Photo: President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Mr. Anthony Smaré was re-elected unopposed.
The PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum has confirmed its council and executives for its next term at its 35th Annual General Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby last week. President for the Chamber Mr. Anthony Smaré and Senior Vice President- Mr. Richard Kassman (Total Energies) were re-elected unopposed. Vice President Philip Samar (K92 Mining) was elected as Vice President, and Mr. Harold Duigu (Ok Tedi Mining Limited), Hitesh Lal (Exxon Mobil), Stanley Komunt (Newcrest Mining Limited (Lihir) were elected as Councillors. Also returning to the Chamber unopposed is Associated Council Member Mr. Mark McMonagle, CEO of Sun Engineering.
In his address, President of the Chamber, Mr. Anthony Smaré welcomed the new councilors saying another busy year lies ahead for the Chamber with key events including the 2023 PNG Community Affairs & National Content Conference and Exhibition in August in Lae, the Asia PNG Investment Conference planned for Hong Kong in October followed by the PNG Energy and Resources Investment Conference in December, amongst other policy matters the Chamber is working on with all its members and stakeholders. Mr Smaré also flagged the special resolutions which will be put to the membership for approval in the next few months for the change of the Chamber’s name to PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNGCORE) and changes to the constitution to update the Chamber’s governance, structure and operations to better serve its members and achieve it objectives.
The Chambers’ Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Pansy Taueni-Sialis in her presentation on Repositioning the Chamber also emphasized that national events like the upcoming Community Affairs & National Content Conference expands robust dialogue between all stakeholders and just like its Investment Conferences, it aims to build the platform between government and other stakeholders to identify investment ability and restore financial stability in the PNG Economy.“ Such engagements between government and stakeholders only become fruitful when policies are friendly and conducive for our stakeholders and investors. “
The Chambers’ Policy Manager Ms. Gretel Orake in making clear the Chambers’ stance on policy matters, stressed the importance of Member input as being critical for the industry in terms of the narrative surrounding policy matters. “Member input is critical as it yields mutual benefits for all involved. And since the Chamber is uniquely positioned within the industry, the Chamber and its members have a role to play by sharpening the language it uses when it comes to policy matters. The narrative we use must harness, represent, advocate, and enhance the interests of the industry.”
