production of 156,796 ounces of gold at an average total cash cost of $319 per ounce.

GOLDEN FEATHER EXCELS

Processing of Lady Ida ore and the remaining Mulgarrie stockpiles resulted in Golden Feather producing an excellent 37,389 ounces at a total cash cost of $273 per ounce.

KANOWNA BELLE DELIVERS

Continued strong operating performance at Kanowna Belle resulted in gold production of 72,234 ounces at a low total cash cost of $263 per ounce.

HIGH GRADES AT KANOWNA BELLE

Resource definition drilling at Kanowna Belle has intersected higher-than-expected grades at around 1,000 metres depth, potentially increasing both the grade and size of the resource at depth.

SATELLITE RESOURCE FOR KANOWNA BELLE

Drilling results at Red Hill show potential to significantly increase the resource base in the Kanowna district, confirming Kanowna Belle as the hub for Delta's growth in the Kalgoorlie region.

GRANNY SMITH AGREEMENTS

Separate agreements by the Granny Smith Joint Venture (Delta 40%) with the Laverton Exploration Joint Venture (Delta 50%) and Exodus Minerals Limited (Delta 11%) provide the basis for processing additional resources at the Granny Smith plant.

AWARDS FOR GRANNY SMITH

Granny Smith was awarded, for the second consecutive year, the Golden Gecko Award in recognition of excellence and leadership in environmental management. In addition, Granny Smith has been awarded the John Curtin Medallion for Community Service.

LAND ACCESS AGREEMENT

Delta has reached a landmark agreement with three native title claimant groups for expediting the grant of future exploration tenement applications over a very large area of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

MAIDEN GOLD (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Maiden Gold NL advises of three deals and a new EL Application which, subject to shareholder and other approvals, have potential to transform the Company:

1. A Strategic Alliance has been formed# with large South African mining house Anglovaal Mining Limited (Anglovaal), which will involve Anglovaal subscribing for US$350,000 (approx AUD 625,000) of Maiden shares at AUD ten cents per share and providing at least US$500,000 per year for Maiden's exploration of existing and new projects.

2. Maiden will offer to acquire all of the issued shares in Universal Gold NL (Universal), another substantial Tanzanian explorer, for Maiden shares in the ratio of 7 Maiden shares for each 10 Universal shares.

3. Maiden will acquire, from a subsidiary of US mining company Phelps Dodge Inc, 80% interests in two Exploration Licences at Asmara in Eritrea, in two stages, subject to sustained resolution of the border dispute with Ethiopia.

MATRIX METALS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

MT CUTHBERT OPERATION

- The production ramp up at Mt Cuthbert to full production capacity is well underway. Significant activities undertaken include:

* Construction of a new heap leach pad.

* Appointment of a new mining contractor.

* Recommencement of mining in the Dobbyn Open Pit.

* Commencement of mining in the Orphan Open Pit.

* Re-mining of two existing leach pads.

- A detailed review of medium term production plans has commenced.

- Engagement of an engineering company to progress the production upgrade study to feasibility status.

- Negotiations have progressed with the local native title claimants to conclude an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.

- A review of exploration targets at Mt Cuthbert has commenced.

WHITE RANGE PROJECT

- The White Range Project database is under review preparing for commencement of the next phase of the feasibility study.

MINERALS CORPORATION (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Concurrent to broker presentations on the Skardon River Kaolin Project in which Minerals Corporation Limited has a 30% equity interest we advise as follows on the Project:

* A recent $300,000 geological drilling/testing program has confirmed a deposit capable of supporting a long life world class mine producing premium priced Kaolin products for the paper, ceramics and paint industries.

* Kaolin production trials will recommence in December with regular production commencing once the kiln bricks have been installed in the next quarter.

* The world Kaolin market has firmed with further global price increases expected.

* Kaolin is a US$ designated commodity and the products will be mainly exported.

* Skardon River Kaolin is a long life project which is expected to achieve an 18 month payback.

* Five expatriate managers with leading international Koalin expertise have been recruited to manage the business and train local personnel.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (25 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6-00 am (CST) Monday, 24th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,931 metres. A cement plug has been set to control an influx in the well bore. Planned activities are to complete stabilising operations and drill ahead.

West Oil believes that the well is unlikely to reach the objective sands of the Elang formation until at least later this week although the time of this is uncertain. West Oil will keep shareholders informed as and when information is to hand.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL advises that as at 6am Central Standard (Darwin) Time Tuesday 24th October, the Coleraine 1 well was at a depth of 2,931 metres. A plug has been set to control influxes in the well bore. Planned activities is to complete stabilising operations and drill Ahead.

Norwest is of the view that the well is unlikely to reach the objective sands belonging to the Elang Formation until at least later this week. Such time is uncertain.

Coleraine 1 is being drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minotaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

OROGEN MINERALS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS

* Orogen continued to benefit from high world oil prices during the third quarter of 2000: The average price received from the sale of oil during the quarter was US$30.67/barrel, compared to US$25.94/barrel in the second quarter and US$20.34/barrel in the third quarter of 1999. Oil revenue for the third quarter was US$48.5 million, up 14% on the second quarter and 71% higher than in the corresponding period of 1999.

* Gold production from the Porgera Gold Mine rose for the third consecutive quarter: Orogen's share of attributable quarterly gold production from the Porgera Gold Mine was 49,811 ounces, 17% higher than in the second quarter and 1% up on the third quarter of 1999. Total unit cash costs were US$124 per oz.

* Last year's purchase of oil producing assets offset the PNG oil fields' natural decline: Orogen's share of oil production from the Kutubu, Gobe and Central Moran Oil Fields was 8% lower than in the second quarter but 6% higher than in the same quarter of last year, reflecting increased field interests following the BHP PNG asset purchase in late 1999. Attributable production for the quarter was 1.506 million barrels of oil produced at an average cash cost of US$4.86 per barrel.

* Steady progress was made on key aspects of the PNG-QLD Gas Project Development: Productive discussions continued with the PNG Government during the quarter on the PNG Gas Agreement and infrastructure ownership issues. Shortly after the end of the quarter, the ACCC granted an interim authorisation for new entrants ExxonMobil and Santos to jointly market PNG gas with the other PNG Gas Project Sponsors, clearing the way for marketing discussions with potential end users to resume.

* A number of major milestones were achieved on the Central Moran Oil Field Development: The design premise of the Central Moran Oil Field development was approved during the quarter while in early October, the Landowners Business Development Agreement was signed and a draft offer for a new production licence, PDL-5, covering the portion of the Moran field in PPL-138, was made.

* Orogen's Board of Directors and senior management team has been further strengthened: In early October, two new directors, Mr Ian Johnson and Sir Michael Bromley, were appointed to Orogen's Board of Directors and Mr Francis Kaupa was appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

PETROZ (25 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

OVERVIEW

BAYU-UNDAN PROJECT

* All major contracts for production facilities awarded.
* Co-venturers approve design changes to allow gas exports of 750 mmscfd.
* Letter of Intent executed for Bayu-Undan to Darwin gas pipeline.

* Route survey carried out for onshore gas pipeline from Darwin to Moomba. * Project remains on schedule and within budget.

ELANG/KAKATUA/KAKATUA NORTH OIL FIELDS

* Significant increase in Initial Recoverable Reserves to 25.5 Mmbbl.
* Production continues at approx 20,500 bopd.
* Petroz is unhedged in relation to oil price and currency.

EXPLORATION

* Two unsuccessful exploration wells drilled in Carnarvon Basin.

FINANCE & CORPORATE

* Revenue totalled $6.547 million

* Cash balance of $9.3 million and zero debt as at 30 September 2000

* Novus merger proposal received 12 September and subsequently rejected by Petroz Board.

* Cash injection of $12.8 million on 20 October from Fletcher Challenge Energy exercising its option on 29.5 million shares.

* FCE placement and underwriting arrangement rejected at 5 October Shareholders' Meeting.

STUART PETROLEUM (25 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company has bid successfully for block CO2000F in the third and final round of the South Australian Government's Cooper Basin acreage release programme.

Block C02000-F covers an area of 1163 square kilometres in the Southwestern sector of the Basin. It adjoins the eastern boundary of Stuart's Pando Block (C098-H) and extends from northwest of the (excised) Daralingie gas-condensate field across the Dunoon embayment to the Dunoon Ridge and east to the Murteree High.

A number of gas and oil discoveries are excised from within the block boundaries. Stuart's technical managers consider the C02000-F block to be highly prospective for further oil and gas discoveries.

Stuart has now bid successfully for four blocks in the Cooper and Cooper Eromanga Basins.

GOLDEN CROSS (25 OCTOBER 2000)

September 2000 Quarterly Report

HIGHLIGHTS

Many of the Michelago projects contain promising prospects, such as Breadalbane's Wet Lagoon prospect where a previous hole intersected 148m at 1.0 g/t gold, including 14.6m at 5.1 g/t gold. A prospect at Cullulla boasts a lead anomaly over 1.5 km in length. One hole intersected 10m at 10% combined lead-zinc and 48 g/t silver, indicative of a potential Woodlawn-style deposit. See page 5 for details.
Agreement to purchase four mining leases at Sunny Corner from Rimfire Pacific for 100,000 GCR shares. The Sunny Corner mining area is reported to have produced 3.5 million ounces of silver and 140,000 ounces of gold. The reported grade of oxide ore mined was 1,000 g/t silver, 10% copper, 20% zinc, 10% lead and 10 g/t gold. The 250,000 tonnes of sulphide ore mined reportedly averaged 800 g/t silver, 2% copper, 14% zinc, 14% lead and 4 g/t gold.
Rimfire Pacific reported indicated resources of 34,600 tonnes at 1.5 g/t gold and 3.35 ounces of silver in mullock dumps (3,716 ounces gold-equivalent on the basis of 1 g/t Au = 55 g/t Ag). In addition there is close to 100,000 tonnes in slag dumps averaging 0.61 g/t gold, 92 g/t silver, 0.46% copper, 1.16% lead and 8.9% zinc (2.28 g/t gold-equivalent) for 7,331 ounces of gold-equivalent.

BEACONSFIELD GOLD (25 OCTOBER 2000)

SEPTEMBER 2000 QUARTERLY REPORT
HIGHLIGHTS

Commissioning / optimisation of the 200,000 tpa ore treatment plant continuing with gold production increasing each quarter - September quarter at rate of 70,000 ounces per year.
52,000 tonnes of ore at a head grade of 12.3 g/t milled during the quarter to produce 17,617 ounces of gold.
Modifications to increase feed rate to the bacterial oxidation plant to above initial design to be completed in December 2000.
Claims submitted by Joint Venture under various insurance policies totalling approximately $20 million to recover costs and losses arising from the delay in achieving targeted commercial production levels.
Beaconsfield Gold's net operating cash flow before capital expenditure positive for the first time. Net cash flow should increase going forward as costs are reduced from the current high commissioning levels and gold production continues to increase.
New "half upper" stoping method now reducing mining dilution and improving head grades to the treatment plant.
Mining of western stopes now being accelerated and mining of 605 metre level underway.
$1.4 million in equity funding raised by Beaconsfield Gold in September 2000.

ARROW ENERGY (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Update on the planned program of seismic and drilling activities in the company's Clarence Morton and Eastern Surat Projects:

Planning for the collection of a total of 268km of multifold Vibroseis data has been completed with 110km to be acquired on the Clarence Moreton Project (ATP 641P, 643P and 644P) followed by 158km on the company's Eastern Surat Project (ATP 683P).

The entire seismic program and interpretation is expected to be completed by mid December with drill target selection following data acquisition and interpretation over each target.

On ATP 641P, drilling of an initial well, Glamorgan #2, is currently anticipated to commence early in November with a further 4 well program expected to be carried out from late November. Drill targets on the South Moreton Anticline in ATP 644P will also be selected following seismic interpretation and drilling of these is planned for February 2001.

On the Clarence Moreton Project, Arrow is earning a 40% interest in ATP 641P and a 33 1/3% interest in ATP 643P and 644P from Duke Energy Australia Trading and Marketing Pty Ltd. Arrow also has an additional indirect interest in the projects of up to 17 1/2% through its 50% holding in BNG Pty Ltd, the titleholder. Arrow is targeting shallow gas reserves in sandstone units in the Jurassic Marburg Formation. In addition, the company will be investigating gas storage reservoirs in Jurassic sandstone units and equivalents of the Triassic Ipswich Coal Measures.

Glamorgan #2 will test a Marburg Formation sand unit intersected at a shallow depth in Glamorgan #1, drilled last year and interpreted to be gas charged. Previously flared gas flows over the Warrill Kruger leads, and gas shows in coal exploration wells over the Normanton lead and previous seismic data support other leads to be covered by the seismic survey in ATP 641P.

In the Eastern Surat Project ATP 683 (100% Arrow), the prime targets are 4 leads outlined by recent investigation of existing but poor quality seismic data acquired in the early 1960's. The largest of these, Broadwater Gully extending over an area of 45sqkm has potential to host large gas reserves in the Jurassic Precipice Sandstone units. In addition, Arrow is targeting large potential Coal Seam Methane resources in the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures which reach up to 100m thick in the Cecil Plains Depression in the central western part of the tenement over a 20 x 20km zone. Previous oil exploration holes have yielded up to 200m thickness of Walloon Coal Measures with mud gas readings in excess of 10% methane. The Walloon coals are similar to the productive coal units in the Powder River Basin in USA where production by other companies now exceeds 80BCF gas per annum.

AMITY OIL (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report Gocerler-1 Well

FLOW TEST

Flow test of the lower sandstone of the Danismen Formation resumed on Friday, 20th October at 1.29pm, Turkish time. In a series of tests, at different choke sizes, the well flowed gas at a maximum stabilised rate of 12.4 million cubic feet per day through a (42/64)" choke at a flowing tubing pressure of 1,110psi. The (42/64)" choke was the largest choke size available on site. The test results indicate that the maximum flow rate obtained was limited by tubing size, that is, the reservoir is capable of substantially larger flow rates, with larger diameter production tubing. The well is presently completed with 2(7/8)" tubing, which is standard in the basin.

The tests were carried out without a separator, but it was apparent from flare characteristics that the gas contains some condensate.

TEST ZONE

The test zone is a 46 metre sandstone in the Tertiary age Danismen Formation, of which only the upper 22 metre section was perforated. The top of the perforation is at 1271 metres. Flow tests confirm the excellent reservoir characteristics interpreted from the wireline logs and observed in drill cuttings.

TWO ADDITIONAL ZONES

The tested zone is overlaid by shales and two additional sandstone units separated by shales. These sandstones are 14 metres and 13 metres thick and have similar wireline log responses and mud log gas shows to the tested sandstone.

RIG RELEASE

The drilling rig was released on 21st October 2000 and will be rigged down for mobilization to the Velimese-1 well location 15 kilometres east of Gocerler-1.

PRODUCTION TEST

After the rig is clear of the Gocerler-1 wellsite, a six-day continuous production test through a test separator will be conducted. The test will provide quantitative data on associated condensate and the gas reserves accessed by Gocerler-1.

PLACER DOME (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Porgera Joint Venture - September 2000 Quarterly Report

Gold production for the September quarter was 249,057 ounces, the highest quarterly production in four years. This reflects the rising trend in gold production since the start of the year - up from 205,328 in the March quarter and 212,135 ounces in the June quarter. The strong increase reflects continued development of the high-grade ore zone as mining advances through the former underground workings and high mill throughput.

Gold production for the nine months ended 30 September 2000 was 666,520 ounces compared with 542,132 ounces in the corresponding period in 1999.

GOLD AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

GRD MACRAES LIMITED

* Record quarterly sales of 45,873 ounces, for record quarterly cash costs of $271 per ounce sold (US$140).

* First year of pressure oxidation exceeds expectations.

* Reefton Definitive Feasibility Study to be completed by December 2000, with a conditional commitment to develop expected by January 2001.

* Macraes Gold Project Life of Mine (LOM) Plan has been finalised. Key facts:
- LOM cash costs reduced to $300 per ounce;
- NPV increased by 36% on 1999, 99% since 1998;
- Total future production of over 2,050,000 ounces;
- Life extended to 2011.

GRD MINPROC LIMITED

* Won the design and construction contract for Robe Rivers Mesa J iron ore plant expansion at the Panawonica mine in Western Australia.

* Order book continues to grow.

GRD KIRFIELD LIMITED

* Mandates achieved for property development and project consulting.

* Executive team further strengthened.

GRD CORPORATE

* $11.5m of operating cash generated

* $12.5 million corporate debt facility repaid in July.

* 2.7 million Convertible Redeemable Preference (CRP) Shares converted to 3.4 million Ordinary Shares.

* Dr John White appointed as a director

GTN RESOURCES (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Sapphire production at both Subera and Warrandah was above planned levels;

* Subera and Warrandah profit contributions exceeded budget expectations;

* Development consent was obtained for the Weean mine (50% GTN) and production is expected to commence during the March quarter;

* Australian Sapphire Joint Venture (50% GTN) continues to obtain good exploration results;

* Joint venture agreement for Tasmanian exploration completed;

* Further sapphire price increases achieved.

HELIX RESOURCES (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Significant progress has been made on negotiations for the settlement of outstanding objections and plaints over the Mining Leases comprising the Munni Munni platinum and palladium project near Karratha, Western Australia. In addition, Helix has also negotiated with Hunter Resources NL to acquire Hunter's remaining 20% equity in Munni Munni.

MAJESTIC RESOURCES (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Perth-based Majestic Resources NL has started commissioning its first diamond mine in South Africa.

The Riet River diamond mine (formerly known as "Schutsekama" and "Masons") had been brought on stream on time and under budget, and will produce commercial diamonds by early November.

Riet River, 52km south-west of Kimberley in South Africa, is forecast to produce between 8,000 and 10,000 carats of gem quality diamonds a year for at least five years, based on current resource levels.

The Company has brought Riet River into production for a total cost of $2.5 million, which is expected to be paid back within six months. Diamonds from the mine are valued at an average of $1,500/carat and are of the highest quality found in the world.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (24 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6.00 am (CST) Monday, 23rd October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,931 metres and preparing to run a cement plug. Over the weekend, only 7 metres of new hole was drilled before experiencing another hydrocarbon influx into the wellbore. This latest influx could not be controlled by circulating mud so it was decided to run a cement plug across the zone.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (24 OCTOBER 2000)

On Monday, 23th October, the Coleraine 1 well was at a depth of 2,931 metres. Little progress has been due to the operational need to control losses associated with continuing hydrocarbon influxes into the well bore.

Northwest is of the view that the well is unlikely to reach the objective sands belonging to the Elang Formation until at least later this week. Such time is uncertain.

Coleraine 1 is being drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minotaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (24 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Pipeline construction from Myall Creek 2 to Beranga South 1 due to commence October subject to negotiations with indigenous parties.

* A workover of Sandy Creek 2 in the Surat Basin increased gas rate from 0.15 TJ/day to 0.5J/day.

* Five development wells drilled in ATP 259P, SWQ Gas Unit, were cased and suspended as gas producers. Two exploration wells were also cased and suspended as gas producers.

* Pipeline construction to the Barrolka, Baryulah and Chiron fields in ATP 259, SWQ Gas Unit, has been delayed by flooding and IULA negotiations.

* Rolleston 17 in the Bowen Basin achieved a flow rate of 4.4 mmcfd but was reduced to 2.5 mmcfd due to mechanical problems.

* Rolleston 18 flowed gas at 450 mcfd from the primary target.

* Planning was advanced for a further 12 well program commencing October at PL 94.

* Peat 9 and Peat 25 in PL 101 were cased and suspended as gas producers.

PORTMAN (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS TO 20 OCTOBER 2000

CORPORATE

Listing on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange expected to occur before the end of December 2000.

KOOLYANOBBING IRON ORE PROJECT

* 15 year contract signed with Esperance Port Authority to underwrite expansion of iron ore facilities.

* Dredging, land reclamation, new berth and shiploader contracts awarded (subject to environmental approval) by the Esperance Port Authority for the Esperance port upgrade.
* Lump ore shipped in trial cargoes to Japan and successfully plant tested.
* Third train service fully implemented.
* Government funded upgrade of the Koolyanobbing-Esperance rail line is underway.
* Exploration program commenced at Mt Jackson.

COCKATOO ISLAND IRON ORE PROJECT

* Cockatoo premium fines project commenced with first shipment on 5 September.
* Project commissioned on time and on budget.
* Demand from Chinese customers is extremely strong. Production and shipments are projected to double the original budget.
* All shipping positions for 2000, at maximum production have been allocated.
* Studies progressing on the extension of mining activities at Cockatoo Island post 2001.

ROC OIL COMPANY (24 OCTOBER 2000)

The necessary contracts and agreements for the full life of field development of the Kyle Field in the UK North Sea have been signed by all relevant industry parties. These contracts have evolved from the Heads of Agreement signed by the relevant parties in July 2000. Full scale field production is expected to commence in March 2001, subject to receipt of necessary Government consents.

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (24 OCTOBER 2000)

The Logan Brae #5 was spudded at 1300 hrs Monday, 23 October. This is the commencement of a new drilling programme which was approved recently by the Minister for Mineral Resources.

Logan Brae #5 is located east of the Johndilo wells, south of Camden, with a target depth of 723 metres. This well is situated in an area identified as having higher gas content per tonne of coal.

TAP OIL (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Dylan-1 Exploration Well - Update

Tap Oil NL provides the following update on the Dylan-1 exploration well which spudded on 11 October 2000.

LOCATION

The well is located in TL/1 17 kilometres north-east of Varanus Island at latitude 20deg33'40.32"S and longitude 115deg40'34.59"E, being 2.6 kilometres to the southwest of the Linda-1 well.

PROGRESS

As at 6.00am Monday 23 October, the well has drilled ahead 2,416 metres since the last announcement on 12 October 2000 to 2,525 metres measured depth and will continue to drill ahead to the planned total depth of 3,093 metres measured depth.

TAP COMMENT

The Biggada Sandstone reservoir is expected to be penetrated later on in the week at approximately 2,860 metres measured depth.

TAP OIL (24 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report: Bandar-1 Update

LOCATION

The well is located onshore in EP 137, 26 kilometres southwest of the Mardie Station Homestead at latitude 21deg 18'31.83"S and longitude 115deg 44'45.10"E.

PROGRESS

An open hole drill stem test was performed over the objective Mardie Greensand reservoir between depths of 135 metres and 166 metres. After opening the hole for 12 hours the well produced formation water at a rate of six barrels per day, with a salinity of 19,500 ppm and with a minor amount of oil scum. Due to the freshness of the water it is considered that the water was likely derived from the underlying Yarraloola conglomerate aquifer due to a breach of the seal between the Mardie and Yarraloola reservoirs.

Consequently, a re-test was carried out by setting a packer at the base of the Mardie Greensand, with the objective of scaling off the bottom of the hole and hence separating the Mardie reservoir from the underlying water aquifer. Unfortunately this test also flowed water and it is thought possible that the bottom hole packer did not successfully seal off the underlying aquifer.

Consequently, the well was then plugged and abandoned.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (24 OCTOBER 2000)

A major milestone has been achieved with the award of the Subsea Installation Contract for the Echo Yodel Project to local company Coflexip Stena Offshore Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, CSOAP have previously worked for Woodside on their recent Laminaria Development and Lambert Hermes subsea step out.

The Echo Yodel development lies in approximately 140m of water 23 km South-west of Woodside's existing Goodwyn A gas production platform. The Echo Yodel field is being developed using subsea facilities to produce gas and condensate to GWA for processing.

ELECTROMETALS TECHNOLOGIES (23 OCTOBER 2000)

2000 Annual Report

Highlights of the Year

Agreement signed for Mt. Gordon EMEW plant
Strategic alliance with Baulderstone Hornibrook
Development of the fully automatic Powder Cell
Sale and upgrade of Young Australia project to full commercial operation
Successful EMEW silver trials for BHP and Macmin
Delivery of EMEW plant for brass recycling at Intercontinental Metals
Additional $1.9 million in Ordinary Share Capital
Acceptance into Australian Technology Showcase

ARC ENERGY (23 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

September quarter activity concentrated on negotiating and finalising a farmout agreement with Origin Energy on the Company's L1 and L2 (Dongara) Licences. This agreement will provide a very substantial boost to the Company's exploration activities and confirms the value and prospectivity of the Dongara licences.

DIORO EXPLORATION (23 OCTOBER 2000)

Dioro has entered into an agreement to sell all areas of diamond interest to the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Ellendale Resources NL.

The tenements will be sold for $4,000,000 with such amount to be satisfied by the issue of 20,000,000 fully paid ordinary shares in Ellendale at an issue price of 20 cents each. An amount of $500,000 owing by Ellendale to Dioro will also be satisfied by the issue of 2,500,000 Ellendale shares at an issue price of 20 cents.

The agreement also provides that Dioro will subscribe for a further $2,000,000 of shares in Ellendale, being 10,000,000 shares at 20 cents each.

ENERGY RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA (23 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

Production increased by 24 per cent to 1,129 tonnes during the quarter ended 30 September 2000 (1999: 909 tonnes). This is in line with the company's announcement in August that production would increase to between 4,500 - 5,000 tonnes U(3)O(8) for the 2000/01 year.

ORIGIN ENERGY (23 OCTOBER 2000)

Report for the Quarter Ended 30/9/2000
Highlights

* Fifteen wells were cased and completed in the South Australian Unit Area in the Cooper/Eromanga Basin

* Gas production from the Ladbroke Grove field in the Otway Basin for the power generation facilities has continued to be high in line with high electricity generating demand.

* A successful renegotiation of the Beharra Springs Gas Supply Agreement and Gas Transportation Agreement was finalised. Gas production increased from 8 to 17 TJ day effective March 2000.

* Pipeline construction from Myall Creek 2 to Beranga South 1 due to commence October subject to negotiations with indigenous parties.

* A workover of Sandy Creek 2 in the Surat Basin increased gas rate from 0.15 TJ/day to 0.5TJ/day

* Five development wells drilled in ATP 259P, SWQ Gas Unit, were cased and suspended as gas producers. Two exploration wells were also cased and suspended as gas producers.

* Pipeline construction to the Barrolka, Baryulah and Chiron fields in ATP 259, SWQ Gas Unit, has been delayed by flooding and or IULA negotiations.

* Rolleston 17 in the Bowen Basin achieved a flow rate of 4.4 mmcfd but was reduced to 2.5 mmcfd due to mechanical problems.

* Rolleston 18 flowed gas at 450 mcfd from the primary target.

* Planning was advanced for a further 12 well program commencing October at PL 94

* Peat 9 and Peat 25 in PL101 were cased and suspended as gas producers.

* 3D seismic data acquired in VIC/P43 and T/30P have been processed and interpretation is in progress. Excellent direct hydrocarbon indicators have been recognised on the seismic data.

* An area over the Troas gas discovery in EPP24 has been nominated for the purpose of having a Location declared

PETROZ (23 OCTOBER 2000)

Petroz advises that it has agreed to sell its exploration interests in the Po Valley of Italy to its joint venture partner, Northsun Energy Limited.

TRIAKO RESOURCES (23 OCTOBER 2000)

Recent drilling on the Parkers Hill area has intersected extensions of the wide high grade copper zone previously drilled in TMH 34 in 1997. The holes are part of a diamond drilling program to delineate a new resource in the Parkers Hill copper - rich zone, which is located 150 metres east of the current EOZ decline.

Hole TMH 171 intersected 60 metres at 3.0% copper, 3.4% zinc, 2.5% lead, 59g/t silver and 0.2g/t gold from 62 metres downhole located 25 metres south of TMH 34.

Hole TMH 172 intersected 38 metres at 5.2% copper, 1.6% zinc, 1.6% lead, 71g/t silver and 0.7g/t gold from 75 metres downhole located 30 metres east of TMH 34.

Hole TMH 34 intersected 57 metres at 2.5% copper, 1.0% zinc, 0.9% lead, 10g/t silver and 0.4g/t gold from 103 metres downhole in 1997.

AMITY OIL (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey

PROGRESS REPORT - 20 OCTOBER, 2000

A 22 metre section of the lower sandstone of the Danismen Formation was perforated and open to flow at 1.00 am Turkish time today. Gas reached the surface in a few minutes and stabilised at flow rates in excess of 5 million cubic feet per day within 10 minutes. Flow was terminated after 45 minutes to prepare equipment for production testing.

The flow has confirmed a significant gas discovery in the Gocerler structure. Testing is expected to resume later today and details will be released as soon as they are available.

Amity is the operator of the well and has a 50% interest through its wholly owned subsidiary, Amity Oil International Pty Ltd. The Government owned Turkiye Petrolleri AO (Turkish Petroleum Corporation) is a 50% partner in the Gocerler licence and is also the drilling contractor.

AMITY OIL (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey

Perforation and open hole flow testing of one of three sandstones containing hydrocarbons in the Gocerler-1 well commenced early this morning and flowed gas to surface. The test perforated a single 45 metres thick sandstone in the overlying Danismen Formation. The test has been suspended pending the arrival of additional safety and flow measuring equipment.

A further two hydrocarbon bearing sandstones, with similar log characteristics, of approximately 4 metres and 12 metres, will be tested in a future programme.

CIM RESOURCES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

OPERATIONS

Stratford Mine (100%)

* Production increasing by 37% over the previous corresponding quarter, and by 27% over the June 2000 quarter;

* Sales of Stratford coal increasing by 62% compared to the corresponding previous quarter, following a similar increase during the June quarter.

These significant increases were largely due to the changes in thermal coal specification to supply the domestic market.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Drillsearch Energy NL's Canadian subsidiary, Circumpacific Energy Corporation, in drilling of the Lambert well, Alberta, Canada.

WELL NAME:
TLM Oiltech Lambert 5-4-52-22 W5M.

AREA LOCATION:
Lambert approximately 180 km west of Edmonton, Calgary, Canada

REPORT:
The operator, Talisman Energy Inc, has reported that the well has reached total depth of 4,900 metres in the Cambrian system. The well has encountered gas in a number of zones of interest and logging is in progress.

KIDSTON GOLD MINES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report
OVERVIEW

* Kidston returned to profit in the September quarter earning $5.1 million (or 4.1 cents per share) compared with a loss of $1.2 million (or 0.9 cents per share) during the same period of 1999.

* Year to date, the mine has made a net loss of $6.1 million (or 4.9 cents per share) compared with a profit of $1.1 million (or 0.9 cents per share) in the first nine months of 1999. The year to date figure largely reflects a write down of $12.8 million in the June quarter.

* Gold production was 51,010 ounces in the September quarter 2000. This brings the year to date total to 171,619 ounces, an increase on the 160,159 ounces produced during the corresponding period of 1999.

* In order to complete pit development in a timely fashion, Kidston hired some additional mining equipment with consequent improvements in mining rates and availabilities. The equipment was commissioned late in the quarter and further improvements in productivity are expected.

* Cash operating costs were $362 per ounce in the September quarter and $375 per ounce for the first nine months of 2000, a substantial decrease on the 1999 figures of $488 and $442 per ounce respectively.

* Exploration drilling focused on the Union, Percyville and Buchanans targets. Work was terminated at the Wandoo, Tabletop and Carlisle targets due to unsatisfactory results.

MAGELLAN PETROLEUM AUSTRALIA (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Farms in to the Ealing-1 Well Canterbury Basin onshore NZ

Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited has acquired a 20 percent working interest in the southern portion (South Area) of petroleum exploration permit PEP 38256 in New Zealand from AMG Oil (NZ) Limited in return for contributing to the cost of drilling the Ealing-1 well. Depending on the results of this well, Magellan may elect to (a) also acquire a 20 percent working interest in the northern portion of the permit by contributing to the drilling of a second well in the permit, Arcadia-1, or (b) reduce its working interest in the South Area to 12 percent.

NORWEST ENERGY (20 OCTOBER 2000)

ZOCA 96-16 Coleraine-1 Update

Norwest Energy NL announces as at 6am (CST) Friday, 20th October, Coleraine 1 was at 2,924 metres and circulating mud in the hole. At 2,924 metres, the well took another kick with fluids entering the hole. The nature of these fluids is unknown at this time. The well is still some 240 metres above the main objective. Norwest Energy is awaiting more details from the Operator and will report further information when received.

STRAITS RESOURCES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

SUMMARY

* Revenue of $24 million for the quarter and $75 million year to date, up 7% on corresponding period last year.

* Group copper cathode production of 7,586 tonnes increased 6% over the previous quarter, at an average cash cost of $0.46/lb.

* Nifty copper production of 4,840 tonnes, a new production record, up 51% on the previous quarter and 20% on the March quarter.

* Nifty cash costs reduced to US$0.58/lb from US$0.61/lb.

* Firmer thermal coal prices begin to flow through into sales.

* Coal production of 348,000 tonnes.

* Future development activities underway at Nifty Copper.

SUN RESOURCES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS

* Chamois and Rebok Prospects in WA-261-P were drilled in the quarter with mixed results. A sub-economic pool was located in Athol Formation sands that had been breached by cross-faulting and was too small to test.

* Negotiations at near completion on high gas price ($A10-12 equivalent)-short lead time to cash flow exploration scenarios in California, USA and North Island, NZ. Projects to be announced in the near future. A three well programme can be expected over the next 6 months.

ALLSTATE EXPLORATIONS (20 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities
HIGHLIGHTS

* 17,620 ounces of gold produced at the Beaconsfield Mine for the September quarter.

* Rights issue completed, raising $1,179,085.

* Allstate negotiates a revised loan repayment schedule with its bank, and obtains additional funding for plant upgrade.

CHARTERS TOWERS GOLD MINES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

A new gold discovery has lifted Charters Towers Gold Mines'resources to one million ounces.

Total mineral resources now stand at 3.3 million tonnes grading 9.4g/t gold.

The increase has been aided by a 'lucky strike' in diamond core drilling results discovered in historic records of the Queensland Governments Department of Mines and Energy.

Plotting of the results found the drill hole intersections lay on what now appears to be a continuous, 1.4 kilometre mineralised structure in the Central area. The data shows the structure runs in a north/south trend line above the main east/west structures of the Central area.

HILL 50 GOLD (20 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Gold poured for the quarter was 49,662 ounces, an increase of 9.7% over the previous quarter.

* Cash operating costs for the quarter increased to A$361 per ounce but were less than budget estimates for this quarter.

* Ore processing totalled 725,195 tonnes of blended ore grading 2.32 g/t Au. An average metallurgical recovery of 91.0% was achieved.

* Mining reconciliations at the Reno and Black Cat South Open Pits were strongly positive.

* A new Hill 50 style discovery was made at Vegas, immediately north of Reno.

SANTOS (20 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 19/10/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Barrolka 4 ST1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Development
LOCATION: PL 112, ATP 259P, Aquitaine B Block, 2.1km NE of Barrolka 1, 3.1km SSE of Barrolka 2, and 55km N of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Rigging up for underbalanced oil based mud drilling. Kick off point for Barrolka 4 ST1 was 2399m. Current depth is 2586m, with 187m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2652m

WELL: Yandina 4
TYPE: Gas Appraisal/Development
LOCATION: PL 173, Denison Trough, Queensland. 0.55km SE of Yandina 2, 0.94km NE of Yandina 3 and some 80km SE of Emerald.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Yandina 4 has been cased and completed as a gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 1461m, with 326m progress for the week. The rig was released on 17/10/2000. Flow test 5 conducted through 15.875mm surface choke over the interval 820 to 1461m flowed gas at 118,697 cubic meters (4.19 million cubic feet) per day. This flow test was conducted over the Permian Aldebaran and Staircase Sandstone.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1456m

OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WELL: G64B
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: L-IH, Barrow Island
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Cased and suspended oil well. Total depth and progress for the week is 742m. The well spudded on 11/10/2000, and the rig was released on 17/10/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 740m

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WELL: SE Gobe 8
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: PDL 3, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tangential well being drilled from SE Gobe 1 location.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0500 HOURS (LOCAL TIME): Conducting completion operations. The well reached a total depth of 2570m, with no progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2626m MD
2362m TVD

USA

WELL: Runnels #3
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas.
STATUS AT 18/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Running wireline logs. Current depth is 4418m, with 58m progress for the week. Unable to retrieve fish. Set whipstock and kicked off from 4161m.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 4572m

WELL: Wilkinson #1
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Orange Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas.
STATUS AT 18/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 1714m, with 1139m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3917m

SANTOS (20 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 19/10/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Moomba 124
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 1.0km N of Moomba 6, 1.1km ENE of Moomba 115, and some 11km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1250m. the well spudded on 16/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2690m

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Baryulah 3
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Appraisal
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 0.75km SSE of Baryulah 1, 3.5km WSW of Baryulah East 1, and some 40km S of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 213m. The well spudded on 18/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2628m

WELL: Wackett Southeast 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 8.8km SSE of Wackett 4, 15.5km SE of Wackett 8 and some 20km ESE of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Pulling out of hole to run wireline logs. The well reached a total depth of 2591m, with 1377m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2666m

SANTOS (20 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 19/10/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Burke East 1
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: PPL 12, Toolachee Block, 2.3km NE of Burke 6, 2.6km E of Burke 1, and some 70km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Burke East 1 has been cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer. As previously reported, a drill stem test in the late Permian Toolachee Formation over the interval 2176m to 2198m flowed gas to surface at an estimated rate of 184,000 cubic metres (6.5 million cubic feet) per day. A stabilised flow rate was not achieved as the test was prematurely curtailed due to mechanical difficulties. The well reached a total depth of 2651m, with 112m progress for the week. The rig was released on 18/10/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2652m

WELL: Merrimelia 41
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, 1.0km NW of Merrimelia 7, 1.4km W of Merrimelia 32 and some 40km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1353m. The well spudded on 14/10/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2392m

WELL: Big Lake 66
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.75km SW of Big Lake 1, 1.3km E of Big Lake 35, and some 20km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 19/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1957m. The well spudded on 11/10/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3072m

NORWEST ENERGY (20 OCTOBER 2000)

ZOCA 96-16 - Coleraine-1 Update

At 6am Central (Darwin) Time Thursday 19th October 2000, Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 2915 metres and pulling out of the hole to change the bottom hole assembly including drilling bit. Little drilling progress was made because the mud weight had to be increased before drilling ahead. The mud weight was increased as a consequence of the kick which was reported in Wednesday's drilling update. This procedure is standard drilling practice and is designed to keep the well as close to formation pressure as possible. Gas readings were present through the section drilled.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (20 OCTOBER 2000)

As at 6.00 am (CST) Thursday, 19th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,915 metres and pulling out of hole to change bit.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report - PL173 Yandina 04

Yandina No 04 a gas development/appraisal well situated approximately 550 metres south-east of Yaninda No 04, latitude 24 deg 11 min 36.04 sec south, longitude 148 deg 30 min 38.35 sec east was spudded at 01:30 hours on September 30, 2000. 245 mm surface casing was set at 172.7 metres RT and 178 mm intermediate casing was set at 820.9 metres RT. The well reached a total depth of 1461 metres RT and has been completed as a gas producer. Progress for the week was 326 metres.

