Photo credit: PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum
The full board of Newcrest Mining led by Chairman Peter Tomsett and accompanied by Managing Director and CEO Sandeep Biswas are visiting Papua New Guinea this week, meeting key stakeholders and visiting the Newcrest Lihir mine in New Ireland. Their visit started in Port Moresby on Monday, 10 October involving Prime Minister James Marape, government ministers, members of parliament, senior officials, industry peers and business leaders.
Mr Tomsett assured the PNG Government and key stakeholders that Newcrest is committed to delivering real and tangible positive outcomes for Papua New Guineans. “Thank you for your ongoing support as we strive together to build a stronger PNG through responsible mining,” he said.
“Continuing our existing mining operations at Lihir and creating a new mine at Wafi Golpu will help grow a strong resource sector. This will support a stronger economy and create high-skill, secure long-term jobs for Papua New Guineans.”
Mr Biswas told guests at a reception on Monday evening that Newcrest worked closely with the authorities in PNG from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to upgrade medical facilities, procure medical supplies and support vaccination. “It is this commitment that led us to play a greater role during the COVID-19 pandemic in supporting those around us,” said Mr Biswas. “These successful projects and the positive response from the communities in which we operate inspired Newcrest to create a new investment fund called the Newcrest Sustainability Fund, to continue contributing to the resilience of these communities.”
The first two projects supported anywhere in the world under the new fund will be in New Ireland Province, with an initial investment of K4.7 million in the first year and will support critical education and health outcomes.
The first project will focus on introducing early childhood education to New Ireland and retraining teachers to accommodate the inclusion of children from the age of four into the PNG formal school structure.
The second project will aim to create a stronger health system in New Ireland by improving access to quality health care services across rural areas through a co-delivery model between Australia Doctors International and the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority. Mr Biswas said Newcrest is proud of what it has helped to achieve for a stronger PNG and is committed to growing its presence in the country.
