YANDERA
Location
Madang Province, 95 kilometres south-west of Madang. Close to the Ramu Nickel Mine development.
Latitude 5°46'28.20"S Longitude 145°14'1.55"E
Status
The Yandera mine is in Phase 2 of a Definitive Feasibility Study which is scheduled for completion in December 2010. Design and construction is planned to commence in early 2011 with the mine being commissioned in 2013.
Type of Mine and Waste Disposal
The Yandera Project, which comprises two granted exploration licences and covers some 1200 square kilometres, was the subject of an intensive, drill-based, exploration program during the 1970’s by a number of companies, including Kennecott and BHP. The mine is planned to be an open-pit mining operation with an initial life of 10 years. Ore processing will commence at 25 million tonnes per annum with the ability to increase during the life of the operation. It is proposed to crush and grind ore near the mine with an ore slurry line to a coastal concentrator, producing separate copper and molybdenum sulphide concentrates. Marengo suggests that research has indicated it is most feasible to process these concentrates at a process plant located near the coast.
The Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) or Submarine Tailings Disposal (STD) is the preferred disposal option. Marengo Mining suggests a precedent for DSTP because it is used by other PNG operations such as Lihir Gold and has recently been permitted to the nearby Ramu Nickel Project. Bathymetric survey to determine placement of DSTP outfalls was completed by the middle of February 2010. Monitoring equipment has been installed and monitoring will take place over a minimum duration of twelve months as required by PNG Law.
Target Minerals
Gold, Copper, Silver, Molybdenum, Rhenium.
Past Production
Not Applicable
Current Production
Not Applicable
Ownership and Finance
The Yandera Project is 100% owned and operated by Marengo Mining Limited. Marengo Mining is an Australian based resource company, listed on each of the Australian (ASX), Toronto (TSX) and the Port Moresby (POMSoX) stock exchanges.
Environmental Setting
The Yandera Copper-Molybdenum-gold porphyry project is located 450 kilometres north-west of the Capital, Port Moresby and is one of the largest undeveloped porphyries of its type in the south-west Pacific.
Environmental Impacts
Environmental impacts are likely to be as a result of Deep Sea Tailing Placements. Environmental impact studies have yet to be conducted.
Social Impacts:
The mine is still in the planning stage. Marengo mining publications show that they are working closely with local communities at this stage.