The Lihir Gold Mine expects production to increase after more than eight kilometres of a haulage road network in Lihir, New Ireland, has been upgraded by the company.
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.
In a statement the company stated the improved haulage road network is an excellent achievement, demonstrating the company’s values of working together, problem solving and innovation, and utilising a structured approach to achieve safe outcomes.
Also the firm expects the improvements to increase production and reduce all-in sustaining cost.
So far the project has achieved;
- Safe truck operation by increasing separation distances;
- An increase in the annualised TMM (total material movement) run rate from 40Mt (million tons) to 55Mt;
- An increased in the UoA (use of availability) of haul trucks from 79 percent to 89 percent; and
- A sustained availability of haul trucks at 85 percent
Mine manager, Iso Ealedona, said it was pleasing to see the team deliver the project successfully.
“It is important we prove to ourselves that such a disciplined approach to resolving issues and de-bottlenecking the operation is the way we need to work. This project has set the foundation for us going forward,” he said.
The company says returns to profitability, the economic contributions flowing into the PNG economy through royalties and taxes will continue to grow.
In the financial year 2017, Lihir paid K84 million in royalties and K157 million in taxes.