Sepon marks 10 years of mining achievements
Sepon marks 10 years of mining achievements
MMG LXML Sepon, the gold and copper mine based in Savannakhet province, has generated more than US$1 billion in direct revenue for Laos in royalties and taxes, according to the company' senior officer.
The company's External Relations Manager, Mr Robin Hamilton Coates, yesterday spoke to media personnel at a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sepon mine, which first produced gold for sale in 2003 and first produced copper in 2005.
The event also marked the 20th anniversary of its concession agreement.
“Since then, over 1.2 million ounces of gold and more than 550,000 tonnes of copper have been produced,” Mr Coates said.
He noted that hundreds of millions of dollars in additional indirect benefits had been added to the Lao economy through job creation, local procurement, community development and vocational skill training.
“Sepon has helped to develop the next generation of Lao mining professionals, and we have demonstrated our commitment to international standards in terms of safety and environmental management,” Mr Coates said.
Skilled workers who had been professionally trained and worked with the company can be employed at the Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone when the mine's operations come to an end at some point in the future, he added. The company's Superintendent of Government Relations, Mr Chanthone Naovalath, said environmental care was a priority for the company to minimise the negative impacts on liveli hoods.
“Management of the environment at the mine area will be continued to ensure environmental safety when the mine closes,” he said.
Asked what jobs might be found for mine workers when the Sepon mine closes, Mr Chanthone said there are still many challenges but agriculture will be their first option.
“Thi s is a good choice because almost 60 percent of our employees are residents of Vilabouly district, while the rest come from other places,” he said.
The Sepon mine h as invested more than US$14 million in community development, the health sector, local business development, training and cultural heritage.
More than US$40 million has also been invested in infr astructure used by the mine in Vilabouly district, including Road 28A and electrical power lines.
vientiane times
