Four Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Mining Wardens (MW) and a Senior Legal Counsel, yesterday received Certificates of Competency, after completing a seven-days Basic Mediation Skills Training (BMST) earlier this year.

The four wardens including the Chief Mining Warden (CMW) plus the Counsel
are:

1. Ovi Patrick – CMW
2. Kopi Wapa – MW
3. Asi Sando – MW
4. Herman Kromnong – MW
5. Emmanuel Korua – Senior Legal Council

The training was delivered by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre of the National Courts, and the Papua New Guinea Center for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), under the National Mediation Accreditation Standards (NMAS).

Mr Patrick said the successful completion of the competency criteria by the officers, was a testament to the authority’s capability and integrity in regulating the mining sector and addressing issues over the years.

The training provided critical mediation skills-sets to manage disputes better, specifically in relation to compensation and benefits negotiations between parties.

Mr Patrick explained that the current trend was that parties take disputes to courts, prolonging the process, when in-fact their issues can be settled through the ADR process, in a win-win outcomes between parties.

Assistant Registrar of ADR at the National Court, Jean Kila Kalamo, who was present at the presentation of the certificates, told the recipients that she was confident, that the course had helped them develop basic conflict resolution and mediation tools. She said the course modules and contents were dictated by the PNG ADR rules and current international standards. These standards provide the foundational qualification towards becoming an accredited mediator both in PNG and internationally.

The ADR Training Facilitator and Mediator Andrew Kwimberi, said the skills that the wardens had acquired maybe basic, but they (skills) are a powerful tool in managing disputes in early stages. He said many a-times disputes arise because of misunderstanding, ignorance, lack of effective communication and incorrect information during the early stages of disputes, indicating that the use of ADR skills was the way forward in such situations…

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In a quiet yet profoundly meaningful moment on Wednesday August 13th, Betty Gavu and her 22-year-old son Solomon, sat in the boardroom of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) office.

Their expressions revealed a mix of excitement and emotion as they returned to the building where their husband and father once worked. Across the table, MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry, accompanied by his executive team had an important document one that would shortly be handed to Mrs Gavu. It was a land title.

In 2022, the MRA acquired parcels of land for staff members who had served the organization for 15 years or more, under its National Staff Home Ownership Scheme.

Mrs Gavu is the widow of the late Vele Gavu, a long-serving MRA employee who sadly passed away in 2024. He was among the first 18 recipients out of more than 150 staff awarded land titles through the scheme. With his passing, the title was reissued in Mrs Gavu’s name, prompting her visit to the MRA for the formal presentation.

During the handover, Mr Garry paid tribute to late Gavu for his dedication and service to both the MRA and Papua New Guinea. He noted that until his untimely passing, Mr Gavu was the longest-serving staff member and one of the most committed employees, having joined the authority in 2007 when it first became operational. At the time of his passing, he held the position of Deputy Mining Warden.

Mr Gavu devoted over 30 years of his life to public service in the mining sector’s regulatory space. His career began in the 1980s as a Mining Warden under the then Department of Mining & Petroleum (DMP), which later evolved into the Department of Mining (DoM), and eventually became the MRA. Through each transition, Mr Gavu remained steadfast in his commitment to the nation.

A man of few words, Mr Gavu was known for his humility and kindness. He built strong relationships with colleagues and acquaintances alike, earning widespread respect through his gentle demeanor and unwavering professionalism.

Mrs Gavu expressed her gratitude to Mr Garry and the MRA for their efforts in securing the land title for her family, a gesture that honors her late husband’s legacy…

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Mining Minister Hon Rainbo Paita has assured the landowners of the K92 Mining Project, the Member of Parliament for Kainantu, Hon William Hagahuno and stakeholders, that the State was committed to finalising the project’s Community Development Agreement (CDA), so people could start benefiting immediately.

