PNG Mining Apr - May 2025

VOLUME 2 NO. 2 | APRIL–MAY 2025

A COPPER ISLAND

Discovering the mines of Bougainville A-OK

One of PNG’s most iconic miners has a bright future KEEPING HEALTHY

How workers can keep physically and mentally safe

Crushing it

Productivity and durability on show

Digital mining

How PNG is capitalising on new advances in technology

Conservation

The environmental responsibility of mining in PNG

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WITH DIGITISATION rapidly advancing, new and improved technology is revolutionising how mining operations are conducted across Papua New Guinea (PNG). From automation to artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics, digital tools are enhancing efficiency, safety and sustainability in ways never before seen.

In the April–May issue of PNG Mining, we examine how local and international companies are integrating these innovations to stay ahead of the curve.

As new technologies take off, so too do advancements in sustainability and conservation. With environmental responsibility becoming more and more important, mining companies are investing in sustainable practices that balance economic growth with ecological stewardship.

In this issue, we spotlight initiatives that are making a difference, whether through riverine conservation projects or innovation tailings and waste disposal systems.

Crusher Screen Sales & Hire (CSSH) graces the front cover of our April–May issue with its PM1200-48TB blender. Powered by a Cat C7 generator, the blender has four 5m-long feed hoppers all holding 12m3 each that can operate in conjunction with the pugmills.

“These machines also offer great serviceability, and the improved PLC control and recording system that can be monitored from an office and our service department increases both safety and ease of use,” CSSH manager John Andersen told PNG Mining in our interview.

In this issue we also shine a much deserved spotlight on a true pioneer of the PNG mining and business scene: Brian Bell. The group’s head managers talk us through the founding of the company, the development of the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, and the future projects that are in the works.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated WafiGolpu project continues to be a major talking point both in PNG and overseas. As stakeholders navigate regulatory hurdles and community concerns, the project’s progress will be pivotal for PNG’s mining landscape.

As always, PNG Mining remains committed to bringing our readers the latest insights, expert opinions and indepth analyses on the forces helping to grow the local sector.

The road ahead presents both challenges and opportunities, and we look forward to exploring them with you. Happy reading.

Alexandra Eastwood Editor

14 Cover story

Ushering in the next generation Crusher Screen Sales & Hire is making waves in the mining, transport and quarrying industries with its range of innovations and equipment.

18 Digital mining

Flicking the digital switch

Digital mining is becoming a mainstay in the broader resources industry, as PNG looks to capitalise on new advancements.

22 Mine spotlight

PNG’s next mining giant The Wafi-Golpu mine is on the cusp of greatness.

28 Company profile

From the ground up Mayur Resources’ two flagship projects are progressing on schedule.

34 Company spotlight

Much more than a store

A figurehead of PNG business, the Brian Bell Group is only expected to grow as the year goes on.

40 Safety

Staying mentally healthy Employers have a duty to ensure their workforces are kept safe from physical and psychological harm.

48 PNG Expo

On the global s The 2025 PNG Expo is set to connect industry leaders, investors and policymakers to explore more opportunities and innovations.

52 Regional spo

Mapping a copper island Bougainville Island is home to what was once one of the world’s largest copper mines.

56 Sustainability

Digging deep, keeping green PNG-based mining companies don’t take the responsibility of conservation lightly.

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Ono gold potential in the millions

LCL Resources has announced its Ono gold project has an inferred mineral resource of 18.3 million tonnes (Mt).

LCL owns 100 per cent of the Ono project, located 150km from the Port of Lae, and has recently adopted a new strategy aimed at streamlining the business and reducing overheads.

New and existing shareholders have strongly endorsed this strategy, and with Ono’s mineral resource estimate, it isn’t hard to see why.

“The geology supports the existence of further shallow pods of mineralisation around the central Kusi intrusive centre as well as the possibility for deeper mineralisation within the Lower Limestone,” LCL executive chairman Chris van Wijk said.

“Further exploration is warranted to investigate the tenor and scale of mineralisation in the Lower Limestone unit as well as to test the obvious targets outlined by the soil geochemistry results.”

Independent mining consultancy WSP has been commissioned to estimate an inferred mineral resource incorporating all the drilling completed by LCL.

“[LCL] is investing in the use of 3D induced polarity to target mineralisation at depth in the Lower Limestone unit and to define the margins of the Kusi intrusive body,” van Wijk said.

“These results reflect the focus on the copper-gold assets within the portfolio. There remain a number of other coppergold opportunities to follow up on in PNG which we are excited to continue exploring.” PNG

St Barbara becomes dedicated PNG gold producer

St Barbara is intending to focus more on its Simberi gold mine in PNG as it plans to separate its Atlantic gold operations from the company.

The Atlantic gold operations consist of the 15-Mile, Beaver Dam and Cochrane Hill projects in Nova Scotia, Canada. Managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Strelein said the separation would allow the company to dedicate its resources to PNG.

“The decision to separate Atlantic from St Barbara is underpinned by

the opportunity to unlock the full value potential of the Atlantic projects under a Canadian listed company with a local leadership team, to focus on delivering upcoming project milestones and benefit from being closer to regulators and key stakeholders,” he said.

Strelein said the company is still considering its options for how the separation of Atlantic will play out, including by way of sale, vend-in or demerger.

“Atlantic is a highly attractive and financially robust project and has the potential to be in production within 12 months from permitting approval,” he said. “The separation of Atlantic enables St Barbara to focus solely on the Simberi sulphide expansion project.”

The Atlantic operations have 1.4 million ounces (Moz) of gold in ore reserves and 2Moz in mineral resources, with significant potential due to production-ready infrastructure and exploration opportunities. PNG

Date set for Simberi lease renewal

The future of the Simberi gold mine mining lease will be discussed at the Warden Court from April 8–9.

The hearings are the next step in St Barbara’s bid to have the Simberi mining lease renewed in accordance with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Mining Act 1992 It follows the acceptance and registration of Simberi’s application for early lease renewal by the Mineral Resources Authority of PNG (MRA) in December 2024.

Once the Warden Court hearings have been conducted, the Mining

Advisory Council will make a final recommendation to Minister for Mining Wake Goi.

“The announcement of the Warden Court hearing dates is an important next step in application for early renewal of Simberi’s mining lease,” St Barbara managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Strelein said.

“We are very grateful for the support of our renewal submission from all directors of the Simberi Landowner Association, the New Ireland Provincial Government, the Local Member of

Tolu begins plant commissioning

Tolu Minerals installed the modular gravity recovery plant at its Tolukuma gold mine in March, paving the way for final commissioning and testing.

The plant is an integral part of the phased restart at Tolukuma, contributing to revenue by producing a gold/silver doré for sale.

It will also allow for advanced testwork on comminution performance and gold and silver gravity recovery.

Tolu is on the path to initial production from Tolukuma, targeting a production rate of 2000 ounces of gold per month by the end of the year.

“The commencement of final hot commissioning of the modular gravity gold plant is a major milestone in the

development of Tolu and the return of [the] Tolukuma mine to high-grade gold and silver production with commencement of revenue generation,” Tolu managing director and chief executive officer Iain Macpherson said.

“Industry-leading geotube technology is being deployed to temporarily store tailings to facilitate efficient and safe decanting of water and provide insight into the use of the technology as a potential long-term aide to tailings storage.”

The plant has been designed in partnership with South Africa based

Parliament and from the Namatanai District Development Authority.”

The announcement of the court dates follow St Barbara’s extensive discussions with stakeholders of Simberi in relation to the company’s proposal for an enhanced net profits-based royalty.

St Barbara is currently completing its 2024–25 financial year drilling program at Simberi, with “significant” intercepts found, including:

• 31m at 6.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 35m,

• 25m at 1.9 g/t gold from 17m. PNG

Appropriate Process Technologies based on historical testwork and operating parameters from the 20-year period that Tolukuma was operational.

Tolu is currently undertaking training of management, operating and maintenance staff while the commissioning engineers and inspectors are on-site.

“The plant throughput and modular expansion capability is designed to match the mine’s production ramp-up schedule while enabling lower operating costs,” Macpherson said.

“Not only will it generate revenue, but it will also enable testing of more effective processing, including enhanced silver recovery.” PNG

Woodlark exploration fully funded

The recently completed $40 million entitlement offer at Geopacific’s Woodlark gold project will be put to use advancing and unlocking the site’s potential.

Geopacific has planned for 30,000m of RC and diamond drilling to extend Woodlark’s known gold mineralisation and test new targets.

PNG-based drilling company Quest Exploration Drilling has been selected as the preferred drill contractor.

“Significant underlying value and upside potential exists at Woodlark,” Geopacific chief executive officer James Fox said.

“With funding for an extensive exploration and project development work program now in place, the team is working hard to deliver on a series of key objectives, including commencing a 30,000m drill program and the completion of a project definitive feasibility study by the end of the calendar year.”

Drilling is set to commence in May, with earthmoving equipment and fuel supplies locked in for shipping to Woodlark during March. High-priority zones, including Little Mackenzie, Wayai Creek and Boscalo North, will also be advanced.

“We are keen to assess the impact of the materially higher gold price and ensure the engineering design appropriately considers throughput flexibility to maximise project returns,” Fox said.

“We look forward to updating the market as the project activities progress.” PNG

Landowners keen on Frieda River development

Landowners of the Frieda River coppergold project are looking forward to the operation moving beyond the exploration stage.

The Frieda River orebody has changed hands multiple times since its discovery in the 1960s. PanAust took over the exploration licence in 2014 and has since moved the project into the permitting stage.

“Frieda River Limited (FRL) and its parent company PanAust are the only companies that have progressed Frieda River to the permitting

phase,” FRL project director Phil McCormack said.

“We are proud development partners for the East and West Sepik provinces and PNG. We are committed to PNG.”

Armaromin village community leader Afasep Tiptop said the community was thankful that PanAust had stayed with the project for the past 11 years.

“You have our consent, and we want to see Frieda River progress because it will mean much needed infrastructure and services for us like roads, airstrips, health and education,” Tiptop said.

Sokamin village resident Titus Sikitmap voiced similar sentiments.

“Many of our people and leaders have passed on while waiting for the Frieda River project to be developed,” Sikitmap said.

The Frieda River copper-gold project is just one of four multibillion-kina projects that FRL is hoping to develop in the Sepik region. The others are the Frieda River Hydroelectric project, the Sepik power grid project, and the Sepik infrastructure project. PNG

Panguna roundtable kicks off in Port Moresby

The first roundtable to address the findings from the ‘Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment’ (PMLIA) report was held in Port Moresby in March.

The joint undertaking follows the November 2024 agreement between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) and Rio Tinto to address environmental issues at the site.

The roundtable aims to develop a process for collectively remedying impacts identified in the report and is an important first step toward finding ways to address the legacy concerns of the mine.

“Throughout the meeting, the parties deliberated and reached consensus on the scope of additional investigations needed to address the most critical impacts identified in the PMLIA,” Rio Tinto said. “This will be submitted for consultation with and formal endorsement by the PMLIA Oversight Committee, which includes diverse stakeholders representing local communities, the Government of PNG, the ABG, BCL, Rio Tinto, and the Human Rights Law Centre.”

The parties will continue to address ageing infrastructure and other priority issues at the site.

“The PMLIA has been an important initiative for the ABG and for impacted communities,” Bougainville President Ishamel Toroama said in November 2024.

“Rio Tinto and BCL should be commended for stepping up and supporting the assessment, as well as the clan representatives on the Oversight Committee who have been a vital bridge in their communities throughout the process.

