Papua New Guinea showcased investment opportunities across its mining sector at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention held from March 1 to 4 in Toronto, drawing strong interest from global investors while signalling support for reforms to modernise the country’s mining framework.
The PNG CORE Investor Briefing, a sideline event at the convention, attracted 167 pre-registered participants and a further 37 walk-in investors. Attendees represented markets including Canada, the United States, Japan and Europe, highlighting growing international interest in Papua New Guinea’s mining and resources sector.
Presentations were delivered by Mining Minister Solen Loifa and PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNG CORE) Vice-President and K92 Mining Inc. chief executive and director John Lewins, reinforcing the country’s efforts to engage directly with the global investment community and promote responsible resource development.
Lewins said PNG CORE would continue working to translate investor interest into concrete outcomes.
“PNG CORE is committed to facilitating targeted introductions and follow-up meetings to help convert these interests into tangible outcomes,” said Lewins.
The chamber said it continues to play a key role in linking global capital with development opportunities across Papua New Guinea’s mining, gas and resource sectors, while promoting transparent engagement between government, developers and the international investment community.
The initiative will continue through upcoming industry gatherings including PNG Resources Week and PNG Investment Week, which bring together government leaders, investors, project developers and industry executives to advance partnerships and investment opportunities.
During the PDAC event, PNG CORE also welcomed the government’s commitment to modernising the country’s mining laws and regulatory framework under the Reset@50 agenda.
Speaking at the investor briefing, Lewins acknowledged the government’s reform agenda and expressed support for proposed amendments to the Mining Act aimed at strengthening investor confidence and improving regulatory clarity.
“as an organisation representing companies involved in mineral exploration, development, and production in Papua New Guinea, PNG CORE recognises the importance of maintaining a modern, transparent and competitive regulatory environment that supports responsible investment while ensuring long-term benefits for the nation and its people.”
He added: “the Chamber and its members remain committed to working with government and stakeholders to ensure these reforms contribute to increased investment and economic growth for the country.”
PNG CORE said it supports initiatives to streamline licensing and permitting through a “one-stop shop” approach, improve administrative timelines, enhance the mineral tenure system and modernise legislation that has remained largely unchanged since the early 1990s.
The chamber said efficient regulatory processes are essential for attracting exploration investment, which represents the earliest and most critical stage of the mining lifecycle.
Lewins noted that Papua New Guinea remains one of the world’s most prospective yet underexplored mineral regions.
“Papua New Guinea remains one of the world’s most prospective yet underexplored mineral regions, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and host to globally significant deposits of gold, copper, nickel and other strategic minerals.”
Ensuring exploration frameworks remain modern and internationally competitive will be key to unlocking this potential, PNG CORE said, adding that it will continue working closely with the Ministry of Mining, the Mineral Resources Authority and other agencies as the reform process advances.
Mining remains a major pillar of Papua New Guinea’s economy, accounting for 43% of export earnings in 2025 and about 10% of gross domestic product. The sector also supports thousands of jobs, infrastructure development, workforce training and community initiatives.
PNG CORE said responsible mining projects can deliver long-term benefits to landowners, communities, provinces and the wider economy.
The chamber added that the government’s announcement at the PDAC convention — widely regarded as the world’s leading mining investment conference — sends a positive signal to international investors that Papua New Guinea is committed to strengthening its regulatory environment and competitiveness as a destination for mining investment.
PNG CORE said continued cooperation between government, industry, landowners and communities will be essential to unlocking the country’s mineral potential and ensuring the resources sector continues to support sustainable economic growth and national development.
