morobe miner (edition 17)

The Hidden Valley Joint Venture (HVJV) has announced the signing of a Trust Deed by mine owners Newcrest and Harmony which establishes the Hidden Valley Mine (Benefit Sharing) Trust, created after extensive consultation with the Nakuwi Association and mine area community leaders.

The purpose of the Trust is to provide additional socioeconomic benefits to the mine landowning communities of Nauti, Kwembu and Winima, which are tied to the continuing successful operation of the Hidden Valley Mine.

Starting with an initial contribution of K3 million, Trust proceeds will be used on community infrastructure, capacity building, education, training, community development and business

development projects and programs nominated by the respective village planning committees.

Ongoing funding to the Trust is anticipated to be approximately K1.5 million per annum based on fixed and variable amounts tied to mine revenues.

The Trust will be governed by a Board of Governors consisting of representatives from the Nakuwi Association, Nauti, Kwembu, and Winima villages, the Morobe Provincial Government, Mineral Resources Authority, and HVJV. NKW Holdings Limited, the Hidden Valley Landowner Company will be engaged to assist the Trustee in the administration of the Trust.

SAFETY TIP: Never walk on the road when cars and trucks are passing.

Benefit Share Trust launched

Joint Venture Executive, Johanness Van Heerden and elected representatives of the Nakuwi Association, Rex Mauri and other elected community representatives and Provincial Mining Chairman after the signing of the BSA documents.

MOROBE MINERThis is a publication from Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV). EDITION 17: 2011

MEDIA TEAMJoshua Kais

[email protected] English

[email protected] Kalimda

[email protected]

ADDRESSNine Mile, Awilunga Estate,

P.O.Box 4015, Lae, Morobe Province,

Papua New Guinea

Permission must be obtained for the reprinting of articles

in this newsletter.

MISSIONDiscovering, developing and

operating gold mines in Morobe Province to build a sustainable long term business to benefit all

our stakeholders.

VISIONCreate a world class mineral

province in PNG.

VALUESHonesty, Integrity, RespectWorking Together, Courage

Creativity & InnovationCommitment to Our People

page 2.....Acting GM’s message - HVpage 2.....Training officers attend attend National conferencepage 3.....K520m pumped into PNG economy in FY11page 3.....Former HV GM farewelledpage 4.....Program aims to build leaders capacity page 4.....Malarial studies conducted at MMJV sites page 5.....Kindaga Group gets saw millpage 6.....Sust & Ext Relations GM’s messagepage 6.....Changing the way we do thingspage 7.....Kuembu villagers learn basic managment skillspage 7..... Locals to access part of historic track on ML151page 8.....Cocoa farmers learn basic managment skillspage 9.....Wau-Bulolo schools get classroomspage 10...K1m water supply project for Huon Gulf Districtpage 10...Wafi-Golpu recruits first two female field assistants page 11...GM’s Message -Explorationpage 12...First female HEO promoted at Hidden Valley

Contents Message from Acting GM Hidden Valley- Peter Hannigan

Training officers attend conference

It is with mixed feelings that I write this note for the Morobe Miner, since the last edition we have farewelled Mark Mitchell after 2 years as the Operations General Manager, he has returned to Newcrest to take up a position that focuses on making sure that our relationships within the communities we work are a strong as we can make them. Those of you who have met and know Mark will appreciate that this is a good change for Mark as he has shown in his time at Hidden Valley that he is passionate about being faithful to the expectations of the traditional owners of the land and all the communities who are impacted by our Mine in one way or another. Mark has been instrumental in getting the mine to operate at its rated capacity, most of our start-up issues have now been resolved and the mine is beginning to show that it can deliver to the expectations consistently.

Mark has left us with a legacy of honesty, focus and faith that I find inspiring and that will continue to drive our efforts at Hidden Valley in particular the drive to building the competencies of our landowner employees so that they can be leaders in the mine that is on their land.

We still have a lot of work to do to meet our obligations to the people who have put their faith in our ability to have a safe and productive mine at Hidden Valley. We continue to have too many incidents and too many people are getting hurt or putting themselves in positions where they can get hurt. During my regular workplace walk around many of the same issues keep presenting, I am sure that with a little more time spent at the start of the job, making sure that we have thought of anything that could go wrong, we would have a safer workplace. All leaders on this mine should never let an opportunity go past where they can ask if people are aware of the risks involved in a job and what they are doing to keep safe. Safety is the result of us doing something to manage risk.

For those of you who will be home with your families this Christmas I hope that it is rewarding and peaceful time for you, for those of us who will be working please keep safe so you can enjoy the time when you do get home.

Four MMJV trainers and representatives joined with other counterparts from across the country on November 24-25 to attend the 2011 National Trainers conference held in Lae.

