Newcrest Mining Limited (NML)

NEA Managing Director, Ronald Meketa and NML Strategic Engagement Manager, Tim Bryson said this is a first of its kind for the extractive industry leading the way for other capital-intensive operators and net emitters operating in PNG, to align their operations with the government’s vision to discourse the country’s lack of electricity coverage by developing renewable energy projects throughout the country.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru said this today when meeting with the high-level Executives of Newcrest Mining and Newmont Corporation including the President and the CEO of the Newmont Corporation, Tom Palmer.

“We are excited for Newmont Corporation to come but according to Section 277 (6) of the Capital Market Act 2015 we cannot approve the merger unless the requirements of the National Interest Test are met,” said Maru.

Lihir won three of six industry awards from the chamber, recognising its outstanding performance and contributions to Papua New Guinea.

The ‘Outstanding Health and Safety Initiative 2022’ Award recognised Lihir’s successful initiative called the Readi Fatigue Monitoring System. It monitors and predicts fatigue levels of bus drivers and passengers through devices worn like wristbands.

Newcrest’s business partner, Nation-wide Catering Services (NCS), through the Lihir Social & Sport Club (LSSC) officially opened the café early last week despite COVID-19 challenges.

Since its opening, the café has attracted families and work teams to catch up over their espresso brew.

 Additionally, it has attracted espresso lovers as early as 4am – collecting their orders before heading to the operation site for work.

This follows the dismissal of a judicial review proceeding between the Governor for Morobe Province and the PNG Government in relation to the Wafi-Golpu Project Memorandum of Understanding, by the National Court in Lae on February 11^th.

According to a statement by Newcrest Mining, Mining Minister, Johnston Tuke, advised the WGJV partners that the State has withdrawn its support for the MOU, and instructed lawyers to take steps to set aside the stay order and terminate the judicial review proceeding.

The group, 12 of which are of Lihirian heritage, are not only creating pathways for women in New Ireland Province and the country but contributing to a productive working culture to improve Newcrests’ operations.

The women are currently working in various trades within the Newcrest operations. These trades were once fully male dominated.

The culture is promoted through Newcrest Mining Limited’s Safety Transformation  Plan  (STP) which has been running for the last year.

NewSafe, a pillar of STP, is the “hearts and minds” of the plan and was launched in Lihir recently alongside two other pillars in Critical Control Management and Process Safety.

NewSafe has focused on cultivating a safe and healthy culture in Lihir through building leadership and changing safety behavior at all levels within the mine’s operation.

These projects have resulted in better school infrastructure, health facilities, and the upgrading of key roads, creating better access to services for locals.

The Nokon, Kabil and Huris Communities in Namatanai District, as well as Madina Secondary School in Kavieng District, are recipients of the projects.

Madina Secondary School had renovation and construction work on 11 staff houses and an update on its power reticulation.

The comments were made by current Lihir General Manager, Craig Jetson, who is now promoted to Executive General Manager of Lihir and Cadia, Newcrest’s other operation in Australia.

“There should be a great sense of accomplishment in the work done to date by our Lihir team and justified excitement about what the future holds. I look forward to continuing to work with our workforce, local communities and the government to take Lihir from strength to strength,” said Jetson.

This was the scenario revealed to guests at a function in Port Moresby recently by Peter Hay, chairman of the board.

Accompanied by managing director and CEO Sandeep Biswas and the management team, the Board visited Papua New Guinea  last week to see the Company’s largest mine at Lihir in New Ireland Province.

The Board and management team also had a series of productive meetings with government, landowners, communities and employees.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was also invited to the function along with other Members of Parliament.