Member Country Report of Papua New Guinea - CCOP

CCOP-46AS/3-10COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR GEOSCIENCE PROGRAMMESIN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CCOP)46 th CCOP Annual Session18-23 October 2009Vungtau, VietnamMember Country ReportofPapua New GuineaSubmitted byJohn ArumbaDirector, Geohazards Management DivisionDepartment of Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management(For Agenda Item 3)

COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR GEOSCIENCE PROGRAMMESIN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CCOP)CCOP Building, 75/10 Rama VI Road, Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandTel: +66 (0) 2644 5468, Fax: +66 (0) 2644 5429, E-mail: ccopts@ccop.or.th, Website: www.ccop.or.thANNUAL MEMBER COUNTRY REPORTCountry: PAPUA NEW GUINEA Period: 1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009GEO-RESOURCES SECTOR1. MINERAL PROGRAMME1.1. SummaryThe year has been a time for re-building of the Geological Survey of Papua NewGuinea after some years of relative inactivity. Key to the re-building is the recruitment ofwell-qualified geologists and the re-organizing of the technical library and of rock and coreholdings. No major activities have been completed during the year.1.2. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesMRA is compiling 1:100,000-scale geological maps and explanatory notes based onexisting data; the maps and notes will be made available on the MRA website. The maps arean interim product and will be updated from time to time. The objective of the maps is tomake unpublished information readily available with a view to encouraging mineral andpetroleum exploration and geological research. Fifty maps are targeted; the first wascompleted in the current year and others will follow at an expected rate of 4-6 per year,depending on availability of geologists and cartographers.MRA is systematically gathering magnetic susceptibility and radiometric data onrocks from around PNG. The first surveys have focused on known mineralized areas. Theaim is to develop a nation-wide spread of data. The data can be used to enhance theinterpretation of magnetic and radiometric survey data.Papua New Guinea as a mining State, contributed 64 % of its GDP export, fromminerals (from Bank of PNG Quarterly Report, Dec. 2008). Papua New Guinea is ranked inthe top 10 destinations for mineral exploration and development (Raw Materials Groupsurvey, Sweden, 2008). The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) continues its mandatedfunction by regulating the mining industry in PNG and make readily available information ongeology, exploration, tenements and mining to investors.There is significant interested by foreign companies for Exploration Licenses (EL).The Mining Advisory Council (MAC) meets monthly to deliberate on several applicationsand renewals.As at August 2009, the Exploration Licenses stood at;• 242 current licenses; inclusive of the 74 offshore licenses• 67 licenses under renewal; inclusive of 26 offshore licenses• 94 new applications; inclusive of 21 offshore licensesAlmost 40% of the tenements granted and under application are for exploration of thesea floors; in the Bismarck Sea to the north, and the Solomon Sea to the south of PNGrespectively.Papua New Guinea maintains the number of producing mines at 6; Ok Tedi mine isproducing copper, gold and silver; Porgera, Simberi & Tolukuma mines are producing goldCCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1

and silver; and Lihir & Sinivit are producing only gold. Kainantu Mine (the 7 th mine) ownedby Barrick is under “Care and Maintenance”, because the resources been depleted andexploration would need to confirm and increase resources for further mining operations.Two new mines are under construction; Hidden Valley gold silver project owned byHarmony Gold Ltd and Newcrest Mining Ltd Joint Venture; and the Ramu Nickel Cobaltproject operated by China Metallurgy Company (MCC) Ltd.The construction of the mine at Hidden Valley is completed and undergoing tests; andwill be ready for production in the last quarter (November) of 2009. The mine is forecast toproduce 300,000oz of gold and 100,000t of silver.The resource at Ramu is estimated at 143 million tonnes at 1.01% nickel and 0.10%cobalt of which around 50% has been converted to reserve status. This gives a mine life inexcess of 20 years based on projected annual production of 33,000 tonnes of nickel and 3,280tonnes of cobalt contained in a high grade intermediate product. Production is expected in2010.Production Statistics 2008PNG Gold, Silver and Copper Production 2008MINE GOLD (Oz) Silver (Oz) Copper (t)Kainantu - - -Lihir 882,000.00 60,643.99 -OK Tedi 515,400.00 - 159,700.00Porgera 632,542.77 90,859.45 -Simberi 51,541.22 316,208.17 -Sinivit 6,902.80 876.00 -Tolukuma 39,889.41 122,007.08-TOTAL 2,128,276.20 590,594.69 159,700.00No major activities have been completed during the year.The major ongoing activities are the remapping of the geology and geochemistry ofthe Central Highlands of PNG at 100K scale. The project is funded by EU.1.3. Proposed Future ActivitiesMRA will continue to scan into digital format all of the 12,000 items held in theGeological Survey Library and to store these data systematically and make them readilyavailable to clients (exploration companies & researchers) on the MRA website.MRA will soon construct and fit out a rock and core storage shed and associatedlaboratories. All rock and core collections help in temporary storage will be shifted into thenew facility once completed.Other tasks to commence in 2009-2010 are :• edge-matching of existing geological map sheets to produce a seamless geologicalmap of Papua New Guinea, and• resolve issues of stratigraphic nomenclature that will arise as geological mappingaimed at edge-matching proceeds.These two tasks have seed funding from the World Bank Technical AssistanceProgramme.2 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

MRA will closely monitor three new advanced projects. They are the Sowara 1Project, Yanderra Project and Frieda Project.Nautilus Minerals Ltd owner of Solwara 1 Project completed its final stage 1feasibility studies in 2008 and lodged an application for a mining lease to mine gold, copperand silver at 1500 m of the Bismarck Ocean Floor.Marengo Ltd on the other hand had completed its Definitive Feasibility Studies (DFS)and will commence feasibility studies on its Yandera copper project.Xstrata Ltd is in the process of finishing its scoping and pre-feasibility studies on theFrieda Copper project.There are also a number of advance prospects in various stages of evaluation whichincludes; Wafi Golpu (Au, Cu) in Morobe Province, Mt. Kare (Au) in Enga Province, andWoodlark (Cu, Au) in Milne Bay Province.1.4. Assistance Required from CCOP/Other Member Countries in Support ofFuture ActivitiesDigital storage and accessibility on website of geological library data and ofgeological rock and core storage data is a topical issue for Papua New Guinea and for othernations. It may be useful to convene a workshop that investigates and reveals the variety ofoptions in these areas, and that leads to the provision of technical assistance to the MemberCountries.PNG may be a pioneering country in the region in off-shore mineral exploration andmining. PNG would like to invite CCOP, Member Countries, Co-operating Countries andOrganizations to assist with developing an off-shore mining policy. Currently there existsnone.1.5. Assistance Offered to CCOP/Other Member Countries in Support of FutureActivitiesThe University of Papua New Guinea is well-placed to offer training and assistance toother CCOP Member Countries. Such a programme might be attractive to Indonesia, theneighbour country that shares a common on-land boundary and similar geology. A two-wayexchange of assistance, training and expertise between Indonesia and Papua New Guineawould be beneficial to both countries. Such a programme could be extended into other fieldssuch as disaster research, preparedness and awareness.Programme Contact Person:Until 10 December 2009:Prof. Hugh Davies, PO Box 414, University NCD, Papua New Guinea; hdavies@upng.ac.pgAfter 10 December 2009:Mr. Len Cranfield, Executive Manager, Geological Survey Division, Mineral ResourcesAuthority, PO Box 1906, Port MoresbyMr. Arnold Lakamanga, Manager Information & Marketing, Geological Survey Division,Mineral Resources Authority, P.O. Box 1906, Port Moresby2. PETROLEUM PROGRAMME2.1. SummaryAs at the end of the year, 2008, the Division regulated 51 petroleum prospectinglicences, 6 petroleum development licences, 3 pipeline licences, 11 petroleum retentionCCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 3

licences and a sole petroleum processing facility licence during the reporting year. Elevennew licences were awarded, two within the Cape Vogel Basin, four within the North NewGuinea Basin and five in the Papuan Basin. Eight licences are operating within the NorthNew Guinea Basin, three in the Cape Vogel Basin and the remaining licences are operatingwithin the Papuan Basin.This year saw an increase in some petroleum exploration activities particularly in theacquisition of geological and geophysical surveys, airborne gravity and magnetic surveys,compared to the previous year. Also, there was an increase in the number of exploration wellsdrilled this year compared to the past year. Four wildcat exploration wells were drilledincluding two conclusive sidetracks. They were the Puk Puk 1 and Elk 4A wells drilled in