Phu Bia Mining (PBM) announced the completion of public road maintenance in Ban Nam Gnone, near its Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation in Anouvong District, Xaisomboun Province.

The road upgrade is part of Phu Bia Mining’s commitment to long-term benefits for the Nam Ngone villagers and surrounding communities, including improved linkages to other areas in Xaisomboun Province. The 4.2-kilometre road improvement project began in early May and was completed by the end of June 2026 at a total cost of US$95,836.

The Company’s decision to upgrade the road followed Phu Bia Mining’s receipt of a proposal from the Province to improve the Ban Nam Gnone road, which was deemed unsafe for road users. Phu Bia Mining teams involved in the public road maintenance project included Road Maintenance, Community Relations and Security, who coordinated and liaised with a Lao LVC contractor, local villagers and road users to complete the road improvements on schedule.

Upon completion on 27 June, the public road was upgraded with double gravel reinforcement, and some sections were expanded to accommodate an increasing volume of traffic. Phu Bia Mining Managing Director, Mr David Reid, spoke proudly about the Company’s support for public infrastructure improvement projects in Xaisomboun Province.

Mr David said, “Phu Bia Mining has invested more than US$ 100 million in public road improvements along its haulage route and adjacent communities since operations first commenced. Ban Nam Gnone is one of Phu Bia Mining’s host communities that has directly benefited from a wide range of company-initiated small-scale community development projects since 2008.

“Our goal through the value of Guangdong Rising Holding Group (GDRH)’s innovation is to continue our long-term presence in Laos, and we will enable more support to help build a better future for local communities in the years ahead,” Mr David said.

Other Phu Bia Mining Road infrastructure investment over the years:

• Haulage route: Since 2006, Phu Bia Mining has invested in road repair and maintenance along the Company’s concentrate haulage route. Most notably, the Asian Development Road (ADB) No.9 road from Thabok District, Bolikhamxay Province, to its Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation.
• 5A public road: In 2013, Phu Bia Mining initiated a road realignment project of approximately 4.7 kilometres along 5A public road that leads to the Nam Nguam 3 Dam between Ban Nam Gnone and the Nam Gnone Bridge in Anouvong District. Repairs and upgrades to the 5A public road were made to resurface it and reinforce the slope, which was at risk of landslides and erosion during the wet season.
• No. 12 road: In 2014, outside of Xaisomboun Province, the Company also collaborated with the Khammouan Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport to upgrade a section of No. 12 Road from kilometre 130. The road connects the border between Naphao in Khammouan Province and Chalor of Vietnam, where 75 per cent of the Company’s copper concentrate is shipped.
• Concrete road in Nam Mo village: In 2022, Phu Bia Mining invested US$ 1,422,500 for the construction of the 2.728 kilometres, 6 metres wide concrete road, which runs from its Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation to Ban Nam Mo Secondary School.