Lima (Platts)--20May2008

Denver-based Newmont Mining as well as its Peruvian partner Cia. de Minas
Buenaventura could reach a decision on whether to develop a copper-gold
deposit as soon as later this year or early next year, Newmont CEO told
reporters Tuesday.
     Richard O`Brien, president and general manager of Newmont, said that the 
company is finishing up feasibility studies and may reach a decision either 
late this year or early next year on whether the deposit would be developed.
     The Minas Conga deposit, estimated to contain 6 million oz of gold and
1.7 billion lbs of copper, is located in northern Peru. 
     Newmont has a majority 51% stake with Buenaventura owning the rest.
     Brien said that even though the company has been selling some 
assets involving other metals to fully focus on gold, given the upside 
potential, it is definitely intending to develop Minas Conga as it is mostly 
gold.
--Renzo Pipoli, newsdesk@platts.com 

NEWMONT NIGHT JUST WANT TO BUY OUT BUENAVENTURA TO PASS UP

 BARRICK !!! They are JV partners on several large projects and a merger would 

make a lot of sense.