- The Lihir Mine site was estimated to have natural heat flow ~50MW(th). Extensive thermal surface manifestations including thermal springs and fumaroles. Magnetotellurics surveys were performed in 2004 and supplemented in 2007 to identify the shallow geothermal reservoirs and upflow zones.
- 318# drill holes were drilled to help delineate geothermal reservoirs, obtain subsurface data, provide fluid and gas (steam) extraction. 11# additional drill holes were drilled for pit wall cooling. An additional 1183# boreholes were drilled for geotechnical data, and temperature and pressure monitoring.
- Well data revealed a deep (>800m) geothermal reservoir with temperatures up to 320°C and a shallow reservoir with temperatures up to 200°C.
- Lihir shallow groundwater and the deep geothermal system was modelled with substantial drill data and detailed numerical simulations run to match pressures and temperatures as mine excavation, dewatering, steam release, and seawater cooling injection proceeds during early mine operations.
- Geothermal power facilities incremented from 6MW (2003) plus 30MW (3 x 10MW, 2005) plus 20MW (2007) for a total capacity of 56MW.
- Drilling of steam relief wells successfully lowered pit bench temperature to ~130°C , reducing pressures and increasing operating safety including blasting operations.