theForeland area, and the Cobra 1A ST3 and the North West Paua 1A ST3 wells located in theFold belt. The North West Paua 1A ST3 well was water-wet, while Cobra 1A ST3, Puk Puk 1and Elk 4 well had hydrocarbon shows. A re-entry was carried out at Stanley 1 well, whichwas drilled by Santos in early 1999. The new operator, Horizon Oil, re-entered and flowtestedthe well for gas commercialization purposes in the near future. Two field appraisalwells were drilled, IDT 1 and IHT 2. The former well was successfully completed as aproducer. The latter well was problematic with the loss of tools down hole, but eventualretrieval resulted in a new workover program that saw to the completion of the well at a muchlater date. Four field development wells, UDT 8, UDT 9 & UDT 10 and Moran 14A weredrilled, respectively, in the Usano Block of the Kutubu Project and in PDL 5 of the MoranProject within the Papuan Fold belt.In 2008, the Kutubu field’s oil production averaged 14,825 BOPD, whilst the Moranoil field averaged 15,143 BOPD and the Gobe fields averaged 7,382 BOPD. The North WestMoran EPT produced 870,693 BBLs of oil. The Hides gas field produced about 5.236 BCFof gas in 2008.The Petroleum Division continued its role as the regulator, promoter and monitoringagent of the State for the petroleum industry. The Division ensured that all exploration,development and production activities were carried out within the provisions of the Oil andGas Act of 1998 and Oil and Gas Regulations of 2002.2.2. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesFor new activities started during the year briefly outline objectives, methods to beused, locations, intended duration etc: review of new exploration license applications andextension of existing license applications. The aims of these activities are to keep exploringfor hydrocarbons to underpin various proposed petroleum projects in the country. Thereviews should ideally take a month as stipulated in the Act.For activities completed during the year briefly summarize main results and anyfollow-up intended: as mentioned above.Ongoing activities: as mentioned below as ongoing field activities.2.3. Proposed Future Activities• Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas (PNG LNG) Project: Applications forproduction, pipeline and plant facility licenses have been submitted to the State andthey are under review by the Petroleum Division as we speak. Gaffney Cline &Associates (subsurface) and Granherne Ltd (surface) have been engaged to assist theState in reviewing the various applications according to the Oil and Gas Act of PNG.The Environment Impact Statement (E.I.S) for the Project has been signed inprinciple. Exxon Mobile is the main operator of the project.4 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• A second LNG project by Inter Oil Ltd is yet to sign a Gas Agreement with the Stateto kick-start the project• A third likely project is the Gas Condensate Stripping with gas injection by HorizonOil Ltd. A project agreement with the State on this is again yet to be signed.• Ongoing field operations and exploration monitoring of the petroleum industry inPNG. These include planned data acquisition, drilling and various feasibility andmarket studies in existing permits and as proposed in applications yet to be grantedby the Minister for Petroleum and Energy.2.4. Assistance Required from CCOP/Other Member Countries in Support ofFuture ActivitiesPapua New Guinea would appreciate any assistance, advice or information fromCCOP TS or from other CCOP Member or Cooperating Countries in downstream gasprocessing and related activities with respect to the LNG Business. The petroleum industrywould welcome any form of assistance in promoting, regulating (administering/enforcementof PNG’s Oil and Gas Act and Regulations) and monitoring the exploration for anddevelopment of the country’s petroleum resources.2.5. Assistance Offered to CCOP/Other Member Countries in Support of FutureActivitiesPNG can share its experiences in the development of the Petroleum Industry over theyears with other CCOP/Other member countries with respect to monitoring, regulating,promoting and enforcing our laws as an Independent State. The licensing system in PNG is aConcessionary Fiscal System unlike in Indonesia and Malaysia where they have a ProductionSharing System. We would appreciate any information on the production sharing system tosee if it can be used here in PNG.2.6. Other CommentsWe would appreciate if dissemination of information is conveyed in a timely mannerin future for ease of preparation/planning purposes on CCOP Programs. In Papua NewGuinea, we have separate entities for the Mineral and Petroleum Industries and informationshould be channeled, not only to CCOP representatives in country but to key personnelwithin these organizations also.Programme Contact Person:Mr. Francis Lola, Director, Petroleum Division, PH/FX: 675 3224 200/ 675 3224 222Email: francis _ lola@petroleum.gov.pgMs. Larissa Solomon-Nombe, Assistant Director, Exploration, PH/FX : as above,Email: larissa _ solomon@petroleum.gov.pgMr. Cletus Bomai, Acting Assistant Director, Engineering, PH/FX: as above,Email: cletus _ bomai@petroleum.gov.pg3. ENERGY PROGRAMMENo report.CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 5