OIL SEARCH (20 OCTOBER 2000)

ANAMA-1 UPDATE

At 0600 hours on 19 October 2000, the Anama-1 exploration well was drilling ahead in 12 1/4" hole at a depth of 1,217m, after setting 13 3/8" casing at 979m. The Anama-1 well was spudded at 1130 hours on Friday 13 October.

SE GOBE-8 - DRILLING REPORT AND SE GOBE OILFIELD

The SE Gobe-8 development well has been drilled to a total measured depth of 2,570m, and as at 0600 hours on October 19, 2000 was undergoing completion prior to initial production.

The SE Gobe-8 well is being drilled from the SE Gobe-1 surface location and is being deviated to the SE to intersect the Iagifu reservoir approximately 800m from the SE Gobe-1 vertical hole.

RIMFIRE PACIFIC MINING (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Perth based Independent Diamond Laboratories Pty Ltd (IDL) have reported recovery of both "kimberlitic" pyrope garnets and zircon from stream sample UH00-58 draining the Tom and Jerry Anomaly on Rimfire's EL 5641 in the Bingara District, N.S.W. Two strawberry pink G9/10 type garnets were identified as the type commonly found with diamonds in kimberlites.

Eclogitic orange garnets were also recovered from the sample. Dr Jane Baron, an Eastern Australian diamond expert, has previously identified this type of garnet as a prospective indicator mineral for diamonds in the Bingara region.

Chrome diopside mineral grains of possible kimberlitic affinity were also recovered.

ROC OIL COMPANY (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Kyle Field Activity Update

HIGHLIGHTS

* KYLE NORTHEAST WELL TESTING CONCLUDED - EXCELLENT PRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL DEMONSTRATED

* KYLE EXTENDED WELL TEST ("EWT") TO CONTINUE INTO EARLY NOVEMBER

KYLE NORTHEAST WELL DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENT PRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL

SONS OF GWALIA (20 OCTOBER 2000)

Highlights from Quarterly Report

* Excellent first quarter gold production of 115,140 fine ounces including record gold production of 49,065 fine ounces from the Sons of Gwalia Operations.

* Cash margins on all gold delivered during the quarter amounted to $311 per ounce representing the highest cash margin achieved by the Company for several years.

* Tantalum production of 323,570 lbs for the quarter with very strong demand for tantalum products reported worldwide.

* Major expansion of the Greenbushes and Wodgina tantalum mines due to commence which will more than double tantalum production to over 2.3 million lbs per annum over the next three years.

* Further significant and encouraging diamond drilling results from the Gwalia Deeps project including 6.37 metres @ 17.07g/t gold and 7 metres @ 13.39g/t gold at a depth of approximately 1,500 metres.

* Drilling at the Red October Mine delineates a potential underground resource of 750,000 tonnes @ 8g/t gold.

TAP OIL (20 OCTOBER 2000)

The Bandar-1 exploration well has encountered oil shows within the objective Mardie Greensand.

LOCATION

The well is located onshore in EP-137, 26 kilometres southwest of the Mardie Station Homestead at latitude 21deg18'31.83"S and longitude 115deg44'45.10"E.

PROGRESS

The Bandar-1 well was rotary drilled to a depth of 160 metres and then cored an additional 6 metres to the present depth of 166 metres. Oil shows of up to 100% fluorescence were observed in the cuttings at a depth of between 158 to 160 metres. Core results indicate a further 5 metres of excellent oil shows within Mardie greensand reservoir overlying 1 metre of a basal Muderong Shale seal. Specifically, oil has been observed bleeding from the core and at surface in the mud suggesting the presence of moveable oil, lighter in character than that seen previously at this depth and in this area.

A full wireline log suite has been run and is currently being interpreted.

TITAN RESOURCES (20 OCTOBER 2000)

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2000

Highlights:-

* Record nickel production at Radio Hill (1,349 tonnes).

* Record Concentrate Sales (1,570 tonnes of contained nickel).

* Continued success in BioHeap (TM) trials with nickel recovery at 74% and rising.

* Major geophysical survey commenced.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (19 OCTOBER 2000)

NEW ZEALAND - PEP 38719, TARANAKI BASIN. BLIGH INTEREST: 5.00%

The Rimu B-1 well is being temporarily suspended, pending a workover to configure the well as a production well from the Lower Tariki sandstone.

The rig is being skidded a distance of 2.4 metres to directionally drill the Rimu B-2 well, to a subsurface point approximately 750 metres north of the B-1 well. The Rimu B-2 well will be drilled to a depth of approximately 4600 metres, to provide further geological information on the Upper and Lower Tariki reservoirs and the Upper Cretaceous North Cape sand, on the Rimu-Kauri trend. It is anticipated that the Rimu B-2 well will encounter the Upper and Lower Tariki reservoirs at a structural elevation low to the Rimu B-1 well, but high to the Rimu A-1 discovery well.

NEW ZEALAND - PEP 38718, TARANAKI BASIN. BLIGH INTEREST: 10.00%

Rig move-in of Parker Rig 188 is under way, and it is anticipated that the Tuihu #1 exploration well will spud towards the coming weekend. Tuihu #1 will be drilled to a minimum depth of approximately 4300 metres to evaluate the Tariki sandstones, on a structure with approximately 30 square kilometers of closure. Depending upon the results encountered in the Tariki formation, the well may be deepened to test the Kapuni formation, at a depth of approximately 4500 metres. A more detailed descriptive release will be made when drilling has commenced.

UNITED STATES - BAYOU CHOCTAW NORTHWEST (SCHWING) PROJECT, IBERVILLE
PARISH, LOUISIANA. BLIGH INTEREST: 100.00%

Operations have commenced which will lead to the re-entry of the Lear Schwing #1 well, and the deepening of this well from its current total depth of 12,600 feet, to a new total depth of 14,500 feet. The well is intended to test for the presence of substantial Nodosaria formation deep gas reserves, on a confirmed structural closure.
Location rehabilitation has been completed, and a wellhead installed on the existing 7" casing, as a prelude to move-in of the workover rig, which is anticipated early next week. It is anticipated that actual drilling operations will commence in early November. A more detailed descriptive release will be made following completion of the workover, which should take approximately 6-7 days.

BEACH PETROLEUM (19 OCTOBER 2000)

A three well oil drilling program will be undertaken by Beach Petroleum from next week in its fields in the Cooper/Eromanga Basin area of southwest Queensland.

The Company is also considering expanding the oil appraisal and development well program to five wells, subject to evaluation work currently underway.

EMPIRE OIL & GAS (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Empire Oil & Gas NL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rough Range Oil Pty Ltd, announces the Rough Range 1B well on the Rough Range Oilfield commenced an Extended Production Test on Friday 13 October 2000 at 11.30 am.

Initial oil flow rates were the same as those recorded during a Production Test on 23-24 May 2000 which averaged oil flow rates of 1106 barrels of oil per day through a 36/64" choke.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Quarterly Production Report for period ended 30 September

HIGHLIGHTS

* Total production of 12.9 million barrels of oil equivalent for the three months to 30 September 2000.

* Continued high levels of natural gas production from Maui driven by both Methanex and the use of gas for electricity generation

* Gas production in Canada up 11 per cent over the corresponding quarter in 1999

* Oil production in Canada up 5 per cent over the corresponding quarter in 1999

* Maui oil production increased 13 per cent over the previous (June) quarter as contribution from the Maui BID oil development project begins

* Further appraisal work on the Pohokura discovery increases confidence in reserve estimates.

GIRALIA RESOURCES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Giralia Resources NL advises that it has sold its 50% contributing interest in the Tabletop and Ajana projects in Western Australia to Greenstone Resources.

Total consideration for the sale is payment of $120,000 cash and 2,250,000 ordinary fully paid Greenstone shares.

The sale provides a timely boost in working capital for Giralia without diluting existing shareholders, and allows Giralia to retain exposure to any exploration upside.

ILUKA RESOURCES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

MURRAY BASIN

Iluka has primarily focused on drill testing regional targets in NSW during the quarter.

In total, 969 RC Air Core holes were completed for a cumulative 39,327 metres.

PERTH BASIN

Iluka has continued drilling campaigns around existing operational sites at Eneabba, Yoganup and Capel North areas and has also drilled on the northern end of its Cataby deposit in the quarter.

Drilling for the period comprised a total 1,066 RC Air Core holes for a cumulative 22,056 metres.

CANNING BASIN

An air core drilling program was completed over the company's tenements in the Canning Basin east of Broome. Drilling comprised a total 114 RC Air Core holes for a cumulative 3,964 metres. No significant heavy mineral intersections were recorded and the tenements (EO4/1111, EO4/1112 and ELA 04/1164) were subsequently relinquished.

NOVUS PETROLEUM (19 OCTOBER 2000)

BURKE EAST 1

Santos announces a successful gas exploration well in the South Australian section of the Cooper/Eromanga Basins.

The exploration well, Burke East 1, flowed gas at an estimated rate of 184,000 cubic metres per day (6.5 million cubic feet per day) from reservoir sands in the Late Permian, Toolachee Formation, over the interval 2176-2198m. The test was prematurely curtailed due to mechanical difficulties and a stabilised flow rate was not achieved.

OTTER GOLD MINES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

ACTIVITIES REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2000

HIGHLIGHTS

* Otter equity gold sales averaged NZ$679 per ounce (A$521 per ounce) while average cash operating costs were NZ$537 per ounce (A$412 per ounce).

* Otter net equity gold production was a record 35,371 ounces, 10% higher than the 32,180 ounces in the previous quarter.

* Tanami gold production for the quarter was 35,274 ounces (100% of mine production).

* Otter announced a fully underwritten two for five "Rights" issue at NZ$0.39 (A$O.30) each, to raise NZ$11.7 (A$8.9) million. The issue closes 27 October, 2000.

OXIANA RESOURCES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Oxiana Resources advises results of first drilling from the Bankable Feasibility Study at its 80% owned Sepon copper and gold Project. The results from two of the holes include 63.7 m @ 4.78% copper from the Khanong copper deposit and 30.8 m @ 4.72 g/t gold from the Nalou gold deposit.

THE SEPON PROJECT

Oxiana Resources purchased 80% of the Sepon copper-gold project in south-eastern Laos from Rio Tinto in August 2000. Rio Tinto remains a 20% shareholder in the Project. As reported in the 17 April 2000 release, Indicated and Inferred resource estimates for the near surface Sepon deposits include 41.4 mt @ 2.4% copper at the Khanong copper deposit and 34.7 mt @ 2.5 g/t gold (using a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off) in three separate and adjacent gold deposits - Nalou, Discovery and Namkok. A fourth adjacent gold deposit, Discovery West, requires further drilling. Substantial additional gold and copper resource potential has been identified.

PRECIOUS METALS AUSTRALIA (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Xstrata announced has that it has taken control of 100% of the Windimurra vanadium project in Western Australia. Xstrata has signed an agreement with Precious Metals Australia Limited, in terms of which Xstrata will acquire PMA's 40% participation interest in the project in consideration for approximately AUD$29 million. In addition, PMA will retain an interest in the project by way of a royalty in an amount equal to 15% of earnings before interest and tax. The arrangement enables Xstrata to reduce the capital employed per ton of capacity. The agreement is conditional on PMA shareholder approval, and closing is expected by year-end.

PACMIN MINING (19 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Cashflow Report

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

* PRODUCTION OF 39,300 OUNCES FROM TARMOOLA

As forecast in the previous quarter, gold production was reduced as a result of the current planned phase of waste removal to access ore from higher levels in the pit being coordinated with the completion of ore removal from lower levels and the treatment of low-grade stockpiles

* CASH OPERATING COSTS

Record mill throughput and lower mining costs contributed to further cost reductions, enabling cash operating costs to be contained at A$336 per ounce (US$189 per ounce) for the quarter, despite the lower average grade ore feed treated through the Tarmoola mill.

* CELTIC AND WONDER NORTH PROJECTS

During the quarter, scheduled resource definition drilling and pit optimisation work focused on the nearby high-grade satellite deposits at Celtic and Wonder North. This work has confirmed a reserve of 700,000 tonnes at 3.15 g/t containing 71,000 ounces of gold at the Celtic Project, reflecting a high 88% conversion to reserves from the previous resource. The orebody is located on a granted mining lease within a 30km trucking distance of the Tarmoola Mill. Mining of this satellite orebody will commence at the end of October in line with the budget production schedule, and will provide high-grade ore feed for the Tarmoola mill.

* TARMOOLA EXPLORATION

GALAHAD

A new high grade zone of mineralisation has been identified immediately to the south of the Tarmoola south pit. High grade mineralisation has been drilled to a depth of approximately 80m. Intercepts close to surface include 8m @ 42.9g/t from 22m, 5m @ 38.5g/t from 25m, 3m @ 21.9g/t from 15m and 2m @ 17.2g/t from 19m.

NORTH EASTERN EXTENSION (NEX)

The North Eastern Extension (NEX) is defined as the zone of flat lying mineralisation associated with the granite contact that plunges north of the current Tarmoola North pit. The intersection of this zone and the steeper Eastern Flank has typically produced zones of thickened, higher grade mineralisation. A program of step out diamond holes planned to test this position north of existing drilling intersected strong mineralisation that included 7m @ 7.73g/t, 10m @ 4.34g/t and 8.4m @ 13.8g/t. These results are interpreted as being related to the NEX, meaning that the targeted intersection of the two mineralised zones remains to be tested.

* CAROSUE DAM PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

The project remains within schedule and budget estimates with engineering design and procurement complete. All major equipment items are on-site with the exception of the mill motor, which is expected in October. It is anticipated that plant commissioning will commence in November 2000. Mining infrastructure including maintenance workshops, offices and fuel farms have been installed. Contract mining commenced in early July 2000. Waste mining is on schedule with approximately 1.9 million cubic metres being mined to the end of September.

PRESTON RESOURCES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

Bulong Operations Report for September 2000

Operations at Bulong continued to improve with the plant maintaining close to design operating parameters for much of the month. September nickel output of 666 tonnes exceeded forecasts as did the cobalt production of 41 tonnes. Total metal produced for the September Quarter was 1480 tonnes of nickel and 87 tonnes of cobalt both of which exceeded the quarterly forecast.

Nickel extractions in the autoclave continued to improve and gypsum precipitation, which affected plant throughput and availability in the past, remained in a manageable condition. September operating costs were close to budget despite metal output exceeding forecasts.

The improved peformance has continued into October setting a solid platform for production in the coming month.

SELWYN MINES (19 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS

PRODUCTION

Production for the September quarter was 3,853 tonnes of copper and 5,104 ounces of gold, up 6.5% and 16.4% respectively on the June quarter. Concentrate produced was 13,838 tonnes, up 5% on the June quarter. The plant treatment rate was increased during the quarter to 610,000 tonnes per annum from the May 2000 Prospectus forecast of 515,000 tonnes per annum. This will result in an additional concentrate shipment of approximately 10,000 wet metric tonnes in this financial year.

The grade of ore mined and treated for the quarter was 2.88% copper and 1.4g/t gold which was in line with forecasts for the year. Plant recoveries for copper were 93.0% or 6.1% points above forecast recoveries. Plant feed grades increased towards the end of the quarter as higher volumes of Corbould high grade ore were treated.

Cash costs of production for the quarter were US$0.55/lb.

RESOURCE STATEMENTS

The new Mt Elliot resource at a 2.5% copper equivalent cutoff is 3.23 million tonnes @ 3.56% copper and 1.75g/t gold for a copper equivalent grade of 4.52% copper (146,000 tonnes of in-situ copper equivalent metal). Reserve estimation was in progress at the end of the quarter.

The Area 276 resource at a 2.5% copper equivalent cutoff is 1.31 million tonnes @ 2.07% copper and 1.77g/t gold for a copper equivalent grade of 3.09% copper (41,000 tonnes of in-situ copper equivalent metal).

The Mt Dore Indicated and Inferred oxide and supergene resources at a 0.2% cutoff are 74.8 million tonnes @ 0.52% copper (389,000 tonnes of in-situ copper metal).

EXPLORATION

A detailed analysis of existing geophysical data covering all of the company's tenements has been commissioned. Specific areas of interest that will be assessed in detail are the Selwyn Line iron-oxide copper/gold belt and the Mt Dore to Metal Ridge oxide copper belt.
A surface IP geophysical survey at the Mt Elliot Mine has identified a number of near mine targets for immediate follow up drilling. Detailed analysis of the IP data together with previous surface drilling is being collated to define specific drill targets.

WEST OIL / NORWEST ENERGY (19 OCTOBER 2000)

ZOCA 96-16 Coleraine-1 Update

Norwest Energy announces that as at 6am Central (Darwin) Time Wednesday 18th October 2000, Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 2908 metres. The well has remained this depth after taking a kick (intersected a zone with increased pressure) yesterday. The kick resulted in hydrocarbons to surface. Gas chromolograthy indicates the gas is light hydrocarbon fluid. It appears that this hydrocarbon show comes from sandstone and is believed to be a different type of oil to that reported on Friday 13th October.

All hydrocarbons reported are above the objective Elang and Plover Formation sands.

WEST OIL / NORWEST ENERGY (19 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6-00 am (CST) Wednesday, 18th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,908 metres and increasing the mud weight. At 2,908, the well intersected the Darwin Radiolarite, a distinctive marker in the Timor Sea. The well took a 10 barrel kick and oil was observed over the shakers. The mud weight is being increased to control the pressures in the well. When the well is stabilised, future operations are to drill ahead to the main objective at 3,160 metres.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

HERALD RESOURCES (18 OCTOBER 2000)

DRILLING UPDATE ON DAIRI ZINC/LEAD PROJECT

Herald's 71% owned subsidiary, International Annax Ventures Inc reports the following:

Assay results for hole SOP 34D are now available and continue to demonstrate the strength of the Anjing Hitam system.

The results are:

Hole
North
East
Dip/Azimuth
(mag)
From (m)
To (m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
%
Lead
%
Silver
ppm
Description

SOP34D
9570
5156
-87°/253°
287.5
311.18
23.68
17.6
11.8
13.9
MMH

MMH = Main Mineralised Horizon

AMITY OIL NL (18 OCTOBER 2000)

FLOW TEST PREPARATIONS

Preparation to perforate and flow test the first of three gas bearing sandstones in the overlying Danismen Formation is now nearing completion and waiting on the delivery of perforation guns.

BHP (18 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company announced approval for the development of an underground longwall mine at their San Juan thermal coal operations in New Mexico, United States.

BHP (18 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises:

BRIEFING PAPER
SAN JUAN UNDERGROUND MINE

SUMMARY

* BHP has approved the development of an underground longwall mine at the San Juan thermal coal operations in New Mexico, United States. The mine will replace production from two of BHP's three existing surface mines (San Juan & La Plata) and will be the sole coal source for the adjacent electric power utility customer, the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS).

* The project represents a high value brownfield development that will enable BHP to continue to extract maximum value from its thermal coal assets in New Mexico.

* Rising surface mining costs caused by deepening coal seams threaten the competitiveness of the SJGS in the increasingly deregulated Western US power market. The new underground mine will significantly reduce the cost of coal supplied to the SJGS, thereby ensuring the longer term viability of the mutually dependant businesses.

* The underground development enhances the longer term profit and cashflow generation of the mines. The terms of the Coal Sales Agreement, governing the relationship between San Juan Coal Company and the power station, provide a long term, low risk project from a financial perspective.

* Capital expenditure is estimated at US$148 million (A$245 million), with full production expected in late 2002 after a two year construction period.

* The development of the project included an extensive risk identification and assessment program, including the operation of a pilot mine to analyse actual mining conditions and any associated technical risks. The results of this program influenced the mine plan layout and plans have been developed to eliminate or mitigate identified risks to ensure successful project delivery.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS NL (18 OCTOBER 2000)

The first phase of testing of the Rimu B-1 well is complete, and that the well has yielded oil, gas and formation water production from perforations at 4031-4056 metres in the Lower Tariki section, at rates ranging up to 1086 barrels of oil, 576 barrels of water and 1.4 million cubic feet of gas per day.

EQUIGOLD NL (18 OCTOBER 2000)

Drill testing on the Bassawa licence focussed on the large 5,500 metres by 3,000 metre area of gold-in-soil anomalism at the Bobosso prospect. The 784 metres of RC and aircore drilling in this programme confirmed the occurrence of numerous intercepts of low-moderate grade gold mineralisation over downhole widths of up to 32 metres.

NORWEST ENERGY NL (18 OCTOBER 2000)

At 6 am central standard (Darwin) time today Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 2858 metres and drilling ahead in 8(1/2) inch hole. Current operations are drilling ahead at 2,900 metres.

ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED (18 OCTOBER 2000)

WILDCAT EXPLORATION DRILLING: TEMEE-1, MONGOLIA (ROC: 100%)

Temee-1 has reached a Total Depth of 961 metres in volcanics. The well has been logged and no hydrocarbon shows reported. The well is currently being plugged and abandoned and the data obtained will be integrated into ROC's ongoing analysis of the East Gobi Basin.

2. PRODUCTION TESTING: KYLE NORTHEAST WELL, UK NORTH SEA (ROC: 12.5%)

Production testing continued at the Kyle Northeast well over the weekend and it is anticipated that further details will be released during the course of the week.

3. SENEGAL (ROC: 46.25%)

ROC and Woodside Energy (Senegal) Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodside Petroleum Ltd ("Woodside"), have executed an agreement (the "Agreement") for Woodside to acquire a 46.25% interest (being 50% of ROC's original 92.50% interest) in ROC's three Casamance exploration blocks, offshore Senegal.

WEST OIL NL (18 OCTOBER 2000)

At 6.00 am (CST) Tuesday, 17th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,858 metres and drilling ahead in 8(1/2)" hole. Current operations are drilling ahead at 2,900 metres in 8(1/2)" hole.

During the night, the sand encountered on Friday, was logged using Logging While Drilling tools.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED (18 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises the following:

WA-9-L CAVALIER-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-9-L Joint Venture, reports that the Cavalier-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was drilling an 8(1/2) inch hole at a depth of 3683 metres on 17 October 2000.

WA-271-P ENFIELD-3

Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Enfield-3 appraisal well located in the Exmouth Sub-basin was plugged and abandoned after completing the production test.

WA-271-P LAVERDA-1
Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Laverda-1 exploration well located 13 kilometres west of Woodside's Enfield oil accumulation was spudded at 2100 hours on 16 October 2000.

PPL188 ANAMA-1
Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Anama-1 exploration well located in the Gulf of Papua was spudded at 1130 hours on 13 October 2000.

PRECIOUS METALS (17 OCTOBER 2000)

PMA makes $30 million sale, retains net profit interest in Windimurra Vanadium Project

The Directors of Precious Metals Australia Limited announce the sale of the Company’s interest in the Windimurra Vanadium Project to its joint venture partner, Swiss natural resource company Xstrata AG. The sale will leave the company debt free and with a retained 15% net profit interest in the project.

Xstrata AG have agreed to pay AUD$29.1 million plus a 15% net profit interest, to purchase PMA’s 40% contributing interest in the Project. The payments to PMA will be calculated on project returns before interest, depreciation, amortisation, and head office overheads. A minimum of $500,000 is payable to PMA annually.

PETROZ (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Petroz N.L. advises that the Cascina Buzzoni-1 well, located onshore in the Ducentola permit in the Po Valley of Northern Italy, spudded at 2100hrs on 13 October 2000 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

The well is being drilled to test Quaternary sands at a depth of approximately 850m that pinch out onto a thrust anticline, forming a stratigraphic trap. Minor gas was tested from the reservoir at Sabioncello-11, 2.5km to the east. The play-type is proven at the Tresigallo field occuring 2.5km to the north east. The well is programmed to be drilled to 1,609m which is expected to take 15 days. However, Petroz will, by choice, only participate down to 1,000m which is expected to take 10 days.

ALLEGIANCE MINING (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report on Drilling at Avebury

Six (6) cored drill holes totalling 3,000 m (including second sample wedges) were completed during the quarter. This was the final drilling in a program designed to provide sufficient information to facilitate estimation of an identified mineral resource in the North, Central and South Avebury deposits.

Drill holes A021 and A022 were designed to test the western margin of the North Avebury deposit and results suggest the deposit diminishes in that direction.

Drill holes A024, A025 tested the depth extension of South Avebury several hundred metres below A014. They confirmed that the deposit continues to a vertical depth of at least 500 m, but is generally thin with erratic grades at those depths.

Drill hole A026 was a relatively shallow hole designed to test the South Lode 60 m along strike to the east of A014, which intersected 60 in 0.66% Ni, including 8 m 1.96% Ni.

A026 intersected a very broad zone of pentlandite mineralisation estimated to be 100 m true width, 140-200 m beneath surface. Higher grade sections were concentrated near the margins of this zone and included several units up to 10 m wide averaging >2% Ni.

This mineralised zone is the most impressive to date at Avebury and it is open up-dip and along strike to the east where geological mapping and airborne geophysical surveys infer considerable potential. It is anticipated drilling may re-commence in this area in December.

Of interest is a significant intersection of cobalt mineralisation in hornfelsed sediments in the hangingwall of South Avebury in drill hole A025. A 10 m wide interval assayed 0.3% Co, including 2 m 0.75% Co. The extent of this mineralisation is currently unclear. This zone is quite distinct from the nickel sulphide zone.

BHP (17 OCTOBER 2000)

BHP has announced results from the sidetrack well drilled from its Atlantis-2 appraisal wellbore in the Gulf of Mexico. The sidetrack confirms a lateral extension of the known range of the Atlantis hydrocarbon accumulation of up to 1.6 kilometres (one mile) from the original wellbore, and also confirm the continuity and quality of the Miocene reservoir sands. This data gives further confirmation of the material nature of this multi-hundred million barrel oilfield.

MATRIX METALS (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Matrix Metals Limited announces the acquisition of 100% of Mining Lease Application (MLA) 90135 known as "Mt Watson". The MLA was purchased for a total cost of $12,500.

The MLA is located within hauling distance of the Mt Cuthbert SX-EW processing facility and fills a strategic gap that existed in a larger exploration permit owned by Matrix.

NORWEST ENERGY (17 OCTOBER 2000)

ZOCA 96-16 Coleraine-1 Update

At 6am central standard (Darwin) time Monday 16 October, 9(5/8) inch casing has been run. Proposed operations for the next 24 hours is to pressure test the 9(5/8) inch casing and drill ahead in 8(1/2) inch hole.

Oil intersection reported last week is above both the Elang and Plover Formation objectives.

Coleraine 1 is being drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minotaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

During 1999 Phillips Oil Company farmed into ZOCA96-16 for the drilling of Coleraine 1. Under terms of that agreement Norwest will fund 5.714% of the drilling and if warranted, costs of the Coleraine 1 well to retain 14% interest in the PSC.

NORWEST / WEST OIL (17 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6.00 am (CST) Monday, 16th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,407 metres and drilling cement. The 9-5/8' casing was set and cemented at 2,375 metres. Planned operations are to drill out cement, drill 3 metres of new hole and conduct Leak Off Test.

Based on the Mudlog, the sand is 4 metres thick (2,386-2,390 metres) with a good drill break and excellent oil & gas shows. This sand will be logged using Logging While Drilling tools after the Leak Off Test has been performed, and an interpretation will be made as to its hydrocarbon content.

Due, to these drilling delays, the estimated time, to reach the main objective is now revised to 6 days or around 22nd October.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

PERILYA (17 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Drilling completed to date has defined an indicated and inferred resource of 947,000 tonnes at 13.2% Zn and 3.2% Pb at Beltana (Flinders Ranges Project).

* Initial metallurgical testwork conducted on the Beltana mineralisation returned encouraging results.

PRESTON RESOURCES (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Bulong Operations Pty Ltd

BULONG METAL PRODUCTION

The Bulong Operation produced record nickel and cobalt output for the month of August (543 tonnes nickel and 33 tonnes cobalt). A further production output record was achieved in September being 666 tonnes nickel and 41 tonnes cobalt. The plant is operating close to design capacity and has demonstrated its ability to exceed design capacity over short periods of time. Full details of September performance will be released later in the month.

THE BULONG PROCESS PATENT GRANTED

The company announces that the patent to the revolutionary solvent extraction process, used successfully at Bulong, was granted by the Australian Patent Office on 7th September 2000.

PETROZ (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Petroz NL advises that the Cascina Buzzoni-1 well, located onshore in the Ducentola permit in the Po Valley of Northern Italy, spudded at 2100hrs on 13 October 2000 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

The well is being drilled to test Quatemary sands at a depth of approximately 850m that pinch out onto a thrust anticline, forming a stratigraphic trap. Minor gas was tested from the reservoir at Sabioncello-11, 2.5km to the east. The play-type is proven at the Tresigallo field occurring 2.5km to the north east. The well is programmed to be drilled to 1,609m which is expected to take 15 days. However, Petroz will, by choice, only participate down to 1,000m which is expected to take 10 days.

The area around Cascina Buzzoni-1 contains numerous gas fields and an extensive network of pipeline infrastructure.

TECTONIC RESOURCES (17 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS

During the quarter the operational and resource performance of the RAV 8 Operations has exceeded expectation. The project has:

* Commenced deliveries of the first RAV 8 Nickel Sulphide Concentrate to WMC.
* Delivered Concentrate above specifications.
* Announced a 17% increase in RAV 8 Ore Reserves.
* Shown a positive ore reconciliation against the revised ore reserve.
* Achieved target with Capital and Operating Costs.
* Commissioned a cutback on the expanded ore reserve.
* Commenced installation of a new thickener to increase plant capacity and efficiency.

UNION CAPITAL (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Union Capital Limited advises that diamond core drilling has now commenced at the Mehdiabad Zinc Project in Iran. There are currently three drill rigs on site with a fourth drill rig expected within a few days.

Two of the drill rigs are being supplied by Radial Drilling of Townsville, Australia, and two by Iranian contractors. The Iranian contractors cannot be expected to match the drilling rate normally achieved by Australian contractors.

The total drilling program involves around 27,000 metres and is expected to cost in the vicinity of US$3 million and will take about one year to be completed.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DIAMOND TRUST (17 OCTOBER 2000)

Third Quarter Activities Report

ORE PROCESSED - AK1 & ALLUVIALS

AK1 ore processed for the third quarter and first nine months of the year, was higher than the corresponding periods last year as a result of the plant shutdown that occurred in September 1999 to upgrade of the scrubber feed system. Alluvial ore processed in the third quarter was similar to 1999. Alluvial ore processed year to date is lower than for the same period in 1999 because of screen problems in the first half.

DIAMONDS PRODUCED - AK1 & ALLUVIALS

Lower AK1 diamond production for the third quarter and first nine months of the year, relative to the corresponding periods last year, reflects the lower grade of the ore processed in line with expectations and as a result of the pit development work. Lower diamond production from Alluvial mining reflects lower plant throughput and lower ore grades.

Waste removal again increased as the new earth moving fleet continued to be optimised. Pit development remains an schedule.

DIAMOND SALES

Argyle continued its strong performance in the third quarter of 2000 with demand exceeding supply. Prices have increased marginally since the end of June, however, overall sales levels have reduced due to the lack of available stocks to supplement ongoing sales.

ASHTON MINING (16 OCTOBER 2000)

ASHTON DISCOVERS SECOND LARGEST DIAMOND EVER FOUND IN AUSTRALIA

Ashton Mining Limited hasd announced the discovery of a 41.95 carat stone at its Merlin project in the Northern Territory, the second largest diamond ever found in Australia.

ASHTON MINING (16 OCTOBER 2000)

QUARTERLY REPORT
For the Three Months Ended 30 September 2000

SUMMARY

OPERATIONS

* Merlin diamond production for the quarter was 33,693 carats. Since project commissioning in mid-1999, over 200,000 carats have been produced.

* Merlin produced a 39.5 carat gem diamond from Gareth during the quarter.

* Subsequent to the end of the quarter, a 41.95 carat stone was discovered in Merlin's Kay pipe, the second largest diamond ever found in Australia. These discoveries highlight Merlin's status as a producer of large stones.

* Drilling results from Merlin confirm Sacramore and Palomides join about 120m below the surface to form one large orebody.

* Increasing diamond production rates being achieved at Cernpaka through the quarter.

* At Cuango, SDM processed a record 94,689 cubic metres of alluvial ore, and produced 65,149 carats.

* The construction of a 50 tonne per hour Dense Medium Separation Plant at Luzamba (Cuango) will lead to a further significant increase in processing capacity.

* Encouraging results in Mauritania from the recently discovered MAQ-1 kimberlite. Results from second drill hole are due in November.

* At Argyle 6.7 million carats of diamonds were produced. Waste removal of 18.3 million tonnes ensured that the pit development was on schedule.

* Total proceeds from the Argyle pink tender were $3.14 million.

AMITY OIL (16 OCTOBER 2000)

Gocerler-1 reached total depth of 1656 metres on 14th October after drilling 122 metres with air mist below the 9(5/8) inch casing. The objective 0smancik Formation was intersected as prognosed, but no hydrocarbons were located. Drill cuttings samples indicate all potential reservoirs were calcite cemented and tight.

The Osmancik Formation has been cemented off and preparations are underway to perforate casing and separately flow test the three gas bearing sandstones in the overlying Danismen Formation. The first sandstone to be tested is 45 metres thick, with log derived porosities up to 25% and maximum mud gas recorded during drilling of 80% total gas (70% C(1) and 2% C(3)). The initial test is anticipated to take place this week.

After the testing phase, the rig will be released and mobilised to the Velimese-1 wellsite, 15 kilometres east of Gocerler-1. Velimese-1 will test a simple domal structure at Danismen and Osmancik Formation level, 3.5 kilometres north of two gas fields producing from the same formations.

WEST OIL (16 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6.00 am (CST) Friday, 13th October, Coleraine-1 was at 2,407 metres and circulating and conditioning mud system in preparation for setting 9-5/8" casing.

At approximately 2391 to 2392 metres the well intersected a fine grained sand that was coincident with a gas peak comprised of C1:188500ppm, C2:187600ppm, C3:115500, iC4:22700ppm, nC4:58800ppm, iC5:15600ppm, nC5:15400ppm.

Only two 1 metre samples, which contained good fluorescence, were collected before the well was shut-in for well control, hence there is at least 2 metres of sand. Visual porosity is estimated at 8-12%. Rate of penetration remained unchanged through the interval of 2390 to 2407 metres and current depth is 2407 metres. Oil was observed over the shakers whilst drilling at a depth of 2407 metres; where this oil originated from, or the quantity, cannot be accurately determined at present. This oil intersection is above both the Elang and Plover Formation objectives.

The forward plan is to stabilise the well by setting a mud pill over the lower portion of the hole from TD to 1600 metres. Once the well has been stabilised 9-5/8" casing operations will commence. The depth of the casing shoe is forecast to be approximately 2375 metres, allowing this apparent sand section to be in the openhole section of 8-1/2" hole and logged accordingly.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The Well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

WESTERN AREAS (16 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 28 July 2000 raising $3.7 million to acquire and explore six major regional nickel projects. A vigorous exploration campaign commenced on the date of listing with diamond drilling, followed by surface and down hole electromagnetic (EM) surveys and detailed mapping of key areas.

* Two diamond drillholes completed at the 100% owned Mt Jewell Project. Hole MJD08 intersected a narrow but high grade sulphide zone at the GSP prospect. The main intersection is 0.65m @ 5.47% nickel, 1.47% copper, 0.48g/t platinum, 0.97g/t palladium and 13g/t silver from 207.55m downhole depth. The significance of this mineralisation is that it appears to have been remobilised from a primary source, possibly located on the eastern side of the GSP Fault.

* Two conductive anomalies have been detected at GSP by a surface electromagnetic (EM) survey. One anomaly is located 300m east of MJD08, on the eastern side of the GSP Fault. There is no previous drilling in the area of the anomaly. Initial RC drilling will test this high priority target in mid October. The second anomaly is located 800m northwest of MJD08 and is also undrilled.

* One 690m deep diamond drillhole completed at the 7.5km diameter Cundeelee intrusive complex. Hole CDD01 intersected a layered sequence of ultramafic intrusive units with local copper sulphide/magnetite mineralisation and carbonate/apatite veining. No significant intersections recorded however the sequence appears favourable to host platinum group metals, chrome and nickel-copper deposits, elsewhere in this large complex.

* Mapping at the 100% owned Mt Alexander Project confirmed the existence of substantial sulphide gossans at the base of cumulate ultramafic flows at North Gossan. Previous diamond drilling along strike from North Gossan intersected up to 1% nickel as sulphides. A surface EM survey and diamond drilling programs are planned for the December quarter.

* Mapping at the Bullfinch North joint venture project confirmed that the prospective ultramafic sequence extends up to 14km south of Trough Well nickel sulphide deposit. A surface EM survey is planned at Trough Well in the December quarter. Field work commenced at the Koolyanobbing Project joint venture tenements with mapping, sampling and access clearing in progress.

* Field work commenced at the 100% owned Plumridge layered intrusive complex in September. There is no previous drilling over the main part of the complex covered by company tenements. Widely spaced drilling of this exciting target will commence as soon as drillrig access is approved by CALM. A number of major resource companies have expressed interest in this project.

