A nine-member delegation from the Morobe Provincial Government returned to Lae on Friday, June 12, following a critical five-day official visit to Ok Tedi Mining Limited (Ok Tedi) aimed at preparing the province for the upcoming Wafi-Golpu mine project.
Led by Deputy Governor Andrew Tera, the group departed on Monday, June 8, for what officials described as a vital benchmarking exercise.
The high-level party included key provincial executive chairmen for mining, energy, and agriculture, alongside local level government presidents and key landowning representatives from the Yanta, Hengembu, and Babuaf communities of Special Mining Lease (SML) 10 area.
Speaking ahead of the departure, Governor Rainbo Paita emphasized that the visit would hold considerable value for Morobe’s broader strategy regarding its natural resources, with lessons stretching across infrastructure sectors like roads, power, communication, and transport.
He noted that the journey was designed to give landowners a firsthand understanding of the socio-economic returns and long-term business opportunities that flow from a mature mining enterprise.
Fully funded by Ok Tedi, which provided return charter flights, accommodation, and full board, the trip was tightly curated, with each delegate selected for the specific bearing their role has on Morobe's future.
For the traveling landowners, the visit offered a unique look at what life actually looks like once a major mine takes root in a community.
By observing one of the nation’s most established operations, the delegation sought to learn from both Ok Tedi’s successes and its challenges, ensuring that Morobe meets the Wafi-Golpu project with practical knowledge rather than untested hope.
A major focus of the trip involved studying infrastructure development, specifically examining how Ok Tedi has utilized the Tax Credit Scheme to channel mining wealth into public works like schools and roads.
Ultimately, the insights gained from this week-long expedition are expected to directly inform the provincial government's strategies and negotiations as preparations for Wafi-Golpu intensify in the months ahead.