4. GROUNDWATER PROGRAMME4.1. SummaryThe Project on “Groundwater Assessment & Control in the CCOP Region”commenced in 2005 and ended 2008. The aim of this project was to evaluate groundwaterresources and environment through monitoring. The main project consisted of 3 componentswhich were carried out separately. The 3 project components are; 1) GroundwaterEnvironment and Management in the Urban Coastal Area, (2) Groundwater and LandSubsidence Monitoring and (3) Groundwater Evaluation Using Monitoring System.PNG participated in the 1 st component but later the subject was changed to Laws &Regulations on water resources, environment and management.4.2. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesPNG was not invited in the 2008 final project meeting to review the project inToyama, Japan, however; the project successfully compared the history of laws related towater resources and environment from each member country in the sub- group. Its mainobjective was to compare and use experience gained in other member countries to assist eachcountry to enact laws concerning water resources and environment so to avoid destruction.PNG’s example: Contamination of the Angabanga River system from tailings dumpedby Tolukuma Gold Mine could have been avoided if laws governing water resources andenvironment were overhauled and tightened.4.3. Proposed Future ActivitiesUnder Phase I of the project, PNG requested technical co-operation for the study ofsaline water intrusion problem with Lae city groundwater supply. This was not pursuedfurther as the subtopic was changed to laws and regulations.Phase II of the same project will commence soon after the first meeting is held (1 st to2 nd October, 2009, Bangkok, Thailand) where the contents and topics for the projects will beselected and grouped.4.4. Assistance Required from CCOP in Support of Future ActivitiesTechnical assistance requested from CCOP :1. Study on saline water intrusion of the Lae city groundwater basin.2. Baseline study on surface and groundwater quality in all watershed areas that arelikely to be affected by the newly established mines in PNG.3. Technical assistance required in terms of experts assisting smaller member CCOPcountries and training (in-house and practical work attachments) by leadingcountries (Japan, Korea and China).4.5. Assistance Offered to CCOP/Other Member Countries in Support of FutureActivitiesNo Report.4.6. Other CommentsPNG’s specific problem areas:1. Training of hydrogeologist in pumping test analysis and interpretation usingmodern advanced techniques.2. Groundwater resource or aquifer modeling.3. Groundwater quality baseline survey methods and practices.6 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Programme Contact Person:Simon EgaraSenior HydrogeologistMineral Resources AuthorityP. O. Box 1906Port Miresbt 121, NCDPapua New GuineaPh : (675) 321 3511Fax : (675) 320 0491Email : segara@mra.gov.pgGabriel KunaManager GeotechnicalMineral Resources AuthorityP. O. Box 1906Port Miresbt 121, NCDPapua New GuineaPh : (675) 321 3511Fax : (675) 320 0491Email : gkuna@mra.gov.pg5. COASTAL ZONE PROGRAMMEGEO-ENVIRONMENT SECTORIn 1999 a coast plan report titled “Geology and Natural Hazards of Lae city andsurroundings, Papua New Guinea” was produced. It was a joint project undertaken by CCOPTS, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Government and the Department ofMineral Resources of Papua New Guinea. Since then no coastal zone studies have beundertaken.Nothing to report for 2008-2009.Programme Contact Person:Jack AbrahamsAssistant Director, DMPGMEngineering Geology BranchGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail BagPort Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaEmail: jack_abrahams@mineral.gov.pg6. GEO-HAZARDS PROGRAMME6.1. SummaryJohn ArumbaDirector, DMPGMGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail BagPort Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax (675) 321 5893Email: john_arumba@mineral.gov.pgThe Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management (DMPGM) is newand emanated from the former Department of Mining and is responsible for (1) formulatingpolicies related to mining/ exploration and (2) monitoring of geohazard activities in PNG andthe region. The latter responsibility of DMPGM