VOLUME 17-18 One Ramu NiCo One Community

VOLUME 17-18
January-April 2011
Ramu NiCo Ready to Deliver
Mama Maria Excited Over Her New House
Ramu MoA Pre-Consultation Meeting Concluded
One Ramu NiCo
One Community

Inside This Issue:
CONTENTS
Highlights
01 Ramu Nico Ready to Deliver
02 Ramu Dstp Hearing Completed
03 Mama Maria Excited Over Her New House
04 Er Competition Observation a Worthwhile Experience
05 Ramu Moa Pre-Consultation Meeting Concluded
05 Unitech Graduate Engineers Found Job with Ramu Project
Corporate and Community Relations
06 Ramu Hope School Brings Smile to Children’s Faces
07 Basamuk Firefighters Saved Mindre Village
08 Dwu Students Impressed by Basamuk Plant
09 Usino-Bundi Schools Received Timely Support
10 Ramu Nico Saved Sick Student
11 Ramu Nico Sponsored Book Launching
11 Ramu Nico Participated in Anzac Day Commemoration
Community Development
12 Rai Coast Farmers Benefit From Ipm Training
13 Local Farmers Supply Fresh Vegetables for Ramu Nico
14 More New Accommodation for Ramu Nico Staff
HSE
15 Exotic Fish Species May Have Affected Ramu River Aquatic Ecology
16 Interview with Wayne Basson, Deputy General Manager Hse
Feature Story
17 Lem with the Heart to Serve the Project and Png
Bird's Eye View of Refinery Plant
Kouye Ramu Nico Hope School Students
The Family with Fresh Vegetables for Ramu Nico Mess
Observers at the Lae Emergency Response Event
www.ramunico.com

Highlights
Ramu Nico Ready to Deliver
Bird's Eye View of Refinery Plant
No.3 HPAL Hot Commissioning
Bird's Eye View of KBK
In a little more than two years, Ramu NiCo
has successfully constructed the multibillon
Kina Ramu Nickel Project and now
progressively commissioning it.
After obtaining necessary approvals and
finalizing technical preparations, Ramu NiCo
commenced the large scale construction
in late half of 2008. Up to now, all major
construction work at the Krumbukari mine
site and Basamuk refinery are completed and
the Project is in staged commissioning. Even
internationally, this is not a speed normally
seen in developing a Project of such a size
and against challenging geographic and
infrastructure conditions.
Some figures below can provide a sense of the
magnitude of the work completed:
•Over 4.5 million cubic meters of earth work
completed
•Nearly 195,000 cubic meters of concrete laid
•Nearly 48,000 tonnes steel structures
erected, half of which is specially engineered,
non-standard
•Over 2,000 units of equipment installed,
with a total weight of 16,000 tonnes.
•Over 227 km of supply/drainage and process
pipe laid (in addition to the 135 km slurry
pipeline)
Madam Luo Shu, Board Chairperson of Ramu
NiCo noted: “the speed and efficiency of
construction is credited to our committed and
dedicated staff - both international and local -
who has worked tirelessly to see the project
grow and succeed. These achievements are
also a credit to the host communities that
have enabled this development to happen
through their support for the Project.”
On behalf of Ramu Nickel Joint Venture,
Ramu NiCo manages the development
and construction under the international
EPC (engineering, procurement and
construction) model. Over 340 contractors
and subcontractors were employed for
engineering, procurement, and construction
o f t h e P r o j e c t . O f t h e s e , 4 4 w e r e
international contractors and 20 were local
contractors.
01
Basamuk Refinery Bird View

