Gold Mining

Carlin Trend Gold Mine, NV, USA

Newmont Mining Corp. started mining gold at Carlin, Nevada, USA in 1965 and thereafter built up a strong land position in the state. Newmont Gold Company later 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. In early 2001, Newmont acquired Battle Mountain Gold Co. and in 2002 Normandy Mining, so further extending its gold mining and exploration base in Nevada. In 2002, Newmont owned or controlled 7,915km² of land along Interstate 80.

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. In 2005, the company operated 13 open pits, four underground mines and 14 active processing facilities in Nevada. Most, including Leeville (where development ore production started in Q3 2005, totalling 16,000oz by the year-end), are located on the Carlin Trend west of Elko, exploiting the unique mineralisation identified by Newmont in 1964.

The Twin Creeks and Lone Tree Complex are in the Winnemucca region further west, while the Phoenix gold / copper project, where ore processing has started building up to a full rate output of 350,000–420,000oz/y of gold and around 21,000t/y of copper, is near Battle Mountain.

GEOLOGY AND RESERVES

'Carlin type' deposits comprise strata-bound disseminated gold mineralisation, occurring in carbonate rocks of palaeozoic age that have been metamorphosed to varying extents. They are usually structurally controlled.

"As the electricity price is a key contributor to cost increases, Newmont is building a 203MW power station near Elko."

Mineralisation may be predominantly oxides, sulphides, refractory or carbonaceous sulphides and ore type determines the treatment route. High-grade oxide and sulphide ore can be treated by conventional milling and cyanidation, but for the lower-grade oxides Newmont developed heap-leaching technology. Similarly, for the large proportion of refractory ores that cannot be processed by conventional methods, the company completed a roasting unit for higher grades and a proprietary bio-oxidation system for lower grades, both in 1994. Refractory ore with a carbonaceous content is treated in the bio facility or by ammonium thiosulphate leaching. The Winnemucca operations use autoclaves to pre-treat refractory ores.

At end-2005, Newmont's total Nevada proven and probable gold reserves were calculated to be 33.3Moz (equity). At Phoenix, reserves have been increased by 3Moz gold and 408,150t copper since Newmont acquired the property.

MINING

Open-pit mines remain the major source of Carlin Trend ore. Carlin is the original pit but Gold Quarry, which opened in 1985 and has been supplemented by the Tusc satellite pit since 1994, is the largest. Other major pits have been Genesis and Post, while Bootstrap, Beast, Lantern and Sold were opened in 1995. Mining is conventional, using large shovels and haulers.

Underground mining, in higher-grade ore down-dip from existing open pits, started in 1994, with two extensions from Carlin. Rain, which works oxide ores by longhole stoping, is an extension of the depleted Rain pit, and Deep Star is an extension from Genesis. Deep Post, which started up in 2001 and produced 227,000oz in its first year, has its portal located within Barrick Goldstrike's Betze/Post open pit.

In 2002, development began on the 700m-deep Leeville deposit, which has reported reserves of 2.7Moz, with ore hoisting scheduled to start by mid-2006 and to reach 1900t/d by end-2006: full-rate gold output should be 500,000–l550,000oz/y for more than eight years. Newmont is using MineStar to help manage its Nevada operations.

ORE PROCESSING

The process plants available, some using Newmont proprietary technology, provide considerable flexibility: a linear programme helps to direct ore types to the plant offering the highest economic return. Newmont groups its Nevada process units as follows:

Oxide mills: Carlin Trend mill 5; Midas, Twin Creeks; Lone Tree

Refractory mills: Carlin bio-leach (mill 5), Carlin roaster (mill 6); Lone Tree flotation, Twin Creeks and Lone Tree autoclaves

Dump Leach operations: Carlin-oxide, Carlin-refractory; Twin Creeks and Lone Tree oxide

Although Newmont processes several ore types, the proportion of gold recovered from refractory ores rose from 30% in 1996 to 66% in 2002.

PRODUCTION

In 2005, Newmont's Nevada open pits mined 175Mt of material and the underground mines 1.42Mt. The oxide mills processed 4.20Mt averaging 4.3g/t gold, the refractory mills 8.15Mt averaging 6.8g/t, and leach dumps 17.5Mt averaging 0.9g/t to give a total output of 2.46Moz of gold. The company’s consolidated Nevada gold sales were down 3.7% to 2.44Moz, while applicable cash costs rose 18.1% to US$333/oz. As the electricity price is a key contributor to cost increases, Newmont is building a 203MW power station near Elko, which it expects will save up to US$20/oz in total cash costs when it is completed in 2008.

Clean Power

Satisfying the world's growing demand for power requires a balanced portfolio of energy options.

The world demands a reliable supply of clean and dependable power. Fuel choices for conversion to power can vary driven by economics, availability and environmental factors. There is no one technology that can ideally meet the power needs of every situation. To help meet these challenges, GE offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of products for the energy industry. GE offers technology for oil and gas, fossil, nuclear, hydro, solar and wind applications.

From increasing the efficiency of traditional energy systems to developing leading-edge renewable energy sources, we are hard at work, seeking innovative ways to produce efficient and reliable power.

Singer Island

Now accepting reservations for arrival on or after April 10, 2007.

The Resort at Singer Island has joined The Luxury Collection as a diverse smoke-free resort.

Featuring 239 all-suite resort units and 66 residential condominiums, the resort includes 4,000 square feet of meeting space, an 8,500-square foot spa, and all of the amenities and services one would expect from a world-class facility. Butler Service, valet attendants, and a full-time concierge will enrich guest experiences and activities, including coordination of private events, theater tickets, dinner reservations, and travel arrangements.

