The 2026 (28th) China International Mining Conference was held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre. During the conference, PNG (Ningbo) Mining (PNG Ningbo Mining) delivered a dedicated briefing to MRA Minister Solen Loifa of Papua New Guinea's Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) on the development progress of its AI-powered intelligent exploration platform. The Minister spoke highly of the platform, and the two sides reached a positive consensus on further deepening cooperation in AI mining research and development.
Core Capabilities of the AI Intelligent Exploration Platform
In the briefing, PNG (Ningbo) Mining systematically presented the core capabilities of its AI-powered exploration platform. By integrating geological big data, satellite remote sensing and machine learning algorithms, the platform enables intelligent delineation of mineralisation targets, automated interpretation of exploration data and rapid assessment of tenement potential, significantly shortening traditional exploration cycles and reducing operating costs. To date, the platform has completed initial validation across multiple PNG tenement blocks, demonstrating greater efficiency and stability than manual interpretation in alteration information extraction and anomaly identification, and offering a replicable technical path for exploration breakthroughs in under-explored areas.
Minister Speaks Highly, Willing to Deepen AI Mining R&D Cooperation
After hearing the briefing, Minister Solen Loifa spoke highly of the platform's technological foresight and practical results. He noted that the deep integration of AI and mining is an important direction for resource countries seeking efficient and green exploration, and that PNG (Ningbo) Mining's pioneering work in intelligent exploration is impressive. The Minister stated clearly that, within the compliance framework, the MRA is willing to further its cooperation with PNG (Ningbo) Mining on AI mining research and development, to support iterative application of the platform to PNG's domestic tenement data, and to advance relevant standards and capacity building.
Empowering China-PNG Mining Cooperation with New Digital Momentum
This exchange continued the intensive dialogue between the two sides on future mining cooperation during the conference. PNG (Ningbo) Mining stated that it will take this briefing as an opportunity to continue refining the practicality and local adaptability of its AI-powered exploration platform, turning technological strengths into real productive capacity in service of PNG's resource exploration, and injecting fresh digital momentum into China-PNG mining cooperation.
