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Boddington Glitters During Opening
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Boddington, Western Australia
The sleepy town of Boddington captured international attention when Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett joined Richard O'Brien, Newmont Board members and other dignitaries for Newmont Boddington Gold's official grand opening in early February. The $3 billion facility achieved commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Among the 300 guests in attendance were local, state and federal government officials, community leaders, media and others. Boddington's General Manager, Jim Beyer, served as master of ceremonies.
Gnaarla Karla Booja elder Madge Hill welcomed guests in both English and Noongar, the native language of her people.
"We have come to look, listen, talk and share," Hill said. "We are happy to have you come into our beautiful Noongar country. Welcome."
The Boddington District High School choir led guests in singing Australia's national anthem.
"Boddington will be a cornerstone operation for Newmont," said Richard O'Brien, president and CEO. "One of its significant differences relative to some of our other 
mines is that it forms a great foundation because it has a long life. The surrounding greenstone belt is rich for potential, so we will continue exploring here."
Premier Colin Barnett said the recommissioned mine heralded a new era of gold mining in Western Australia. Recent technological advances and the strong gold price were drivers behind the reopening of the gold mine, which operated from 1987 to 2001.
"I congratulate Newmont on its buy local, hire local policy, and for providing the local Gnaarla Karla Booja people with business, employment, education and training opportunities," he said.
Annually, the mine is expected to inject approximately $770 million into the economy for the next 20 years.
When the 12-month ramp-up is complete and the mine is operating at full capacity, it will overtake the KCGM Super Pit as Australia's largest gold producer. Average annual production for the first five years is expected to reach 1 million ounces of gold and 30,000 tons of copper. The mine is nearly 2.5 miles (4 km) long, nearly two-thirds mile (1 km) wide and nearly 2,300 feet (700 m) deep.
March 1, 2010