NSW: Largest underground gold mine to be declared open

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NSW: Largest underground gold mine to be declared open

Australia's largest operating underground gold mine will be declared open in centralNew South Wales today.

The new $378 million Ridgeway underground gold and copper mine is located about 20km south-west of Orange.

The New South Wales government says Ridgeway is set to create 200 jobs and generate$142 million a year into the central west economy.

Premier BOB CARR, who will officially declare the mine open, says another $18 millionin wages will also flow from the project into the region.

Mr CARR says the Ridgeway mine is the largest operating underground gold mine in Australia.

In the 12-year life of the mine it's expected to produce around $2 billion worth ofgold and copper exports, most destined for Japanese copper smelters.

AAP RTV kp/psm/rt

KEYWORD: MINE (SYDNEY)