The originally estimated mine life at Kidston (starting 1984) was 12
years. Through a continuing process of re-evaluation and improvement in
the operation and by expanding the geological knowledge in the region,
the mine life has been considerably extended. With falling grades and harder ore, the additional reserves have come
with increasing risk - not only in an economic sense associated with
diminishing profit margins but also operationally, requiring innovative
milling technology and geotechnical designs to provide a lower cost
environment for continued profitable mine production.