Experience the essence of elegance in one or two bedroom resort units ranging from 800 square feet to just over 2,100 square feet of living space. Decorated with dark wood tones, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and marble baths, the resort offers a luxurious contemporary modern edge. Enjoy majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal Waterways from the expansive terraces in each suite.

Dining options include an alfresco ambiance at the ocean side eatery, the convenience of room service, or special events catered within the stunning entertainment veranda. Even a temperature-controlled wine room is available to store private wine collections.

The white sands of Singer Island provide the ultimate place to relax. Attentive pool and beachside attendants provide everything from plush beach towels and relaxing lounge chairs to tempting frozen libations. Outdoor private cabanas are the ideal place to enjoy a casual poolside lunch.

Discover a luxurious experience like no other at The Resort at Singer Island.

Private Island

On LuxuryRealEstate.com, visitors can search for multimillion-dollar properties in more than two dozen categories, including Golf Course, Ski, Waterfront and Wine Country. Yet as alluring as these alternatives are, there’s no question which category inspires the most wistful daydreaming among browsers: Private Island. "Getting away from it all has always been a popular fantasy," remarks Bill Otto of David Jones Real Estate, a Virgin Islands-based brokerage. "A private island allows one to essentially disappear."

The demand for private islands is on the rise, with prices increasing approximately 10 to 20 percent per year, according to Farhad Vladi of Vladi Private Islands, a specialist agency based in that has worked with celebrities including Diana Ross, Tony Curtis and Claudia Schiffer. Farhad attributes the upswing in part to buyers who regard owning their own island as an escape from the stresses of modern-day living. "Increasing environmental problems, inflated property prices, frustration in the workplace and overpopulation have made owning an island even more desirable," he says. "Nearly all island owners are after the same experience—a place to recharge their batteries before returning to civilization."

If you’re one of the many who longs to steal away to a secluded hideaway but have dismissed the idea of island ownership as being only for billionaires and castaways, buying a private island may not be as outrageous as you think. There are thousands of islands for sale all over the world, from the Caribbean to Central America. And while prices are going up, many islands still have a price tag under a million dollars. Following are the steps to getting your own piece of paradise.

Narrow Your Search
To identify the ideal private island, start by browsing for-sale islands on the Internet to get an idea of where you want to buy. While many buyers seek the quintessential tropical island complete with palm trees, sandy beaches and warm water and limit their search to sun-streaked locales, such as the Florida Keys, you may be surprised by the range of options available. While weather is important, it shouldn’t be the only consideration. "In my experience, buyers first and foremost want islands in areas that are politically and socially stable," says Bill.

The most popular area to buy at the moment, according to Farhad, is North America—particularly Nova Scotia. Recent North American listings including Backman Island on Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia, a 49-acre property with a sandy beach priced at $780,000 USD and Lighthouse Island on Lake Huron in Michigan , a historic property with three log cabins priced at $1.9 million USD.

But you don’t have to limit your search to North America. There are private islands available in politically and socially secure areas all over the world. Vladi Private Islands divides their listings into 10 regions, including Europe, The Caribbean, Central America, South America, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

Recent international listings include Seal Island on Mullet Peninsula in Ireland, a 177-acre property with a cluster of old stone houses in the center priced at $1.2 million USD and Sultan Island near Singapore, a 93-acre slice of paradise priced at $27.5 million USD that was named one of Forbes.com’s Most Expensive Homes in the World 2005.

Find a Broker
Once you have narrowed your search, contact a broker in the area where you’re interested in buying and see what he or she has to offer. A visit to LuxuryRealEstate.com can put you in touch with a top broker almost anywhere in the world. Or ask a local real estate broker that you know and trust; most brokers can recommend a qualified colleague in a wide range of locales. When in doubt, ask for references; a qualified broker will be happy to provide them.

Plan a Visit
According to Farhad, a great way to try out island ownership is to start by renting an island. "I encourage clients to sample island living to strip away any false illusions they may have of islands as ‘paradise,’" he says. Farhad’s rental service, Vladi Island Travel, represents islands in more than 40 destinations, from to , priced between $75 and $7,500 USD a day. Rental islands range from those with luxurious resorts to undeveloped Robinson Crusoe-style isles where visitors pitch their own tents and organize their own meals.

Even if you don’t go the rental route, it is essential to visit any island you are thinking of buying, agree Farhad and Bill. "It is very important to plan a visit, as that is the only way to form a complete picture of an island, its development possibilities, its environment and the people who live in the area," remarks Farhad. Adds Bill, "When buyers visit an island, we walk around as much as possible to get a true ‘feel’ for the grounds and to note any interesting findings, such as plants, birds and old settlement sites or ruins." Ask your broker to accompany you on the trip so you can benefit from the broker’s knowledge and experience.

Before You Sign
Another factor to consider before signing the ownership papers is how much time you plan to spend on the island and what you need to do to make it habitable. Many islands already have an infrastructure in place, while others do not. "As a rule, the more remote the island, the more difficult and expensive it is to develop an infrastructure due to the logistics of building and transporting materials and workers," says Bill.

Fortunately, advances in technology, such as solar energy and prefabricated houses, have made turning a deserted island into a comfortable oasis much easier than in the past. "Nowadays, within a time period of approximately three months, a house, electricity, phone and water can be made available on almost any island with no problem," says Farhad. "We also assist the client in making the necessary applications post-purchase, including providing contact details of construction companies and boat dealers." He continues, "Other services we provide are giving a client recommendations if the client decides to rent the island to third parties and offering to manage the island in the circumstance that the client needs someone trustworthy to maintain the property in his or her absence."