Harmony shutdown on target

THE Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited says the shutdown at its Hidden Valley mine in Morobe was completed two weeks ahead of schedule and processing of ore restarted on Nov 15.
The company in a statement said more than 65 per cent of the planned capital investment in the mine had been incurred to date and investment was progressing ahead of schedule and on budget, all the while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, managing director of the Mineral Resources Authority Philip Samar, and chairman of the Nakuwi Association Rex Mauri visited the mine on Nov 20.
They were hosted by Harmony’s South-East Asia executive team and Hidden Valley leadership team.
Tuke acknowledged the significant contribution made by the mine to the province and the national economy.
Meanwhile, Hidden Valley general manager Gary Davis last week presented to the Mining and Petroleum Conference and trade fair in Port Moresby an update of the Hidden Valley investment programme.
Harmony chief executive officer Peter Steenkamp said: “The Hidden Valley team showcases responsible mining – communities benefit, employees benefit and the mine is well on track to deliver annual steady state gold production of 180,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of less than US$950/oz from FY19.”