Joint venture completes Wafi Golpu feasibility study

The National Business

By Lemach Lavari
THE feasibility study on the Wafi Golpu project in Morobe has been completed and given to the government, according to Wafi Golpu Joint Venture general manager Craig Jones.
Jones said exploration on the mine began in 1977 and they were pleased with the release of the feasibility study.
“We have released a much improved study from the previous versions,” he said.
They have submitted the study to the Mineral Resources Authority for the consideration of their development proposal.
The joint venture’s executive project director Bryan Bailie said construction would start after the granting of the mining licence. The first ore production should start five years after that.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke said the report of the study was with the MRA to assess to make sure it complied with regulation.
Bailie said if developed, it would be the largest underground mine in PNG. The mine life is estimated to be 28 years.
The findings of the study include:

  • A power station with a capacity of 140 megawatts will be built to supply power to the mine;
  • New port facilities in Lae to store and export peak production rate of 84,000 metric tonnes of copper concentrate per month;
  • A new 35 kilometer road from the highlands highway to the mine site;
  • Deep sea tailings placement. Studies confirm Western Huon Gulf area suitable for tailings placement.

“The project will create more than 2000 jobs throughout the duration of the construction period, and about 850 jobs through the operation of the mine,” Bailie said.
The Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture is a 50-50 partnership between Harmony Gold and Newcrest Mining.
“We look forward to meeting with the government and progress the proposal for the development of the mine,” Bailie said.