New Porgera Limited (NPL) delivered significant economic and community benefits to Papua New Guinea in 2025, while meeting its annual gold production target despite a challenging operating environment.
During the year, the Porgera operation made a major fiscal contribution to the national economy. With Barrick Niugini Limited (BNL) — a joint venture between Barrick Mining Corp. and Zijin Gold International — as operator, a combined K985.77 million was paid in taxes to the Internal Revenue Commission, with NPL contributing K960.71 million of that total.
Based on this performance, the NPL board declared dividends of US$400 million (approximately K1.7 billion), with 51% allocated to Papua New Guinea interests.
Mineral Resources Enga Limited received K83,875,218 in respect of its 5% equity, while MRDC (Escrow) Limited received K167,831,525 for the 10% equity currently held in escrow pending completion of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).
As of 31 December 2025, accrued royalties totalled K157 million. Final distribution will be determined once the CDA process is concluded. As part of the CDA discussions, NPL proposed — and the State agreed — that royalties be paid directly into individual household bank accounts, to ensure benefits reach landowners directly and to reduce leakage through intermediaries.
In addition, NPL paid K13.1 million in compensation to affected landholders during 2025.
Against this backdrop, NPL met its 2025 production target, pouring 376,057 ounces of gold, slightly exceeding the budgeted 375,953 ounces. This result was achieved despite significant challenges, including law-and-order disruptions, damage to transmission infrastructure, and community and election-related impacts.
NPL General Manager James McTiernan said the outcome reflected the strength and commitment of the workforce.
“Delivering this result under such difficult conditions is a credit to our people,” Mr McTiernan said. “Their resilience and discipline kept the operation moving during a very challenging year.”
NPL board chairman James Wang, of Zijin Gold, also praised the workforce.
“The NPL workforce delivered under extremely difficult circumstances. They are the real superstars of New Porgera,” Mr Wang said.
During 2025, NPL submitted its inaugural National Content Plan to the National Government. The plan focuses on three priorities: Papua New Guinean employment and skills development, community development, and increased participation of PNG-owned businesses in the mining supply chain.
NPL has also submitted its three-year Training and Employment Plan to the National Training Council in December 2025 and established a Youth Development Committee to strengthen youth participation in community development in Porgera. Further information on supplier development initiatives will be published on the NPL website, which is due to be launched shortly.
While the 2025 results demonstrate strong operational resilience, NPL noted that ongoing law-and-order issues continue to impact operations and limit the mine’s full potential. In 2025, the company recorded 183.15 hours of production stoppages due to law-and-order incidents, with an estimated financial impact of US$17 million.
NPL said it remains committed to working with government, communities and stakeholders to improve conditions on the ground and to continue delivering sustainable, long-term benefits for Papua New Guinea.