will be discussed further here. WithinDMPGM a Division called Geohazards Management was created and its role is to monitorand assess geological hazards, like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides and masserosion events, in PNG and the region. The Division provides advice on the mitigationmeasures to relevant authorities and communities and where possible it provides earlywarnings of the effects of these hazards. Through applied research the Division aims toimprove the capabilities to monitor, assess and where possible predict geological hazards inPNG. The Division comprises three Branches; the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, PortMoresby Geophysical Observatory and the Engineering Geology Branch and they areresponsible for the monitoring of volcanoes, earthquakes/ tsunamis and landslides/ masserosions in PNG respectively.CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 7

6.2. Volcanic Hazards6.2.1. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesNo new activities were started and no activities were completed during the reportingperiod. The annual review covers only the ongoing activities undertaken for the period 2008 -2009 by the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory Branch.Volcanic ActivitiesThe monitored volcanoes of Papua New Guinea were generally quiet in 2008, withthe exception of the Tavurvur volcano.Ulawun and the Manam volcanoes remained generally quiet throughout 2008.Ulawun changed its quiet status of activity with the commencement and continuation of highfrequency volcano-tectonic earthquakes from about March onwards and Manam showedsome signs of renewed activity from occasional night glows from the two summit cratersduring the last few months of the year.Figure 1. Ulawun volcano taken from the southeast side of the volcano.Note the moderate volumes of white vapour emitted from the summit crater.Bagana, considered as the most active volcano in Papua New Guinea due to its subcontinuouseffusive activity, continued to erupt effusively in 2009. The effusive emissions oflava from the summit crater rolled down the western flanks of the volcano. The volume oflava was too insignificant to cause any alarm.Tavurvur, one of the two volcanoes that erupted at Rabaul in September 1994, eruptedthroughout 2008. The level of eruption was relatively mild during the first half of the year,but this changed during the second half when the mode of eruption changed from sporadicash emissions occurring at long intervals to almost sub-continuous emissions. Between Julyand October/November southeast winds blew the ash-rich plumes towards Rabaul Town andthe surrounding areas and deposited significant volumes of ash and affected the everydaylivelihood of people and gave rise to the emergence of health-related issues. The ash depositsturned into mudflows as soon as rain began to fall in October and severely affected the entiretown of Rabaul and the surrounding areas.The eruption also affected the domestic aviation industry when ash-rich plumesfrequented the air space of the flight path and deposited considerable amounts of ash on therunway. A flight service to the only main airport that serves East New Britain Province wasdisrupted, severely affecting the traveling public.8 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Monitoring ActivitiesRVO persevered to maintain its monitoring equipment at Rabaul and the selectedhigh-risk volcanoes including Ulawun, Manam, Lamington and Pago.The seismic monitoring network at Rabaul was maintained at a reasonable level. Acouple of stations which had been off from the start of 2008 were restored. The tide gaugenetwork consisting of three stations was partially restored after a long period of inactivity. Anupgrade of the real-time Global Positioning System (GPS) of four stations for deformationmeasurements began during the last quarter of the year. By the end of the year three of thestations were restored but two continued to have problems. The work continued in 2009.Figure 2. VIS monitoring station. The station has seismic, GPS and electronic tilt equipment.The tall mast in the centre is holding the GPS wifi antenna for transmitting GPS data to SPT repeaterstation. The two yagi antennas are for the seismic (long antenna) and electronic tilt (short) data.The monitoring stations at Ulawun, Pago, Garbuna, Manam and Lamington,consisting of single seismic stations operated below satisfactory levels, mainly due totechnical problems associated with power problems, lack of parts etc. At some places likeUlawun, local recordings are done on site but data transmission to RVO could not occur dueto faults in some of the system components. Despite these shortfalls, daily reporting ofvolcanic information by the volcano observers, which