Highlights
Ramu Dstp Hearing Completed
The trial on the Ramu deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) matter is now closed and the decision
is scheduled to be handed down on May 23, 2011.
This follows final submissions on March 23 by the parties to the case at the National Court in
Madang presided by Justice David Cannings.
The Plaintiffs are seeking to permanently stop the DSTP system at the Ramu Project.
The trial commenced on February 9 and evidence was completed Feb 23, 2011. Following the
evidence, Justice Cannings and representatives from all parties paid a site visit on March 2. The
Court then adjourned to March 23, 2011 for final submissions.
Lawyer representing the Plaintiffs Mrs. Tiffany Nonggorr, submitted that the Environment Act
2000 does not protect an activity that might cause great environmental harm, and that there
are evidence to suggest there are great harm and huge uncertainty if the DSTP is to proceed.
Therefore the Court should grant a permanent injunction on the Ramu DSTP.
Mr. Charles Scerri Q.C. representing Ramu NiCo as the First Defendant submitted to the Court
that Ramu NiCo has statutory approvals for construction and operation of the DSTP system and
therefore the DSTP activity can not be unlawful, that as the evidence shows, there is no real risk
for damage, that the relief for injunction is pre-emptive and that it will cause substantial injustice
if a permanent injunction is granted at this stage of the project when all major components of
the project is substantially completed at a cost of about US1.3 billion dollar.
02
Mr. Davis Steven, Counsel representing the State and Dr. Wari Iamo as the Second and Third
Defendant, supported Ramu NiCo’s submissions and further submitted that the onus of proof is
on the Plaintiffs and so far their evidence does not support the allegations and there is no cause
of action.
Back in October 2010, Justice Cannings refused the Plaintiffs’ application for an interim injunction
and allowed the construction of the DSTP system to proceed. The construction of the offshore
component of the DSTP system was completed in December 2011 and two emergency storage
ponds, as part of the emergency response facilities, were completed early April 2011.
www.ramunico.com

Highlights
Mama Maria Excited Over
Her New House
Julie Gaiva With a Dance Ready to Sign
for the New House
Mrs.Kikimbe (third from left) and Others Holding
their Certificate of Ownership
Dr. James Wang Handing Over Key to
Walium District Officials
Maria Kikimbe, a mother of six from the
Gavu sub-clan of Pagazi in Kurumbukari
is a very happy woman. She now owns a
permanent home at Enekuai relocation site at
Krumbukari mine region.
Maria and her family are amongst local
landowner families at the Kurumbukari mine
site that have taken ownership of thirty brand
new accommodations on Tuesday March 8,
2011 at the Enekuai relocation site.
Maria was emotional when relating her story
about how she was previously living in a
bush material house and that now she and
others have been relocated and are now in
possession of a brand new permanent house.
“I am very happy. Words alone can not
express the innermost feelings of gratefulness
of owning a permanent home together with
my immediate family,” Maria explains.
An excited Mama Maria heaped praise on
Ramu NiCo for presenting her a new house.
Moreover, she was grateful for the Company
to assist in providing her training on how to
handle domestic items as well as purchase
other materials such as curtains, floor mat and
other accessories for the upkeep of the house.
Dr. James Wang, Chief Technical Director
of Ramu NiCo delivered the house keys to
representatives from Walium Local Level
Government to officially facilitate the delivery
of the new accommodation to the families.
The hand-over was witnessed by Madang
Governor and member for Raicoast James
Gau and his provincial executives including
his deputy, Bob Wati. District Administrator
of Walium LLG, Jimmy Sekum and his district
officials, representatives from MRA and MRDC
were also present.
When congratulating the 30 families of the
new houses, Governor Gau appealed to all
impacted landowners of Ramu NiCo Project to
support the Project.
“This mine is our hope. That’s why I support
it from the first place before I became the
governor.”
“NGOs made a lot of noise but I told them to
provide any option because we are poor and
isolated. Otherwise, we need the project and
this is our only hope,” Gau said.
He said Ramu NiCo and the upcoming
Marengo mine can change the landscape of
isolated Usino-Bundi and Raicoast electorates
and urged the people to think positively and
welcome positive developments.
Executive Vice President of Ramu NiCo, Gu
Yuxiang said the delivery of 30 new houses
was one of Ramu NiCo’s dream in fulfilling
the spirit of the Memorandum of Agreement
(MoA) and there are more benefits to come if
the mine start-up is successful.
“Thirty new houses we see today is part
of our commitment under the MoA. I am
delighted that thirty families from Nokomboi,
Maure, Pakaizi and Imuruba clan will benefit
directly from this relocation exercise,” Mr. Gu
said.
Kurumbukari Landowner Association
representative, Mr. Mapikai thanked Ramu
NiCo for bringing positive developments and
changes to the people after basic goods and
services were not available for local people
for such a long time.
He said the presence of Ramu NiCo has
brought new accommodations, affordable
water, telecommunication, roads, electricity,
transport, bridges, aid post, and education
and improved family income.
The building of the houses was arwarded
to KBK Ltd, the landowner company
representing Krumubukari landowners. The
Enekuai relocation site will also accommodate
police station, super market, and other public
facilities.
Danagari has been identified as another
relocation site where houses are currently
under construction by the landowner
company.
03

