According to managing director Jerry Garry, the Mineral Resources Authority is evaluating more than K50 billion in investments in the country.
Wafi-Golpu, Frieda River, and Woodlark are among them.
“We are also looking at the Central Lime and Cement,” he said.
“If that project comes on-stream, it will be one of the first industrial mines ever built in the country.”
Garry was speaking at a Port Moresby consultation session on the Mine and Works (Safety and Health) Bill 2021.
PNG, he added, was home to some of the world's largest mines.
“We have grown from strength to strength,” he said.
“If you compare the Bank of PNG statistics, the mining sector alone, in terms of production, has exported over K17 billion in 2020 and 2019.
“So it’s a huge industry that we are trying to regulate and manage.”
Garry expressed gratitude to the industry for making safety a primary priority.
“They have been taking health and safety at the workplaces very seriously,” he said.
“We must not only consider (the workers) and the environment but also people living around the (areas) we operate in.
“And if we are using any hazards, we must also take responsibility.”
The newest mining methods in Wafi-Golpu, known as block cave mining, are one of the new things to expect, according to Garry.
“New mining hazards will come with this new mining method,” he said.
Reference:
The National (20 July 2021). “Authority assessing investments worth K50bil”.