also included Bagana, using HF voiceradios are maintained at a satisfactory level.Special Projects/ProgramsDiscussions and the compilation of a document commenced on a proposed new 4-yearAusAID-funded Geoscience Australia-RVO Twining Program following the cessation of asimilar existing program in mid-2009.RVO participated in a series of consultative review meetings on AusAID’s‘Framework for Australian Assistance to Disaster Management in Papua New Guinea 2003-2008’ to determine its strengths, weaknesses, impacts and lessons learned, in anticipation fordrawing up a new program, the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Program.An air quality study for Rabaul town was conducted in 2008 (World HealthOrganisation) to study and determine the health related effects of volcanic ash and gasreleased by the ongoing Tavurvur on the population of Rabaul Town. A report stating theresults of the study was produced and distributed through the PNG WHO Office in PortMoresby. In a nut shell, the study found that the volcanic ash was not particularly poisonoushowever it has the potential to affect the respiratory system of people from prolongedexposure. Volcanic gas, and especially sulphur dioxide, was present and its effect on peopleCCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 9

depended on the amount of the gas released. During the study period measurements showedsome areas received gas levels which were above world standard acceptable levels. It statedthat certain groups of people like those who have asthma, are more vulnerable to theseproducts than others. Monitoring of the sulphur dioxide has since been continued.Work commenced on the construction and installation of a seismic station for theAustralian Tsunami Warning System at RVO. The establishment of the station resulted fromthe Boxing Day December 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The work was conducted byTechnical Officers from Geoscience Australia, with able assistance provided by TechnicalOfficers from RVO. The work was carried over into 2009.Provision of Technical InformationRVO commenced compilation of three short reports. The reports were titled:• Relocation of Manam Islanders back to Manam Island; comments from the RabaulVolcanological Observatory.• Relocation of Nonga Hospital to Baliora, Kokopo, East New Britain Province; Acomparative Assessment of sites by the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory.• Aerodrome assessment from volcanic ash perspective.RVO also provided additional volcano-related technical advice and information torelevant civil authorities and other concerned parties. This included volcanic updates and feltearthquake information recorded within a 250 km radius zone of the Rabaul Harbour SeismicNetwork. Earthquake monitoring and reporting is the responsibility of the Port MoresbyGeophysical Observatory (PMGO), however, RVO provided this service on goodwill basis.Community/Public EducationCommunity and public education on volcano and other geological hazards likeearthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc., continued to feature strongly in RVO’s 2008activities. These activities were focused in Rabaul area with visitations to RVO by a widerange of visitor background, including educational institutions. Posters and leaflets weregiven to the visitors.Similar activities in communities of the other high-risk volcanoes were restricted byfunding.6.2.2. Proposed Future ActivitiesFuture activities for RVO will be guided by the mandatory responsibilities of theobservatory and the overall 5-year strategic plan for the Department of Mineral Policy andGeohazards Management.Some planned specific activities include the following:• Continue to restore and upgrade monitoring equipment at Rabaul and the other highriskvolcanoes.• Upgrade data transmission mechanisms from the remote high-risk volcanoes to RVOat Rabaul. The current system uses modem-configured HF radios. Upgrade of thissystem is year-marked for the next two years; however, there are plans to phase thisout with VSAT systems. The outcome of this will depend on funding.• Improve power supply systems for volcano monitoring at selected high-risk volcanoesincluding Ulawun and Lamington with the installation of solar farms.• Relocation of the Volcano Observatory to a new location and fitted with a state of theart volcano monitoring system.10 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

