Pacific Lime and Cement Ltd. said construction of its Central Lime Project in Papua New Guinea has moved into the civil, foundation and structural phase, with the company maintaining its timeline for first production in early 2027.
In a disclosure dated April 30, the ASX- and PNGX-listed firm said key infrastructure and critical-path activities progressed during the March 2026 quarter, with the project remaining aligned with its development schedule and approved budget.
The company reported that kiln foundation works had commenced, with reinforcement and formwork installed and concrete pours scheduled for late April. These works are central to the installation of kiln processing infrastructure.
On-site crushing and screening operations have also begun, improving the availability of aggregates and reducing reliance on imported materials, while bridge and road infrastructure linking the project site to Port Moresby continues to advance.
The company said Bridge 1 works have progressed into abutment construction following the completion of piling, while access to Bridge 2 has been completed to enable piling mobilisation. The road being developed is expected to serve as a key logistics corridor connecting the company’s Special Economic Zone to the capital.
The project’s logistics backbone is being supported by ongoing wharf development, with fabrication and procurement for Phase 3 under way, alongside preparations for marine installation. Shipment arrival preparations are also in progress ahead of installation works.
A concrete batch plant has been installed and is undergoing commissioning to support increased construction activity, while camp infrastructure is nearing completion to accommodate a growing workforce, now at 175 personnel. Final commissioning of camp facilities is ongoing as the project moves towards full occupancy.
As the project transitions into more complex structural and critical-path activities, the company said construction sequencing and productivity are being actively optimised to maintain schedule consistency.
Managing director Paul Mulder said the project had reached “an important inflection point” as it transitions into structural construction.
“We have also achieved our first external product sales, demonstrating early revenue, port and wharf capability and validating our logistics and supply chain,” Mulder said.
The company added that operational readiness planning is under way, with heavy equipment, including a 150-tonne crane and additional machinery, already assembled and commissioned on site.
Pacific Lime and Cement said it continues to monitor global cost pressures linked to supply chains and geopolitical factors but expects existing contingency funding to be sufficient to absorb potential impacts.
The company also confirmed it remains compliant with all regulatory requirements as workforce levels increase in line with construction activity and as the project advances towards commissioning.
The Central Lime Project is a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to develop Papua New Guinea’s domestic lime and cement industry, aimed at supporting infrastructure development, reducing import dependence and supplying materials to the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Pacific Lime and Cement said the project forms part of a broader integrated platform that includes industrial sands, forestry-based carbon credit initiatives and renewable energy, positioning the company to support lower-carbon inputs for the mining, resources and construction sectors in the region.
