Ramu NiCo Mine in Madang has delivered numerous development projects in its areas of operation since construction began in 2006.
Emil Gamog, a community leader from the Astrolabe Bay Local Level Government (LLG) in Madang, praised Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited for providing tangible, life-changing projects that have improved people’s living conditions and mobility.
“More classrooms and aid posts have been constructed, and medical supplies have been consistently provided since the inception of the mine,” Mr Gamog said.
He added that since Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, Usino Bundi and Raicoast districts were often described as the “back pages,” meaning they were significantly underdeveloped. Today, students in Raicoast and Usino Bundi are learning in classrooms built by Ramu NiCo, and communities are receiving medical services from nearby aid posts—some of which were constructed by the company and supplied with regular quarterly medical provisions.
“Ramu NiCo is also very active in supporting women’s programs that focus on strengthening family units,” Mr Gamog said.
Ruth Kamai, chairlady of the Coastal Pipeline Landowner Women Association (CPLWA), said Ramu NiCo has supported and facilitated multiple projects along the Coastal Pipeline corridor.
“Today, women in the four zones of the Coastal Pipeline area own dinghies, a PMV truck, and have recently launched a community learning centre right in the middle of our village,” Mrs Kamai said.
“This community learning centre is part of the company’s approach to bring practical skills training—such as sewing, baking, and preparing nutritious meals from locally grown produce—directly to our village, rather than requiring us to travel to urban centres for such training,” she said.
According to Mrs Kamai, these projects were funded through royalty payments provided to landowners for allowing the company to build part of the 350-kilometer pipeline from the Kurumbukari mine site to the Basamuk refinery across their land.
The pipeline passes through the Usino LLG and the Astrolabe Bay LLG. Communities along the Usino section form the Inland Pipeline Association, while those along the Astrolabe Bay section form the Coastal Pipeline Association. Together with the Kurumbukari Landowner Association and the Basamuk Landowner Association, they make up the four major associations supporting Papua New Guinea’s only nickel and cobalt mining project—recognized as one of China’s biggest investments in the South Pacific area.
