PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum

While the Sydney conferences focus on minerals and energy resources, the inaugural Hong Kong conference now takes into account forestry, agriculture, tourism and fisheries.

This was evident in today’s session 4 at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, where the regional chief executive officer of Sime Darby Plantation’s Upstream Operation, Malaysia, Nik Mazia Nik Mustapha, said “there is something unique and interesting that PNG has to offer”.

“You are able to garner the confidence of investors coming from all these different industries and sectors,” she said.

Staged as a meet and greet event with the theme “To Connect, Communicate and Collaborate”, the event brought together public relations professionals within the mining and petroleum sectors, and journalists, as well as other interested parties for an educational and fun-filled evening.

Communications and Public Relations Manager, Meriba Tulo said the event is the first of its kind for the Chamber, like the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Wind Down held in June, was hailed a success given the turnout and smooth flow of the program.

This was announced by the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (“The Chamber”). 
 
At a recent Health Safety & Environment networking event, organized by the Chamber, Councilor and Newcrest Mining Lihir Country Manager, Stanley Komunt, officially announced the return of this important industry event. 
 
The EIERC, formerly known as the National Mining Emergency Response Challenge, was originally coordinated by Mines Inspectorate of Mineral Resources Authority. 
  

This follows the announcement of a Deed of Settlement earlier this week, signed by IRC Commissioner General, Sam Koim, and Barrick Chief Operations Officer Latin America and Asia Pacific, Mark Hill.   
 
The Chamber President, Anthony Smaré said this development brings the imminent reopening of Porgera one step closer to fruition. 
 

This appointment comes as part of the Chamber's ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership team.

President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Anthony Smare expressed his enthusiasm for Mr Tulo's arrival, highlighting his extensive experience in the media industry and his notable contributions to the business sector in Papua New Guinea.

Smaré was re-elected unopposed in the Chambers 34th Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 28th of April at the Hilton Hotel Port Moresby.

Smaré in 2021 had become the Mining, Oil and Gas industry’s first non-affiliated president, and independent of all the member companies that make up the Chamber’s membership.

Richard Kassman of TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited also retained his position as Senior Vice President, with Philip Samar of K92 Mining Limited joining the Council as Vice President.

Council members for the year 2022 include:

OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Musje Werror, said this in response to queries regarding the Mineral Resources Authority’s (MRA) plan to establish a mineral repository to monitor copper and gold production in the country.

Mr Werror said all mining operations under the revised Mining Act are obligated to provide this information to MRA.

The Chamber says, the country urgently needs to get moving, and to provide economic support to the national economy.

On Friday 20 August, the government tabled, debated, and overwhelmingly passed the Oil and Gas, Papua LNG Project Amendment Bill 2021, 79 votes to 0.

Chamber President, Anthony Smaré said, “The Government’s passage of this important legislative illustrates the sincere commitment from the government of the need to get the Papua LNG Project off the ground.”

An hour virtual training sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG, operator of PNG LNG Project had participants from nine media organisations.

ExxonMobil PNG Media and Communications Manager, Susil Nelson-Kongoi, said social media platforms are the ‘go to place’ for news and current issues today. 

“Recognising the need to keep up with the current trends, ExxonMobil PNG saw that it was beneficial to support the Chamber with this training effort.”

The training is being carried out ahead of a community Affairs and Media Workshop this week.

Journalists who attended the conference, both in person and virtually were taken through aspects of social media presentation for mainstream media usage and coverage by experts that included Susil Kongoi-Nelson of ExxonMobil PNG, and Neville Choi of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.