The Porgera Gold Mine is being readied for recommissioning later this year, as announced by Mark Bristow, President and CEO of Barrick Gold on August 4. Located in Papua New Guinea, the mine is held by Barrick Niugini Limited, a joint venture between Zijin Mining and Barrick Gold.

This follows an event held on July 20, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon James Marape, the Minister of Mining, the Hon Sir Ano Pala, the Governor of Enga Province, Sir Peter Ipatas and thousands of Porgerans. During the event, the Security Forum and the Development Forum were opened. The Minister of Mining said at the event that the maintenance of law and order was critical for the successful restart and operation of the mine. Additionally, with strong support from all stakeholders, a hearing on the application of the Special Mining Lease was concluded before August 2.

As mentioned in Barrick’s latest press release on Porgera, the Security Forum, the Development Forum and the hearing are important preconditions for the final approval of the mine’s restart by the PNG Ministry of Mining. The remaining procedures for the mine’s recommissioning are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

After resuming full operation, the Porgera Gold Mine will continue to be managed by BNL, which now holds a 49% interest in Porgera and shares 47% of its economic benefits.

The BNL management is fast-tracking preparations for reopening the mine by the end of 2023. Mining equipment and the mobile fleet are being recommissioned, the mining and metallurgy plans have been updated and the personnel recruitment plan has been finalized, with priority given to local employment.

Zijin Mining will continue working with its partner Barrick Gold and other stakeholders in the PNG to advance relevant activities, with the aim of restarting the Porgera Gold Mine at the earliest opportunity.

Translator: Jian    Reviser: Han Liangyue   Editor-in-Chief: Wang Jie