* Seven RC drillholes completed at the Quinn Hills gold project by joint venture partner, Barminco. Most holes intersected quartz lode with preliminary results giving a best intersection of 4m @ 9.6g/t gold from 119m downhole depth in hole RSBQHA. Barminco has advised that drilling will continue next quarter. At Bullfinch North, rock chip samples from old workings in stockwork veins in a porphyry host assayed up to 7.6g/t gold. This area has not been drilled previously.

* Western Area's Manager - Geology, Terry Grammer, is one of two people who will receive the 'Prospector of the Year' award from AMEC on 25 October. This award is being presented for the joint discovery of the high grade Cosmos nickel sulphide orebody, when he worked for Jubilee Mines NL in 1997. Congratulations, Terry!

MOUNT BURGESS GOLD MINING NL (13 OCTOBER 2000)

DRILLING - TSUMKWE DIAMOND PROJECT, NAMIBIA
(The Company earning 75%)

Further to our announcement of 14 September 2000, this is to confirm that drilling has now commenced on the Company’s diamond exploration project in Namibia, on the north eastern border with Botswana.

ARC ENERGY NL (13 OCTOBER 2000)

ARC DRILLING PROGRAM KICK START - DONGARA FARMOUT AGREEMENT
Arc has entered into an agreement with Origin Energy ("Origin"), for Origin to farm in to the exploration area of the L1/L2 (Dongara) Licences.

MACMIN LTD (12 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that check assaying of silver analyses from Texas Silver Project (QLD) suggest that some silver values to date (and thus total silver in resource) have been underestimated by up to 33%.

ALCASTON MINING NL (12 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company Directors advised on company activities:

* options held over shares in Alcaston Mining NL expire on 31 October.
Should you wish to exercise your options payment at 20 cents per share will be required as per the separate notice you will have received from the company's share registry.

*Considerable development in the company's portfolio of mineral exploration interests has been achieved in the past twelve months.

*The objective of Alcaston Mining NL is to explore, locate and develop a substantial mining asset capable of significantly enhancing the underlying asset value and cash flow generation.

* Alcaston Mining NL is developing significant interests in diamond exploration in both Sweden and Australia.

*De Beers $A746 million takeover offer for Ashton Mining, and $A355 million bid for Winspear Diamonds of Canada have heightened investor interest in the diamond sector.

*The Swedish diamond exploration project represents the group's major asset and comprises licences of 1.53 million hectares (15,300 square kilometres) or 3% of the total Swedish land mass.

*Alcaston Mining has acquired the right to earn up to 90% in a promising diamond exploration prospect known as Hiles Lagoon, located in the Terowie Kimberlite Field in SA.

*The Company has recently moved to broaden its Australian mineral exploration interests with the application for two areas in WA.

*he Company has reduced its projects in Victoria in order to concentrate its Victorian exploration activities on its main Woods Point gold licence.

AMITY OIL NL (12 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advised that Depth at Midnight, 11 October rig time: (0500 Hrs 12 Oct WEST): 1534m KB.

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Pressure test Blowout Preventers. Assemble downhole air drilling equipment and run in hole. Unload fluid from well bore and drill out plugs at 900 metres.

Proposed Operations next 24 hrs: drill out of casing shoe at 1534 metres into primary target using underbalanced air-mist drilling technique.

Last Casing: 245mm (9 5/8 inch) casing to 1534 metres.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic.

Target Depth: Approximately 1550m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude 41(deg) 21'04"N, Longitude 27(deg) 46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest Producing Field:Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

Operator: Amity Oil International Pty Ltd (Amity).

Petroleum Title: Petroleum Exploration Licence AR/AOI/3589.

Drilling Contractor: Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).

Well Participants: Amity 50% TPAO 50%

KIMBERLEY OIL NL (12 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

HIGHLIGHTS
OIL PRICE, OIL SALES
The price of oil for the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) marker crude remained above US$30/barrel for the entire quarter, up from a low of around US$25 in mid-April, 2000.

PRODUCTION
The company's total oil production for the quarter ending September, 2000 was 11,307 barrels.

FARMOUT EFFORTS

The Company has continued its efforts to farm out the drilling of key wells in its Canning Basin acreage.

CANNING BASIN ACREAGE POSITION
Negotiations are continuing with the native title applicants on the Pictor Block, 2/96-7.

COALBED METHANE

The Company is still evaluating several Coal Bed Methane exploration targets.

OIL SPILL REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGY
On August 4, 2000, the Company signed an agreement with Skylab International Ltd. ("Skylab") of Malta whereby Skylab agreed to sell to the Company its rights in the KOS oilspill remediation technology.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED (12 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises on behalf of the PL 173 Joint Venture advises that:

Yandina No 04 a gas development/appraisal well situated approximately 550 metres south-east of Yaninda No 04, latitude 24 deg, 11 min 36.04 sec south, longitude 148 deg 30 min 38.35 sec east.

The well was spudded at 01:30 hours on September 30, 2000. 245 mm surface casing was set at 172.7 metres RT. 244 mm intermediate casing was set at 820.9 metres RT. At 06:00 hours today the rig was at a depth of 1135 metres RT and inspecting drilling hammer at surface. Progress for the week was 487 metres.

ST BARBARA MINES LIMITED (12 OCTOBER 2000)

September Quarterly Report.

QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

* Record quarterly production of 41,780 oz of gold
* Cash operating cost of $293 per oz
* Net profit of $4.3m
* Goldfields investment - 11% of the ordinary fully paid shares:
market value of $36m
* Significant exploration results at Gibralter Edin Hope,
Caledonian and NOA 2
* Taipan investment - 7.9% of the ordinary fully paid shares

TAP OIL NL (12 OCTOBER 2000)

The Dylan-1 exploration well spudded at 1830 hours on 11 October 2000 and the Bandar-1 exploration well spudded at 0800 hours on 12 October 2000.

ALCASTON MINING NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

Alcaston has applied for two Exploration Licences considered prospective for diamonds in the Giralia Range region of Western Australia, near Exmouth Gulf.

AMITY OIL NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

Depth at Midnight,
10 October rig time:
(0500 Hrs 11 Oct WST): 1534m KB.

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Wait on 9(5/8) inch casing two stage cementjob to cure. Nipple up Blowout Preventers.

Weld up blooie line and flareline.

Proposed Operations Next 24 hrs: Test Blowout Preventers, assemble drilling tools for reentry into well. Drill out ofcased hole at 1534 metres. Drill ahead intoprimary target.

Last Casing: 245mm (9(5/8) inch) casing to 1534 metres.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation infour way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon
indications on seismic. Target size, 30billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gasis present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude41deg 21'04"N, Longitude 27deg 46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest ProducingField: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

Operator: Amity Oil International Pty Ltd (Amity).

Petroleum Title: Petroleum Exploration Licence AR/AOI/3589.

Drilling Contractor: Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).

Well Participants: Amity 50%
TPAO 50%

AURIDIAM CONSOLIDATED NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

RC drilling has commenced on the Woodlark Island Gold Project an asset of its 75% owned subsidiary Woodlark Mining Limited ("Woodlark").

BASIN MINERALS (11 OCTOBER 2000)

WORLD CLASS MURRAY BASIN MINERAL SANDS PROJECT EYES 2004 PRODUCTION

The Compan advises the successful completion of a pre-feasibility study on the large and growing high-grade Douglas Mineral Sands Project in Victoria's Murray Basin, has cleared the way for production in 2004.

Basin Minerals Limited advises the study carried out has confirmed the project's strandlines resources have high grades of ilmenite, rutile and zircon minerals, with excellent physical and chemical characteristics at/or near surface.

The study describes the project, near Horsham in western Victoria, as a growing world-class resource of 20.8 million tonnes of mineral concentrate that can be mined and processed using conventional, proven technology, with the potential to initiate downstream titanium and zircon mineral processing industries.

A bankable final feasibility study has begun with the aim of starting site development and construction in 2003, and the commissioning of mining and treatment operations in early 2004 to take advantage of predicted titanium and zircon product shortfalls.

A two phase, 60,000 metre resource definition drilling programme is scheduled on two Douglas deposits.

The necessary environmental and social baseline studies for the project have also commenced.

The Douglas Project’s close proximity to good infrastructure, its location in a politically very stable environment compared with potentially competing African projects, should ensure its early development.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES LIMITED (11 OCTOBER 2000)

PPL 213 - PAPUAN BASIN - 8.67% INTEREST
(OPERATOR - SANTOS)
Following earlier regional interpretative studies designed to generate a ranking of prospects and leads, field mapping and spot sampling were conducted during the April/May period.

PPL 202 - PAPUAN BASIN - 12.5% INTEREST
(OPERATOR - SANTOS)

The Operator is continuing to assess both geological and geophysical data with an emphasis on identifying oil prone leads in close proximity to infrastructure.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FAR principally targets natural gas in its programs. Spot natural gas pricing in the USA is at seasonal highs (exceeding US$5.00 per thousand cubic feet).

CLEAR BRANCH FIELD, JACKSON PARISH, NORTH LOUISIANA

The second well in the year 2000 program, the Terry Ewing No.1, was drilled during the quarter and has logged an aggregate 115 feet of net gas pay.

MIKESKA-HAMILL FIELD PROSPECT, AUSTIN COUNTY, TEXAS

The third well in the year 2000 program, the Schulz-1 well, was plugged and abandoned during the quarter, after failing to locate commercial hydrocarbons.

LAKE LONG PROSPECT, LAFOURCHE PARISH, SOUTH LOUISIANA
STATE LEASE 328 NO 6 WELL

The 7,350 Sand series has been perforated in the SL 328 No. 6 well. The zone was turned to sales on 5 October 2000 and is currently producing at a stabilised rate of one million cubic feet of gas and 20 barrels of condensate, per day on a 7/64-inch choke at a flowing tubing pressure of 2800 psi. The 7,350 Sand has now been reclassified from the probable to proven category.

STATE LEASE 328 NO 7 WELL (NW SEGMENT PROSPECT)

FAR has agreed to increase its level of participation in the NW Segment Prospect at Lake Long from 15 to 20 percent.

PRODUCTION

Oil sales during the quarter totalled 7,958 barrels for an average of 87 barrels of oil per day at an average price of US$29.61 per barrel before production taxes. Gas sales during the quarter totalled 66 million cubic feet for an average of 0.72 million cubic feet per day at an average price of U$$4.25 per thousand cubic feet before production taxes. Gas sales during the December quarter are expected to increase with new production at Lake Long and Clear Branch.

GINDALBIE GOLD NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company announced today that it had received results from a further 12 reverse circulation percussion holes drilled at the Silverstone deposit. These holes where completed as part of the Minjar Feasibility Study.

The results include:

* 8m at 4.05 g/t from 18m

* 12m at 4.27 g/t from 33m

* 11m at 4.70 g/t from 54m

* 7m at 5.19 g/t from 51m

* 7m at 7.36 g/t from 73m

HAMPTON HILL MINING NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that it has this week executed a joint venture agreement on the Glenview Project with Teck Australia Minerals Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the large diverse Canadian mining company Teck Corporation (Teck). The agreement is a significant success for Hampton as this joint venture represents Teck's first base metal exploration investment in Australia.

NEW HAMPTON GOLDFIELDS LIMITED (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises the release of the quarterly report for the period ending September 30 2000.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Record gold production of 72,732 ounces, at a cash operating costof A$372 per ounce.

* Encouraging exploration results include 34 metres at 8.2 grams pertonne ("g/t") gold from a depth of 66 metres at Rheingold and 10metres at 35.7g/t gold from a depth of 34 metres at Noble 6.

* Mineral Resources increased by 1.03 million ounces to 4.03 millionounces and Ore Reserves increased by 464,000 ounces to 1.27 millionounces.

* Mine life extended to four years, for both operations.

* Profit of A$5.87 million after tax (unaudited).

* Cash at bank and bullion A$11.3 million.

* Gold sales of A$40 million for the Quarter.

NEW HAMPTON GOLDFIELDS LIMITED (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that its Mineral Resources are 4.03 million ounces of gold, an increase of 1.03 million ounces of gold after production of 266,000 ounces for the same period. The exploration cost per ounce for the increase in resources is A$10 per ounce.

NORWEST ENERGY NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Coleraine 1 has encountered significant background gas. The recordings are significantly above the objective zone and at this time we are unable to comment on their significance. No fluorescence is associated with these readings. At 6am central standard (Darwin) time today, Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 1,788m. Planned 24 hour operation is to drill 12 (1/4) inch hole to the 9 (5/8) casing point.

TAP OIL NL (11 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company provides an update of the Nettie-1 exploration well.

The well is located in TP/8, at latitude 20 deg 59'19.72"S and longitude 115 deg 44'26.83"E and has reached a total depth of 1,395 metres. No significant hydrocarbon shows have been intersected and the well was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole at 21.00 hrs on 10 October.

GIANTS REEF MINING (10 OCTOBER 2000)

JB WERE RESEARCH NOTES - SPECULATIVE BUY

Giants Reef continue to offer investors an excellent exposure to its large and, we believe, highly prospective Tennant Creek tenement position. Like many junior explorers life has been a struggle. Attempts to achieve early production and cash flow based on the Billy Boy copper/gold discovery have now stalled in favour of an extensive exploration program. This program aims to test 24 geological and geophysical targets with drilling. These targets represent the administration of many years of work in the Tennant Creek field. With a constant flow of news, a ground breaking land use agreement and drilling from the Billiton JV to come, Giants reef could become re-rated in a more favourable small company resources market.
The company has recently raised $2.7m via an entitlement issue, providing secure funding for the current program.

AMITY OIL NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report - GOCERLER-1 WELL, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY PROGRESS REPORT - 10 OCTOBER, 2000 DEPTH AT MIDNIGHT, 9 OCTOBER RIG TIME: (0500 HRS 10 OCT WST): 1534m KB.

AUSTRALIAN MINING INVESTMENTS LIMITED (10 OCTOBER 2000)

The following information has been received from Galilee Energy:
* Gas separators have been installed on each of the wells at the Rodney Creek Pilot.
* The project has employed state of the art progressive cavity pumping systems, which have performed well despite coal fines and some frac sand production. Current average fluid level is 700 meters below surface.
* The wells are responding better than expected with gas production
commencing from the beginning of pump tasting.

BEMAX RESOURCES NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company announces its interpretation of results recently released by Iluka Resources Limited ("Iluka") from exploration on its ground immediately adjacent to BeMaX's BIP Joint Venture property.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

Production testing of the Lower Tariki section in the Rimu B-1 well is still in progress, and is likely to take a further week-ten days.

BOULDER STEEL LIMITED (10 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company Directors announce the company's joint venture partner, Idaho Consolidated Metals Inc has released assay results from the initial three drill holes oil the Mountain View property in the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA.

EQUIGOLD NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

A drilling programme was recently completed at the Company's 100% owned Mt Rawdon Gold Project in south east Queensland where gold production is due to commence in January 2001.

GOLDFIELDS LIMITED (10 OCTOBER 2000)

HIGH GRADES BOOST RALEIGH RESOURCE
TO OVER 750,000 OUNCES - STILL OPEN
The Company announces a new and updated resource estimate for its Raleigh gold deposit lying 2.5 kilometres south of the Kundana Gold Mine in Western Australia.

INTEROIL CORPORATION (10 OCTOBER 2000)

Interoil has been awarded PPL 220, its third operating licence in Papua New Guinea ("PNG"). This 1,957 square kilometre licence is located onshore to the north of the Gulf of Papua.

LONGREACH GOLD OIL LIMITED (10 OCTOBER 2000)

The PNG Department of Mining has granted an extension for Exploration Licence No 1232, near Safia - Northern Province.

NORWEST ENERGY NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 1,400m. Planned 24 hour operation is to drill ahead in 12 (1/4) inch hole to the 9 (5/8) casing point.

RAND MINING NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

TOTAL EAST KUNDANA RESOURCES PASS 1.5 MILLION OUNCES

Exciting high-grade drilling results from the recently discovered Raleigh Prospect have boosted the total resources within the EKJV to over 1.5 million ounces of gold.

TRIBUNE RESOURCES NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

TOTAL EAST KUNDANA RESOURCES PASS 1.5 MILLION OUNCES
Exciting high-grade drilling results from the recently discovered Raleigh Prospect have boosted the total resources within the EKJV to over 1.5 million ounces of gold

WEST OIL NL (10 OCTOBER 2000)

As at 6.00 am (CST) Tuesday, 10th October, Coleraine-1 was at 1,490 metres and drilling ahead in 12-1/4" hole.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED (10 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that the Enfield-3 appraisal well located in the Exmouth Sub-basin is continuing with the production test. Since the last report the well was shut in for 5 days for pressure monitoring.

AMITY OIL NL (9 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report - Wireline log interpretation of the secondary objective Danismen Formation indicated three (3) excellent porosity sandstones between 1,193 Metres to 1,314 metres, with log characteristics similar to other producing sandstone reservoirs in Danismen Formation Depth at Midnight, 8 October rig time: (0500 Hrs 9 Oct WST): 1534m KB. 72 Hr Drill Advance: 94m.

MINERAL DEPOSITS LTD (9 OCTOBER 2000)

September Quarterly Report

HIGHLIGHTS

Recommencement of dredging at Viney Creek early next year. Substantial sales contracts at strong prices achieved to support this recommencement.
Memorandum of Understanding signed between associated private Indian interests and Central Government-owned Indian Rare Earths Limited with the intention of developing the Kudiraimozhi deposit in the southeastern State of Tamil Nadu in India. MDL, through a previous agreement with the same private sector Indian interests, has an effective controlling interest in the project with the option to move to 72%.
The company's Development Application to secure additional tenure north and south of the existing Fullerton operation in New South Wales was unanimously approved by the Port Stephens Council on 5 September 2000.
Sale of all non-mineral sand assets concluded, leaving MDL debt free.

NORWEST ENERGY NL (9 OCTOBER 2000)

At 6am central standard (Darwin) time today, Coleraine 1 was at a depth of 810m and drilling ahead.

PETROZ NL (9 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that Bayu-Undan Project Operator Phillips Petroleum today announced the award of seven key supply and installation contracts valued at approximately US$200 million associated with the development of the Bayu-Undan Liquids (Gas Recycle) Project.

STRIKER RESOURCES NL (9 OCTOBER 2000)

Strikerhas entered into a Letter of Intent agreement with BHP Minerals Pty Ltd (BHP) whereby BHP have undertaken to overfly a defined portion of the company's Forrest River tenements for the purpose of characterising known kimberlites and identifying new kimberlites and anomalies thereon.

WEST OIL NL (9 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company announces that as at 6:00am (CST) Monday, 9th October, Coleraine-1 was at 810 metres and drilling ahead in 12-1/4" hole. The 13-3/8" casing was set @ 655 metres. Current operations are drilling ahead @ 900 metres in 12-1/4" hole.

WESTERN METALS LIMITED (9 OCTOBER 2000)

First Quarter Activities Report

Summary:

Inferred resource at Pillara West estimated at 0.8Mt
- Mammoth E Lens confirmed as a significant copper resource
- Significant mineralisation confirmed in the Pluto area to the north of the Esperanza open pit

WESTERN METALS LIMITED (9 OCTOBER 2000)

Quarterly Report

Highlights

* Mt Gordon copper cathode production for the September quarter was
10,894 tonnes. The result is the best quarterly production total to date, exceeding the previous quarter, also a record, by 5.7%. The Mt Gordon Operation has now stabilised and is running at an annualised rate close to design capacity of 44,000 tonnes per annum.

* Exploration drilling at Mt Gordon has identified a new mineralised zone at Pluto, north of the Esperanza open pit. (See Attachment 6)

* The Lennard Shelf Operations set a new record for zinc concentrate production during the September quarter of 80,051 tonnes grading 60.16% Zn. Lead concentrate production of 23,987 tonnes grading 75.90% Pb was also a record.

* Footwall drilling at Pillara continues to extend the number of new footwall orebodies identified to date. These are collectively referred to as Pillara West. (see Attachment 7.)

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED (9 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company announces a $4.7 billion dollar resource development proposed for the Timor Sea and Northern Australia

GIANTS REEF (6 OCTOBER 2000)

September Quarterly Report

HIGHLIGHTS

An Entitlements Issue was successfully completed raising $2,700,000 to fund a substantial drilling programme and providing a strong future for the Company.
An Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between Giants Reef and the Central Land Council representing the Native Titleholders of the area was signed, providing for assured land access.
A drilling programme to test 24 highly prospective geological and geophysical targets throughout the field, commenced. Early successes were achieved, with the discovery of previously unknown copper mineralisation at Macedon, and high grade gold with copper at Thrace.
Encouraging results from exploration in preparation for identifying targets within the Billiton and BHP joint venture areas.

AMITY OIL (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report: Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey: Drilling ahead, current depth 1440m. Target depth: 1525m to TD.

AURIDIAM CONSOLIDATED / KIMBERLEY DIAMOND CO (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Kimberley has confirmed the potential for a significant, economic, alluvial diamond deposit at its Blina Project in Western Australia after the latest round of bulk sample results demonstrated the continuity of high-grade diamondiferous gravels, and returned the second largest stone recovered to date.

Kimberley said it had received extremely encouraging results from processing bulk samples from Pit 63 (about 4 kilometres downstream from Pit 61 and 4 kilometres upstream from Pit 57). Pit 63 is the first of a series of samples designed to demonstrate the continuity of the Terrace 5 gravels following recent stunning results from Pit 61.
8.77 carats of diamonds were recovered from a 180-tonne sample of gravels taken from Pit 63, including one diamond weighing 2.86 carats, the second largest stone ever recovered by Kimberley at the Blina Project, located near Broome in WA’s far north Kimberley region. Approximately 60 tonnes of material from Pit 63 are still being processed through the HMS Plant with further results expected in the next two weeks.

AUSTPAC RESOURCES (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Austpac has tendered successfully for Block One near Horsham, in the southern part of the Murray Basin. This block includes the known mineral resource of WIM 150 Extended and may contain other significant heavy mineral sand resources.
As contemplated by the award of the tender, Austpac has applied for an exploration licence covering 933 square kilometres in central western Victoria. Once granted a drilling and sampling program will commence to obtain samples for upgrading testwork. Austpac will then undertake a bench and pilot test program and other studies at its facilities at Kooragang Island in Newcastle.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY / OCA (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Drillsearch advised that it has entered a contract with OCA to purchase various interests in certain producing oil fields and associated oil gathering processing and storage infrastructure located in the Cooper/Eromanga Basin areas of western Queensland.

The potential benefits for Drillsearch Energy N.L. arising from this acquisition include:

Purchase of approximately 540,000 barrels of 2P oil reserves located near to the head of the Jackson/Brisbane pipelines.
Current production of approximately 200 BOPD.
Estimated gross revenue: $3.6 million per annum.
By purchasing an interest in the Naccowlah Block, Drillsearch Energy N.L. will obtain access to lower pipeline tariffs (through the Jackson/Moonie and Moonie/Brisbane pipelines) than otherwise would be available to explorers in south/west Queensland.
Significant untested exploration potential from identified leads and prospects.

PAN AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Pan Australian Resources N.L. is pleased to announce that all Resolutions put to an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, held today, were approved by the shareholders.

As Pan Australian shareholders have given their approval to the issue of shares and options to Resource Capital Fund II L.P., the Company will now move to finalise this transaction.
The issue of 21.2 million ordinary shares and 10.6 million unlisted options will inject $1,272,000 of funds into Pan Australian and will enable the Company to commence the first phase of drilling necessary to complete the feasibility study on the Puthep Copper Project in Thailand.
Post - issue Pan Australian will have approximately $1.8 million cash on hand.

ROC OIL COMPANY (6 OCTOBER 2000)

1. UK NORTH SEA: THE KYLE NORTHEAST APPRAISAL WELL (ROC: 12.5%)
The Kyle 29/2c-13 well, also known as the Kyle Northeast well, is being prepared for flow testing which is expected to occur next week subject to weather constraints.

2. EAST GOBI BASIN, MONGOLIA: TEMEE-1 (ROC: 100%)
The Temee-1 rank wildcat exploration well commenced drilling out of 13 3/8 inch surface casing set at 23 metres on 4 October 2000. As of 6.00 am on 6 October 2000 the well was at 363 metres drilling ahead towards the next casing point which is expected to be encountered within the next 50 metres. The currently prognosed Total Depth for Temee-1 is 700 metres with an ability to deepen the well to 1,000 metres, if warranted.

STRIKER RESOURCES (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report - Ashmore Evaluation Update

Excavation of Ashmore 1 is complete and reached the target depth of 26 metres from surface.
Excavations at Ashmore 2 and 4 will be completed in approximately ten days. This will allow heavy mining equipment and associated personnel to leave site.

During the current quarter, approximately 164,000 tonnes has been excavated from the Ashmore 1, 2 and 4 pipes of which 58,000 tonnes of kimberlite is available for diamond recovery.
Successful commissioning of the new heavy media separation plant (HMS) has been completed, and processing of kimberlite has commenced.
Significant modifications to the existing pre-washing circuit were also completed to allow for greater throughput and an increase in screen size from 10mm to 25mm.
The priority list for processing of kimberlite "ore blocks" will be based on mapped geological interpretation. In addition, reject material from past sampling will be reprocessed through the new plant for audit purposes.
Previous sampling of near surface material from Ashmore 2 has recovered diamonds up to 10 carats in size with an overall 52% gem quality.
The Year 2000 Program is designed to sample kimberlite at depth for processing to recover diamonds for grade, value and stone-size distribution within three of the four pipes in the Ashmore cluster.

WESTERN AREAS (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Western Areas advised that encouraging results had been received from initial exploration for nickel sulphide mineralisation at the GSP prospect within the company's 100% owned Mt Jewell Project. GSP is located 35km northwest along strike from Outokumpu's high grade Silver Swan nickel mine, near Kalgoorlie.
The first diamond hole (MJD08) drilled by Western Areas to test a major north-south fault at the eastern end of the company's GSP nickel sulphide deposit intersected a narrow but high grade nickel-copper sulphide zone. The best intersection is 0.65m @ 5.47% nickel and 1.47% copper from 207.55m downhole depth. The mineralisation occurs within the porphyry footwall to the GSP host ultramafic sequence and is interpreted to have been remobilised from an unknown source.
In addition, preliminary results from a ground electromagnetic (EM) survey completed at GSP have defined a conductive anomaly located 350m east of MJD08, on the eastern side of the fault. Previous drilling by other companies at GSP has mainly concentrated on the western side of this fault. The area of the Western Areas EM anomaly is untested at this stage. Further processing of the data is required to better define the anomaly and diamond drilling will commence as soon as this is completed.

AMITY OIL (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report: Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey

Depth at Midnight, 4 October rig time: (0500 Hrs 5 Oct WST): 1329m KB.
24 Hr Drill Advance: 68m.
Geology: 1260-1280m Siltstone, grey, calcareous, 60%, Shale, dark grey, 40%.
1280-1290m Sandstone, white to pale green, quartz, fine to medium grained, angular, weak carbonate cement, some loose grains, good to fair porosity. 1290-1310m Sandstone, white, quartz, fine to medium grained, white clay matrix, poor porosity. 1310-1328m Siltstone, grey, calcareous. (Danismen Formation.)
Hydrocarbons: Background Total gas, 2%. Total gas peaks 1280-1290m 80% (72% C(1), 3% C(3) 1290-1306m, 24% (20% C(1))

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Drill 311mm (12 1/4 inch) hole to 1308m. Pull out of hole and change bit, continue to drill ahead.

Proposed Operations Next 24 hrs: Drill ahead in 311mm (12 1/4 inch) hole towards next casing point at 1525m.

Last Casing: 340mm (13 3/8 inch) casing to 309m.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude 41(deg) 21'04"N, Longitude 27(deg) 46'E.

BATTLE MOUNTAIN GOLD (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Battle Mountain Gold Company has said that development drilling during the summer at its Phoenix development project in Nevada continued to yield good results. The current reserve calculation stands at 6.1 million ounces. An updated reserve calculation will be reported at year end.

At the Pajingo Complex in Australia, where Battle Mountain has a 50% interest, recent drilling has focused on extending the limits of the Vera-Nancy ore horizon. Drilling along the northerly extension returned positive results from the Anne structure, 1,500 ft north of the Cindy pit, including 0.34 opt Au/12.5 ft and 0.43 opt Au/20 ft. Drilling along the southern extension has continued to expand Vera South and a significant new structure called Jandam has been identified 1,200 ft south of Vera South. Battle Mountain believes that the results are very favorable. Recent drill holes include 1.12 opt Au/27 ft, 0.68 opt Au/48 ft and 0.59 opt Au over 110 ft. Additionally, new drilling 2,200 ft further south has intersected a second new zone, the Zed structure, returning 0.53 opt Au/113 ft.

CONQUEST MINING (6 OCTOBER 2000)

During September the first pass pitting and bulk sampling was completed for the Camel Yard area and two areas of gravels along Bow River. Sample hauling to the processing plant has been completed for the Camel Yard sample areas and is in progress for the Bow River gravel samples.

Heavy Media Separation sample processing commenced in September with 7 exploration bulk samples completed for a total of 688.50 tonnes during the month.

Concentrates for 5 exploration samples were shipped to Perth. Sorting of the first sample is currently in progress. Concentrate processing of the second sample has also commenced.

Pit excavation in the Camel Yard area discovered significant thicknesses of gravels south of the Argyle Diamond Mines lease boundary. 10 bulk sample pits were excavated and yielded a variety of gravel types, which were collected for bulk sampling processing. The geology of the rock clasts in the various gravels indicate derivation from the North and therefore from the area of the Argyle pipe.

In the Camel Yard area 48 exploration pits, totalling 147.75m, and 10 bulk sample pits were excavated, resulting in the collection of 12 bulk samples. All 12 samples were hauled to the processing plant during September, resulting in a total of 1,283 tonnes stockpiled on the sample pad.

A total of 74 pits totalling 137.6m, and 5 trenches totalling 109m, were dug on gravels adjacent to the Bow River. 7 bulk samples were excavated along the Bow River, with the first of these samples being hauled at month end.

Bulk sampling excavation is currently in progress in the Pandanus Yard area.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (6 OCTOBER 2000)

CLEAR BRANCH FIELD, JACKSON PARISH, NORTH LOUISIANA

A 44-foot interval of the Cotton Valley formation in the Terry Ewing No 1 well has been perforated by Schlumberger. The well commenced flowing back load fluid and has been shut in overnight to evaluate pressure build up prior to testing over a two week period.

To prevent formation damage, it is planned to produce the well without stimulation at less than full capacity while the productive properties of the Cotton Valley are evaluated. Subject to testing the well may require fracture stimulation.

LAKE LONG FIELD, LAFOURCHE PARISH, SOUTH LOUISIANA

STATE LEASE 328 NO 6 WELL

The 7,350 Sand series has been perforated in the SL 328 No. 6 well. After unloading condensate and load fluid, the well commenced flowing gas and condensate at the rate of 700 thousand cubic feet per day on a 7/64-inch choke at a flowing tubing pressure of 3000 psi.

The choke size will be increased to 10/64 inch overnight and the well monitored. Sale of gas into the Columbia Gas Pipeline System commenced immediately. Henry hub gas is currently fetching US$5.32 per thousand cubic feet.

NW SEGMENT PROSPECT (STATE LEASE 328 NO 7 WELL)

The SL 328 No 7 well at Lake Long, a test of the NW Segment Prospect and is likely to spud during November. The planned deviated well will evaluate thirteen Miocene zones, eleven of which are productive in a major field fault block immediately south and adjacent to the NW Segment Fault Block. The southern block has produced 25 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Plans call for the test well to be drilled from a barge rig to a true vertical depth of 12,000 feet. The prospect is supported by a modern grid of 3D seismic tied to sub surface well control. Numerous bright spots are evident on seismic.

A well drilled in 1949 intersected 15 feet of gas bearing sands at the 5,500-foot Sand interval which were not produced at the time due to low gas prices. The field is supported by existing infrastructure connected to Columbia Gas Pipeline System.

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Kimberley Diamond Company has confirmed the potential for a significant, economic, alluvial diamond deposit at its Blina Project in Western Australia after the latest round of bulk sample results demonstrated the continuity of high-grade diamondiferous gravels, and returned the second largest stone recovered to date.

The Company had received extremely encouraging results from processing bulk samples from Pit 63 (about 4 kilometres downstream from Pit 61 and 4 kilometres upstream from Pit 57). Pit 63 is the first of a series of samples designed to demonstrate the continuity of the Terrace 5 gravels following recent stunning results from Pit 61.

8.77 carats of diamonds were recovered from a 180-tonne sample of gravels taken from Pit 63, including one diamond weighing 2.86 carats, the second largest stone ever recovered by Kimberley at the Blina Project, located near Broome in WA's far north Kimberley region. Approximately 60 tonnes of material from Pit 63 are still being processed through the HMS Plant with further results expected in the next two weeks.

KALREZ ENERGY (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Kalrez Energy announce that a significant event in the development of the Oseil oilfield took place on 3rd October 2000.

The Oseil Oil Field Development Phase 1 Engineering Procurement Installation and Commissioning Contract (EPIC) together with an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the Phase 1 production period of approximately two years was signed with the successful tender.

The contract was awarded to a consortium of PT Istana Karang Laut (IKL) and Daewoo Corporation. IKL is a large privately owned Indonesian company established in 1981 to supply process equipment to the oil and gas industry. Daewoo is a major Korean diversified industrial group.

MIM HOLDINGS (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Following major restructuring, including the sale of minority interests, MIM's assets in Europe have been reduced to three main operations. These zinc and lead processing operations - two in the United Kingdom and one in Germany - are closely associated with MIM's core mining activities.

It has been mutually agreed that Alan Pugh, Executive General Manager - Europe, will leave MIM at the end of December to pursue other interests.

The future organisation of the European assets will be the subject of a review that will take place over the next six months.

MATRIX OIL (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Matrix Oil NL announces that it has entered into an agreement to obtain a 90% working interest in, and operatorship of, the Glagah Kambuna Technical Assistance Contract (TAC), located in the offshore part of the hydrocarbon prolific North Sumatra Basin. The contract covers an area of 350sqkm and is located in shallow waters just 40km northeast of the Indonesian National Oil Company's (Pertamina's) main producing areas in North Sumatra. The interest will be acquired from the current operator, PT Gunakarsa Glagah-Kambuna Energi, and is subject to due diligence and the required approvals from the Indonesia authorities.

The acquisition provides Matrix access to proven and probable reserves of 24 million barrels of oil and condensate and 60 billion cubic feet of gas in the Kambuna oil/gas/condensate discovery located within the Glagah Kambuna TAC (see map). Independent third party consultants acting for previous operators of the contract area calculated the reserve estimates.

The 90% interest in Glagah Kambuna TAC is being purchased for a total amount of US$1,961,786 with the majority of this amount not being due for payment until after the establishment of first commercial oil production from the TAC.

SANTOS (6 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 05/10/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Yandina 4
TYPE: Gas Appraisal/Development
LOCATION: PL 173, Denison Trough, Queensland. 0.55km SE of Yandina 2, 0.94km NE of Yandina 3 and some 80km SE of Emerald.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000
0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the
week is 648m. The well spudded on 30/9/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1456m

OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WELL: P83A
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: L-IH, Barrow Island
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: The well has been cased and suspended. The well reached a total depth of 770m, with a 139m progress for the week. The rig was released on 1/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 782m

WELL: M63A
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: L-IH, Barrow Island
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Nippling up flow line having run and cemented 8 5/8" surface casing. Current depth and progress for the week is 226m. The well spudded on 2/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 741m

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WELL: SE Gobe 8
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: PDL 3, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tangential well being drilled from SE Gobe 1 location.
STATUS AT 04/10/2000 0500 HOURS: Running 9 5/8" casing following intermediate logging. (LOCAL TIME) Current depth is 2039m with 512m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3626m MD
2362m TVD

USA

WELL: Runnels #3
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas
STATUS AT 04/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 3984m with 745m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 4572m

SANTOS (6 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 05/10/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Moomba 120DW
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.4km SW of Moomba 7, 1.8km S of Moomba 75, and some 10km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Pulling out of hole for bit change. Current measured depth is 3005m, with 479m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3147m MD
2761m TVD

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Warnie 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 8.4km W of Warnie East 1, 12.9km N of Lambda 1, and 72km SW of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2606m, with 440m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2925m

WELL: Wackett 11

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Appraisal/Development
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 2km NNW of Wackett 3, 3.9km NW of Wackett 9 and some 20km ESE of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Wackett 11 has been plugged and abandoned. The well reached a total depth of 1938m, with 14m progress for the week. The rig was released on 3/10/00 and is moving to Wackett South East 1, a PL 25 gas exploration well.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1965m

WELL: Barrolka 4
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Development
LOCATION: PL 112, ATP 259P, Aquitaine B Block, 2.1km NE of Barrolka 1, 3.1km SSE of Barrolka 2, and 55km N of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Running in hole with new bit to drill ahead. Current depth is 2450m, with 1530m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2652m

SANTOS (6 OCTOBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 05/10/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Burke East 1
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: PPL 12, Toolachee Block, 2.3km NE of Burke 6, 2.6km E of Burke 1, and some 70km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Pressure testing surface equipment having set 7 (5/8)" surface casing. Current depth and progress for the week is 824m. The well spudded on 01/10/00.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2652m

WELL: Big Lake 65
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL II, Moomba Block, 0.4km N of Big Lake 9, 0.3km S of Big Lake 36, and some 13km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Running in hole to drill extra production rathole following wireline logging. Current depth is 3010m, with 480m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3031m

WELL: Merrimelia 40
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, 0.26km N of Merrimelia 12, 0.51km W of Merrimelia 14 and some 40km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 05/10/2000 0600 HOURS: Conducting wireline logging operations at total depth. The well reached a total depth of 2423m, with 664m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2463m

WEST OIL (6 OCTOBER 2000)

COLERAINE-1 DRILLING ON TRACK AFTER SPUDDING

West Oil NL has announced that drilling of the Coleraine-1 well, located in the Timor Sea, is at 124 metres after spudding early Wednesday morning.

As of this morning, the 30' conductor had been run, set and cemented. Current operations are preparing to drill ahead with in the 16 hole.

Coleraine-1 is located in 68 meters of water and will be drilled to a total depth of 3,322 metres. It is only 35 kms northeast of the production facilities of the Elang oilfield and is 40 kms north-northeast of the Bayu-Undan gas condensate field.