Lucy Simon, Veronica Bagasel, Doyle Vens Virano and Fiona Yapi attended the 2011 event aimed at recognising individual and organisational efforts in training across the country. MMJV was also one of five major sponsors for the event.

MMJV places a high focus on training and developing its workforce to be competent spending K2.6 million in the 2011 Financial year alone.

Under the Training department structure, particular emphasis is given to Operations Training, which covers skills training for mine and mill operations and Human Resources Training. Other in house programs include Cultural Sensitivity and Tok Pisin courses and services for local employees include training of Local Heavy Equipment and mill operators, Basic Literacy and Numeracy courses, upgrading of Grade 8-10 and Matriculation courses done in partnership with Port Moresby Institute of Matriculation Studies (PIMS). New programs include the Graduate and Apprenticeship Programs.

The annual National Trainers conference was hosted by the PNG Training & Development Society (PNGTDS).

PNG Economy gets K520m from Hidden Valley in 2011The Hidden Valley mine has contributed K520 million to the PNG economy in the 2011 Financial Year.

A big portion of this, 56 % is spent on goods and services in Morobe Province alone while Goods and Services in PNG account for 27%, government tax - 6%, employment another 6%, community benefits - 3% and royalties - 2%.

Planned yearly spending stands at K121 million on procurement of goods and services in Morobe Province, K21 million in wages and benefits; K26 million in royalties and K15 million in benefit-sharing and other community assistance.

Also this year K14.5 million was spent on community and regional development projects comprising water supply and sanitation, health, education, agriculture and aquaculture, Lae to Bulolo Road maintenance, community infrastructures and community and Local Level

Government capacity building programs. Hidden Valley mine’s total ore reserves for this year is 68,192 tonnes, with proved ore reserves of 60,674 tonnes and probable ore reserves of 61,519 tonnes.

The mine currently has 975 direct employees of which 91 % are PNG citizens 53% are from Morobe and 45 % are from the Wau-Bulolo district and 12 percent are females. In addition, currently there are 1471 contractor employees working for Hidden Valley mine with 89 % being PNG citizens and 45% from Morobe Province.

The mine’s long term plan is to create Employment Equity where 80 % will be Local Morobe employee, 15 % female employees and 97% to be PNG citizens.

There is an expanded focus on providing more women equal opportunities.

Group shot of the ERC with Mark on the Bulolo Golf course.

The Hidden Valley Employee Relations Committee (ERC) had a special farewell for outgoing General Manager, Mark Mitchell to thank him for his support for the work carried out by the committee.

The farewell held at Bulolo followed on from a final meeting which resolved around presentations from senior Hidden Valley Management, members including Mine department manager, David Masani, Human Resource Superintendents Timmy Ahi and Bebea Konie and Mark Mitchell himself.

The presentations covered a number of areas including recruitment, training and localisation progress and also on the trend of career path development for locals and nationals at the Hidden Valley Mine since starting operations.Importantly the meeting reflected on the achievements and progress of the committee in the 2011 year.

As part of his final words of encouragement to the committee, Mark re-emphasised the importance of working together saying.

“Always believe in your self and never doubt your strengths, every one here is just as capable of doing the same things as anyone else in other similar operations across the world, said Mark.

“What we as senior managers can do is open doors for you, but you need to charge through it!” he said. His words were taken to heart by individual committee members who took the time to thank Mark for his support towards the ERC and the Hidden Valley workforce during his tenure as the General Manager, operations.

Giving a brief historical account of the birth of the Committee, Timmy Ahi described it as being a direct link and forum between the workforce and the HV management team in discussing employee concerns in transparency and

Outgoing HV General Manager farewelled

openness.

The ERC has pledged to work closely with the Hidden Valley mine’s management to ensure a positive work atmosphere is maintained.

During his two years at Hidden Valley mine, Mark has led the mine from the start of commissioning through its first two years of operation. He has also overseen a number of significant events and milestones.

Some of the highlights include the start of commercial gold production and the official opening of the mine in 2010, the achievement of 1 year LTI free operations in May 2011 and 200, 000 ounces of gold produced in the first full year of processing operations (FY2010/11).

He was also instrumental in ensuring that locals and mine landowner employees were promoted to senior roles as part of the mine’s localisation program.

Program aims to build leaders capacityEmployees are the key assets in Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) operations.

And as part of MMJV’s plan to build the capacity of its employees to ensure efficiency is maintained throughout the operations, it has recently introduced a Leaders Induction Program (LIP).

The first training under the Leaders Induction Program was held at Hidden Valley mine site on September 26, 2011.

