Prime Minister Hon. James Marape informed Japanese investors that Papua New Guinea is a robust place for business investments.
Prime Minister Marape made this remark during his keynote address at the PNG Mining Seminar in Tokyo on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025.
The seminar, themed “Investing in Impact: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Future for PNG Mining,” brought together key stakeholders from the mining industry to discuss strategic partnerships, social value, and environmental stewardship.
In line with the theme, Prime Minister Marape told the conference, saying, “PNG is responsible in ensuring that all its investors are satisfied with the country’s continued supply of minerals through the OK Tedi Mine.
“The country has never failed to satisfy the contracted plans. We have to supply our products, and that same guarantee extends into the future as we consolidate a democracy, free-market economy through key characteristics of the business environment in PNG.”
Prime Minister Marape informed those present of PNG’s continued support to its investors in a consistent supply of minerals through the OK Tedi Mine.
“We have never failed, as far as our country’s record is concerned, in our consistent supply of minerals in partnership with OK Tedi Mine for over 40 years. Thus, this is the same reputation and credibility that we will give to all of you going forward into the future.
“We would like to continue in partnership at a higher level or at an investor level or at a subsidiary business level, including financing of our projects that are coming on board.
“PNG remains a very strong, robust place of business, and I would like to thank all of you who have been with us in the last 40 years,” the Prime Minister said.
Speaking on OK Tedi Mine’s lifespan, he said that the mine was issued with an additional 20- year operation. This is to continue its strong production of copper and gold under the current management of Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kedi Ilimbit, and his dedicated team.
“We are looking at cost-effective measures to produce in a sustainable manner for the next 20 years in OK Tedi.
“I have also given further instruction as it is not just 20 years, there are other resources, for instance, there is a resource called calcium and we are trying to mobilise and congregate all these resources, so OK Tedi will keep producing beyond,” he said.
In other mining prospects, the Prime Minister said, “About 80 kilometres north of OK Tedi,
there is an exciting prospect called the Frieda River Mine. For the benefits for our consumers, clients, and partners in Japan, PNG will continue to produce minerals almost for the next 40 to 50 years. Apart from OK Tedi, we have another bigger mine called Wafi Gold Copper Mine, and soon, this year, we will complete its mine development contract and issue Special Mining Lease (SML). We will give 30 percent interest through the Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL). This opportunity has come around for those of you who are in the business of getting the products from our mineral sector, and so, you are in partnership with a trusted partner.”
In addition, Prime Minister Marape said PNG was also known for producing oil and gas.
“In 2014, I was part of the leadership team that delivered the first gas supply in Tokyo. I want to conclude by saying we still remain a robust democracy despite the headlines in the news- papers,” he said.
In appreciation, the Prime Minister thanked the sponsors of the seminar, Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), especially to JICA Vice President Mr Hiroo Tanaka, for his kind words during his opening speech earlier.
“JICA has invested over K6 billion in PNG since 1974, and JICA was there before PNG got its independence in 1975.
“JICA, thank you very much for your consistent persistence right through. I want to say thank you to all our investors from Japan. Starting with Japan Bank of International Corporation (JBIC). JBIC has been our strong foundational partner. From day one, JBIC was with OK Tedi, PNG LNG, and is now with Papua LNG,” he said.
The Prime Minister also extended his gratitude to all investors and buyers in Japan.
“You get over 50 percent of the total produced from OK Tedi, and so thank you very much.”
In conclusion, he said, “I want to give you comfort that our country will still be a resource producing nation for as long as we exist, God has blessed us with abundant resources.”