NORWEST ENERGY (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL advises that during the last 24 hours Coleraine 1 drilled to a depth of 214m and has run 30 inch casing. The proposed Programme for the next 24 hours is to drill 16 inch hole and run 13 3/8 inch casing.

Coleraine 1 will be drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minitaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7m untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Oil Company Of Australia Limited, on behalf of the PL 173 Joint Venture advises that:

Yandina no 04 a gas development/appraisal well, situated approximately 550 metres south-east of Yaninda No 02, latitude 24 deg 11 min 36.04 sec south, longitude 148 deg 30 min 38.35 sec east. The well was spudded at 01:30 hours on September 30,2000. At 06:00 hoursThursday the rig was at a depth of 648 metres RT and drilling ahead. 245 mm surface casing was set at 172.7 metres RT
progress for the week was 648 metres.

The primary targets of the well are the sands of the Freitag Formation and the upper and mid Aldebaran sandstone. Secondary targets are the Mantuan Formation, Catherine sandstone and the Staircase sandstone. Proposed total depth of the well is 1456 metres RT.

ST BARBARA MINES (6 OCTOBER 2000)

The Company advises that the Meekatharra Gold Project has just completed a record quarterly production with 41,780 ounces produced in the three month period to 30 September, 2000. The previous record was 39,382 ounces produced in the 1994 June quarter.

Reconciled production for the quarter was 753,463 tonnes at a head grade of 1.89g/t and mill recovery of 91.2%.

Mining resumed at the project in March this year with a pit cut-back at Caledonian. Since then, developments at Magazine and Great Northern Highway open pits have also contributed to the mill feed.

TAP OIL (6 OCTOBER 2000)

Tap advises that the Nettie-1 exploration well spudded at 0400 hours on 5 October 2000.

LOCATION

The well is located in TP/8, at latitude 20deg59'19.90"S and longitude 115deg44'27.50"E.

PROGRESS

As at 6.00am Thursday, the well has drilled ahead to 85 metres measured depth and will continue to drill ahead to the planned total depth of 1,400 metres measured depth.

TAP COMMENT

The Nettie structural feature is an elongate, north-south trending, downthrown fault closure. The primary reservoir target is the M. australis-P. burgerii Mardie Greensand which by analogy with Narvik, 15 km to the north northeast, is expected to have good reservoir properties. The secondary target is the Mungaroo Formation which is also expected to have good reservoir properties with porosities, by analogy to the Gipsy area (significantly deeper), expected to range from 13% to 23%.

The well is expected to take 5 days to reach its projected total depth of 1,400 metres measured depth. Should it be successful, mean reserves are estimated at 15 mmbbls for the Mardie Greensand and 22 mmbbls for the Mungaroo Formation.

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY (5 OCTOBER 2000)

Situation Report

OPERATIONS

At Obuasi the high cost surface mining activity has ceased and consequently the Pompora Treatment Plant and the Oxide Treatment Plant have been closed down. The Tailing's Treatment Plant will be shut down by 2003, when the old tailings will be depleted. Ashanti will not, as previously planned, increase underground production to replace depleted surface ounces, so plant throughput will reduce from 3.5 million tonnes per annum to 2.5 million tonnes per annum.

EXPLORATION

Recent drilling below the 5,000-foot level ("50 Level") at Obuasi has produced some very high-grade inter-sections, and the prediction of down dip mineralisation based on the upper level history is not unrealistic. The Company is planning, over the course of 2000 and 2001, to complete exploration and conceptual engineering of the resource below "50 Level", and should then be in a position to decide upon the most suitable development option for the resource below "50 Level".

At Geita, in addition to the 5.5 million ounce reserve that is currently outlined, the Company believes there is the potential for more open pit resources spread out between Nyankanga, Nyamatigata and Nyamulilma Hill (once the latter is contributed by AngloGold to the JV). The Company also believes that there is potential for underground mines at Nyankanga as well as at the Geita, Lone Cone and Kukuluma deposits.

COEUR D'ALENE MINES (5 OCTOBER 2000)

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation reported increased production and sharply lower production costs at its Coeur Silver Valley operations near Wallace, Idaho. For the months of June, July and August, production averaged 371,000 ounces of silver per month, a 36% increase or 98,000 ounces per month above the average for the first five months of 2000. Cash costs during the same three-month period declined to an average of $4.08 per ounce from $5.47 per ounce during the first five months of the year and well below the 1999 average of $5.09 per ounce. A combination of factors has contributed to this significant improvement in operating performance. These include greater productivity, increased production from higher grade stopes and higher throughput as a result of accelerated underground development.

MACMIN (4 OCTOBER 2000)

PROPOSED RESTRUCTURE OF MACMIN LTD

Macmin Ltd is a diversified company to the extent that it has four distinct interests as follows:

1. At Texas, in SE Queensland, the company has an Inferred Resource of 35M ozs silver, within which, at the Twin Hills site, is an Indicated/Measured Resource of 15M ozs silver equivalent.

There is a Probable Reserve of just over 10M ozs Ag equivalent. Geological, geochemical and geophysical evidence suggests the district wide silver potential is of the order of 50 to 100M ozs silver.

2. Macmin have eight high potential gold and copper projects in Papua New Guinea. All projects are at an advanced exploration or pre-development stage with defined resources or have potentially economic drill intercepts. Two gold projects are at the feasibility stage for development of small, but high-grade gold mines.

3. Macmin has one gold project in N.E. Tasmania requiring a major drilling program to test previously defined geochemical and structural targets that may be indicative of substantial gold mineralisation.

4. The company has been offered to participate in metals remediation technology, otherwise known as the metals contamination cleanup industry, by acquiring a 10% interest in a USA Company, Metals Treatment Technologies LLC (MT2 ).

HERALD RESOURCES (4 OCTOBER 2000)

DRILLING UPDATE ON DAIRI ZINC/LEAD PROJECT

Herald's subsidiary, International Annax Ventures Inc. (IAX), reports as follows:

Hole 34, collared at 9570N, 5156E, and inclined 87o to 253o mag., has encountered a well-mineralised zinc/lead massive sulphide intercept from 287.5-311.2m, a thickness of 23.7 metres. The estimated true width of the intercept is 20.5 metres.

This successful intersection demonstrates a further 130m SE extension of the Anjing Hitam mineralised zone, and perhaps even more importantly suggests that the trend is continuing past blank Hole 21, drilled in 1999 at 9536N, 5074E, and which was previously thought to represent a southern cut-off of the mineralisation.

MINERAL DEPOSITS (4 OCTOBER 2000)

The directors announce that the operating performance of the 100%-owned Hawks Nest mineral sand facility, located some 80 kilometres north of Newcastle in New South Wales, will be considerably improved by the decision of the board to approve early recommencement of dredging at Viney Creek. The securing of additional product sales next year, coupled with the prevailing lower Australian dollar in US dollar terms, were material in arriving at this decision.

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS (4 OCTOBER 2000)

Further to the announcement on 14 September 2000 that Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited has secured the consent of its banks for an extension of both the US$100 million Barclays Bridge Facility and the date for completion of the sale of a 50% interest in its Geita gold mine in Tanzania to AngloGold Limited until 31 October, 2000. The extension provides further time for the Company and its banks to seek to finalise revisions toAshanti's financing arrangements in connection with the Geitatransaction, which have already been agreed in principle.

The Company will issue a circular to shareholders seeking approval of the Geita transaction once the financing arrangements with the banks have been agreed and documented and the requisite formal consents to the transaction have been obtained from the banks. Should the Geita sale not be completed by 31 October 2000 (or any later extension thereof) then, unless a standstill or other accommodation was reached, the Company would be in default under the terms of the Bridge Facility. If this were to occur, it would cross default into the Company's other debt facilities, all of which would become due for repayment. The Company's ability to continue as a going concern should the Geita sale not be completed by 31 October 2000 (or any later extension thereof) would depend, therefore, entirely upon an extension of the Company's banking facilities while an alternative solution was sought.

AMITY OIL (4 OCTOBER 2000)

Gocerler-1 Well Progress Report

Depth at Midnight, 3 October rig time; (0500 Hrs 4 Oct WST): 1261m KB.
24 Hr Drill Advance: 61m.

Geology: 1200-1230m Siltstone, grey, calcareous, 70%.
Shale, dark grey, 30%.
1230-1246m Sandstone, white, quartz, clay cement, fair porosity. 1246-1260m Siltstone, grey, calcareous, 80%.
Shale, dark grey, 20%. (Danismen Formation).

Hydrocarbons; Background Total Gas, 0 to 0.8%. Total Gas peaks, 1240-1242m, 60% (C(1) 50%, C(3) 3%) 1242-1246m, 20-35% (C(1) 18-30%, C(3) 1.2%).

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Drill 311mm (12 (1/4) inch) hole to 1257m. Pull out of hole and change bit, continue to drill ahead.

PROPOSED OPERATIONS
Next 24 hrs: Drill ahead in 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole towards next casing point at 1525m.
Last Casing: 340mm. (13(3/8) inch) casing to 309m.
Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.
Target Depth: 1525m to TD.
Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

BHP / WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (4 OCTOBER 2000)

The North West Shelf Venture is spending $2.7 million on modifying its gas plant at Karratha to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tonnes a year.

The Venture is changing the liquefaction process where natural gas is cooled to minus 160 degrees Celsius for export, mainly to Japan. The greenhouse gas savings, measured as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), represent 6% of the plant's current omissions.

MONTO MINERALS (4 OCTOBER 2000)

GOONDICUM CRATER ILMENITE & TITANO-MAGNETITE PROJECT TRIALS ON CRATER
LEASE (ML 80044) NEARING COMPLETION

Thickener, tailings deposition and rehabilitation trials on the Goondicum Crater Lease to ensure the mined areas are returned to existing or better pasture are in progress. Onsite activities will be completed next week. Results to date have been very encouraging.

This program involves the processing of representative, naturally occurring sand silt and clay sized material to produce mineral concentrates and tailings. The ilmenite occurring in the concentrate will be extracted for synthetic rutile production testwork. The sand size tailings are re-mixed with thickened clay and silt tailings which then form a stable profile for restoration of the mined areas. The restored and rehabilitated areas will be monitored to establish the best conditions for full scale operations.

The pilot plant program is being conducted by a group of specialists with extensive experience including the mineral sands industry in Western Australia.

The efficient and environmentally appropriate treatment of tailings is one of the critical factors for a mining operation. The Company expects that this is the final "on lease" testwork necessary prior to the completion of feasibility studies.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (4 OCTOBER 2000)

The Directors of Molopo announce that encouraging gas flows have been recorded from the two recently completed wells at its Liulin CBM project in China.

The LW-L1 well is producing steadily increasing amounts of gas. On October 2nd, this rate reached 28,000 SCFD and production is expected to increase continuously as reservoir pressure is reduced.

The LW-L3 well is producing gas at approximately 7,000 SCFD and this level is expected to increase significantly with the onset of gas desorption. LW-L3 is currently producing 817 bwpd, giving a strong indication of the excellent fluid conductivity of the reservoir on which basis high gas production rates are expected.

Two wells remain to be completed in the 4 well production test. LW-L2 requires re-drilling at the contractor's expense, which is expected to commence shortly. The HW-L1B well has encountered delays in its cavitation completion but is expected to be on stream over the next 4 weeks.

NEWCREST MINING (4 OCTOBER 2000)

New South Wales Premier, Bob Carr has announced the granting of Development Consent for the Ridgeway Gold Mine being built by Newcrest Mining Limited near Orange in New South Wales. The Newcrest Board has already approved $286 million for the project's full development.

The project, which is adjacent to Newcrest's Cadia Hill Gold Mine, is based upon an estimated ore reserve of 32 million tonnes grading 2.7g/t gold and 0.76% copper. Contained gold is estimated at 2.8 million ounces. Trial mining is currently underway and a ramp-up to fullscale underground mining is expected to be achieved by the end of 2002 using Sublevel Caving. The mine has a planned life of 12 years with an expected production rate of 4 million tonnes per annum for the initial 7 years. An operational work force of 200 will be employed peaking at 450 during construction. Substantial spin off employment will be generated throughout New South Wales.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (4 OCTOBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL advises that the Coleraine 1 well commenced drilling at 01.30 hours Central Standard (Darwin) Time, 4th October 2000, current operation, drilling ahead.

Coleraine 1 will be drilled updip and 12.5 kilometres west of the Minitaur 1 well which is interpreted to have intersected a 7m untested oil column in the Elang Formation and encountered significant Oil saturation's in the underlying Plover Formation. If filled to spill point the prospect has the potential to contain 150 million barrels of oil recoverable.

During 1999 Phillips Oil Company farmed into ZOCA96-16 for the drilling of Coleraine 1. Under terms of that agreement Norwest will fund 5.714% of the drilling and if warranted, costs of the Coleraine 1 well to retain 14% interest in the PSC.

NORWEST ENERGY / WEST OIL (4 OCTOBER 2000)

West Oil NL announces that as at 6:00am (WST) Wednesday, 4th October, Coleraine-1 was drilling ahead at 117 metres in 36" hole. Coleraine-1 spudded at midnight on 3rd October and today's operations are to drill to casing point and run, set and cement the 30" conductor.

Coleraine-1 will test the large Coleraine fault block which straddles the border with ZOCA 91-12 and has P50 potential recoverable reserves of 150 million barrels. The well is 12.5 kilometres west and updip of Minotaur-1 which is interpreted to have intersected a 7 metre oil column in the Late Jurassic Elang Formation sandstone.

SELWYN MINES (4 OCTOBER 2000)

AREA 276 MINERAL RESOURCE

The has recently completed a Mineral Resource Estimate for the Area 276 deposit, incorporating results form surface diamond drilling conducted since April 2000 and previously reported.

The deposit, hosted by multiple lenses and units of massive and near-massive magnetite-haematite ironstones, is located approximately 3 kilometres north-northwest of the Selwyn Plant. The Area 276 resource study applies to a zone approximately 400 metres long within a north-south trending belt of known shear-controlled gold-copper mineralisation stretching in total over 8 kilometres, from south of the Area 222 mine to the Area 306 prospect north of Area 276. Area 276 was mined by underground methods from late calendar 1997 until March 1999 when production was suspended. A total of approximately 0.33 million tonnes of mainly oxide ore at 2.1% copper and 3.8g/t gold has been mined to date from Area 276.

The Area 276 mine has been on care and maintenance since March 1999. The Company has embarked on a study to determine the feasibility of recommencing mining operations.

SELWYN MINES (4 OCTOBER 2000)

MT ELLIOTT/CORBOULD MINERAL RESOURCE

The Company has recently completed a Mineral Resource Estimate for the Mt Elliott/Corbould deposit, incorporating the results from underground stope-definition and intra-resource diamond drilling conducted since April 2000.

The deposit, hosted within a northwesterly striking fault-bounded sequence of calc-silicate altered and bleached phyllites and carbonaceous siltstones, is located approximately 16 kilometres east-northeast of the Selwyn Plant. A total of approximately 2.91 million tonnes at 3.4% copper and 1.7g/t gold has been mined to June 2000 from the Mt Elliott Upper and Lower Zones and the Corbould Zone.

Current production from underground is at the rate of approximately 610,000 tonnes of ore per annum.

The company is currently undertaking detailed cutoff grade analyses for the Mt Elliot mine due to the recent increase in the Australian dollar copper price prior to completing a new reserve estimate.

SELWYN MINES (4 OCTOBER 2000)

Copper and gold producer, Selwyn Mines Limited has announced an increase in the Mineral Resource Estimates of three deposits as its Selwyn Project, situated approximately 150 kilometres southwest of Mt Isa, north-west Queensland.

For Mt Elliott/Corbould and Area 276, the Company developed a number of mineral resource estimates at various cutoff grades and found that the mineralisation tonnage and contained copper equivalent metal increases rapidly as the cutoff grade is reduced.

PROFIT RESULT 15% ABOVE PROSPECTUS FORECAST

In September, Selwyn announced an annual profit after tax of A$1.118 million for the year ended 30 June 2000, a 15% increase on the profit forecast outlined in the Company's May 2000 Prospectus.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (4 OCTOBER 2000)

Fiscal results for the year ended June 30, 2000.

Highlights of this report are the 68% increase in oil and gas sales revenues resulting from higher oil and gas prices and the 390% increase in total proved gas reserves to 24.5 billion cubic feet and 35% increase in oil reserves to 387,000 barrels.

Victoria Petroleum NL through its 18.4% shareholding in Kestrel Energy Inc, a US NASDAQ listed company (NASDAQ Small Cap-Kest), has an 18.4% indirect interest as at June 30, 2000 in Kestrel Energy Inc's proven and probable gas and oil recoverable reserves of 33.6 billion cubic feet of gas and 661,000 barrels of oil.

The proved and probable gas and oil reserves reported by Kestrel Energy, Inc have as at June 30, 2000 a Net Present Value of US$49.8 million (A$89 million) at a discount rate of 10%.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (3 OCTOBER 2000)

Bligh Oil & Minerals NL advises that production testing of the Rimu B-1 well has been commenced. Results of the testing will be released upon completion of the testing program, following which, the rig will be skidded and the Rimu B-2 well spudded. The Rimu B-2 well is intended to evaluate the Upper and Lower Tariki thrust plates, at a location approximately 1 kilometre north-northwest of the B-1 well, back towards the A-1 discovery well.

The Rimu B-1 is located on PEP 38719 in the southern part of the onshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The well is situated approximately 2.4 kilometres south of the Rimu A-1 discovery well, which tested 1600 barrels per day of oil and 5 million cubic feet per day of gas from the Upper Tariki sandstones.

MACMIN (3 OCTOBER 2000)

Macmin has maintained focus on advancing the Texas Silver Project to production.

Indicated Resources at the Twin Hills development site were increased by 50% during the year 2000, from 10 million ozs to 15 million ozs of silver equivalent (details released 14 September 2000). The Environmental Management Overview Study (EMOS) was completed and accepted by the Queensland Department of Mines and Energy. Community consultation was undertaken, process water dams constructed, the Silver Spur Mining Lease was purchased, the main freehold farming properties that cover the mining lease application were purchased, and additional process water bores were completed. There is now an abundance of process water available.

The district wide Inferred Resource at Texas remains at 35 million ozs of silver, however, airborne geophysics combined with surface geochemical and drill results suggest that the district wide potential in Macmin licenses is of the order of 50 to 100 million ozs silver. There is excellent scope to increase the life of the planned mine at Twin Hills and to locate and mine other silver deposits within the district in the future.

ASHTON MINING (2 OCTOBER 2000)

Robert T Boyd, President and CEO of Ashton Mining of Canada Inc reports that the autumn drill program has now been completed on the Ric property in Nunavut. As reported on September 26, 2000, a new kimberlite, named Perseus, was discovered during this program.

Perseus is situated at the head of a highly anomalous indicator mineral train coincident with the presence of kimberlite float. As reported on September 26, microdiamonds are present both in the till samples and in the kimberlite float. The float is widely distributed along a strike length of 1.4 km.

Four angle holes were initially drilled at the Perseus discovery site with a subsequent hole drilled 50 m to the east to determine the orientation and dip of the kimberlite intrusion. All five holes encountered similar intersections of kimberlite, suggesting that Perseus may be a sill approximately 10 m wide dipping north at less than 15 degrees. The intrusion appears to be striking east-northeast approximately parallel to the float distribution pattern.

AMITY OIL (2 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report - Gocerler-1 Well - Republic of Turkey

Depth at Midnight, 1 October rig time: (0500 Hrs 2 Oct WST): 1139m KB.

72 Hr Drill Advance: 528m.

Geology: 611-704m Ergene Formation. Interbedded approximately 20 percent conglomorate, white to pale green quartz and rock fragments, weakly cemented, 20% claystone, grey to pale green, soft, 50% siltstone, green, 10% sandstone, grey.

704-1139m Danismen Formation. Interbedded claystone, 40%, dark grey green, siltstone 45%, green calcareous and sandstone 10%, white well sorted, fair to good porosity, coal 5%, brown to black pyritic.

Hydrocarbons: Gas background increased from trace C(1) in Ergene Formation to 0.4%-1.0% C(1) in Danismen Formation. Peak gas 2.5-4.0% C(1) at 1000m and 2.5% C(1) at 1054m.

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Drill 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole to 1139m, conduct hole surveys, wiper trips.

Proposed operations Next 24 hrs: Drill ahead in 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole towards next casing point at 1525m.

Last Casing: 340mm (13(3/8) inch) casing to 309m.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul.
Latitude 41deg 21'04"N,
Longitude 27deg 46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest Producing Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

AMITY OIL (2 OCTOBER 2000)

Progress Report-Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey Depth at Midnight,
28 Sept rig time: (0500 Hrs 29 Sept WST): 611m KB.
24 Hr Drill Advance: 215m.
Geology: 396-611m Interbedded, approximately 35% conglomerate, white to pale green, quartz and rock fragments, weakly cemented and 60% claystone, grey to pale green, soft, 5% sandstone grey, minor coal and tuff. Ergene Formation.
Hydrocarbons: Trace C(1).
Operations Last 24 Hrs: Drill 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole to 611m, conduct hole survey at 499m.
PROPOSED OPERATIONS Next 24 hrs: Drill ahead in 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole towards next casing point.
Last Casing: 340mm (13(3/8) inch) casing to 309m.
Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.
Target Depth: 1525m to TD.
Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.
Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude 41deg 21'04"N, Longitude 27deg 46'E.
Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.
Nearest Producing Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

DIORO EXPLORATION (2 OCTOBER 2000)

Fourth Quarter Activities

GOLD

FROG'S LEG PROJECT

A large number of significant intersections were announced during the quarter, with highlighting including:

10m @ 22.44g/t including 1m @ 168.59g/t, 2m @ 33.68g/t, 12m @ 6.73g/t, 4m @ 16.18g/t 5m @ 34.02g/t including 1m @ 152.02g/t, 29m @ 4.65g/t including 2m @ 14.27g/t and 1m @ 50.56g/t, 10m @ 7.19g/t including 4m @ 13.45g/t, 16m @ 4.59g/t including 7m @ 8.80g/t, 7m @ 7.19g/t, 20m @ 8.22g/t, 12m @ 5.24g/t, 16m @ 7.56g/t, 7m @ 11.85g/t

* A total of 8,031 metres of combined RC and diamond drilling was carried out at Frog's Leg during the quarter.

This drilling has confirmed two styles of gold mineralisation (viz "quartz lode" and "contact zone" mineralisation are recognised in different parts of the prospect. (Note: the contact zone mineralisation is similar in style to the Hornet - Rubicon - Pegasis mineralisation along the ABC mineralised zone outside the Mungari Joint Venture tenements immediately to the north of Frog's Leg).

* The total strike length of the Frog's Leg mineralisation has been extended by almost 50% to 1,100 metres, increasing the potential for the discovery of additional resources.

* The mineralisation trend remains "open" along strike to the north and south of existing drilling, and at depth below the current drilling levels (most drilling has been limited to a depth of 175m).

* A geological and structural review is underway ahead of a re-estimation of resources that will include the latest drilling at Frog's Leg.

* A further immediate 2,750 metres of combined RC and diamond core drilling will be carried out to test a number of new targets.

GYMPIE GOLD (2 OCTOBER 2000)

Australian mining and exploration company, Gympie Gold, has announced that its coal subsidiary, Southland Coal in the Hunter Valley, NSW, is nearing commencement of production from its large, high quality Bellbird South coal reserves.

The 220 metre-wide longwall unit has been removed from the recently completed SL1 longwall panel and is undergoing extensive overhaul and upgrade including new shearer, new armoured face conveyor and new pan lines, while most of the support equipment is being refurbished.

PALADIN RESOURCES (2 OCTOBER 2000)

In the wake of acquiring the $5.7 million telecommunication business, Netcare Corporation, Paladin Resources plan to sell uranium assets and change its name to Netcare Corporation.

A shares issue will soon take place to raise $15 million to fund the rollout of its telecommunications network, and a separate entity, Paladin Energy Minerals NL will be listed on the ASX within 12 months to house mineral assets, including the Kayelekera project in Malawi.

QUADTEL (2 OCTOBER 2000)

In a deal worth $3 million, past gold explorer, Quadtel, formerly known as Caledonian Pacific Minerals has offloaded its mineral interests after moving into telecommunications earlier this year.

The Gold Coast company has entered an agreement with Base Metals Exploration NL who will purchase the mineral assets, with the deal being subject to shareholder approval at the annual meeting.

ROC OIL COMPANY (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

1. ONSHORE UK:

SALTFLEETBY (ROC: 100%)

Operating constraints at Conoco's Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal, which have caused rate reductions through September for all producers to the plant, have been largely resolved and Saltfleetby production has returned to around 38 mmscf/d. It is expected that all restrictions will be lifted during the coming week with Saltfleetby to produce at 40 mmscf/d.

The Roc Explorer rig is currently rigging down having run the completion equipment for the Saltfleetby 5 well and performed a short cleanup flow. The well is suspended ready to flow gas once the tie in to the facilities and export pipeline is complete. First commercial gas sale from the well is expected in early November.

2. UK NORTH SEA:

KYLE NORTHEAST APPRAISAL WELL (ROC: 12.5%)

The 29/2c-13 well, also known as the North East Appraisal well, is continuing to run completion equipment, having experienced delays due to weather and some minor technical difficulties. Flow testing of the well is expected to occur in the next two weeks following perforation and acid stimulation.

KYLE 29/2C-12Z EXTENDED WELL TEST (ROC: 12.5%)

The DTI has indicated its willingness to consent to an extension of the time period for the 29/2c-12z extended well test ("EWT") with the initial consent volumes for oil and gas production, and gas flaring, remaining unchanged. The new test duration period. is up to the 15th November 2000. At this time, it is forecast that a total of 1.5 million barrels of oil will have been produced from the well on EWT.

CHESTNUT (ROC: 29.75%)

A letter of award has been issued and accepted for the Trans Ocean rig 'John Shaw' to drill the first Chestnut development well, contingent on signing the rig contract by the 12th October 2000. Brovig expects to sign this contract within the next week, after clarifying a number of insurance issues, and the well is expected to commence drilling during December. Given a successful completion of the planned horizontal well, an EWT will be conducted, with likely first oil production on test late in the first quarter 2001.

ROC's interest in the Chestnut Field has been increased to 29.75% following the acquisition of Conoco's 12% interest in the field (ASX Release 11 September 2000). ROC and the other joint venture partners will be free carried by Brovig through the drilling of the well and the EWT.

3. EAST GOBI BASIN, MONGOLIA:

IRWES-1 (ROC: 100%)

The Irwes-1 well has been plugged and abandoned after drilling to a total depth of 1,300 metres. Minor gas shows were recorded in the well, but no oil shows were reported. The well intersected good reservoir sands in the primary objective above 710 metres.

For all practical purposes the Irwes-1 well represents the first modern exploration well in Mongolia. The well results will be integrated into ROC's ongoing evaluation of the acreage and the costs of the well will be expensed in the company's third quarter results.

TEMEE-1 (ROC: 100%)

The surface conductor for the Temee-1 exploration well has been set and the well is due to spud by early next week. Drilling activity on the well is expected to be completed during October.

ARC ENERGY (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

L1/L2

Re-mapping and re-interpretation of the pre-stack depth migration reprocessing of the Dongara 3D data has identified a number of high potential appraisal and development locations. In particular, the depth re-mapping of the Yardarino Field area has identified a potentially very attractive appraisal/development location. Further technical work on this area is required, including completion of a reservoir simulation, but preliminary interpretation suggests there could be up to 30 BCF of gas reserves remaining in the structure together with a significant amount of oil.

Subject to funding, rig availability and completion of technical work, it is currently intended to drill a Dongara development well, a Yardarino appraisal/development well and a wildcat exploration well early in the first half of 2001.

WA286P

The Cliff Head site survey is currently being conducted to confirm the suitability of the Cliff Head 1 drilling location. All other approvals for the well are in place and drilling will take place as soon as a suitable rig has been contracted. This is currently still most likely to be in the first half of 2001.

AC/P27

Good progress has been made in the farmout efforts for this permit with a recent increase in interest driven by the current and projected strength in oil prices. Subject to completion of farmout negotiations and rig availability, it is anticipated that this well will also be drilled in the first half of 2001.

AMITY OIL (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

GOCERLER-1 WELL, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PROGRESS REPORT - 28 SEPTEMBER, 2000

Depth at Midnight,
27 Sept rig time:
(0500 Hrs 28 Sept WST): 396m KB

Geology: 309-396m. Interbedded 50% conglomerate, white to pale green, quartz and rock fragments poorly sorted, weakly cemented and 50% claystone, grey to pale green, soft, rare pyrite and sand.

Pliocene age Ergene Formation.

Hydrocarbons: Trace C(I)

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Drill out float collar and drill to 314m, conduct formation integrity test, drill 311 mm (12(1/4) inch) hole to 343m, trip out of hole for new bottomhole assembly, drill ahead to 396m.

Proposed Operations
Next 24 hrs: Drill ahead in 311mm (12(1/4) inch) hole.
Last Casing: 340mm (13(3/8) inch) casing to 309m.
Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.
Target Depth: 1525m to TD.
Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.
Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul.
Latitude 41deg 21'04"N,
Longitude 27deg 46'E.
Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin
Nearest Producing
Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Fletcher Challenge
Drilling & Production Testing Report
For the week ending 27/09/2000

Country : New Zealand

Block Area: PML 381012
or Prospect

Well Name : MB-6
or Location

Objective : Deviated development well primarily targeting Maui B D1.6 (3028m true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS)) and D1.10 (3073m TVDSS) oil reservoirs.
Current Status : * Drilled 8 1/2" sidetrack from 2937m to 3658m (TD)
* Ran and cemented 7" liner
* Current operation at 06:00hrs on September 28th, preparing to run cement bond log

SANTOS (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 28/09/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Rolleston 18
TYPE: Gas Appraisal/Development
LOCATION: PL 42, Denison Trough, QLD. 0.8km E of Rolleston 13, and some 140km N of Roma
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Rolleston 18 has been cased and suspended as a future gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 1030m, with 690m progress for the week. An open hole flow test over the interval 922m-1030m in the Freitag and Aldebaran Formations flowed gas to surface at a rate of 12,800 cubic metres (0.452 million cubic feet per day) through a 9.5mm (3/8") surface choke. The rig was released on 26/09/2000.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1030m

OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WELL: Cowle 5m
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: TL 4, Offshore Barrow sub basin. 12km SSW from Thevenard Island.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Cowle 5m has been completed. The well reached a total measured depth of 2686m (1095m TVD), with no progress for the week. The rig was released on 27/09/2000.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2757m MD, 1097m TVD.

WELL: Rhebok 1
TYPE: Oil Exploration
LOCATION: WA-261-P, Dampier sub basin, 8km S of the Stag Oilfield, 4km NE of Longhorn 1, 6km SE of Antler 1, and approximately 60km NW of Dampier.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000
0600 HOURS: The well has been plugged and abandoned. The well spudded on 22/09/2000, and reached a total depth of 1082m. The rig was released on 27/09/2000.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1084m

WELL: P83A
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: L-IH, Barrow Island
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current measured depth and progress for the week is 631m. The well spudded on 24/09/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 782m

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WELL: SE Gobe 8
TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: PDL 3, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.Tangential well being drilled from SE Gobe 1 location.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current measured depth is 1527m, with 506m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3626m MD, 2362m TVD.

USA

WELL: Runnels #3
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Matagorda Country Texas.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 3239m with 121m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 4572m

SANTOS (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 28/09/2000

WELL: South Australia - Moomba 120DW
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.4km SW of Moomba 7, 1.8km S of Moomba 75, and some 10km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current measured depth is 2526m, with 349m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3147m MD, 2761m TVD

WELL: Queensland Warnie 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 8.4 km W of Warnie East 1 12.9km N of Lambda 1, and 72km SW of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2166m with 1250m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2925m

WELL: Wackett 11
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Appraisal/Development
LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 2km NNW of Wackett 3, 3.9km NW of Wackett 9 and some 20km ESE of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 1924m, with 1447m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1965m

WELL: Barrolka 4
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Development
LOCATION: PL 112, ATP 259P, Aquitaine B Block, 2.1km NE of Barrolka 1, 31km SSE of Barrolka 2, and 55km N of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Pressure testing blow out preventors at surface casing point. Current depth and progress for the week is 920m The well spudded on 23/09/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2652m

SANTOS (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 28/09/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Milluna 2

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 139, Nappacoongee Murteree Block, 800m NW of Milluna 1 and 40km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant
STATUS AT 28/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Milluna 2 has been cased and suspended as a future Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2310m, with 738m progress for the week. The rig is to be released this morning (28/09/2000).
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2349m

WELL: Big Lake 65
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.4km N of Big Lake 9, 0.3km S of Big Lake 36, and some 13km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2530m, with 576m progress for the week.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3031m

WELL: Merrimelia 40
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, 0.26km N of Merrimelia 12, 0.51km W of Merrimelia 14 and some 40km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT 28/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1759m. The well spudded on 22/09/2000.
PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2463m

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (29 SEPTEMBER 2000)

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED ON BEHALF OF THE PL 42 JOINT VENTURE ADVISES THAT:

Rolleston No 18 a gas development well, situated approximately 800 metres east of Rolleston No 13, latitude 24 deg, 32 min 30.35 sec south, longitude 148 deg 37 min 40.36 sec, east, was spudded at 19:00 hours on September 18, 2000 and has been suspended as a future gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 1030 metres rt 245 mm surface casing was set at 160.2 metres rt and 178 mm intermediate casing was set at 921.5 metres. Progress for the week was 690 metres.

Flow test No 3 over the interval 922 to 1030 metres in the Freitag and Aldebaran formations flowed gas to surface at a rate of 12,800 cubic metres (0.452 million cubic feet) per day through a 9.5 (0.375 inch) surface choke.

ALCASTON MINING (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Alcaston Mining NL has moved to broaden its Australian mineral exploration interests with the application for a 240 square kilometre Exploration Licence (E51/956) in the north of the Archean Yilgarn Block in Western Australia.

The Licence, known as Nanadie Well, which is located between the mining centres of Sandstone, Meekatharra and Gidgee, is prospective for copper/gold and nickel, with geological potential for platinum group metals, vanadium and diamonds.

The Barrambie vanadium deposit is located in a similar geological setting about 16 kilometres along strike to the south.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Fletcher Challenge
Drilling Summary Report
For the week ending 27/09/2000

Country : Canada

Block Area: Dinosaur
or Prospect

Well Name : 10-3-30-19
or Location W4M

Objective : An Exploration well testing Nisku Oil

Current Status : * Spud: 12/09/2000
* Rig released 23/09/2000 D & A

Block Area: Bashaw
or Prospect

Well Name : 12-1-42-23
or Location W4M

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 17/09/2000
* Rig released 17/09/2000. Potential Belly river
gas well.

Block Area: Bashaw
or Prospect

Well Name : 2-23-42-23
or Location W4M

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas

Current Status : * Spud: 20/09/2000
* Rig released 24/09/2000. Potential Belly river
gas well.

Block Area: Bashaw
or Prospect

Well Name : 14-31-41-22
or Location W4M

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas

Current Status : * Spud: 24/09/2000
* Rig released 27/09/2000. Potential Belly River
gas well

Block Area: Mikwan
or Prospect

Well Name : 3-26-37-22
or Location W4M

Objective : A Exploration well testing Glauconite gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 23/09/2000
* Directionally drilling at 1250m

Block Area: Provost
or Prospect

Well Name : 5-9-40-3
or Location W4M

Objective : A Development well testing Glauconite oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 24/09/2000
* Directionally drilling at 800m

Block Area: Antelope Lk.
or Prospect

Well Name : 6-16-16-18
or Location W3M

Objective : A Exploration well testing Roseray oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 20/09/2000
* Rig released 27/09/2000 D & A

JUBILEE MINES (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Jubilee Mines NL announces that it has completed the calculation of an initial Mineral Resource for the Cosmos Deeps massive nickel sulphide deposit.

The Mineral Resource totals: 560,000 tonnes @ 8.2% nickel
containing a total of: 46,000 tonnes of nickel

TRIBUNE RESOURCES (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Tribune Resources NL announces the discovery of a new zone of mineralistion at the East Kundana Joint Venture.

RAB drilling south of the recently announced Raleigh gold discovery has traced the main mineralised Strzelecki structure a further 2.0 km south and has outlined an 800 metre long by 50 metre wide zone of anomalous gold.

The geology is similar to Raleigh but with a thin, variable sedimentary sequence between the regional gabbro and the andesite units and a second small gabbro body within the andesite. Laminated vein quartz occurs in shear structures within the andesite close to the second gabbro contact. Gold distribution appears to suggest several sub-parallel veins and structures could be present.

Diamond drilling will commence immediately to characterise the geology, structure and veining, and to determine the significance of these results.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that it has a 4.94% indirect interest in the successfully completed Turner 3-14 well in the Amber North East Gas Field, Oklahoma, USA, through its 18.5% shareholding in Kestrel Energy Inc, a US NASDAQ listed company (NASDAQ Small Cap-Kest).

Kestrel Energy, Inc issued a press release on September 27, 2000 reporting a flow of 1.1 million cubic feet of gas per day from the Turner 3-14 well.

EMPIRE OIL & GAS (28 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Empire Oil & Gas NL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rough Range Oil Pty Ltd, provides the status of commissioning the Rough Range 1B Extended Production Test Facility.

On 25 and 26 September 2000 the Western Australian Department of Minerals and Energy's Safety Branch inspected the Facility. Rough Range Oil Pty Ltd has been informed that final approval can be granted by the Department of Minerals and Energy to commence production testing upon the Company and contracted Production Engineers, Expro Group Australia Pty Ltd installing some additions to the Rough Range 1B Test Facility to further comply with the Western Australian Petroleum Safety Act 1999 and the Schedule of General Requirement for Occupational Safety and Health 1993 and the relevant Australian Standards of construction, commissioning and the storage for flammable and combustible liquids.

Final inspection of the Rough Range 1B Test facility by the Western Australian Department of Minerals and Energy's Petroleum Safety Branch is planned for the following week.

