Lihir Gold Limited ASX : LGL NASDAQ : LIHR TSX : LGG

January 23, 2008 07:38 ET

LGL's (Lihir Gold) Ballarat Mine Reopens

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2008) - Lihir Gold Ltd. (TSX:LGG)(ASX:LGL)(NASDAQ:LIHR) ("LGL") is pleased to announce that its Ballarat underground gold mine has been reopened today following the successful restoration of the main Woolshed Gully access decline (see News Release dated December 5, 2007.)

The decline has been closed since November 19, when a rock fall over a 12-metre span, some 740 metres from the entry, blocked access to the underground work areas.

A remediation plan devised in close collaboration with regulatory authorities, and with a strong focus on the safety of recovery workers, has enabled the decline to be cleared. Additional support has been installed in the decline above and below the affected area to ensure the continued safety of mine workers.

Normal underground operations are being progressively resumed, again with a primary focus on safety.

The rock fall has caused a three month delay in the development of the underground infrastructure. However, the Company remains confident that the mine will commence commercial production by the end of 2008.