Press Release
The New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs,
Charlie Lynn, has called for Australian government agencies and media
organisations to respect the sovereign right of Papua New Guinea to
name its own geographic features and respect the prestigious battle
honour 'Kokoda Trail' awarded to the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the
10 Australian infantry battalions who fought in the Kokoda campaign
and paid such a heavy price for it to be emblazoned on their flags and
colours.
Lynn has posted a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament as he
believes it should be addressed as we approach the 70th anniversary of
the raising of the Australian flag at Kokoda on November 3, 2012.
The origin of the official name, Kokoda Trail', dates back to 1947
when an Australian Battles Nomenclature Committee was established to
define the battles in the Pacific. Their final report in 1958 adopted
'Kokoda Trail' as the official Commonwealth battle honour which was
awarded to 10 infantry battalions and the Pacific Island Regiment.
During the establishment of self-government in PNG in 1972, Australian
administrators established a 'Place Names Committee' to examine the
issue and recommended the official name be proclaimed 'Kokoda Trail'.
Chief Minister Michael Somare took office on June 23, 1972 when the
nation achieved self-government as part of the process to independence
in 1975.
Somare accepted the recommendation of the Place Names Committee and
the name 'Kokoda Trail' was gazetted four months later on October 12,
1972.
The name 'Kokoda Track' evolved after former Australian Prime Minister
Paul Keating kissed the ground at Kokoda on the 5oth anniversary of
the campaign in April 1992. This was accompanied by much 'talkback'
debate about 'trail' being an American term and 'track' being the
language of the Australian bush.
This suited Keating's agenda for an Australian republic at the time.
It also suited those in the Australian commentariat who harboured a
strong anti-American bias after the invasion of Iraq.
They have now ensured that 'Kokoda Track' has emerged as the more
acceptable politically correct term in Australia.
The 70th anniversary of the raising of the Australian flag at Kokoda
is an appropriate name for PNG to reclaim the name of its most famous
wartime icon and ask that their sovereign right to name their national
geographic features be respected.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
New Guinea Energy receives licence extensions for PPL 266 and PPL 267
energy-pedia.com
New Guinea Energy has accepted an offer by the Minister of Petroleum
and Energy to extend the licence periods and exploration expenditure
programmes for Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 266 and PPL 267 for
a further five years.
NGE has an attractive exploration portfolio in Papua New Guinea and is
100% owner and operator of four licences and 50% equity owner and
non-operator in two licences. The tenure on two 100%-owned licences,
PPL 266 and PPL 267, expired in mid-August 2011, whilst the tenure on
another two 100%-owned licences, PPL 265 and PPL 277, is due to expire
at the end of November 2012.
Well in advance of expiration dates, applications were lodged with the
PNG Department of Petroleum and Energy to extend all four licences.
Whilst awaiting endorsement for licence extensions, NGE continued to
de-risk its operated licences and on 21 August 2012 announced the
results of seismic programmes on both PPL 265 and PPL 266 and its
objective of farming out equity to fund drilling.
"Gaining confirmation that NGE has the rights for the next five years
to continue exploration in these prospective licences is tremendously
helpful and fundamental in providing the certainty to potential
farm-in partners," said NGE chief executive officer, Grant Worner.
The company looks forward to keeping shareholders updated on the
future work programmes and progress on each of these licences.
New Guinea Energy has accepted an offer by the Minister of Petroleum
and Energy to extend the licence periods and exploration expenditure
programmes for Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 266 and PPL 267 for
a further five years.
NGE has an attractive exploration portfolio in Papua New Guinea and is
100% owner and operator of four licences and 50% equity owner and
non-operator in two licences. The tenure on two 100%-owned licences,
PPL 266 and PPL 267, expired in mid-August 2011, whilst the tenure on
another two 100%-owned licences, PPL 265 and PPL 277, is due to expire
at the end of November 2012.
Well in advance of expiration dates, applications were lodged with the
PNG Department of Petroleum and Energy to extend all four licences.
Whilst awaiting endorsement for licence extensions, NGE continued to
de-risk its operated licences and on 21 August 2012 announced the
results of seismic programmes on both PPL 265 and PPL 266 and its
objective of farming out equity to fund drilling.
