GOLPU PROJECT SITE WorleyParsons has started work on the feasibility study for the Golpu gold mine project, in Papua New Guinea
Project delivery and consulting services firm WorleyParsons started working on the feasibility study for the greenfield Golpu gold project, in Papua New Guinea, last month.
The project is owned by Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture, one of three Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) entities, and is a 50:50 JV between South African gold miner Harmony Gold and Australian gold miner Newcrest Mining.
“The Golpu project feasibility study will stipulate technical, procurement and operational plans to create a long-life, world-class mine,” explains WorleyParsons mining studies divisional manager Rob McGill, adding that the project will comprise an underground mine and a process plant with significant associated infrastructure.
WorleyParsons was also responsible for conducting the prefeasibility study (PFS) for the project from January to November last year.
McGill says the PFS divided the project into two stages, with the first stage targeting the upper higher-value portion of the orebody, which is expected to have a 27-year life, and the second stage focusing on the remaining ore reserve.
In addition to the feasibility study for Stage 1 of the project, WorleyParsons’ scope of work for this year will also include a PFS for Stage 2 and early engineering works for Stage 1.
“We are delighted that the business case has been given the green light by MMJV. This is the biggest international project study undertaken by WorleyParsons’ mining centre of excellence, based in Johannesburg,” says McGill.
He adds that successfully completing the PFS and starting the feasibility study demonstrates the company’s ability to leverage the underground mining and processing capability of its South African hub to add value to customers globally.