Highlights
Er Competition Observation a
Worthwhile Experience
Ramu NiCo Team at the Lae Emergency
Response Event
04
Ramu NiCo’s participation as an observer in the inaugural Emergency
Response Competition in Lae Morobe province from March 25 to 27
is a worthwhile experience that will surly bring positive impact on the
building-up of its emergency response capabilities for future operation.
Ramu NiCo is fully aware of the importance of establishing a qualified
ER team in remote mining operations like the Project itself. At current
stage, senior HSE and ER professionals have been working diligently to
establish the Emergency response capabilities required of modern and
international mining enterprises while medical clinics and fire fighting
facilities have been established and manned with qualified personnel at
both sites. However, permanent ER teams are yet to be established.
In light of the above, when receiving the invitation to participate the
event from Mr. Mohan Singh, Chief Inspector of Mines, Ramu NiCo
decided to support the event through sponsorship and also to send a
delegation to observe the practices and capabilities of the emergency
response teams of the established mines in PNG so that comparable
capabilities could be established in our operations.
Ramu NiCo team consists of seven people: Dr. James Wang (Chief
Technical Director), Brendan Cope (General Manager Kurumbakari
mine), Wayne Basson (Deputy General Manager HSE), Shawn Xiao
(Emergency Response Supervisor), Liu Bo (Emergency Response
Captain), Li Zhongshan (Firemaster Kurumbakari mine) and Wu Yanjun,
(Firemaster Basumuk refinery).
The event commenced with a welcoming event at the Lae International
Hotel on the evening of March 25 2011. Ramu NiCo team received warm
welcoming from MRA , the host MMJV and other sponsors of the event.
Rescue activities commenced in the morning of March 26 with 5
Emergency Response exercises examined to determine the competition
premier team. During the two days of competition Ramu NiCo observed
teams that were extremely well equipped and trained in preparedness
for mine emergencies. All teams demonstrated very good team work
and the spirit displayed was of the highest level.
Brendan Cope, GM KBK mine observed: “The observations over the
competition was extremely useful to us providing an understanding
for the type of situations we might encounter, the level of training
and specialist equipment which we would need to acquire in the near
future.”
Ramu NiCo team left Lae having developed new relationships and with
a comforting sense of ‘belonging’ to the PNG mining industry. This
was time and money well spent, and we will undoubtedly enjoy great
returns on this investment. We look forward to coming back next year
as a competitor.
www.ramunico.com

Highlights
Ramu Moa Pre-Consultation
Meeting Concluded
From February 11-14 2011, Ramu NiCo and stakeholders including
the four landowner associations attended the pre-consultation
meeting in Madang for the MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) review.
The four landowner associations were represented by their chairmen,
vice chairmen and other officers. Also present at the meeting
were representatives from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA),
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Mineral Resource
Development Company (MRDC), Department of Justice, Department of
Treasury, Ramu NiCo, Madang Provincial Government, LLG presidents
and Madang Governor Hon. James Gau.
Presided over by MRA, this pre-consultation was an opportunity to listen
to the four landowners’ associations’ views prior to the formal review.
Mr. Gu Yuxiang, Executive Vice President of Ramu NiCo, thanked the
participants and assured the landowners that Ramu NiCo respects and
treats the MoA as its “bible” and would do its utmost best to ensure
its commitments are fulfilled.
While appreciating the importance of MoA review, Mr. Gu reminded
the participants that the MoA review is not re-negotiation but
to review the MoA to fulfill its obligation for all stakeholders to
experience a win-win situation.
Community Affairs General Manager Martin Paining, in his address
encouraged the participants that Ramu NiCo is committed to ensuring
the spirit of MoA is fulfilled, while urging all other stakeholders in
particular the Governments to meet their respective obligations.
The landowners’ position papers covered topics including Training and
Localization, Business development grants, equity share from MRDC,
LOA operational grants, Distribution of resources to other districts,
Environment Officer at the mine site, LTC hearing, Mine closure plan,
establishment of Ramu Nickel Foundation, SEDP program, environment
development funds and others.
Unitech Graduate Engineers
Found Job with Ramu Project
05
Nineteen graduate engineers from Unitech in Lae joined Ramu NiCo
recently.
Those new employees were part of 32 students from Unitech who
received industrial trainings from June 14, 2010 till July 9, 2010 at
Ramu NiCo’s operations at Krumbukari and Basamuk. The training was
described by Unitech as the largest ever offered to students by any
mining companies in the country.
Among the nineteen, Elizabeth Gam and Jacqueline Nabuai, two
female graduate engineers, studied Applied Science while the rest
majored in various majors including Mining Engineering, Mineral
Processing & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical
Engineering, Applied Science and Applied Physics.
Four males and two female graduates are working at Kurumbukari
mine site while the rest is working at Basamuk.
New Graduate Engineers with Ramu Nico Staff

