Newmont Starts Commercial Production At Merian Gold Mine
Zacks Investment Research | Oct 03, 2016 09:30PM ET
Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE:NEM) has concluded the development of the Merian gold mine in Suriname on time and within budget. The capital expenditure incurred for the construction was over $150 million, or almost 20% below the initial capital budget.
Newmont began commercial production at the mine on Oct 1 when the first gold was poured. In the last 30 days, the company achieved an average mill throughput of 80% and gold recovery of over 90%. Nearly 160,000 contained ounces of gold are represented in the stockpiled ore at the mine. The mine currently employs over 1,100 workers, with indigenous Pamakkans accounting for 20% of the force, and 200 contractors. The company signed an agreement with the local Pamakkan community for hiring and procurement along with a community development fund.
The mine is expected to contain 5.1 million ounces of gold reserves, of which the first five full years are projected to see annual production of about 400,000−500,000 ounces at competitive costs on a 100% basis. In the same period, costs applicable to sales are expected to range between $575−$675 per ounce, while the all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) are estimated between $650−$750 per ounce, making cost among one of the lowest in Newmont’s mines portfolio. Exploration by the company has expanded mine life to 13 years from 11 years. The mine also has an upside potential in the form of 500,000 hectares of land belonging to the company’s Area of Interest, which also includes a new discovery at Sabajo.
In Nov 2013, the Suriname government also exercised its option to participate in a 25% equity ownership stake in the mine. The Suriname government manages its participation in Merian through Staatsolie, a fully government-owned Surinamese company. The mine will operate under the name of Newmont Suriname, and will be run as part of Newmont’s South America region, in accordance with leading safety, technical, social and environmental regulations.
Newmont has four other self-funded growth projects, Long Canyon, expansions at both Tanami and Carlin, as well as the recently concluded expansion at Cripple Creek & Victor. All five projects together are estimated to add 1 million ounces of lower cost gold production over the next two years to the company.
Shares of Newmont closed 3.03% lower at $38.10 on Oct 3.
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