MRA managing director Jerry Garry, who visited the mine in New Ireland Province for the first time recently was impressed with the use of geotagging in the monitoring of the tailings line and the in-vehicle monitoring system which records operator activity in the equipment.

 

Garry said improvements were indicative of the mine moving beyond compliance requirements to values-based commitments as it transitions from oxide mining to sulphides.

 

The installation of the geo-tagging system on Simberi's tailings pipeline means exact coordinates of underwater images recorded by the remotely operated vehicle can be transmitted in real time to the environment team via the global positioning system, The National newspaper reported. 

 

Garry, who was accompanied by his executive manager development coordination Andrew Gunua, took a tour of Simberi's pit where he said he was fascinated by the use of the 3km conveyor to take ore to the process plant.

 

They later visited a range of community projects built under St Barbara ‘Stronger Communities' commitment.

 

Garry and Gunua also toured the Simberi cocoa nursery - the source of the current Tabar dark chocolate that is being trialled in New Ireland.

 

The men also visited the Simberi Primary School, community markets, and Maragon Clinic - facilities that were developed through the partnership between St Barbara, Simberi Mining Area Landowner Association, and the New Ireland government.