History 

Exploration by Freeport McMoran in the early 1980's led to a production decision at Big Springs in 1986. Between 1987 and 1993 Freeport mined 70,000 ounces of gold per year from seven open pits. Ore mined from the different pits had average grades ranging from 0.106 to 0.222 opt of gold. A total of 510,000 ounces of gold were mined from which 386,000 ounces were recovered.

Initially, oxide ore averaging 0.058 opt was treated on heap leach pads. Later in the mine life, sulphide ore averaging 0.16 opt gold was processed through a roaster and C.I.L. plant.

Gateway believed there was excellent potential for defining additional gold deposits and acquired Big Springs in early 2003. Gateway's drill programs focused on testing, identifying and expanding the gold bearing structures that hosted the near surface mineralization mined by the previous operator.

Over 159,500 feet have been drilled on a number of  mineralized zones throughout Big Springs. Numerous gold bearing intercepts have been reported and catalogued in the Gateway database. In addition to this data, there is an extensive historical database for the property from Anglo Gold North America Inc. which will assist Victoria's geologists in understanding the various structural controls on gold mineralization.