The Porgera Gold Mine continues to thrive despite the recent challenges posed by the Mulitaka landslide, but the need for maintaining law and order has emerged as a critical factor for its ongoing success, according to Barrick President and CEO Mark Bristow. New Porgera Limited (NPL) has reported that since resuming operations in December last year, the mine has met or exceeded its targets, with gold production for the first half of 2024 surpassing expectations and all-in sustaining costs trending lower. Bristow, who visited Papua New Guinea to review NPL’s second-quarter results, emphasized the importance of law and order for the mine's continued operation and profitability. "The greatest threat to the continued operation and profitability of the mine is the lack of law and order. It requires the active support of all stakeholders to ensure that Porgera can continue to deliver benefits in line with its potential as a Tier One asset," Bristow stated. A Tier One Gold Asset is defined as an asset with a $1,300/oz reserve, potential for 5 million ounces, supporting a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold, and all-in sustaining costs per ounce in the lower half of the industry cost curve, and Tier One Assets must be located in a world-class geological district with potential for organic reserve growth and long-term geologically driven addition. Bristow further praised the mine's rapid response to the Mulitaka landslide. "Reacting rapidly to the disaster, our teams put into operation an air bridge and a temporary pipe across the slip to supply fuel and essential goods not only to the mine but also to local businesses serving the tens of thousands of residents of the Porgera valley," he said. He also expressed his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the landslide victims and reaffirmed NPL’s commitment to the affected communities. During his visit, Bristow met with Prime Minister James Marape, Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, and Provincial Administrator Sandis Tsaka to discuss the Mulitaka recovery and other critical issues. They emphasized the importance of the New Porgera Community Development Agreement (CDA) in ensuring fair and equitable benefits for all eligible landowners and the wider Porgeran community. "NPL stands ready to pay benefits directly to landowner households, without going through middlemen, once the CDA is executed," Bristow said. NPL has played an active role in the rehabilitation efforts in Mulitaka. Porgera employees have been on the ground daily and are embedded at the Enga Provincial Government’s disaster relief center in Wabag. They assist with delivering essential goods and fuel and contribute geotechnical expertise to ground stabilization and the design of a new bypass road. Barrick and its JV partner Zijin have also contributed US$1 million towards relief efforts, with half already deployed. Prime Minister Marape commended NPL for their resilience and commitment. "I commend New Porgera Ltd, and especially operator Barrick, for the work it has done since mine resumption last December. I am happy that the mine is near almost 100 percent production now after overcoming so many obstacles," Marape said. He also highlighted the importance of ramping up security and improving road access in partnership with NPL. Currently, NPL employs 2, 500 people, with 57% from Porgera and Enga, 40% from the rest of Papua New Guinea, and 3% expatriates. The mine achieved several key milestones this year, including pouring its first gold in January, restoring electricity from the Hides power plant in April, and completing a throughput performance test four months ahead of schedule in June.