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Projects
Gosowong Province
Gosowong Expansion Project
| Location |
Halmahera Island North Maluku, Indonesia |
| Ownership |
82.5% Newcrest / 17.5% PT Aneka Tambang |
| Mineral Resources* |
Refer 2009 Annual Report |
| Ore Reserves* |
Refer 2009 Annual Report |
| Current Project Status |
Construction Stage |
| Production commencing |
Mid 2009 |
| Mine Type |
Underground – Underhand cut and fill |
| Processing |
Utilising the existing cyanide leach processing facility |
| Product |
Gold Bullion |
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* Newcrest reports 100% of the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve at Kencana. Kencana is owned and operated by PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, an incorporated joint venture between Newcrest (82.5%) and PT Aneka Tambang (17.5%).
Overview
The Gosowong Expansion project is based on the extension of the existing underground mine into the K2 and K Link high-grade epithermal gold deposits and increasing the process plant throughput. The K2 and K Link deposits are located 350 metres below surface and approximately 200 metres vertically and 750 metres horizontally from the K1 orebody, upon which the existing Kencana mine is based.
The Kencana mineralised system is located in the world class gold province of Gosowong. The region is highly prospective with continuing exploration discoveries indicating the potential to significantly enhance the life of the Kencana mine life.
Project Status
Board approval to develop the Gosowong Expansion Project was received during the December 2008 quarter. Access to the K2 and K Link deposits will be via the existing K1 decline. Development of a 0.5 kilometres extension is required to access the K2 deposit and 0.2 kilometres extension to access K Link. The processing plant throughput will be increased to 65 tonnes per hour (currently 50 tonnes per hour) and the installation of two vertimills to increase recovery rates.
The Expansion Project is planned to increase gold production to an average annualised rate of over 450,000oz from the March 2010 quarter.
Future Developments
Over 5 million ounces of gold have been discovered in the Gosowong world class epithermal field. Future exploration is focused on discovering extensions to the existing Kencana deposit, testing known fertile structures around the Toguraci area that was previously mined as an open pit and regional exploration in the 30,000 hectare contract of work.
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