After more than 25 years of drilling expertise across Papua New Guinea’s most remote and rugged terrain, Zenex Drilling is stepping boldly into its next chapter, with international growth on the horizon, a growing fleet of specialised equipment, and a workforce strategy that puts Papua New Guinean talent at the centre.
"This isn’t just about buying new machines," says Emmanuel Bonte, General Manager of Zenex Drilling. "It’s about how we’ve built the capacity to scale. The growth we’re seeing now is the result of years of effort investing in our people, refining our processes, and building genuine partnerships in the communities we work in."
At the heart of Zenex Drilling’s latest expansion is the acquisition of a heavy-duty Piacentini 130t Low Loader. This specialist piece of equipment allows the company to move large-scale plant machinery with precision across mine sites, a capability increasingly sought by Tier 1 clients operating in PNG and abroad. This asset is already proving its value, recently photographed carrying machinery on-site.
The Piacentini Low Loader isn't just a logistical asset; it's a symbol of the company’s operational maturity. "With equipment like this, we’re able to offer integrated, end-to-end support to our clients," says Bonte. "We don’t just turn up with drill rigs. We come in with solutions for mobilisation, production support, maintenance, and everything in between."
Zenex Drilling's story is as much about people as it is about machines. The company has long been recognised for its inclusive workforce model and investment in local talent. Many of its senior staff began as general labourers, rising through the ranks thanks to internal training programs and a cultural commitment to progression.
"One of the best decisions we made years ago was to stop waiting for qualified people to show up and start growing them ourselves," Bonte reflects. "That’s been transformative. We have local teams that are capable, confident, and leading projects in PNG and beyond."
This commitment to workforce development is formalised through Zenex’s 'Way We Work' initiative, a safety and leadership program tailored to the PNG context. Delivered through an open coaching model, the program equips employees not just with technical skills, but with the mindset and confidence to lead.
"It’s easy to forget how challenging these environments can be," Bonte says. "We’re often operating in terrain with no roads, no infrastructure, sometimes no phone reception. To succeed in those conditions, you need more than gear, you need people who know how to think on their feet and work as a team."
With more than 5.1 million hours worked without a lost time injury, Zenex Drilling’s safety record is a testament to the strength of its systems and the discipline of its crews. That safety culture is one of the reasons clients are turning to Zenex not just in PNG, but across international markets.
"We’re now being approached for work in Australia and South America," Bonte confirms. "We’ve spent decades building trust, and that reputation is starting to carry across borders."
The decision to scale internationally hasn’t been taken lightly. For Zenex, it’s not about rapid expansion but sustainable growth built on the same principles that served them well at home.
"We’re not chasing every opportunity. We’re choosing the right ones, where we know we can deliver value and maintain the quality we’re known for," Bonte explains. "That’s why investment in equipment including the low loader and the dual head sonic rig is so important. It’s a capability that makes us more agile, more responsive, and more competitive."
As the industry faces ongoing challenges in supply chains, skills shortages, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations, Zenex’s approach offers a compelling model: invest in people, build capability from within, and let excellence speak for itself.
"I’m proud that we’re a PNG company growing globally," says Bonte. "We’re proving that with the right mindset, our local expertise can compete anywhere in the world."
From humble beginnings to global growth, Zenex Drilling is showing what’s possible when technical innovation meets long-term community investment. And as their Piacentini Low Loader rolls across yet another mine site, carrying not just heavy machinery but the weight of decades of progress, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning.
