Mineral Resources Development Company

04/06/2026

02/06/2026

Aspiring educator Nicholas Yawi is determined to improve learning outcomes in remote parts of Southern Highlands Province by using e-library facilities and digital education tools.

Nicholas, who hails from Yanguri Village in the Kagua–Erave District within the Petroleum Development Licence (PDL) 3 & 4 project area, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Goroka (UOG) on Thursday, April 16, 2026. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma in teaching to further his career in education.

Over the past five years, Nicholas has been supported by Petroleum Resources Gobe (PRG) through its Education Subsidy Program, managed by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC).

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/aspiring-teacher-plans-to-improve-learning-in-remote-areas-through-e-library/

29/05/2026

Today saw PNG Air’s Mangi Kutubu make its inaugural flight into Moro in Southern Highlands Province, marking the start of a new twice-weekly service commencing in July.

The modern ATR 42-600 aircraft was acquired by Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK) and will be operated under a long-term lease arrangement with PNG Air, in a significant step for locally driven investment in the aviation sector.

This new service is expected to significantly boost air travel into Southern Highlands Province while easing long-standing travel challenges faced by project area landowners from Kutubu, Kikori, Semberigi, and the Homa-Paua region of Hela Province. PNG Air currently has a twice weekly service to and from the provincial capital, Mendi.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/prks-new-atr-aircraft-makes-inaugural-flight-into-moro/

28/05/2026

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) continues to build its internal systems capability, with two of its Pronto Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Administrators recently completing specialised training in Brisbane, Australia.

Ms Serah Auma and Mr Steven Teosin attended a week-long program at the Pronto Software head office, aimed at further developing MRDC’s ERP system capability. The training covered advanced features and practical best practices to support more effective and efficient use of the system across the organisation.

Ms Auma described the training as a positive experience, “It was a valuable week of learning, with plenty of ideas to bring back to enhance MRDC’s systems, streamline processes, and improve user support,” she said.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/mrdc-pronto-systems-administrators-attend-training-at-ponto-headquarters-in-brisbane/

27/05/2026

Boss Dokta, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication for Development Studies (BACD) student at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), is gaining hands-on industry experience through the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Imbi Tagune Scholarship.

From Dei in Western Highlands Province, he describes the opportunity as a game changer, equipping him with practical skills and helping him shape his future in development communication.

Currently undertaking his placement with MRDC, he has rotated through the External Affairs Division and the Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF), gaining insight into both organisational processes and field-based development work.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/mrdc-scholar-boss-dokta-gains-field-experience-in-kikori/

27/05/2026

Construction of new education facilities at Omati Primary School in Kikori District, Gulf Province, is near completion, bringing improved learning infrastructure to one of the district’s remote riverine communities.

The project comprises two double classrooms, two staff houses, and full solar power installations to support reliable energy supply.

The development is funded by Gas Resources Pipeline Limited (GRPL) through its Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF) and implemented by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), with construction works led by MRDC CITF engineers and supported by local labour from Kikori and Omati.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/education-facilities-in-omati-primary-school-nears-completion/

26/05/2026

The Board, Management and Staff of Mineral Resources Development Company would like to congratulate Mr. John Tuaim on his appointment as Chairman of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Board.

Mr. Tuaim is MRDC’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, where he has been instrumental in leading the organisation’s investment strategy and overseeing assets, legal, and technical functions to deliver long‑term value for landowner beneficiaries.

He also serves on several key boards across the energy, infrastructure, aviation, and healthcare sectors, strengthening governance and strategic direction across industries.

Mr. Tuaim's appointment reflects a strong alignment between effective regulation and responsible resource revenue management, as both MRA and MRDC continue to work together towards sustainable development outcomes for the nation.

MRDC wishes Chairman Tuaim and the new MRA Board every success in their tenure.

25/05/2026

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) has acknowledged the election of Mr. Larry Andagali as the first director elect representing the Hiwa Region of the PDL1 (Petroleum Development License 1), to the Corporate Trustee Board of Gas Resources Gigira Limited (GRGL).

The GRG is the Corporate Trustee responsible for the equity and royalty benefit for the PDL 1, in the PNGLNG Project.

Hiwa Region has in total 37% of the benefits per the Ministerial Determination in PDL 1. It has the largest percent holding by region in PDL 1.

Mr. Andagali was elected unopposed with one clan abstaining. The 7 Hiwa clan chairman of Hunamani, Tobani, Kenamu, Kopiye, Pina and Arua and Pepe, participated. The election of a second Hiwa region representative to the GRG Board will commence once the other two Clans Wita and Ware 1 have their outstanding issues resolved.

Mr. Andagali, in his opening statement after his election, is committed to working with MRDC to complete the Bank Account Opening and Directors election process for the remaining Hiwa and Tuguba clans and stressed that sub clan accounts need to be opened so benefits can be expedited into those accounts.

To read more, click on the link - https://bit.ly/4wOC1Yf

22/05/2026

Located in Bisi Village along the Kikori River, approximately a 40-minute boat ride from Kikori Station in Gulf Province, Bisi Elementary School is the latest recipient of education infrastructure support under the Gas Resources Pipleline (GR Pipeline) Community Investment Program.

The project, managed by Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), will deliver a new double classroom and a staff house aimed at improving education outcomes in this remote riverine community.

Bisi Primary School currently serves close to 180 students, supporting a wider population of around 3,000 people living along Segment Seven of the PNG LNG pipeline corridor. Like many schools along the Kikori River system, it faces ongoing challenges with limited classroom space and a lack of adequate teacher housing, issues that directly impact student learning and teacher retention.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/bisi-elementary-school-to-get-new-double-classroom-staff-house/

21/05/2026

Located along the Kikori River, near the border with Southern Highlands Province, Baina Village is one of the most remote communities within the PNG LNG pipeline corridor. The village sits in a lowland river basin environment, accessible only by air and river transport.

Baina is estimated to be 97 kilometres from key centres, Moro or Mendi in Southern Highlands Province, and 78 Kilometres to inland Kikori Station. With no road access, travel into the area depends heavily on dinghies, making the delivery of basic services both difficult and costly.

Baina Village is home to more than 4,000 people spread across four hamlets in Segment 6 of the PNG LNG project area. Like many riverine communities, its isolation has significantly impacted access to essential services, particularly education.

Click the link to read more: https://mrdc.com.pg/new-education-facilities-to-improve-learning-in-remote-baina-community/