History

The Edie Creek mine lies within the Bulolo gold mining province in the New Guinea highlands. The project shares a common boundary with the Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd mine at Hidden Valley which is currently producing over 200,000 ounces of gold and 2,000,000 ounces of silver per year.

The areas at Edie Creek were developed in the late 1930’s and mining was carried out at a number  of sites at Edie Creek, Day Dawn and Enterprise within the Mining Leases.

Sporadic mining of material occurred over the next 60 years. The tenements were explored during the early 1970’s but only limited data has been located.

During the 1980’s regional mapping, rock chip sampling, trenching and underground mapping was carried out and most of this data is available. Melanesian Resources Limited drilled 12 diamond holes into the Enterprise Lode during the early 1990’s.

All of the gold won from surface mining in the past has been from oxidised rock.  The alluvial mining operations were re-opened and acquired by Niuminco in 2007 and have been operated by Niuminco since that time.

In May 2011, Niuminco entered into a joint venture agreement with Mincor Resources NL.  From that time until March 2013 the joint venture partners carried out extensive geological works including a 12 hole (2,700 metres) diamond drilling program . 

In March 2013, Niuminco took over the management of the JV with Mincor electing to surrender its right to earn any further JV interest beyond their 17%.

In June 2017, Nuiminco acquired Mincor's 17% interest in the mining leases and now hold 100% interest.

Pilot scale ore processing and gold/silver production recommenced in February 2014, and ramping up of the gold/silver production continues.