Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) hosted six geoscience students from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Earth Sciences, who undertook an intensive eight-week Industrial Training Program with the company’s Operations (Mining) Business Unit.
The trainees were immersed in hands-on learning with different departments and sections such as Exploration, Resource Development, Mine/Production Planning, Drill and Blast, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrogeology/Dewatering and Mine Geology/Grade Control.
They were involved in various technical activities, including site visits, data collection, analysis, and assisting with technical reports. These experiences provided them with a solid understanding of the challenges and intricacies of the mining sector.
Manager Mine Technical Services, James Bu, emphasised the company’s dedication to nurturing local talent.
“As a PNG-owned company, we take pride in playing a role in developing the future leaders of the mining industry. This is a critical part of our Growth 2050 Strategy, as we focus on building a skilled and professional workforce. By offering these trainees real-world experience, we are preparing them to contribute immediately to the industry once they graduate,” said Mr Bu.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and industry.
“For us to go beyond 2050, we must ensure that our future workforce is not only academically prepared but has the practical experience needed to thrive in a fast-paced industry. Our goal is to make sure that these students are ready to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.”
Manager Training & Capability Development, Ian Strachan, said the level of skill and commitment shown by the students has been impressive.
“The Industrial Training program is so valuable for us, as we continuously look for the future workforce of this company and our country. But it’s also very valuable for the students,” said Mr Strachan.
“Our business has in the last 6 to 8 months put through more than 20 industrial trainees. This year we would like to increase that number.”
Associate Professor UPNG’s Earth Sciences, Dr Joseph Espi, praised Ok Tedi for its ongoing support of students’ professional development.
“This partnership offers our students valuable exposure to the mining industry, which is vital for bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application. Ok Tedi’s commitment to capacity building ensures that our students gain critical skills that will benefit them in their future careers,” said Dr Espi.
OTML is reinforcing its role as a key contributor to the growth and sustainability of Papua New Guinea’s mining sector, while maintaining an industry-institution relationship with key tertiary institutions, such as UPNG, to ensure they produce quality graduates that are ‘industry-ready’.
