"Where would Papua New Guinea be without the resources sector?" That powerful question, posed by Ruth Waram, curator of the PNG Resources Golden Exhibition, set the tone for an evening of reflection, pride and aspiration. Held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, the formal opening brought together dignitaries, industry leaders, landowners and government officials to celebrate 50 years of independence—and the profound legacy of the resource sector in shaping the nation’s journey.
The Golden Exhibition serves as a collective reflection on how the extractive industries have defined Papua New Guinea’s past and continue to shape its future. Its contributions span far beyond gold, gas and oil—touching lives through education, infrastructure, sports, health and national pride. The sector is not only a cornerstone of economic growth but a wellspring of personal stories that resonate with thousands of Papua New Guineans.
“We all have stories of how this industry has impacted our lives,” Waram said. “This Expo reminds us that behind every pipeline, mine shaft or offshore platform are human stories—of families supported, careers built and futures made possible.”
Representing Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, Finance Minister Thomas Opa delivered the keynote address, underscoring the central role of resources in the nation's development.
“This Expo commemorates 50 years of independence and celebrates the extraordinary journey of our nation's resource sector,” he said. “The theme, ‘PNG Resources: Building PNG, 1975–2025 and Beyond’, is timely and inspiring. It reminds us that the mining, petroleum and energy sectors have been, and will remain, the pillars of our nation’s economic growth and development.”
Minister Opa reflected on major projects such as Ok Tedi, Porgera, Lihir, Kainantu, Hidden Valley, and the PNG LNG project, all of which have fuelled government revenues and sustained essential public services. Sharing a personal anecdote, he recalled how his uncle’s job with Chevron New Guinea helped pay for his education—a familiar story for many Papua New Guineans.
"Every fortnight, I’m responsible for finding nearly K250 million to pay our public servants. That’s over K7.5 billion annually—and a significant portion of that comes from our extractive industries. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to fund our schools, hospitals or roads,” he stated.
Minister Opa also acknowledged projects such as Panguna, which once contributed nearly 45% of PNG’s export revenue, and the now fully nationally owned Ok Tedi, which continues to deliver direct community benefits. Yet, while the expo celebrates the past, he emphasised the importance of looking ahead.
“Our challenge is to ensure that our resource sector remains strong, competitive and sustainable for the next 50 years and beyond. We must foster innovation, invest in renewable energy and uphold the highest standards of governance and environmental responsibility,” he urged.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a stable policy environment that supports responsible investment and deeper collaboration among government, industry and landowners. “The true wealth of PNG is not only in our gold, oil and gas, but in the support and determination of our people,” he added.
Running from 7 to 25 July, the Golden Expo features daily school visits, community engagement sessions and key events including:
·10 July – Supplier Development Forum
·14 July – Launch of the Women in Resource Sector Subcommittee
·16, 22 & 25 July – Inter-school debate (preliminaries, semi-finals and grand final)
·17–18 July – Industry Career Fair
Each activity aims to deepen public understanding of the sector’s role and showcase career pathways for young professionals and students.
“We want people to leave this Expo inspired,” Waram said. “We have so many untold stories of impact—stories that speak to the difference this sector has made in everyday life.”
Although the Golden Expo concludes on 25 July, celebrations will continue during PNG Resource Week from 28 to 31 July, also at APEC Haus. This second phase offers a more focused platform for policy dialogue, investment discussions and planning for the sector’s future.
