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MELBOURNE, Sept. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - OceanaGold Corporation
(TSX/ASX/NZX: OGC) (the "Company") notes that in a press
conference held today by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources ("DENR") Secretary Lopez and Senior Undersecretary
Jasareno, OceanaGold Didipio operation was mentioned as one of the
23 mining companies listed that may have their operations
suspended, due to alleged outstanding social issues.
The Company confirms that it has not received any formal order
from the department and is currently seeking clarification and
further details. In the meantime, mining and processing activities
are continuing at the Didipio Mine. The Company will consider
all avenues, including working collaboratively with the DENR, to
facilitate the immediate resolution of this matter to ensure no
disruption to our operations and our valued local workforce.
Mick Wilkes, President and CEO
said, "We pride ourselves, and have been recognised on numerous
occasions, for being a responsible mining company with a long
history of operating to the highest industry standards on health,
safety, environment, community and sustainability. We are
disappointed with the statements made earlier today and will seek
clarification and reconsideration from the DENR to further
understand and rectify this matter in short order."
Mr. Wilkes added, "The Didipio Mine has a strong social license
to operate. Our achievements since recommencement of construction
in 2011 would not have been achieved without our steadfast
commitment to the community and most importantly the strong
endorsement from the residents of Didipio and the nine other
communities in the provinces of Nueva
Vizcaya and Quirino."
The Didipio operation has been a recipient of numerous
international and national awards related to its strong track
record for health and safety, environmental management and
community engagement. In 2014, the Didipio Mine was one of the
first mines in the Philippines to
be certified by ISO 140001, a leading industry best practice in
Environmental Management Systems and the OSHAS 18001 certification,
as well as adhering to international environmental and
sustainability standards.
Since 2011, OceanaGold has proactively engaged with local and
regional stakeholders and has established a strong and cooperative
relationship based on mutual respect. The operation has delivered
significant direct and indirect benefits to its host
communities.
Currently OceanaGold's Didipio operation employs over 1,800
people, 98 percent of whom are Filipino Nationals from local and
regional communities. The Didipio Mine's economic contribution to
the Philippines in the form of
taxes and royalties is estimated at US$70
million over the past three and a half years, with
considerably more to be contributed over the life of the mine.
Locally, the operation is a significant contributor to the
continued social and economic development of the surrounding region
providing, health and social infrastructure, establishing education
programs and academic scholarships, developing training
initiatives, and supporting locally sourced and run businesses.
Between 2014 and 2016, the Didipio operation received a number
of environmental, health, safety and social awards, including the
2014 gold award at the sixth Annual Global CSR Summit, one of
Asia's most prestigious
recognition programs for corporate social responsibility, for the
Empowerment of Women; the 2015 and 2016 Presidential Mineral
Industry and Environment Award (PMIEA), recognising a mining and
quarrying company that excels in the efficient management of the
local environment and ecology and safety standards and practices;
the 2016 gold award at the 8th Annual Global Corporate
Social Responsibility Summit for the Best Workplace Practices; and
in 2015 was awarded both the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment
Association (PMSEA) Safest Surface Mining Operation Award and the
PMSEA Safest Mining Operation: Metallic Category award.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss the comments
made during the DENR press conference at 9:00pm on Tuesday 27 September (Melbourne, Australia time) / 7:00am on Tuesday 27
September 2016 (Toronto,
Canada time).
Local dial in numbers are:
Toronto: (+1) 416 764 8688
Canada & North America: (+1) 888 390 0546
United Kingdom: 0800 652
2435
Australia: 1800 076 068
New Zealand: 0800 453 421
A replay of the teleconference will be available until
Friday September 30, 2016 on:
All locations (local): (+1) 416 764 8677
All locations (toll free): (+1) 888 390 0541
Playback PIN: 620 486 #
About OceanaGold
OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, low-cost, multinational
gold producer with assets located in the
Philippines, New Zealand
and the United States. The
Company's assets encompass its flagship operation, the Didipio
Gold-Copper Mine located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. On the north island of
New Zealand, the Company operates
the high-grade Waihi Gold Mine while on the south island of
New Zealand, the Company operates
the largest gold mine in the country at the Macraes Goldfield which
is made up of a series of open pit mines and the Frasers
underground mine. In the United
States, the Company is currently constructing the Haile Gold
Mine, a top-tier asset located in South
Carolina along the Carolina Terrane. The Company expects the
Haile Gold Mine to commence commercial production in early 2017.
OceanaGold also has a significant pipeline of organic growth and
exploration opportunities in the Australasia and Americas
regions.
OceanaGold has operated sustainably over the past 25 years with
a proven track record for environmental management and community
and social engagement. The Company has a strong social license to
operate and works collaboratively with its valued stakeholders to
identify and invest in social programs that are designed to build
capacity and not dependency.
In 2016, the Company expects to produce 385,000 to 425,000
ounces of gold from the combined New
Zealand and Didipio operations and 19,000 to 21,000 tonnes
of copper from the Didipio operation at All-In Sustaining Costs of
US$700 to US$750 per ounce.
SOURCE OceanaGold Corporation