Emerging leaders set to transform the minerals sectors in Papua New Guinea

The University of Queensland’s International Development and Sustainable Minerals Institute delivered a minerals policy and economics training course for emerging leaders in Papua New Guinea (PNG), together with The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, and HopgoodGanim Lawyers.

The course was designed to give key stakeholders – primarily in government but also in academia and civil society – a deeper understanding of the economic, policy and legal factors that inform investment decision-making and regulatory frameworks.

The Australian Government funded the course through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and the Economic Governance and Inclusive Growth Partnerships of the Papua New Guinea Governance Partnerships.

Delivered in two one-week blocks over a four-week period in Port Moresby, participants attended lectures and open-forum discussions. Course participants represented a range of government agencies and organisations, including the Department of Treasury, Department of Petroleum and Energy, Conservation & Environment Protection Authority, Mineral Resources Authority, University of Papua New Guinea, PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.

International Development Manager for PNG and the Pacific, Dr Michelle Dunn, said the course provides the skills for sustainable economic and social development.

“The course contributes to creating an enabling environment for sustainable mining. By adopting leading practice approaches to economic modelling, policy work and mining governance, PNG communities are better able to improve economic viability and development outcomes.

“To ensure the future economic growth of the country’s minerals sector, continued training in development programs on the topics of minerals policy and economics, and mining governance are critical,” she said.

Participant, Vincent Yuke, said the course was immensely valuable, and it helps to break down barriers to women’s participation as decision-makers in the workforce.

“More women need to be empowered with the technical skills and knowledge so that they can be given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process in the mining sector.

“I gained a comprehensive understanding of economic concepts by grasping the basic principles of how a company generates cash flow and identifying the associated risks to the government,” Vincent said.

International Development has expertise in designing and delivering training activities and provides development expertise and program management leadership to help build the capacity of people and organisations around the world to achieve their development goals. The regional coverage includes Africa, South East and South-West Asia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.


The International Development unit provides development expertise and program management leadership to help build the capacity of people and organisations around the world to achieve their development goals.

Last updated:
25 May 2020