Mumbai, 6th February 2013: Minelab, the global leader in gold detection technology and hand-held metal detector devices has announced the establishment of a Gold Mining division to support artisanal small scale gold miners and prospectors in India. The announcement was made at the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

The recent discovery of a 5.5kg gold nugget in Ballarat, Australia at 60 cm depth by a prospector using a Minelab GPX 5000 hand-held gold detector illustrates the benefit of Minelab's cutting edge technology in the pursuit of gold. The Ballarat nugget was valued in excess of US$300,000. Prospectors across Asia have also tasted success with the GPX 5000 gold detector. Recently a prospector in Mongolia discovered 50g of gold in the Gobi Altai province using

Minelab launched its first hand-held gold detector in Australia in 1985 and over the past 28 years has been at the forefront of metal detector design and innovation. Minelab's new Gold Mining division will provide dedicated support to the worldwide small scale gold mining market and its communities.

Peter Charlesworth, General Manager Minelab said: "The new Gold Mining division consists of a specialised portfolio of products, accessories and support services which include on and off field training allowing us to provide expert advice on the best use of Minelab's gold detectors so that miners can produce results in the toughest of mineralized soil conditions, in a cost effective way and with minimal disruption to the environment.

In areas where traditional subsistence mining has taken place for generations, Minelab has introduced cutting edge technology and provided training and support to enable these communities to transform their gold mining activities and their lives for the better. Across the globe Minelab's technology is making a difference to artisanal small scale gold miners by increasing efficiency, productivity and safety. We are very excited about our new Gold Mining division and believe that with our dedicated products and training programmes, safe, effective and profitable gold mining is only a step away for any serious prospector."

Sheila Kelleher, General Manager of Minelab's Gold Mining Division, commented, "Mining Indaba is the perfect platform for us to launch our Gold Mining Division. The conference attracts a global audience focused on developing and investing in an industry that affects so many people's lives. We hope that Minelab's Gold Mining contribution will continue to build the connections between Prospecting, Community and the Environment by advancing the usage of Minelab's hand-held gold metal detector technology and in turn make a difference to the lives of the businesses and communities we work with."

www.minelab.com/emea/where-to-buy

Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd, Australia. Email: minelab@minelab.com.au