Since then over 20 employees, mostly those holding leadership positions such as supervisors, coordinators, foremen, superintendents and managers from Geology, Mining, Security Services, Human Resources, Safety & Medical and Maintenance have attended the training.

The program was developed to provide support to new leaders being appointed within MMJV and to ensure that every MMJV Leader is aware of their responsibilities and accountabilities. And with these, the purpose of creating a clear understanding of MMJV Leaders accountabilities and responsibilities and an overview of legislation, company processes, systems and policies.

The program is the basis of all supervisory and leadership training and will be part of the mandatory training within MMJV. An employee who supervises full- time employees as defined in their positions is required to attend the leadership program.

The Hidden Valley mine Training team is responsible for coordinating the program and main facilitators are representatives of the relevant departments including Safety, Asset Protection, Human Resources, Supply/Logistics, Business Improvement, Community Affairs, Information Technology, Environment and Commercial.

Leaders who attended the training found it to be very helpful as it provides information on who to go to in each of the Support Service departments when specific work related information is required and thus avoiding delays.

“The training is very relevant to my position as a leader,” says Poia Tinkera.

“I like the training because it provides me with more advance information as a supervisor, says Kelly Gisa.

“I’m very pleased to have been part of the group to attend this training and to know the roles and functions of other departments,” says Aisa Pupu.

For more information about the Leaders Induction Program, you can contact the Hidden Valley Human Resources Training team on phone extensions 661 or 731.

The first group of the leaders who have received training under the Leaders Induction Program.

An international company has conducted a review of malaria control throughout the MMJV sites.

The two weeks review was done in November by two representatives from Montrose, a company based in Uganda in Africa that works closely with extractive indus-tries to deal with Malaria.

Montrose was contracted by Newcrest to conduct the study as part of the global malaria review for all Newcrest sites including MMJV.

Epidemiologist Dr Caroline Lynch and Entomologist Jenni-fer Remmers covered all the sites, including Wafi, Hidden Valley, Wau Fly Camps and Lae.

The study looked at all aspects of malaria control including case management, diagnosis and treatment, impact on employees and the communities, what types of mosquitos there are and which ones carry the malaria parasite, what are the risk times and who are most at risk.

The team also visited health facilities in Lae to get an idea of what kind of facilities and services are available to deal with Malaria.

Malaria still remains a major health problem throughout Papua New Guinea. It is important to remember that you can treat malaria with effective drugs and prevent malaria using mosquito nets.

Montrose undertakes Malarial studies at MMJV sites

Checking for Anopheles mosquito larvae in Lae.

Agriculture displays attract huge interestMorobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) for the first time participated in the 2011 50th Morobe Agricultural Show held on October 14-15. On display were three major agriculture projects currently being implemented along the Upper, Middle and Lower Watut regions of Bulolo and Huon Gulf Districts of Morobe Province as part of MMJV’s Community and Regional Development Plan. These projects are coffee, cocoa and fish farming. The displays drew a lot of interest from the public who wanted to know more about the projects.

Thirteen farmers from the Watut areas, stakeholder representatives from the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and Morobe Fisheries Management Authority (MFMA) and MMJV officers were on hand to answer the many questions from the interested people.

MMJV Sustainability and External Relations General

Manager, David Wissink thanked everyone for the efforts put into showcasing the agriculture projects.

HVJV funds sawmill for Kindaga Land GroupSustainable logging industry in the Wau and Bulolo region and mining have been an integral part of the rise and development of the Bulolo district for close to a hundred years now.

Continuing on the path of assisting sustainable practices, Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) donated a Walkabaut Saw mill to the local Wandumi villagers in Wau through the Kindaga Land Group Inc (KLG) for allowing the company use of an alternative access route from Bulolo into Wau.

Last year, the route mostly utilised by PNG Forrest Products (PNGFP) to access timber, was upgraded following a K400,000.00 MOU signing between MMJV, PNGFP and the Wandumi people to help ease of access for the mostly Wandumi villagers while providing alternative access into Wau from Bulolo.

Following the road upgrade, the villagers from Wandumi agreed for the MMJV to assist their business activities through the purchase of a sawmill rather than being paid compensation for using the access road.

Newly appointed Chairman of Yangalima Holdings the subsidiary company of KLG, Joel Yanduk said looking ahead, the people of Wandumi decided that having a sawmill rather than compensation payments removed opportunity to waste or spend recklessly and provided a solid asset that could be utilised well to the benefit of their community for their forestry resources in the long term.

“On behalf of the people of Wandumi and KLG we really appreciate the working partnerships we have between MMJV, PNGFP and other stakeholders. We have some gold and a lot of timber resources, and this sawmill will help us develop these resources and in turn help us develop our communities further so we can all progress,” he said.

