AT WORK WITH

MUSJE WERROR CEO, OK TEDI

After 30 years with Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Musje Werror has taken over as managing director/CEO of the huge gold and copper mining company.

Werror, who is from Madang where he studied at Divine Word University, took over the no. 1 post on June 1 and is the first Papua New Guinean to rise to the top job in the resources sector. He initially joined Ok Tedi through its graduate development scheme.

Musje Werror on …

The recent appointment It is an honour and privilege to head a company that has been contributing significantly to the development of Papua New Guinea. I am humbled by this opportunity.

I want Ok Tedi to be the model PNG miner that all our stakeholders can be proud of. The prospects for more Papua New Guineans to occupy senior

roles in the PNG resources sector are great. We have some of the most highly skilled mining engineers, geologists and technical experts working in the country and abroad. Currently at Ok Tedi, over 50% of our manager and executive positions are filled by national employees. My strategy is to have the remaining manager positions localised over the next few years. Overall, Ok Tedi already has a 96% national workforce. We will still require the international experience of expatriates who will provide support, guidance and training for our national managers.

The main challenge to deliver increased production and cash generation from 2023 is the

commissioning of the 800-millionkina Crusher Replacement Project (CRP) in September and the removal of the old crusher by the end of 2020 to allow mining to commence on the East Wall in 2021. Any significant delay of the CRP will begin to erode value. The mid-term challenge is to identify opportunities to extend mine life beyond the currently forecast 2028. Our exploration program has identified potential underground prospects.

The PNG Government should be commended for recognising the Western Province communities by providing 33% free equity in Ok Tedi. This is unprecedented and has changed the relationship between the people of Western Province and Ok Tedi. They are no longer simply interested parties but are now shareholders receiving dividends. Over the next eight years the people of Western Province are going to receive an estimated 27 billion kina in total benefits from Ok Tedi. We will continue to look at ways to maximise opportunities for the people through our social and economic programs and ensure the benefits are converted into tangible outcomes in health, education, infrastructure, human resource development and income-generating activities.