Ok Tedi mine, Papua New Guinea Photo: Dev Policy
The management of the Ok Tedi copper mine in Papua New Guinea's Western Province says it's confident of reopening next month.
Mining operations were suspended last August with management attributing the move to the prolonged drought.
The mine, which is dependent on the Fly River for the shipment of its copper concentrate out and bringing in of fuel and supplies, was unable to operate as river levels dropped.
However, this week, Ok Tedi Mining Ltd's managing director Peter Graham said that OTML would come back stronger after a lot of work was done during the dry period.
Peter Graham Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Mr Graham clarified a previous report that 200 workers would be laid off, saying that this was done before the mine shut down last year.
The newspaper, The National, reports him saying Ok Tedi is resuming with an employee base around 1500, while the company has in the past six months been able to reduce its costs.