Also present to witness the occasion were Wau Rural LLG

President, John Yawa, Snow Kimpton from PNGFP, National Forest Authority (NFA) representatives and MMJV officers led by Hidden Valley CA Superintendent, Simon Thomas.

Mr Thomas told the people of Wandumi to continue working together in partnership so that they could achieve more benefits while President Yawa challenged the people to look after the saw mill donated by MMJV and continue building on the relationships.

The saw mill will be managed by Yangalimu Holdings on behalf of KLG and the Wandumi people. As part of the business arrangement signed during the MOU, PNGFP will purchase the sawn timber from the people of Wandumi and will also assist to transport them to its mill in Bulolo.

Based on projected business cash flow and plan, the saw mill has the potential to cut a volume of 3 cubic meters per day at a market value of K800.00 per cubic metre. This amounts to approximately K12, 000.00 a week or K48, 000.00 per month.

HVJV CA Superintendent, Simon Thomas officially hands over the key to KLG Chairman, Komai watched by Yangalima Holdings Chairman, Joel Yanduk.

Visitors learn about the coffee and cocoa program from the farmers.

Message from GM Sustainability & External Relations - David WissinkAs you can see in this issue of the Morobe Miner, MMJV is living up to the challenges and fulfilling commitments that are critical to ensure the success of the JVs in the Morobe Province.

This past year has been a very busy year of challenges and change for the Sustainability & External Relations team and I would like to thank all of you for your hard work, dedication, effort and support as we continue to put in place the foundation that will help position MMJV as PNG’s most responsible mining company and a reliable development partner.

As a team, our accomplishments this year have included:

Maintaining an outstanding safety record in the field• Continuing to build a credible reputation for MMJV in the • Morobe ProvinceEstablishing the Hidden Valley External Stakeholder • Advisory Panel to provide a sounding board and advice for our community activities. Establishing the Morobe Projects Management Unit • in partnership with the Morobe Provincial Government and successfully lobbying the PNG Government for K11 million in Special Support Grants for 2012Delivering multiple community development projects – • agriculture, aquaculture, community health, education, and water supplies in communities throughout the mine villages and Watut RiverDeveloping partnerships with new partners such as • Business for Millennium Development and recommitment with existing partners for successful sustainable development outcomesProviding communications support for MMJV initiatives •

and emerging issues through the media as well as the development of the MMJV websiteThe completion of a • process that saw over 4,000 compensation claims paid to individuals impacted by our Hidden Valley operations along the Watut RiverGaining and maintaining • access for the regional exploration team to the most prospective ground in PNG.Proactively communicating mine-related impacts with • our stakeholders through a variety of means including a very successful joint patrol with the Department of Environment & Conservation and other government departments.

Even with all the hard work, dedication and teamwork that has gone into the achievements of this past year, we still have areas where we will need to continue to improve as next year will bring with it new and exciting challenges such as bringing into operations the Benefit Sharing Agreement for the mine landowner communities, preparing for the Hidden Valley MOA review, advancing the community aspects of Wafi-Golpu Project and continuing to build our community teams to ensure that we continue to build a socially responsible mining company that we can all be proud of.

Again I thank all of you for your hard work and wish you and your families a safe Christmas season and prosperous New Year. I look forward to an even more exciting year in 2012.

Changing the way we do things“One question that kept appearing in my mind.”

“How can I best utilise the knowledge I gain from this course to assist in the development of my country-Papua New Guinea?”

These were the thoughts of Walter Pondrelei, during the 21st University of Queensland graduation ceremony on December 8. Walter though, is not alone in his thoughts. Also thinking similar thoughts was fellow colleague Pauian Kepakan. Walter and Pauian are Community Affairs officers working for Hidden Valley mine.

Both men have completed a two year Post Graduate Certificate in Community Relations Resource Sector, while Walter has undergone an additional three years, to get a Graduate Diploma. It has been an exhausting experience for Walter and Pauian, who are part time students, balancing work and their academic studies.

Pauian said he was pleased with his achievement. “It is a result of sheer commitment and hard work. I am now skilled in community relations methods and can’t wait to contribute more effectively to my department’s approach to the host communities and other stakeholder,” said Pauian.

Walter said, “It’s so rewarding after many sleepless nights.

Both agree there hasbeen a lot they’ve learnt from their studies.

“Community relations should not just be about the traditional way of attending to issues but involve more proactive approaches to development in the host communities,” said Walter.

“This will also ensure the company can maintain the ‘social licence to operate’, create better relationships with communities and comply with agreements, PNG laws and International standards,” he added

The two men were able to attend their graduation, with support from HVJV, who met their travel and accommodation costs.

Walter, left, and Pauian.

