Sandeep Biswas

Chief Financial Officer Sherry Duhe, who joined the company in February, will step in as interim Chief Executive while a global internal and external search for a replacement is underway, Newcrest said in a filing to the exchange.

“As we look towards the future, it is an opportune time for fresh leadership to accelerate the evolution of our company and ensure we are best placed to make the most of the opportunities in front of us,” said Chairman Peter Tomsett in a statement.

Newcrest’s K20 million Community Support Fund will initially be directed towards increasing the availability of medical care and equipment to cope with the crisis, as well as assisting in the provision of other essential goods and services in communities that host the Company’s activities.

Newcrest Managing Director and CEO, Sandeep Biswas, said Newcrest has always taken its responsibilities as a corporate leader in Papua New Guinea seriously and the Company was committed to supporting the government and the community in managing this crisis.

From Samo village on the Western side of Lihir, New Ireland Province, the mother of three has been working with the company for over 16 years. 

She joined in 2001 as an operator driving haul trucks, excavators and com loaders, and has notched a wealth of experience in the field. In her new role, one of her responsibilities will be to provide support in leading and managing groups of heavy equipment operators within the mine operations.

The mine is located in the Morobe Province.

Newcrest Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sandeep Biswas stated in the company’s September report that “Newcrest has completed the sale of its 50 per cent share of Hidden Valley to Harmony following receipt of South African Regulatory approval. The economic effective date for the transaction is 31 August 2016; accordingly the operational results shown are for the July-August period only.”

Newcrest is an Australian company and operates the Lihir gold mine in New Ireland Province.

The comments were made by current Lihir General Manager, Craig Jetson, who is now promoted to Executive General Manager of Lihir and Cadia, Newcrest’s other operation in Australia.

“There should be a great sense of accomplishment in the work done to date by our Lihir team and justified excitement about what the future holds. I look forward to continuing to work with our workforce, local communities and the government to take Lihir from strength to strength,” said Jetson.