“We are now looking beyond these results to working in concert with the [agreement] partners to address the legacy environmental impacts.” PNG

PNG PM encourages US energy investment

Prime Minister James Marape met with US Ambassador to PNG Ann

Both countries are preparing to celebrate 50 years of bilateral

an environment that attracts international investors.”

deepening the US–PNG relationship and

Frieda River arranges Sepik identification drive

Some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote villages have been registered by the National Identity Project (NID) thanks to Frieda River Limited (FRL).

The NID is a registry office that records births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions in PNG.

The goal of the department is to have every PNG citizen accounted for, recognised and given mandatory individual identity to contribute to the country’s national building and citizenship.

In early January, FRL arranged for NID officers to visit its Frieda River mine site and then onto the remote villages of Sokamin, Wameimin 1 and 2, Amaromin, Ok Isai, and Wabia.

The drive saw over 2300 people registered, with those over 18 undercoming biometric testing and receiving NID cards.

The registration will allow these individuals to participate in state-led processes like the creation of landowner associations near mine sites.

“Accessing the seven villages in our project footprint is no easy feat,” FRL country manager Joel Hamago said.

“The only way to reach them is by helicopter, canoe or on foot, with days of trekking between each location.”

Hamago said FRL is proud to support the NID process, something that is vital for the next stage of Frieda River’s

Championing further education

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is backing higher education in PNG with the launch of a new scheme.

Dubbed the University Talent Management (UTM) application, the program has been designed to streamline the process for students who want to participate in OTML’s University Internship Program, aligning OTML’s training programs with the needs of both the company and the students.

Now managed by OTML’s training and capability development department, students in the program will be supported with placements at the mid- and endyear intervals.

The program primarily focuses on thirdyear students who maintain a grade point

average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher. Students from Western Province with a GPA of 3.0 or over are also encouraged to apply.

“We are excited to roll out the UTM application, which will significantly enhance how we connect the requirements for the University Internship Program from OTML departments to eligible students,” OTML manager training and capability development Ian Strachan said.

In other higher education news from OTML, the company’s senior aquatic ecologist Gilton Alimaka participated in an intensive 24-day training course in Perth, Western Australia during March.

Conducted by Sustainable Leaders in Resources (SLR) Consulting, Alimaka’s training focused on laboratory processing,

development, and that despite the challenging terrain and weather, the registration was completed in less than two weeks.

Residents of the villages expressed their gratitude for the scheme and said they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the NID cards now that registration is complete. PNG

taxonomic identification and statistical methods for assessing aquatic organisms. This knowledge will be crucial for monitoring water quality and ecosystem health in areas affected by mining.

“Aquatic macroinvertebrates, such as mayflies and snails, are vital indicators of water quality,” OTML manager environment department Erizo Kepe said.

“The ability to identify these species accurately helps in assessing environmental health, especially in ecosystems impacted by mining.”

The training is part of OTML’s ongoing efforts to upskill its environmental team in their scientific fields to operate more efficiently and promoting reliance on internal expertise. PNG

FRL committed to changing lives

Frieda River Limited (FRL) is committed to enhancing the lives of Papua New Guineans as it works to finalise its Frieda River copper-gold project.

The miner has been a steadfast supporter of promoting health in PNG, recently sponsoring a suite of specialised plastic surgery equipment to enhance the country’s 2025 plastic and reconstructive surgery program.

The equipment includes nerve and cleft palate trays which comprise of microsurgical instruments used in the delicate repair of cleft lips and palates. These repair procedures can help to improve an individual’s speech, feeding and mobility.

“The specialised equipment is difficult to procure, therefore we are very grateful for the assistance of Frieda River Limited and PanAust [FRL’s parent company],” Port Moresby General Hospital head of plastic and reconstructive surgery Dr Jackson Nuli said.

“Many children, men, and women will benefit from this important surgical equipment.”

Nuli will join a team of Australian surgical volunteers from Interplast this month, heading to Wewark to conduct free consultations, perform surgeries and train new PNG-based surgeons, nurses and anaesthetic staff.

PNG potential on show in Canada

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) mineral exploration and mining sectors were on display at the Prospectors and Developers’ Association of Canada (PDAC) in early March.

Held in Toronto from March 2–5, PDAC is one of the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention, attracting over 30,000 global attendees annually.

A team made up of members from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Minister of Mining attended the convention, including MRA managing director Jerry Garry and PNG Mining for Mining Wake Goi.

The purpose of their attendance was to promote mineral exploration in PNG which has seen a decline since 2019.

“Between 2012-2018, most of the country was taken up by companies exploring for mineral resources,” the MRA said. “However, since 2019, PNG has seen a decline in mineral exploration interest due to lack of geoscience data amongst other issues.

“Another major concern for the government has been the depletion of

mineral resources, and the fact that most of the major operating mines will have closed down by 2060.”

As over 60 per cent of PNG’s revenue is driven by the mining sector, increasing exploration in the country has long been a primary focus of the MRA.

“As a country, without exploration, there will be no mining,” Garry said

“We at Frieda River Limited and PanAust are humbled to contribute to making a difference in someone’s life,” FRL country manager Joel Hamago said.

“Seeing children, men and women live enhanced lives because of reconstructive surgery is the kind of humanitarian benefit our proposed Sepik development project is keen to bring to the Sepik provinces and PNG.

“The Sepik development project will be developed with the utmost respect and care for the ecosystem of the remote Sepik. That’s our commitment to the people and governments of the two Sepik provinces and PNG.” PNG

“It is therefore important to start looking for new mines now, because the lead time from discovery to commissioning of projects is between 11–50 years, as in the case of the Frieda River project.”

The Frieda River gold project was discovered in 1967 but is yet to be commissioned. PNG

Changing of the guards

PNG Mining takes a look at the leadership changes from resources companies across the country.

SOME OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S (PNG) most well-known resources companies have recently undergone significant leadership changes.

K92 Mining

In a bid to strengthen its leadership team, K92 Mining issued a slew of new appointments in January.

These included Heidi Grobler, who took on the position of vice president – human resources; Stanley Komunt in the general manager, external affairs role; and Andrew Kohler, who was promoted to interim vice-president – exploration.

Kohler took over the role from Chris Muller, who departed the company after more than eight years of service.

K92 chief executive officer and director John Lewins welcomed the changes.

“As K92 Mining continues to grow and evolve, the leadership changes reflect our firm commitment to building a strong, dynamic team capable of driving our success well into the future,” he said.

Of the leaders, only Komunt is a new recruit for K92. Grobler joined the company in 2021 as head of human resources, while Kohler took on the position of mine geology and exploration manager in 2016.

“Over the past three years, Heidi Grobler has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, resourcefulness and the ability to excel in many roles, making her a natural fit for this promotion,” Lewins said.

“We are also pleased to welcome Stanley Komunt … who brings a wealth of community and government relations expertise in PNG, most recently with Newcrest and Newmont.

“I would also like to recognise Andrew Kohler. With over eight years of significant contributions to K92 and a wealth of industry expertise, Andrew is well-positioned to ensure continuity and leadership during this transitional period.”

Harmony

Harmony appointed its own hat-trick of industry leaders to its board in January and February.

Mametja Moshe, Zanele Matlala and Mangisi Gule were all appointed to the company’s board of directors in early 2025, with Moshe and Matlala serving as members of the audit and risk committee and Gule taking a role on the remuneration committee.

“We are pleased to welcome our new independent non-executive directors,” Harmony chairman Patrice Motsepe said.

“Each of them have got expertise and experience that will contribute to Harmony continuing to being a globally competitive company that create attractive returns for its shareholders and benefits all of its various stakeholders.”

There has also been some internal movement on the Harmony board, with Martin Prinsloo taking the role of audit and risk committee chairman and Given Sibiya serving as chairman of the remuneration committee.

Tolu Minerals

Tolu’s 2025 will be marked by a targeted exploration program at its Tolukuma gold mine, a plan that needs a strong leader to head the program up. Enter Chris Muller.

Muller joined Tolu as its executive group geologist after almost nine years leading K92’s exploration team.

Tolu managing director and chief executive officer Iain Macpherson said hiring PNG’s “foremost geologist and explorer of recent years” was a boon for the company.

“Chris joins Tolu at a key stage in the company’s exciting growth trajectory and brings unparalleled experience, success and no small dose of enthusiasm to Tolu’s very large and prospective exploration profile,” Macpherson said.

Muller has more than 25 years of experience in underground and surface mining and has been committed to PNG for the past 20 years.

“The timely arrival of Chris brings unparalleled capability to Tolu’s already first-rate team and is further demonstration of Tolu’s commitment

to deliver another world-class gold-silver and potentially copper producer in what is rapidly becoming one of the leading global gold-copper provinces,” Macpherson said.

As K92 Mining continues to grow and evolve, the leadership changes reflect our firm commitment to building a strong, dynamic team capable of driving our success well into the future.

K92 chief executive officer and director John Lewins

St

Barbara

February saw St Barbara announce it would be selling its Atlantic operations to focus on becoming a PNGdedicated miner.

The company wasted no time in taking delivery of an MMD sizer crusher at its Simberi gold mine and welcoming Phil Stephenson into its fold as consultant operations advisor in that same month.

Stephenson, reporting directly to chief executive officer Andrew Strelein, will monitor the company’s operating performance and provide recommendations on strategic and tactical actions that will help achieve Simberi’s operating objectives. He will also provide advice on the Simberi sulphides feasibility study outputs and guide operational readiness decisions.

Phil has extensive and very relevant mining experience, particularly in PNG, and he will provide invaluable input and advice for both the current oxide operation and as we move towards a final investment decision on the sulphide expansion.

St Barbara managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Strelein

Strelein is excited to have Stephenson join the St Barbara team.

“Phil has extensive and very relevant mining experience, particularly in PNG, and he will provide invaluable input and advice for both the current oxide operation and as we move towards a final investment decision on the sulphide expansion,” Strelein said.

Stephenson was most recently Newcrest Mining chief operating officer, a role that included responsibility for the Lihir gold mine in PNG. He has also held several other executive and senior management roles within Newcrest, Newmont, Barrick Gold and Placer Dome, including the role of general manager at the Porgera gold mine. PNG

Ushering in the next generation

Crusher Screen Sales & Hire is making waves in the mining, transport and quarrying industries with its range of innovative equipment.

SOME OF THE BIGGEST challenges for the mining industry of Papua New Guinea (PNG) involve the access roads to and from the mines.

Located in hard-to-reach places, PNG’s mine access roads are often unpaved, leading to increased wear and tear on the tyres that drive across them.

Luckily, Crusher Screen Sales & Hire (CSSH) has a portfolio of equipment to help change the game.

As the Irish Manufacturers (IMS) distributors for Australia, CSSH has already caught the eye of many in the roads and transport sectors, and the company is keen to turn its attention to PNG.

“Both CSSH and IMS have worked together to create pugmills and blenders suitable for Australian conditions, as well as the changing requirements for blended material in the quarry, construction and mining industry,” CSSH manager John Andersen said.

“Some quarries or mines have difficulty meeting road base standards without blending fines into the product.

“There is also increased use in the industry of blending recycled products into virgin quarry products in order to reduce the amount of raw material being used, reduce the amount of waste

The PM1200-20TB twin feed hoppers.

20TB. And while much has changed since CSSH introduced its first IMS-PM1050-16TB track pugmill in 2014, Andersen said the improvements in the portfolio have been a natural progression.

