Newmont gets land-use permit renewal for Batu Hijau mine

Copper and gold miner PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) said on Monday that it has obtained a renewal of its land-use permit at Batu Hijau mine in Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara which will allow it to continue its mining operation as planned.

?The permit is valid for 20 years and provides certainty for our operation to continue its industry leading performance as previously planned in our Contract of Work with the Government of Indonesia for the optimum benefits of Indonesian government, local communities, employees and our shareholders,? the company said in statement.

US top gold producer Newmont Mining Corp has 45 percent equity in NNT, which run the giant mining complex.

Newmont reported on July 24 that gold sales from its Batu Hijau mine during the first half of 2009 reached 173,000 ounces, higher than last year?s same quarter sales of 158,000 ounces.

During the period, Batu Hijau also sold 201 million pounds of copper versus 157 million pounds of copper in the same period last year. (godang)