6.2.3. Assistance Required from CCOP/Other Member Countries in Supportof Future ActivitiesRVO receives its core operational funding from its mother department, theDepartment of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management, however, it has also benefitedimmensely through aid funding from the Australian Government through its international aidagency, AusAID.With donor funding RVO was able to achieve the following:• improve the monitoring systems at Rabaul and selected high-risk volcanoes,• upgrade the GPS network,• upgrade the modem-configured HF radios for transmission of volcanic data from theremote high-risk volcanoes to RVO.However, there is still more to be done and RVO certainly would welcome anyassistance with funding and technical experts of the proposed activities outlined in (5.2.2)from CCOP, Co-operating Agencies/ Countries and Member Countries.6.2.4. Assistance offered to CCOP in Support of Future ActivitiesInformation on volcanos in Papua New Guinea was provided to CCOP for the CCOPBOOK PROJECT 2009: “GEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS OF EAST AND SOUTHEASTASIA”.6.2.5. Other CommentsThe main issues that affect the work of RVO are lack of sustained timely funding andmanpower in some of its key sections. For example, restoration of some of the monitoringequipment at other high-risk volcanoes dragged on due to lack of qualified technical staff inthe Electronics Section. Lack of adequate funding and properly skilled personal are majorsetbacks.Programme Contact Person:Ima ItikaraiAssistant Director, DMPGMRabaul Volcanological Observatory BranchGeohazards Management DivisionP.O.Box 386, Rabaul, ENBPPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 982 1696Fax: (675) 982 1004Email: hguria@global.net.pgJohn ArumbaDirector, DMPGMGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail BagPort Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax (675) 321 5893Email: john_arumba@mineral.gov.pg6.3. Earthquake/ Tsunami Hazards6.3.1. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesThe one year to date was quiet except for a magnitude 7 earthquake in theneighbouring Indonesian Province of Papua, Biak Island on January 3 rd 2008. Within thePNG region 16 earthquakes of magnitude 6 and 221 of magnitude 5 occurred in the periodJanuary 2008 to 09 August 2009. A total of 1595 earthquakes of magnitude 3.4 and aboutoccurred during the period. From these earthquakes no tsunamis were generated.Apart from the routine monitoring of seismic activity, work on the EU funded (EDF9)replacement of seismic network is continuing with the formulation of tender documents,spearheaded by Geoscience Australia. The project commenced in January 2008 and has adeadline of four years to December 2011.CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 11

6.3.2. Proposed Future ActivitiesSeek counterpart funding from PNG Government to compliment the proposedSeismic Network referred to above and to rehabilitate the PMGO Office and Seismic Stationset up in Port Moresby. Submission for these requests is in train at the time of reporting.6.3.3. Assistance Required from CCOP of Future ActivitiesFunding is and will be a major constraint, therefore additional funding is required foroperational expenses in training of staff with the relevant software (and hardware)applications and tools, and as well as the maintenance of network components and facilities.6.3.4. Assistance offered to CCOP in Support of Future ActivitiesAnnual membership fees/contributions6.3.5. Other CommentsPNG has been a long-time member of CCOP and would encourage continuingcollaboration in projects that would be of benefit to PNG and the region. To meet thedepartmental vision 2009-2015, a state-of-the-art communication system is to be deployedboth for data transmission to PMGO from seismic stations and for information dissemination.The system has to be compatible with the seismic network hardware and software to beprocured and deployed nation-wide in the next two years. For this, initial costs are to besought from potential donors. There will be counterpart funding sourced as well.Program Contact Person:Chris MckeeAssistant Director, DMPGMPOM Geophysical Observatory BranchGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 4500Fax (675) 321 3976Email: pmgo@daltron,.com.pgJohn ArumbaDirector, DMPGMGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax (675) 321 5893Email: john_arumba@mineral.gov.pg6.4. Landslide Hazards6.4.1. