Commodities markets appear to have entered a holding pattern, with stability evident in the oil market and metals. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly overview of Papua New Guinea’s commodity and financial markets.
Industry sectors
Superannuation company Nasfund continues to deliver positive returns to its members, Chief Executive Ian Tarutia tells Business Advantage PNG. But weak economic conditions in Papua New Guinea, foreign exchange restrictions and rising unemployment mean the organisation has to be agile.
Large scale gas projects suit multi-operators, says Gerea Aopi, President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum. He tells Business Advantage PNG that this allows operators in Papua New Guinea to spread the fixed costs, which is one way that the industry is looking for productivity improvements.
The Minister for Mining, Byron Chan, says that the amendments to Papua New Guinea’s Mining Act are ‘complete’. But he tells Business Advantage PNG that there are some contentious issues.
National airline Air Niugini is set to commence bi-weekly flights to Townsville in the Australian state of Queensland from March 2017. The move strengthens Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport status as a regional aviation hub.
Sovereign wealth funds, private equity and ‘mega-families’ are showing a growing interest in investing in large resource projects, according to Graham Smith, Global Leader Mining M&A at KPMG Corporate Finance in Australia. The PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment conference was told that investment, debt and equity markets are showing signs of improvement.
The Wafi-Golpu project can be ‘multi-generational’ according to Bryan Bailie, Executive Project Director of the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture. He told the PNG Mineral and Petroleum Investment Conference in Sydney that the intention is to roll out the project in stages.
PanAust is keen to start development of the Frieda River copper gold project, Managing Director Fred Hess told the PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference in Sydney. But he warns there are many obstacles to establishing a mine in such a remote region of Papua New Guinea and the decision has not yet been made to go ahead.
Boosting data speeds and widening broadband coverage are the aims of Digicel’s incoming Chief Executive Officer, Brett Goschen. He told Business Advantage PNG he will be drawing on his experiences in Africa to help transform the telecommunications landscape in Papua New Guinea.
The Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, has told the Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference in Sydney that there will be no decision on the Mining Act until after next election. He also indicated that the Government will pursue bi-lateral trade deals.