ASHTON MINING (27 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Ashton Mining of Canada announces the discovery of a kimberlite body, named Perseus, on the Ric property in Nunavut and reports on other summer 2000 program activities under the Slave Regional joint venture.

RIC PROPERTY

On the Ric property, approximately 250 km northwest of the Ekati mine, the 2000 sampling program uncovered diamonds in till. A 25 kg till sample and a follow-up till sample of 100 kg collected at the same site produced a total of 14 microdiamonds, all of which are greater than 0.25 mm in size. A microdiamond is defined as being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 0.5 mm in all dimensions. Another till sample collected 550 m to the east contained a macrodiamond measuring 0.85 x 0.60 x 0.60 mm.

Follow-up prospecting work in the area identified abundant kimberlite float widely distributed over a strike length of 1.4 km. The float coincides with till samples exhibiting highly anomalous concentrations of indicator minerals, including mineral grains with adhering kimberlite. Four separate samples of float were tested by caustic fusion and all contained microdiamonds. The best results came from a 31 kg sample which returned nine microdiamonds.

The kimberlite float sample with the highest microdiamond count is located in a 300 m wide indicator mineral train that leads to a 400 m by 600 m lake. The lake is associated with a geophysical anomaly. Drilling commenced at this location in mid-September and resulted in the discovery of the Perseus kimberlite when the first hole, drilled to the south at a 45 degree angle, intersected 11.6 m of kimberlite at a depth of 45.7 m. Three subsequent holes drilled from the same location at different angles encountered similar intersections of kimberlite, suggesting the presence of a north-dipping kimberlite sill with an approximate true width of 10 m. One additional hole will be drilled into the Perseus kimberlite and at least one additional geophysical target will be tested before winter shut-down. Core will be processed for microdiamonds at AMCI's laboratory in North Vancouver.

AMCI is very encouraged by the discovery of diamonds and a new kimberlite body on the Ric property. A number of indicator mineral trains remain to be explained, and additional results are expected in early 2001 from the 386 till samples collected on the property during the summer 2000 program. Further geophysical surveys will be conducted upon receipt of these results to identify targets for drilling in spring 2001. Claims have recently been added to the Ric property increasing its size to approximately 51,100 hectares.

ROC, BEL, CON AND KIM PROPERTIES

Heavy mineral sampling programs were also completed on the other Slave Regional joint venture properties in Nunavut: Roc, Bel, Con and Kim. The 2000 program focused on encouraging concentrations of indicator minerals discovered on the Roc, Bel and Con properties in previous years, while a first round of heavy mineral samples was collected on the Kim property. Situated approximately 25 km north of the Ric property, the recently staked Kim property is 53,100 hectares in size.

AMITY OIL (27 SEPTEMBER 2000)

GOCERLER-1 WELL, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
PROGRESS REPORT - 27 SEPTEMBER, 2000

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul.
Latitude 41 deg 21' 04"N,
Longitude 27 deg 46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest Producing Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

Depth at Midnight,
26 Sept rig time:
(0500 Hrs 27 Sept WST): 309mKB

Geology: 268-309m
Interbedded claystone, beige to dark grey-green coloured and conglomerate yellowish.
Pliocene age Ergene Formation.

Operations Last 24 Hrs: Wait on cement to set, install bradenhead and blowout preventors (BOPs). Mix mud, prepare to drill float collar.

Proposed Operations Drill out float collar, conduct formation integrity test, drill 311mm

Next 24 hrs: (12 1/4 inch) hole.
Last Casing: 340mm (13 3/8 inch) casing to 309m.
Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

CLUFF RESOURCES PACIFIC (27 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Company announces the recovery of a further 595 diamonds weighing 74.4 carats from 435 tonnes mined from the Monte Christo Mine at Bingara, NSW. The stones were recovered from the poorly sorted gravel about one metre thick on the south eastern side of the pit. Mining is now continuing to the southwest. The average grade recovered was 17 carats per hundred tonnes. 6.2 grams of gold were also recovered during processing.

Diamond bearing material from Monte Christo is trucked to the Company's jig based processing plant, which is located at Copeton and operates on a lower cut off screen size of 1.2mm. Diamonds are recovered from jig concentrates using a grease table.

At the Streak of Luck Tunnel, on the southern side of Mount Ross, at Copeton, the layer of diamondiferous tuffisite and boulders is dipping at about 15 degrees into a depression, and has thickened to three metres. Ninety tonnes of material previously mined from the tunnel, comprising about 15 tonnes of tuffisite and boulders mixed with 75 tonnes of barren granite bedrock was washed, yielding nine diamonds weighing 1.4 carats, with an inferred grade for the tuffisite and boulders of 9.3 carats per hundred tonnes of gem quality diamonds.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (27 SEPTEMBER 2000)

A rig is on location to complete and test the Cotton Valley formation in the Terry Ewing No 1 well. The Cotton Valley will be perforated on Sunday and produced naturally (without stimulation) while pressure build up tests are run over a two week period.

To prevent formation damage, it is planned to produce the well at less than full capacity while the productive properties of the Cotton Valley are evaluated. Construction of a flow line connecting with the Louisiana State Gas Pipeline is now complete enabling gas to be sold during the testing phase.

The Operator has presented initial plans for the drilling of 8 wells within the discovery. Further wells may be drilled during the project life that could exceed 15 years. The participants have contracted a second well, the Willamette No 2, a test of the Blue and Yellow Hosston Sands at a location approximately 2,000 feet to the north of the No 1 well. A rig is scheduled to arrive early November.

FAR has a 12.5 percent participation in the Clear Branch project reducing to a 9.375% working interest on completion of the test well. Other interests are held by North American companies including the operator, Rio Bravo Exploration & Production Company.

LAKE LONG FIELD, LAFOURCHE PARISH, SOUTH LOUISIANA

STATE LEASE 328 NO 6 WELL

A barge rig is due on location tomorrow to perforate and test the "14 Series" gas sands presently behind pipe in the No 6 wellbore. The procedure is expected to take between two and three days and, if successful, gas sales into the Columbia Gas Pipeline System should follow immediately.

It is estimated the 14 Series Sands (between 8,780 and 8,795 feet) will produce at an approximate rate of 1.5 million cubic feet of gas per day with associated condensate. Several other zones remain behind pipe.

FAR has a 30 percent working interest in the SL328 No.6 well with the remaining interest held by the Kriti et al.

NW SEGMENT PROSPECT (STATE LEASE 328 NO 7 WELL)

Barge rig contracts are presently being evaluated prior to the drilling of the SL 328 No 7 well at Lake Long. The No 7 well will test the NW Segment Prospect and is likely to spud during November.

The prospect will require the drilling of a deviated well to evaluate thirteen Miocene zones, eleven of which are productive in a major field fault block immediately south and adjacent to the NW Segment Fault Block. The southern block has produced 25 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Plans call for the test well to be drilled from a barge rig to a true vertical depth of 12,000 feet. The prospect is supported by a modern grid of 3D seismic tied to sub surface well control. Numerous bright spots are evident on seismic.

A well drilled in 1949 intersected 15 feet of gas bearing sands at the 5,500-foot Sand interval which were not produced at the time due to low gas prices. The field is supported by existing infrastructure connected to Columbia Gas Pipeline System.

PETROZ (27 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Petroz N.L. advises that the Rhebok-1 well, located in offshore exploration permit WA-261-P in the Carnarvon Basin off Western Australia, was drilled to a depth of 1,082m T.D. and has been plugged and abandoned.

The well was drilled by Apache Northwest, the operator, and the main target horizon of the Stag Sandstone was poorly developed at the well location. No hydrocarbon shows were recorded.

AMITY OIL (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Progress Report: Gocerler-1 Well Republic of Turkey

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude
41deg21'04"N, Longitude 27deg46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest Producing Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

Depth at Midnight,
25 Sept rig time:
(0500 Hrs 26 Sept WST): 309mKB.

Geology: 70-92m Claystone cream coloured and conglomerate. 92-94m Limestone white pyritic.
94-268m Interbedded claystone, beige to dark grey-green coloured and conglomerate yellowish.

All Pliocene age Ergene Formation.

Operations Since Spud: Drill 445mm (17 1/2 inch) hole to 309m, circulate hole clean, wiper trip, pull out of hole, run 340mm (13 3/8 inch) casing to 309m, cement casing to surface, wait on cement to set.

Proposed Operations Wait on cement to set, install bradenhead and
Next 24 hrs: blowout preventors (BOPs), test BOPs, drill 311mm (12 1/4 inch) hole.

Last Casing: 508mm (20 inch) conductor, 10m.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

BHP / WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

WA-9-L
CAVALIER-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-9-L Joint Venture, reports that the Cavalier-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was spudded at 2345 hrs WST on 24 September 2000. At 0600 on 26 September 2000, the operation was drilling a 17 1/2 inch hole at 610 metres.

The Sedco 702 drill rig is drilling the well. The location is approximately 8 kilometres north-east of the Cossack Pioneer. Water depth at the location is 79 metres and planned total depth is 3700 metres.

All reported depths (except water depth) are referenced to the rig rotary table.

WA-271-P
ENFIELD-3

Woodside Petroleum Ltd reports that the Enfield-3 appraisal well located in the Exmouth Sub-basin has intersected a 49.3 metre gross column of oil bearing reservoir. Current operation at 0600 hours WST on 26 September 2000 was fishing for wire-line logging tools at a depth of 2421 metres.

Since the last report Enfield-3 was drilled to a total depth of 2521 metres and wire-line logs were run.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

CLUFF RESOURCES PACIFIC (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Company announces that it has purchased a 50% interest in a sapphire mine on the Anakie Sapphire Field, in Central Queensland. The acquisition aims to expand the range of Australian gemstones available to the Company for the manufacture of jewellery, and for sale of cut stone.

The terms of the acquisition were that Cluff settle the purchase of the mine for $300,000, and that Junior Mining (Operations) Pty Ltd reimburse Cluff $135,000 of the purchase price out of operating profits. On reimbursement the equity in the mine shall be 50% Cluff, 50% Junior Mining. The operation includes modern plant and equipment including an excavator, scraper, three front end loaders, two tractors, three trucks, a dry screening plant and jig based washing plant, and ancillary equipment, together with three mining leases and five mining lease applications.

The mine is currently in operation, and has produced 60,000 carats of uncut larger size blue sapphire, together with 20,000 carats of uncut larger size green, yellow and parti-colour sapphire, within the last two months. Additional quantities of fine sized stone and corundum are produced. The wash is clayey in nature, and cannot be treated in wet weather, but the climate is predominantly dry.

CENTAMIN EGYPT (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Centamin Egypt Ltd announces that the on-going resources up-grade (up to hole SDDH 148) at the Sukari gold project in Egypt has to date outlined Recoverable Resources estimated to contain around 1.2 million ounces of gold at a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t.

Drilling is in progress to up-grade some of the resources at present categorised as Inferred to Indicated (and Measured), and some of the Indicated to Measured.

The present estimates include part of the 1998 estimates of 2.1 million ounces of gold at cut-off 0.5 g/t. Deeper drilling in the Amun zone is confidently expected to increase that figure significantly.

The gold is associated with multiple quartz veins, stockworks and breccias in alteration zones through micro-granitic, porphyritic, and other felsic rocks of the 'Sukari porphyry'. In the Amun zone the mineralised bodies dip generally about 40deg to grid east.

KIMBERLEY OIL (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Further to our announcements of 4 August, 2000 and 31 August, 2000, KBO announces that on 25th September 2000 it successfully conducted proof of process trials in respect of its KOS oil spill remediation technology.

In the final trial, conducted at the Caltex Kumell Refinery laboratories, Gippsland crude oil was converted to an inert plasticine-like mass that floated and could be easily recovered. The entire process took approximately one minute.

KINGS MINERALS (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Kings Minerals NL announces that exploration on our Mountain Valley Exploration License, No 5690 in northern New South Wales has successfully recovered a second diamond weighing 0.065 carats. This result is regarded as highly significant as the recent stone recovered was from a location where diamonds have not been previously recorded.

As a consequence Kings Minerals has made application for a further exploration license (ELA No 1672) north of the Mountain Valley area called Glencairn. Kings combined tenement position in the region on granting of Glencairn will be 540 sqkm.

KAGARA ZINC (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

POTENTIAL HIGH-GRADE ORE SOURCE 100 KMS NORTH OF MT GARNET

Kagara Zinc Limited has added further weight to its fast-emerging North Queensland base metals strategy centred on the Mt Garnet Zinc Project after negotiating an exclusive option to acquire 100% interest in the nearby Muldiva Project, adding another advanced target and potential ore source to its regional portfolio.

The Muldiva Project, comprising three granted Exploration Licences covering an area of 330 square kilometres, is located 100 kilometres north of Mt Garnet and incorporates a number of historic high-grade mines and a very large untested geochemical anomaly covering several kilometres.

MIM HOLDINGS (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Copper anode production resumed on schedule overnight following a rebrick of the furnace and successful recommissioning of the Mount Isa copper smelter. Prior to their replacement, the life of the refractory bricks had been extended to a record two years.

ST BARBARA MINES (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The regional exploration program at the Meekatharra Gold Project has been stepped up with the recent completion of a 7,745 line kilometre detailed airborne geophysical survey, covering an area of 340sqkm at 50 metre line spacings and 20 metre sensor height. The survey has generated magnetic, radiometric and topographic data between Meekatharra and the Nannine region, which has identified a number of very interesting new targets for follow-up.

In addition, the ongoing extensional exploration program has realised a number of recent significant results around currently known reserves or resources:

* At Eden Hope, 1 km south of the Bluebird mill,a possible pit cut-back is likely after a number of high-grade intercepts were returned from a 24 hole program. These include:

WIDTH (M) : GRADE (G/T) : DEPTH (M)

8 : 6.14 : 6

13 : 7.06 : 11

10 : 5.23 : 34

3 : 12.86 : 0

3 : 12.74 : 11

6 : 5.24 : 34

5 : 5.68 : 45

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that the Rhebok-1 exploration well commenced drilling on Friday 22nd September, 2000, and has been drilled to a total depth of 1082m.

The objective M australis sandstone was poorly developed and no shows were observed. The well will be plugged and abandoned.

MOUNT BURGESS GOLD MINING (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

2000 ANNUAL REPORT

In a year that has seen a significant decline in exploration throughout the resource industry, particularly within the small company sector, the Company, through being well cashed up, has achieved a healthy exploration programme of some $2 million.

At Telfer, where Normandy Gold Pty Ltd is carrying the full cost of exploration to the end of this year, the
Company, through the payment of $300,000 to Carpentaria Gold Pty Ltd has secured 100% equity over all the tenements in the joint venture. Once Normandy has earned 51% through the expenditure of $5 million, it will then Leave the Company with 49%.

In addition, through the expenditure of a further $110,000, the Company has acquired some very prospective ground within the joint venture which was previously excised and it has also bought back the right to some of the potential royalties over further prospective ground in the joint venture.

Of the $2 million spent on exploration, roughly $1.4 million was spent in Western Australia, principally on the Tay and Mount Weld projects and $700,000 was spent on the Tsumkwe Diamond project in Namibia.

At the time of writing, both the Tay and Mount Weld projects have produced some interesting zones of anomalism for nickel and gold respectively. Both of these projects are going to require further follow up work to determine their direction from here.

At Tsumkwe in Namibia, the Company has had some very encouraging results from its diamond exploration joint venture with Kimberlite Resources Pty Ltd. In terms of our agreement, the Company can earn up to 75% of this project. After eighteen months of being involved with this project the Company is at a stage where at the time of releasing this report it will be drilling, or will be very close to drilling, potential kimberlite targets.

AMITY OIL (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Progress Report - Gocerler-1 Well - Republic of Turkey

Spud: 0230 hrs WST, 23 Sept, 2000, (2130 hrs Turkish time, 22 Sept).

Well Location: 150 kilometres west of Istanbul. Latitude 41deg21'04"N, Longitude 27deg46'E.

Basin: Onshore Thrace Basin.

Nearest Producing Field: Yulafli gasfield, 15 kilometres to southeast.

Depth at Midnight,
24 Sept rig time:
(0500 Hrs 25 Sept WST): 268mKB.

Geology: 16-44m limestone and gravel.
44-56m Claystone grey 20-40% gravel.
56-70m Claystone grey to cream coloured.

Operations Since Spud: Drill 445mm (17 1/2 inch) hole, trip to clean bit.

Proposed Operations Drill 445mm (17 1/2 inch) hole to 300m,
Next 24 hrs: condition hole and run 340mm (13 3/8 inch)
casing.

Last Casing: 508mm (20 inch) conductor, 10m.

Target: Oligocene age Osmancik Sandstone Formation in four way dip closure, with direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic. Target size, 30 billion cubic feet of gas recoverable, if gas is present.

Target Depth: 1525m to TD.

Proposed Total Depth: Between 1620 and 1900mKB.

CREST MAGNESIUM (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The directors of Crest Magnesium have been advised by UTI/VAMI that the carnallite produced from the Crest Magnesium magnesite was successfully used to extract magnesium metal at the UTI/VAMI Laboratory. UTI/VAMI has further reported that the remaining carnallite samples following generation of magnesium metal are sufficient for completion of required test work which will lead to the development of a bankable feasibility study to the required level of accuracy.

KALREZ ENERGY (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

* Kalrez Energy NL has acquired a 75% controlling interest in Petroasia Limited from Petroasia Group Limited.

* Petroasia owns a fully equipped Low Temperature Separation Process facility ("LTS") designed to separate Liquid Petroleum Gas ("LPG") from a gas stream.

* The purchase payable by Kalrez is well below replacement cost of the LTS Plant.

* Kalrez obtains the benefit of Petroasia's negotiations with parties in Indonesia to site the Plant on an appropriate liquid rich gas stream from which LPG can be extracted for sale to the domestic and export markets.

PETROZ (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Petroz N.L. advises that the Rhebok-1 well, located in offshore exploration permit WA-261-P in the Carnarvon Basin off Western Australia, spudded at 1630 hours on 22 September 2000 (see attached map) and at 0600 hours Monday, 25th September was at 1,082m T.D. and was running a survey prior to final logs. No hydrocarbon shows have been recorded.

The well is being drilled by Apache Northwest, the operator, through the main target horizon of the Stag Sandstone which appears to be poorly developed at the well location. The Athol Formation and the Mungaroo Formation are secondary targets. The prospect is testing a very similar play to the Stag Oilfield lying 8km to the northeast. The nearest well Longhorn-1 lies 3km to the south and Antler-1, an oil and gas discovery, lies 5km to the north.

The well is programmed to take only 6 days to drill.

SUN RESOURCES (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Operator, Apache Energy Ltd has advised Rhebok 1 in WA-261-P reached total depth of 1,082 metres (RT) early this morning, Monday 25 September 2000. No significant hydrocarbons were encountered in the primary Lower Cretaceous M Australis Sand pinch out trap, updip of the Stag Oil Field, or from older inferred pinchout sands in the Mid Jurassic Athol Formation and Triassic Mungaroo Formation that have significant hydrocarbons in the recently drilled Tusk, Chamois and Oryx wells. Potential reservoir was extremely poor in the primary and secondary objectives with the exception of sands encountered in the Mungaroo Formation.

Current operations are logging prior to plugging and abandonment in the next 24 hours.

EXPLORATION (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show positive signs that mineral and petroleum exploration's downward slide is slowing down. Industry associates are; however, sceptical that the figures are not just an illusion caused by technical factors in the collection of data rather than a change in sentiment.

The June quarter reported spending of $146 million, down 9 per cent on the March period with factors including planned drilling rig deployments and maintenance requirements possibly affecting the figure's accuracy.

Western Australia is generating the most activity for petroleum exploration with 50 wells expected to spud this year, being one third more than last year, and gold exploration fell 21 per cent ($111 million) in the financial year to $415 million.

QUEENSLAND GAS COMPANY (26 SEPTEMBER 2000)

QUEENSLAND GAS COMPANY TO COMMENCE 6 WELL CBM
PROGRAM IN EARLY NOVEMBER

The Directors of Queensland Gas Company Limited announce that plans for a drilling program, which is set to commence in early November, are well advanced.

NEW TECHNICAL TEAM APPOINTED

The Company also announces that it has strengthened its CBM technical group with the appointment of Trevor Marks as Operations Manager and Steve Scott as Senior Geologist.

HERALD RESOURCES (25 SEPTEMBER 2000)

LATEST RESULTS FROM DAIRI ZINC/LEAD PROJECT

Herald's 71% subsidiary International Annax Venture Inc. (IAX), reports as follows:

Assay results from hole SOP32D are now available and confirm the greatest width of massive sulphide mineralisation encountered so far.

Results were as follows:

Hole
North
East
Dip/Azimuth
From (m)
To (m)
Width
(m)
Zinc
Lead
Silver
Description

SOP32D
9700
5080
75/076
208
244
36
18.2%
11.8%
11g/t
MMH

MMH = Main mineralised horizon

BHP (25 SEPTEMBER 2000)

BHP has announced that it had signed Letters of Intent with Tokyo Gas Co Ltd and Toho Gas Co Ltd of Japan for the sale and purchase of liquefied natural gas from the North West Shelf in Western Australia.

The agreements were signed by the six North West Shelf LNG Sellers and cover the supply of LNG for a period of 25 years starting in 2004, building to a volume of one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2006. (BHP share 0.l7mtpa).

The parties will now move to finalise sale and purchase agreements by the end of 2000.

ROC OIL (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

1. ONSHORE UK:

1.1 SALTFLEETBY GAS PRODUCTION (ROC: 100%)

Due to operational constraints at the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal (TGT), the Saltfleetby Gas Field has been operating at reduced production rate during September 2000. Average production rate from Saltfleetby to 20 September was 34 mmscf/d, compared to a scheduled rate of 40 mmscf/day. TGT has been progressively increasing its intake of gas over the past few days and intake is expected to be back to scheduled levels by the weekend.

1.2 SALTFLEETBY-5 (ROC: 100%)

Following completion of Saltfleetby-5 as a Namurian gas producer, the well will be hooked up to ROC's gas production facility with production expected to commence by early November.

1.3 KEDDINGTON-2 (ROC: 100%)

Keddington-2, which had been shut in due to high producing gas-oil ratio, has been on test for the past week through temporary test facilities and has flowed at a stabilised rate of 75 bbl/day oil and 0.60 mmscf/day gas. The high gas rate had not been anticipated from the well prior to drilling and one interpretation of the results could indicate the presence of a gas cap of unknown size associated with the Keddington structure. The well, which is only 6 km from the Saltfleetby Gas Field, will now be shut in while long term production options are evaluated.

2. UK NORTH SEA: THE KYLE NORTHEAST APPRAISAL WELL (ROC: 12.5%)

Production testing of the Kyle 29/2c-13 appraisal well (also known as the Kyle Northeast well) is expected to occur during the course of the next two weeks subject to weather conditions.

3. EAST GOBI BASIN, MONGOLIA: IRWES-1 (ROC: 100%)

Since the last Drilling Activity Update (15 September 2000), Irwes-1 has drilled to 1,154 metres in 8(1/2) inch hole. Minor gas shows have been reported below 910 metres. Prognosed total depth is 1,300 metres.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Australia's North West Shelf LNG Sellers and Tokyo Gas Co Ltd and Toho Gas Co Ltd of Japan Friday, signed Letters of Intent for the sale and purchase of one million tonnes of LNG a year from mid-2004.

At the signing in Perth Friday 22 September, senior executives of the North West Shelf Venture said the, letters provided the foundation for a major expansion of Australia's LNG industry, a little more than 10 years after the first Australian LNG cargoes were delivered to Japan in 1989.

ICON OIL (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Icon has acquired additional leases in the Bayou Choctaw area in Louisiana USA. These leases cover an area of 45 acres with recoverable reserves of oil estimated at 2.3 million barrels. This estimate is conservative, and most of the oil can be recovered from shallow depths of less than 5,000 feet (1500 metres). Early development of this oil is expected once operations commence. These reserves have been identified using the new high-tech 3-D seismic data. Icon’s working interest in these new leases is 80% and Bayou Choctaw Inc has the remaining 20%.

CROESUS MINING (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Reserve definition drilling at the Giles gold deposit has confirmed the existence of very high-grade gold mineralisation. This work has also extended the mineralised zone to over 500m long and the deposit remains open along strike and at depth.

Approximately half the results from a 10,000 metre reverse circulation and diamond program have been received.

The previous resource estimate of l00,000 ounces appears likely to be increased. Formal resource and reserve estimates will be completed as soon as all drill results have been received.

Results returned from this program so far include:

GSRC 36 8m @ 6.49 g/t gold from 90m

GSRC 45 4m @ 8.19 g/t gold from 34m

GSRC 46 5m @ 5.41 g/t gold from 28m

GSRC 46 5m @ 9.50 g/t gold from 41m

GSRC 46 11m @ 6.05 g/t gold from 54m

GSRC 51 13m @ 4.29 g/t gold from 20m

GSRC 51 15m @ 22.1 g/t gold from 39m

GSRC 56 24m @ 14.6 g/t gold from 18m

GSRC 60 17m @ 3.11 g/t gold from 18m

GSRC 61 11m @ 6.78 g/t gold from 42m

GSRC 61 27m @ 5.55 g/t gold from 73m

GSRC 64 20m @ 6.63 g/t gold from 40m

GSRC 76 9m @ 5.80 g/t gold from 36m

PRESTON RESOURCES (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Bulong Operations Pty Ltd - Report for August 2000

August achieved marked improvements in technical and operational performance over previous months. As a result nickel production was a record 543 tonnes. The problems which had been experienced in the nickel electrowinning circuit during July were satisfactorily resolved, restoring the refinery capability to design levels.

Plant components demonstrated the ability to operate at target throughput levels and gypsum precipitation, which had negatively affected availability, throughput and recoveries in previous months, is being managed within the required operating parameters, thereby significantly reducing the detrimental impact of scaling.

Extraction of both nickel and cobalt in the autoclave improved towards the end of the month as a result of improved control of acid addition, an increase in the amount of free acid in the leach discharge and more stringent temperature control in the first compartment of the autoclave. We expect improved extractions continue into the future.

Operating costs in August were below plan and in particular significant gains have been made in reducing reagent consumption.

SANTOS (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 21/09/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Rolleston 18

TYPE: Gas Appraisal/Development

LOCATION: PL 42, Denison Trough, Qld. 0.8km E of Rolleston 13, and some 140km N of Roma.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Depth and progress for the week is 340m. The well spudded on 18/9/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1030m

OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WELL: Cowie 5m

TYPE: Oil Development

LOCATION: TL 4, Offshore Barrow sub basin. 12km SSW from Thevenard Island.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0000 HOURS: Cementing 340mm casing at 1841m MD. Progress for the week is 1541m.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2757m MD
1097m TVD

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WELL: SE Gobe 8

TYPE: Oil Development

LOCATION: PDL 3, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tangential well being drilled from SE Gobe 1 location.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0430 HOURS: Depth and progress for the week is 1021m. The well spudded on 14/9/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3626m MD
2362m TVD

USA

WELL: Runnels #3

TYPE: Gas Exploration

LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas.

STATUS AT 20/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 3239m with 121m progress for the week.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 4572m

SANTOS (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 21/09/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Milluna 2

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 139, Nappacoongee Murteree Block, 800m NW of Milluna 1 and 40km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Milluna 2 spudded on 17/9/00. Depth and progress for the week is 1572m.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2349m

WELL: Big Lake 65

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.4km N of Big Lake 9, 0.3km S of Big Lake 36, and some 13km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 1954m with 1322m progress for the week.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3031m

WELL: Merrimelia 39

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, O.5km NNW of Merrimelia 22, 0.7km E of Merrimelia 13 and some 40km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Merrimelia 39 has been cased and suspended as a future gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2464m with 396m progress for the week. The rig was released on 21/09/00 and is moving to Merrimelia 40, a PPL 17 gas development well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2429m

WELL: Moomba 120DW

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.4km SW of Moomba 7, 1.8km S of Moomba 75, and some 10km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Preparing to drill ahead after a bit change.
Current depth is 2177m with 775m progress for the week.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 3147m MD
2761m TVD

SANTOS (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 21/09/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Warnie 1

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 8.4km W of Warnie East 1, 12.9km N of Lamboa., and 72km SW of the Ballera Gas Centre.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Running 244mm surface casing. Depth and progress for the week is 916m. The well spudded on 18/09/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2925m

WELL: Windigo 2

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259, Naccowlah Block, 0.8km NW of Windigo 1, 4.7km E of Judga North 1, and some 30km E of the Ballera Gas Centre.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Windigo 2 has been plugged and abandoned. The rig was released on 18/9/00 and has moved to Warnie 1, a Southwest Queensland Unit gas exploration well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2612m

WELL: Kananda 1

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259P, Innamincka Block, 4.1km SE of Durham Downs
3, 8.9km NE of Keilor 1, and some 30km N of the
Ballera Gas Centre.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Karanda 1 has been plugged and abandoned. The rig was released on 17/9/00 and is moving to Barrolka 4, a Southwest Queensland Unit gas development well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2816m

* Delhi elected not to participate

WELL: Wackett 11

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Appraisal/Development

LOCATION: ATP 259, Aquitaine A Block, 2km NNW of Wackett 3, 3.9km NW of Wackett 9 and some 20km ESE of the Ballera Gas Centre.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 477m with 477m progress for the week. The well spudded on 20/9/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1965m

WELL: Rolleston 17

TYPE: Gas Appraisal/Development

LOCATION: PL 42, Denison Trough, QLD. 0.44km WSW of Rolleston 17, and some 140km N of Roma.

STATUS AT 21/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Completed as a gas well. The rig was released on 16/9/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2083m

SUN RESOURCES (22 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Operator, Apache Energy Ltd has advised Rhebok 1 in WA-261-P should now commence drilling operations on Friday night, 22 September 2000. The Ron Tappmeyer rig is currently being towed from its present location at Tusk 1 in WA-209-P to the Rhebok site.

Rhebok 1 in WA-261-P is targeting a Lower Cretaceous M Australis Sand pinch out trap prospect up dip of the Stag Oilfield at approx. 694 to 720 metres (RT) depth. The Stag Oilfield to the northeast is currently producing at 33,000 barrels of oil per day from the same target reservoir, locally called the Stag Sand. The prospect has potential mean to P10 case reserves of 17 to 45 million barrels of oil recoverable assuming oil is present in the target sands.

The final depth of the well will be 1,084 metres (RT). The increased depth will allow testing of older inferred pinch out sands in the Mid Jurassic Athol Formation and the Triassic Mungaroo Formation. The deeper and older secondary target sands are of strong interest based on the results of the recently completed Tusk 1, Chamois 1 and Oryx 1 wells to the west and northwest respectively where traps containing sands of these ages have significant accumulations of Stag type oil.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Bligh Oil & Minerals NL advises that open hole logging of the Rimu B-1 well has now been completed. Casing will now be run, and production testing initiated.

The logging of the well has confirmed the presence of 25 metres of gross reservoir section in the Lower Tariki thrust plate, in the interval 4031 metres to 4056 metres. Within this gross section, approximately 17 metres is considered to be net pay, with average porosities of 17%, in a range of 12% to 30%. The porosity development is considered to be exceptional. Log calculations indicate the zone to be hydrocarbon saturated, with the presence of oil with a high gas-oil ratio being suggested by the log data, subject to confirmation by production testing. Several additional zones appear to be of interest, based upon drilling and log data, and certain of these may be tested, in addition to the Lower Tariki.

CONSOLIDATED RUTILE (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Consolidated Rutile Limited has established a successful management program to control groundwater seepage from one of the Company's North Stradbroke Island mining operations.

Fresh water from mine site tailings increased the level of Ibis Lagoon, before water recycling and production changes stopped the seepage in August.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Fletcher Challenge
Drilling & Production Testing Report
For the week ending 20/09/2000

Country : New Zealand

Block Area: PML381012
or Prospect
Well Name : MB-6
or Location
Objective : Deviated development well primarily targating Maui B D1.6 (3028m true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS)) and D1.10 (3073m TVDSS) oil reservoirs

Planned TD is 3681m (3132m TVDSS)

Current Status : * Set whipstock in 9(5/8)" casing at 2565m and milled window
* Drilled 8(1/2)" sidetrack to 2937m building angle to planned 54 degree inclination
* Current operation at 06:00 on September 21st, drilling ahead in C-Sands at 3016m

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Fletcher Challenge
Drilling & Production Testing Report
For the week ending 20/09/2000

Country : Canada

Block Area: Bashaw
or Prospect

Well Name : 7-5-42-22 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 13/09/2000.
* Cased for BBR gas.
* Rig Released: 16/09/2000.

Block Area: Michichi
or Prospect

Well Name : 4-27-29-17 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 12/09/2000.
* Ran abandonment plugs.
* Rig Released: 15/09/2000.

Block Area: Dinosaur
or Prospect

Well Name : 10-3-30-19 W4M
or Location

Objective : An Exploration well testing Nisku Oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 12/09/2000.
* Drilling ahead.

Block Area: Bashaw
or Prospect

Well Name : 12-1-42-23 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 17/09/2000.
* Run logs.

Block Area: Fenn Big Valley
or Prospect

Well Name : 6-29-35-19 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 15/09/2000.
* Cased for BBR gas.
* Rig Released: 17/09/2000.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Rolleston No 18 a gas development well situated approximately 800 metres east of Rolleston No 13, latitude 24 deg 32 min 30.35 sec south, longitude 148 deg 37 min 40.36 sec east, was spudded at 19:00 hours on September 18, 2000. At 06:00 hours today the rig was at a depth of 340 metres RT and drilling ahead. 245mm surface casing was set at 160.2 metres RT progress for the week was 340 metres.

The primary targets of the well are the sands of the Freitag formation and of the upper Aldebaran sandstone with the Mantuan formation being a secondary target. The proposed total depth of the well is 1030 metres RT.

DIORO EXPLORATION (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Board of Dioro Exploration provides the following update on activities at its 49% owned Mungari Joint Venture Project near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

MAIN POINTS

* The recently completed and highly successful 8,031 metre drilling program carried out at the Frog's Leg prospect comprised the following.

Reverse Circulation ("RC"): 4,594m
Diamond core (land): 1,288m
Diamond core (lake margin): 1,478m
Diamond core (lake): 671.3m
Aircore (lake margin): 494m

* Two styles of gold mineralisation (viz "quartz lode" and "contact zone" mineralisation) are recognised in different parts of the prospect. (Note: the contact zone mineralisation is similar in style to the Hornet-Rubicon-Pegasus mineralisation along the ABC mineralised zone outside of the Mungari Joint Venture tenements immediately to the north of Frog's Leg prospect);

* The total strike length of the Frog's Leg mineralisation has been extended by almost 50% to 1,100 metres (1.1km), increasing the potential for the discovery of additional resources;

* The mineralised trend remains "open" along strike to the north and South of existing drilling, and at depth below current drilling levels;

* A geological and structural review is underway ahead of a re-estimation of resources that will include all the latest drilling at the Frog's Leg prospect;

* A further phase of combined RC and diamond core drilling totalling 2,750 metres will be carried out to test a number of targets.

EXCO RESOURCES (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SUMMARY

* Exploration drilling continuing at Mount Margaret where targets include Falcon gravity gradiometer anomalies;

* The Strathfield prospect, drilled in 1999, has a mineral resource of 490,000 tonnes grading 1.3% copper and 0.2g/t gold using a 0.7% copper cut-off grade, and

* Exco recently granted tenements near the Eloise copper-gold mine.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Update on Louisiana Drilling Activity
CLEAR BRANCH FIELD, JACKSON PARISH, NORTH LOUISIANA.

TERRY EWING NO 1 WELL

A completion rig moves on location tomorrow to commence production testing of the Cotton Valley formation in the Terry Ewing No 1 well. The Cotton Valley will be perforated "underbalanced" through tubing. Initially the well will be produced naturally (without stimulation) while pressure build up tests are run. To prevent formation damage, it is planned to produce the well at less than full capacity while the productive properties of the Cotton Valley are evaluated.

A flow line and surface production equipment are currently being constructed and should be in place to enable gas sales by 30 September. The nearest gas sales line is 200 feet from the wellbore and connects with the Louisiana State Gas Pipeline. A Gas Transportation Agreement has been signed with Louisiana State Gas, LLC. October gas on Nymex is currently US$5.34 per thousand Cubic feet.

WILLAMETTE NO 2 WELL

The Operator has presented initial plans for the drilling of 8 wells within the discovery. Further wells may be drilled during the project life that could exceed 15 years. The participants have contracted a second well, the Willamette No 2, a test of the Blue and Yellow Hosston Sands at a revised location approximately 2,000 feet to the north of the No 1 well. A rig is scheduled to arrive during the first week of November.

LAKE LONG FIELD, LAFOURCHE PARISH, SOUTH LOUISIANA
STATE LEASE 328 NO 6 WELL

Due to surging natural gas prices the participants have opted to produce from the "14 Series" gas sands presently behind pipe in lieu of earlier plans to add the "C" oil Sand to the production stream in the No 6 wellbore. This procedure will be performed by a wirefire barge during the next two weeks. It is estimated the 14 Series Sands (between 8,780 and 8,795 feet) will produce at an approximate rate of 1.5 million cubic feet of gas per day with associated condensate. Several other zones remain behind pipe and will be produced prior to returning to the "F" Sand that has been producing oil since mid 1977. The SL 328 No 6 well is connected to the Columbia Gas Pipeline System enabling immediate sales.

STATE LEASE 328 NO 7 WELL (NW SEGMENT PROSPECT)

The SL 328 No 7 well at Lake Long has been approved by the participants with timing now dependent upon barge rig availability. The SL 328 No 7 well will test the NW Segment Prospect at Lake Long and is likely to spud during November.

The prospect will require the drilling of a deviated well to evaluate thirteen Miocene zones, eleven of which are productive in a major field fault block immediately south and adjacent to the NW Segment Fault Block. The southern block has produced 25 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Plans call for the test well to be drilled from a barge rig to a true vertical depth of 12,000 feet. The prospect is supported by a modern grid of 3D seismic tied to sub surface well control. Numerous bright spots are evident on seismic.

