Newmont reports higher production from Batu Hijau

Newmont reports higher production from Batu Hijau

US mining giant Newmont Mining Corp. reported on Wednesday that copper and gold production from its Batu Hijau mine in Sumbawa island, West Nusa Tenggara reached 133 million pounds and 169,000 ounces, respectively, up from 114 million pounds and 120,000 ounces produced in last year?s same quarter.

The Company said that increase in production was due to higher grade ore. Production during the second quarter was adversely affected by unusually heavy rainfall, it said.

?The Company continues to expect 2010 equity gold and copper production at Batu Hijau of between 365,000 and 400,000 ounces, and between 265 and 290 million pounds, respectively. The Company continues to expect 2010 costs applicable to sales of between US$265 and $285 per ounce and $0.75 and $0.85 per pound, respectively,? it said.

Newmont has a 48.50% effective economic interest in PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, the company that runs Batu Hijau mine. (kanthi)

Operating statistic - Batu Hijau

	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Month Ended June 30,
	2010	2009	2009	2008
Tons mined (000 dry short tons):
Ore	7,336	35,798	15,985	67,894
Waste	14,714	7,919	21,686	16,991
Total	22,050	43,717	37,671	84,85
Tons mined (000 dry short tons)	11,875	11,108	24,659	20,697
Average ore grade:
Gold (oz/ton)	0.018	0.014	0.017	0.011
Copper	0.65%	0.58%	0.65%	0.54%
Average mill recovery rate:
Gold	81.3%	82.7%	81.4%	83.0%
Copper	84.5%	89.7%	85.9%	89.1%
Gold ounces produced (thousands):
Consolidated	169	120	335	179
Equity	82	55	170	81
Gold ounces sold (thousands):
Consolidated	144	107	302	173
Equity	70	48	153	78
Copper pounds produced (millions):
Consolidated	133	114	278	195
Equity	65	51	141	88
Copper pounds sold (millions):
Consolidated	112	105	248	201
Equity	54	47	126	90