Ramu NiCo records high production output last year despite Covid-19

RAMU NiCo, the country’s nickel-cobalt mining project in Madang recorded a high production output in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) president Gao Yongxue announced during the company’s 2021 annual conference that they achieved “103.3 per cent above” the design capacity – for the fourth year in a row. He said the nickel and cobalt were ranked in the top 10 in the global industry and its production operation performance rated among competitors.
The meeting was attended by vice-presidents, department managers and senior employees via video conferencing in Beijing, China, the Kurumbukari mine and Basamuk refinery.
“In 2020, we prioritised a number of aspects of work while centering on the production operation plan set early in the year,” Gao said.
“Over the year, the project’s rated indexes were well controlled and the various process indexes were favorable with regard to the requirements in the plan set early in the year.”
He said the Covid-19 had impacted some areas in the high-pressure acid leaching plant at the Basamuk refinery.
It, therefore, could not be rolled out normally.
Gao said strict management was in place for procurement with procedures standardised, and more effort made on the bidding and tendering for bulk materials and shipping service, thus, a significant drop in the procurement costs.
He said market trends were also tracked closely, favourable opportunities were seized, marketing strategies were adjusted in time, having greatly increased sales revenue.
Gao said the company also championed the “One Ramu NiCo, one community” idea to achieve long-term development.