A well drilled in 1949 intersected 15 feet of gas bearing sands at the 5,500-foot Sand interval which were not produced at the time due to low gas prices. The field is supported by existing infrastructure, connected to Columbia Gas Pipeline System.

MARLBOROUGH RESOURCES (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Marlborough Resources NL announces the following progress on the Ardlethan Tin Project.

1. It has now formally signed all financing documentation with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This $5.65 million financing facility should cover more than 100% of the remaining costs for mining equipment, treatment plant, bonds, infrastructure, commissioning and contingency for the Ardlethan Tin Project.

2. The Company has taken advantage of the current exchange rate (which is so favourable to exporters) to sell forward about 70% of its estimated revenue in US Dollars over the first four years of operations. Over this period, US$9.6 million has been sold forward, starting on 1 December 2001. This decision was taken with the support of the Commonwealth Bank and it covers more than 100% of the estimated cash operating costs for the Ardlethan project plus 150% of estimated interest costs and capital repayments over that period.

3. Current tin price in Australian dollars is about A$10,100 per tonne, compared with estimated Ardlethan cash operating costs of about A$3,000 per tonne plus smelting and transport costs of about A$1,500 per tonne.

4. Discussions have been held with several major groups about also forward selling its estimated physical tin production, while tin price in Australian Dollar terms is at a 10 year high (as shown on the attached graph). The current price is well above the price of A$8,650 per tonne used in the Feasibility Study.

5. With these higher prices, the Company has recently estimated that it should generate about $11,000,000 of surplus cash from operations over its first three years of production (before interest and tax). In particular about $4 million of surplus cash should be generated in its first full year of production, compared with an estimated capital cost of about $4.2 million.

6. Work on recommissioning the water pipeline to the mine site, obtaining all Government and environmental approvals for the project and finalising process design is proceeding according to schedule.

In conclusion, the Ardlethan Tin project is progressing well and record movements in Australian Dollar tin price and exchange rate should be of major benefit to the project.

NIDO PETROLEUM (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Nido Petroleum Limited announces its withdrawal from block GSEC-95, SW Palawan Basin, in the Philippines.

Nido entered into the block in March 1998, holding 100% of the interest and under the terms of the contract, purchased, acquired, processed and interpreted 2,500 line km of seismic data. The work resulted in a number of small to medium sized leads and prospects, which are likely to be gas prone. Due to the lack of production infrastructure in the area, Nido Petroleum has elected to withdraw from the block to avoid further expenditure given the long lead-time for any new discoveries.

The withdrawal will allow Nido to concentrate on its core acreage in the NW Palawan Basin, adjacent to Shell/Texaco/PNOC-EC's Malampaya development.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (21 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that Apache Energy Ltd, Operator of WA-261-P, has advised that the Rhebok-1 exploration well is expected to commence drilling on or about Friday 22nd September, 2000. The jackup drilling rig Ensco-56 is currently on location at Tusk-1 in WA-246-P, and the rig will be released to Rhebok-1 on completion of Tusk-1.

The Rhebok Prospect is located approximately 4km to the south of the nearby Stag Oil Field, and will be targeting the updip pinchout of the M Australis sand, that is the oil reservoir in the Stag Oil Field. The Stag Oil Field, currently producing at 25,000 BOPD, has estimated recoverable reserves of 45 MMBO.

The Rhebok Prospect has been interpreted from seismic data to have potential reserves of up to 45 MMBO, if oil is present.

The proposed Total Depth of the well of 1,082 metres will also allow penetration of the underlying Jurassic Athol Formation (containing oil in the recent Chamois-1 well) and Triassic Mungaroo Formation. These formations are not objectives but will provide useful information for further prospect generation.

ALCASTON MINING NL (20 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Company's Swedish subsidiary, Alcaston Diamond Exploration AB, has advised that the initial analysis of its previous northern summer orientation program samples is near completion.

The Swedish subsidiary is currently conducting an extensive reconnaissance sampling program, which will include additional sampling up stream from this positive sample result in order to more accurately define a target area for more detailed evaluation.

SMC RESOURCES (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

June 2000 Quarterly Report
SUMMARY

March Quarter unaudited nett loss of $382,746.
June Quarter unaudited nett loss of $369,564
June Quarter Cost per Ounce Produced.
June Quarter Cash Operating Cost @ $AUD 484 per Ounce Produced
March Quarter Cash Operating Cost @ $AUD424 per Ounce Produced
Gold production -
June Quarter - mined 23,643 tonnes @ 5.37 g/t gold & Low Grade 2,700 tonnes @ 2.68 g/t
June - 7,705 tonnes @ 4.36 g/t & Low Grade 2,700 tonnes @ 2.68 g/t;
May - 7,613 tonnes @ 4.83 g/t ; and
April - 8,325 tonnes @ 6.79 g/t.
Recommenced mining the Far Fanning open cut deposit after pro-longed wet season.
The Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the telecommunications business will now probably be held in September, 2000.

ASHTON MINING (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Ashton Mining Limited announces that it has agreed on the formation of an incorporated joint venture with Alrosa Company Limited (Alrosa) to discover and develop diamond deposits in the Russian Republic of Karelia. Alrosa is the Russian company which is responsible for most of Russia's production and sales of diamonds. The agreement follows negotiations which commenced in January this year and culminated in signature of the necessary supplementary agreement by the Karelian government on 14 September 2000.

GINDALBIE GOLD (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Gindalbie Gold NL has announced that it had entered in to an option to purchase the Marymia Treatment Plant from Homestake Gold of Australia Ltd.

The option allows Gindalbie Gold NL time to complete its Feasibility Studies before purchasing and relocating the plant to site at Minjar in the South Murchison.

GULLEWA (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

PROCEEDS FROM SALE OF MINERAL ASSETS - UP TO $1.5M

Gullewa has entered into two option and sale agreements for the gold resources and processing plant, with a combined exercise price of $1,020,000. In addition, a gross royalty of 1% will be earned by the Company with additional projected revenue in the short term of approximately $500,000, bringing the total expected proceeds to exceed over $1,520,000.

The Company has entered into two option agreements with King Solomon Mines for the sale of its mineral assets located at Gullewa.

The first option relates to the sale of the Company's CIL plant, camp, mine infrastructure and the tenements on which these items are located. KSM will pay Gullewa $20,000 for this option which is for a term of 6 weeks. KSM may exercise the option by paying Gullewa $300,000 and granting Gullewa a 1% gross royalty on future production.

The second option relates to the sale of the remaining tenements held wholly by Gullewa and Gullewa's interest in the joint venture with Australian Gold Resources NL. This option is for a fixed term of 15 months unless the option is exercised. KSM will pay Gullewa a $10 deposit for this option and may exercise the option by paying Gullewa $699,990 and granting Gullewa a 1% gross production royalty. KSM will be responsible for maintaining the tenements in good standing during the term of the second option.

PAN AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Pan Australian Resources NL has announced that it has entered into a Call Option Agreement with Normandy Anglo Pte Ltd to acquire an 80% interest in Phu Bia Mining Ltd, a Company based in Laos.

Phu Bia Mining is a wholly owned subsidiary of Normandy Anglo, a 50/50 joint venture company owned by Normandy Mining Limited and Anglo American plc, which holds a Mineral Exploration and Production Agreement (MEPA) with the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

TAP OIL (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Tap Oil NL advises that the Tusk-1 exploration well which spudded on 8 September 2000 has drilled to a total depth of 2,020 metres measured depth.

LOCATION

The well is located in WA-246-P, 20 kilometres west of the Stag Oil Field, and 5 km north of the recent oil discovery in Oryx-1, at latitude 20deg14'44.19"S and longitude 116deg08'08.66"E.

PROGRESS

As at 6.00am Monday 18 September, the well has drilled ahead to the total depth of 2,020 metres measured depth. Wireline logs including fluid sampling, pressure testing and sidewall cores have been obtained.

Three oil bearing sandstones have been intersected within the Athol Formation over the intervals of 1,162 to 1,173 metres, 1,183 to 1,187 metres and 1,205 to 1,222 metres measured depth. Oil was recovered on wireline sampling (RDT tool) at depths of 1,166 metres (17 degree API) and 1,217 metres (18 degree API). No oil/water contacts have been identified. Reservoir quality of the sandstones is uncertain from the log data, therefore a sidetrack of the well and full core programme of the Athol formation sandstone oil bearing reservoirs has been commenced.

In addition an oil column of 10 metres has been intersected at the top of the Triassic Mungaroo Formation at a depth of 1,297 metres measure depth with an oil/water contact established at a depth of 1,307 metres. Reservoir quality of these sandstones is good. Oil was recovered on wireline sampling at a depth of 1,300 metres with an API gravity of 18.

TAP COMMENT

This discovery follows on from the previous discovery of oil in similar Athol Formation sandstones in the Oryx-1 well, 5 kms to the south within the adjacent permit WA-209-P. Any development decision for the Tusk discovery would likely be in association with the Oryx oil discovery and tied back by pipeline to the Stag Oil Field 20 kms to the east.

FORWARD PLAN

The well has since been plugged back to 1,090 metres and sidetracked. Current operations are to cut a core over the sidetrack interval of 1,162 to 1,222 metres comprising the Athol Formation sandstones to determine the reservoir quality.

PETROZ (19 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Petroz advises that the sustained improvement in production resulting from remedial work carried out on wells and production facilities on the Elang/Kakatua/Kakatua North Oil Fields in the Timor Sea Zone of Co-operation during the first half of this year has resulted in a further increase in recoverable reserves.

Average daily production for the period 1 August to 13 September 2000 was 20,370 barrels of oil per day.

GOLDEN CROSS (18 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Annual Report 2000

HIGHLIGHTS

Drill results of up to 6m at 17.59 g/t gold at Laverton gold project in WA.
Drill results of up to 14m at 7.31% zinc, 3.58% lead, 0.52% g/t gold and 100 g/t silver at Kempfield silver-barite project in NSW.
Four projects farmed out to major mining companies seeking world-class deposits.
WMC farmed in to GCR's Broken Hill platinum-base metals project.
After acquiring the interests of its joint venture partners, GCR holds 100% of:
- Copper Hill gold-copper-palladium porphyry project.
- Cargo gold-copper-molybdenum porphyry project.
- West Wyalong gold-copper project.
GCR changed its status from "No Liability" to "Limited" in order to consider diversification opportunities.

PAN AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

PAN AUSTRALIAN ENTERS AN OPTION AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE MAJORITY STAKE IN LAOS COPPER & GOLD PROJECTS FROM
NORMANDY ANGLO PTE LTD

Pan Australian Resources N.L. has entered into a Call Option Agreement with Normandy Anglo Pte Ltd to acquire an 80% interest in Phu Bia Mining Ltd, a company registered in Laos.

Phu Bia Mining is a wholly owned subsidiary of Normandy Anglo and is party to a Mineral Exploration and Production Agreement ("MEPA") with the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic ("Laos"). Normandy Anglo is a company owned by Normandy Mining Limited (50%) and Anglo American plc (50%).

The MEPA incorporates an extensive Contract Area that contains projects that fit well with Pan Australian’s Puthep Copper Project in Thailand.

The Puthep Project in Thailand is located less than a three-hour drive along major arterial roads from the Friendship Bridge border crossing (over the Mekong River between Thailand and Vientiane in Laos).

The main project within the Contract Area is the Phu Kham Project (100 kilometres north-east of the Laos capital, Vientiane) where Normandy Anglo identified a potential mineral resource of 400 million tonnes @ 0.44% copper and 0.20 g/t gold after applying a 0.1% copper cut-off. Normandy Anglo’s evaluation of the Phu Kham Project was focused on large-scale mining and the production of a copper/gold concentrate.

SUN RESOURCES (18 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Operator, Apache Energy Ltd has advised Rhebok 1 in WA-261-P should now spud on or about Thursday, 21 September 2000. The Ron Tappmeyer rig is currently northwest of the site on location in WA-209-P Tusk 1.

Rhebok 1 in WA-261-P is targeting a Lower Cretaceous M Australis Sand pinch out trap prospect up dip of the Stag Oilfield at -694 to 720 metres (RT) depth. The Stag Oilfield to the northeast is currently producing at 33,000 barrels of oil per day from the same target reservoir, locally called the Stag Sand. The prospect has potential mean to P10 case reserves of 17 to 45 million barrels of oil recoverable assuming oil is present in the target sands.

The final depth of the well will be 1,084 metres (RT). The increased depth will allow testing of older inferred pinch out sands in the Mid Jurassic Athol Formation and the Triassic Mungaroo Formation. The deeper and older secondary target sands are of strong interest based on the results of the recently completed Chamois 1 and Oryx 1 wells to the west and northwest respectively where traps containing sands of these ages once contained significant accumulations of Stag type oil.

GUNSON RESOURCES (18 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Gunson's Coburn heavy mineral sands deposit has drilled to a mineralised zone 14km long, 1.2km wide and 33cm thick, named Amy. The average grade from panning is 0.9 per cent heavy minerals with grades increasing near the base of the zone to an average 1.8 per cent.

MOSAIC OIL (18 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The oil flow at the Tinker Complex (reported 4th September) from East Glen No 1 continues at 370 barrels a day through a 1/3 inch choke with an estimated 600,000 cubic ft/day gas. No statement about reserves can be made at the present time and testing of oil in three other wells from the same zone situated 2 kms, 4 kms and 6 kms north of East Glen will occur in late October with the installation of plunger gas/oil lift systems. Mosaic's net oil production continues to be in excess of 500 barrels of oil per day for the month of September.

ANGLOGOLD / ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited announces that it has secured the consent of its banks for an extension of both the US$100 million Bridge Facility and the date for completion of the sale of a 50% interest in its Geita gold mine in Tanzania to AngloGold Limited until 31 October, 2000. The extension provides further time for the Company and its banks to seek to finalise revisions to Ashanti's financing arrangements in connection with the Geita transaction, which have taken longer to negotiate than was initially anticipated owing, inter alia, to inter-creditor issues. The Company has notified AngloGold that it currently wishes to extend the deadline for satisfaction of the conditions of the transaction until 31 October, 2000.

BUKA MINERALS (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Shareholder Update:

LADY LORETTA ZINC PROJECT

Since June, Noranda has been working diligently on the Lady Loretta feasibility study, due for completion in mid November. This feasibility study is all encompassing and embraces all considerations relevant to a full project development, including site infrastructure, mining and processing options, all community, health and environmental issues, and full economic assessment.

Buka expects Noranda to use the findings of this feasibility study as a basis for its decision whether to exercise its option. Noranda has advised it will notify Buka by 22 November of its decision.

LADY ANNIE COPPER PROJECT

Previous work has led to published resource estimates of over 100,000 tonnes of contained copper. At the current copper price and $A exchange rate, the in ground (gross) copper value exceeds A$340 million. (This does not represent a net value, which requires more work to establish)

Noranda is a major world copper producer and, due to the smaller relative size of Lady Annie, Buka management holds the view that Noranda is less likely to elect to acquire this asset as it simply may not meet Noranda's minimum size hurdle. The decision, however, is Noranda's alone.

Buka management regards Lady Annie as a valuable undeveloped copper resource, regardless of whether it meets Noranda's size criteria or not, Buka remains confident that substantial value can be realised for this asset in due course.

ROC OIL (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Drilling Activity Update-Saltfleetby-5

1. ONSHORE UK: SALTFLEETBY-5 (ROC: 100%)

Since the last update on this well (11 September 2000) the production testing of the Namurian reservoir has been successfully completed with production rates of up to 20 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd). Valuable reservoir production and pressure information has been gathered. The well is now being prepared for completion as the first Saltfleetby production well in the Namurian reservoir formation. The permanent completion should be installed by the end of September. The Saltfleetby-5 well will be tied into the existing production facilities with production expected to commence by early November.

2. UK NORTH SEA: THE KYLE NORTH EAST APPRAISAL WELL (ROC: 12.5%)

Since the last Drilling Activity Update (8 September 2000), the Kyle 29/2c-13 appraisal well (also known as the Kyle Northeast well) has had the 7th production liner placed across the oil bearing formations. Operations are continuing in preparation for production testing and subsequent potential completion and suspension as a Kyle production well. Production testing is forecast to occur towards the end of September.

3. EAST GOBI BASIN, MONGOLIA: IRWES-1 (ROC: 100%)

Since the last drilling activity update, the well has been drilled to 743 metres in 12(1/4) inch hole, logged, and 9(5/8) inch casing has been run and cemented in place. The logging indicated very porous sands (with average porosity in excess of 20%) over a gross section of approximately 400 metres, but no oil bearing intervals. The well will now be drilled out of the 9(5/8) inch casing towards the total target depth of 1300 metres.

AUSTPAC RESOURCES (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Austpac Resources NL announces that it has acquired NM Rothschild and Sons (Australia) Group (Rothschild) 10% interest in the ERMS and EARS Technology Joint Venture for 5,000,000 fully paid ordinary Austpac Resources NL shares.

Austpac now holds 100% of the ERMS and EARS technologies and is the beneficiary of any revenues generated by their commercialisation.

The Indian project is continuing to progress well, with preliminary design and costing for the first ERMS plant essentially complete. The AusRutile joint venture partners (Austpac, Ticor and Indian Rare Earths Limited) are examining the various options for this plant. Approvals from relevant authorities to allow AusRutile's project to move into the next phase of its development are expected within the next month or so.

AMITY OIL (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Rig mobilisation for the Gocerler-1 well commenced a few days ago and is proceeding on schedule. Rig-up is in progress and spud of the well is expected early next week.

Gocerler-1 is the first of two wells to test two separate four way dip closures 15 kilometres apart, both with seismic amplitude anomalies indicative of the presence of gas.

BHP (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

BHP has announced approval for the development of the Echo/Yodel Gas Condensate field on the North West Shelf in Western Australia.

The field, located south west of the Goodwyn Alpha platform, is initially scheduled to produce about 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate (BHP share 5000 bpd). Production is expected to commence in 2002 and will enhance condensate production from the larger Goodwyn field facilities.

The development of the Echo/Yodel field is consistent with BHP's strategy to undertake selected incremental brownfield developments aimed at maximising near term cashflow through low cost projects associated with existing producing assets.

The Echo/Yodel field will produce 51 million barrels (mmb) of condensate and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (BHP Share 8.5 mmb) and 0.4 tcf of gas (BHP Share 0.067 tcf) over a four to five year period.

EMPEROR MINES (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Emperor Mines Limited announces that the Fiji Government has agreed to A$1.75M worth of reductions in government duties and taxes on Emperor's Fiji mining operations over the next six months.

The government has provided this assistance to "help preserve a vital national industry with good potential for long term growth". This assistance will allow Emperor to continue at planned full production.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

FLETCHER CHALLENGE ENERGY
DRILLING SUMMARY REPORT
FOR WEEK ENDING 13/09/2000

Country : Canada

Block Area: Eva
or Prospect

Well Name : 16-18-35-11 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Viking Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 06/09/2000.
* Cased for Viking Gas.
* Rig Released: 09/09/2000.

Country : Canada

Block Area: Rumsey
or Prospect

Well Name : 7-8-33-22 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 06/09/2000.
* Cased for BBR Gas.
* Rig Released: 09/09/2000.

Country : Canada

Block Area: Unwin
or Prospect

Well Name : A3-26-46-28 W3M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Sparky Oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 06/09/2000.
* Cased for Sparky Oil.
* Rig Released: 08/09/2000.

Country : Canada

Block Area: Michichi
or Prospect

Well Name : 4-27-29-17 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Basal Belly River Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 12/09/2000.
* Drilling ahead.

Country : Canada

Block Area: Dinosaur
or Prospect

Well Name : 10-3-30-19 W4M
or Location

Objective : An Exploration well testing Nisku Oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 12/09/2000.
* Drilling ahead.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE ENERGY
DRILLING & PRODUCTION TESTING REPORT
FOR WEEK ENDING 13/09/2000

Country : New Zealand

Block Area: PML381012
or Prospect

Well Name : MB-6
or Location

Objective : Deviated development well primarily targeting Maui B D1.6 (3028 m true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS)) and D1.10 (3073 m TVDSS) oil reservoirs).

Current Status : * Following success on MB-7 decision taken to proceed with deviated side-track well from MB-6.

* Performed remedial cementation in 7" liner. Plugged back into 9(5/8)" casing.

* Current operation at 0600hrs 14th September, running in with whipstock assembly to mill window in 9(5/8)" casing for 8(1/2)" sidetrack.

GOLD MINES OF SARDINIA (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Half Yearly Report

OPERATING RESULTS POSITIVE - FURTEI PRODUCTION EXCEEDS PREDICTIONS OSILO TRIAL MINE ON HOLD

* Revenue from bullion sales increases slightly over second-half 1999

* Gold production from oxide sources at Furtei exceeds budget predictions

* Osilo trial mining on hold

GUNSON RESOURCES (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Since the Company's latest quarterly report on 31st July 2000, considerable progress has been made with the reconnaissance drilling programme on the Coburn heavy mineral sand tenements near Shark Bay in Western Australia. Drilling has been suspended for several weeks to enable the evaluation of results to date but is scheduled to recommence in late September.

Approximately 260 holes have been completed in this programme, along widely spaced traverses averaging 2 kilometres apart, to establish the overall geometry of the heavy mineral zones. A northerly trending zone of mainly dune hosted mineralisation approximately 14 kilometres long, 1.2 kilometres wide and 33 metres thick has been defined in the south western part of the area. This zone, known as the Amy zone, extends to the surface and is open along strike to the south, as shown on the attached diagrams: figures 1 and 2.

MAGELLAN PETROLEUM AUSTRALIA (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Magellan Petroleum announces that it has further expanded its exploration acreage portfolio on Australia's North West Shelf with the addition of interests in two exploration permits, WA-306-P and WA-307-P, in the Rowley Sub-basin of the offshore Canning Basin. The Company now has interests ranging from 17.5 percent to 100 percent in eight exploration permits covering 36,000 square kilometres in the highly prospective North West Shelf and Timor Sea regions. Three of the permits are operated by Magellan.

In the latest initiative, the Company is acquiring 37.5 percent working interests in each of WA-306-P and WA-307-P. These permits were awarded to Antrim Energy and Rawson Resources by the Commonwealth - Western Australia Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, as part of the recent release of offshore exploration areas. Antrim Energy, a Canadian company, will be operator of the joint venture. Other successful bidders awarded interests in adjacent permits during this acreage licensing round included subsidiaries of Shell, BHP Petroleum, Kerr-McGee and Texaco.

SANTOS (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 14/09/2000

WELL: Queensland Rolleston 17
TYPE: Gas Appraisal Development
LOCATION: PL 42, Dension Trough, Qld 0.44 km WSW of Rolleston
17, and some 140km N of Roma
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Installing replacement blow out preventor prior to
completing the well. Several flow tests were
conducted while drilling through the Freitag and
Aldebaran Sandstone. The final flow test conducted
over the interval 879m to 1332m through a 15.9mm
surface choke flowed gas at 120,347 cubic metres per
day (4.25 million cubic feet per day). The well
reached a total depth of 1351m with 473m progress for
the week
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2083m

WELL: OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Antelope 1
TYPE: Oil Exploration
LOCATION: WA 209P, Carnarvon Basin WA 9km E of the Saffron oil
and gas discovery, 12km ENE of Lepus 1 and some 80km
NW of Dampier
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Antelope 1 has been plugged and abandoned. As
previously reported the well reached a total depth of
2040m with no progress for the week. The rig was
released on 07/09/2000
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2082m
WELL: Cowle 5m

TYPE: Oil Development
LOCATION: TL 4, Offshore Barrow sub basin. 12km SSW from
Thevenard Island
STATUS AT
13/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead after running 340mm casing. Cowle
5m spudded at 00:00 hours on 11/09/2000
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2757m MD
1097m TVD

WELL: USA Runnels #3
TYPE: Gas Exploration
LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Malagorda County, Texas
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead at 3118m with 1151m progress for the
week
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 1394m

SANTOS (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 14/09/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Moomba 119DW
TYPE: Oil Exploration
LOCATION: PPL 9, Moomba Block, 0.17km WNW of Moomba 2, 0.96km
SSW of Moomba 41, and some 7.5km SSE of the Moomba Gas
Plant.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Moomba 119DW has been completed as a Jurassic oil
discovery well. The well reached a total depth of
2313m with no progress for the week. The rig was
released on 09/09/2000.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2324m

WELL: Moomba 120DW
TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.4km SW of Moomba 7, 18km S of
Moomba 75, and some 10km E of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Moomba 120 spudded on 09/09/2000. Depth and progress
for the week is 1402m.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2761m

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Sarah 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Total 66 Block, 7km WNW of Epsilon 6, 7km N
of Moon 1, and some 115km SW of the Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Sarah 1 has been plugged and abandoned. The well
reached a total depth of 2480m with 181m progress for
the week. The rig was released on 13/09/2000.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2478m

WELL: Windigo 2
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259, Naccowlah Block, 0.8km NW of Windigo 1, 4.7km
E of Judga North 1, and some 30km E of the Ballera Gas
Centre.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Running wireline logs. Windigo 2 reached a total depth
of 2650m with 280m progress for the week.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2612m

WELL: Kananda 1
TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration
LOCATION: ATP 259P, Innamincka Block, 4.1km SE of Durham Downs
3, 8.9km NE of Keilor 1, and some 30km N of the
Ballera Gas Centre.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Condition hole prior to running wireline logs. Kananda
1 reached a total depth of 2866m with 566m progress
for the week.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2816m

SANTOS (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 14/09/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Big Lake 67
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.2km NNW of Big Lake 5, 0.7km
NE of Big Lake 52, and 17km SE of the Moomba Gas
Plant.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: The well has been cased and suspended as a Permian
gas producer. The well reached a total depth of
2966m with no progress for the week. The rig was
released on 09/09/00.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2968m

WELL: Big Lake 65
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.4km N of Big Lake 9, 0.3km
S of Big Lake 36, and some 13km SE of the Moomba Gas
Plant.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Big Lake 65 spudded on 12/09/00. Depth and progress
for the week is 632m.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 3031m

WELL: Merrimelia 39
TYPE: Gas Development
LOCATION: PPL 17, Merrimelia Innamincka Block, 0.5km NNW of
Merrimelia 22, 0.7km of Merrimelia 13 and some 40km
NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.
STATUS AT
14/09/2000
0600 HOURS: Merrimelia 39 spudded on 08/09/00. Depth and progress
for the week is 2068m.
PLANNED
TOTAL DEPTH: 2429m

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Oil Company of Australia Limited, on behalf of the PL 44 joint venture advises that:

Rolleston No 17 a gas development well, situated approximately 440 metres west south west of Rolleston No 13, latitude 24 deg 32 min, 30.60 sec south, longitude 148 deg 36 min 56.40 sec east, was spudded at 09:00 hours on August 31, 2000. 245 mm surface casing was set at 159.3 metres RT and 178 mm intermediate casing was set at 877.9 metres RT. Total depth of 1351 was reached at 20:30 hours, on September 11, 2000. At 06:00 hours Thursday the rig was installing a replacement blow out preventor prior to running completions equipment. Progress for the week was 473 metres.

OIL SEARCH (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Oil Search has announced that initial activities to relocate and repair the Moran Central flowline have been completed and the pipeline has been successfully pressure tested.

Oil Search has also announced that mobilisation to Papua New Guinea of the Ensco 50 drill rig, which will drill the Anama 1 well in PPL188, will commence on Saturday 16 September. It is expected that drilling operations will commence in the last week of September. Weekly operations reports will be released when drilling operations commence.

TITAN RESOURCES (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Titan Resources NL has forecast that its new metallurgical process for the biological recovery of nickel from base metal sulphide ores has the potential to alter the direction and economics of the nickel production industry.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Woodside Energy Ltd. has released details of its planned development of the Echo/Yodel Gas/Condensate field, south west of the Goodwyn Alpha platform on the North West Shelf.

The North West Shelf Venture partners have given final investment approval for the Echo/Yodel field development. The Echo/Yodel field is located in 140 metres of water, 120km north-west of Dampier and 23 km south-west of the Goodwyn Alpha platform and is being developed using sub-sea facilities. These facilities comprise two sub-sea production wells tied back to the platform via a 12 inch diameter pipeline. Production will be commingled with existing production on the Goodwyn platform, processed and exported to shore via the existing trunkline system.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (15 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Half Yearly Report

The Company has made significant progress towards its strategic objective of commercialising its Australian gas resources and becoming a major gas supplier to the Northern Territory and eastern Australia.

In March, Woodside and Shell signed a conditional Letter of Intent with Methanex Corporation for the supply of 110 petajoules of gas per year to a proposed large scale synthesis gas generation facility near Darwin in northern Australia. This is an important step towards securing a foundation customer to underpin the development and commercialisation of the Sunrise, Sunset and Troubadour (Greater Sunrise) gas and condensate fields, enabling the Company to pursue additional gas market opportunities in the Northern Territory and in eastern Australia.

MACMIN (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

MACMIN'S mining engineering consultants, (Tennent Isokangas Pty Ltd), have completed their block model of the Twin Hills Silver Project at Texas, Queensland. The resource statement, which is shown below, represents a modest increase on MACMIN'S internal resource calculation - from 14 million ounces of silver equivalent to 15.1 million ounces of silver equivalent.

More importantly, the medium/high grade resource (greater than 60g/t Ag), has increased in grade from 107g/t Ag to 132g/t Ag with contained silver equivalent increasing from 7.8 million ounces to 8.6 million ounces, (1.86mt as 132g/t Ag and 0.22g/t Au).

GIANTS REEF (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Giants Reef advises that it has signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Native Title Holders of the Tennant Creek region and the Central Land Council.

The agreement provides for 25 years of continuity of tenure and covers any present or future Exploration or Mining Tenement applications and development within the Phillip Creek and Tennant Creek Pastoral Leases.

MOUNT BURGESS GOLD MINING COMPANY (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

DRILLING - TSUMKWE DIAMOND PROJECT, NAMIBIA
(The Company earning 75%)

This is to inform you that the Company plans to commence drilling a number of aeromagnetic targets at its Tsumkwe diamond project in Namibia during the last week of September.

Processing of data from a 10,600 line kilometre ultra-detailed aeromagnetic programme flown for the Company during July is now complete and interpretation of the data has identified more than 40 targets considered prospective for kimberlite pipes or intrusions.
Many of the targets have been prioritised for drilling on the basis that they show coincident aerial photograph and satellite imagery anomalies.

The drilling programme is expected to comprise at least 3,000 metres of percussion drilling designed to intersect magnetic anomalies in the basement rocks underlying the Kalahari Formation. The Kalahari Beds comprise relatively young windblown and lithified sediments which are interpreted to overlie the prospective Mesozoic/Proterozoic basement rocks in which kimberlite intrusions may have been emplaced.
Such intrusions may account for the discovery of a macro diamond and other kimberlitic indicator minerals found by the Company's loam sampling programmes in the Tsumkwe project area.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Bligh Oil & Minerals NL advises that the Rimu B-1 well is drilling ahead at a depth of 4157 metres. A previous decision to run electric logs and casing at 4099 metres was reversed, in favour of drilling ahead to evaluate the Cretaceous section, at a depth of approximately 4500 metres. Hole condition has been generally good, but is being re-appraised an a daily basis. Electric logs and casing will both be run at total depth, as a prelude to the production testing which will follow.

The Rimu B-1 is located on PEP 38719 in the southern part of the onshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The well is situated approximately 2.4 kilometres south of the Rimu A-1 discovery well, which tested 1600 barrels per day of oil and 5 million cubic feet per day of gas from the Upper Tariki sandstones. The Rimu B-1 was intended to test the southern extent of the two cycles of Tariki sand which were encountered in the Rimu A-1 well, the upper of which yielded the above oil flow, while the lower tested oil and formation water. It was also intended to evaluate the degree of separation of the Rimu structure, from the larger and higher Kauri feature, to the southeast.

BEMAX / ILUKA RESOURCES (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Iluka's letter to BeMaX, dated 26 August 2000, stated that between 20 and 23 August Iluka unintentionally drilled 17 holes on the southern boundary of EL 5474 which is held by the BIP Mineral Sands Joint Venture.

Iluka believes it should clarify the following in light of BeMaX's announcement.

1. The area that was the subject of the drilling referred to in Iluka's letter was previously part of Iluka's tenement, EL 5437. The error occurred as a result of the recent shift in the tenement boundary position by 150-200m to the south-west by the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

As soon as Iluka became aware of the error, no further drilling was conducted. BeMaX was subsequently informed of the drilling and all data (including visual estimates of Heavy Mineral Concentrate) and samples were handed over to BeMaX.
The New South Wales Department of Mineral Resources has been informed of these matters.

2. At the time of the drilling program, before the error was discovered, Iluka made visual estimates of the Heavy Mineral Concentrate in the drill samples from EL 5474 provided to BeMaX. These estimates suggested that the mineralisation was of limited size and of low economic potential.

CENTENNIAL COAL COMPANY (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

2000 SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

* Net profit before abnormals - $1.0 million
* Net profit after tax $1.3 million
* Cash cost per saleable tonne improved by 6%
* Average sales revenue per tonne - down by 11%
* Final dividend - 2.5 cents per share
(unfranked)
* Total dividend - 5.0 cents per share
(unfranked)
OTHER

* ROM production under management - 2.6 million tonnes per annum

* Centennial's share of ROM production under management - 2.2 million tonnes per annum

* Centennial's share of tonnes sold - 2.2 million tonnes per annum

* Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate - improved by a further 18%

* Continued balance of domestic and long term export contracts

* Near completion of Centennial consortium purchase of Springvale Colliery which is strongly cash generative and will make a significant contribution to FY2001 profitability

DOME RESOURCES (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

The abridged results are:

2000
A$000's 1999
A$000's

Operating profit (loss) before abnormals and tax (6,982) 10,638

Abnormal Item 5,281 (2,387)

Operating profit (loss) before tax (1,701) 8,251

Tax 1,421 (2,285)

Operating profit (loss) after tax (280) 5,966

The abnormal item relates solely to unrealised foreign exchange gain on revaluation of intercompany balances. Overall, realised and unrealised foreign exchange net gain during the year amounted to A$4,874,073. Two factors, which impacted on the result were the depreciation of both the PNG Kina and the spot value of gold.

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of a fully franked 0.5 cents per share. No final dividends were proposed or declared by the Directors.

Gold production for the year was in line with budget expectations and it is anticipated that these production levels will be at least maintained in the year to come. Open cut mining during the year provided quality ore tones and introduced some flexibility in the mining schedule. A thorough review of all the operational aspects of Tolukuma Gold Mine is currently being undertaken with the view of optimisation and hence improved cash flow and profitability. Near and on the mine exploration will be stepped up in the forthcoming year to enhance the resource base and to convert resources to reserves.

DRAGON MINING (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

FURTHER DRILLING RESULTS FROM SVARTLIDEN GOLD PROJECT

Dragon Mining NL has completed the reverse circulation and diamond drilling program, commenced in April of this year on its Svartliden Gold Project in Sweden. Since April a total of 3,448m of RC and 1,329m of HQ diameter diamond core drilling has been completed, comprising 80 RC holes, 10 diamond tails on RC holes and 3 wholly core holes. The latest batch of results contain further intercepts of high-grade mineralisation which continue to confirm the continuity and grades of lode systems. The results include:

SVC 068 7m @ 13.95g/t Au from 45m
SVC 071 12m @ 6.71g/t Au from 27m
4m @ 27.68g/t Au from 61m
SVC 074 24m @ 7.80g/t Au from 10m
SVC 076 21m @ 7.00g/t Au from 23m
SVC 080 12m @ 10.02g/t Au from 23m
SVC 046 22m @ 7.74g/t Au from 9m
9m @ 11.20g/t Au from 46m
SV0047 21m @ 18.47g/t Au from 15m
SV0048 19m @ 17.43g/t Au from 15m

PETROZ (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Petroz advises that the Bayu-Undan Operator, Phillips Petroleum has announced that a Letter of Intent has been executed between Phillips and Multiplex Construction Pty Ltd relating to the construction of an offshore gas pipeline from Bayu-Undan to Darwin.

The agreement covers engineering, design and survey work in preparation for the procurement, fabrication and installation of a subsea steel pipeline commencing at the Bayu-Undan gas condenstate field located in the Timor Gap Zone of Co-operation and extending 500 kilometres to Wickham Point in Darwin Harbour. Multiplex with support of its principal sub-contractors, Kvaerner, Saipem and EMC provided a lump sum, fixed cost price for installation of a base pipeline size along with options for several larger sizes.

PERSEVERANCE CORPORATION (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

The Directors announce a profit before tax and abnormals of A$342,019 for the year ended 30 June 2000. This compares with a profit before tax and abnormals for the previous year of A$605,318.

The abnormal item for the year represents the costs associated with the running and settlement of the Daley's Hill loss of amenity court action. This totalled A$1,657,800. This therefore gave the group a loss after tax and abnormal items for the year of A$1,315,781.

Since the settlement of the Daley's Hill litigation the Victorian Government has released a Consultation Paper on proposed amendments to the Victorian mining act. The directors welcome the proposed amendment to section 85 of the act that proposes that no claimant would get more than $10,000 for a loss of amenity claim. The proposed changes would also see the payment of legal costs limited to claimants' land actually affected by the mining operation. It is very encouraging to see this proposed change in legislation for all miners in Victoria but it is cold comfort for Perseverance shareholders.

Production at Fosterville declined from 38,412 ounces in 1999 to 23,035 ounces in 2000. Production at Fosterville during 2001 will decline while the EES for the Goornong South and Hallanan's deposits is being completed.

STRAITS RESOURCES (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Half Yearly Report

HIGHLIGHTS

* Sales revenue of $51.5 million

* Operating loss after tax of $3.0 million

* Cash flow generated by operations of $5.2 million

* Nifty and Girilambone copper production of 15,348 tonnes

* Cash operating cost of copper production averaged US$0.50 per pound

* Sebuku coal production of 740,000 tonnes

* Sale of 50% interest in Tritton copper project for $9 million completed

WEST OIL NL (14 SEPTEMBER 2000)

West Oil has had a number of enquiries regarding the likely spud date of the Coleraine-1 exploration well to be drilled in ZOCA 96-16 by Phillips Oil Company and in which it has a 10% free carried interest through the well and testing.

