Lihir Gold today said full-year gold output rose 27 per cent to a record 1.12 million ounces, but production was expected to be slightly lower in the next two years.
Gold sales for the year were 1.13m oz at an average realised price of US$956/oz.
With cash costs for 2009, excluding the failed Ballarat operation, at US$397/oz, Lihir reaped a healthy cash margin of US$460/oz, setting it up for a bumper full-year profit.
