Newcrest Mining Limited - Newcrest announces independent advisor to review disclosure practices

MELBOURNE, Victoria, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Board of Newcrest Mining Limited today announced the appointment of former Australian Securities Exchange Chairman, Dr Maurice Newman AC, to conduct an independent review of the Company's disclosure and Investor Relations practices.

Newcrest Chairman, Don Mercer, said the Newcrest Board was deeply concerned about the criticism of the Company, as reported in the media, regarding its interaction with the market and disclosure prior to the Company's market release on 7 June 2013.

"Newcrest takes its disclosure obligations extremely seriously. Whilst the Board is already reviewing events leading up to 7 June 2013, we have decided to obtain an independent perspective," Mr Mercer said.

"Dr Newman is eminently qualified to conduct the independent review for the Newcrest Board.  His career spans 40 years in stockbroking and investment banking, both in senior executive and directorial roles.  He has been Chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and has been an advisor to Australian State and Federal Governments.  The full resources of the Company will be made available to Dr Newman so that he is able to conduct a full and thorough review. We look forward to receiving Dr Newman's findings and any recommendations he may make."

The independent review will:

• Review the Company's continuous disclosure and Investor Relations processes and practices;
• Review compliance with relevant internal Company policies and procedures; and
• Make recommendations in relation to any improvements or changes that might be required to address any issues identified.

Dr Newman will target providing his report to the Board as soon as practically possible.

"The Board will consider all findings and recommendations of the review.  If steps are required to be taken as a result of the review of these matters, the Board will ensure that this occurs without delay.  I intend to report publicly on any resulting actions we decide are necessary," Mr Mercer said.

Newcrest Chief Executive Officer, Greg Robinson, said Dr Newman's review would receive complete cooperation and support from Company management.

Mr Robinson also confirmed that the Company would continue to cooperate fully with any and all information requests and queries from the responsible regulators, including the ASX and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.

DR MAURICE L NEWMAN AC, HonDBus Macq, FSIA, FSAA, FAICD

Maurice Newman retired as Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in December 2011, and as Chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX Limited) in September 2008.

His career spans forty years in stockbroking and investment banking, including as Managing Director in 1984, and Executive Chairman from 1985 until 1999, of what is now the Deutsche Bank Group in Australia.  He was Chairman of the Deutsche Bank Asia Pacific Advisory Board and a Director of Deutsche Bank Asia Pacific from 1999 to 2001.  He was also Chairman of Deutsche Asset Management (Australia) Limited from 1997 until 2000.  Dr Newman retired from Deutsche Bank in July 2001.

Dr Newman served as Chancellor of Macquarie University from 2002 to February 2008.

Dr Newman has chaired a number of Asian business alliances including the East Asia and Oceania Stock Exchange Federation, and the Australia Taiwan Business Council.

He has been an adviser to Australian governments, State and Federal, as a member of the Consultative Committee on Relations with Japan (1984-1987);  a Commissioner of the National Commission of Audit (1996); a member of the Business Advisory Panel established by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs (1997 - 2002);  Chairman of the National Judging Panel for Innovation in Local Government (1997-1998);  Chairman of the Commonwealth Government's National Year 2000 Steering Committee (1997-2000) and the Business Mature Age Workforce Advisory Group (2000-2001); Co-Chair of the Singapore Australia Business Alliance Forum (1999 - 2002);  Chairman of the Federal Treasurer's Financial Sector Advisory Council (1998 - 2007);  Member of the New South Wales Premier's Major Events Board (2002 - 2004);  Chairman of the Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau (2001 - 2007); and Chairman of Tourism NSW (2002 - 2007).

Dr Newman was also Chairman of the Sydney Legacy Citizen's Committee (1998 - 2004); and Civil Patron, Royal Australian Naval Reserves, Professional Studies Program (2005 - 2009).

In 1997, he was Australia's Private Sector Representative to the First Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Business Forum held in London; and in 1999 led a delegation of senior Australian executives to New York promoting Australia, the Dynamic Success Story of the Asia Pacific - A Centre for Global Financial Services.

Dr Newman is currently Chairman of Melon Pastoral Pty Ltd; Macquarie University Foundation; Taronga Foundation; The Bradman Foundation; and The Australian Fathers' Day Council; Director, Queensland Investment Corporation; Advisor to the MMC Group of Companies; Trustee Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust; and Patron of CEDA.

He was appointed to the MARQ Services Advisory Board, in August 2012, and Honorary Professor in Public Diplomacy at the Soft Power Advocacy & Research Centre, Macquarie University in September 2012.

From September 2013, Dr Newman has been appointed Chairman-elect of the proposed Prime Minister Abbott's Business Advisory Council

This information is available on our website at www.newcrest.com.au and at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Newcrest Mining Limited