4.10.2008 - 08:45am ET

(CSRwire) CAJAMARCA, PERU - April 10, 2008—Minera Yanacocha, South America's largest gold mine, recently became the first major mining project in Peru and one of the largest in the world to receive ISO 14001 certification for its entire operation. ISO 14001 is the uniform international standard for environmental management systems (www.iso.org/iso/home.htm).

"I would like to congratulate Yanacocha's 12,000 employees for their industry leading environmental performance that laid the foundation for this achievement," said Carlos Santa Cruz, Newmont's vice president for South American operations. "To have our entire operation ISO 14001 certified was a huge undertaking that further demonstrates our commitment to leadership in responsible environmental management."

Although other mines in Peru and around the globe are ISO 14001 certified for certain functions and processes, Yanacocha is the first large-scale mining operation (over 12,000 workers) in the country and probably one of the first in the world to have all aspects of the mine certified under the international standard.

ISO 14001 is overseen by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), whose purpose is to set the requirements for companies and organizations to ensure continuous improvement in environmental management.

Bureau Veritas Certificación (www.bureauveritas.cl/index.html) was in charge of the certification process, which lasted approximately two months, and included audits of each facet of Yanacocha's operation. Upon verifying compliance with ISO 14001 standard requirements, Yanacocha received not one but three certificates from each of the certifying companies accredited by Bureau Veritas Certificación: UKAS from United Kingdom, ANAB from United States, and TGA from Germany.

In order to maintain the certification, Yanacocha will be audited four times over the next two years. In addition, as part of routine environmental performance follow-up, regular environmental inspections scheduled by Osinergmin (Supervisory Organization of investment in Energy and Mining) will be exercised.

About Minera Yanacocha

Minera Yanacocha is the largest gold producer in South America and is located high in the Andes Mountains, 48 kilometers (30 miles) north of the city of Cajamarca, and 375 miles (603 kilometers) north of Lima. Newmont holds a 51.35% ownership interest, with the Peruvian mining firm, Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A owning 43.65%. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank, holds the remaining 5%. Newmont began exploring in Peru in 1982 and identified the first of many deposits at Yanacocha in 1986. Production began in late 1993.

Yanacocha strives for the highest performance in employee safety, environmental management and social responsibility.

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