Locals to access part of historic track A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between HVJV and the villagers of Tekadu, Yanima and Anadia in the Wau-Bulolo District of Morobe Province, to allow villagers to use part of the Bulldog track that passes through Mining Lease 151.

The signing of the MOU took place on December 3 and was attended by HVJV’s Sustainability and External Relations General Manager, David Wissink and Bulolo MP Hon. Sam Basil.

Since 2007, the portion of the track on ML151 was limited to all unauthorised people in compliance with Papua New Guinea’s Mining and Safety laws during mine construction period and now with the mine in production, as a safety requirement to protect the health and safety of locals, employees and assets.

Following discussions between HVJV, Mr Basil and the District Administration, the agreement, will now see traditional users checked in, processed and transported in NKW Holdings vehicles fitted to HVJV mine standards through the mine operations area.

Mr Wissink said the service would ensure the lives of people near the mining area are not entirely disrupted.

“HVJV understands that traditional users of the track want to transport their cash crops through the mining area to

markets in Wau, Bulolo and Lae,” Mr Wissink said.This is especially important for remote villages like Tekadu, which borders on the Gulf Province.”

Mr Basil also warned the villagers to ensure the service is not abused. “Traditional users of the Bulldog Track must ensure that criminals or people who will cause trouble, are not allowed to access this service,” said Mr Basil.

The HVJV transport service will initially be run three days a week and can be reviewed as required with the local communities and government.

HVJV’s CA Superintendent Maima Abba and village representatives sign the agreement.

Kuembu villagers learn basic management skillsThirty Three (33) villagers from the Wau region of Bulolo are the fifth group to benefit from a partnership program aimed at improving their basic business management skills as local entrepreneurs.

Under MMJV’s Community and Regional Development program the 24 men and 9 females completed a 2 week training session funded by MMJV’s Hidden Valley Gold mine and facilitated by the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC).

As part of the Start Your Business (SYB) program, the participants from Kuembu, Kaisenik, and Wandumi villages were put through a series of theory sessions covering As-sessing Business Opportunities and Developing Business Planning.

Speaking at the presentation of certificates Wau Rural LLG President, John Yawa issued his thanks to MMJV for funding the International Labour Organisation (ILO) accred-ited training for the local villagers.

Local Kuembu Village leader and elected Nakuwi representative Wayang Kawa, and councillors from the Biangai area in Wau also extended their appreciation to MMJV for being able to access supportive programs owing to the Hidden Valley Mine operating in their region.

SBDC facilitator Geua Tomala, reinforced the challenge by

urging the participants to make the right decisions to manage income generated from their small business projects.

This is the 5th such capacity building training to be funded under the partnership between MMJV and SBDC for MMJV Stakeholder communities in the last 6 months at a cost of over K100,000.00 to date.

Similar training sessions were conducted for Mumeng Inland Fish Farmers Cooperative in Timini and Sambio villages, another two for Biangai Coffee Farmers Cooperative in Biawen and Kwembu villages and one for Lower Watut Cocoa Farmers Cooperative in Tsilitsili village.

Participants, facilitators and MMJV representatives.

“One question that kept appearing in my mind.”

“How can I best utilise the knowledge I gain from this course to assist in the development of my country-Papua New Guinea?”

These were the thoughts of Walter Pondrelei, during the 21st University of Queensland graduation ceremony on December 8. Walter though, is not alone in his thoughts. Also thinking similar thoughts was fellow colleague Pauian Kepakan. Walter and Pauian are Community Affairs officers working for Hidden Valley mine.

Both men have completed a two year Post Graduate Certificate in Community Relations Resource Sector, while Walter has undergone an additional three years, to get a Graduate Diploma. It has been an exhausting experience for Walter and Pauian, who are part time students, balancing work and their academic studies.

Pauian said he was pleased with his achievement. “It is a result of sheer commitment and hard work. I am now skilled in community relations methods and can’t wait to contribute more effectively to my department’s approach to the host communities and other stakeholder,” said Pauian.

Bright blue skies, calm blue sea, the beat of kundu drums accompanied with perfect island harmony was the setting for the opening of a new library at Busamang Primary School, in the Huon Gluf district of Morobe Province.

This rural school has set the foundation for other rural and urban schools to follow with the construction of the permanent double storey library. A library is a ‘world of knowledge, a place that brings the world closer.

The Busamang Primary School library was constructed with funding assistance of K92, 000 from the New Zealand government. Due to a shortfall as a result of increase in material costs since the funding was made available in 2008, the building was not completed.

After hearing about the school’s need to complete the building, MMJV assisted with K18, 000 worth of building materials.

