Newmont Suriname Reaches One Million Ounce Production Milestone

 

PARAMARIBO - Newmont Suriname has reached one million ounces of gold poured at the Merian gold mine in east Suriname two years after commercial production began on 1 October 2016. Merian employs approximately 2,000 people and was built safely, on time and approximately 20 percent below budget, with total development capital of US$525 million invested by Newmont. Staatsolie, on behalf of the Government of Suriname, owns 25 percent of the operation.

“This exciting milestone was achieved thanks to the hard work, commitment and skill of our employees and business partners,” said Albert Ramdin, Newmont’s Senior Director for External Relations in Suriname. “Our partnerships with the government, Staatsolie and local Pamaka communities form the foundation of the mine’s success and we look forward to many more years of safe, efficient and responsible gold production in Suriname.”

In 2018, the second phase of the Merian project was completed safely, on time and within budget with the construction of a primary crusher to process harder ores that will be recovered, as the mine gets deeper.

Based on current gold Reserves, Newmont Suriname projects a mine life of approximately 15 years for Merian. The Company is also conducting exploration activities at Sabajo and in North and South Amazonia, which could further expand and extend production in Suriname.

Newmont Suriname’s workforce is roughly 95 percent Surinamese, of which one-fifth are from the Pamaka community. The Company continues investing in local economic and social development through infrastructure, training and local goods and services procurement. 

In August of 2016, Newmont established the Pamaka Community Development Foundation (CDF) to implement development projects in the Pamaka area. In support of the Foundation, Newmont Suriname voluntarily contributes US$1 per gold ounce sold. The Board of Directors of the CDF consists of two representatives of the Pamaka community, two Newmont representatives and two from the government. 

The Merian gold mine is located approximately 60 km south of Moengo, Suriname and is predominantly in the Pamakan area about 15 km west of the Marowijne River. Newmont Suriname, LLC, (previously known as Suriname Gold Company, LLC) is a fully-owned subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation, which operates the mine on behalf of Suriname Gold Project CV, a Suriname limited partnership (the “CV”). Newmont Suriname is the managing partner, owning a 75 percent interest in the limited partnership, and Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., Suriname’s State-owned oil company owns the remaining 25 percent interest. Construction of Merian commenced in August 2014, and commercial production was achieved on 1 October 2016. 

The company’s address is 6363 South Fiddler’s Green Circle, Suite 800, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, 303.863.7414, fax: 303.837.5837, email: [email protected].