"Gaining confirmation that NGE has the rights for the next five years
to continue exploration in these prospective licences is tremendously
helpful and fundamental in providing the certainty to potential
farm-in partners," said NGE chief executive officer, Grant Worner.
The company looks forward to keeping shareholders updated on the
future work programmes and progress on each of these licences.
PNG pilots earn wings
By Brad Greenshields of Coffs Coast Advocate
FOR eight Papua New Guinean airline pilot cadets earning their golden
wings at last week's graduation has been the culmination 18 months of
intense theoretical and practical training.
But the tireless days, long nights and early morning starts while at
professional pilot training were a small price to pay in comparison to
what they have achieved.
Of the thousands who applied for the cadet training course, only the
creme de la creme were chosen.
Some even had to choose between their studies in university and pilot school.
Cadet Philip Polum left his Applied Physics course in his final year
of studies to pursue this career.
"It was always my dream to be a pilot and I have always worked towards
that my whole life," Philip said.
Under the sponsorship of Papua New Guinea's airline, Air Niugini, the
cadets were able to fulfil their dream.
Upon their return to Papua New Guinea, they'll undergo further
training to become first officers on the Dash 8.
Fellow cadet Alwas Popo said the opportunity to fly over the Coffs
Coast has been a truly magnificent experience but the friendships
forged has been a greater reward.
"We haven't only enjoyed your skies and the weather here, we've made
heaps of friends and I don't think we'll ever forget the memories
we've made here" Alwas said.
FOR eight Papua New Guinean airline pilot cadets earning their golden
wings at last week's graduation has been the culmination 18 months of
intense theoretical and practical training.
But the tireless days, long nights and early morning starts while at
professional pilot training were a small price to pay in comparison to
what they have achieved.
Of the thousands who applied for the cadet training course, only the
creme de la creme were chosen.
Some even had to choose between their studies in university and pilot school.
Cadet Philip Polum left his Applied Physics course in his final year
of studies to pursue this career.
"It was always my dream to be a pilot and I have always worked towards
that my whole life," Philip said.
Under the sponsorship of Papua New Guinea's airline, Air Niugini, the
cadets were able to fulfil their dream.
Upon their return to Papua New Guinea, they'll undergo further
training to become first officers on the Dash 8.
Fellow cadet Alwas Popo said the opportunity to fly over the Coffs
Coast has been a truly magnificent experience but the friendships
forged has been a greater reward.
"We haven't only enjoyed your skies and the weather here, we've made
heaps of friends and I don't think we'll ever forget the memories
we've made here" Alwas said.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Ok Tedi wants PNG government to join it in Xstata's Frieda River Project
Papua New Guinea's Ok Tedi Mining Ltd is keen to buy a stake in Xstata Copper's 5.3 billion US dollar Frieda River project.
Ok Tedi Managing Director, Nigel Parker, says the company would like to move as soon as possible on the deal and will be talking with the PNG government in the near future.
Radio Australia's Jemima Garrett recently returned from a visit to Ok Tedi and prepared this report.Correspondent: Jemima Garrett
Speaker: Nigel Parker, Managing Director, Ok Tedi Mining Limited
GARRETT: Ok Tedi is unique among PNG mining companies.
Since the Canadian company Inmet sold out at the beginning of last year Ok Tedi has been 100%-owned for the benefit of Papua New Guineans.
The PNG government has a 37% stake and the PNG Sustainable Development Program Limited the rest.
But Ok Tedi is an old mine - even if the mine extension plan currently under consideration goes ahead - production is set to drop.
Ok Tedi Managing Director, Nigel Parker, is looking for new opportunities for the company.
PARKER: This is an extraordinarily valuable asset. We cannot let this asset die, otherwise the Papua New Guinea nation loses out.
GARRETT: Nigel Parker has been working with Professor Ross Garnaut, Chairman of both Ok Tedi and PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd, to chart the way foreward.
PNGSDP has taken a stake in Highlands Pacific - a move which forges links to Highlands Pacific's exploration sites just 20 kilometres from Ok Tedi - and to Xstrata Copper's Frieda River deposit through Highlands' minority shareholding in the project.