“The new IMS PM1200-20TB track pugmill has two 5m-long feed hoppers holding 10m3 each, with separate hopper conveyors fitted with belt scales enabling the blending of two products with accuracy,” he said.

“The pugmill has the option of one or two powder hoppers and the ability to add two liquids. This is fully automated with a PLC [programmable logic controller] and recording system that can be operated with an iPad in a loader or site office.”

The pugmill’s ability to blend two raw materials with the option of adding two powders and two liquids has made it an instant hit with the market.

The PM1200-20TB also has the option of hydraulic vibrating tipping grids on the feed hoppers and can be adapted to produce a slurry for mines remediation projects.

The Australian designed PLC – with a full reporting program – shows the percentages of each product used, along with a supporting graph for each batch. It will auto stop if the blend is not making the programmed percentages and will also give daily totals of all the different products used for the day, aiding in the management and ordering of materials.

5m-long feed hoppers all holding 12m3 each that can operate in conjunction with the pugmills.

There is also the BP1200-914S twin feed hopper blender, which stands on six jacking legs that a 2.5m-wide drop deck can back under for transporting. The electric gear drive motors ensure constant flow, with variable speed invertors and a front-of-hopper adjustable flow gate that can be altered depending on product parameters.

The unit also comes with a remote stop and start, and feed hopper sensors can be fitted to stop and start the conveyors. Additionally, both feed hopper conveyors can be fitted with belt scales and PLC control and recording systems.

The BP1200-914S can also operate with an IMS electric modular pugmill and radial stacker that offers four feed hoppers.

Andersen said innovation from both IMS and CSSH has resulted in a product range that’s interconnected and constantly reviewable.

“These machines also offer great serviceability, and the improved PLC control and recording system that can be monitored from an office and our service department increases both safety and ease of use,” he said.

“These are just some of the options developed and maintained in Australia, offering the ability to change the functions for whatever the industry throws at our customers.”

The year of K92

Exploration wins and production records in 2024 have set K92 up for a bumper 2025.

will continue its focus on exploration in 2025.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG)-based miner K92 went from strength to strength in 2024, and the company has no plans to start slowing down in 2025.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, K92 achieved a record quarterly production of 53,401 ounces (oz) of gold equivalent, comprising 51,371oz of gold, 958,312 pounds of copper, and 41,992oz of silver.

This marked a 37 per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2023 and a 21 per cent rise from a previous record set in the third quarter of 2024.

K92’s metallurgical performance also reached new heights, with fourth-quarter gold recoveries averaging 96.4 per cent and 94.7 per cent for copper.

“The fourth quarter of 2024 marked a significant milestone for K92, with record production and recoveries,” K92 chief executive officer and managing director John Lewins said.

“This performance not only reflects the dedication of our team but also positions us strongly as we move forward with our expansion plans.”

And these expansion plans are well on their way.

The PNG major is currently commissioning its stage three expansion of its processing plant, scheduled to be completed late in the second quarter of the year. The expansion should double the plant’s throughout capacity from 600,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to 1.2 million tpa.

Once stage three is complete, K92 will turn its attention to the stage four preliminary economic

assessment to further expand the throughput to 1.7 million tpa.

“The advancements in our stage three and stage four expansions are pivotal for K92’s growth strategy,” Lewins said. “Doubling our throughput capacity and enhancing production efficiency will significantly bolster our position in the global gold mining sector.”

K92

Gold production was a particular highlight of K92’s 2024 program.

Beyond its record production results and expansion plans, K92’s exploration endeavours have also yielded promising results.

The company’s maiden drill program at the Arakompa prospect, located approximately 405km from the Kainantu process plant, has led to the discovery of two significant high-grade veins: AR1 and AR2.

Both veins have been defined to depths in excess of 500m, with strike lengths of approximately 675m for AR1 and 775m for AR2.

“The discoveries at Arakompa are a testament to the untapped potential within our exploration portfolio,” K92 vice-president for exploration Chris Muller said. “The identification of high-grade veins and bulk tonnage zones presents exciting opportunities for resource growth.”

K92 is planning a large exploration program in 2025, projecting $17–20 million for the year.

Growth capital is forecast to hit $110 million.

“We enter 2025 in a position of strength, with 70 per cent of our stage three and four expansion growth capital spent or committed at 2024 year end, plus a notable strengthening of our cash position to a record high,” Lewins said.

“During this major production growth period, we plan to continue to invest heavily in exploration and significantly ramp up our exploration activities. We believe we control a significant and well-endowed mineral district that we are just scratching the surface of. We look forward to providing updates in due course.”

K92 has also extended the interpreted bulk tonnage zone at Arakompa by approximately 150m

to the south and is now defined over a 900m strike length and to a vertical depth of 650m.

With drill results recording an average true thickness of 48m, K92 is seeing strong bulk mining potential at Arakompa, as well as Kainantu.

“Importantly, both AR1 and AR2 are high-grade and have recorded considerable thickness and strong observed continuity, demonstrating high potential for underground mining,” Lewins said.

“With just over half of the 1.7km-strike-length mineralised corridor drill tested to date, alongside the significant potential at depth, we believe that we are only beginning to unlock Arakompa’s full potential.

The identification of high-grade veins presents exciting opportunities for resource growth.

K92 vice-president for exploration

Chris Muller

“Notably, a new compact heli-portable rig is scheduled to arrive at site in mid-2025, significantly enhancing our ability to efficiently target the northern extension of Arakompa, effectively opening up a new front for exploration.”

Looking ahead, K92 remains in a robust financial position and Lewins is excited about the year ahead and the exploration opportunities it will bring.

“There is tremendous enthusiasm internally among our various stakeholders including in Papua New Guinea for the year ahead as K92 transforms into a Tier 1 producer with the delivery of the stage three expansion,” Lewins said.

“In the second half of the second quarter, the stage three expansion process plant is scheduled to commence commissioning, marking the beginning of a step-change in our throughput and production capabilities.” PNG

Flicking the digital switch

Digital mining is becoming a mainstay in the broader mining industry, as PNG looks to capitalise on new advancements.

AT THE END of the first quarter of the 21st century, technological advancements in the mining sector are more prominent than ever before.

But while mining jurisdictions like Australia and the US seem to implement new technology with ease, it can be a different road in less developed places like Papua New Guinea (PNG), where terrain is more rugged and infrastructure less built-up.

But that doesn’t mean taking advantage of the latest digital mining methods is impossible – it just means that mines must sometimes rely on partnerships to get the job done.

OTML and Accruent

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is the owner of the longest-running open-pit copper-gold-silver operation in PNG: the Ok Tedi mine.

As the country’s only 100-per-cent PNG-owned mining company, OTML has gone from strength to strength in recent years, investing in more technology and infrastructure to produce over 250,000 ounces of gold in 2024.

However, operating the Ok Tedi mine in a rainforest 2000m above sea level can be a challenging venture, especially when it comes to connection and bandwidth.

Tablets and smart phones have made mining easier for companies like OTML.

Recognising this situation, OTML turned to Accruent for a drawing management solution that would perform reliably in the often-harsh conditions of Western Province. The team wanted legacy digital files from its drawing library and data assets from future projects and upgrades to be managed safely and securely.

“It became clear that we needed to get the foundations of our engineering business processes right,” OTML engineering manager Brendan Gowdie said.

“That meant getting our drawing management right and regaining control of the documentation.”

OTML chose Accruent’s cloud-based solution RedEye to solve its problem.

RedEye allows teams to manage documents online, eliminating disorganised engineering information that can slow projects, increase risks and cause compliance issues.

Using RedEye, the OTML team is able to access documents from any device while automating key processes like document review and approval to speed up tasks and minimise errors.

It’s also ideally suited to mines in remote areas, like Ok Tedi.

“Ok Tedi’s crews were able to operate and work without interruption by using the low-bandwidth and offline features of RedEye,” Accruent said.

“These features allow an operator to download relevant drawings from RedEye to a mobile device

when they are connected to the internet. They can then move to a low or zero-bandwidth area and mark up changes on the digital image.”

Once an operator is re-connected to the internet, RedEye will automatically synchronise the updated drawing into the wider system.

“The cloud-based platform performs as well in the remote mountains of PNG as it does from our Brisbane office,” Gowdie said.

The benefits were far-reaching. RedEye was able to remove document duplicates to reduce the number of files by 82 per cent – from 900,000 to 165,000.

OTML was also able to increase the speed of data management activities from 50 to 800 artifacts a week.

“It’s been important for us that Accruent realised this was a journey of improvement,” former OTML senior draftsman Mark Kelly said. “After initial processing and upload, we have continued to reduce our file count by folding in and ordering revisions. When we look back and see how far we’ve come, the benefits of RedEye are clear.”

Newcrest and Rockwell Automation

Before Newmont took over the Lihir gold mine on Niolam Island, former owner Newcrest Mining had turned to Rockwell Automation to help the mine meet the demand for quality products and yield. Optimising the flotation process at Lihir was

new technology.

of particular concern to stakeholders, since poor flotation can result in reduced recovery efficiency, low-grade product, high input disturbances, and increased use and cost of reagents.

Technology has allowed companies to mine more productively.

co-design this MPC solution, building core capability to support our future expanded MPC program.”

Stakeholders turned to Kalypso, a subsidiary of Rockwell Automation, to solve the problem.

Working with the Newcrest team, Kalypso developed a solution for multi-variable optimisation of the flotation circuit, targeting a measurable increase in recovery as an indicator of success.

“The flotation circuit solution development began with monitoring and controlling process parameters to reduce variability and achieve optimisation targets,” Rockwell Automation said.

“The application provides real-time visibility into process management and controls multiple process parameters simultaneously. Control actions are updated continuously based on actual process observations and virtual online analysers, while adhering to plant process constraints to meet recovery and grade requirements.”

The new MPC flotation circuit was designed, implemented and validated over a period of 12 months before it was transitioned to Lihir for ongoing operation.

Former Newcrest process plant operations manager Robert Gordon said the MPC delivered well above the challenge of increasing gold recovery.

“The implementation of MPC on the Lihir flotation circuit has delivered significant performance improvement and downstream flowsheet stability,” Gordon said.

“The Lihir operations, process control and metallurgical teams have worked collaboratively to

Lihir senior process engineering specialist Gareth Peachey said it was rewarding to see the technology go above and beyond.

“It was a new technology for Lihir designed to improve on existing regulatory controls and was implemented during COVID-19 restrictions with limited access to resources,” he said.

“Our close collaboration with the Kalypso team enabled us to navigate through these challenges to deliver a successful project that exceeded the challenging performance goals we set.”

The flotation circuit solution provides real-time visibility into process management. Control actions are updated continuously based on actual process observations and virtual online analysers, while adhering to plant process constraints to meet recovery and grade requirements.

Rockwell Automation

When Newmont took over Lihir’s operations following the acquisition in November 2023, the team was able to hit the ground running thanks to the forward-thinking of the Newcrest and Rockwell Automation teams.

Digital mining advancements continue to transform PNG’s mining sector, offering safer and more productive ways to mine.

The benefits are clear: miners are seeing a reduction in operating costs, a boost in production and an improvement in process and decision making.

As the industry continues its march into the future, PNG is well-placed to capitalise off the successful implementation of digital mining tools in the wider world, partnering with key players to mine better than ever before. PNG

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PNG’s next mining giant

The Wafi-Golpu mine is on the cusp of greatness.

ALTHOUGH THE WAFI-GOLPU copper-gold mine is one of the world’s biggest, the sprawling encampment is hard to spot from the ground.

