Porgera to resume operations

Management of the Porgera joint venture has started routine recommissioning procedures at the explosives plant at the Papua New Guinean mine site.

Placer Dome (TSE), an 18.9% owner of the project, said it will ensure the plant is operating safely and correctly prior to resuming production. Eleven employees of the explosives contractor, Dyno Wesfarmers, died as a result of the Aug. 2 explosions at the plant. In addition, a number of employees suffered cuts and abrasions.

Employees have started to return to work at the mine site; however, the explosives plant, 1 km from the mine site, remains cordoned off. A return to full production is expected shortly once all requirements of the country’s chief inspector of mines have been met.