Fast facts on the Meikle mine

Saturday, Sept. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The Meikle Mine is the largest underground gold mine in the country. The Meikle Deposit, first named Purple Vein, was discovered by a Goldstrike exploration crew in September 1989.

* NAME: The mine was named after Senior Vice President of Development Brian Meikle, now retired, the exploration team's lead geologist.

* DEPTH: Production shaft, 1,480 feet. Ventilation shaft, 1,320 feet.

* MINING CAPACITY: 730,000 tons of ore per year.

* GOLD PRODUCTION: 400,000 ounces per year.

* TOTAL GOLD RESERVES: 6.6 million ounces.

* GOLD GRADE: 0.68 ounces of gold per ton of ore.

* GOLD PRODUCTION COST: $125 per ounce.

* CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $180 million.

* DIRECT EMPLOYMENT: 220 workers.

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