The Mineral Resources Authority’s Managing Director (MRA) Jerry Garry, who accompanied Minister Paita to the K92 mine’s project site yesterday (8th August), told Hon Hagahuno and landowners, that the CDA had been given legal clearance by the Office of the State Solicitor. He said the State Team was preparing a National Executive Council (NEC) submission for its (NEC’s) approval, so that benefits could reach the landowners and other stakeholders. The MD said however, that since the landowners had new development aspirations which they want included in the CDA, the State would give a week to the landowners to put together a new position paper for review and consideration by the State Team before the document goes to the NEC.

To date, a total of K80 million in royalties belonging to the landowners is parked in a trust account awaiting the Land Titles Commission (LTC) to resolve landownership issues amongst the landowners themselves. Hon Paita challenged Mr Sio and his people to sort out their differences particularly in terms of landownership and boundaries so that they could start benefiting from their royalties and other services. He told the landowners that they had the key to their benefits.

At the site with Minister Paita were Chief Executive Officer of K92 Mine John Lewins, Hon Hagahuno, Chairman of the Bilimoia Land Owners Association (BLA) Busa Sio, and the Secretary for the Department of Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management (DMPGM) Harry Kore…

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The Mineral Resources Authority yesterday, launched a new digital billboard at its premises, in a small ceremony witnessed by staff and curious on-lookers.

The Managing Director of the MRA Jerry Garry, cut the ribbon to mark the launching. Also present at the ceremony was the General Manager for Creative Arts Limited PNG, Ms Ghem Opinaldo. Creative Arts Limited is the contractor that was engaged to create and install the billboard.

During the event, the MD said that the occasion was a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment, to transforming the entire institution and to be on par with the latest technological advances in all areas of its work.

The MD challenged all its staff members and divisional heads to be innovative, smart and creative in their respective work areas, to be able to contribute to the sustainability of the mining industry in the country. He said the MRA has a mammoth task of finding the next lot of mines, adding that there are technologically advanced systems available which MRA must utilize.

Photos capturing yesterday’s launching of the billboard.

Papua New Guinea’s mineral exploration and mining sectors are once again on
display at the Prospectors & Developers’ Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025
convention, in Toronto Canada on March 2-5.

The PDAC is the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention, that attracts about 30, 000 attendees from over 130 countries annually.

A team from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Ministry of Mining, led by the Minister for Mining Hon Wake Goi (MP), and the MRA’s Managing Director Jerry Garry, are attending the convention. The team is purposely attending the convention to promote PNG’s vast mineral exploration and mining industry, to potential investors on this global platform. PNG is showcasing advanced projects, projects that need financing and potential joint venture arrangements, current airborne geophysics and geochemical data sets.

Specific sessions that are being attended include:

1) Driving responsible exploration, sustainability and climate leadership

2) Investor grade sustainability disclosures: Why, what and how?

3) Why we need to urgently simplify the responsible mining standards
landscape: Update on Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative

Between 2012-2018, most of the country was taken up by companies exploring for mineral resources. However, since 2019, PNG has seen a decline in mineral exploration interest due to lack of geoscience data amongst other issues. Another major concern for the government has been the depletion of mineral resources, and the fact that most of the major operating mines will have closed down by 2060.

This is a major concern for the government as over 60% of the country’s revenue is generated from the mining sector – No exploration means no mining hence a less revenue for the country.

It is therefore, anticipated that PNG’s participation in the convention, will be an opportunity to once again generate interest from global exploration and mining industry players…

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The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the China Geological Survey, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to cooperate in the field of geoscience.

The MOU was signed by the Managing Director of the MRA Jerry Garry and witnessed by Dr Wang Tiangang of Nianjing Institute of Geology & Minerals of the China Geological Survey. Dr Wang’s superiors have already signed the MOU on behalf of the China Geological Survey.

The MOU aims to provide a framework for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge, and to improve the capability in geo-scientific research.

Activities under this MOU will depend on the financial capability and human resources of both parties. Exchange and cooperation may be conducted in the following forms:

1. Exchanges of scientific and technical information.
2. Exchange of research, visits and knowledge.
3. Joint project.
4. Subject study in areas of mutual interest.
5. Training for research fellows participating in joint project.
6. Joint workshop, conferences and lectures.
7. Other forms of cooperation under mutual consent.

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