Following a major refocusing exercise, Newmont Gold Company became the company s only major asset while the acquisition of Santa Fe Pacific Gold in 1997 increased Newmont s options for optimising mining and processing. Mining started with open pits, some of which have been extended underground since 1994.
Processing is by a number of methods, according to ore type.
During 1998, the company operated 17 open pits, four underground mines and 18 processing facilities in Nevada. All except two are located on the Carlin Trend west of Elko, the unique mineralisation first identified by Newmont in 1964. The Twin Creeks and Lone Tree Complex are in the Winnemucca region further west. They are usually structurally controlled. Mineralisation may be predominantly oxides, sulphides, refractory or carbonaceous sulphides and ore type determines the treatment route.