Nestled in the green hills of Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Wafi-Golpu has been on the radar of international miners since exploration began in the area in 1979.

Discovering Wafi

Sampling of float in the Wafi River in 1977 marked the beginning of Wafi-Golpu’s story.

The sampling was undertaken by geologists from a SW Pacific island reconnaissance exploration program called CRAE Star – and what these geologists found was significant, returning samples of 22 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold and 89g/t of silver.

The geologists followed up their find by sampling surface rock-chip and soil before digging 8500m underground to identify multiple centres of gold mineralisation.

But drilling at Wafi didn’t return the results the geologists had hoped for after seeing what could be found on the surface. As a result, the project was farmed out to Elders Mining PNG – who had better luck. The company drilled to find a gold-rich core of high sulphidation.

Further drilling in 1991 revealed copper-goldstyle mineralisation in a new area that was named

The Markham River may become home to Wafi-Golpu’s infrastructure corridor.

Rafferty’s, after the captain of a WWII bomber that crashed nearby. With new findings indicating the beginnings of an extensive mine beneath the surface, CRAE was keen to reengage in the project.

Elders PNG had been acquired in the early 1990s by Carter Holt Harvey, which decided to sell its 40 per cent stake in Wafi back to CRAE. CRAE drilled the area between 1991 and 1997, defining a resource of 100 million tonnes at 1.3 per cent copper and 0.6g/t gold.

Nestled in the green hills of Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea, Wafi-Golpu has been on the radar of international miners since exploration began in the area in 1979.

Wafi remained under care and maintenance from 1997 until 2001 before it was acquired by Aurora Gold in 2002.

But the changes didn’t stop there. Aurora would later merge with Abelle, which would be acquired by Harmony Gold in 2004, marking the beginning of the Wafi-Golpu project we know today.

Wafi-Golpu joint venture

Even the largest miners need partnerships in order to get the best out of their assets.

That’s why Harmony joined forces with Newcrest Mining in 2008 to explore for and evaluate mineral deposits in Morobe Province, creating the WafiGolpu joint venture (WGJV). Newcrest was acquired by Newmont in 2023, and Newmont has since taken on Newcrest’s 50 per cent stake in the WGJV.

The WGJV brings together the combined experience and technical resources of Harmony and Newmont. Harmony has an extensive underground portfolio in South Africa, while Newmont’s experience in Australia and the Americas puts the company in prime position to expand its reach across the Pacific. The WGJV applied for a special mining lease and related tenements to the Mineral

Resources Authority PNG (MRA) in 2016 to begin the process of permitting the project. It took another four years for the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency to conclude its assessment of the project’s environment permit application, which the WGJV received in December 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, the WGJV was ramping up the process of additional

approvals throughout the project. It submitted the feasibility study update and environmental impact study in 2018, and later that same year the State of PNG signed a memorandum of understanding to further progress the permitting process.

forms part of the primary ventilation circuit and materials handling unit.

When mining begins, there will be three zones of proposed activity: the mine area, the infrastructure corridor, and the coastal area.

The WGJV is proposing to place the infrastructure

Wafi-Golpu can be found among the hills of Morobe Province.

Image: Harvey Bianzon/shutterstock.com

Prime Minister James Marape – are calling for mining to begin,.

“Time is ticking away,” Marape said in October 2024.

“As a nation, we have collectively agreed that the Wafi-Golpu project must move forward on terms that are in line with our laws and policies, especially those that ensure the state and Papua New Guinea secure 55 per cent of the project’s economic benefits.

“I want to make it absolutely clear: we cannot afford to lose any more time. The Wafi-Golpu project must advance without further delay.”

Current estimations have Wafi-Golpu holding approximately 12 million ounces of gold and three million ounces of copper.

“This is a project of national importance, and moving forward on key milestones is critical to the country’s economic progress,” Marape said.

Newmont chief executive Tom Palmer is similarly keen to see Wafi-Golpu get off the ground.

“Wafi-Golpu is a fantastic resource,” Palmer told Business Advantage PNG

“It’s a block-cave copper mine that will be developed.

“PNG is a country with a lot of natural resources. It’s a country that’s strategically important to Australia and the United States. As a US foreign direct investor in PNG, with Australian connections, we’re almost the perfect combination.”

As Wafi-Golpu continues to ramp up, the eyes of PNG will be on it and the WGJV to see what happens next. PNG

Drilling at Wafi-Golpu has been ongoing since the 1970s.

Dynamic sailing

Investment in local talent, high safety standards, innovative training methods and the strength of a global network underpin the services of P&O Maritime Logistics.

P&O MARITIME LOGISTICS (P&OML) offers port marine services and cargo transportations across the world through its fleet of over 400 dedicated vessels.

In addition to its operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG), it has a strong presence across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, which allows it to draw on knowledge of maritime operations from all manner of operating environments and clients.

“P&OML has the strength of operating in a global and local PNG context,” P&OML general manager Captain Isabelle Kuli told PNG Mining

“We routinely work in challenging areas which gives us an in-depth understanding of the unique PNG operating environment and how we can best support our clients, which in turn provides strength to the PNG economy.”

The P&OML ship masters and seafarers that operate in PNG are well versed with the skills required to undertake the task.

Thanks to the company’s more than 30 years of experience in PNG and the operation of 11 purposebuilt ships designed to prioritise safety and optimise cargo carrying capacity, P&OML is able to support its clients’ export and supply chain needs.

A key aspect of P&OML’s PNG operation is navigating 460 nautical miles (852km) of the Fly River. With a lack of reliable depth data combined with a quickly changing riverbed, the task brings with it many challenges. To improve reliability under these conditions, P&OML has recently introduced a

270-degrees full bridge mission simulator to train and prepare its crews for their important role on the P&OML ships. It is also applying modern equipment and data to better understand the characteristics of the Fly River so that the environment, the people and cargoes are kept safe.

With an eye to a long-term future in PNG, P&OML is also increasing its cadet onboarding through its training program, as well as increasing the career opportunities it can offer its seafarers so they can best support the future needs of PNG. P&OML is ready to support PNG industries as they grow.

A

key aspect of P&OML’s PNG operation is navigating 852km of the Fly River.

Captain Kuli said P&OML’s parent company, DP World, has given its employees a strong foundation from which to strive for success.

DP World is a supply-chain-solutions company with more than 100,000 employees worldwide.

“‘Collaborate to win’ is one of those principles we take very seriously here at P&OML,” Captain

“When our clients succeed, the economies we operate in also win; that’s why it’s so important for us to centre their needs and offer them the best service possible.”

P&OML has embedded this philosophy in every level of the company, leading to its continued investment in its workers to help them achieve their full potential.

Captain Kuli herself has seen the benefit this outlook can bring, starting out as a ship master before coming ashore to experience new opportunities with the company.

for us and the maritime industry,” she said. “We’ve seen a major training gap over the years and we’re determined to fill it with the latest advancements in quality maritime training.” PNG

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support PNG and its industries as they grow.

From the ground up

Mayur Resources’ two flagship projects in PNG are progressing on schedule.

MAYUR RESOURCES is a company dedicated to the development of natural resources and renewables in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The company has recently made significant progress in two of its flagship projects: the Central lime project (CLP) and the Orokolo Bay industrial sands project (OBP).

These ventures underscore Mayur’s commitment to not only PNG, but the country’s growth and community engagement.

Advancements at the CLP

Situated approximately 25km north of Port Moresby, the CLP is poised to become a cornerstone of

PNG’s industrial and mining landscape. The project has been designed to produce 0.45 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of quick and hydrated lime, and 0.6Mtpa of raw limestone aggregate.

The granting of special economic zone (SEZ) status in 2021 was a pivotal moment for Mayur and the CLP, reflecting robust support from local authorities and providing a suite of concessions, including tax relief and duty exemptions.

October 2024 saw Mayur secure a $US50 million ($79.7 million) investment agreement with natural

resource focused partnership ACAM LP. The funds were allocated between Mayur and its wholly owned subsidiary MR Central Lime PNG.

The company also locked in a $US115 million ($183.3 million) exclusive debt term sheet with a private mining and metals fund to ensure comprehensive funding for the CLP’s development.

Mayur Resources managing director Paul Mulder said the CLP is a significant project for PNG, supported by its strong financial backing.

“The CLP is set to revolutionise PNG’s industrials sector by providing essential materials locally, reducing reliance on imports and fostering economic growth,” he said.

Construction activities at the CLP have now commenced, with early revenue expected in the first half of this year. The combination of the CLP’s coastal location, the nearby quarry, plant site and wharf is expected to facilitate low operating costs and direct access to local and international markets.

Progress at OBP

Like the CLP, the OBP represents a significant venture within Mayur’s growing PNG portfolio. Located in Gulf Province along the southern coast of PNG, the

OBP is fully permitted and ready for construction, with initial production targeted for late 2025.

Mayur announced it had secured developing funding for the OBP through Pacific Unison Holdings (PacUn) in February this year. Under the agreement, PacUn will fund the construction and commissioning of the magnetite phase of the project, aiming for initial nameplate capacity of 500,000tpa.

“Bringing the Orokolo Bay project into production alongside our flagship Central lime project will generate attractive cashflows and, importantly, compliments Mayur’s commitment to developing the building blocks within PNG,” Mulder said.

“Domestically produced and affordable downstream iron and cement are the key pillars that will build PNG and also displace imports and set up an export industry.”

Mayur’s agreement with PacUn includes an upfront commitment of $US500,000 ($796,940) and establishes a profit-sharing system that will see both companies recover their initial investments before the profits are shared equally.

PacUn isn’t the only supporter of the OBP, with Governor of Gulf Province Chris Haieveta also confirming his commitment to seeing the project thrive.

The Orokolo Bay project is located in Gulf Province.

Image: Stanley Kombra/shutterstock.com

Mayur’s CLP will become a cornerstone of PNG’s mining operations.

“As Governor of Gulf Province, I am proud to reaffirm my full support for the Orokolo Bay project, a Gulf Province building initiative I have championed since taking office,” he said in February.

“It is a transformative project that will drive economic growth, create over 130 direct and 450 indirect jobs, and create province building capacity using local skills and resources.

“This marks a pivotal step for PNG having its own domestic iron ore resources for export, but to also consider development of PNG’s own small-scale iron and steel industry, being a critical ingredient to build our nation, alongside cement.”

Focused on community and sustainability

Mayur also places a strong emphasis on community engagement and sustainable development.

The company has been proactive in finalising its Community Development Agreements (CDAs) for both the CLP and the OBP to ensure local people remain integral stakeholders in the development process.

Initiatives such as CDAs are designed to deliver tangible benefits to landowners in PNG, including employment opportunities, infrastructure development and capacity-building programs.

Final meetings to progress the CDA for the CLP concluded in February, with all stakeholders agreeing to the final terms.

“We are thankful to all stakeholders present at the consultative forum representing various levels of the PNG Government, landowners, and other key stakeholders,” Mulder said.

“This is a pivotal moment for Papua New Guinea – being the first new greenfield mine to commence construction in PNG in 18 years, and a cornerstone for the first downstream manufacturing production facility of quicklime and cement.”

The CDA set out the distribution of royalties to be paid by Mayur, as well as the various community development activities the company will complete and the undertakings of the PNG Government and landowners to ensure development and operation.

Mayur is committed to delivering local employment opportunities, ongoing support for community initiatives, and the development of key community infrastructure like new road access from the Kido village to Port Moresby.

