Tolu Minerals Limited is set to resume high-grade gold and silver production at the Tolukuma Gold Mine, located in Goilala District in Central Province, as it commenced final hot commissioning of its newly installed modular gravity recovery plant, with full production and revenue generation expected upon completion.
In a statement dated February 27, Tolu Minerals revealed that the plant installation and cold commissioning were successfully completed in December 2024.
The plant, designed in collaboration with South Africa’s Appropriate Process Technologies (APT), leverages advanced gravity concentration technology to optimize efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Managing Director and CEO Iain Macpherson described the hot commissioning phase as a "major milestone" for the company, the mining sector, and the region.
The modular plant will play a pivotal role in restarting operations at Tolukuma, targeting an initial production rate of approximately 2,000 ounces of gold per month by the end of 2025.
"The plant throughput and modular expansion capability are designed to match the mine’s production ramp-up schedule while enabling lower operating costs. Not only will it generate revenue, but it will also enable testing of more effective processing, including enhanced silver recovery," Macpherson stated.
The commissioning process, which is expected to take at least 15 days, involves running ore through the plant to evaluate material flow, plant functionality, and processing efficiency.
The process is being closely monitored by Mines Inspectorate representatives and APT commissioning engineers.
A key feature of the plant is its innovative approach to tailings management. The company is utilizing geotube tailings decant systems, which facilitate safe and efficient water decanting and provide insights into potential long-term tailings storage solutions. This method enhances environmental sustainability while ensuring regulatory compliance, Tolu said.
The tailings from the gravity recovery plant, which still contain residual gold, will be stockpiled for future reprocessing once the existing leaching plant is re-commissioned.
The new plant consists of five processing stages: scrubber, crushing, hammer milling, gravity centrifugal concentration, tabling and smelting. It currently operates at a capacity of six tonnes per hour (tph), approximately 25% of the mine’s previous capacity, with a phased ramp-up planned as production resumes.
To ensure smooth operations, Tolu Minerals is conducting staff training alongside commissioning activities. Management, operators, and maintenance personnel are receiving hands-on instruction from the experienced commissioning team.
The re-commissioning of the Tolukuma mine marks a revival of one of Papua New Guinea’s historically significant gold producers. The mine, known for its high-grade gold and silver deposits, had previously been a key contributor to the country's mineral sector.
