Papua Mining has been drilling in Papua New Guinea for six years and has some exciting prospects, according to Chief Executive David Price. He says the company is looking to grow aggressively—possibly in partnership with a larger player.
Mining & Energy
Oil and gas prices are rising but cocoa and silver are weaker. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodities and financial markets.
The proposed Wafi Golpu mine will contribute to the diversification of Papua New Guinea’s economy, according to Craig Jones, Executive General Manager Wafi Golpu at Newcrest Mining. He told the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Brisbane that, if the project gets the go-ahead, it will help local agriculture.
The Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings (KPH), Wapu Sonk, believes a ‘step change’ is needed in the electrification of Papua New Guinea. He argues that some gas production should be reserved for domestic production.
A court hearing this week (17 May) in Port Moresby will help determine if there is a judicial review of the Bougainville government’s decision to refuse the extension of an exploration licence for the Panguna copper mine. Also that day, a federal court hearing will be asked to rule on the release of documents showing the relationship between dissident landowners and a Perth-based company seeking exploration rights to Panguna.
Papua New Guinea’s second LNG plant is expected to be ready by 2023-2024, according to Total Managing Director, Philippe Blanchard. He told Business Advantage PNG the company is also keeping its eyes open for other energy plants in PNG.
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Report for 2016 has found that improvements are being made to registry and payment systems, but more needs to be done. It notes that budgeting to government revenues remains difficult because of the industry’s volatility and the relatively small number of companies paying full tax.
The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) was formed in 1975 and is as old as Papua New Guinea itself. Chief Executive Augustine Mano tells Business Advantage PNG that the enterprise has a wide mandate.
Work at the Misima gold project has commenced, with Kingston Resources planning to extend the current resource and develop new mining areas. Kingston Resources Managing Director, Andrew Corbett, tells Business Advantage PNG he expects drilling programs to commence in April.
To remain impartial, the Papua New Guinea Government should not be a shareholder, but only maintain regulatory oversight of mining projects, according to geologist and mining consultant, Jerry Nombri Garry. He tells Business Advantage PNG, there are other ways for the country to derive healthy revenues from mining projects.