Newcrest Mining Limited reported on activities at the Hidden Valley development in Papua New Guinea during the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Gold production for the quarter was 43,028 g based on Newcrest's 50% share of production. Construction of the 5km overland conveyor linking the Hidden Valley pit with the processing plant was completed during the quarter. The processing plant ramp up continued during the quarter with ore sourced from the Hamata pit and mill throughput reaching 85% of design capacity in December. The processing plant was expected to reach full production during the March 2010 quarter following
commissioning of the flotation circuit.
Newcrest Mining report project construction and process plant commissioning activities were delayed during the quarter. Exceptionally heavy rain during July (exceeding a 1 in 20 year event) and the premature failure of a mill gearbox and plant
modifications in September significantly impacted commissioning production. Newcrest’s 50% share of production for the quarter was 3,168 ounces. Mill utilisation and throughput rates after the gearbox repairs and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) plant modifications
were ramping-up satisfactorily. Overland conveyor construction was similarly impacted by wet weather and is behind schedule. Construction should be substantially complete by the end of November.
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