New underground mine lifts Newcrest Maluku gold production

Australian mining firm Newcrest Mining Limited reported on Monday that April-June quarter 2006 gold production from its Halmahera Island mine, Maluku was 56,067 ounces, higher than previous quarter?s production of 49,730 ounces.

The company said that production from Toguraci open pit mine continued to fall during the quarter due to high rainfall, discharge of hot artesian water through the pit floor and the impact of earlier pit wall failure. Toguraci produced only 14,550 ounces during the quarter. The company said approximately 19,000 ounces of gold remained in pit and will be mined in September quarter.

The company reported that during the quarter Kencana underground mine commenced production and contributed 41,508 ounces of gold based on 28.480 tonnes of ore processed at a head grade of 49.7g/t Au and recovery of 94.2 percent.

Halmahera gold mine is operated by PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, a joint venture company between Newcrest Mining Limited (82.5 percent) and PT Aneka Tambang (17.5 percent). (alex)