Ramu Expansion, page-2

OCTOBER 3, 2018 · 8:42 AM
Ramu Mine Announces K4.8B Mine Expansion
The pipeline carrying slurry from the Ramu mine to the coast

Post Courier | October 1, 2018

RAMU NiCo Management Limited, the developer of the country’s first nickel, cobalt mining project last Thursday, announced expansion plans investing over US$1.5 (K4.8) billion into the project.

The Madang project expansion is expected to provide an additional one thousand plus job opportunities for locals when construction and production starts.

The announcement was made at the Ramu Project Update meeting organized by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), which was attended by project stakeholders, government department representatives, and landowners from four impacted areas.

Feasibility studies of the expansion project had already been completed which is covering new areas in the Kurumbukari plateau in Usino-Bundi district in Madang.

The product matrix in the expansion still remains the same as nickel/cobalt hydroxide (MHP).

Furthermore, the expansion is expected to increase production and reduce operation costs.

Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Community Affairs Manager, Albert Tobe in representing the company highlighted that the project expansion report submission would be made to the MRA, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and the Chinese Embassy following compilation of various approval procedures.

The scheduling of the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the project expansion is expected to be done in November during the APEC Leaders Summit which it is also anticipated that the two leaders from PNG and China would also witness.

Vice president of Ramu NiCo (MCC), Wang Baowen in clarifying the project expansion at the meeting stated that the expansion is expected to support cash flow within the project area and create local business spin-offs for the locals.

Furthermore, it is expected to improve the living condition for people who relate to the Ramu.