“We are well placed on the path to achieving final investment decision with a view towards full scale development [beyond wharf construction, which is already underway] commencing within months,” Mulder said.

“Seeing this project into full-scale development reflects a culmination of over 10 years of work by Mayur.

It is a pivotal moment for Mayur’s shareholders as well as the local landowner communities and the nation of Papua New Guinea.”

Mayur also employs innovative techniques to minimise its ecological footprint, ensuring the preservation of PNG’s biodiversity.

“Our success is directly connected to bringing better sustainability outcomes to PNG and the

broader Asia Pacific region by reducing the building industry’s carbon footprint,” Mayur Resources head of business affairs Darren Lockyer said.

Mayur’s strategic vision encompasses not only the development of the CLP and the OBP but also the exploration of future opportunities.

The company’s approach includes developing mineral projects that deliver high-quality, low-cost and net-zero inputs for the mining and construction industries, as well as constructing and operating a renewable energy portfolio comprising solar, wind, geothermal, carbon mitigation and battery storage.

The successful progression of the CLP and OBP signifies Mayur’s dedication to contributing to PNG’s economic growth while adhering to principles of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

As the two flagship projects advance towards production, each is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming PNG’s industrial landscape and enhancing its position in the domestic and international markets. PNG

Mayur has some future plans already locked in.

Ending the half-year on a high

Harmony Gold, Newmont and Mayur Resources are riding strong results into the second half of the 2024–25 financial year.

WITH THE FIRST HALF of the 2024–25 financial year (H1 FY25) now in the books, some of the most prominent miners across Papua New Guinea (PNG) are reaping the benefits of a strong local sector.

Harmony Gold

Harmony Gold chief executive Beyers Nel hailed the company’s results for H1 FY25 as “excellent”. And with a 19 per cent increase in group gold revenue to $3.12 million, up from the $2.5 million recorded in H1 FY24, it’s easy to see why.

A 33 per cent increase in net profit to $702 million was driven by a strong, flexible balance sheet and a record interim dividend payout of $123.2 million.

“The excellent H1 FY25 results are on the back of our unwavering commitment to improving our safety performance and delivering consistent, predictable production,” Nel said.

“While we have historically been a gold producer, we are on the cusp of introducing near-term copper, which will further de-risk and diversify our production profile.”

Harmony reported a two per cent increase in underground recovered grades, as well as a jump in average gold prices – up $6695 per ounce (oz) compared to $3002/oz in H1 FY24.

Harmony Gold is on the cusp of introducing copper into its portfolio.

“Harmony continues to generate stellar cash flows, and our balance sheet is robust, flexible and in a significant net cash position,” Nel said. “The gold price has continued to rally since the beginning of the 2025 calendar year, enhancing our strong financial position.

“We remain disciplined and responsible with our capital allocation, and we will not deviate from our risk-based approach to decision-making.

“Having a balanced approach to capital allocation will enable us to deliver on our growth aspirations and ensure we continue to create real long-term value for our shareholders and our stakeholders.”

Harmony’s production, grade, cost and capital guidance for FY25 remains unchanged.

Newmont

Chief executive officer Tom Palmer said the company’s 2024 gold reserves have helped solidify Newmont’s position as a leading gold producer into FY25.

The major miner reported gold reserves of 134.1 million attributable ounces for H1 FY25, a slight decrease from the 135.9 million ounces recorded at the tail end of FY23. Newmont’s go-forward Tier 1 portfolio includes 125.5 million gold ounces, more

Mayur Resources

A reduction in losses and surge in revenue were the hallmarks of a successful H1 FY25 for PNG-based Mayur Resources.

The company, which owns the Central lime project (CLP) 25km north of Port Moresby, recorded revenue of $1.28 million, up from the $29,349 reported in the prior corresponding period. Mayur attributed the increase to the advancement of the CLP and generating operational income.

Basic loss per share from continuing operations sat at $0.009, an improvement on the $0.0225 in the previous year.

In regard to cash flow, Mayur reported net operating cash outflows of $4.72 million, compared to the $4.21 million recorded in H1 FY24. Net investing cash outflows were $9 million, up from $4 million to reflect increased investment in project development.

Significant developments during the half-year included having $79 million in financing conditionally committed by investors for the CLP, with $15.8 million already received via convertible notes.

A further $63.2 million is planned as equity funding subject to condition satisfaction.

“The $15.8 million in convertible notes, maturing in October 2026, provides funds for continuation of early construction works at the CLP, debt repayment and working capital,” Mayur said.

“[Our] $63.2 million conditional equity funding will fund 100 per cent of the equity requirements for the CLP through its development stages and along with debt funding is forecast to bring the project to commercial production within 18 months of the final investment decision.”

Mayur will continue its focus on the development of the CLP, remaining

than 13.5 million tonnes of copper reserves and 540 million ounces of silver reserves.

“Newmont has solidified its position as the gold industry’s leader with the highest concentration of Tier 1 assets, reserves and resources,” Palmer said.

“Supported by our industry-leading exploration program, we continue to focus on extending mine life, developing districts and discovering new opportunities in the most favourable mining jurisdictions.”

Newmont has doubled its reserve base since 2018, diversifying itself across the world’s mining jurisdictions, including at Lihir in PNG.

Lihir, along with a handful of other Newmontowned assets, has a gold reserve life of at least 10 years.

The major has also expanded its copper reach in the past year, with 14.1 million attributable tonnes in measured and indicated resources and 11 million attributional tonnes in inferred resources.

“Newmont’s extensive gold and copper reserve base represents the foundation for stable production and meaningful value creation for the next several decades,” Palmer said. PNG

Newmont’s 2024 gold reserves have helped solidify its position as a leading gold producer.

Mayur Resources is focusing much of its attention at its CLP project near Port Moresby.

Company founder, the late Sir Brian Ernest Bell CSM, KBE, CStJ.

Much more than a store

A

figurehead of PNG business, the Brian Bell Group is only expected to grow as the year goes on.

THE BRIAN BELL STORY is one of tenaciousness, legacy and success.

Today, the Brian Bell Group comprises 17 retail stores, six trade centres, a luxury residential development and over 1300 team members scattered across Papua New Guinea (PNG) – but this wasn’t always the case.

Australian-born Sir Brian Bell CSM, KBE, CStJ opened his first retail store in Port Moresby’s thriving commercial centre in 1958. Having recently moved to PNG, Bell fell in love with the way of life, eventually becoming Port Moresby’s Deputy Lord Mayor.

With Bell’s promise that his stores would “service whatever we sell”, Brian Bell Group has become

much more than just a store since it opened its doors.

“The Brian Bell Group is a 67-year-old, 100-percent PNG-owned business that operates in seven of PNG’s largest regional centres,” Brian Bell chairman Ian Clough told PNG Mining. “We operate retail businesses, wholesale businesses, support the agriculture sector, and we are working in the health sector through our Meddent business. We also have an extensive property portfolio across the country that includes residential and commercial facilities as well as a large land bank for future growth.”

Brian Bell secured the full acquisition of the Meddent business in January 2024. Over a year on, the medical and diagnostic equipment supplier is thriving under the group’s leadership.

“Our goal is to be the supplier of choice for PNG’s medical and scientific supplies in 2025 and beyond,” Meddent general manager Todd McKenzie told PNG Mining.

“Our strengths are in our professional service and after-sales support, our readily available stock and our fast delivery for items not in stock.”

The Meddent arm of the business is now part of the 45,000 active products Brian Bell maintains at any given time.

Sir Brian Bell Foundation’s support has reached all 22 provinces of PNG.

According to Clough, it’s all part of the group’s aim to do more for the people of PNG.

“We employ 1300 team members, the majority of which are Papua New Guinean, and through our business and through the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, we are committed to doing more for our customers, our team members and our communities,” he said.

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation was established to honour Bell’s love for PNG and his drive to give back to the country and its people. One of the main aims of the foundation is to improve the quality of life in PNG, becoming a catalyst for change for future generations. The foundation has provided over K42 million ($16.15 million) to communities across PNG since 2016.

Long-term partnerships have become part of the Brian Bell Group’s DNA. The company has fostered relationships with some of the country’s biggest miners in the last decades.

“Some of these partnerships date back some 40 years and operate across our commercial service division, our chemicals teams, our trade electrical division and now with our recent acquisition, our Meddent business,” Clough said.

The foundation was

Top: Brian Bell Chemicals general manager Siva Raman. Bottom: Chairman Ian Clough with representatives from all divisions of the Brian Bell Group.

“We have presence across the country with many of our divisions and we support our larger clients with resources from our central team in Port Moresby. We also opened a new Trade Electrical, Chemicals and Agriculture site in Goroka late last year to support this key region.”

Siva Raman, general manager of Brian Bell Chemicals, said the company takes pride in its ability to manufacture chemicals and keep up with the nation’s demand.

“No matter the size and scope of the project, Brian Bell Chemicals can offer a solution,” Raman told PNG Mining.

“We understand the PNG market and its growing needs which enables us to evolve with new solutions. The business has doubled in size in the last decade without flattening out, a great indicator that 2025

Meddent general manager Todd McKenzie.

Brian Bell’s medical and chemicals businesses are joined by Brian Bell Homecentres, Trade Electrical, and Agriculture, Industrial and Property – all companies that have experienced rapid growth.

Brian Bell Homecentres, for example, boasts the title of the largest home furnishings retail and wholesale business in PNG, continuing to innovate, develop and source new international brands and products every year.

The group’s service to the mining industry is no different.

“We have an extensive supply chain network which allows us to move product effectively and efficiently throughout the country,” Clough said.

“We also have a team of specialists that support our mining customers with end-to-end management of their requirements. From sourcing discussions that help to crystallise their requirements to managing the logistics from source to delivery, our team can help make any project seamless for our customers.

“Most importantly, our customers have peace of mind when they work with us as we have a team of trained technicians in place to ensure customers are supported with preventive maintenance programs and warranty and repair works.”

Brian Bell’s corporate sales arm can also lend a hand in mining matters.

“Our commercial services division was established to specifically support the growing product and service needs of corporate account customers

throughout PNG,” corporate services general manager Matthew Forssman told PNG Mining.

“Our corporate services offer a wide range of procurement services catering to the needs of growing small-to-medium enterprises, right through to the largest corporate projects throughout the country.

“This includes many of the largest mining and construction project builds throughout Papua New Guinea.”

Janoah Smith, general manager of Brian Bell’s agricultural and industrial division, told PNG Mining that almost all arms of the business have strong relationships with PNG’s miners, both major and artisanal.

“We have strong partnerships with mining companies supporting their community services projects supplying seeds, fertilizers, nursery equipment, tramontina spades and bush knives for their sustainability programs within the mine impact communities,” Smith said.

“We are also a supplier of choice for artesian and small scale miners for mining equipment such as gold dredges, water pumps, panning equipment and portable gensets.”

It’s been a busy couple of years at Brian Bell, and this trajectory shows no signs of slowing.

New warehouse sites are set to launch in mid2025, along with increased investments to expand the company’s supply chain capacity.

Brian Bell corporate services general manager Matthew Forssman.

Brian Bell is particularly optimistic about the reopening of the Porgera gold mine in Enga Province, seeing it as a great opportunity to continue providing value to its mining customers.

“We can help stage projects for our customers, reducing their handling and storage costs and assisting them with any space challenges,”

Clough said.

“As many long-awaited projects come online, we look forward to these sites providing successful outcomes for investors but more importantly, providing opportunities and development for Papua New Guinea while helping its people realise the country’s potential.” PNG

Providing counselling services is one way mines can ensure their employees are staying mentally healthy.