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesNo activities were completed and no new ones were started during the reportingperiod. The annual review covers only the ongoing activities undertaken for the period 2008 -2009 by the Engineering Geology Branch.The Engineering Geology Branch commenced operation in the beginning of 2009 andnot much has really happened.However, strategic mapping and assessment of landslide affected areas has been apriority task of the branch. Early in the year a big portion of the main Highlands Highwaylinking the coast to the inland areas failed due to an unusually high rainfall. The landslidewas mapped and assessed and a report was produced for relevant government agencies totake corrective measures. Since then normalcy has been restored on the highway.Library search on all previously reported landslides is ongoing.Presently there is no data base and a landslide map covering all of PNG on any scaletherefore the branch aims to create a landslide data base and produce a landslide map at asmaller scale (1: 250,000)12 CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The landslide hazard maps will have to be developed over time as the scale isincreased and for particular developments that take place.This is our major activity and we will require funding and professional help to achieveour vision.Risk assessment of landslides will be done after the landslide hazard map is produced.It will also be limited to areas where actual investment or infrastructural development istaking place.6.4.2. Proposed Future ActivitiesBesides carrying out landslides investigations the branch is also embarking on thefollowing activities:• Have a user friendly data base for landslides. Currently there is none.• Carry out landslide mapping by using remote sensing methods.• Purchase new equipment for the laboratory for rock and soil tests.• Develop landslide hazard maps.• Carry out studies on the Engineering Geology of towns in PNG.6.4.3. Assistance Required from CCOP of Future ActivitiesAssistance from CCOP TS will be required in the areas of;1. Creation of a Landslide Data Base and provision of technical expertise2. Provide training in Remote Sensing to aid in landslide mapping.6.4.4. Assistance offered to CCOP in Support of Future ActivitiesNo report.6.4.5. Other CommentsAny assistance in the areas mentioned above will be highly appreciated.Programme Contact Person:Jack AbrahamsAssistant Director, DMPGMEngineering Geology BranchGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax: (675) 321589Email: jack_abrahams@mineral.gov.pgJohn ArumbaDirector, DMPGMGeohazards Management DivisionDMPGMPrivate Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax (675) 321 5893Email: john_arumba@mineral.gov.7. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY PROGRAMMENo Report.CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 13

GEO-INFORMATION SECTOR8. GEO-DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME8.1. SummaryThe Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) has the overall custodianship of managingall of PNG’s data pertaining to mineral exploration, mining, tenements registration, geologyand geophysics is held and managed by the Mineral Resources Authority.All data concerning the petroleum and gas sector is managed by the Department ofPetroleum and Energy (DPE).The Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management (DMPGM) hasresponsibility over data relating to geohazards. Being a relatively new department, DMPGMdoes not have a properly set up database system. However, it is on the drawing board todevelop one so that the immense accumulation of geohazards data over the years and those tocome from future activities are properly managed.8.2. Annual Review of Individual Technical ActivitiesNo Report.8.3. Proposed Future ActivitiesAlthough MRA has a Database system there is still need for a user friendly system.The current Explorer 3 system and the Geological Mineral Resource Information Systemrequire prior training before using it. A simpler system is preferred whereby search can bedone simply with a word or words to bring out the data required. Upon installation of thissystem digitizing and storage of any data or metadata can commence.DMPGM has volumes of information which needs proper archiving and storage andin tandem explore on the options of developing a database on geo-hazards.8.4. Assistance Required from CCOP/ Other Member Countries in Support ofFuture Activities• Assistance with developing databases for geo-hazards and geo-resources is critical inorder for PNG to be on par with the rest of the CCOP member countries and the region.• Capacity building and up-skilling staff in remote sensing.• Acquisition of satellite images covering entire country. Satellite images will be useful inmonitoring changing environment around mines and project sites, assessing plumage inwaters and seas and for use in infrastructural developments.Programme Contact Person:Arnold LakamangaManager Information & MarketingMineral Resources AuthorityP.O. Box 1906Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPhone No.: (675) 321 3511Fax No.: (675) 320 0579Email: alakamanga@mra.gov.pgJohn ArumbaDirector, DMPGMGeohazards Management DivisionPrivate Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCDPapua New GuineaPh: (675) 321 5888Fax (675) 321 5893Email: john_arumba@mineral.gov.pg14CCOP Member Country Report: PAPUA NEW GUINEA