The Coleraine-1 well is due to be spudded using the Ocean General drill rig following completion of the Argus-1 exploration well. It is believed that due to operational circumstances further delays are anticipated with completion of the Argus-1 well and the handover of the rig to the ZOCA 96-16 joint venture.

While West Oil still does not have a firm date for the spudding of Coleraine-1 indications are that the spud date is now more likely to be late September or even early October.

AUSTINDO RESOURCES (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Half Yearly Financial Report

Review of Operations

During the six month period to 30 June 2000, the economic entity continued exploration activities at the Cibaliung project in West Java. Drilling commenced in March and at 30 June 2000 seven drill holes had been completed for a total of 1,760 metres.

The Company engaged an independent consultant to obtain expressions of interest from prospective purchasers of the Company's interest in the Saran Project in West Kalimantan. As no buyer or joint venture partner could be obtained the Directors resolved to commence action to terminate the Contract of Work and to proceed with the dissolution of PT Eastara Melawi Mineral.

The prospect of prolonged social, political and economic uncertainty in Indonesia remains of some concern to the Company. With senior management based in Indonesia and the involvement of PT Austindo Mining Corporation in the management of all operations, the Board of Directors is satisfied that the Company is as well placed as any to deal effectively with this situation. The bulk of the Company's cash reserves are maintained on deposit within Australia.

CPH INVESTMENT (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

CPH Investment Corp for the year ended 30th June 2000 made a profit before tax and abnormals of $1.7 million, which compares with a loss of $1.5 million for the prior year. After tax and abnormals there was a loss of $2.5 million, including an abnormal expense of $4.1 million related to the payout of the old management incentive fee, relating to the Fairfax investment, as approved by Unitholders at the special Unitholder meeting in May 2000.

The market value of the Fairfax holding has increased since the establishment of the Trust by $152.9 million, including $21.8 million during the financial year. This increase in investment value has not been recognised in the profit result, but has been credited to the asset revaluation reserve.

HERALD RESOURCES (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Through its 64% owned Canadian-listed subsidiary, International Annax Ventures Inc (IAX), Herald controls an 80% interest in the Sopokimil Contract of Work in the north-west of Sumatra, Indonesia. This property, which is 20% owned by Aneka Tambang (Indonesia's partly privatised state mining company), contains the exciting Dairi base metals discovery. Aneka Tambang may claw-back to a 30% equity.

Recent drilling results include better intercepts of 19.1 metres grading 16.0% zinc and 7.5% lead, 14.5 metres at 15.9% zinc and 9.0% lead and 10.2 metres at 17.0% zinc and 12.2% lead. The geology of the project area contains several complexities, however in the main area of focus at the southern end of the estimated four kilometre mineralised strike length, HER appears to have outlined a contiguous strike of at least 400 metres of high grade zinc-lead-silver ore to a vertical depth of at least 200 metres. The mineralised beds dip at approximately 45% to the east and are around 15-20 metres thick. Given the high specific gravity of the ore this small portion of the project area could alone contain five to ten million tonnes of high grade ore, which should be an economic proposition assuming there are no metallurgical complexities. In this regard, preliminary testwork has not raised any concerns.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Molopo Australia NL advises that it recently escorted a delegation of Australian brokers to visit its coalbed methane gas operations at Liulin, Shanxi Province, China.

Brokers representing five major stockbroker firms from across Australia made the journey with the purpose of gaining an insight into Molopo's operations at Liulin and to understand the energy problems facing China today and in the future.

NORWEST ENERGY (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Norwest Energy NL has had a number of continuing enquiries regarding the likely spud date of the Coleraine-1 exploration well to be drilled in ZOCA 96-16 in which it has a 14% interest.

The Coleraine-1 well is due to be spudded using the "Ocean General" drill rig following completion of the Argus-1 exploration well. It is believed that due to operational circumstances further delays are anticipated with completion of the Argus-1 well and the handover of the rig to the ZOCA 96-16 joint venture.

While Norwest does still not have a firm date for the spudding of Coleraine-1 indications are that the likely spud date is now more likely to be late September or even early October.

A further announcement will be made when the situation becomes clearer.

PETROZ (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

At 6.50pm on 12 September 2000, Petroz NL received a detailed merger proposal from Novus Petroleum Limited.

The proposal is to effect a merger by way of a Scheme of Arrangement pursuant to Part 5.1 of the Corporations Law. Petroz shareholders would exchange their shares for shares in Novus on the basis of one Novus share for every 4.5 Petroz shares held.

This equates to $0.42 cents for every Petroz share based on Novus’ weighted average price since the announcement of its half year results on 4 September ($1.88).

The Novus proposal was unsolicited and the Petroz Board has not had time to consider it in detail.

The Novus proposal requires Petroz Shareholder approval. Accordingly, it is the intention of the Board to adjourn the Shareholder meeting scheduled for 14 September 2000 to consider the Fletcher Challenge Energy proposal.

SEDIMENTARY HOLDINGS (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Sedimentary Holdings NL announce that agreement has been reached with Placer Dome Australia to explore for gold in the Beaufort region of western Victoria. The primary target is large sediment-hosted gold deposits.

It is expected that an initial drilling program within exploration licence EL4355, covering 112 square kilometres, will be completed within six months. Placer may earn a 70% interest in the area, by completing the initial program and spending a further $2.5 million within the following 3(1/2) years.

Sedimentary has been active in the region for ten years, mainly through alluvial gold production around Amphitheatre. The joint venture represents the next stage in the search for the source of the pervasive alluvial gold found in the region.

SMC RESOURCES (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Quarterly report on operations April-June 2000

SUMMARY

* March Quarter unaudited nett loss of $382,746. June Quarter unaudited nett loss of $369,564

* June Quarter Cost per Ounce Produced. June Quarter Cash Operating Cost @ $AUD 484 per Ounce Produced March Quarter Cash Operating Cost @ $AUD 424 per Ounce Produced

* Gold production June Quarter - mined 23,643 tonnes @ 5.37 g/t gold & Low Grade 2,700 tonnes @ 2.68 g/t June - 7,705 tonnes @ 4.36 g/t & Low Grade 2,700 tonnes @ 2.68 g/t; May - 7,613 tonnes @ 4.83 g/t; and April - 8,325 tonnes @ 6.79 g/t.

* Recommenced mining the Far Fanning open cut deposit after pro-longed wet season. * The Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the telecommunications business will now probably be held in September, 2000.

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Drillsearch Energy NL advises progress by its Canadian subsidiary, Circumpacific Energy Corporation, in drilling of the Lambert well, Alberta, Canada.

Well Name:
TLM Oiltech Lambert 5-4-52-22 W5M.
Area Location:
Lambert approximately 180 km west of Edmonton, Calgary, Canada
Report:
The operator, Talisman Energy Inc, reported at 4.00 pm, 11th September, 2000, (AEST), that the well had reached a depth of 3,737 metres. During the last 24 hours the setting of intermediate casing had been completed and drilling out of cement was underway.

Progress since the last report on 25th August, 2000, totalled 462 metres. In the 17 days since the last report drilling progress has been slow due principally to an unusual number of mechanical problems affecting the rig requiring replacement of pumps and other items.

After reaching 3,737 metres a full set of electric logs was run to the bottom of the hole. Following logging, a set of side wall cores were cut. Following that operation intermediate 244 mm casing was set.

It is proposed that the well will now drill ahead.

Proposed Total Well Depth:
4,799 metres. Anticipating to terminate in the Cambrian system.

MOSAIC OIL (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Mosaic Oil NL has reached an agreement with the existing co-venturers of ATP212P (OCA and Santos) and with Bass which has the right to earn up to 34.5% of OCA's 69% interest in the permit by fulfilling certain work in the permit under an agreement with OCA.

Mosaic has agreed to drill a well on a structure in ATP212P called Pembroke prior to December 15th this year. Mosaic will pay 85% of well costs to increase its interest to 60.6% in any Petroleum Lease which may be granted to a discovery at Pembroke. OCA may elect to earn a further 10% by paying 10% of well costs and so reduce Mosaic's interest to 50.6%.

RESOLUTE (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

The Board of Resolute has announced a consolidated net operating profit for the year ended 30 June 2000 of A$16.4m before tax and abnormal items.

A strong operational performance in the second half generated a profit before tax and abnormals of A$16.7m for the 6 months ended 30 June 2000.

Total gold production for the year ended 30 June 2000 was 375,191 ounces at a cash cost of A$314/oz. An average realised selling price of A$496/oz delivered a gross operating contribution of A$68.3m. This result was underpinned by Golden Pride, which produced 225,289 ounces of gold at a cash cost of A$253/oz.

Major initiatives undertaken in fiscal 1999/00 include:

* Total production; 375,191 ounces at a cash cost of A$314/oz.

* Acquisition of remaining 50% of Golden Pride for US$20 million funded by US$14 million cash-backed loan and US$6 million in cash.

* Increase to 15% in the Company's holding in AGR Ltd, owner of the Boroo Project in Mongolia, which recently announced a successful bankable feasibility study resulting in a resource base of approximately 2.4 million ounces, with an independent reserve of 1.1 million ounces of gold.

* Disposal of non-core investments.

* Material reduction in overheads.

* Ongoing exploration program focused on increasing mineable reserves.

* Resolute is readmitted to the FT Gold Index as annual production exceeded 300,000 ounces.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that it has an 18.5% indirect interest as at June 30, 2000 in proven and probable gas and oil recoverable reserves of 33.6 billion cubic feet of gas and 661,000 barrels of oil through its 18.5% shareholding in Kestrel Energy Inc.
The proved and probable gas and oil reserves reported by Kestrel Energy, Inc have a Net Present Value of US$49.8 million (A$89 million) at a discount rate of 10%.

Kestrel Energy, Inc issued a press release on September 11, 2000 reporting a 390% increase in total proven recoverable reserves of natural gas and a summary of the various recoverable proved and probable gas and oil reserve categories and their respective net present values in US dollars discounted at 10%.

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (13 SEPTEMBER 2000)

WA-5-L
CASTOR-1

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-5-L Joint Venture, reports that the Castor-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was running 9(5/8) inch casing at 0600 hrs WST on 12 September 2000. The current 12(1/4) inch hole depth is 3402 metres.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

WA-271-P
ENFIELD-3

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, reports that the Enfield-3 appraisal well located in the Exmouth Sub-basin was spudded at 03.30 hrs WST on 11 September 2000. The 36 inch hole was drilled to a depth of 635 metres. At 0600 hours WST on 12 September 2000 the operation was running 30 inch casing.

The well is being drilled by the Marine 500 drilling rig. The location is approximately 25 kilometres west of the Macedon/Pyrenees Field. Water depth at the location is 573 metres. Planned total depth is 2453 metres.

All reported depths (except water depth) are referenced to the rig
rotary table.

ANACONDA NICKEL (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

As a direct result of the development, construction, commissioning, modifications thereto and operations of the Murrin Murrin Nickel Cobalt project, (and detailed experience with other plants) Anaconda has developed and acquired several different process technologies. This has been combined into an overall process that allows significant operational, safety, capital and operating cost advantages that represent a technical and commercial breakthrough.

ASHTON MINING (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Ashton Mining of Canada reports that further drilling of kimberlite K252 has commenced on the Buffalo Hills property in north-central Alberta. A minimum of three tonnes of kimberlite will be recovered from four to six core holes. The objectives of the program are to more accurately delineate the size and shape of the kimberlite and to determine if commercial-size diamonds are present. The material will be tested for macrodiamonds using AMCI's dense media separation plant in North Vancouver.

Microdiamond results previously reported position K252 among the best kimberlites discovered by the Alberta joint venture to date. Earlier testing of 107.1 kg of kimberlite returned a total of 135 microdiamonds and eight macrodiamonds. Two of the macrodiamonds measure greater than 1.0 mm in at least two dimensions. K252 has two distinct phases, a fine- to medium-grained volcaniclastic kimberlite and a kimberlite breccia which has a slightly higher microdiamond content.

Coincident with the drilling of K252, summer ground geophysics and heavy mineral sampling programs are nearing completion on the Buffalo Hills property. The ground geophysical results will be used to identify drill targets for 2000 or early 2001. The detailed heavy mineral sampling program is being conducted to explain highly anomalous till samples that do not seem to be related to known kimberlite occurrences.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS NL (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

Since June 30, 2000 the Company participated in the Rimu B-1 discovery well in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, which was reported to the Australian Stock Exchange on September 4 and September 9, 2000.

On July 13, 2000 Bligh Oil & Minerals NL announced a fully underwritten 1 for 2 Rights Issue to Shareholders. The offering consisted of the right to subscribe for one new share for every 2 shares at a price of 12 cents, with 6 cents being payable upon acceptance and the remaining 6 cents being payable on or before February 15, 2001. Each new share issued pursuant to the Rights Issue was accompanied by one option to subscribe for a second share, exercisable at 15 cents on or before February 15, 2002. The Rights Issue closed on September 8, 2000 and will result in the issue of 67,007,703 partly paid shares and 67,007,703 options.

ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday October 20, 2000 at 4.00 pm in Ballroom A, Hilton Brisbane Hotel, 190 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane.

HOMESTAKE MINING (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Homestake Mining Company has announced that operations at its 100%-owned Homestake mine, located in Lead, South Dakota, would be completed within the next 16 months. During this period, all developed ore is expected to be mined out and processed to produce up to 240,000 ounces of gold at an average cash cost of $237 per ounce.

MONTO MINERALS (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

An assessment of the potential yield of Goondicum Ilmenite Bore No 1 indicates that the bore is capable of producing the allocated yield of 47.5 litres per second (1500 mega litres per year) and that this could be increased to 60 litres per second.

Monto Resources Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Monto Minerals NL, holds within the Mulgildie Basin, three water bore licences each with an allocation of 1500 mega litres per year.

Based on the limited data from the Mulgildie Basin a yield of 89 litres per second as estimated for the mining operation process water, should be sustainable for up to 15 years and possibly longer therefore covering the projected life of the mine.

RIMFIRE PACIFIC MINING (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Rimfire recently completed a further stream sediment and loam sampling programme at its 100% owned Bingara Diamond Project.

In total, 6000 kg of stream sample material from nine sites and 1200 kg of loam sample from 4 sites was reduced to 160 kg of heavy mineral concentrate.

These heavy mineral concentrates were dispatched to Independent Diamond Labratories in Perth on the 1 September 2000 for heavy media seperation of indicator minerals.

The indicator minerals will be forwarded to Dr Jane Barron for petrographic and geochemical analysis.

CONSOLIDATED MINERALS (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

Manganese producer Consolidated Minerals Ltd has reaped the benefits of two years hard work with a dramatic turnaround in full year profit and expectations of better times ahead.

The Company has announced a profit of $2.27 million for the 12 months to 30 June 2000, compared to a loss of $2.4 million for the previous year.

The result was made on turnover of $34.39 million ($3.75 million in 1998/99) and is the culmination of the successful re-birth of the Woodie Woodie manganese mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Consolidated Minerals re-commenced mining and processing operations at Woodie Woodie in June last year and in its first full year of operations produced 262,500 tonnes of manganese lump and fines ore for export to Europe and Asia.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (12 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that the Rhebok-1 exploration well, Operated by Apache Energy Ltd, is expected to commence drilling on or about 16th September, 2000. The jackup drilling rig Ensco-56 is currently on location at Tusk-1 in WA-246-P, and the rig will be released to Rhebok-1 on completion of Tusk-1.

The Rhebok Prospect is located approximately 4km to the south of the nearby Stag Oil field, and will be targeting the updip pinchout of the M Australis sand, that is the oil reservoir in the Stag Oil Field. The Stag Oil Field, currently producing at 25,000 BOPD, has estimated recoverable reserves of 45 MMBO.

The Rhebok Prospect has been interpreted from seismic data to have potential reserves of up to 45 MMBO, if oil is present.

The proposed Total Depth of the well of 1,084 metres will also allow penetration of the underlying secondary objectives in the Jurassic Athol Formation (containing oil in the, recent Chamois-1 well) and Triassic Mungaroo Formation.

BENDIGO MINING (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The New Bendigo Gold Project is well ahead of schedule due to the identification of its first bulk sampling target.

Bendigo Mining NL has identified a bulk sample target some 500 metres below surface and close to the current decline path.

One of the reefs, located some 600 metres below surface, had been identified previously and was bulk sampled in 1954. The 1954 results from a bulk sample of 130 tons reported an assay of 9.3 grams of gold per ton (9.3g Au/t).

The second reef is in the same ribbon structure and at a similar depth as the decline face and approximately 40 metres to the east of the tunnel.

The Swan decline is now 3.5 kilometres in length from the portal in Kangaroo Flat and is at a depth of 500 metres under the City of Greater Bendigo.

NEW HAMPTON GOLDFIELDS (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Underground mining to recommence at Big Bell.
Gold Production forecasts for Big Bell for the September Quarter 2000 and current financial year are expected to be met.

PAN PACIFIC PETROLEUM (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Pan Pacific Petroleum NL announces that drilling of the Tusk-1 exploration well in WA246P commenced at 1900 hours on September 8. At 0600 hours on September 10, the well was drilling ahead at 362m measured depth. Tusk-1 is being drilled using the Ensco 56 jack-up unit.

The Tusk prospect is located in 84m of water. It is 20km from facilities at the Stag Oil Field and lies 70km northwest of the town of Dampier.

Tusk is a fault-dependent closure, mapped at both Athol Formation (Jurassic age) and Mungaroo Formation (Triassic age) levels. The structure is similar to, and on trend with, Oryx-1 some 5km to the south, where oil was recently discovered in the Athol Formation and oil shows encountered in the Mungaroo Formation.

The mid-case recoverable potential of Tusk is 10 million barrels in the Athol Formation and 30 million barrels in the Mungaroo Formation.

The Athol Formation sandstones are expected at around 1000m measured depth and the Mungaroo Formation at around 1300m measured depth. Tusk-1 is programmed to be drilled to a total depth of 2020m measured depth in nine days.

ROC OIL COMPANY (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Drilling Activity Update

* SALTFLEETBY-5 FLOWS UP TO 20 MMCFD FROM NEW DEEPER RESERVOIR SECTION;

* CHESTNUT FIELD EQUITY INCREASED TO 29.75%;

* CHESTNUT FIELD EXTENDED WELL TEST CONTRACT SIGNED AS PART OF POTENTIAL TWO PHASE, A$76 MILLION, DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO BE FULLY FUNDED BY THIRD PARTY CONTRACTOR.

TAP OIL (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Tap Oil NL advises that the Tusk-1 exploration well spudded at 19.00 hours on Friday, 8 September 2000.

LOCATION

The well is located in WA-246-P, 20 kilometres west of the Stag Oil Field, and 5 km north of the recent oil discovery in Oryx-1, at latitude 20deg14'44.19"S and longitude 116deg08'08.66"E.

PROGRESS

As at 6.00am Monday 11th September, the well has drilled ahead to 772 metres measured depth and will continue to drill ahead to the planned total depth of 2,020 metres measured depth.

The Tusk prospect consists of a westerly tilted fault block bounded by a fault on the eastern edge, with mapped closure at the Lower Jurassic Athol Formation and Mid Triassic Mungaroo Formation levels. It is planned to drill to a total depth of 2,020 metres MD. It is estimated that the well will be completed in 9 days.

The Tusk-1 well is located 5 kms to the north of the Oryx-1 well which encountered oil within Athol Formation sandstones and oil shows within the Munguroo Formation sandstone reservoirs. Tusk-1 is on the same structural trend as Oryx-1 and is equally well placed to receive an oil charge. It is anticipated that good reservoir sections will be at these levels similar to those encountered in Oryx-1.

The well path of Tusk-1 will be deviated down the upthrown side of the bounding fault to intersect all potential reservoirs in a crestal location on structure.

ASHTON MINING / LYNAS CORPORATION (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Lynas Corporation Limited (Lynas) announces that it is in discussions with Ashton Mining Limited (Ashton), to reach agreement to defer the completion of Lynas' acquisition of the Mt Weld Rare Earths and Tantalum Project in Western Australia.

The extension will allow Lynas to assess the impact of work being carried out by third parties on the Tantalum resource contained within the Project Area which could have the impact of enhancing the viability of the project. In light of this work Lynas will be endeavouring to verify the economic parameters of various aspects of the project highlighted by the current bankable feasibility study to see how that could best fit into a joint infrastructure development which beneficiates the Rare Earths and Tantalum during the same process.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

EAGLE PROSPECT, SAN JOAQUIN BASIN, CALIFORNIA

The Eagle Prospect is located in the prolific San Joaquin basin, California, and is seismically interpreted to have the potential to contain up to 40 million barrels of oil and 88 billion cubic feet of gas, if oil and gas are present. The Eagle Prospect is considered relatively low risk due to sub-surface well control tied to recent seismic interpretation. The Prospect is believed to be stratigraphic in nature and may require several wells to determine this potential.

The control well, in which FAR was a participant, was drilled during the mid 1980's on the southern edge of the Eagle Prospect. The well tested at a cumulative rate of up to 325 barrels of oil and one million cubic feet of gas per day from a 54 foot net pay interval prior to experiencing mechanical difficulties. The test well will most likely be drilled as an offset to the initial discovery well.

LOVELESS G#1 SIDETRACK, HARDEMAN COUNTY, TEXAS

FAR has agreed to a proposal by the operator, Rio Petroleum Inc, of Amarillo, Texas, to re-enter the Loveless G#1 wellbore, sidetrack the hole to a depth of 8,260 feet, and then drill horizontally to a bottom hole location approximately 326 feet to the north.

The original Loveless G#1 well was drilled in May 1991 and only recently ceased oil production from the objective Chappel zone, where remaining oil is believed trapped to the north. A completion rig is expected on location prior to September 16 to commence operations.

GLENGARRY RESOURCES / TANAMI GOLD (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Directors announce that Tanami Gold NL and Glengarry Resources NL have entered into an agreement which will result in Tanami Gold acquiring the following Tanami Province assets from Glengarry:

* a 48.5% equity in the Larranganni Project tenements taking Tanami Gold's equity in the Project to 92.5%. Tanami Gold also has the right to acquire Glengarry's remaining 7.5% interest at market value, upon completion of a bankable feasibility study. Glengarry's remaining 7.5% interest will be free carried through to completion of a bankable feasibility study.

* Glengarry's Tanami Province tenement interests held in joint ventures with the Company which will give Tanami Gold a 100% interest in the Balwina, Oasis, Supplejack, Afghan, Bloodwood and SW Pargee Joint Venture tenements.

* Glengarry's Tanami Province Database.

* Glengarry's camp facilities and plant and equipment located in the Tanami Province.

GOLDSEARCH (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Goldsearch Limited has negotiated an extension of the date by which it must decide to earn an equity in 13 Mining Leases and 1 Exploration Permit Area at Mount Kelly located 120 kilometres by road north of Mount Isa.

In order to complete analysis of core and assessment of results from the recently completed drilling program Reefway Pty Limited, the current holder of the Mining Leases and Exploration Permit Area, has agreed to extend the date to 31 October, 2000.

IVANHOE MINES (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Quarterly Report
OPERATIONS

S&K COPPER MINE, MYANMAR

Ivanhoe Mines' 50%-owned S&K Copper Mine in Myanmar produced 13,451 tonnes (29.7 million pounds) of cathode copper in the first six months of 2000, an increase of 5% over the 12,784 tonnes (28.2 million pounds) produced during the same period in 1999. S&K's copper sales totalled US$22.8 million in the first half of 2000, compared to US$18.9 million in 1999, reflecting the increased production and higher copper prices.

The average realized copper price in the first half of 2000, including hedging gains, was 80 cents (US) a pound. Cash operating costs were 34 cents (US) a pound. Total costs, including depletion, depreciation, interest expense and royalties, were 62 cents (US) a pound for the six-month period.

The S&K Mine is the first phase development of the large Monywa copper mine in Myanmar. The project is operated by MICCL, a 50/50 joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Mining Enterprise No 1, a state-owned company. The joint venture is presently undertaking a series of plant modifications at S&K that will raise annual copper production to approximately 30,000 tonnes (66.1 million pounds) this year. The modifications are being funded from the mine's cashflow. A further increase in plant capacity to 35,000 tonnes (77.2 million pounds) is planned for 2001.

On August 29, S&K will make its third semi-annual payment (US$11.56 million) toward its US$90 million loan project development loan. When the third payment is applied, the outstanding balance of the loan will be reduced to US$67.5 million.

EMPEROR GOLD MINE, FIJI

Emperor Mines Limited produced 143,000 ounces in the year ended June 30, 2000, from its Emperor Gold Mine in Fiji. The production was the highest ever achieved in the mine's 65 years of operations.

Ivanhoe Mines owns approximately 18% of the issued common shares of Emperor Mines, an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company.

BAKYRCHIK GOLD MINE, KAZAKHSTAN

The Bakyrchik mine remained on care and maintenance during the quarter. A program to re-establish commercial gold production at the mine will incorporate advances in ore processing technology. Decisions on the timing and scale of a development plan are contingent on gold prices achieving levels consistently higher than the market values recorded during the first half of the year 2000.

As part of its review of development options, Ivanhoe has joined with a major mining company to test the potential application of new, pressure-oxidation technology, with the objective of improving the project's rate of gold recovery and reducing the overall cost of production.

LAKES OIL (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Lakes Oil received a report from Terra Tek Petroleum Consultants Pty. Ltd., regarding its Gippsland acreage. The report contains an estimate of the hydrocarbon potential for the "Gangell" and "Trifon" Prospects which are scheduled to be drilled in November/December 2000.

Under normal circumstances, Lakes Oil would not release such estimates as they are based on a number of assumptions and calculations, all of which can vary, and of course hydrocarbons may not in fact be present at all.

However, the figures contained in the report are large by onshore standards and will certainly be regarded as the potential "upside" when discussing farm-in opportunities with potential partners. As such, Lakes Oil believes that this information is potentially price sensitive.

The Terra Tek report includes the following potential recoverable gas estimates:

"Gangell" – up to 200 BCF of gas: and
"Trifon" – up to 75 BCF of gas.

MOSAIC OIL (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

TAYLOR 15 AND TAYLOR 17.
PRODUCTION LICENCE 16, SURAT BASIN QLD. -MOSAIC OIL 100%.

Taylor 15 (last flowed 1992) and Taylor 17 (last flowed 1996) have been re-entered and are now able to be used as production wells. Taylor 15 has test flowed at approximately .3 million cubic ft/day (sales gas) and Taylor 17 at .15 million cubic ft/day (sales gas); both over a two week period.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Molopo Australia NL announce that on September 7th, 2000 it successfully completed fracture stimulation ("fraccing") operations on Seam 8 (the target seam) in the LW-L3 well, the second of four wells, in the Liulin Coalbed Methane Gas licence, Shanxi Province, China.

Fraccing operations at LW-L3 were conducted using surfactant treated water as the fracture fluid, and successfully emplaced the planned, approximately, 50.5 tonnes of sand proppant. The well is now being flowed back prior to the installation of a pumping unit.

The fraccing crew are preparing to move to the adjacent pilot well LW-L2 to trial a cross-linked gel as the fracture fluid.

In addition, trial cavitation operations are continuing on the existing HW-L1B well.

MURRAY BASIN MINERALS (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

An independent expert's report has cleared the way for proponents of the Mindarie mineral sands project in South Australia to progress a bankable feasibility study.

The report coincided with an announcement by project owner, Murray Basin Minerals NL, of a further substantial upgrade in the project's resources.

Inferred and indicated resources have been upgraded to 65.6 million tonnes of 3.3% heavy mineral (HM) from 43.9 million tonnes of 3.35% HM reported in June, following the latest drilling program.

ROC OIL COMPANY (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Drilling Activity Update

* SALTFLEETBY-5 PREPARES TO FLOW TEST NEW, DEEPER, GAS RESERVOIR
* KYLE NORTHEAST CONFIRMS OIL ACCUMULATION
* IRWES-1 DRILLS AHEAD TOWARDS TARGET

SOUTHERN CROSS EXPLORATION (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

This is to advise that Southern Cross Exploration NL has agreed to purchase (subject to some conditions) a 70% interest in a private company which holds mining leases in South Australia on which there are resources of albite.

The amount of the investment will be equivalent to approximately 10% of the company's assets.

Mining operations are expected to commence shortly, after the acquisition is completed which should occur in about sixty days.

YAMARNA GOLDFIELDS (11 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Company announce that it has received advice from Asarco Exploration Company Inc, the Company's joint venture partner at the Yamarna Project, of a Preliminary Resource Modelling and Pit Optimisation for the Yamarna Project as compiled by Mining and Resource Technology Pty Ltd (MRT).

The principal objective of the study was to update the estimates of insitu resources at the Yamarna Project. This follows the location of potentially ore-grade mineralisation at several locations over a 10 kilometre strike length along the structural trend north of the Attila deposit. This section of the trend north of Attila is called the Alaric zone.

MRT used Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK) to estimate the resource inclusive of dilution and ore losses at various cut-off grades and a suitable selective mining unit.

ANACONDA NICKEL (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Anaconda Nickel Limited has announced an international tender process to select a water utility company to undertake a detailed feasibility study into pumping 250 million litres a day into existing and new industries in the deserts of Western Australia from the recent Officer Basin water discovery.

The Project would entail a major borefield in the Great Victoria Desert area of Western Australia, coupled to a pipeline delivering water to communities and industrial companies in the North Eastern Goldfields, en route to the City of Kalgoorlie.

Anaconda has continued a water drilling and testing programme in the Officer Basin since May 2000 when first results identified a major potential resource.

CONQUEST MINING (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Aboriginal Heritage surveys have been completed for the majority of Conquest's tenement areas and will allow access to all areas proposed for sampling during this year's dry season. Track and pad clearing for bulk-sampling operations is in progress and a 20 tonne excavator is on site and began sample excavation on the 31st August. The sample size has been set at 50 cubic metres (approximately 100 tonnes) per exploration site and twenty-one sample sites are currently planned to be sampled in the main areas.

Samples of Bow River gravels will be collected in three main areas and are planned to test High, Mid and Low Terrace gravels, and the recent gravel accumulations in these areas.

Sample haulage and processing is currently underway.

The density bead tests on the HMS (Heavy Media Separation) plant are within the specifications detailed by an Independent Mineral Processing Consultant and indicate that the plant is operating satisfactorily.

CREST MAGNESIUM (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Crest Magnesium NL announces that it has engaged the services of Carven Consulting to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding to secure an energy package (electricity, gas and steam) for the company's proposed magnesium metal plant.

Carven Consulting (Carven) principal Greg Craven, have been engaged to conduct negotiations with parties in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales to provide a package to meet the project requirements. The proposed plant will have an initial capacity of 60,000 tonnes of magnesium alloys with provision for further expansion.

Crest have requested Carven to complete discussions with Tasmania by 1st October and with Victoria and New South Wales by 1st November, 2000.

The finalisation of the Energy package will determine the location of the Magnesium Metal Plant Site.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

DRILLING & PRODUCTION TESTING REPORT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING 06/09/2000

Country : New Zealand

Block Area: PML381012
or Prospect

Well Name : MB-7
or Location

Objective : Deviated development well primarily targeting Maui B D1.10L oil reservoir, with multiple secondary oil and gas potential. Deepended to allow access to F-Sand oil reservoir in addition to other objectives.

Current Status : * Perforated well on F1.2 oil zone.
* Brought well on line on 1st September at initial rate of circa 10,000 barrels of oil per day.
* Handed well over to operations.

Block Area: PML381012
or Prospect

Well Name : MB-6
or Location

Objective : Deviated development well primarily targeting Maui B D1.6 (3028m true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS)) and D1.10 (3073m TVDSS) oil reservoirs.

Current Status : * Following success on MB-6, decision taken to proceed with deviated side-track well from MB-7.
* Skidded rig from MB-7.
* Current operation at 0600hrs 7th September, preparing to drill out cement plugs and undertake remedial cementing of 7" liner, prior to initiating side-track from 9(5/8)" casing.

Country : Canada

Block Area: Eva
or Prospect

Well Name : 6-20-35-11 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Cummings Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 28/08/2000.
* Cased for Viking Gas.
* Rig Released: 02/09/2000.

Block Area: Sullivan Lake
or Prospect

Well Name : 11-9-35-13 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing for Edmonton Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 29/08/2000.
* Cased for Edmonton Gas.
* Rig Released: 31/08/2000.

Block Area: Rushmere
or Prospect

Well Name : 10-9-33-8 W4M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing for Viking Gas.

Current Status : * Spud: 29/08/2000.
* Cased for Viking Gas.
* Rig Released: 01/09/2000.

Block Area: Unwin
or Prospect

Well Name : A5-26-46-28 W3M
or Location

Objective : A Development well testing Sparky Oil.

Current Status : * Spud: 29/08/2000.
* Cased for Sparky Oil.
* Rig Released: 31/08/2000.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Fletcher Challenge Energy announced this week that it will farmout a 20 percent share in the licence area containing the Tuihu prospect (PEP 38718, onshore Taranaki, New Zealand) to Origin Energy, in the lead-up to the drilling of the wildcat exploration well in mid-October.

This will leave Fletcher Challenge Energy with a 70 percent interest in the license area, of which it is the operator. The agreement gives Origin Energy a 20 percent participating interest in PEP 38716, and the option to earn a 25 percent participating interest in the adjacent licence PEP 38730. Fletcher Challenge Energy currently has a 100 percent interest in PEP 38730.

ILUKA RESOURCES (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Indonesian Government has granted Iluka Resources Limited subsidiary PT Koba Tin a 10-year extension to the Company's Contract of Works for operations in Indonesia.

The Company's application for the extension to March 2013 was approved yesterday.

KINGSTREAM STEEL (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The company announces a significant increase in iron ore reserves following a resource optimisation study carried out by Exploration and Mining Consultants ("EMC") on the company's Koolanooka and Tallering Peak deposits, increasing the reserve base for the Project to 65 years.

Based on an assessment of mining, beneficiation and steel making costs, EMC have determined that the Koolanooka magnetite has probable reserves of 425 million tonnes averaging 33.2 per cent Fe, which after beneficiation results in a grade of 69 per cent Fe.

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Oil Company of Australia Limited on behalf of the PL 44 Joint Venture advises that:

Rolleston No 17 a gas development well situation approximately 440 metres West South West of Rolleston No 13, Latitude 24 deg. 32 min. 30.60 sec. South, longitude 148 deg. 36 min. 56.40 sec. East, was spudded at 09:00 hours on August 31, 2000. At 06:00 hours today the rig was at a depth of 878 metres RT and rigging up air drilling equipment. 245mm surface casing was set at 159.3 metres RT and 178mm intermediate casing was set at 877.9 metres RT. Progress for the week was 878 metres.

A drill stem test of the Mantuan formation over the interval 556.25 to 564.25 metres RT flowed gas to surface at a rate of 43,900 cubic metres (1.55 million cubic feet) per day through a 12.7mm (0.5 inch) surface choke.

The primary target of the well is the lower Aldebaran sandstone with Sands Mantuan, Freitag and Upper Aldebaran being secondary targets. The proposed total depth of the well is 1445 metres RT.

PLATSEARCH (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

PlatSearch NL has formed an alliance with Inca Limited, a major Canadian mining company, to explore 12 PlatSearch properties located in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. PlatSearch and Inco have signed Option Joint Venture Agreements for each of 12 projects. These agreements provide for the funding by Inco of a substantial work programme to explore for large base metals deposits on PlatSearch's project areas. The initial objectives of this work programme will be as follows:

* A drilling programme to test five drill-ready prospects in the Callabonna, Mirikata, Lilleyvale and Border Downs projects (PlatSearch 100%) and the Toby project (PlatSearch 50% and Allender syndicate 50%).

* A programme of prospect development and drill target generation on seven projects located in the Broken Hill region - Mundi Mundi and Mundi South projects (PlatSearch 100%) and Redan, Hollis Tank, Yanco Glen, Lindsays Creek and Bundera projects (PlatSearch 80% and Eaglehawk 20%).

SANTOS (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 07/09/2000

QUEENSLAND

WELL: Sarah 1

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas
Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259, Total 66 Block, 7km WNW of Epsilon 6, 7km N of Moon 1, and some 115km SW of the Ballera Gas Centre

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2299m, with 690m progress for the week

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2478m

WELL: Windigo 2

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259, Naccowlah Block, 0.8km NW of Windigo 1, 4.7km of Judga North 1, and some 30km E of the Ballera Gas Centre

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2370m, with 1720m progress for the week

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2612m

WELL: Kananda 1

TYPE: SWQ Unit Gas Exploration

LOCATION: ATP 259P, Innamincka Block, 4.1km SE of Durham Downs 3, 8.9km NE of Keilor 1, and some 30km N of the Ballera Gas Centre

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth is 2300m, with 1381m progress for the week.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2816m

WELL: Rolleston 17

TYPE: Gas Appraisal / Development

LOCATION: PL 42, Dension Trough, QLD. 0.44km WSW of Rolleston 17, and some 140km N of Roma.

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Rigging up air drilling equipment having run 178mm (7") intermediate casing. Current depth and progress for the week is 878m. A drill stem test of the Mantnan Formation over the interval 556.25m - 564.25m flowed gas to surface at a rate of 43,900 cubic metres (1.55 million cubic feet) per day through a 13mm (0.5") surface choke. The well spudded on 31/8/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2083m

OFFSHORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WELL: Antelope 1

TYPE: Oil Exploration

LOCATION: WA 209P, Carnarvon Basin WA, 9km E of the Saffron oil and gas discovery, 12km ENE of Lepus 1 and some 80km NW of Dampier.