Staying mentally healthy

Employers have a duty to ensure their workforces are kept safe from physical and psychological harm.

KEEPING A MINE site safe involves more than just personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance reporting.

While all safety aspects are essential, modern mining organisations must ensure they implement measures to reduce psychosocial hazards in order to keep all parts of their workforce safe.

Psychosocial hazards are psychological and social conditions that could cause mental harm. Common examples on a mine can include job demands, traumatic events, bullying and harassment, and remote or isolated work.

Work-related stress can result in negative effects ranging from physical symptoms like headaches and

problems sleeping to emotional symptoms such as irritability and mood swings.

Work-related stress can also affect an employee’s behaviour. They could experience diminished performance, impulsive behaviour or withdrawal from work. In an industry like mining, where each step must be considered and undertaken with care, behavioural problems can lead directly to potential health and safety risks.

It can be overwhelming for mining companies to try and reduce psychosocial hazards in one fell swoop. Instead, wellbeing solutions company Healthy Business suggests taking a measured approach to reducing harm.

The company worked with a large Papua New Guinea (PNG) gold miner from 2016–22 to implement solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of employees and the wider community.

“The mining industry faces many occupational challenges when it comes to health and wellbeing,” Healthy Business said.

“Remote working environments, shift work and fly-in, fly-out [FIFO] work are all typical demands of the industry which have been identified as contributors for obesity, a key risk factor for many lifestyle-related diseases.”

The often hot and humid weather in PNG’s remote mine sites can also contribute to risk factors for illness and injury.

“To address their organisational needs, [a PNG] client partnered with Healthy Business to design and deliver a health and wellbeing program

that would engage their people and support positive health and wellbeing outcomes,” Healthy Business said.

The program featured a multifaceted approach that included:

• the development of a multidisciplinary PNG national team to ensure cultural sensitivity

• integration into existing processes, policies and procedures

• personalised one-on-one coaching

• promotion of a confidential counselling service

• physiotherapy treatment to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal injuries.

More than 11,600 employees participated in the program across 2016–22, with clear positive results.

From initial health assessment data, Healthy Business found that the program had reduced very

FIFO work can be considered a potential psychosocial hazard.

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high-risk blood pressure readings by 66 per cent, high-risk cholesterol levels by 62 per cent, and high-risk blood glucose levels by 50 per cent.

“By working with these employees and providing the appropriate early intervention, we have been able to reduce their risk of developing more serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as Tye 2 diabetes, heart attack or stroke,” Healthy Business said.

“There is a flow-on effect of less absenteeism from injury and ill health. On top of this, productivity levels increase, with staff feeling more engaged, motivated and cared for by their employer.”

Healthy Business also assisted in providing the employees and wider community access to a fully equipped gym, group exercise classes and a range of recreational activities.

Feedback from those involved at the mine was overwhelmingly positive.

“Having the Healthy Business team provide our ongoing health checks has not only given our employees education and knowledge on certain aspects of their health and wellbeing and how

to maintain or improve it, but also identified an employee who had health issues,” the Healthy Business feedback stated.

“The Healthy Business team has continued to work with this employee, helping them reduce their BMI [body mass index] and put them in a position where they no longer need continual medical monitoring and are fit to work without restrictions.

“I believe the program is a massive asset in the way we help our employees make healthy decisions.”

Psychosocial safety is a critical issue in the industry today and we should allow for the opportunity of integrating a broader and holistic risk management framework encompassing psychosocial risks.

OTML safety manager Anna Ila

A critical issue

Another major miner in PNG, Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), has been working to bring the importance of psychosocial safety front of mind.

The gold miner recently held a safety forum at which its key theme of psychosocial safety provided a timely reminder that psychosocial safety remains a critical issue in the modern mining industry.

Providing counselling services is one way mines can ensure their employees are staying mentally healthy.

“Thoughtful and meaningful conversations need to occur around our current approaches on how we manage risk in our present day dynamic working environment,” OTML manager – safety Anna Ila said.

“Psychosocial safety is a critical issue in the industry today and we should allow for the opportunity of integrating a broader and holistic risk management framework encompassing psychosocial risks.”

Ila, who spoke during the safety forum, centred her opening remarks on the importance of allowing psychosocial safety to be considered alongside physical safety, encouraging discussion aimed at deepening the understanding of hazards and impacts, and how these can be addressed.

Founder and director of Australian-based company Universal Safety and Wellness Angelina Badri was also in attendance, conducting a workshop on psychosocial safety. Badri challenged OTML and its partners to shift towards integrating wellbeing as a critical aspect of risk management.

Reducing mental stress can lead to a reduction in physical symptoms.

OTML has taken up that challenge with gusto, launching its first mental health clinic at the Tabubil Hospital early this year.

PPE, while important, is not the only aspect of safety on a mine.

The clinic, officially opened on January 14, provides a range of services from counselling and therapy to educational resources and workshops with the aim to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma around mental health.

“From 2017 to date, we have supported six individuals suffering from severe mental health issues,” OTML manager – health services Raymond Singamis said.

“Over the years, the number of people with mental health problems has increased.”

Laloki Psychiatric Hospital chief executive officer Dr Losavati Daugunu said OTML management and health services are helping to lead the way in providing mental health services in the Western Province.

“The overall operations of inpatient care services for mental illness, like those at Laloki Psychiatric Hospital, place a strain on the national economy,” Daugunu said. “OTML is alleviating this burden at the primary care level.”

OTML has implemented several initiatives to support the mental health and wellbeing of its workers, including workplace counselling, regular wellness activities in gyms, and the mental health campaign ‘Wantok Yu Orait?’ (Are you okay?) launched in November 2024.

“The opening of the mental health clinic is a significant step towards ensuring that our employees and the Tabubil community have access to the support they need to maintain their mental wellbeing,” OTML general manager strategic business development and optimisation Alan Bong said. PNG

Steel you can trust

Atlas Steel PNG is a one-stop shop for miners looking to purchase high-quality local products.

According to Browne, holding stock locally helps position Atlas Steel customers for success.

dedicated to providing PNG with high-quality

WHEN ASKED ABOUT what makes Atlas Steel PNG stand out from the pack, the answer came easily to branch manager Peter Browne.

“Our quality service sets us apart,” Browne told PNG Mining. “Our dedicated mining team has over 40 years’ experience servicing Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) mines alongside many Australian sites.

“The team is eager to help more mining customers across the country.”

Atlas Steel PNG has been delivering top-quality steel products and buildings to PNG’s major miners since 1973.

Supplying locally manufactured prefabricated steel buildings and supplies across PNG’s mine sites for over 50 years has given the Atlas Steel team a strong foundation for success.

“We have built a reputation as a trusted, reputable supplier of a wide assortment of building items, structural steel and steel plates,” Browne said. “Our expansion into supplying mining consumables is a natural progression.”

Browne said many mines must purchase and stock their consumables due to the difficulty in getting a timely supply to the mine site.

Atlas Steel PNG has been working to change this by broadening its services and reducing the need for miners to look abroad for their supplies.

“With our new mining consumable supply service, miners tell us what they want, we purchase and hold the stock in PNG and then we ship it to the mine as they need it,” he said.

“Logistically, PNG can be a very hard country to get into,” he said. “Problems can stem from purchasing issues due to lack of transport or slow shipping routes.

“Atlas Steel PNG has large warehouse facilities in both Port Moresby and Lae, strategically placed to service mines around the country. Having stock in-country means we can quickly deploy products to mine sites.”

Some of PNG’s largest miners have benefitted from Atlas Steel’s services, enjoying the company’s commitment to supplying steel products that are durable, long-lasting and safe.

“We are seeing strong growth in our structural design and architectural services, housing and building supply, as well as reinforced steel,” Browne said.

“In fact, PNG’s largest miner has taken in over 8500 tonnes of our reinforced steel in the past couple of years.”

Whether a mine needs structural beams, steel plates or transportable offices, all of Atlas Steel’s products come with traceability and test certifications.

“Our traditional supply to PNG mining companies remains strong, including fabricated steel, fabricated buildings, accommodation modules, building supplies, reinforced steel and other construction supplies,” Browne said.

“We can also supply other consumables, such as surface mining supplies, underground mining supplies, conveyor and crushing parts. The list is endless.

“If you need it, we can supply it.” PNG

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A-Ok

PNG Mining takes a look at one of the country’s most iconic mining companies and its storied history – as well as its bright future.

AS THE LARGEST locally owned mining company in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) has made quite a name for itself in its four decades of operations.

Established in 1981 to mine the copper-gold orebody at Mt Fubilan in Western Province, OTML has since grown to owning and managing the country’s longest running surface copper-gold-silver mine: the Ok Tedi mine.

PNG Mining looks back at the years that made OTML one of the most established miners in the history of PNG.

The past

In 1963, copper mineralisation was discovered near the headwaters of the current Ok Tedi mine on Mt Fubilan.

The discovery was made by government patrol officer Des Fitzer, who was leading the first such patrol into the Star Mountains. Fitzer brought his copper samples back from the expedition, but a further five years would pass before exploration began in earnest at the site.

In 1968, Kennecott Copper Corporation geologists D. Fishburn and J. Felderhoff were conducting helicopter reconnaissance exploration around Mt Fubilan when they discovered mineralised float.

Below: Since beginning life as a gold mine, Ok Tedi has transformed into the largest surface mine in PNG.

The ruggedness of the area meant Fishburn and Felderhoff were the first to publish the discovery, leading to Kennecott moving in on the site within months.

Drilling started at the site in 1969 and continued until 1971. A breakdown in communications between Kennecott and the PNG Government ultimately led to Kennecott pulling out of the area in 1975.

By that time, the wider mining industry was beginning to understand Mt Fubilan’s significance. A government-owned entity, Ok Tedi Development

Bottom left: Each day, OTML mines over 60,000 tonnes of ore from the Ok Tedi mine.

Company, was established to continue mining the site, offering employment to the former Kennecott workforce, but it was clear the company would need some help.

And that’s when BHP stepped in.

Then known as the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, BHP was already active in PNG through its subsidiary Dampier Mining Company. But when it was approached to partner with Ok Tedi for development, BHP was initially hesitant due to the smaller size of the gold operation.

Eventually, a review into the mine’s data won out. BHP concluded the deposit had more potential than originally thought and, in 1975, launched an application with partner company TriakoBuka to mine Ok Tedi – an application that was swiftly approved.

The main drawcard of the application was the signing of a concession agreement that would allow BHP to mine Ok Tedi if it formed a consortium

of companies to undertake the next stage of development.

This consortium was entrenched in October 1976. It was comprised of BHP (37.5 per cent), Mt Fubilan Development (37.5 per cent), and Germany-based Kupfer Explorations Gesellschaft (25 per cent).

Though it was originally slated for closure in 2010, the mine was still going strong in 2013 thanks to an extensive community consultation process and revised mine plans. The life of mine was further extended in 2021 to 2050.

By 1981, it was becoming increasingly clear that the large Ok Tedi deposit would need an overarching entity to manage it on the ground. BHP joined forces with the PNG Government, Amoco Corporation and Inmet Mining to create Ok Tedi Mining Limited, with BHP acting as the majority shareholder.

Commencing mining operations in 1984, OTML was initially a gold mine until 1987, when the site was transformed into a copper-gold operation. BHP exited OTML in 2002, transferring its interest to the PNG Sustainable

Development Program. OTML later became a fullyowned PNG company when it bought out the shares held by Inmet Mining in 2012.

