Ok Tedi Mine, Copper and gold mine in Star Mountains, Papua New Guinea.
Ok Tedi is a large copper and gold mine located in the Star Mountains at high elevation on Mount Fubilan. The operation uses open-pit extraction methods to remove ore from the mountain rock.
Exploration teams began searching for minerals in the 1970s, and a major mining company secured the rights to operate there. The first significant gold extraction happened in the early 1980s.
The mine has reshaped daily life for neighboring communities since it began operating decades ago. Local people adapted to new economic conditions and a different way of living in their ancestral lands.
The site sits on a mountainside where conditions can be harsh and difficult to navigate. Visitors should prepare for extreme weather and bring appropriate gear for the challenging terrain.
The mineral deposits sit at considerable elevations with complex rock formations that are extracted under challenging conditions. This rugged mountainous setting makes the operation an unusual technical challenge.
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