Archipelago?s N. Sulawesi gold mine project hampered by environmental permit

Despite having entered construction phase on its North Sulawesi gold mining project, UK gold miner Archipelago Resources has not yet secured vital environmental permit from the ministry of environment, Antara reported Tuesday.

The report quoted that North Sulawesi head of environmental control agency head Herry Untu saying that the ministry would not issue tailing disposal permit until after it had dealt with villagers? objection over the project?s planned tailing disposal.

Archipelago, through its unit PT. Meares Soputan Mining proposed two alternatives to dump the main?s tailing; undersea disposal or onshore storage

The Toka Tindung gold project has a resource of 1.75 million ounces (ozs) of gold equivalent, of which at least 900,000 ozs will initially be mineable by open pit. The project is targeted to produce 160,000 ozs per annum for an initial 6 year mine life commencing in mid 2006.(*)