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MELBOURNE, Feb. 2, 2017
/CNW/ - OceanaGold Corporation (TSX/ASX: OGC) (the
"Company") notes that a press conference held today by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources ("DENR"), Secretary
Gina Lopez named OceanaGold's
Didipio operation as the subject of a proposed suspension order
citing alleged declining agricultural production. No further
details of such an order were forthcoming at the press conference.
We understand Didipio was one of 6 mining operations listed for
proposed suspension, with another 23 mining operations listed for
closure.
The Company confirms that it has not received any formal
suspension order from the DENR. Accordingly mining and processing
activities are continuing unabated at the Didipio Mine. There
is no legal basis for any proposed suspension. The Didipio
operation is not in violation of any laws, rules or regulations,
and the operation is not posing any threat to public, security,
health, safety or otherwise.
Mick Wilkes, President and CEO
said, "This decision announced by the DENR Secretary is unjustified
nor has any basis in law. We have not received any show cause
notice from the DENR nor have we received a suspension order.
Should we ultimately receive a suspension order as suggested today
we have very strong legal grounds to have it
overturned."
"Our Didipio Mine is a partnership with the Government of
the Philippines through the Office
of the President and has a strong social license to operate. We are
a large employer of Filipino nationals, and our Operation delivers
significant benefits to the local communities. As proof of this,
Didipio was announced as the joint winner of the Presidential
Mineral Industry Environmental Award in recognition of our
exemplary performance in safe and environmentally responsible
mining" added Mr. Wilkes.
About OceanaGold
OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, high-margin, 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 commissioning 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 26 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 2017, the Company expects to produce 550,000 to 610,000
ounces of gold and 15,000 to 17,000 tonnes of copper with sector
leading All-In Sustaining Costs that range from $600 to $650 per ounce sold.
SOURCE OceanaGold Corporation