For the first time since the Tolukuma Gold Mine was commissioned in 1995, vehicles have successfully reached the remote site by road, marking a breakthrough moment for both the mine’s future and surrounding communities.
Tolu Minerals Ltd. announced that its new access road, connecting the mine to Port Moresby, has officially opened to traffic. The development is expected to cut operating costs dramatically by reducing reliance on helicopters, long seen as the only viable means of transporting fuel, equipment and supplies across the treacherous Central Highlands terrain.
Managing Director and CEO Iain Macpherson described the milestone as a “game changer” for the mine and a “truly historic moment” for Goilala District.
“The significance of the new roadway cannot be underestimated,” Macpherson said. “It delivers enhanced and efficient access to mining and exploration infrastructure and opens up nearly 1,300 square kilometres of mineral exploration licences across the broader Tolukuma structure.
For the local communities, it brings access to health care, education, employment and markets for locally grown produce. This is a great engineering achievement given the mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall that made road-building so challenging.”
Cutting Costs, Boosting Potential
The road is expected to reduce the mine’s reliance on helicopter transport for fuel and consumables by more than 75 percent. Bulk fuel, capital equipment and everyday supplies will now be delivered by truck directly from Port Moresby — a shift that promises long-term savings and operational efficiency.
Company officials said additional service and exploration roads are already under construction across the mine lease and adjoining exploration licences, further improving logistics and reducing costs.
Benefits for Goilala
The project is more than an industrial milestone — it’s a lifeline for the remote communities of Goilala, which despite being just 100 kilometres from the capital, have long struggled with isolation due to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.
With the road now open, residents are expected to gain greater access to health and education services, while farmers will be able to transport fresh produce to markets in Port Moresby and beyond. Local employment opportunities are also set to expand as mine operations become more sustainable and exploration activities increase.
An Engineering Feat
Engineers faced steep challenges constructing the road, which winds through some of the most difficult terrain in Papua New Guinea. Heavy rainfall, unstable slopes and rugged mountain ranges required extensive cutbacks, culverts and diversions to stabilise the route.
Despite the difficulties, the road now connects seamlessly with the mine’s internal road network, built over the past 18 months. Deliveries of fuel and machinery have already begun.
Macpherson said the company will continue to refine and upgrade the road to meet contractual standards, ensuring safe and reliable access year-round. “The benefits of this road are enormous and already being realised,” he said.
