go frontier

Frontier to launch ecology-friendly system
By FRANK ASAELI
FRONTIER Resources Ltd is bent on launching a cutting edge technology to develop the Mt Bini copper deposit without being destructive to the area’s ecology.
Frontier said it wanted to complete a feasibility study to confirm the deposit on the Kodu prospect and that on Mt Bini exploration licence 1348 are economically viable.
The company has already spent more than K8.5 million (A$3.5M) on exploration since 2004 and has greatly exceeded the financial and work programme obligations.
Mt Bini EL 1348 at Naoro village, Koiari and beside the Kokoda Trail contains six prospects – Kodu, Oomargi, Elo, Sirimu, Mt Tamala and Ua’ule.
Managing director Peter McNeil said Frontier has already drilled and shown that there are mineralised porphyry copper gold-molybdenum systems, deposits at Oomargi and Elo.
“With further work it is possible that mines could be discovered in these prospect areas also and they are a long way (six to 12km) from the (Kokoda) track,” he said.
Mr McNeil said the company is not mining the Kokoda trail and has no plans to mine the trail.
Frontier does not believe the proposed copper mine would contaminate the Goldie river system enough to be of significant concern, adding that all operations of any kind produce some form of pollution.
Mr McNeil said a full feasibility study is required to determine the full environmental impact once the final process route has been determined.
“However, Frontier would like the opportunity to develop Kodu using cutting edge extraction technologies and world’s best practices to ensure the impact to the environment is minimal,” he said.
The PNG Government should do what is best for the nation’s economy and the landowners and that would be to allow mine development and tourism to prosper in tandem with each other.
“Yes, Frontier’s share price has fallen on speculation that the EL won’t be renewed, but it is only speculation at this stage and we are fighting on to secure our rights in this matter. Frontier has not received official notification that the EL will not be renewed.”
Frontier is currently drilling Andewa gold deposit (East New Britain) and Wart Hill Base metals prospects in Tasmania.


Business Stories