The Sustainable Development Program’s shares were cancelled in 2013, leading the PNG Government to increase its ownership in OTML to 87.8 per cent.

Though it was originally slated for closure in 2010, the mine was still going strong in 2013 thanks to an extensive community consultation process and revised mine plans. The life of mine was further extended in 2021 to 2050.

The present

OTML mines up to 60,000 tonnes of copper, gold and silver ore each day from Ok Tedi. Mining is carried out as a surface operation, using conventional drill and blast techniques before the ore is processed at the onsite flotation plant. Once processed, the ore is exported to customers in Japan, the Philippines, Germany, South Korea and India, where it is refined to produce copper metal and gold and silver bullion.

While mining may be central to the company’s mission, its overarching presence as a 100-percent-PNG-owned company has buoyed it in the public’s consciousness.

At OTML’s 40th anniversary in November 2024, Minister for State-Owned Enterprises William Duma reaffirmed PNG’s support for the iconic company.

“We acknowledge OTML’s contributions and pledge our continued support to ensure the company’s operations proceed in line with its agreements with the government,” Duma said.

“This partnership remains crucial in supporting national revenue generation and positively impacting communities both in the impact areas and across Papua New Guinea.”

And that support is warranted. Over the last four decades, OTML has contributed more than K4 billion ($1.58 billion) in dividends to PNG shareholders, K664 million ($261 million) in tax credit schemes for key infrastructure projects, and K2 billion ($790 million) in taxes and duties.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape addressed OTML management and staff at the celebrations.

“It’s a pleasure, honour and privilege to be part of this occasion,” Marape said. “In 1984, when the mine was opened, it ran with the story of our country.

“It came at the backdrop of the Panguna mine that was carrying us.

“Four years later, when the Panguna mine was shut down, Ok Tedi remained [and] became a cornerstone

Western Province’s Star Mountains have been a hotbed of exploration in the past.

and an anchor of our country’s economy today.

“I want to thank [the] Western Provincial Government, past and present leaders, landowners and people of Western Province for their gift of Ok Tedi to Papua New Guinea, which has been a major revenue resource for PNG.”

OTML’s 2024 was marked by substantial improvements in its finances, delivering a final dividend payment of K450 million ($177 million) in December.

Speaking at the 40th anniversary celebrations, OTML chief executive officer Kedi Ilimbit said the dividend payments were a reflection of a wellmanaged business.

“Ok Tedi mine has changed over time, going from foreign ownership to [a] 100-per-cent-Papua New Guinean-owned and led mine,” he said.

“We started strong at the beginning of this year with high production and despite the collapse of an electrical transmission tower in the last quarter, the metal prices are favourable and we will finish the year strong.”

OTML has also boosted its charity drives, receiving the green light to provide health services to communities surrounding the mine, and launching its psychosocial and mental health campaign.

“This initiative is a vital step forward to creating supportive, inclusive space, and mental health discussions,” OTML general manager projects Brendan Gowdie said.

“Our people are our greatest asset and OTML is committed to ensuring our people are safe, healthy and able to actively contribute to safe operations while delivering to our stakeholders.”

The future

OTML has gone from strength to strength in its 40 years of operations and it there is no reason to think it will be slowing down any time soon. Board chairman Jeffrey Innes seems to agree, thanking the management team and broader workforce for their efforts over 2024, and looking ahead to the future.

“As the mine life extends to 2050, we plan on making OTML a $US2 billion ($3.18 billion)-a-yearrevenue-making company,” Innes said.

“Over the next 27 years, our company is poised to generate a projected K40 billion ($15.5 billion) in revenue. This will further enhance our contribution to the country and ensure that our operations continue to deliver value for many years to come.” PNG

OTML’s 2024 was marked by an increase in financials.

On the global stage

The 2025 PNG Expo is set to connect industry leaders, investors and policymakers to explore more opportunities and innovations.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG) is set to host the PNG Industrial and Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference (PNG Expo) from July 2–3, 2025, at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby.

This premier event aims to bring together all sectors of the industrial, mining and resources industries, creating a marketplace where business is conducted.

PNG Mining looks at some of the key information attendees need to know before the event.

Overview

The two-day exhibition will feature a comprehensive array of equipment and stands, while the conference will showcase experts from across the mining and resources sectors.

Attendees can look forward to presentations on the challenges and opportunities facing these crucial industries in PNG.

A networking reception and official dinner also provides attendees the chance to meet potential customers and partners in a relaxed setting.

Industry participation

The 2025 PNG Expo is set to be bigger and better than ever, reflecting of the industry’s growth and the increasing interest from international stakeholders.

TriCab, a premium supplier of high-performance flexible cable and accessories, has renewed its sponsorship for 2025 after an exciting 2024 event.

TriCab state manager for Queensland Shane Plumridge emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting and growing the PNG sector, noting that the 2024 event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the company’s products and engage with local stakeholders.

“At TriCab we pride ourselves on supplying premium, high-performance flexible cables and accessories that reflect our values of innovation and quality,” Plumridge said.

“The ability to see people from the local area in the one place all with the same values, who were looking for new and innovative products and services, was a tribute to the organisers.”

Venue and logistics

The Stanley Hotel, a luxury business location, has been chosen to host the event for the second year in a row. Hosting the 2025 PNG Expo at the Stanley Hotel allows delegates and attendees to maximise connections and networking opportunities.

By holding all sideline events like the welcome drinks, exhibition and conference sessions within walking distance on the hotel property, attendees can focus on building lasting industry connections without the need to navigate travel between locations.

Prime Creative Media marketing manager of mining events Rebecca Todesco said the arrangement not only enhances networking opportunities but also prioritises the welfare of guests.

“Our delegates can make the most of their time knowing that once they arrive, we will bring the industry to them,” Todesco said.

“Locating everything in the one place not only means more contact between our buyers and suppliers but also means we can prioritise the welfare of our attendees.”

The 2025 PNG Expo is poised to be a landmark event for PNG’s industrial and mining sectors. With increased participation from local and international stakeholders, this is one event the industry will not want to miss. PNG

The PNG Expo will be held in Port Moresby from July 2–3 2025. To secure your participation, visit pngexpo.com/get-involved

GetincontacttofindoutRegalRexnordIPScanhelp youwithendtoendIndustrialPowertrainSolutions.

By industry, for industry

GRX25 is set to champion innovation and collaboration on the global stage.

THE 2025 Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25) has undergone a transition that has made it bigger and better than ever before.

Previously known as the Austmine Conference, GRX25 is now proudly hosted by Austmine in partnership with AusIMM and is set to continue its legacy as one of the sector’s leading industry innovation events.

An expo ‘by industry, for industry’, GRX25, which will be held in Brisbane from May 20–22, brings people working across the global resources sector together to network, drive important conversations about the latest trends, and showcase cuttingedge innovation.

Reflecting on the last 20 years, Austmine chief executive officer Christine Gibbs Stewart shed light on how the event has evolved.

“[The term] ‘mining innovation’ was somewhat of an oxymoron 20 years ago,” she said.

“The fact we were doing a conference involving technology and innovation in mining was new and rare; people weren’t really buying into the idea. Now, innovation is discussed in every boardroom.

“The use of technology such as machine learning and artificial intelligence is powering the mining industry forward in several ways, including increasing efficiency, productivity and safety, but also through sustainability and the global energy transition.”

The event will become an annual fixture on the industry’s calendar from 2025, with the name change reflecting its larger international audience.

GRX will become an annual event on the industry’s calendar from 2025.

program will delve into the

GRX25’s

“We really want to attract everyone throughout the mining value chain,” Gibbs Stewart said.

“By combining the strengths of Austmine and AusIMM, we are coming together to set the strategic direction at GRX25 and carry forward the insights to better define policies and lead where the industry is heading from a strategic perspective.”

The central theme for GRX25 is ‘embracing a new era’, which Gibbs Stewart said symbolises the sector’s need to embrace change and evolve with the times.

“This includes adopting new technologies, looking at environmental impacts and ensuring there is a shared value with communities,” she said. “It’s looking at an exciting future through the lens of harnessing technologies, which are impacting not only the mining industry, but our daily lives as well.

“We can’t afford to hold progress back; we have to embrace it.”

Several speakers from around the world will also take the stage to foster a futurefocused dialogue.

“One of the exciting speakers kicking off the conference is Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first female astronaut and the director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency,” Gibbs Stewart said.

“Other ideas to be explored over the three-day event include ‘pioneering changes across the globe’, ‘trailblazing technologies’, ‘shattering the boundaries’, and ‘paving the way to our bold future’.”

created “by industry, for industry”.

The GRX25 program will delve into the digital revolution and explore pioneering collaborations that break the mould.

“We have an exciting conference program lined up, which commences alongside the exhibition on May 20,” Gibbs Stewart said. “We’ll have several preconference workshops, one of which is the Global Open Innovation Collab.

“We’ve invited innovation hubs, mining innovation teams and some of our collaboration partners from around the world to talk about how we can be more aligned as an industry in moving innovation forward, and what some of those key priorities are.”

“The use of technology such as machine learning is powering the mining industry forward in several ways, including increasing efficiency, productivity and safety, but also through sustainability and the global energy transition.

Austmine CEO Christine Gibbs Stewart

GRX25 will host an Industry Leaders and Awards Dinner, where excellence in innovation will be celebrated with the presentation of five awards:

• Craig Senger Excellence in Export award (supported by Austrade)

• Outstanding Innovative METS Company award

• Exceptional Innovation in Mining award

• Champion of Innovation award

• Excellence in Resources by a New Professional award

With 150 exhibitors locked in and a plethora of networking opportunities on hand, GRX25 will be one for the record books. PNG

GRX25 will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 20–22.

Mapping a copper island

Bougainville Island is home to what was once one of the world’s largest copper mines.

NAMED AFTER the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the island of Bougainville off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a land rich in history and minerals.

Known primarily for the now-shuttered Panguna mine, Bougainville – like most of PNG – is a hotbed of mineral activity below the surface still waiting to be discovered.

In March 2015, the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 was passed to facilitate the transfer of governance of mining from PNG to the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)

and lay the groundwork for resumption of mining in Bougainville.

A 2019 referendum saw the people of Bougainville vote overwhelmingly in favour of becoming independent from PNG.

The referendum, which received support from 98 per cent of the population, is non-binding in nature and the ABG continues to liaise with the PNG Government on when independence will be achieved.

For now, the future of Bougainville is entrenched in independence discussions – and mining factors in heavily.

Panguna was once among the world’s largest copper mines.

The legacy of Panguna

of 17 years with a production value of K5.2 billion ($2.05 billion).

Ore wasn’t the only way Panguna contributed to PNG’s economy. The mine employed approximately 12,000 people, including 1000 trade apprentices and 400 graduates.

While the mine has remained shuttered since 1989, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes in the time since.

Bougainville is open for investment and trade.

The now-decommissioned Panguna copper mine was once one of the largest in the world.

It was the discovery of copper deposits in Crown Prince Range that led to Panguna being established by Bougainville Copper (BCL) – and its major shareholder Rio Tinto – in 1969.

Once constructed, the mine was operational between 1972 and 1989 and produced copper concentrate that also contained significant quantities of gold and silver. Militant activity brought the mine to a close in 1989.

