Lihir gold mine

NIPG demands to be party to mine purchase deal

Sir Julius said it is important for the people of New Ireland to have a say on the type of miner  allowed to mine in the province.

Governor Chan said he was disappointed to learn through the media that Newcrest has already gone ahead to strike a deal with American mining  company, Newmont. 

“We don’t all of a sudden want to have another Pogera on our hands, where the mine stops and we have to start from scratch again.

“There must be proper consultation between all parties concerned before final decision on a new mining company is made," he said.

Lihir ops not impacted by COVID-19 case

The individual, a PNG national, flew into Lihir from Port Moresby on 30 July and as per our protocol was isolated along with the other arrivals in a designated isolation camp while testing was conducted and the 14 day isolation period completed.

The individual is asymptomatic and has been moved from the isolation camp into a separate isolation and treatment facility. We are providing the individual with care and support.

Newcrest’s financial report

The Lihir Gold Mine in New Ireland Province, which is one of the largest known gold deposits in the world, contributes to the PNG economy in multiple ways, including through taxes and royalties, employment, investment in infrastructure and services, and purchasing goods and services from local suppliers.

Lihir production up 12pc in Q1

Newcrest Mining Limited says this is a result of increased availability in the milling circuit and an associated increase in the mill throughput rate.

Lihir’s All-In-Sustaining-Cost (AISC) per ounce for the March quarter was lower than the prior quarter primarily as a result of lower site costs, production stripping costs and sustaining capital expenditure.

The rollout of NewSafe continues across the site with mining and mobile maintenance areas having been completed and the processing plant and fixed plant maintenance areas progressing well.

Mine anticipates rise in production

The upgrade network is part of improving and maintaining safe production and asset health in Lihir.

So far, 8.4km out of a total 11km haulage road has been upgraded.

The project involves engineered improvements to the road network by widening chicanes and narrow segments to straighter double lane sections, smoother road surface gradients.

Lihir mine boss in tune with locals

Jetson said he and his wife, Teresa, have lived on the island for the last two years and believes he understands their struggles.

However, he also said he understood the opportunities locals had before them to turn themselves as a model community for Province and country.

Jetson said this when delivering sporting equipment to St. Thomas Primary and Upper School students.

He encouraged the students to learn life’s skills and promote the type of behaviour that will make a real difference to their school, home, community and province.

New technology to improve gold production

The company announced this following the successful installation of its float tails leach phase 2 project cyclone tower and associated pipework.

The technology will enable the company to recover cyanide soluble gold from the flotation grade gold (FGO) and high grade gold (HGO 1&2) flotation tails.

Superintendent-major projects, Greg Bridge, said: “Previously, gold was lost through the flotation circuit. With the addition of the two cyclone clusters, we reduce our losses and increase our recovery rate, subsequently increasing our gold production.”

​PNG engineer proud of Lihir mine work

Richard Kuaru, the Structural Mechanical and Piping Supervisor for Downer Construction and his team worked on the building of two new cyclone clusters. And he said their involvement was a positive one.

“As Papua New Guineans working on the project, the experience has given us great job satisfaction.

“We are also gaining more experience in building it from the ground up, right to its completion stage, and we are proud of our work in helping Newcrest in its business improvement projects.”

PNG’s first female oxygen plant operator

Monica Tawai, 31, from New Ireland and East New Britain is now an Operator of the Air Separation Unit (ASU) Operator at the oxygen plant after joining Newcrest as a trainee.

Tawai is urging young women and girls to believe in their ability and take up more challenging roles and continue to break barriers.

“I urge more young women to pursue careers in this field. Do not look down on yourself only because you are a woman. You are able to do anything. You have to believe in yourself,” she said.

Mining sector sees a rebound in 2016 revenue

This is a 38 per cent increase from the preceding year, which recorded K7.2 billion.

According to MRA production reports by mines, Lihir Mine generated the most revenue with K3.57 billion.

Ok Tedi fell in the second spot, generating K2.1 billion (K2, 064b)after an impressive 10 month production run following a hibernation of the mine caused by the El Nino Drought.

Porgera moved down to third spot after generating K2 billion (K1.995b).