FOUR foreign mining companies are currently eying Gold Ridge Mine with interest to re-open the defunct mining operation.
Chairman of Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL),a local partner in the mining operation,Walton Naezon said the prospect ahead is to select a potential bidder and re-start mining operations again hopefully by early next year.
The mining company had wound up operations since its foreign partners, Saint Barbara of Australia, left the site following heavy flooding in April 2014.I
Mr Naezon said one of the four companies vying with interest Gold Ridge Mine is from mainland China while others are from Australia and Canada.
Walton Naezon revealed the on-going plans during a tour of Gold Ridge Mine site yesterday.
Mr Naezon said as gesture of good will, the local partner is planning to carry out maintenance work on the main infrastructure such as upgrading the road to the mine site.
He said other functions includes building and commissioning of the treatment plant, de-watering of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) dam, cleaning up of the mill and rebuilding accommodation and offices, he said.
Mr Naezon said after completion of the upgrading and repairs to the mine facilities, the next stage is to select a potential and genuine investor hopefully by the end of this year.
He said according to the company’s expectation, exploration should start in January 2016 where he said they are doing everything they can to make it happen.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI
