GOLD-COPPER MINING: Million-oz Boddington mine produces first concentrate

WESTERN AUSTRALIA — Newmont Mining of Denver has opened its newest Australian gold and copper mine, the Boddington project which will produce an estimated 1.0 million oz of gold and 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes of copper per year. The mine and mill are located 130 km southeast of Perth.

Newmont invested almost $3.0 billion to create Australia's largest gold producer. Production is coming first from a pit, but money is being spent on underground development, as well. Proven and probable reserves are said to contain 20.1 million oz of gold, enough to keep the mine producing for the next quarter-century.

This writer found surprisingly little information about Boddington either on the Newmont website (www.Newmont.com) or in the company's 2008 annual report.