OTML hands over upgraded UPNG Geosciences Computer Lab

The Ok Tedi Mining Limited [OTML] also handed over and open a fully refurbished computer laboratory at The University of Papua New Guinea's [UPNG] Earth Sciences Division and Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction.

This follows a K550,000 donation from OTML in October 2024.

The funding facilitated the purchase and installation of 28 new desktops, seven laptops, and a 20 kva
Uninterruptible Power Supply [UPS] device.

This significant upgrade addressed a critical need of the Earth Sciences Division, which previously
relied on just six desktops to serve its 67 students across the final, third, and second years.

The upgraded computer laboratory will provide students and teaching staff with the resources they
need to excel in their studies and research respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony Manager Mine Technical Service James Bu highlighted the importance of
OTML’s Growth 2050 Strategy.

He emphasized the need to foster strong collaboration and partnerships with key tertiary institutions to ensure they produce quality "industry-ready" graduates with the right technical skills and knowledge.

“As part of achieving OTML’s Growth 2050 Strategy goal, we are building strategic and sustainable
partnerships. We realise the importance of engagement and collaboration with the Universities,
because we want to develop and groom future mining leaders to help OTML achieve its Growth 2050
strategy,” said Mr Bu.

Associate Professor Joseph Espi, Divisional Leader of the Earth Science Division and Director of
Center for Disaster Risk Reduction, expressed his gratitude for OTML's continued support.

“I am so proud in saying that Ok Tedi is a nationally owned company that is focused in helping us the
University produce high quality graduates that are industry ready,” said Associate Professor Espi.

President of the Geosciences Student Association [GSA] Trevor Dauba expressed his appreciation
on behalf of the student body for the new computer lab as well as for continuously engaging students
for Industrial Training and the Graduate Development Scheme program.

“I thank you for the partnership and all the support you have provided to the [Earth Sciences]
Division. This will develop each and every one of the students that are here today and those who will
come in the future,” said Mr Dauba.

OTML representatives who attended the ceremony include Senior External Affairs Officer Alex
Warren, Director Corporate Affairs Norman Temu, and Manager Mine Production Services James
Waisime along with Earth Sciences Division and Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction academic staff
and students.

OTML presents Undergraduate Scholarships

Ten (10) university students are the elated recipients of OTML 2025 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme totaling over K300,000.

The students who are in their third year of studies are studying various courses. Of the ten students,
one is studying Human Resources Management at the University of Papua New Guinea [UPNG];
while seven students are studying Applied Physics/Instrumentation, Surveying, Civil Engineering,
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mineral Processing and Mining Engineering at the
PNG University of Technology [UoT]; and two are studying Accounting and Environmental Health at
Divine Word University [DWU].

The 2025 batch of awardees include two females and eight males, among which four are top
performing students from Western Province. The total amount of the two-year scholarship program is
K313, 968.27 and covers the cost of their tuition fees, boarding/lodging, book allowances, travel
assistance, and stipend for each student for this year. Of the total amount, K14,187 has been paid to
UPNG, K76, 380 has been paid to Divine Word University and K189,401.27 to UoT as part of the
Tuition and Lodging fee.

The OTML Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme is an initiative to help support high performing
students attending tertiary institutions in PNG.

OTML Manager Training & Capability Development, Ian Strachan, said the program aims to assist
third-year university undergraduate students with school fees and other associated costs while
ensuring OTML maintains an industry-institution relationship with respective universities that provide
graduates to its training programs and workforce.

“An additional component of this scholarship is the opportunity for these awardees to conduct them
industrial training with OTML. It also sets a pathway for them to join our Graduate Development
Program upon completing their studies,” he said.

The continuation of scholarship is dependent on each student’s academic performance in the first
year of the scholarship whereby the student must maintain a Grade Point Average [GPA] of 3.5 or
above to continue the scholarship for a second year, which is their final year of studies.

Since the inception of the OTML Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme in 2007, the company has so
far sponsored 70 undergraduates and since re-introduction in 2023, the company has spent over
K1.4Million on the Undergraduate Scholarship program.