Ok Tedi Mining Limited (Ok Tedi) is joining hands with the community to fight tuberculosis (TB), one of the leading health challenges in Western Province.
The initiative follows an awareness campaign carried out by Ok Tedi’s Health Services team at Wangbin Village, a mine village located on the outskirts of the township. The campaign focused on dispelling myths about TB, encouraging early diagnosis, and reinforcing the importance of completing treatment.
The awareness program followed the 2026 World TB Day theme, “Yes! We can End TB! Led by Countries, Powered by People,” and aimed to encourage early testing and treatment.
Speaking during the awareness program, Ok Tedi Health Services Manager Raymond Singamis highlighted the seriousness of the TB burden in the province.
“Western Province is a recognised ‘hotspot’ for TB and multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), frequently ranking within the top two to three provinces for total TB cases, and the situation in North Fly is particularly concerning,” Singamis said. “North Fly District alone has 1,018 confirmed TB patients, while the remaining districts each have more than 500 cases. These numbers are a clear warning — TB is here, and it affects our families.”
Singamis emphasized that access to healthcare should not be a barrier, noting Ok Tedi’s ongoing support.
“With Ok Tedi providing free medical checks, diagnosis, and medication, there is no excuse for delayed treatment. If you have been coughing for a long time, feeling weak, losing weight, or experiencing night sweats, go to the hospital immediately. TB spreads silently within households if left untreated," Singamis said.
The event also received strong backing from community groups. President of the Women and Children Association, Alice Mumuyong, shared a personal message on the impact of TB on families.
“As a mother with a child currently undergoing TB treatment, I have witnessed firsthand the critical role Ok Tedi Health Services plays in our lives,” Mumuyong said. “Their support gives families hope and a real chance at recovery. On behalf of the Women and Children Association, we sincerely acknowledge and appreciate this commitment.”
Mumuyong announced that the Women and Children Association has committed its own resources to support TB awareness at the community level.
“We have set aside funds to partner with the Ok Tedi Health Services team to take TB awareness directly to our communities. TB is not something to hide or fear — it is something we must confront together.”
Mumuyong further urged community members to take responsibility for their health. “I strongly encourage everyone — men, women, and children — to go and get checked. Early testing saves lives and protects your family.”
Ok Tedi continues to work closely with stakeholders, community organisations, and health authorities to strengthen TB prevention, detection, and treatment in line with its commitment to improving health outcomes across Western Province.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is a majority state-owned entity that operates an open-pit copper, gold, and silver mine located in the Star Mountains of Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The company ships copper concentrate to smelters and ore refineries in Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, India, and Germany.
The company has been operating in the region for more than 40 years and has made a significant contribution to development in Western Province through direct and indirect employment, royalties, compensation payments, and business opportunities.
Ok Tedi is expanding its operations into Milne Bay Province through the acquisition of Gallipoli Exploration Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian mining company Kingston Resources Limited, for the Misima mine.
The company’s registered office and senior operational management team are located in Tabubil, Western Province, PNG. It also has a representative office in Port Moresby and a marketing and logistics facility in Brisbane, Australia.
To learn more about Ok Tedi Mining Limited, visit: www.oktedi.com.
