Papua New Guinea’s climate is quite diverse; you can be battered by violent rains, incapacitated by the intense heat and humidity or even get stranded in a snowstorm. Probably nowhere else in the world offers such a range of climates in just one place.

Given these challenges, Becker Mining Australia was very excited when approached by Austmine, one of the leading industry body for the Australian Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector, who put together a trade mission to PNG remote mines this April.

Austmine put forward 38 companies to the Mines of PNG for them to select the top 10 they wished to engage with. We are proud to announce that Becker Mining Australia was one of the companies selected.

Mick Currie, Becker Mining Australia’s Service & Sales Manager Qld, was selected to go on this trip and arrived at Port Moresby on Sunday the 7th of April. This was followed by a briefing from Austmine as to the expected outcomes of the trip during the next few days.

The first port of call was the OK Teddy mine for presentations to the staff of various mines. The forum for this was individual tabled discussion with key mine site personnel suited to our business. Next visit was to the Hidden Valley Mine. Upon arrival the selected company representatives were given a site tour of the mine, processing plant and the only tube conveyor in the southern hemisphere. Various other site tours and meetings took place in the capital, Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea undoubtedly is a mining state, with mineral export revenues driving the economy and services in the country. It is endowed with vast natural resources in all sectors, minerals, oil & gas, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

The mineral wealth of Papua New Guinea is the result of its geology; based on anomalies from past and current exploration efforts, it can offer to explorers the opportunity to multi element discoveries, including gold, copper, rare earth elements, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, iron and platinum.

Mick Currie said “the travel conditions which occurred by both small charter flight and 4WD were extreme. It is these extreme conditions often in high mountain ranges that the customers rely upon the most rugged and fit for purpose communications solutions. Customers in PNG rely upon the best gear available given the fact there is limited options and access to immediate alternatives.”