Papua New Guinea's OK Tedi’s mine life will extend for another three years from 2029 to 2032 with an uplift in value of US$3.7 billion (about K12.97 billion), chief executive officer and managing director Musje Werror says.
Werror said this during the 2021 PNG Mining and Petroleum Conference and Exhibition yesterday in Port Moresby.
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| Papua New Guinea's Ok Tedi mine life will extend to 2032 : Werror [Photo by OTML] |
He said this was according to the mine’s 2021 strategic business plan, which was an increase from the 2020 plan which estimated the mine life to be 2026 to 2029.
“The 2021 Ok Tedi strategic business plan confirms an uplift in value by another US$475 million (about K1.66 billion) to US$3.7 billion with mine life extended for another three years,” he said.
Werror said the revised value and extension of mine life was promised on the timely implementation of several imperative projects which were:
- THE removal of 20 million tonnes of debris at the centre pit at a cost of US$62 million (about K217 million) to access high grade ore from 2023;
- THE construction of a 400 million tonne engineered waste rock dump at a cost of US$135 million (about K473 million) to enable a potential option of in-pit disposal;
- THE underground depressurisation of the pit walls to ensure stability at a cost of US$10 million (about K35 million);
- INCREASE storage capacity for pirate concentrate, one of our waste products to extend beyond 2032 at a cost of US$20 million (about K70 million); and,
- MAJOR refurbishment and upgrade of all aging processing facilities at the cost of US$280 million (about K982 million)
- Werron said another significant project completed last year was the US$240 million (about K842 million) crusher replacement project.
“Mining has commenced where the old crusher was located which will now open up access to high grade ore by 2023.
Werror said the next 12 months would see OTML complete the transition from current low grade ore to high grade ore sources,” he said.
The National / Pacific Mining Watch
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