Newcrest, Govt partnership long-standing

NEWCREST Mining Ltd, whose interests in the country include the Lihir gold mine and a 50 per cent share in the proposed Wafi-Golpu project, has a long-standing partnership with PNG.
Newcrest managing director and chief executive officer Sandeep Biswas told Prime Minister James Marape that it continued to make significant contributions to the economy throughout the challenges of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
He said in the last financial year, K180 million was added to operational costs to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 on Lihir operations and employees.
“In addition, over K1 billion was spent with PNG suppliers, with more than K400 million going to Lihirian vendors alone,” he said.
“Newcrest also contributed K284 million in taxes, K99 million in royalties and contributed USD450 million to the national account through the acquisition of K1.574 billion in foreign exchange.”