On Friday October 26, the people of Busamang village celebrated the opening of the building attended by Deputy Governor, Morokoi Gaiwata, Provincial Administrator,

Kemas Tomala, other Morobean leaders and MMJV representatives.

It was a moment of great pride and achievement for the people and especially for the school’s head teacher, school board and village leaders who took the initiative to provide this important learning tool for their children.

MMJV assists school to complete library

Cocoa farmers learn basic skills to increase production

management through IPDM on their cocoa blocks.“In cocoa production, IPDM practices are critical as it contributes a lot towards increasing production per hectare.”

“The increase in production is through IPDM or Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) training alone, unless there is a hindrance from natural disasters or unfavourable prices, inflations and other factors affecting growers’ effort and interests,” Mr Daniels said.

As part of the field demonstration, Mr Daniels also provided basic knowledge on the different forms of cocoa pruning under IPDM such as Formation, Chuppon, Sanitation and Structural Pruning as well as information on spacing and Clonal Pruning.

The participants showed enthusiasm in learning and are keen to have a more in-depth training conducted on IPDM.

More than 200 cocoa farmers from the Lower Watut villages have learnt that proper management of cocoa trees is the key to increasing production.

The knowledge was imparted during the distribution of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) Tools and field demonstrations conducted on the use of the tools, funded by HVJV.

The weeklong tools distribution program conducted November saw the distribution of 60 pole pruners, 150 secateurs, 150 bow saws and 70, 000 polybags, given to farmers who make up 27 cocoa cluster groups from Magering, Katzek, Malarina, Madzim, Benseng, Wampan, Kaiam, Uruf, Wonkings, Kapunung, Mafanazo, Chiatz and Goraris villages along the Lower Watut River in Bulolo District.

The program was undertaken following earlier visits to the villages where lack of IPDM practices was identified as a major problem in established cocoa blocks.

In addition, use of inappropriate tools and negligence of the IPDM practices as a result of lack of training, knowledge and skills also contributed to the problem.

The field practicals on the use of the tools were conducted by Peter Daniels, extension officer from the Cocoa and Coconut Institute (CIC) in Morobe who has 30 years experience in this work, with assistance from Ben Misironga, agriculture officer from the Huon Gulf District and Sophin Malaku, MMJV’s agriculture project supervisor.

Mr Daniels told the participants that the increase in cocoa production will happen only when there is proper

Mr Daniels demonstrates the use of the secateurs to the farmers.

The new double storey library at Busamang Primary School.

Every year in August, Daffodil Day is observed throughout the world with fundraising activities to strengthen the fight against Cancer.

This year, the annual Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge was held on August 26 in Lae for the first time. The event was hosted by Oil Search Limited with assistance from the PNG Cancer Relief Society (PNGCRS).

As part of its social responsibility to the wider PNG community, MMJV participated in the charitable event by sponsoring three teams.

A total of K125, 000 was raised and will go towards supporting the National Cancer Treatment Centre at the Angau Memorial Hospital. The centre registers close to 400 cancer cases per year with breast cancer making up 20 percent. The centre caters for patients from all over the country and provides both Radiotheraphy and Chemotherapy treatment.

PNGCRS says the exact number of cancer cases is not known but is estimated to be between 10, 000 to 15, 000 cases per year.

Participating in the 2011 Lae Daffodil Golf Challenge

cost of more than K500, 000 since the establishment of the subsidy program in 2010.

Furthermore, it also covers training materials for schools. Five elementary schools including the three landowner villages, Zindaga in the Wafi area and Wongkins in Lower Watut have received teacher training materials.

In 2010, 578 students attending 58 institutions throughout Morobe Province and the country were covered while this year 608 children were supported. As this is a three year program, final assistance will be provided in 2012 and a review will take place to ascertain the continuation of the program after that.

These projects are implemented in line with the Bulolo and Huon Gulf District Education priorities.

Wau-Bulolo students get double classroomsFive communities in the Wau-Bulolo District in Morobe Province have become the first to receive new double highset classrooms.

These communities include the three principal landowner villages of Nauti, Winima and Kuembu, surrounding Mainyanda village and the only technical vocational school in the district, the Bulolo Vocational School.

In addition to the elementary classrooms, each of the landowner villages also received an aidpost and a community hall while Bulolo Vocational School a highset staff house.

These projects were funded by HVJV through its Education Assistance Program.

HVJV General Manager Sustainability and External Relations, David Wissink said the company’s education program is aimed at building the capacity of the district. He said Hidden Valley mine will need trained people and a big part of that will come from the district. He said the company wants to leave behind a better future for the people of Bulolo.

Other schools also benefitting from the HVJV Education Assistance Program include Grace Memorial Secondary School, Baiyune High School, Sambio Primary School, Mainyanda Primary School and Gabensis Primary School.

