Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) says it has commissioned Australia’s newest major natural gas pipeline project ahead of schedule.

The 440 km Tanami Natural Gas Pipeline was recently given the final signoff to start operating by the Northern Territory Government. It will fuel the power stations at Newmont Mining’s Tanami gold mine in the Northern Territory.

AGIG’s Chief Customer Officer, Andrew Staniford, said: “We have now commissioned the pipeline and gas is already flowing into Newmont’s Tanami mine site.”

Staniford said the final go-ahead for the pipeline to move into full operational mode followed the introduction of gas and extensive commissioning and testing of the pipe and the facilities at the pressure under which the pipeline will operate. Operations were initially expected to start up in the March quarter.

“These tests were successfully undertaken by AGIG and independently verified, thereby enabling the final approval to be given,” he said.

AGIG was, last year, awarded the contract by Newmont to build, own and operate the new 440 km pipeline, which transports gas to the Newmont mine site, about 540 km northwest of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory.

Staniford said: “To deliver the project safely and ahead of schedule for Newmont and its operating gold mine is a feather in the caps of all involved and has further cemented AGIG’s proud position as a leading provider and operator of key energy infrastructure throughout Australia.”

The new NT pipeline follows the alignment of Tanami Road and passes through a mix of pastoral land, Aboriginal freehold land and Crown land.

Newmont’s Tanami underground gold mine produced 419,000 oz of gold (attributable to Newmont) in 2017.