PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum

Kassman Chamber President

Kassman, who is Public Affairs and External Communications Manager of Total E&P PNG Limited, served as the Vice President of the chamber for the past 3 years, and takes over from Gerea Aopi CBE.

Kassman thanked Aopi for his contribution to the mining and petroleum industry.

He said Aopi always guided the discourse ensuring being cognizant with national interests, when the chamber represented its diverse membership and promoted the industry.

Chamber of mine commits to national COVID-19 response

In a statement, the Chamber said: “As the industry representative, the Chamber is committed to the overall national response led by the PNG Government. The resource industry has taken decisive action to support national efforts to impede the rate of transmission and protect the welfare and safety of our people, while doing what they can to ensure business continuity. 

“Operators are working diligently to ensure the health and safety of our employees, minimise the spread of COVID-19 and keep their local communities informed and educated.”

Chamber refutes governor’s statement

In a statement, the Chamber labelled Governor Tongamp’s statement as factually incorrect and misleading.

“The new MRA Act passed by Parliament last year has removed all industry representation from the Board of the Mineral Resources Authority,” the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum said.

“The passage of the revised Act in February 2018 effectively removed the industry from the MRA Board.

Industry will continue to support PNG: Executive

It will contribute immensely to the development of the nation’s human resource, economy, infrastructure and improving the livelihoods and living standards of thousands of communities.

The President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Gerea Aopi, said this when speaking at the 35th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum held in Port Moresby recently.

“The industry alone contributes 26 percent of PNG’s GDP and 80 percent of the nation’s export revenue,” Aopi highlighted.

Chamber welcomes plans for National Petroleum Authority

Chamber President, Gerea Aopi, said it has been many years since the PNG Government agreed to establish a National Petroleum Authority and it was commendable that Dr Fabian Pok has undertaken to finalise preparation of this Bill.

The NPA will play an important role in regulating PNG’s oil and gas sector, which has grown in importance since commencement of LNG exports in May 2014.

Mine workers benefit from FIFO lifestyle: Survey

Distributed to mining projects with PNG employees engaged under FIFO arrangements, the questionnaire revealed inspiring stories and long-term benefits for employees from across PNG.

Thousands of workers within Papua New Guinea’s mining industry are employed on a FIFO basis, complementing the staff drawn from local communities and host provinces.

Respondents cited a number of benefits of the employment arrangement including:

Chamber of mines welcomes 2019 budget

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel presented his 2019 Budget, outlining the framework and agenda for the government’s financial priorities over the next year.

The Chamber congratulated the government and Treasurer’s commitment to fiscal stability and its focus on ensuring global competitiveness and continued international investment.

Mines chamber welcomes APEC leaders

The APEC program includes the APEC CEO Summit, which runs from 15-17 November. With the theme “Charting a Common Future”, the program for the summit features a number of keynote speakers from leading resources industry companies operating in Papua New Guinea, including Newcrest Mining, Oil Search, Total and ExxonMobil, who are all platinum sponsors of the Summit. 

PNG mining minister applauded

Opening the forum in Port Moresby, Minister Tuke highlighted the wide range of challenges the sector faces, and the important work being undertaken by APEC to address these, in collaboration with industry.

In his keynote presentation, international mining expert John Strongman urged APEC Ministers to implement the right fiscal, regulatory and legislative settings to attract global investors. 

PNG resource industry’s contribution

The industry contributed over 26 percent of PNG’s Gross Domestic Product and around 80 percent of the nation’s export revenue valued at K23 billion (approximately US$7.3 billion) as of September 2017.

The industry also directly employs over 20,000 people, with significantly more working in other sectors dependent on the industry, including landowner businesses.