Our Assets
Lihir
Most of the ore that Lihir produces is refractory and treated using pressure oxidation before the gold is recovered by a conventional leach process
Lihir achieved the target of an annualised 15mtpa sustainable mill throughput rate in the June 2019 quarter. Having achieved this target, Lihir is looking to stabilise throughput at or slightly above these levels and increase focus on lifting recovery rates to maximise overall gold production and cash flow in the future.
Growth opportunities
In February 2016, the Lihir Pit Optimisation Prefeasibility Study affirmed the potential benefits of lateral mine development of the open pit.
The board endorsed the progression to Feasibility Study with respect to a near shore cut-off wall in place of a coffer dam, substantially reducing expected future capital expenditure on the seepage barrier.
Sustainability and community
Newcrest creates economic value for PNG and local communities including direct revenues from operations, investments in public infrastructure and services, support of local suppliers and a range of indirect economic benefits.
Approximately 4,500 people are employed at Lihir which has a combination of residential and fly-in-fly-out personnel, around 90 per cent of employees are Papua New Guineans.
Newcrest supports PNG-based suppliers and businesses where possible, consistent with our commitments to landowners and the PNG Government.
We also contribute to the local economy in accordance with agreements with the government and landowners by providing public infrastructure and services, including access to health services and the provision of electrical power and water to local villages.
