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WILLIAM ARNOTT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.quarrymagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AdobeStock_488691551-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe PNG Expo will take place in Port Moresby this year. Image: andriano_cz\/stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From new mines to critical minerals, the Papua New Guinea resources sector is thriving with potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2024 PNG Industrial and Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference (PNG Expo) will be the premier event for industry professionals to discuss the latest developments in the Pacific nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quarry <\/em>takes a look at the top talking points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its vast reserves of copper, cobalt, nickel and mineral sands, PNG is well-placed to help provide the critical minerals necessary for the world\u2019s transition to net-zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mayur Resources has been working to get its lime and mineral sands project up and running to help strengthen supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company\u2019s Central Lime Project is located along Papua New Guinea the coast near Port Moresby and was recently bolstered by a $9.4 million funding commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis capital injection is a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver high-value, sustainable projects,\u201d Mayur managing director Paul Mulder said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt enables us to continue progressing the early development works at our Central Lime Project, setting a solid foundation for the commencement of construction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mayur is aiming for the Central Lime Project to become Asia-Pacific\u2019s first carbon-neutral cement and lime producer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s this sort of innovative planning that will be on show at the PNG Expo in Port Moresby from July 3\u20134.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPNG Expo will be the platform to engage and drive transformative changes towards a sustainable future,\u201d show director Lauren Chartres said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur mission is to equip the industry with the right tools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Education and training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The name Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) often goes hand-in-hand with education, training and apprenticeship opportunities in Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first three months of 2024 have seen OTML deliver over $121,000 in scholarships to university students, welcome 22 new apprentices, and pledge to donate vehicles and an analytical chemistry laboratory facility at PNG University of Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scholarshipshave seen 10 third-year university students supported with full tuition and boarding for the year, as well as a book allowance and stipend, travel assistance, industrial training and an automatic offer into the two-year graduate development program upon completion of studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe program aims to assist university undergraduate students with school fees and other associated costs while ensuring OTML maintains an industry-institution relationship with respective universities that provide graduates into its training programs and workforce,\u201d OTML said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere in the resources sector, Kumul Petroleum\u2019s training entity Kumul Petroleum Academy is building a new facility to expand its coaching and employment capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are passionate about investing in programs and projects that will upskill and develop our young Papua New Guineans so that they are ready for the projects that are coming online now,\u201d Kumul Petroleum managing director Wapu Sonk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kumul Petroleum Academy is expected to open within two years and will have the capacity to train 350\u2013400 trainees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The restart of the Porgera gold mine has been in the news a lot recently, and for good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Porgera mine, owned by Barrick Gold, is located in the Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, about 600km north-west of the capital of Port Moresby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Papua New Guinea Government backed the restart throughout 2023 and the mine was able to pour first gold in February 2024, with Prime Minister James Marape on hand to witness the milestone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToday marks a significant moment where we are witnessing New Porgera Limited\u2019s first gold pour and stamping of the first gold bar,\u201d Marape said at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis first gold pour is the outcome of the [Papua New Guinea] Government, New Porgera Limited, Enga Provincial Government, and mine-affected communities working together. This is teamwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enga landowners, the Enga Provincial Government and the state will receive a combined equity share of 51 per cent from Porgera. A three per cent royalty has also been included for landowners, a step up from the previous five per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the energy sector, the PNG LNG project is ramping up, with Santos selling its five per cent stake to Kumul Petroleum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The $US19 billion liquified natural gas project is an integrated development that includes gas production and processing facilities that extend from the Hela, Southern Highlands, Western and Gulf provinces to Port Moresby in Central Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Papua New Guinea\u2019s national oil and gas company, Kumul is already an existing partner in the PNG LNG project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These key projects, and much more, will be among the top discussion points at the 2024 PNG Expo, the safest and strongest place to network, share ideas and learn more about what companies are doing in these spaces. \u2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n Book your ticket today through the PNG Expo website.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Critical minerals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Current projects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n