West Wits begins operations at Derewo river gold project
Wednesday, October 14 2015 - 04:44 AM WIB
ASX-listed West Wits Mining Limited (WWI) announced Wednesday that its Indonesian subsidiary PT Madinah Qurrata?ain (PTMQ) has commenced operations at the Derewo River Gold Project, Papua Province.
WWI said in a statement that commencement of operations has been made possible as a result of extensive work undertaken with local authorities by the company?s new partner for the Indonesian venture PT Intan Angkasa Aviation (PTIA).
?In particular, PTIA?s representatives, led by retired Chief Police Inspector, General of Police for Indonesia Rudiard M.L. Tampubolon, have provided the leadership and experience necessary to successfully navigate a pathway to the commencement of operations,? the statement said.
WWI explained that over the last four weeks the company?s staff at the site have been planning for the commencement of operations. Preparatory works are now underway which include clearing access to the 81 Creek, levelling works within the creek to prepare ground for pipelines as well as implementing a temporary diversion of the Creek to enable the placement and securing of sluice boxes. Further works will then be undertaken to establish a dam for water supply and installation of water cannon.
PTMQ earth moving equipment is currently undertaking these works. Commissioning of the alluvial circuit will be staged, with full operational capacity for this circuit planned to be achieved within four to six weeks.
?Whilst operations are currently proceeding smoothly and PTMQ is in effective control of its operational area at the 81 Creek an artisanal mining population is still present at the site. Whilst these parties are not impeding the current operations their presence constitutes an ongoing threat to stability and security at the site,? WWI said.
For this reason PTIA and its representatives are undertaking further discussions and actions to achieve the removal from the site of all unauthorized persons. ?The company is confident that this outcome can be achieved within the next few months,? WWI said.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak