Govt approval sought Frieda mine’s better design

By LEMACH LAVARI
An improved project design of the Frieda gold and copper mine in West Sepik includes the construction of a dam, port and power grid, according to a mine consultant.
PanAust adviser Tim Omundsen said a refined project design called the Sepik Development Project would be proposed to the Government soon.
The project will include the Frieda copper-gold mine, Frieda hydro-electric project, Sepik infrastructure project and Sepik power grid.
Omundsen made this announcement at the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Media Workshop last Thursday.
PanAust has an 80 per cent share in the mine and 20 per cent is held by Highlands Pacific.
Omundsen said the costs of these projects would be in the billions of US dollars.
He said the company was doing a feasibility study to determine the costs of the projects, with the hydro-electric project to see the construction of the largest dam in PNG.
“It will take about six years to develop and will produce 400 megawatts of electricity,” Omundsen said.
“This will primarily support the energy requirement of the mine.
“The first 10 years of the mine will require 200MW of electricity.
“An excess of 200MW can be used elsewhere in PNG.
“After 10 years, the project will need approximately 300MW: This means there will be an excess of 100 megawatts.”