Mine starts work after temporary closure

ST Barbara says remedial work has started on its K3.4 billion Simberi gold mine in New Ireland following a fatal incident last month. It forced a temporary suspension of mining and hauling operations. The Australian miner yesterday said that haul road maintenance and pit traffic management controls had resumed.  They were in addition to grade control drilling and blast activities which had also restarted. Other regular maintenance work on vehicles, heavy equipment and the process plant have been conducted.  Acting general manager Wayne Patterson said: “The safety and wellbeing of our employees and the host community remains the operation’s priority.” In the meantime, investigations are continuing into the death of a female mine operator. Mineral Resources Authority managing director Jerry Garry had told The National that a full investigation was being done. According to the authority, she was the first female to have an accident in the PNG mining industry.