Corporate and Community Relations
Ramu Hope School Brings Smile to
Children’s Faces
06
Students at Naru Lower Elementary Hope
School with Their Teacher
The comfort of sitting in a permanent classroom to learn new things
in life for children in Naru and Kouye primary schools is indeed a
blessing.
Previously, the children took shelter in bush-material building that
served as classrooms. During those times some children are reluctant to
go to school because they often were wet during rainy days and sitting
on a bare soil was not comfortable.
Now with the construction of the new double classrooms by Ramu
NiCo, the children are so excited that they arrive early to school and
always eager to learn.
“The children are very keen and eager learners and I am pleased to say
that Ramu NiCo through its Hope School program has really boosted
the learning of the children,” said Mr Peter Adams, head teacher of the
school.
Naru Elementary Students
Mr Adams is from Daru in the Western province. Before moving to Naru
and becoming the head teacher, he was teaching at Panim Seventh Day
Adventist School.
www.ramunico.com

Basamuk Firefighters Saved
Mindre Village
quick action by Ramu NiCo firefighters based at the Basamuk refinery and Community
A Affairs officers prevented what could have been a major fire accident at Mindre village in Rai
Coast district.
On Friday, February 4, two thatched roof houses built of bush materials caught on fire, causing
alarm and panic amongst the villagers.
Quick-witted CA officer, Jacky Wang noting the emergency immediately responded with an
action plan with help from one full-time firefighter, Wang Hairong and trainee Gunelem Bilang.
A fire-fighting vehicle and firefighters were immediately dispatched to the village to spray water
in order to control the fire. Although three houses were burnt to the ground, the firefighter’s
efforts stopped the fire from spreading to other houses. More importantly, no one was injured
during the accident.
Jacky praised the firefighters for their calm, confidence and professionalism at the time of high
risk. He said the villagers also learnt from the incident that they need to be better prepared
during the case of emergency.
Five multi-functional fire fighting vehicles, two ER equipment vehicles and two ambulances are
based in Kurumbukari mine site and Basamuk respectively.
They are managed and operated by two firefighting teams consisting of two full-time fire
masters, five full-time monitors, 40 part-time firemen with security guards on duty 24
hours/7days.
07
Fire at Mindre Village

