Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Acting Managing Director Harry Kore has called on Papua New Guinea's extractive industry to prioritise accident prevention and emergency preparedness, saying worker safety must remain central to mining operations.
Kore delivered the keynote address to emergency and rescue teams from mining companies during the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Emergency Response Challenge (NERC) in Lae.
He said preventing mining accidents must take precedence over emergency response, although companies must maintain the capacity to respond effectively when incidents occur.
“As the regulator, MRA’s central message is that ‘prevention’ of potential mining accidents is a must. Emergency response is essential, but our priority must always be to prevent accidents from occurring,” Kore said.
He described the annual NERC as an important platform for mining companies to assess the capabilities of their emergency response teams through simulated crisis scenarios, including advanced firefighting exercises.
The competition tests participants' physical endurance, discipline, leadership, communication and ability to make decisions under pressure.
Kore said the event also provided an opportunity for industry teams to exchange knowledge, identify operational weaknesses and improve their emergency response capabilities.
“Such gatherings could mean the difference between a successful rescue operation and a tragic outcome,” he said.
He added that the quality of training, response times, communication and teamwork were critical factors in determining the outcome of rescue operations.
Kore said the mining industry's performance should be measured not only by mineral production, revenue and economic contributions but also by its ability to protect workers, support communities and safeguard the environment.
“The strength of our mining industry is measured not only by the minerals we extract, the revenue we generate, or the contribution we make to our national economy. It is also measured by how well we protect our workers, support our communities, safeguard our environment, and respond when lives are at risk,” he said.
He commended Papua New Guinea's emergency response personnel for their dedication and reaffirmed the MRA's commitment to improving mining safety, strengthening industry partnerships and promoting a culture of prevention and preparedness.
