Newcrest Mining is undertaking a series of investigations into mine tailings options it is considering for the Wafi-Golpu Mine project in Morobe Province.
Speaking at the Australia-PNG Business Council Forum Newcrest Country Manager, Peter Aitsi, said the investigations into the tailings management options which include, deep sea tailings placement, is being done along with further geo-technical interpretations.
Aitsi said the outcomes of these activities will be forwarded and placed with the Special Mining Lease (SML) application and feasibility study which have been submitted.
“In terms of the time frame of Wafi-Golpu we’ve submitted our application for an SML, along with our feasibility (study) and so we’re going through the process with the government to review that. Part of the work were doing with the tailings will feed back into the assessment and we hope that as the elections are done, we will be able to engage a little more intensive with the MRA try and take that to a conclusion,” he said.
Aitsi added that Newcrest is currently speaking with PNG Ports and PNG Power to better understand the type of support that they can give us, strictly in terms of this key infrastructure.