Overview
The Mining and Geothermal Unit is established to administer mineral exploration, mining activities, and energy development in the Province on behalf of the West New Britain Provincial Government and its people. Its operations are guided by the National Mining Act 1992 (as amended in 2020), the National Mining Policy, the National Alluvial Mining Policy 2021, the National Geothermal Policy 2012, and the National Energy Policy (2017–2027), as well as other relevant legislation and policies governing the development of mining and energy in Papua New Guinea.
The Unit serves as the administrative point of contact between the Provincial Government, Districts, Local Level Government, National Government, developers, landowners, and other stakeholders on matters relating to mineral exploration and development, ranging from alluvial (artisanal) and small-scale mining to large-scale mining, as well as the development of geothermal and other energy resources at both small and large scales.
Core Functions
The Provincial Mining and Energy Unit is responsible for overseeing and coordinating mineral and energy activities, facilitating development processes, safeguarding local interests, and ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Its key functions include:
- Exploration and Mining Administration and Oversight
- Alluvial and Small-Scale Mining Support and Development
- Energy Resource Development Administration and Coordination
Key Responsibilities
The Unit is responsible for:
- Strengthen coordination with government bodies and key stakeholders on mineral and energy development.
- Promote investments in the province’s mineral and energy sector.
- Participate in the licensing and consultation process.
- Provide technical advice on agreements and benefit-sharing arrangements.
- Promote small-scale mining and investment in the Province.
- Conduct inspections and compliance assessments of operational sites.
- Conduct energy resource surveys and feasibility studies.
- Engage landowners and communities to ensure proper consultation, lawful compensation, and community development benefits.
- Ensure timely and accurate information sharing with government entities and local resource owners regarding mineral and energy developments.
Programs & Services
The Mining & Geothermal Unit delivers the following programs and services:
- Mining & Energy Management
This program provides an overall administrative and coordinating role for mineral and energy development activities in the Province while managing and overseeing the programs and activities within the Unit. Other services under this program include:
- Policy development and strategic planning
- Strengthening collaboration with stakeholders and development partners to ensure that mineral and energy development in the Province is in the best interests of the people.
- Providing technical advice to the Provincial Government on governance and administrative matters regarding mineral and energy development.
- Mining Development
This function involves administering, coordinating, and liaising with development partners and stakeholders regarding large-scale mineral exploration and mining in the Province. It includes services such as:
- Conducting social mapping to identify genuine resource owners.
- Facilitate resolution of conflicts between developers, stakeholders, and Provincial government or amongst resource owners.
- Lodging complaints and reporting on exploration and mining matters if breaches are made to the licensing process or exploration and mining operations.
- Attending warden hearings for new applications and renewal of EL.
- Providing technical advice on mineral exploration and mining.
- Alluvial Small-Scale Mining Development
This program involves providing support and promoting the development of Alluvial (artisanal) Small Scale Mining in the Province. It specifically delivers the following services:
- Conduct social mapping to identify genuine resource owners
- Assist resource owners in conducting prospecting and exploration to identify alluvial gold deposits.
- Assisting resource owners to acquire Alluvial Mining Lease (AML).
- Facilitate resolution of conflicts between developers, stakeholders, and provincial government or amongst resource owners.
- Liaise with the Small-Scale Mining Training Centre (SSMTC) of the Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) to facilitate SSM Training for resource owners.
- Provide technical advice on small-scale mining.
- Energy Development
This function involves identifying potential energy sources and initiating their development to ensure a reliable power supply across the province. It specifically delivers the following services:
- Conducting social mapping to identify genuine resource owners
- Liaising with stakeholders on energy supply issues and providing recommendations for appropriate solutions.
- Conduct research, surveys, and feasibility studies on available Provincial energy resources on behalf of the provincial government.
- Collaborate with developers and stakeholders for energy development.
- Ensure developer(s) comply with laws governing license application and operation.
- Providing technical advice on energy resources and development.
Structure & Leadership
The Unit is headed by the Director, who oversees teams responsible for specific functional areas, including:
- Administration and Coordination
- Office Administration
Strategic Focus
The Mining & Geothermal Unit is committed to:
- Transparency and Governance
- Strategic Partnership and Investment Facilitation
- Resource Rights Management and Community Empowerment
- Inclusive Development and Equitable Participation
- Revenue Optimization
- Small-Scale Mining Capacity Building
- Energy Infrastructure Development
Contact Information
For enquiries related to this division, please contact:
Division: Mining & Energy Unit
Phone:
Email:
Location: Provincial Headquarters