St Barbara has released its 10 year mine outlook for the Simberi gold mine, giving the major a road map to more profitable production.
The concept study considered six different cases comprising two flowsheet options with three different processing rates.
St Barbara found that investing in the 3.7 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) option provided the most compelling development pathway to lift Simberi’s production from its current range of 70–75,000 ounces to an average of 230,000 ounces.
“The concept study provides a strong case for St Barbara to push forward with the larger 3.7 Mtpa throughput options at Simberi,” St Barbara managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Strelein said.
“We now have a road map we can pursue that can take us to increased, more profitable production at Simberi into the mid-2030s.”
Strelein said St Barbara’s strategy at Simberi has been to extend oxide production in 2026, and the company will continue to execute this.
“Our strategy with Simberi has been to extend the production of oxides into 2026, increase the sulphide resource and reserve through extension drilling, which is underway; and revisit the sulphide expansion development plan,” he said.
“The concept study is a major milestone in progressing that development plan and we are excited about the potential of this project.”
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