UPDATE - COMMENCEMENT OF 2017 CRUSHING SEASON

We have today reviewed and revised our plans to commence the 2017 crushing season.  We have delayed the planned start by 2 days to 8am Thursday 1st June - weather permitting.

Our maintenance program has proceeded well and all of our capital works projects are either complete or in the final stages.  There are two main reasons for the delay:

• we want to take an orderly, prudent approach to the final commissioning of the complex new equipment, and
• the recent steam testing identified a leak in a steam main that must be repaired.

The leak is in a very inaccessible location and a large scaffold is being built to access it.

The commissioning of the new equipment is proceeding well.  However given the dire consequences of getting it wrong we have decided that our people need more time to approach the complex work in a structured, professional manner.

We will be closely watching the weather and post updates to our plans as they develop.

It is not our intention to try to start the season in unsatisfactory weather.  There are, however benefits in making a limited start if that is possible.  Doing so will help us test and establish the new systems.

Barry Dun

GENERAL MANAGER