Frieda River is a big prize. It is a world class copper and gold deposit even bigger than Ok Tedi's original resource.
Xstrata has made it clear it may be willing to sell part or all of its holding.
Nigel Parker says it is an investment that makes sense for Ok Tedi.
PARKER: Frieda River is 70 kilometres north of us. It has some very good results. It is like an Ok Tedi 30 odd years ago, in a pristine environment. We are interested in it. We are looking at the developments of that with its current shareholders -Xstrata in the main - but Highlands Pacific also has an 18% interest in that area so once the government has settled in and we start talking to the government, then I am sure that will become clearer to us as management as to what the State would like us to do in regards to that.
GARRETT: What would it take for Ok Tedi to be in a position to buy into Frieda River?
PARKER: It is simply the shareholder commitment to it. Our major shareholder PNGSD are very interested in it because of the benefits it would bring Papua New Guinea, particularly if Papua New Guinea's own mining and exploration company has a very large chunk of it. The state, with the new government of course, we'll have to assess the mood of the government as to whether they are committed to that, and if they are committed to that, then there is no reason why the Ok Tedi group can't become involved in that.
GARRETT: Ok Tedi is a crucial source of revenue for the PNG government.
In 2011, it received 496 million US dollars from Ok Tedi in taxes and levies and a further 64 million dollars in dividends.
The government has a clear interest in ensuring Ok Tedi's future but it will also need to consider the environmental impact of development at Frieda River.
Xstata is due to deliver its feasibility study on the Frieda River project next month.
Ok Tedi Managing Director, Nigel Parker, is keen to get on and make a bid.
I asked him when it might be feasible to act.
PARKER: We would like to think as soon as possible! But we are coming up towards Christmas, of course. We have a new government that is starting to settle in, heading towards budget process and has some other priorities, I would suspect.
GARETT: You mentioned that Frieda river is very similar to the situation of Ok Tedi. Frieda River is in the head waters of the Sepik River. Ok Tedi has had a catstrophic effect on the Fly River. How would you do things differently at Frieda River?
PARKER: You are absolutely correct. It is a pristine environment and in this day and age mining companies have to look totally different as to how they mine or exploit mineral resources. We are of the view that, with the gas resources here in the Western Province, we would first up generate power on this side and then transmit power through the Ok Tedi System and then up over the mountains so by using gas fired power, 160 odd megawatts, as opposed to damming pristine valleys and absorbing enormous areas, a la the Three Gorges dam in China, that would be our first view, that we would not look to interfere with the environment where we could use gas fired power. Then it gets down to whether it has to be open puit or whether we can go underground. I can't answer those questions at this point.
GARRETT: What about a tailings dam. That has been the big problem here. We have seen a mud river heading down towards the ocean at the mouth of the Fly River. What would you do a Frieda River?
PARKER: My understanding is that that is not the same issue on the Frieda River side, that off the mountain escarpments there is land down there that is well aligned to tailings dams and tailings treatment solutions.
GARRETT: Would you consider putting tailings into the river if the tailings dam didn't seem possible?
PARKER: I would suggest that the Board of OTML would be very sensitive towards that and, in fact, given the fact that the Sepik River is a pristine river that certainly would not be an option for us.
GARRETT: But you are not ruling it out?
PARKER: At this point, I could say to you that we would rule that out because in this day and age you can't move into this type of situation to put tailings and, in fact, in our own operation here we have an active project in play at the moment, looking at building a tailings dam, very close to the mine operations and we anticipate that within twelve months or so we will have a fairly good fix on whether we can actually do that now. Why we can do it as opposed to the BHP era is that, 30 odd years have moved on, engineering solutions have developed, tailings treatment solutions have developed. The Chinese have built the Three Gorges dam. They're putting highways under sedimentary flood plains so it's a totally different environment now
Sir Michael Bromley appointed chairman of Waratah Resources
Waratah Resources
African focused iron ore explorer, Waratah Resources Limited is pleased to welcome Sir Michael Bromley to the position of Chairman and advise of the upcoming relocation of Waratah's head office to Sydney, New South Wales.
