DECEMBER 4, 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape arrived in Sydney, Australia, this morning (Sunday, December 4, 2022) to attend the 16th PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference.
He is accompanied by Petroleum Minister Hon. Kerenga Kua, Mining Minister Hon. Sir Ano Pala and International Trade and Investment Minister Hon. Richard Maru to this prestigious conference which is being held for the first time since 2018 because of COVID-19.
PM Marape is expected to make some major announcements relating to Porgera and Wafi-Golpu mines, Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG and Pasca LNG.
Immediately after arrival in Sydney, PM Marape started a series of meetings with investors in the mining and petroleum sectors, in the lead-up to the conference which starts tomorrow.
They included Santos, K92, Twinza, Exxon Mobil, Newcrest and Harmony Gold.
“I give an assurance to developers of projects like Porgera re-opening; Wafi-Golpu; Papua LNG; P’nyang LNG being sequenced on the back of Papua LNG so that we have eight years of construction activity; and Pasca LNG that negotiations are close to completion,” PM Marape said.
“I assured the developers I met today that they have the full support of the Government, and that the State team is working around the clock to ensure negotiations are completed.
“Porgera, Wafi-Golpu, Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG and Pasca LNG are our five main focus projects.”
The Prime Minister also met with PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum President Anthony Smare and chamber members.
PM Marape also had an interview with leading Australian newspaper, The Australian, with several other media houses wanting to interview him.
He attends a dinner with the chamber and industry CEOs tonight.
PM Marape returns to Port Moresby on Tuesday (December 6, 2022) after addressing the conference tomorrow.