Such is the legacy of the Panguna mine that it has remained in the broader public’s consciousness despite having been closed for more than 35 years. This is largely due to the massive quantities of ore hauled from its depths; three million tonnes (t) of copper was produced in the time the mine was open. Along with the copper ore, BCL mined 306t of gold and 784t of silver from Panguna in the span

Bougainville is blessed with abundant mineral and energy resources that can be developed sustainably to grow an emerging economy.

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama

In July 2016, Rio Tinto transferred its 53.8 per cent shareholding in BCL to the ABG to benefit Panguna landowners and the people of Bougainville. Since then, BCL and the AGB have been set on reopening the mine.

The AGB had a meeting with Panguna landowners in February 2022 to agree to work cooperatively on restarting mine production. But since the site has been shut for such a significant period, restarting operations isn’t as simple as a conversation.

To address ageing infrastructure and other key issues at the site, Rio Tinto has signed back on to work with BCL and the AGB to discuss the way forward. Together, the three entities continue to work toward one day reopening Panguna.

Mining and exploration

Speaking at the PNG Investment Week Conference in December 2024, Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama said the region has worked hard to position itself as a vibrant resources economy.

Bougainville voted to become independent of PNG in 2015.

“We have been laying the foundations for an emerging economy through policy and legislation, in administrative capacity and in preparing our people,” Toroama said in his keynote address.

“Now, we are sending out a signal that Bougainville is open for investment and trade. Bougainville is blessed with abundant mineral and energy resources that can be developed sustainably to grow an emerging economy.”

Two companies were given the green light to explore Bougainville in 2024: Island Passage Develop (IPD) and Bougainville Mineral Investments (BMI).

IPD will be joining forces with Isina Resource Holdings (IRHL) to explore 25km2 of a mineral property in south central Bougainville. The announcement was a milestone for the area, which hasn’t seen large-scale exploration activity since 2001.

“As the recognised owners of our minerals, we [the Kongara people] are proud to be the first landowner company to invite an outside partner, Island Passage, to join with us to develop what we have,” IRHL director Steven Topesi said.

IPDC co-founder and chief executive officer Donald McInnes also commented on the significance of the occasion.

“For 17 years beginning in 1972, Bougainville was host to one of the world’s largest coppergold mines,” he said. “Today, the world is chasing new supplies of critical and precious metals, and demand is driving gold and copper to new highs.

“IPD is committed to working with the customary landowners of Bougainville through an innovative partnership to reassess the mineral potential and to provide a sustainable future under a new mining lease that is ahead of its time.”

BMI was granted approval from the Bougainville Executive Council to explore a similar area for copper and gold deposits. Chairman Paul Ryan was presented the exploration license in November 2024 by Toroama, who congratulated BMI on its successful application.

“I thank the investor for your collaboration with the landowners,” Toroama said. “One of our key policies per the Bougainville Mining Act is that we are always giving prominence to our people.”

Rio Tinto is committed to addressing the aging infrastructure at Panguna.

In turn, Ryan thanked the President and said the company would work with the people and the ABG to implement the exploration work program.

“It has been a long journey,” Ryan said.

“We have worked with the Taonita-Teop Landowner Association to get to this stage, and we are honoured to work with the TaonitaTeop landowners.”

BMI presented two lots of share certificates to the Taonita-Teop Landowner Association, including a certificate for a 10 per cent shareholding in BMI PNG and 4.5 per cent in BMI Australia.

Taonita-Teop Landowners Association chairman Micah Mose acknowledged Toroama and the investors for following due process in the issuance of the licence, thanking local directors for their patience in complying with legal process.

The road ahead

Securing Bougainville’s future as a mining jurisdiction of choice would have far-reaching consequences for PNG and Australia.

Australia is a key development partner for Bougainville, contributing approximately $20 million a year to the Bogainville Partnership. The partnership is designed to help meet the needs of the region, including institutions, economic development and stronger communities.

The Australian Government also contributes $30 million annually to fund health, education, law and justice, and transport and infrastructure, some of which is along important economic corridors, including near Panguna.

As Bougainville looks to a future of potential independence and partnerships, Panguna will continue to play a major role.

“We are looking forward to 2025 as a year for increased on-site activities and of course increased economic activities related to Panguna,” Toroama said.

“Abundant opportunities exist for involvement in the direct, indirect and induced economic activities around this advance stage of the exploration which will commence next year. Come to Bougainville and be part of our journey.” PNG

Bougainville is looking forward to welcoming more exploration teams to the island.

Protecting the water sources of rural villages is crucial for PNG miners.

Digging deep, keeping green

PNG-based mining companies don’t take the responsibility of conservation lightly.

OPERATING MINE SITES comes with the inherent responsibility to protect the land and communities around the site.

Luckily, miners in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are always looking for ways to keep sustainability front of mind.

Flora and fauna protection at Ok Tedi

Located in the upper catchment of the Ok Tedi River, itself a tributary of the Fly River, the Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) copper-gold-silver mine is surrounded by water. The mine’s environs are home to a number of fish species, including one that until recently hadn’t been seen for quite some time.

In December 2024, a study on the Fly River rediscovered the Paska’s Blue-eye, a fish not seen since it was first discovered in 1983 by research duo Gerry Allen and John Paska.

The rediscovery was made at Gusiore, a village along a small creek off the main Fly River. The Paska’s Blue-eye had not previously been found in the area, leading OTML to deduce that the quieter part of the river produced a favourable breeding ground for the species.

“Given [the fish’s] rarity, its absence was a concern,” OTML manager environment Erizo Kepe said. “It was believed that disturbance from the expanding township of Kiunga, as well as predatory action from introduced fish species, had resulted in its disappearance from the creeks. But given the large size of the Fly catchment, there was hope that it was still surviving somewhere in the river system.”

Kepe said OTML would continue to survey the area throughout 2025, focusing on the upper catchment towards Tabubil and the mine.

“The discovery is from a new area, away from settlements and disturbances, with healthy breeding populations,” Kepe said. “Maintaining the quality of this refuge habitat is critical for continued conservation of this and other native species that are non-existent in other parts of the world.”

The miner achieved another milestone on the river in January when it surpassed its annual sediment dredging and rehabilitation target at its Bige operations for the fifth consecutive year.

OTML rehabilitated a total of 35.21 hectares of sand stockpile, exceeding its 30-hectare target.

“Reaching our rehabilitation targets brings us closer to restoring the East Bank stockpile in accordance with OTML’s Mine Area Rehabilitation Plan and Closure Plan, ensuring a sustainable environment for the local community after mine closure,” OTML manager Bige operation Naimen Kepan said.

“This operation has significantly contributed to reducing riverbed aggradation and the associated dieback.

“This achievement reaffirms OTML’s commitment to sustainable growth, economic prosperity and community wellbeing supported by environmental sustainability, community development and operational excellence.”

Tailings at Frieda River

Frieda River silver-gold project director Phil McCormack confirmed in February that the mine will not dispose of its waste into the Sepik River system.

The proposed Frieda River project is located near the Sepik River.

Frieda River Limited (FRL) – the site’s operator and subsidiary of PanAust – has assured the surrounding communities that the company is committed to protecting the Sepik ecosystem “at all costs”.

Conservation efforts have seen the Paska’s Blue-eye fish thrive.

“PanAust does not take lightly its commitment to ensuring the safe design, safe construction, and safe operation of the [tailings] dam,” McCormack said.

“PanAust is mindful of the ecosystem it is in, including its host communities.

“As a values-driven organisation, it assures its host communities and governments that it is committed to sustainably operating its business in an environmentally, socially and culturally responsible way for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

The construction of the new mine will include the building of the Frieda River hydroelectric project, within which FRL will build a 191m asphalt core rockfill dam to act as an integrated storage facility. The dam has been designed in accordance with worldwide standards, using the internationally recognised dam construction method of asphalt core rockfill.

“The Sepik development project is owned by PanAust, a high-performing Australian-based mining company that operates successful mines with waste rock and tailings storage facilities in Laos,” McCormack said.

“We understand the importance of the Sepik ecosystem, where the project is based, and our work is committed to ensuring the safe design, construction and operation of the dam for the longterm benefit of all its stakeholders.

OTML is committed to keeping the Fly River clean.

“It is a transformative approach to the project for the Sepik region and Papua New Guinea, aimed at protecting the environment while enhancing living standards, and general well-being in the remote Sepik communities.” PNG

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Event submissions can be emailed to alexandra.eastwood@primecreative.com.au

UNDERGROUND OPERATORS CONFERENCE 2025

Adelaide | April 7–9

At Underground Operators 2025, the mining industry will address the demand for more intelligent and cost-effective ways to extract orebodies and explore new technologies that are making it possible to mine at greater depths.

Discussions will focus on health and safety, mine ventilation, social licencing, technology, automation, and the global journey toward net-zero.

Over 1500 mining engineers, operators, technical service managers and consultants from around the world will be in attendance, with a strong keynote speaker lineup scheduled throughout the two days.

Delegates can expect a unique showcase of new technologies, services and over 100 industry-leading organisations on the exhibition floor.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ underground-operators

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATION CONFERENCE 2025

Perth | May 7–8

AusIMM’s Mineral Resources Estimation Conference 2025 is expected to bring together over 500 geologists, geostatisticians, software solution providers and other resources professionals from across the globe to challenge the status quo of mineral resource estimation and share leading best practice examples.

The conference aims to showcase leading best practice, case studies and research on mineral resource estimation and the software applications required, facilitating open exchange of information, boasting interactive sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations alongside case studies and peer-review papers.

Session topics will showcase the latest advancements and leading examples in 3D geological and estimation domain modelling, geostatistical analysis, estimation, validation, risk analysis, and reporting.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ mineral-resource-estimation

GLOBAL RESOURCES INNOVATION EXPO

Brisbane | May 20–22

The Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX) is an industry-led conference and exhibition hosted by Austmine in partnership with AusIMM.

It represents an exciting evolution from past Austmine conferences, with GRX25 posied to become an annual global event for the international resources industry.

GRX25 connects attendees with global leaders, allowing them to discover cuttingedge solutions and engage in insightful discussions that drive progress.

GRX25 will feature some of the most influential voices in technology, emerging industries, mining and resources.

• grx.au

PNG INDUSTRIAL & MINING RESOURCES EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE

Port Moresby | July 2–3

The 2025 PNG Industrial & Mining Resources Exhibition will showcase over 100 local, national and international manufacturers and suppliers with the latest innovations in the supply of services and equipment for the industrial, mining and oil and gas sectors.

The two-day exhibition is the premier meeting place to connect and network with thousands of industry decision makers across a broad industry reach,

including senior management, procurement, government personnel, engineers, contractors and trade technicians.

With extensive support from key stakeholders in government, associations and industry, PNG2024 is a premier meeting place for industry trade and a forum for establishing high-quality customer contacts and conducting business.

• pngexpo.com

APCOM CONFERENCE 2025

Perth | August 10–13

The Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mining Industry (APCOM) Conference 2025 will address digitisation across the mining supply chain.

APCOM 2025 will bring together people working in digitally focused roles from across the international mining sector, attracting innovators, mining leaders, planning engineers, mine managers, geoscientists, operators and ESG professionals to Perth in August.

The conference program will include pre-conference workshops, an exhibition, networking opportunities and presentations by leading expoerts from across the globe.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ apcom-2025

AIMEX

Adelaide | September 22–24

As the key event on the mining calendar, Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) is an internationally renowned platform showcasing the latest mining technology, equipment and services, and offering a unique opportunity for leading suppliers and buyers to conduct face-to-face business, learn about the latest trends and network in an interactive forum.

• aimex.com.au