Sir Michael Bromley brings with him a wealth of international business experience built over 40 years of operating companies in numerous countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Russia, China and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
After graduating from school, Sir Michael joined Collins and Leahy, a public company trading in the Highlands of PNG and subsequently started his own company, Bromley and Manton, in 1973.
Sir Michael sold Bromley and Manton to Collins and Leahy in 1983 and took the position of Managing Director until 2000.
Sir Michael was knighted for his services to commerce in Papua New Guinea.
He has extensive corporate experience derived from residing on the board of numerous companies, including Heli Niugini Limited, Air Niugini, Orogen Minerals Limited, Steamship Trading Company Limited, Sek No: 35 Limited, Maps Tuna Limited, Chemica Ltd and Hoia Investments Ltd.
The Board values Sir Michael's vast experience in dealing at the highest levels of business and government, extensive knowledge in developing international projects and his exceptional reputation for integrity as paramount to Waratah's growth and progression towards becoming a large-scale iron ore producer.
Following the Board's decision to relocate the Company's head office to Sydney, Mr Terry Streeter and Mr Rod White have resigned from their respective roles of Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Waratah.
As a major shareholder of the Company, Mr Streeter remains committed to supporting the continued development and future success of Waratah.
The Board thanks Mr Streeter and Mr White for their contributions to the corporate development of the Company during a difficult period in the financial market.
Waratah's head office will soon be relocated to Sydney, New South Wales. New head office details will be released before the end of Q4.
African focused iron ore explorer, Waratah Resources Limited is pleased to welcome Sir Michael Bromley to the position of Chairman and advise of the upcoming relocation of Waratah's head office to Sydney, New South Wales.
Sir Michael Bromley brings with him a wealth of international business experience built over 40 years of operating companies in numerous countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Russia, China and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
After graduating from school, Sir Michael joined Collins and Leahy, a public company trading in the Highlands of PNG and subsequently started his own company, Bromley and Manton, in 1973.
Sir Michael sold Bromley and Manton to Collins and Leahy in 1983 and took the position of Managing Director until 2000.
Sir Michael was knighted for his services to commerce in Papua New Guinea.
He has extensive corporate experience derived from residing on the board of numerous companies, including Heli Niugini Limited, Air Niugini, Orogen Minerals Limited, Steamship Trading Company Limited, Sek No: 35 Limited, Maps Tuna Limited, Chemica Ltd and Hoia Investments Ltd.
The Board values Sir Michael's vast experience in dealing at the highest levels of business and government, extensive knowledge in developing international projects and his exceptional reputation for integrity as paramount to Waratah's growth and progression towards becoming a large-scale iron ore producer.
Following the Board's decision to relocate the Company's head office to Sydney, Mr Terry Streeter and Mr Rod White have resigned from their respective roles of Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Waratah.
As a major shareholder of the Company, Mr Streeter remains committed to supporting the continued development and future success of Waratah.
The Board thanks Mr Streeter and Mr White for their contributions to the corporate development of the Company during a difficult period in the financial market.
Waratah's head office will soon be relocated to Sydney, New South Wales. New head office details will be released before the end of Q4.
Royal visit sparks excitement in PNG
AAP
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be met with a 21-gun salute when they arrive in Papua New Guinea and the duchess will have a flower named in her honour.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be met with a 21-gun salute when they arrive in Papua New Guinea and the duchess will have a flower named in her honour.
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, will spend three days on the Pacific Island from November 3.
Events Minister Justin Tkatchenko on Thursday told journalists the royal pair would participate in an ecumenical service and cultural display at the Sir John Guise Stadium in the capital Port Moresby.
The couple will visit an orchid garden outside Port Moresby for a garden party where the Duchess of Cornwall will see a hybrid orchid named in her honour - the Dendrobium Camilla.
"I am proud to say it is in full flower and will be ready for her to have a look at and see if it looks like her at all," Mr Tkatchenko said.
"The most important thing is that this visit touches the hearts of everybody right across the board - from our politicians, to our ambassadors, to our grassroots people, to our business men and women," Mr Tkatchenko said.
"I would like to also appeal to all the public, all the citizens of Papua New Guinea, to join in this very special occasion at Sir John Guise Stadium. You are all welcome."