Corporate and Community Relations
Dwu Students Impressed by
Basamuk Plant
DWU Students at Madang Office Before the Trip
DWU students posing in front of DSTP mixing tank
Corp Affairs Nick (Pointing) Intriduces
Students to Basamuk Plants
08
Ten students from Divine Word University majoring in International
Relations and Journalism had an eye-opener tour to Ramu NiCo’s
Basamuk refinery on April 18.
Accompany by Nick Zuo Jianglong and Mathew Yakai from Ramu
NiCo’s Corporate Office, Didi Sharon, Jack Lapauve, Landu Lapieh,
Mel Alessandra, M’Lolu Egar, Nekints John, Pio Agatha, Takin Sr. Joan,
Liba Leontyn and Mathias Adrian boarded on Ramu NiCo’s state of the
art M.V. Carrie from Madang to Basamuk wharf, marking a life time
experience for them.
The tour was arranged through their lecturer Mr. Samuel Roth from
PNG Studies under the Liberal Arts Faculty. The students were keen to
gain first-hand knowledge about what a major development might
mean to Madang and local community.
Upon their arrival at Basamuk, the students were given a site safety
induction by the site safety trainer and taught how to put on their PPEs
(Personal Protection Equipment).
The students were then shown around some of the main components
and modern technologies used at the Project: including the 50,000 ton
wharf, the sophisticated HPAL circuit, the three units of autoclaves and
the deep sea tailing (DSTP) facilities.
After reading and hearing from mainstream media about the Project for
quite some time, the students now had an opportunity to stand right
in front of the mammoth structure and to learn about the development
concept and technologies ready to be used.
“I was thrilled by the modern facilities that were built at the site like
the wharf, probably the biggest in the country and this is not known to
everyone,” Adrian Mathias fourth year Journalism student said.
“To come and see what’s happening and listening to first hand
information from one of the personnel of the company itself is to
hear and see the truth of what’s the progress of the mine so far at this
stage,” another student Sr. Joan said.
Sr. Joan suggested that that more information on the project should
be given out and more trips arranged to ensure people know the facts
about the project.
“I believe this a the kind of information the people would like to hear
and maybe allow another trip again for the students in this way we are
deepening our knowledge more by seeing rather than in theory only,”
she said.
“This visit for me was a turning point for the perceptions that I hold
towards the developer (Chinese) as most of them do not speak English
and working and communicating with them would be very difficult
but I was so surprised to learn that a good number of them can speak
English,” another student commented.
All students expressed general satisfaction that their visit has helped
them to better understand the Ramu Project and its impact to the
province and the nation.
www.ramunico.com

Usino-Bundi Schools Received
Timely Support
Maximum functionality in the education system, especially in elementary and secondary
schools in PNG are often restrained by the lack of resources, such as proper classrooms,
good teachers’ houses, regular provision of learning aids and the list goes on.
Despite various difficulties, many teachers are doing their best to provide students with
education, in order to instill knowledge and sustain the future generation of this country.
Ramu NiCo joins development partners such as churches and NGOs to provide assistance to local
schools to alleviate their common predicament. With this commitment Ramu NiCo has assisted
several schools in the Raicoast District, Usino-Bundi District and other parts of Madang Province.
Kouye Elementary School Happy in Front
of Their Ramu Nico Built Classroom
Tuesday Feb 8 was the first week of the 2011 academic year. Led a group of CA staff from
Kurumbukari mine, CA officer Jericho Pan made several trips to Bantik Elementary School, Kouyu
Elementary School and Naru Elementary School in Usino, donated 100 exercise books, 100
pencils, one rugby ball and a soccer ball.
Mr. Russell Lengine, head teacher of Naru Elementary School, thanked Ramu NiCo for the
donation and assured the company that the help will go a long way in helping the school and
students. More than 500 students are expected to benefit from this donation.
09
Kouyu Elementary Hope School Students With Gifts From Ramu Nico

Corporate and Community Relations
Ramu Nico Saved Sick Student
10
Thumps Up for Dinus Recovering From Her Illness
Twelve-year old Dinus Mou, a grade 7 student at Gawa primary school in Rai Coast will for a
long time in her life regard Ramu Project a ‘divine intervention’.
This girl of tender age also sees two employees of Ramu NiCo, George Wang and Jacky Wang
‘angels of kindness, love and compassion’’
Dinus who comes from Ganglau village close to the Ramu NiCo refinery was diagnosed with
hemoglobin after she developed a swollen spleen from malaria which is prevalent in the area.
Her father Mou Bilang was left with little choice but to seek Ramu NiCo’s assistance.
On January 25 2011, George Wang and Jacky Wang, two CA officers at Basamuk, upon learning
of the situation made a donation of K500 and food items worth K400 on behalf of Ramu NiCo
and later rushed Dinus to Modilon General Hospital in Madang.
Later, George Wang and Jacky Wang visited Dinus at her Ganglau village and wish her a good
recovery and study hard for a brighter future.
“We hope that you will study hard, enter a university and later join Ramu NiCo Project to help
the project in the long run,” Mr. George Wang said.
www.ramunico.com

