Issue 2

At the midpoint of year 2025, PNG Business News brings you more of the information and opinions you need to navigate the mining, petroleum, agriculture, and tourism industries of Papua New Guinea in our 168-page Issue 2 – available in digital form here and for FREE at your nearest industry event and through our business partners.

Our lead commentator Michael McWalter continues to give us his valuable insights on the National Petroleum Authority and how government should administer PNG’s precious resources. “Mick” breaks down how the Authority, as an independent regulator established in March this year to replace the Department of Petroleum and Energy, would modernize oversight, attract investment, and ensure that the country’s resource wealth benefits its people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape is calling on local farmers to seize a golden opportunity: the global boom in cocoa and coffee prices. With Arabica coffee trading above US$4.40 per pound and cocoa reaching over US$8,000 per metric tonne, Marape says the world is hungry for PNG’s high-quality, organic produce. He emphasizes that this surge isn’t just a market blip—it’s a chance to transform rural livelihoods.

In the mining front, Ok Tedi Mining Limited has officially acquired the Misima Gold and Silver Project from Kingston Resources for up to A$95 million (about US$60 million or 256 million kina). Located in Milne Bay Province, the mine boasts an estimated 3.8 million ounces of gold and 22.1 million ounces of silver. Ok Tedi sees this as a strategic step toward becoming a multi-mine operator.

Finally, our cover story features homegrown firm Zenex Drilling, which is making waves on the back of its 25 years in the mining industry with a bold expansion strategy rooted in local expertise and global ambition. Its story of transformation—from a local operator to a regional powerhouse offering end-to-end drilling solutions—is one our magazine is only too proud to carry in our pages.