Australia: Mining: Papua New Guinea: The Regulation of Exploitation and Extraction
Getting the Deal Through

Mining industry

1 What is the nature and importance of the mining industry?

The mining sector is a significant contributor to Papua New Guinea's economy. The country is located to the immediate north of Australia in the Pacific Rim of Fire. It is highly prospective for copper, gold and zinc. Papua New Guinea is host to some world-class gold and copper mines, including the Porgera gold mine, the Ok Tedi copper mine and the Lihir Island gold mine. Between them, these three mines exported a total of 163.8 tons of gold between 2004 and 2006, and in the same period Ok Tedi Mining Ltd exported over 510,000 tons of copper. Legal and regulatory structure

2 Is the legal system civil or common law-based?

Papua New Guinea has a common law legal system. Laws affecting mining are made by the National Parliament, a single-chamber, democratically elected legislature of 109 members elected from single- member constituencies with some regional seats. The decisions of the Courts (the National Court and the Supreme Court) interpret the law. The judiciary is independent and adheres to the rule of law and due process. There are 26 provincial governments with limited legislative powers. They do not have power to enact laws in relation to mining.

3 How is the mining industry regulated?

Mining is regulated at the national level. The principal Act is the Mining Act 1992, and Regulations made under that Act. Under the Mining Act, the state may enter into a mining development contract (MDC), consistent with the Act, to regulate a mining development. The minister may, in the case of a major project, require that an MDC be entered into. All major mining projects have been the subject of a MDC. Previously these were enacted as Acts of the National Parliament (eg, the Mining (Ok Tedi Agreement) Act) but this practice has been discontinued. The national government recently entered into an MDC in respect of the Ramu Nickel project. This agreement contained special tax incentives and dealt with other issues relevant to the development.

The Mining Act 1992 is currently under review, and substantial changes to the licensing regime are being considered. The review, which is being funded by the World Bank, is to commence a wide consultative process in May 2009.

4 What are the principal laws that regulate the mining industry? What are the principal regulatory bodies that administer those laws?

The principal law is the Mining Act. Also relevant is the Environment Act 2000. The Companies Act 1997 regulates the incorporation and operation of companies.

The Mineral Resources Authority was established in 2006 as a statutory authority to promote, manage and regulate the mining industry. It replaced the Department of Mining, which is now responsible solely for policy development. The Mining Advisory Council makes recommendations to the minister in relation to grants and renewal of licences and related issues.

5 What classification system does the mining industry use for reporting mineral resources and mineral reserves?

The Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code is used in Papua New Guinea for public reporting purposes. Mining rights and title

6 Who has title to metallic minerals in the ground?

The state. Title extends to minerals found within Papua New Guinea's territorial waters.

7 What information and data is publicly available to private parties that wish to engage in mining activities?

A database of geoscientific information concerning Papua New Guinea's mineral and geological resources is available for search by the public.

8 What mining rights may private parties acquire? How are these acquired? What obligations does the rights holder have?

Mining rights are basically rights to explore (exploration licences) and to develop resources once discovered (special mining lease for major projects, mining lease for smaller projects). Papua New Guinea's citizens may also obtain alluvial mining leases for surface rights on their traditional land. Applications are dealt with in order of receipt.

The holder of an exploration licence is required to spend a prescribed minimum amount on exploration in the licence area. Applications are considered by the Mining Advisory Council, which is required to consider whether the proposed work programme is adequate and whether the applicant has the financial and technical resources to carry out the proposed programme.

9 Is there any distinction between the mining rights that may be acquired by domestic parties and those that may be acquired by foreign parties?

Only citizens or citizen-controlled companies may acquire rights to alluvial mining, otherwise there is no distinction between domestic or foreign applicants.

10 How are mining rights protected?

There is an independent judicial system that adheres to the rule of law and due process. This system is established under and protected by the Constitution. As noted in question 3, projects will typically have the benefit of a mining development contract (MDC) with the state. An MDC generally sets out the agreed development of the Papua New Guinea project and may include infrastructure, financial or economic considerations relevant to the project.

11 How do the rights of aboriginal, indigenous or currently or previously disadvantaged peoples affect the acquisition or exercise of mining rights?

Landowner issues are an important consideration in any proposal to undertake resource development in Papua New Guinea. Very little land is alienated or the subject of registered title, and most of this is urban leasehold. The bulk of land is traditionally owned, and often disputed between tribes. Potential developers must be careful to ensure that proposed developments have the support of traditional landowners, and that appropriate compensation and benefit packages are negotiated. Business development opportunities for local landowners should also be a key objective.

A development forum process, whereby all relevant stakeholders discuss and agree on key issues for the development of a resource project has been developed in conjunction with the negotiation of a MDC.

12 What surface rights may private parties acquire? How are these rights acquired?

The holder of an exploration licence has the right to enter and occupy the land the subject of the licence for the purposes of conducting exploration for minerals on that land, to remove rock and overburden, and divert or use water resources for exploration purposes. The holder of a mining lease or a special mining lease has the sole right to enter and occupy the land the subject of the licence for the purposes of mining and treating all minerals mined from that land and related activities including tailings disposal, erection of accommodation, support services, etc. The holder of a mining lease or a special mining lease owns all minerals lawfully mined on the land the subject of the licence.