The assistance program also covers school fee subsidies for children from Hidden Valley, Watut River and Wafi-Golpu communities. The assistance provides 50 percent subsidy on Grade 7 to 12 tuition fees, rising to 100 percent for high achievers. A total of 1461 children have been supported at a The double classroom at Winima.

The men and women’s teams in action.

First two female field assistants recruitedTwo landowner women have become the first to be recruited as field assistants with the Geology Department at the Wafi-Golpu project.

Elizabeth Girinde and Karen Willie are now part of a team of local field assistants who come from the two landowner groups of Yanta and Hengambu. Elizabeth hails from Pekumbe village while Karen is from Gingen.

Thanks to the initiative by the Wafi-Golpu Geology department, Elizabeth, a certified motor mechanic and Karen with a grade 11 education, are learning what it is to be field assistants. Their recruitment underpins one of the joint ventures aim to create equal employment opportunities for local women in all areas of its operations.

Having no prior knowledge of this field, Elizabeth and Karen are finding it very interesting and are determined to learn. Since joining the all male team on November 7, the two are

learning fast and relishing the challenge.

Their main daily task is to help with geotechnical logging that specifically involves taking measurements which will be used for the calculation of core recovery and rock quality designation. All the data that is gathered from the logging is stored on laptops using the Logchief software. In addition, they will also be required to do all tasks involved in core processing at the coreshed.

“It is very interesting work, we are enjoying it and as we gain more experience we hope we can contribute more,” the women said.

Project Geologist, Mashiyyat Wima said the department wanted to provide equal opportunities for both men and women from the landowner villagers to work as field assistants.

“We only had males and thought, why couldn’t we have females? We wanted field assistants with at least grade 10 and above, and being a female should not keep them from becoming field assistants when they meet the requirements,” said Mashiyyat.

“During the first week, Elizabeth and Karen learnt quickly and are already proving to be of great help in our core shed. They are also outgoing and are getting on very well with their male counterparts,” she said.

As the women grow with experience, at some point they will be required from time to time to work at the rig sites in order to collect quality data.

Both women appreciate the opportunity provided by the Wafi-Golpu Geology department.Karen, left, and Elizabeth logging core at the core shed.

K1 million water supply project for Huon GulfMMJV has formally signed a partnership agreement to assist the Huon Gulf District Joint District Planning & Budget Priorities Committee achieve its aim of providing rural water supplies to the people of Huon Gulf in Morobe Province.

The agreement was signed between Huon Gulf District MP, Hon Sasa Zibe and MMJV’s General Manager Sustainability and External Relations, David Wissink on October 12, and came about as a result of initial discussions held in December 2010 between Mr Zibe and the MMJV.

“Today’s agreement underlines the serious commitment that MMJV has in developing productive working partnerships with key stakeholders in helping deliver essential water supply services for our stakeholders,” said Mr Wissink.

Under the agreement, each party will fund an approved Huon Gulf District Water Supply Programme (“Water Supply Programme”) on a Kina for Kina matching basis, up to a total of K1 million each.

The Water Supply Programme will relate to those

communities residing within the Huon Gulf District which are in the vicinity of MMJV’s mining and exploration activities. The districts JDPBPC has identified the provision of rural water supplies as a priority, with the objective of making clean and safe water available to all of the communities in the district.

MMJV similarly considers the provision of community water supplies to be a key component of its Community & Regional Development support program in the areas in which it has mining and exploration activities throughout the Morobe Province.

Already it has constructed 14 water supply projects in the Lower Watut, another 6 out of 14 projects in the Upper Watut including the 3 mine land owner villages.

The Huon Gulf District incorporates areas of MMJV’s Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture and Morobe Exploration Joint Venture, administered and operated by Wafi-Golpu Services Limited and Morobe Exploration Services Limited.

Message from GM Exploration - Mike ErcegThe Exploration team has been busy regionally, working on tenements north and south-east of Wau ensuring statutory work programmes and expenditure commitments are met.

This has meant establishing contact with local people, negotiating access, setting up fly-camps and recruiting locals as casuals before the geologists can get on the ground and start their mapping and sampling programmes.

The geologists don’t go out there “blind”. The tech services group evaluate the data available including Government maps, historical data, Landsat imagery and geophysical data. The porphyry targets that we are exploring for tend to have a large footprint which should be readily identifiable in surface geochemistry and in magnetic surveys.

The areas the teams have been working in are very isolated and accessible only by helicopter. Communications back to “civilisation” at Wau base is by radio or Sat-phone monitored 24hrs a day by APD.

So a special thanks to the support team including Community Affairs, Logistics, Tech Services, APD Security, Stores, Medics and the pilots who skilfully fly the teams and supplies in and out.

