THEY SAID IT COULDN ’ T BE DONE …
SUSTAINABILITY & CSR
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THEY SAID IT COULDN ’ T BE DONE …
“ Back in 2010 they said it was the mine that couldn ’ t be built ,” says Wilkes , remembering the company ’ s efforts to deliver the Didipio mine . “ It had been around for 20 years and had gone through issues with permitting , development and exploration . We decided to set about doing it from first principles , engaging with communities , and using experience from building other mines in countries in Asia , to do it the right way . We ’ ve built a mine with a fantastic culture . It ’ s a real icon of the way a mine should be built and run . It ’ s very efficient and 98 % run by local employees , with just a handful of expatriates there . I ’ m proud to say , we did it !”
Building on its success in the Philippines , OceanaGold also aims to continue the ramp up of the Haile mine in South Carolina , built in 2016 and commissioned in 2017 . “ We ’ re still expanding the mine ,” reveals Wilkes . “ The process plant has been going well and we intend to start an underground development next year .” The company is also extending mine life through another development at Waihi , which will add up to 15 years of further
productivity . “ It ’ s a very prospective area , lots of gold , and plenty of potential to create value : that ’ s a big focus this year ,” affirms Wilkes .
Wilkes began his career in the industry as a mining engineer , working around the world in Australia , Papua New Guinea and the UK , and brings a wealth of operational expertise to
FEBRUARY 2020