STATUS AT 06/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Preparing to plug and abandon. Progress for the week and total depth is 2040m. The well spudded on 2/9/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2082m

USA

WELL: Runnels #3

TYPE: Gas Exploration

LOCATION: Ashland Deep Prospect, Matagorda County, Texas
STATUS AT 06/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Drilling ahead. Current depth and progress for the week is 1967m. The well spudded on 31/08/00.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 1394m

SANTOS (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SANTOS LIMITED - SUMMARY OF DRILLING
WEEK ENDING 07/09/2000

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WELL: Big Lake 67

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 11, Moomba Block, 0.2km NNW of Big Lake 5, 0.7km NE of Big Lake 52, and 17km SE of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Preparing to run 89mm (3 1/2") production casing. The well is to be cased and suspended as a Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2966m with 389m progress for the week.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2968m

WELL: Meranji 23

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 35, Merrimelia-Innamincka Block, 0.51km NW of Meranji 18, 0.6km NNE of Meranji 15, and some 30km NNW of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Meranji 23 has been cased and suspended as a Permia gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2997m, with 69m progress for the week. The rig was released on 5/9/00 and is moving to Merrimelia 39, a PPL 17 gas development well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2969m

WELL: Moomba 119DW

TYPE: Oil Exploration

LOCATION: PPL 9, Moomba Block, 0.17km WNW of Moomba 2, 0.96km SSW of Moomba 41, and some 7.5km SSE of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Moomba 119DW has been cased as a Jurassic oil discovery well. As reported earlier, the well reached a total measured depth of 2313m (with no progress for the week) in the Jurassic Hutton Sandstone and penetrated a 10m oil column in the Jurassic Hutton Sandstone. The rig is currently completing the well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2324m

WELL: Moomba 123

TYPE: Gas Development

LOCATION: PPL 7, Moomba Block, 0.9km SSW of Moomba 54, 3.2km SSW of Moomba North 1, and some 3km NNE of the Moomba Gas Plant.

STATUS AT 07/09/2000 0600 HOURS: Moomba 123 has been cased and suspended as a Permian gas producer. The well reached a total depth of 2634m, with 525m progress for the week. The rig was released on 5/9/00, and is moving to Moomba 120, a PPL 7 gas development well.

PLANNED TOTAL DEPTH: 2631m

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (8 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Woodside Energy Ltd, reports that the WA-20-L joint venturers have announced they will contract a dedicated Floating, Storage and Offtake (FSO) tanker for use on the Legendre Project. The joint venturers have awarded the FSO services contract to Karratha Spirit Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Teekay Shipping Corporation after a competitive tendering process. Teekay won the tender on the strength of its commercial and technical proposal.

Teekay will convert the tanker 'Pioneer Spirit' later this year, ensuring the FSO is available for use when the Legendre fields begin production in Q2 next year.

Under the terms of the service agreement, the Legendre joint venturers will pay a set day rate for the FSO, and Teekay will be responsible for the ongoing operation, manning and maintenance of the vessel.

AKD LIMITED / RIO TINTO (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Rio Tinto has advised AKD that to date 15 RC holes and one diamond hole have been completed at the Wonarah phosphate deposit, 240km east of Tennant Creek.

Preliminary assays have only been received for one drillhole, RC-02, drilled near a high grade 1969 percussion hole on the southern margin of the deposit. This hole intersected 11m @ 23.2% P(2)O(5) from 42 metres including 2m @ 28.7% P(2)O(5) from 42m and 5m @ 28.8% P(2)0(5) from 48m. This result was significantly better than the 1969 drillhole intercept of 5.3m @ 22.1% P(2)0(5) from 45m.

HERALD RESOURCES (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Assay results from hole SOP31D on section 9700N are now available and these continue to confirm the continuity and exceptional high grade of the Main Mineralised Horizon (MMH), and demonstrate significant grades in the Upper Mineralised Horizon (UMH). Hole 31 intersected the MMH approximately 60m up-dip from Hole 30.

Hole SOP32D has also been completed and intersected a record 36.6m of massive sulphide in the MMH (estimated true width of between 24m-29m). This intersection is approximately 100m down-dip of Hole SOP30D. The UMH in this hole was fault affected and only 60cm of sulphide was recorded. Assays are awaited.

These highly significant intercepts have prompted a decision to drill a further down-dip hole on this section. This hole will hopefully extend the mineralisation further east than previously recorded, help define the mineralisation's dip (which appears to be flattening judging from the angle of contact between shales and sulphides, hence the range of the true width estimations), or show that the mineralisation has a down-dip cut off.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Bligh Oil & Minerals NL advises that technical difficulties have been encountered in the running of open hole logs in the Rimu B-1 wellbore. These difficulties are a result of the deteriorating hole condition. Further attempts at open hole logging have been terminated, and the decision has been made to proceed directly to the running of production casing. Cased hole logs will be acquired once the casing has been run.

The testing of the principal show zone, being the Lower Tariki sandstone at 4029-4041 metres, will be unaffected by the lack of open hole logs, and will proceed accordingly. The design of the testing program for any additional zones, will be based upon the drilling and show data, and the date provided by the cased hole logs.

It is anticipated that casing will be run over the next two-three days, and that initial production testing will be conducted thereafter.

EMPEROR MINES (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Emperor Mines Limited announces that due to the recent below plan performance of it's low grade production sections, Philip Shaft and Decline, it has had to make 90 of the 1,700 employees at it's underground Gold Mine in Fiji redundant. The redundancies affect surface based services.

A separation package has been negotiated with the employees' representative body. The action taken will assist in enhancing the current performance of Philip Shaft and Decline sections. The Company notes that while these sections are not currently performing to plan, based on current geological and mine data, these sections have a positive future.

OIL SEARCH (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Half Yearly Report
HIGHLIGHTS

* Oil Search Limited achieved strong growth in profits in the first half of 2000, reflecting solid production performance and improvement in global oil prices.

Profit (after tax and before abnormals) rose by 111% to US$13.7 million (A$22.8 million), compared to US$6.5 million (A$10.2 million) in the previous corresponding period.

* Improvement in profitability was largely driven by the increase in received oil prices and a reduction in amortisation and interest charges. Total sales revenue for the half was US$70.5 million (A$117.6 million) against US$70.3 million (A$110.2 million) in 1999.

* Production for the first half of 2000 totalled 3.43 million barrels, with liftings at 3.53 million barrels - down on production in the corresponding period in 1999. This was largely attributable to delays in commissioning the Moran 4 well and the requirement to redrill Gobe 6XST2, along with natural field decline. A number of development opportunities have been matured for activities in the second half of 2000, at Kutubu, Gobe and Moran, to maximise production and take advantage of elevated oil prices.

* Revenues were impacted by the level of oil hedging required as part of the company's financing arrangements put in place in early 1999. No further hedges were put in place during the first half.

* Significant progress was made in bringing the PNG to Queensland Gas Project to commercial closure during the reporting period. The announcement by the Queensland Government of a range of initiatives, to require and encourage gas usage for electricity generation, has provided the certainty of price and required volumes for both customers and producers to finalise contract arrangements. The agreement in May by the Hides and Kutubu Joint Ventures has also led to commitment of over 6TCF of gas to potential markets in Queensland. This was a major step in ensuring optimal development of the fields and an economically viable project. It has also confirmed ExxonMobil's and Santos' engagement with the project.

Detailed negotiations with the PNG Government on fiscal terms applicable to the project have reached an advanced stage. Discussions were also advanced with the Australian Federal Government for facilitation of financing for the PNG Government stake in the project infrastructure. All stakeholders are working to bring the project to commercial close as early as possible in the second half of 2000.

* Successful seismic acquisition and interpretation of data in the Highlands has identified a range of high class prospects for drilling. Exploration activities will increase in the second half with the commencement of drilling at Anama 1 - the first offshore hole to be drilled in PNG for 10 years. A second well, Duadua 1, may also be drilled, subject to the results of Anama. Although drilling activity will concentrate initially on production opportunities at Gobe and Kutubu, early well test opportunities will also be appraised at Saunders and Moran.

TECTONIC RESOURCES (7 SEPTEMBER 2000)

* First RAV 8 nickel sulphide concentrate shipment delivered to WMC
* Metal reconciliation above forecast
* 17% increase in ore reserves
* Approval has been given for the next phase of exploration at RAV 8.

AUSTINDO RESOURCES (6 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Austindo Resources Corporation announces results of continuing drilling at its Cibaliung project.

At Cibaliung gold mineralisation is hosted within epithermal quartz-adularia veins and two high-grade shoots, referred to as Cikoneng and Cibitung have been identified to date.

The latest drilling has tested for depth extensions at Cibitung. Three holes, AC-008, AC-010 and AC-011 intersected broad zones of quartz stockwork, quartz veins and vein breccia with average gold grades (no cut-off applied) as shown below. Hole AC-006, which has been reported previously, intersected the same broad zone:

AC-006 from 117.6m to 137.7m (20.1m downhole) 2.71g/t Au & 36g/t Ag.
AC-008 from 208.25m to 234.45m (26.2m downhole) 3.06g/t Au & 29g/t Ag.
AC-010 from 240.85m to 278.25m (37.4m downhole) 6.20g/t Au & 50g/t Ag.
AC-011 from 197.8m to 221.3m (23.5m downhole) 2.34g/t Au & 19g/t Ag.

Within this broad zone, higher potentially economic gold grades occur as two distinct lodes, one confined to the hangingwall of the main structure and the other towards its footwall. Silver values are higher in the footwall lode in AC-8, 10 & 11 suggesting that the two lodes may be the result of separate phases of mineralisation.

BHP / WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (6 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Operator of the WA-5-L Joint Venture, reports that the Castor-1 exploration well located in the Carnarvon Basin was completing cementing related activities for the 13 3/8 inch casing at 0600 hrs WST on 5 September 2000. The casing shoe depth was 2353 metres.

All reported depths are referenced to the rig rotary table.

LIONORE AUSTRALIA (NICKEL) (6 SEPTEMBER 2000)

LionOre Australia (Nickel) Limited will commence preliminary site works at its wholly-owned Emily Ann nickel sulphide project within the next two weeks as a prelude to announcing a formal development decision. LionOre Nickel has also reached agreement in principle on project finance terms with NM Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited for mine development at Emily Ann.

The Emily Ann mine is planned to be operating at full production capacity within 18 months of a formal development decision being announced. The development decision remains subject to the finalisation of detailed documentation, which is well advanced.

METEX RESOURCES (6 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Metex Resources NL advises that it has established a subsidiary entity Elkedra Diamonds NL in association with Dr. Linda Tompkins and Dr Wayne Taylor (both recognised Diamond Industry Experts) with the purpose of delineating tenements in the Northern Territory which are considered suitable for hosting significant diamond resources. The company has lodged a total of 26 tenement applications (covering approximately 35,000sqkm) in the Northern Territory which are presently undergoing the approval process.

It is anticipated that Elkedra will be established as a separately funded and autonomously managed listed entity. Should the Anketell tax effective structure be successfully approved, a similar concept would be utilized by Elkedra resulting in an IPO listing with Metex retaining a significant interest. Presently Metex is funding the tenement acquisition phase and holds a 67% interest in the Company.

VICTORIA PETROLEUM (6 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL has been advised by Apache Energy Ltd, the Operator for the WA-261-P Joint Venture, that the Chamois-1 exploration well was abandoned on Saturday 2nd September 2000, and the rig released to the Kudu-1 well that is due to spud shortly.

The Kudu Prospect, in adjacent permit WA-256-P, is interpreted to extend into WA-261-P, with the potential for up to 5 MMBO of oil within WA-261-P. Kudu-1 is being drilled by the jackup drilling rig Ron Tappmeyer.

The Rhebok-1 well, to be drilled by the jackup drilling rig Ensco-56, is scheduled to commence drilling in WA-261-P in mid-September 2000, following Tusk-1 (WA-246-P). The Rhebok Prospect is located just to the south of the nearby Stag Oil Field, and has potential reserves of up to 45 MMBO.

Victoria Petroleum NL is encouraged by the presence of both oil and gas in Chamois-1, which has enhanced the prospectivity for oil and gas in WA-261-P.

AQUARIUS PLATINUM (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

* Aquarius' 44% owned affiliate Kroondal Platinum Mines Limited (KPM) achieved US$15.4 operating profit after amortisation, interest, and tax and a gross profit margin of 56%.

* Second project, Marikana, in funding stage and will contribute 160,000 ounces per annum PGM.

* 3 additional projects evaluated (and recently acquired), including Everest South, bringing resource base up to some 35 million ounces PGM.

* Everest South to contribute approximately 175,000 ounces per annum to put Aquarius at stated goal of over 500,000 ounces PGM production per annum by 2003.

* Consolidated group maiden operating profit after tax US$3.8M on partial year production and abnormal items relating to corporate restructuring.

ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Preliminary Final Report

Energy Developments has reported an after tax profit of $17.6 million for the year to 30 June 2000. This result included an abnormal item of $3.6 million, arising from prior year tax benefits due to a reduction in the Australian corporate tax rate.

The after tax profit excluding this abnormal item was $14.0 million, a 27% increase over the previous year.

Directors have declared a final dividend of 2.5 cents per share, giving a total dividend for the year of 4.9 cents per share.

The Company is continuing the rapid international expansion of its power generation business. Recent highlights include:

* execution of electricity sales contracts for more than 40MW of generating capacity in the United States, with a number of projects now in the construction phase.

* construction in progress on the Company's first joint venture project in continental Europe, the 13MW Ano Liossia landfill gas power project in Greece;

* completion of the 8MW Rainham landfill gas power project in the United Kingdom;

* completion of the Company's second 5MW landfill gas power project in Taiwan, being developed in a joint venture with the Brambles group; and

* completion of the Century mine power plant (4MW) and the Karumba power plant (6MW) in north west Queensland.

MOLOPO AUSTRALIA (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Molopo Australia NL announces that on September 1st, 2000 it successfully completed fracture stimulation (fraccing) operations on Seam 8 (the target seam) in the LW-L1 well, in the Liulin Coalbed Methane Gas licence, Shanxi Province, China.

Fraccing is a widely used technique in the coalbed methane industry whereby a fluid laden with sand is injected at high pressure into a target formation (being the coal seam) to provide fractures in the coal seam around the well bore. The sand "proppant" supports the fracture and maintains the improved fluid conductivity (flow of gas and water to the well bore) as the injected fluid is withdrawn from the well. It is common practice to trial fraccing fluids of different viscosity, and therefore different capacities to carry and emplace sand into the target formation in order to optimise the connectivity of the well bore to the target formation.

Fraccing operations at LW-L1 were conducted using a linear gel fluid, and successfully emplaced the planned, approximately, 51 tonnes of sand proppant. Initial indications are that fracture conductivity would appear to be very good. The well is currently being flowed-back with no gel residue, which is indicative of good gel breakdown in the well.

The fraccing crew is currently moving to the adjacent pilot well LW-L3 to implement a stimulation trial using surfactant treated water as the fracture fluid, and will then move to LW-L2 to trial a cross-linked gel as the fracture fluid.

In addition, trial cavitation operations on the existing HW-L1B well, also part of the pilot well pattern, are expected to commence on or about September 6th.

PILBARA MINES (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

During June and July 2000 Pilbara Mines completed an air core exploration drilling programme on Pilbara's exploration tenements, south of the Teutonic Bore open pit.

The drilling was planned to test anomalous areas defined from preliminary assessment of available magnetic and radiometric data, to test extensions of known mineralized/anomalous zones and to provide an indication of the depth of cover, potentially masking mineralisation from previous exploration.

179 holes were completed for 13,058 metres, holes 60 degree angled, drilled to bit refusal and sampled on 4 metre composites. Holes were on reconnaissance traverses, variably spaced.

Of the 179 holes drilled, 77 returned highly anomalous base or precious metal values above the statistical 99th percentile of the population. Peak values encountered in 4 metre composites included copper - 0.05%, lead - 0.11%, zinc - 0.21%, silver - 5.7 g/t, gold - 1.8 g/t (including a re-assay of 13.9 g/t, suggesting coarse gold). Re-assaying of anomalous 4 metre composites, in metre intervals, is currently in progress, which will give an indication of the distribution of mineralisation prior to further drilling.

The exploration programme has indicated:

1) A variable depth of transported cover is present, which suggests previous regional exploration in the area has been of limited value and hence the scope for further economic base and precious metal discoveries is very good.

2) A central zone of base metal anomalism, from south Of the Teutonic Bore mine, extends over some 8 km, centred on the Warramboo Gossan and Snowys Well prospects.

3) An eastern and western gold anomalous zone, flanking the base metal zone, is evident.

4) The degree of anomalism encountered in the first pass of exploration drilling suggests the area has the potential to host further zones of economic base metal and/or gold mineralisation.

On receipt of re-sampling of 4 metre composites, infill and extension drilling in the area of the highest ranked anomalies will commence.

SONS OF GWALIA (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

At approximately 8-00pm last night a charter flight from Perth to the Sons of Gwalia Mine at Leonora met with some difficulties and did not land as scheduled. For some reason it continued flying to Northern Queensland. It has since been confirmed the plane came down south of Bourketown.

It is with great regret we confirm there were seven of our colleagues who worked at Leonora and the charter pilot on the flight. It has been confirmed that there were no survivors.

The appropriate State and Federal authorities are on site and the Company will continue to provide all relevant assistance and support to the families of the deceased and our staff at Leonora and Perth.

AQUARIUS PLATINUM (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

AQUARIUS UPGRADES EVEREST SOUTH WITH DISCOVERY OF ANOTHER MILLION OUNCES

* Everest South resource increases by more than one million ounces of platinum group metals and 17.5% in grade.

* Total resource now stands at 36.3 million tonnes @ 4.7g/t PGM for 5.48 million ounces.

* By 2003 Aquarius expects to have three mines producing some 500 000 ounces of platinum group metals per annum.

ASHTON MINING (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Ashton Mining Limited has announced that deep drilling at its Merlin Diamond Project in the Northern Territory has revealed that two of the main kimberlite pipes widen at depth to form one much larger pipe, significantly increasing the potential for extension of mine life.

The deep drilling program, which began in April this year, has been targetting the depth extensions of five kimberlite pipes in the southern 'cluster'. The aim of the program was to provide pipe dimension and geotechnical data for underground mine planning and study purposes.

Analysis of results from the drilling shows that the Palomides and Sacramore pipes, previously considered to be individual pipes, join to form one larger pipe, approximately 120 metres below the natural surface. Attached is a model showing the postulated pipe dimensions, as interpreted by site technical personnel.

This result has significant ramifications for the Merlin Project. In the short-term, optimisations will determine whether an expanded open pit is feasible. In the medium-term, the larger pipe 'footprint' will require re-analysis of the underground potential and mining options. Work is planned to determine whether more of the pipes in the Merlin field join at depth.

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Bligh Oil & Minerals NL advises that the Rimu B-1 well has been drilled to a depth of 4099 metres and that a decision has been made to run electric logs and production casing, as a prelude to the testing of the well. The Rimu B-1 is located on PEP 38719 in the southern part of the onshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The well is situated approximately 2.4 kilometres south of the Rimu A-1 discovery well, which tested 1600 barrels per day of oil and 5 million cubic feet per day of gas from the Upper Tariki sandstones. The Rimu B-1 was intended to test the southern extent of the two cycles of Tariki sand which were encountered in the Rimu A-1 well, the upper of which yielded the above oil flow, while the lower tested oil and formation water. It was also intended to evaluate the degree of separation of the Rimu structure, from the larger and higher Kauri feature, to the southeast.

BEACONSFIELD (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Gold shipments by the Joint Venture for the months of July and August 2000 were 4,871 and 7,274 fine ounces respectively.

The average for the two months of 6,072 ounces, while still only 73% of the 100,000 ounce per year target,
represents a 24% improvement on the average monthly shipment for the June 2000 quarter of 4,912 ounces.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Production pipe has been set and a completion rig is scheduled to arrive on location around 15 September 2000 to commence production testing of the Cotton Valley formation in the Terry Ewing No 1 well. Present plans are to perforate the Cotton Valley "underbalanced" through tubing.

Initially the well will be produced naturally (without stimulation) from the Cotton Valley formation while pressure build up tests are run. A flow line and surface production equipment are currently being constructed and should be in place to enable immediate gas sales. An initial production rate of better than 5 million cubic feet of gas per day from this single zone is anticipated.

Gas sales contracts are being negotiated with Shoreline Gas Company and Sago Energy Company at close to Henry Hub pricing. October gas on Nymex is currently US $4.83 per thousand cubic feet.

The participants have also committed to the drilling of a second well, the Terry Ewing No 2, which has been designed to penetrate the Hosston and Cotton Valley Sands approximately 2,300 feet south southeast of the No 1 well. A rig is scheduled to arrive late October.

GLENGARRY RESOURCES (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Directors of Glengarry Resources NL announce the acquisition of an 80% interest in three exploration licence applications in the south west of Western Australia and two exploration licence applications in the Gascoyne area of WA from Geotech International Pty Ltd. Geotech, a company associated with consulting geologist Paul Askins, will retain a 20% free carried interest to feasibility completion.

GOLDEN CROSS (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Golden Cross Resources Ltd has acquired seven exploration projects totalling approximately 1,100 sq km from Michelago Ltd for 1.8 million GCR shares. The acquisition is part of GCR's strategy to secure ground highly prospective for porphyry copper-gold and base metals mineralisation and to consolidate its position as the leading NSW junior explorer. The shares, representing 2.7% of GCR's issued shares, will be in escrow until 30 November 2000.

HILL 50 GOLD (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Directors announce the completion of the review and re-calculation of the Ore Reserve and Resource Estimates as at June 30, 2000 for its wholly owned subsidiary Mt Magnet Gold NL.

The totals are as follows;

Total Proved & Probable Mining Reserves 13.284 mt @ 4.2 g/t for 1.807 m oz.

Total Identified Mineral Resources 34.527 mt @ 3.8 g/t for 4.236 m oz.

It should be noted that reserves are a subset of the resources. The attached tables summarise the general source categorisation of the Mining Reserves and Identified Mineral Resources, and the variation from the previous estimates.

This ore reserve estimates have been calculated at a gold price of A$500 per ounce.

MICHELAGO (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

SALE OF PROJECTS TO GOLDEN CROSS RESOURCES LTD

Michelago has agreed to sell its interests in the Sunny Corner, Eurongilly, Wallendbeen, Prince of Wales/Tumblong, Cullulla, Breadalbane and Billilingra projects to Golden Cross Resources Ltd for 1.8 million Golden Cross shares, which the parties agree shall be subject of a voluntary restriction from sale to 30 November 2000.

The divestment of these tenements and the concomitant reduction in exploration liabilities will allow Michelago to better focus its exploration activities on the balance of its exploration portfolio, whilst realising significant value for the projects being sold. Golden Cross shares closed on 31 August 2000 at 11 cents per share, valuing the 1.8 million GCR shares, which represent 2.7% of Golden Cross's issued shares, at approximately $200,000.

Golden Cross's portfolio of prospective porphyry copper gold and base metal projects will be enhanced by the new projects and Michelago's 2.7% shareholding in Golden Cross will expose Michelago and its shareholders to any discoveries in the Golden Cross portfolio.

ACQUISITION OF SIPA'S EXPLORATION INTERESTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Simultaneous with its exploration project sale to Golden Cross, Michelago has agreed to acquire the exploration interests held by Sipa Exploration NL in New South Wales, which are held in joint venture between the companies. Michelago shall pay nominal consideration for Sipa's interests and Sipa shall retain a royalty against mineral production from the projects comprising:

1. 2.5% gross gold production royalty, and 2. 2.5% net smelter return royalty for other minerals.

REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED (IMS)

In Michelago's June 2000 Quarterly Report, the Company released forecast gross revenue (June to September 2000 quarter) in the range of $350,000 to $500,000 for its wholly owned subsidiary, Inventory Management Systems Pty Limited (IMS).

As a result of slower than anticipated sales and order completion by IMS, the forecast gross revenue for the period in question has been revised to approximately $80,000 to $120,000.

The Directors are concerned over the downturn in revenues for IMS and a comprehensive review of both Michelago's IT investments, IMS and E4fax, is underway. The results of the review will be made available to the Michelago Board in four weeks.

MOSAIC OIL (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Mosaic's workover program following its recent acquisition of the Silver Springs complex continues.

Economic oil has now been recovered under the Tinker gasfield complex in Lower Triassic sandstones. The free oilflow aided by gas drive at East Glen No 1 is presently 350 barrels per day through a 20/64 inch choke. The size of the oil column within a 20 meter hydrocarbon column is unknown. No statement about reserves can be made at the present time and if the gas drive weakens the well will be placed on pump.

Pumping equipment has been ordered from overseas to test flow oil in the same zone in three other wells under the Tinker gasfield complex.

The testing program has meant that Mosaic's net oil production over the last week has been in excess of 500 barrels of oil per day.

NEW HAMPTON GOLDFIELDS (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

A fatality occurred as a result of rock fall in the Big Bell underground mine, located near Cue in Western Australia, on Saturday, 2 September. No other injuries were recorded and all mining activities have been suspended for ten days, pending a full investigation.

PLENTY RIVER CORPORATION (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Plenty River Corporation Limited advises that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the North West Shelf Venture participants for the supply of gas to Plenty River's world scale ammonia urea project which is to be located on the Burrup Peninsula in West Australia.

The agreement involves the supply over 20 years of approximately 70 terajoules a day of Australian Feedstock Gas(TM), a new product developed by North West Shelf Gas specifically for major industrial customers. Gas supply is scheduled to commence in 2003.

Plenty River and North West Shelf Gas aim to finalise the terms of a Gas Sale Agreement by the end of the year. North West Shelf Gas is the Australian domestic gas representative for the North West Shelf Venture.

SANTOS (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Santos Group, as Operator for the PPL 9 Joint Venture Parties, announces the discovery of a new pool oil discovery in the South Australian section of the Cooper/Eromanga Basins.

The Moomba 119 high angle oil exploration well has reached a total depth of 2313m in the Jurassic Hutton Formation and has penetrated a 10m oil column in the Jurassic Hutton Sandstone. While this zone was not tested in Moomba 119, comparison with the nearby Moomba 104 discovery that came on line at over 4,000 barrels of oil per day, indicates the zone in Moomba 119 may be capable of flowing at a similar rate. The well is being cased and suspended as a future oil producer, with production expected to commence within two months.

The Moomba 119 is the second New Pool discovery this year, and represents the fourth successive New Pool discovery on the Moomba Structure.

SIPA RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Sipa has agreed to dispose of its NSW Joint Venture interests to its Joint Venture partner Michelago Limited in consideration of a royalty against any future production from the tenements comprising:

(1) 2.5% gross gold production royalty; and
(2) 2.5% net smelter return royalty for other minerals.

The withdrawal from exploration in NSW and the farm out to Newcrest Operations Limited of the non Mount Olympus Ashburton properties will enable Sipa to concentrate on the Sipa - Gaia - Rio Tinto Exploration Joint Venture, where four major project areas have so far emerged with tenement applications being made over 6,500 square kilometres in Western Australia and Northeast Queensland.

As previously reported, the Panorama Basemetals Project Feasibility Study is under way with the first stage due to be completed in March 2001.

TAP OIL (5 SEPTEMBER 2000)

The Linda-1 exploration well is located in TL/1, 17.5 kilometres north-east of Varanus Island at latitude 20 deg 32'54.13"S and longitude 115 deg 41'48.36"E.

PROGRESS

Over pressure problems in the hole have now been rectified and at 05.30 on 01/09/2000, the Linda-1 well was plugged and abandoned as a discovery.

As previously reported, 91 metres of Biggada reservoir was drilled between depths of 2,659 and 2,750 metres. The upper part of the hole was drilled with a rotary bit with the lower section of the hole beneath 2,712 metres was cored to facilitate analysis of the reservoir properties. Recovery of the core was only partially successful, with 14 metres of core retrieved between 2,712 and 2,726 metres, and 1 metre of core retrieved between 2,740 and 2,741 metres.

Preliminary analysis of the 15 metres of recovered core indicates the reservoir over this interval is of good quality with a banded nature as interpreted from log data, with an average porosity of 22%, and permeabilities in the range of 0 to 4.5 darcies with an average of 257 millidarcies. Due to the good reservoir quality and high mud weights required for drilling the core has been severely flushed by drilling fluids. Oil saturations within the core are low and are interpreted to be indicative of gas and condensate at this stage in the Upper Biggada sandstones.

However, it is now interpreted that the oil recovered in the mud tanks earlier in this well were sourced in siltstones immediately beneath the good quality Upper Biggada sandstones at a depth of approximately 2,756 metres.

It is interpreted from seismic that this deeper section may develop down dip into a reservoir quality Lower Biggada sandstone. Hence the forward appraisal programme is designed to intersect both the downdip extent of the Upper Biggada sandstones and to evaluate the possibility of an oil leg in a Lower Biggada sandstone.

PILBARA MINES (4 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Pilbara Mines have completed stage 1 pre-feasibility study test work into treating in excess of $100 million in contained copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) Silver (Ag) and gold (Au), in surface resources at the Teutonic Bore mine site, near Leonora in the north eastern Goldfields region cf WA.

Stage 1 assessed the recovery of base and precious metals from the sulphide tailings only, with the assessment of the HMS tailings and oxide stockpiles to form stage 2 of the study.

Results to date have shown excellent flotation and metal recoveries.

Project engineers have reported that the Pre-feasibility study on Teutonic Bore shows promise for a future project, subject to the completion of further test work in stage 2.

BENDIGO MINING (1 SEPTEMBER 2000)

ASSAY RESULTS FROM NORTHERN DRILLING
Bendigo previously reported intersecting an unmined ribbon on the New Chum line of reef 6 kilometres north of the Swan Decline. A two metre wide quartz reef with visible gold was intersected in a drill hole some 900 metres below surface and 200 metres beneath historic workings, supporting the Company's ribbon repeat thesis which underpins the New Bendigo 10 million ounce resource potential.
The gold assay results of this two metre intersection are now available, being 66.5g Au/t.
Drilling is continuing to test the new Chum line of reef for new ribbons down to 1,500 metres below surface. A second drill rig has commenced testing the Garden Gully line of reef for unmined ribbons to 1,500 metres depth on a section 4 kilometres north of the decline.

EXPLORATION FROM THE SWAN DECLINE
The Swan Decline has intersected a reef in the Deborah Syncline between the Deborah and Sheepshead Anticlines. The 10 million-ounce resource potential identified within the New Bendigo is restricted to anticlines and the identification of mineralisation in synclines further highlights the exploration potential within the Bendigo Goldfield.
The reef in the syncline is 3 metres thick, well mineralised with sulphides and has returned channel samples of up to 1.3m @ 7.6g Au/t. This reef occupies the same stratigraphic position as the Outer Reef in the D1 ribbon on the Deborah anticline.
Exploration drilling from underground in the Swan Decline to define bulk sample target zones in the Deborah and Sheepshead lines of reef is continuing.

CLUFF RESOURCES (1 SEPTEMBER)

The recently discovered layer of higher grade gravels located at the Monte Christo diamond mine at Bingara, NSW has been further sampled, with 80 tonnes of unscreened gravels yielding a grade of 53 carats per hundred tonnes. This is twice the concentration of diamonds previously reported. A total of 419 gem quality diamonds was recovered, with an average of eight stones to the carat. The stones are predominantly yellows, with the largest stone being a 0.75 carat pale yellow triangular stone (macle). Four of the stones have gold grains growing on them, one grain being about half a carat in weight.
Additionally 1.8 grams of gold was recovered from the sample, all grains greater than 1.2 mm in size, as any finer gold would not have been captured in the concentrates tested.
The diamond bearing layer is half to one and a half metres thick where exposed along a thirty metre face, and dips into the hill at about ten degrees. Overburden has increased to about seven metres of clays.

GOLD AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS (1 SEPTEMBER)

GRD Minproc has been awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management Contract for the Mesa J Processing Expansion by Robe River Iron Associates.
The Mesa J iron ore operation is located at Pannawonica in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The expansion comprises optimisation of the existing processing plant, PP1, and design and construction of the new processing plant PP2. The process ore production capacity at Mesa J is expected to increase from 4.2 Mtpa to in excess of 13 Mtpa.
Engineering commences immediately and project construction is to be completed in April 20001.

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (1 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Kimberley announced preliminary diamond recovery results for Pit 61, the first bulk sample treated during the 2000 field program at its Blina Diamond Project in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
A total of 44 diamonds weighing 21.31 carats have now been recovered from this sample. The largest diamond weighed 2.575 carats with two stones larger than 2 carats and two stones larger than 1.8 carats.
The diamonds were recovered from approximately 220 tonnes of Terrace 5 gravels processed through the Company's Heavy Media Separation (HMS) plant(1). Pit 61 is an extension of the Pit 5 Terrace, a system of palaeo-gravels which Kimberley has been exploring for the past seven years.
The result gives the Pit 61 sample a grade of just under 10 carats per hundred tonnes, with an average stone size of almost half a carat. The diamonds are similar to those Kimberley has recovered from the Terrace 5 gravels over the past three years.

PETROZ (1 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Petroz advises that the Chamois-1 well, located in offshore exploration permit WA-261-P in the Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia, is at 1,356 m TD and at 0600 hrs this morning was being prepared for plug and abandonment as a sub-economic oil discovery.
A small pool of oil was discovered in a six metre sand within the Jurassic, Athol Formation. Additionally, a small gas accumulation was discovered in the Cretaceous Muderong Formation in an equivalent of the Stag Sandstone.

STRATEGIC MINERALS CORPORATION (1 SEPTEMBER 2000)

Strategic has contracted Ausdrill Limited to conduct a deep diamond drilling program consisting of five holes at its Woolgar Gold project in Queensland.
The main ore zone has been identified as occurring within a large dilational bend in the Lost World fault zone, where it steps across the axis of a regional fold. Within the bend, several generations of gold mineralised epithermal quartz veins have formed which have assisted in geological structural modeling to identify potential epithermal style bonanza zonings.

Exploration News - September to November 2000

Exploration News - August 2000

Exploration News - July 2000

Exploration News - April to June 2000

Exploration News - January to March 2000

Exploration News - July to December 1999

Exploration News - Jan to June 1999

Exploration News - 1998

Exploration News - 1997

Other Mining News Clippings

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Hole	North	East	Dip/ Azimuth (mag.)	From (m)	To (m)	Width (m)	Zinc %	Lead %	Silver ppm	Description
SOP41D	9475	5225	87.5^o /250^o	369.0	375.6	6.6	15.6	9.1	26.8	MMH

SLATE BORE:	RC drilling intersects gold mineralised shear zones in a broad alteration zone. Best intersection is 2m @ 1.46ppm Au.
HARDEY JUNCTION:	Two Exploration Licences are now granted over 30 kms of a prospective structural/host rock environment in a new project area SW of De Courcy.
GUNBARRELL:	Shallow drilling has commenced to identify gold anomalies for follow up.
KILLALOE:	Reinterpretation of prior airborne magnetic and geochemical data identifies gold and nickel prospects.

Hole	North	East	Dip/Azimuth (mag)	From (m)	To (m)	Width (m)	Zinc %	Lead %	Silver ppm	Description
SOP35D	9570	5156	-75°/252°	255.39	260.92	5.53	15.4	8.7	12.4	MMH
SOP36D	9570	5157	-77°/072°	361.04	372.42	11.38	Assays awaited			MMH

GSRC	36	8m @ 6.49	g/t gold from 90m
GSRC	45	4m @ 8.19	g/t gold from 34m
GSRC	46	5m @ 5.41	g/t gold from 28m
GSRC	46	5m @ 9.50	g/t gold from 41m
GSRC	46	11m @ 6.05	g/t gold from 54m
GSRC	51	13m @ 4.29	g/t gold from 20m
GSRC	51	15m @ 22.1	g/t gold from 39m
GSRC	56	24m @ 14.6	g/t gold from 18m
GSRC	60	17m @ 3.11	g/t gold from 18m
GSRC	61	11m @ 6.78	g/t gold from 42m
GSRC	61	27m @ 5.55	g/t gold from 73m
GSRC	64	20m @ 6.63	g/t gold from 40m
GSRC	76	9m @ 5.80	g/t gold from 36m

	2000 A$000's	1999 A$000's
Operating profit (loss) before abnormals and tax	(6,982)	10,638
Abnormal Item	5,281	(2,387)
Operating profit (loss) before tax	(1,701)	8,251
Tax	1,421	(2,285)
Operating profit (loss) after tax	(280)	5,966

Exploration News

Proposed New Floats/ Share Issues

HERALD RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

ACCLAIM URANIUM (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

DRAGON MINING (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

TUART RESOURCES (30 NOVEMBER 2000)

AMITY OIL (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

CENTAMIN EGYPT (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

CROESUS MINING (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

GALLERY GOLD (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

HILLGROVE GOLD (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

INTERCONTINENTAL GOLD & MINERALS (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

OROGEN MINERALS (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

RESOLUTE (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

ST BARBARA MINES (29 NOVEMBER 2000)

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

AUSTRAL COAL (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

CENTAMIN EGYPT (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

NOVUS PETROLEUM (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

PIMA MINING (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

RESOURCE EXPLORATION (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

WOODSIDE PETROLEUM (28 NOVEMBER 2000)

QUEENSLAND GAS (27 NOVEMBER 2000)

ALLEGIANCE MINING (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

AQUILA RESOURCES (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

DIAMOND ROSE (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

WEST OIL (25 NOVEMBER 2000)

AMITY OIL (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

MAJESTIC RESOURCES (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

NORWEST ENERGY (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

OIL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

SANTOS (24 NOVEMBER 2000)

BEMAX RESOURCES (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

AMITY OIL (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

BEACH PETROLEUM (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

GALLERY GOLD (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

GYMPIE GOLD (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

KIMBERLEY DIAMOND COMPANY (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

MURRAY BASIN MINERALS (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

PILBARA MINES (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

SYDNEY GAS COMPANY (23 NOVEMBER 2000)

NORWEST ENERGY (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

ST BARBARA MINES (22 NOVEMBER 2000)

ADMIRALTY RESOURCES (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

AMITY OIL (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

BLIGH OIL & MINERALS (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

LYNAS CORPORATION (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

WMC (21 NOVEMBER 2000)

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY / OIL SEARCH (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

AMITY OIL (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

ARROW ENERGY (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

AUSTRALIAN WORLDWIDE EXPLORATION (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

BEACH PETROLEUM (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

DRILLSEARCH ENERGY (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESOURCES (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

NORWEST ENERGY / TAP OIL (20 NOVEMBER 2000)

METALLICA MINERALS (17 NOVEMBER 2000)

Proposed New Floats/
Share Issues