This programme is coming to an end as we begin the next phase of our 2011/12 programme – drilling.

The new Longyear SC-11 helirig has arrived at Wafi and Traverse Drilling will begin commissioning it shortly. The rig is then scheduled to be flown into Kesiago to begin a 6 month programme of holes testing porphyry targets south of Golpu along the Wafi corridor.

A second heli-rig is due in Lae in December and will mobilise to Heyu prospect on the Watut downstream of the Hidden

Valley mine. A drill camp is being established and drill pads are be-ing prepared.

Professional development has been a focus with many of our geologists attending one or more conferences including the PNG Chamber of Mines Mining Seminar and the New Generation Gold Conference in Perth. Conrad, Betty and Charles scored a side trip to Newcrest’s Telfer mine. Cam Mackey (Newcrest’s geophysicist), Mark Pirlo (Newcrest’s geochemist), Joanna Pearson (Harmony’s Database Manager) and David Gray (Structural Geology Consultant) provided training in specialist areas.

A special mention must be made of the efforts of the Safety team. They were tasked with a complete revamp of Exploration’s safety systems and processes mid-year knowing that in December Mark Adams, Newcrest’s Safety Auditor, was booked in for a systems audit.

I am very pleased to announce that Exploration scored very well with further work required in areas of Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification and site-based Emergency Response Plans.

Final mention must go to the tireless efforts of Conrad Palaulo. Conrad inherited the Exploration Manager’s position from Bernard and Robin when they left mid-year. He has managed to re-build the exploration team and maintain credible levels of activity. His efforts have not gone un-noticed in senior management levels of both Harmony and Newcrest. Conrad was officially offered the position in November and has accepted the postion.

Structural Geology Consultant David Gray, right, with geologists Luther Iralu, Ramsay Yehimen and Conrad Palaulo at Heyu prospect.

After four years of commitment, dedication and the foresight to achieve something big, Rose Sogowa has showed that dreams do come true.

With only a certificate in secretarial studies, Rose has proved that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and set your mind to it.

In early October, Rose was promoted to mine trainer and supervisor at the Hidden Valley Operations Mining department after working as a heavy equipment operator (HEO).

Rose comes from Winima village, one of the three principal landowner villages of the Hidden Valley mine in the Bulolo District of Morobe Province.

Her promotion is a first for a landowner woman working at the mine, especially in the mine operations department where she was also a pioneer female HEO.

“As the first female trainer/supervisor, I hope to become a good example for the other local female operators, to make them see that there are opportunities out there if you work hard, commit yourself to your job and your potential will be recognised” she said.

Hidden Valley Mine Department Manager, David Masani said the mine was serious in it’s commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for its workforce.

“This is an example of the MMJV commitment to live this phrase and see it manifest through the lives of our employees and especially amongst our female workforce,” he said.

Rose’s promotion also signifies the importance of training and localisation opportunities for locals at MMJV’s Hidden Valley operation.

In the last two months, six of Rose’s national colleagues in the mine department have also been promoted into leadership roles, including four from the local landowner villages. Iso Ealedona from Senior Mine Planning Engineer

to Superintendent Mine Operations Planning; Jon Selou, Foreman Blasting to Coordinator Drill and Blast; Joel Awi, Mine Supervisor to Mine Foreman; Rex Kaibe, Mine Supervisor to Mine Foreman; David Wawa, Blast Shot firer to Supervisor Blasting; and Manuel Wayang from Senior operator to Mine Supervisor.

“Again this shows we are serious about developing Papua New Guineans into senior roles based upon merit and quality of service we get from our employees,” says Mr Masani.

For Rose it’s another first leading the way; “I would like to encourage my other female local colleague operators to step up to the mark and know that women do have equal opportunities as men,” she says.

Four years ago her interest to drive huge machines was kindled when she heard stories from operators who were on field break describing the work HEO’s do on site.

In May 2008 she began her career in the Mining department as one of the first three local female trainee HEOs to be recruited.

Rose says it was a great challenge being a HEO then, during a time where, operating huge pieces of equipment was seen as a job for men only.

She started off as a dump truck (HD 785) trainee operator and later passed out as a competent truck operator. The following year, she learnt to operate other heavy equipment.

“While being an operator, I thought about my future career and wanted to become a trainer/supervisor one day.

“With the experience gained operating different types of heavy equipment, I believe I have the knowledge and skills to pass on to new trainees and operators,” says Rose.

Like her male counterparts, Rose has extended her appreciation to her former and current supervisors, management and trainers for their help and support in mentoring them to reach this level.

Dreams do come true

Rose on a HD785 haul truck at Hidden Valley mine.

morobe miner (edition 17)

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