Newcrest buoyed by $3.3bn project expansion NEWCREST has won back some much needed investor support after revealing the start-up of more than $3.3 billion in new projects was proceeding without drama, putting the company in a position to look at cranking up future dividend payments. Shares in the leading gold producer surged 5 per cent to $24.52, easing some of the investor pain associated with the stock's 30 per cent decline in the past 12 months because of production shortfalls in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Ivory Coast.