According to the Bank South Pacific (BSP) chief executive officer Robin Fleming, the kina depreciated by 2.9 per cent against the US dollar in 2020.“During the course of 2020, the Kina depreciated by 2.9 per cent against the USD, therefore, the cost of goods increase associated with the exchange rate for USD denominated imports would have been around 2.9 ...

Prime Minister James Marape said that three multi-billion projects are expected to be signed in the next few weeks, giving his thanks to the investors of these projects: the US$5.4 billion (K18.49 billion) Wafi-Golpu copper and gold project, US$13 billion (K44.5 billion) Papua LNG project and the US$525 million (K1.7 billion) Pasca-offshore oil and gas pr...

The construction of the Kumul Submarine Cable Network (KSCN) is to be finished in the third quarter of 2021.According to PNG DataCo managing director Paul Komboi, while the Coral Sea cable has been online since February 2020, the domestic part has been put on hold because of the COVID restrictions. Komboi said that the landing is already finished for syst...

For the nickel-cobalt mining project in Madang Province, production efficiency is still the number one priority. According to Ramu NiCo company president, Gao Yongxue, the employees of the mining project should take advantage of the scale-cost given that the world markets are going into recession. He has outlined the key project areas in 2021 - which incl...

Fully customisable, high-performance anti-abrasion solutionsWorking closely with customers in the mining and minerals processing sectors, Weir Minerals’ expert engineers have developed high-performance wear panels for use in all medium- to high-wear applications. The new modular anti-abrasion panels are ideally suited for localised impact and wear points,...

Newcrest Mining Limited recognises the critical role that partnerships play in delivering sustainable outcomes in Papua New Guinea. Since the establishment of its K20 million Community Support Fund (CSF), Newcrest has assisted host communities in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic through partnerships with all levels of Government and major donors. O...

Although an economist has embraced the progress of the Wafi-Golpu project, Paul Barker said that they should focus more on the reopening of the Porgera mine quickly since the former takes time. “With Wafi-Golpu, we still have much further to go,” he said. “(Reaching) an immediate and practical agreement between the Government, Barrick and partners over eq...

With gold, copper and liquefied natural gas (LNG) expected to be strong, the economy could rebound this year.According to K92 Mining Inc chief executive officer John Lewins, this would be achievable if the impact of the COVID crisis is managed and that 2021 would still be a challenging year for many. He said that in early January, the cost of gold rallie...

During the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (Phama Plus) and the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), it is emphasized that marketing needs more attention in the exportation of coffee to the international market.While Rachael McCarthy of the New Zealand High Commission is happy ...

According to Institute of National Affairs (INA) executive director Paul Barker, foreign exchange (forex) has stayed very tight since 2017, considered to be one of the major hindrances to investments and businesses in PNG. He added that his concern was the imbalance in the markets, partly linked with rigidities in the setting of exchange rates, and the un...

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has announced that it has returned to normal production after the second of the two processing circuits which were damaged in a fire incident on the 20th of December 2020 was restored recently. OTML Managing Director and CEO, Musje Werror expressed his appreciation to the team who worked for almost 6 weeks. “The commitment sh...

An official said that all businesses are looking forward to the growth of the economy. According to PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNGPCL) managing director Fego Kiniafa, their business was solely dependent on exporters and importers, and the availability of foreign exchange for trading to happen. “PNGPCL is hopeful that the economy registers a positive growt...

In encouraging transparency within the government, the ICT sector and to comply with their policy and legislative measures, Information and Communication Technology Minister Timothy Masiu said that he wants his department organised. He said that to deliver ICT services that are cost-effective, reliable and affordable, his department must listen to the sta...

Contributors to National Superannuation Fund, Nasfund, are reminded to update their membership details to ensure important information such as member contact details, address, and more importantly, member beneficiaries are included and are current.Nasfund Chief Officer Member Services Anne Wilson made this call when outlining the Fund’s Member Service eng...

To finance its National Budget for 2021, repay its debts, and stabilise the economy, Japan has provided a K1 billion concessional loan to Papua New Guinea. Japan is also giving K32 Million grant for the PNG electrification partnership as agreed with the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. According to Japanese ambassador Kuniyuki Nakahara, t...

In launching the new Jiwaka provincial headquarters at Kurumul, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has emphasized the need for technically-skilled people.PM Marape said that the government will be elevating and upgrading the Tombil Vocational Centre into a fully-fledged Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) college.“Our country is ...

The government of Papua New Guinea will spend K9 million to clean the toxic remains left by developer Niugini Gold Ltd. at the Sinivit mine in East New Britain. According to Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori, the firm left in 2014 without informing the government, claiming that the latter failed to renew its license. Mori sai...

After a landowner group has said that the Autonomous Bougainville Government has partnered with Caballus Mining, a firm based in Perth, to re-open Panguna Mina, its president, Ishmael Toroama has announced that the government is not colluding with any landowner groups or mining firms. “The idea of Caballus operating a mine on Bougainville has long been sh...

A decision on the environmental permit for the Frieda River copper and gold project in West Sepik is yet to be made.Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori said that the granting of the permit is not yet finished. “Frieda River is an ongoing project – meaning that PanAust, which has got the licence, is still conducting exploration,...

The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) has unveiled its yearly work plan in Port Moresby.According to IRC Commissioner Sam Koim, the plan which outlines seven key strategic pillars contains a vision to transform the organisation into a modern, robust, and efficient tax administration by 2025. These seven key strategic pillars include data-driven, fostering...

The power outages in Port Moresby may end in March.This was according to PNG Power Limited managing director Flagon Bekker who said that they are working on the transformer at the Port Moresby grid because they couldn’t bring in a new one. He added that bringing in an expert for the tap changer may not be possible for this time. “We don’t have the person ...

To improve the trade capacity of Pacific countries, the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the European Union (EU) have signed a project titled “Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT)”. The project is set to cost EUR 5.75 million.Aimed at increasing and boosting intra-regional and international trade through strengt...

Because of its focus on performance, capital and cost allocation, Oil Search has resulted in a firm production. Managing director Keiran Wulff said the developments of Oil Search had regained momentum with the passing of the government in Parliament the remaining amendments to Acts for Papua LNG fiscal stability.He said that assurance reviews for the Pikk...

With the construction of the Wafi-Golpu copper and gold project in Morobe about to start because of its environmental permit, Papua New Guinea hopes to see a windfall of over K18 billion investment in its economy. Constructed by developers Harmony Gold Mining Company, this project is expected to cost at K17.26 million.“At this time when our economy is con...