What's Happening?
MOSA JV, a partnership between VINCI-owned Spiecapag and Menard Oceania, has successfully completed the third and final bench of a complex retaining wall at Newmont Corporation’s gold mining operations
on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea. The project, known as the Lihir Ground Stabilisation Project, involved securing a benched retaining wall with cabled strength anchors in a geothermally active environment. Over 46 months, the team installed 1,315 ground anchors and 4,425 meters of waler beam, achieving the milestone without any time lost to injury, with approximately 2.3 million hours worked. Perfect Shafts International (PSI) contributed as a subcontractor, providing experienced personnel for various tasks including concrete spraying, steel fixing, and rock bolt drilling.
Why It's Important?
The completion of this project is significant for the mining industry as it ensures the continuation of gold mining operations in a challenging geothermally active environment. The successful implementation of such a complex engineering feat demonstrates the capability to overcome environmental challenges, potentially setting a precedent for future projects in similar conditions. This development is crucial for Newmont Corporation, as it allows uninterrupted access to mining batters, thereby supporting the company's operational goals and economic contributions to the region.
What's Next?
With the completion of the retaining wall, Newmont Corporation can focus on optimizing its mining operations on Lihir Island. The successful project may lead to further investments in similar engineering solutions, enhancing safety and efficiency in geothermally active mining environments. Stakeholders, including local communities and environmental groups, may monitor the project's impact on the surrounding ecosystem, ensuring sustainable practices are maintained.
Beyond the Headlines
The project highlights the importance of innovative engineering solutions in addressing environmental challenges in the mining sector. It underscores the potential for collaboration between international companies to achieve complex goals, fostering technological advancements and skill development in the industry. The project's success may influence future regulatory standards and best practices for mining operations in geothermally active regions.