Duties, royalties and taxes

13 What duties, royalties and taxes are payable by private parties carrying on mining activities? Are these duties, royalties and taxes revenuebased or profit-based?

A royalty of 2 per cent is payable on gross revenue from resource sales. Tax is imposed on a project basis (ie, ring-fenced). The basic tax rate is 30 per cent for income from mining for residents and 40 per cent for non-residents. Resident companies are liable to dividend withholding tax of 17 per cent on dividends, reduced to 10 per cent for dividends out of mining income. Special provisions apply to certain types of deductions. Interest paid to non-resident lenders by mining companies is not subject to interest withholding tax. Additional profits tax does not apply to mining projects but can apply to designated gas projects.

14 What tax advantages and incentives are available to private parties carrying on mining activities?

These may be negotiated on a project-by-project basis. Recent projects have received tax holidays, exemptions from import duties and other tax concessions. The mining sector enjoys the benefit of special provisions granting allowable deductions for exploration and capex.

15 Is there any distinction between the duties, royalties and taxes payable by domestic parties and those payable by foreign parties?

See above. A basic tax rate of 40 per cent applies to non-residents' income from mining sources as against 30 per cent and 10 per cent dividend withholding tax (DWT) for residents. A resident is broadly a company incorporated in or managed and controlled in Papua New Guinea.

Business structures

16 What are the principal business structures used by private parties carrying on mining activities?

All business structures are available. Because projects are ring-fenced for tax purposes preference is often given to a locally incorporated subsidiary to undertake development of a resource project. If developed by more than one party the usual vehicle is an unincorporated joint venture.

Financing

17 What are the principal sources of financing available to private parties carrying on mining activities? What role does the domestic public securities market play in financing the mining industry?

Mining projects are by nature capital-intensive. Most major resource projects in Papua New Guinea involve substantial capital investment as in most cases even the most basic infrastructure has to be built or provided by the developer. Construction costs in remote Papua New Guinea are significant. Offshore project finance is available but usually linked to a sponsor's credit rating. A premium for political risk insurance (PRI) will usually apply. The Australian public capital markets are used to raise limited amounts of funding for exploration in Papua New Guinea. While there is a Port Moresby Stock Exchange, it is relatively undeveloped at this stage as a source of risk capital. Special provisions apply to the insurance sector. Waivers are required in certain cases when risk is to be placed offshore and not offered to the local market first.

Restrictions and limitations

18 What restrictions and limitations are imposed on the importation of machinery and equipment or services required in connection with mining activities?

There are no such restrictions.

19 What restrictions and limitations are imposed on the use of domestic and foreign employees in connection with mining activities?

Non-citizens require a work permit and a visa. Preference must be given to employees recruited in the area of the development, and secondly to citizens.

20 What restrictions or limitations are imposed on the processing, export or sale of metallic minerals?

There are no general restrictions or limitations on processing or export of minerals. When negotiating an MDC, some discussion may be had about some processing being done in-country, although this has never been made a requirement of the grant of any licence.

21 What restrictions or limitations are imposed on the import of funds for mining activities or the use of the proceeds from the export or sale of metallic minerals?

The Bank of Papua New Guinea (the Central Bank) administers limited exchange controls. Approval is still required by resident mining companies to open and maintain offshore bank accounts and to give guarantees in certain circumstances. There are reporting requirements in respect of movement of funds. Remission of funds offshore in excess of 200,000 kina requires a taxation clearance certificate. There are a number of scheduled tax haven countries where any remission of funds needs clearance.

Environment, health and safety

22 What are the principal environmental, health and safety laws applicable to the mining industry? What are the principal regulatory bodies that administer those laws?

Applications for development approval to undertake mining operations that might have an adverse impact on the environment are required to prepare and lodge an environmental impact statement with the Department of Environment and Conservation under the Environment Act 2000.

The director of environment must assess and either accept that statement or refer it to the Environment Council. There is a period of public consultation on the proposals. If the Environment Council is satisfied as to certain matters it can recommend to the minister that he approve the activities described in the development proposal.

23 What is the environmental review and permitting process for a mining project? How long does it normally take to obtain the necessary permits?

See question 22. Applications can take up to six months, although for a non-controversial application a more likely time frame is three to four months.

24 What is the closure and remediation process for a mining project? What performance bonds, guarantees and other financial assurances are required?

This matter is not dealt with under the current Mining Act. Detailed proposals are to be introduced into the new mining act, which is currently being developed. Mine closure obligations have in the past been dealt with on an ad hoc basis. The new proposals will require the lodgement of funds into a mine closure fund (or the provision of a bond or guarantee to fund), which will cover 100 per cent of mine closure costs at least six years prior to mine closure. All projects will need to develop, and continuously update, a mine-closure plan. A conceptual mine-closure plan will need to be lodged with the initial application for development approval. Developers will also be required to establish and fund a socio-economic development plan, a future generations trust and a public infrastructure services trust. International treaties

25 What international treaties apply to the mining industry or an investment in the mining industry?

Papua New Guinea is a party to a number of investment protection agreements with various states, and a number of double tax agreements. It is also a party to international conventions on the sale of goods and settlement of international disputes. There are no particular international treaties applicable to the mining industry.

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