RNS Number:4113U
St. Barbara Mines Limited
20 January 2004




ASX SHAREHOLDERS REPORT



Meekatharra - Polelle Joint venture

Exploration Update

Significant results have been recorded from the JV exploration programmes at the
Mulla Mulla deposit and also 6 km south at the Kanji-Miniritchie prospect.

The St Barbara managed joint venture with Elara Mining Limited has recorded RC
drill intersections from the Mulla Mulla Eastern Trend of 10 m at 7.9 g/t
(vertical depth of 120 m), 34 m at 2.6 g/t (at 95 m), 12 m at 7.3 g/t* (at 80 m) 
and 8 m at 16.4 g/t* (at 65 m).

These results are from a 19 hole, 3,000 m programme which, based on previous
drilling, continues to confirm the presence of an extensive zone of
mineralisation.  (* indicates the intersection grade is based on 4 m composite
sample assays.)

It is intended that additional drilling of the Eastern Trend, and also the
Central and Western Trends will commence in the near term with a view to
establishing a resource base for future mine development.

Also in the Polelle joint venture, a 58 hole (2,640 m) aircore drill programme
at Kanji-Miniritchie, 6 km south along the regional strike from Mulla Mulla, has
resulted in sixteen holes cutting gold mineralisation.  The best intercept was 
4 m at 4.8 g/t.  Further aircore, followed by initial RC drilling, is also
planned for the coming months.

The potential for an increase in the resource at Mulla Mulla and for satellite
deposits such as Kanji-Miniritchie has been demonstrated.

Follow-up drilling and other exploration will continue with the aim of
establishing a resource inventory for inclusion in the future mine production
schedule.





Stephen W. Miller
Executive Chairman

20 January 2004





RC Drill Results - Mulla Mulla (East), December 2003




                                                                                 Mineralised Intercept
   Hole No.        North        East       Dec.       Azm       Depth     From       To      Length      Au
                   (AMG)       (AMG)      (Deg)      (Grid)      (m)       (m)       (m)       (m)      (g/t)
    MMRC 90      7 037 770    645 435      -60        270        148       59        60         2       1.46
                                                                           73        76         3       0.76
                                                                           83        89         6       1.58
                                                                          101       104         3       2.17

    MMRC 91      7 037 770    645 475      -60        270        200       32        33         1       0.62
                                                                           37        44         7       0.66
                                                                           49        65        16       0.97
                                                                          110       121        11       1.37
                                                                          129       141        12       1.20
                                                                          177       178         1       7.10
                                                                          195       199         4       1.58

    MMRC 92      7 037 810    645 395      -60        270        168       81        84         3       0.61
                                                                           90        93         3       1.24
                                                                          137       139         2       3.51
                                                                          142       152        10       7.90
                                                                 inc      143       145         2      29.95

    MMRC 93      7 037 810    645 435      -60        270        200       32        33         1       0.52
                                                                           48        51         3       0.95
                                                                           64        65         1       3.33
                                                                          105       118        13       1.40
                                                                          134       139         5       1.58
                                                                          144       149         5       4.10
                                                                          159       161         2       1.58
                                                                          168       171         3       1.87
                                                                          174       175         1       1.41
                                                                          182       183         1       1.88
                                                                          188       189         1       1.49

    MMRC 94      7 037 810    645 475      -60        270        200       49        62        13       2.26
                                                                 inc       58        62         4       6.24

    MMRC 95      7 037 850    645 395      -60        270        72        30        36         6       0.90
                                                                           56        60         4       0.65
                                                                           66        68         2       2.05

    MMRC 96      7 037 850    645 435      -60        270        200      105       109         4       1.23
                                                                          113       147        34       2.58
                                                                 inc      123       130         7       6.90
                                                                 inc      124       126         2      16.60
                                                                          170       171         1       2.50

    MMRC 97      7 037 850    645 475      -60        270        195       51        54         3       0.62
                                                                          156       158         2       6.01
                                                                          176       180         4       1.94
                                                                          183       184         1       2.49
                                                                          188       189         1       3.49
                                                                          193       194         1       4.25

    MMRC 98      7 037 890    645 395      -60        270        208       28        44        16       0.87
                                                                           49        50         1       2.90
                                                                           54        55         1       1.98

    MMRC 99      7 037 890    645 435      -60        270        210       30        39         8       1.94
                                                                           69        70         1       1.19
                                                                           94        95         1       1.85
                                                                           98       100         2       1.04
                                                                          129       135         6       1.05
                                                                          139       148         9       1.99
                                                                          150       151         1       2.05
                                                                          153       154         1       1.02

   MMRC 100      7 037 890    645 475      -60        270        210      196       204         8       0.94*

   MMRC 101      7 037 770    645 170      -60        270        130       64        72         8       0.99*

   MMRC 102      7 037 730    645 190      -60        270        147       52        64        12       0.96*
                                                                           88        96         8       1.11*

   MMRC 103      7 037 730    645 210      -60        270        127       20        24         4       1.52*
                                                                           36        44         8       0.62*
                                                                           60        76        16       0.82*
                                                                           80        84         4       0.78*
                                                                           92       104        12       7.25*
                                                                 inc       92        94         4      17.80*

   MMRC 104      7 037 770    645 150      -60        270        99        48        52         4       0.55*

   MMRC 105      7 037 770    645 170      -60        270        99        76        84         8      16.40*
                                                                 inc       76        80         4      31.10*

   MMRC 106      7 037 770    645 190      -60        270        120       36        40         4       0.54*
                                                                           56        60         4       0.91*
                                                                          104       112         8       1.15*

   MMRC 107      7 037 770    645 210      -60        270        120       48        52         4       0.66*
                                                                           56        60         4       1.35*
                                                                           68        72         4       1.37*



Notes:

1.     All assay values are based on 50 gm fire assays.

2.     * indicates the intercept grade is based on 4 m composite sample assays.

3.     True widths of mineralised zones are probably about 60% of intercept
       lengths.

4.     The terms of the Polelle joint venture provide for Elara Mining Limited
       to earn a 65% interest over a four year period through the expenditure of 
       $5 million.



Information in this report relating to mineral resources conforms to the
reporting requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Identified
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code).  It is based on information
compiled by Mr Graham Miller, FAusIMM, a Competent Person as defined by the
Code.  It is included in this report with his consent.



Enquiries regarding this report may be directed to:



Stephen W. Miller
Executive Chairman
Telephone          (08) 9476 5555
Overseas          +61 8 9476 5555

or

Colin G. Jackson
Investor Relations
Telephone            0417 929 107



St Barbara Mines Limited
Level 2, 16 Ord Street
West Perth
Western Australia    6005

Telephone         (08) 9476 5555
Overseas         +61 8 9476 5555



Dollar values in this report are Australian dollars unless otherwise stated.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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