In other engagements, the prince will visit a youth centre and the duchess will meet mentors and women at a refuge centre in the city.
There will also be a state dinner.
It will be Prince Charles's first visit to the country in 28 years.
Upon arrival at Port Moresby's international airport, the royal pair will be greeted by 750 school children as well as a "sing sing", or traditional dancers and a 21-gun salute.
Should the royal entourage peer out of their car windows, they'll see rows of British and PNG flags lining the highway, as well as banners celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
At a roundabout near the airport, a huge sign declares Prime Minister Peter O'Neill welcomes them to the country.
The country's capital has been in roadworks overdrive for the past month to repair some of the city's notoriously pot-holed streets in preparation for the visit at a cost of $A4.8 million.
Mr Tkatchenko said the projects had been fast-tracked for the visit.
Prince Charles, who is also colonel-in-chief of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, will present the infantry unit with new colours, Colonel Michael Daniels told reporters.
Mr Tkatchenko said the visit would be an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Papua New Guinea to an international audience.
"From the reports I initially got from London was that we're still cannibals," he said, referring to an article in the UK's Daily Star tabloid alleging travellers were too scared to come to PNG for fear of getting eaten.
"This is a scenario where we don't want to hear anymore of that bulls***, as far as I'm concerned.
"We need to change the attitudes and ways and open their eyes to show how good we are."
Events Minister Justin Tkatchenko on Thursday told journalists the royal pair would participate in an ecumenical service and cultural display at the Sir John Guise Stadium in the capital Port Moresby.
The couple will visit an orchid garden outside Port Moresby for a garden party where the Duchess of Cornwall will see a hybrid orchid named in her honour - the Dendrobium Camilla.
"I am proud to say it is in full flower and will be ready for her to have a look at and see if it looks like her at all," Mr Tkatchenko said.
"The most important thing is that this visit touches the hearts of everybody right across the board - from our politicians, to our ambassadors, to our grassroots people, to our business men and women," Mr Tkatchenko said.
"I would like to also appeal to all the public, all the citizens of Papua New Guinea, to join in this very special occasion at Sir John Guise Stadium. You are all welcome."
In other engagements, the prince will visit a youth centre and the duchess will meet mentors and women at a refuge centre in the city.
There will also be a state dinner.
It will be Prince Charles's first visit to the country in 28 years.
Upon arrival at Port Moresby's international airport, the royal pair will be greeted by 750 school children as well as a "sing sing", or traditional dancers and a 21-gun salute.
Should the royal entourage peer out of their car windows, they'll see rows of British and PNG flags lining the highway, as well as banners celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
At a roundabout near the airport, a huge sign declares Prime Minister Peter O'Neill welcomes them to the country.
The country's capital has been in roadworks overdrive for the past month to repair some of the city's notoriously pot-holed streets in preparation for the visit at a cost of $A4.8 million.
Mr Tkatchenko said the projects had been fast-tracked for the visit.
Prince Charles, who is also colonel-in-chief of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, will present the infantry unit with new colours, Colonel Michael Daniels told reporters.
Mr Tkatchenko said the visit would be an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Papua New Guinea to an international audience.
"From the reports I initially got from London was that we're still cannibals," he said, referring to an article in the UK's Daily Star tabloid alleging travellers were too scared to come to PNG for fear of getting eaten.
"This is a scenario where we don't want to hear anymore of that bulls***, as far as I'm concerned.
"We need to change the attitudes and ways and open their eyes to show how good we are."
NGE gets PNG licence extensions
 |
Papua New Guinea: NGE has received a five year extension for two onshore licences
|
“Gaining confirmation that NGE have the rights for the next five years to continue exploration in these prospective licences is tremendously helpful and fundamental in providing the certainty to potential farm-in partners,” NGE chief executive Grant Worner said.
NGE said the tenure on the licences, in which it holds a 100% interest, expired in August last year, while its other two wholly-owned PNG licences, PPL 265 and PPL 277, are due to expire at the end of November this year.
It noted that it had lodged applications with the PNG Department of Petroleum & Energy “well in advance” of the expiration date
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