The PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) and its member companies welcome and support the Papua New Guinea government’s commitment to modernising the country’s mining laws and regulatory framework, as announced by the Honorable Minister for Mining, Hon. Solen Loifa, MP, during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto, Canada this month.
Speaking at the same event, PNG CORE Vice President, John Lewins acknowledged the Minister’s leadership and emphasised the Chamber’s support for the government’s efforts to introduce balanced and practical amendments to the Mining Act, under the Reset@50 agenda.
The industry recognises the Minister’s commitment to reforms aimed at strengthening investor confidence, improving regulatory clarity, streamlining administrative processes and supporting sustainable resource development in Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Lewins said, “as an organisation representing companies involved in mineral exploration, development, and production in Papua New Guinea, PNG CORE recognises the importance of maintaining a modern, transparent and competitive regulatory environment that supports responsible investment while ensuring long-term benefits for the nation and its people.”
He added, “the Chamber and its members remain committed to working with government and stakeholders to ensure these reforms contribute to increased investment and economic growth for the country.
Supporting a Modern and Efficient Mining Framework
PNG CORE supports the Government’s reform agenda and the intention to improve efficiency and clarity across the regulatory system, including initiatives aimed at:
- Streamlining licensing and permitting processes through a “One-Stop Shop” approach;
- Improving administrative timelines and reducing unnecessary regulatory delays;
- Enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of the mineral tenure system;
- Modernising legislation that has largely remained unchanged since the early 1990s.
The industry recognises that efficient regulatory processes are essential for attracting exploration investment, which is the first and most critical stage of the mining lifecycle. Balanced and clearly defined legislation provides the certainty investors need to commit long-term capital to exploration and project development.
Mr. Lewins further added, “Papua New Guinea remains one of the world’s most prospective yet underexplored mineral regions, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and host to globally significant deposits of gold, copper, nickel and other strategic minerals.”
Ensuring that exploration frameworks are modern, predictable and internationally competitive will play a critical role in unlocking this potential. PNG CORE welcomes the government’s commitment to reform and continues to work closely with the Ministry of Mining, the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and other relevant agencies as the reform process progresses.
Mining’s Contribution to National Development
The mining sector remains a critical pillar of Papua New Guinea’s economy, contributing 43% of export earnings in 2025 and approximately 10% of PNG’s GDP.
The industry supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs, regional infrastructure development, skills training and workforce development, and community development initiatives. A stable and competitive investment environment will help ensure the sector continues to contribute strongly to national development.
When developed responsibly and collaboratively, mining projects provide long-term benefits to landowners, communities, provinces and the nation as a whole.
Positioning Papua New Guinea for Global Investment
PNG CORE notes that the Minister’s announcement was delivered during PNG CORE PNG specific Investor Briefing hosted on the sidelines of the PDAC Convention in Toronto, the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining investment conference which attracted over 200 investors across Canada, the United States, Japan and Europe. The announcement sends a positive signal to the global investment community that Papua New Guinea is committed to improving its regulatory environment and strengthening its competitiveness as a destination for responsible mining investment.
Commitment to Partnership
PNG CORE believes that strong partnership between government, industry, landowners and communities is essential to unlocking Papua New Guinea’s mineral potential. The Chamber and its members look forward to continuing constructive engagement with Government as the proposed reforms progress.
Together, we can ensure that Papua New Guinea’s resource sector continues to drive sustainable economic growth, employment, and national development for generations to come.