PNG Mining and Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Hold Special Workshop on Mining Title Exploration

Ningbo, 27 March 2026 To solidly advance the layout of overseas mineral resource exploration and development, ensure the precise implementation of exploration work on Papua New Guinea's high-quality mineral resources, and drive forward to high standards the preparatory work for cooperation projects and the orderly execution of this year's exploration tasks,the dedicated working group of PNG Mining and the Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration and Development (Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources)jointly conveneda dedicated workshop on the exploration plan for seven key mining titles in Papua New Guinea. The two sides conducted a comprehensive and detailed discussion on core matters including the geological profile of the mining title blocks, exploration technology pathways, the annual construction plan, personnel and equipment allocation, safety and compliance management and the handover to subsequent development. They defined work milestones, assigned clear responsibilities and finalised implementation rules, thereby laying a solid foundation for the substantive launch of geological exploration across the seven mining title blocks in Papua New Guinea. It is understood that this workshop focused onseven core high-quality mining title blocks, which cover copper, gold, nickel, cobalt and other strategic mineral resources. With large resource potential, high development value and broad market prospects, they are key core projects through which both sides can deepen pragmatic overseas mining cooperation and convert resource advantages into industrial advantages. As the province's core professional institution for geological exploration, the Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources possesses strong geological exploration capabilities, extensive field exploration experience, a well-developed technical talent pipeline and a standardised exploration operating system. It has deep expertise across the full chain of professional work including geological prospecting for various minerals, exploration construction, resource reserve assessment and geological data analysis, and has mature capabilities in operating overseas mineral exploration projects as well as rich practical experience in transnational mining cooperation, providing solid technical support and professional safeguards for this exploration work in Papua New Guinea. At the workshop, the working groups of both sides briefed each other on their work progress, preliminary research results and project preparation status. The technical team of the Shandong Bureau presented in detail the preliminary exploration implementation plan for the seven mining title blocks, the geological work programme, field construction procedures, technical standards and specifications and the expected exploration deliverables, and elaborated item by item on key technical aspects such as difficulties in terrain and landform surveying, priorities in geological structure detection, standards for sample collection and testing, and the scheduling of exploration cycles. Drawing on local mineral resource management policies, mining title regulatory requirements, local compliance approval procedures and the actual conditions of overseas operations, the PNG Mining working group put forward specific coordination requirements regarding access conditions for exploration and construction, on-site coordination and support, information and data reporting, safety and environmental controls, and follow-up coordination for mining title development. The participants then focused onthe scheduling of the work programme, the division of tasks by exploration stage, the assignment of technical personnel, the preparation and transport of equipment and materials, safety guarantees for field operations, the sharing and exchange of exploration data, and the mechanism for regular consultation on project progressand other key items. They conducted in-depth consultations item by item, sorted out work difficulties and coordination bottlenecks one by one, and agreed solutions on the spot, so as to unify work standards, unify the pace of progress and unify the coordination mechanism. The meeting ultimately formed a consensus, specifying the timeframes, division of responsibilities and liaison mechanism for each stage, and deciding to advance batch by batch and block by block a series of core exploration tasks including surface geological mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys, drilling construction and resource reserve calculation, ensuring that exploration of the seven mining titles proceeds in a scientific, standardised, safe, efficient, steady and orderly manner. The successful convening of this dedicated workshop marks the formal entry of exploration of PNG's seven key mining titles into the substantive preparation and implementation stage. Next, PNG Mining and the Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources will take the consensus reached at this meeting as their working guide, collaborate closely and work in the same direction to rapidly advance all preparatory work, carry out overseas geological exploration tasks to high standards, accurately establish the resource base of PNG's key mining titles, consolidate the foundation for subsequent mineral development cooperation, continue to deepen substantive cooperation in the mining sector, jointly build a benchmark project for cross-border mineral resource exploration and development, achieve resource complementarity, technology synergy and mutual benefit, and support the high-quality coordinated development of both sides' mining industries.