Corporate and Community Relations
Ramu Nico Sponsored
Book Launching
Ramu NiCo displayed its true spirit of community support when it
kindly sponsored the launching of a novel by a lecturer from the
Divine Word University in Madang.
Mr. Papiali, a lecturer in Information Technology (IT) took five years to
write his novel, “Rungi Si: Trapped In the Three Worlds.” The book
explores a village youth who grew up in the highlands of PNG and
struggles through formal education to face today’s modern world.
Mr. Marape congratulated Mr. Papiali for writing the book and
also encouraged more Papua New Guineans to write more on the
uniqueness of the country.
Madang Governor, James Gau and other provincial leaders were present
to witness the launching.
Mr Papiali is originally from Erave in the Southern Highlands Province.
He had been an academic for eight years and holds a masters degree in
computing. He has been writing computer related publication for staff
and students over the past years.
“On behalf of Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited staff and
management, I would like to convey our congratulations for the new
book,” Gu Yuxiang, Executive Vice President said.
Clark He Langge with the Community Affairs presented K1,000 to Silas
Matoli, the organizing committee member on Feb 19.
The book was officially launched by the Minister for Education, James
Marape at Madang Country Club on Feb 19 before the invited business
communities, national and provincial leaders, Madang community and
students.
Ramu Nico Staff, Clark Presents K1000.
Sponsorship to Silas Matoli, Organiser
11
Ramu Nico Participated in Anzac
Day Commemoration
Ramu NiCo expatriates and national stuff joined the rest of Madang community on Monday
April 25 in the commemoration service of the ANZAC Day in Madang.
Expatriates mostly Chinese nationals joined hands with their national colleagues at the dawn for
the procession from Bates Oval in Madang town to Kalibobo Light House.
Principal of Maritime College Richard Coleman acknowledged the presence of Ramu NiCo as
the first timer in the event and urged for future participation to fulfill its “One Ramu NiCo, One
Community” motto.
The event commenced at 6am with the dawn church service and ended at 7:30am with a light
refreshment till the sky opened up for another day.
As with last year, Ramu NiCo donated food items for the refreshment.
“I am excited to take part in this together with my boss and colleagues from Ramu NiCo, and I
am also proud of the acknowledgement to Ramu NiCo by the master of ceremony,” Ms. Isoul
Malus, a receptionist secretary, administration said.

Community Development
Rai Coast Farmers Benefit From
Ipm Training
Danny Gagu and his teenage son Lusip are now looking forward
to reaping rewards after acquiring good knowledge from a new
cocoa management skills program called Integrated Pests Management
(IPM).
The father and son are from Uya village in the Bugati area of Astolabe
Bay Local Level Government area in Rai Coast district. They were
amongst 300 smallholder cocoa farmers who attended a one-week
awareness and field demonstration initiated by the Ramu NiCo
agriculture field officers with assistance from experts from Cocoa
Coconut Institute (CCI) and Department of Primary Industry (DPI) in
Madang
Danny Gagu is now rehabilitating his old cocoa plot by removing old
stumps, die-back as well as doing weeding. He is also purchasing
cloned seedlings from Cocoa Coconut Research Institute (CCRI) outside
Madang to replace other traditional cocoa plants.
CA officer Tony Gayu explained that the training on IPM technology
and field demonstration were conducted in villages including Diduala,
Ato, Uya, Bongu and Male along the Coastal Pipeline area and attracted
more than 300 small scale farmers.
Tony said the IPM skill is simple and can be used by ordinary farmers
with limited skills, knowledge and financial capabilities. He said the
technology will help to promote high scale cocoa bean production,
quality dry beans, and best pruning practice and fertilizer application.
He said Ramu NiCo agriculture experts Aldam Bande and Daniel Sioba
are also encouraging farmers to acquire hybrid cocoa because it can
produce more beans after nine months of planting.
A participant and a small scale farmer from Bongu Village, Set Bagun
has already bought 48 hybrid seedlings at the cost of K28 to plant at
his new block. Ramu NiCo helped with the transportation and other
necessary skills and supports.
The ongoing awareness and field demonstration is part of Ramu NiCo’s
support towards the landowners of Ramu NiCo impacted areas to
help them grasp more skills and explore other financially sustainable
avenues.
12
Ramu Nico Agriculture Experts Explaining Erima
Cocoa Trial Plot to Sinclaire Solomon of the National
www.ramunico.com

