Photo: Minister for Mining Hon Ano Pala (right) awarding the certificate of long service to Mr. Carter Oiee (left) while acting MD Mr. Jerry Garry looks on (back)The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) on Friday April 14th, celebrated its 15 years of operations in Port Moresby.
The occasion was graced by the presence of the Prime Minister Honourable James Marape, and the Minister for Mining Honourable Sir Ano Pala. Main highlights of the occasion were the launching of the Mineral Production Data Center, and the MRA Corporate Plan 2022-2027 by Prime Minister Marape.
Other important guests at the event were the MRA Board Chairman Benny Kimisive and the Secretary of the Department of Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management (DMPGM), Harry Kore. The PNG Mining Industry was also represented by the PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum executives. Staff based in the mining host provinces were flown into Port Moresby, to join the rest of the MRA staff members at the event.
Staff who have served the organization for 15 years were awarded certificate of Long Service.
Hon Marape congratulated the staff of the MRA saying that the MRA was an important organization in the government set up, as it regulates the very sector that had been driving the country’s economy since independence. He said without MRA, there would be no regulation, supervision and oversight of the mining industry.
Minister Hon Sir Pala told the staff members that they were a special group of people, tasked with an important responsibility to ensure that all systems required to regulate the mining industry, work effectively.
Mr Kimisive said the board had provided strategic guidance to the MRA management to achieve its milestones. These milestones include the completion of the annual financial audits, Public Investments Program (PIP) audits, the setup of the Mineral Production Data Center and the Corporate Plan 2022-2027.
Acting Managing Director Jerry Garry acknowledged and thanked former Prime Ministers, Ministers of Mining, former Managing Directors of the MRA, and former and current staff, who served the State and the MRA since the establishment of the authority.
He said the MRA was what it is today because they all contributed towards building the organization. The AMD said the organization had achieved a lot since its establishment 15 years ago.
He highlighted milestones achieved over the years. These include the transition to online tenements management system, compilation of geology mineral occurrence structures which are available online, establishment of PNG drill-hole data base, improvement in mine safety records, increase in the total export revenue from minerals, increase in mineral exploration activities and expenditure.
Staff representative Vele Gavu thanked past and present political leaders and management of the MRA, for having the foresight in the creation of the MRA, and ensuring that staff well-fare is well taken care of.
