American gold mining company, Newmont Corporation, will for the first-time feature at the 17th Papua New Guinea Resources and Energy Investment Conference and Exhibition as a Principal Premium Sponsor.
The conference will be held on 10-13 December 2023 at the Sydney International Convention Centre under the theme ‘PNG Resources and Energy: Promoting Sustainable Investment’.
Newmont Corporation formally closed its acquisition of Newcrest Mining Limited, owner of the giant Lihir Gold Mine and 50 percent owner of the Wafi-Golpu copper-gold development project, earlier this month, and recently announced that it will be backing the Conference in the top sponsorship category as a Premium Principal Sponsor.
“Newmont Corporation is pleased to support this premier industry event to showcase to the world that Papua New Guinea is an important investment destination,” said the company.
“Newmont recently acquired Newcrest Mining Limited, which included its operations in Papua New Guinea – the Lihir gold mine and the joint venture with Harmony Gold in the Wafi-Golpu project.
“We look forward to building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with the government and people of Papua New Guinea to generate lasting shared value and meaningful economic development through the world-class Lihir gold mine and the highly prospective Wafi-Golpu gold and copper project. As the world’s leading gold company, we recognise Papua New Guinea’s significant, untapped economic potential and support providing its citizens the opportunity to invest in and benefit from our operations, projects and social contributions.”
Meantime, Newmont has taken steps to establish a dedicated Business Unit in Papua New Guinea with the appointment of Alwyn Pretorius, who has assumed the role of Managing Director and will be based in Port Moresby.
Newmont has also established a secondary listing of Newmont stock depositary interests on the PNGX from the closing of the transaction.
PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum President, Anthony Smaré, said: “We are delighted to have Newmont to come on board as a headline sponsor for this conference. As the biggest gold miner, and a major partner in PNG’s economic development now and for years to come through its involvement in the Lihir gold project and the Wafi-Golpu project, Newmont have a strong message to share about their belief in PNG as an investment destination, and their contributions to PNG and I am happy that they are participating.”
This year’s conference is anticipated to be the biggest investment conference held with over 1,500 attendees with four floors of the Sydney International Convention Centre reserved for the four-day duration of the Conference.
The Conference will be opened by PNG Prime Minister James Marape, and features a program designed to promote investment in PNG’s resources and energy sector, as well as the non-resources sector.
The event is anticipated to draw an unprecedented number of attendees and attention.