Feature Story
Lem with the Heart to Serve the
Project and Png
When Papua New Guinea was preparing for
her political independence in 1974, one
energetic Karkar Islander named Mathew Lem
was duly serving his country as a Cadet Patrol
Officer (kiap).
Twenty-eight years have passed on and
this rather ambitious person has eventually
found greener pasture currently with the
world-class Ramu Project. His decision to
seek employment with Ramu Nico is mainly
to dedicate and commit his time to the
development of his home province, beautiful
Madang.
Even at the age of 56, this ever-green
gentleman from ‘the island of no return’
colloquially referring his island home Karkar
Island, Mr. Lem believes it is never too late for
him to contribute towards the development of
PNG in any capacity.
Mr. Lem had a dream to one fine day serve
his country through Ramu Project as he recalls
that the Project is “so significant as one of the
major investors in Madang and will definitely
make a change for the socio-economic
livelihood of our people.”
Mr. Lem was fortunately employed by Ramu
NiCo and his dream became a reality. Given
his wealth of experience and capability, he
was appointed as Coordinator of Community
Affairs. Mr. Lem has brought with him rich
experience in conflict resolution, negotiation
and community awareness to Ramu NiCo,
which stems from his 28 years’ service as a
public servant and local court Magistrate.
When joining Ramu NiCo, Lem found the
environment relaxing as well as challenging,
relaxing because he can complete his job with
full support from the management.
“The management supports me with logistics
and manpower to deliver. And they know
where to spend and expect a targeted
outcome.” he said.
Lem also recalls those old days where he
was given only 0.75t allowance per day with
K200 and no ration to carry out national
census, awareness on hygiene and health,
and government political awareness, or to
implement LLG programs and others for three
months.
“ B a c k i n 1 9 7 4 , I w a l k e d t h e ro u g h
terrains and crossed dangerous rivers in
Simbai in the Usino-Bundi area to deliver
government programs, unlike today where
some government officers relax in their airconditioned
offices and get paid doing
nothing,” Lem says.
With his wealth of experience, Mr. Lem has
contributed a lot to the various awareness
programs of the Project. He is the one
who make sure that the updates of the
Project reaches major stakeholders regularly,
promote regular communication and
information sharing between the Company
and the general communities, to minimize
misunderstanding and disruption caused to
the Project.
In order to reach an amicable solution for a
win-win situation, he encourages appropriate
consultation and negotiation between the
Company and the Project landowners. Thus is
his current role as the front man in organizing
and carrying out awareness on deep sea
tailings placement, SEDP Program and others
in the impacted areas, learning institutions
and government agencies and churches.
His team had gone as far as the Gali village of
Madang, which borders with Morobe Province,
along the Raicoast District towards Madang,
following the Inland Pipeline towards Usino
Junction and up to the Kurumbukari mine
site. People in their thousands have attended
the awareness to acquire information of their
concern.
“I love my job, and I am proud and confident
to fulfill my responsibility because the
management is very supportive with logistics
and manpower,” he said.
“I am always flexible and ready to work with
my Chinese colleagues, though we have
communication problems sometimes. We
need to build our own unique corporate
culture and I am proud to contribute towards
that,” said Mr. Lem when asked about
whether he could adjust to his new working
environment, which is quite different from the
environment he used to be working in.
His hard work and perseverance was finally
recognized by the management and he was
awarded a Certificate of Excellency, depicting
Lem (broken harm) on Awareness Trip to Saidor
Lem Speaking on Behalf of Ramu Project
During Kangal Festival
him as an outstanding national employee of
2010.
“It is surprising I got the award. After all, it
was everybody’s effort. We all work together
and support each other. But I took this as a
challenge to improve myself and work even
harder,” he said.
He admitted that one of his work ethics that
fetched him the award is to work honestly
and complain less.
“We should not complain much if we
don’t work hard. We must earn what we
deserve. We must learn to listen more to
the management, talk less and deliver with
dedication. That’s what every manager
needs,” Lem said.
Asked when he would resign from his active
duties and retire to his Island-Of-No-Return,
Mr. Lem said, “I will stay with the Company
until it successfully delivers the long waiting
benefits to the stakeholders, the people
of PNG and importantly the impacted
landowners.”
“I keep telling the landowners during the
awareness that Ramu NiCo will deliver its
commitments. So one day I will return to the
same people and tell them that the promises
have been fulfilled, before I retire to Karkar
with my family and enjoy the white sandy
beach, cool ocean breeze and crystal blue
sea.”
17

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