Source: The National

THE seafloor production tools for the Solwara 1 project by Nautilus Minerals are 90% complete with production expected in 2016, country manager Mel Togolo said.

He said the project has been gaining momentum since the company and the state signed an agreement in April.

Providing an update on the project last Friday, Togolo said the second tool has been assembled and the final tool would be assembled this month.

“The riser and lifting system which will be used to transfer the mined material from the seafloor to the surface within an enclosed system is over 50% complete,” he said.

Nautilus Minerals has started work on expanding its offices in Port Moresby and Kavieng, New Ireland.

Togolo said the Canadian seafloor miner was committed to train locals and has begun recruitment positions for human resources, administration and women’s affairs.

He said: “It is Nautilus’s vision to train Papua New Guineans to be the first in the world to operate the seafloor production tools which is truly an exciting and rewarding opportunity for nationals.

“The Solwara 1project will provide real benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea. Nautilus Minerals is now working on a variety of initiatives which they plan to implement by fourth quarter this year.

“We’ll bring additional 15% workforce every year, when we reopened office in New Ireland we’ll have two or three people there.

“I want Papua New Guineans to get maximum benefit through increase of local hire.

“Important thing is Papua New Guineans own 15% of the company, with an option to take an additional 15%.”

In terms of regular awareness conducted by the firm, Togolo said: “We’ve been doing serious awareness on a quarterly basis since 2007, on the West coast of New Irelands and East New Britain during that time we have talked to more than 10,000 people.”