As Frieda River Limited (FRL) advances with their environmental permit application for the Frieda River copper-gold development, women from Wabia community – one of the seven villages situated within the proposed special mining lease – are preparing for the anticipated approval and the beginning of what will be the world’s next significant copper-gold project.

The women are gearing up to actively participate in the project’s numerous direct and indirect activities. While the copper-gold project is considered by many as the key component, it is only one part of PanAust, FRL’s parent company’s wider development strategy in Papua New Guinea (PNG). PanAust is progressing with its comprehensive four-pillar development initiative, designed to boost economic growth in East and West Sepik, as well as bringing huge economic benefits to the whole of the country. This initiative, known as the Sepik Development Project, will significantly and positively transform the northwest corridor of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Sepik Development Project involves the Frieda River copper-gold project, the Frieda River Hydroelectric project, the Sepik Power Grid project, and the Sepik Infrastructure project, with an estimated total cost in the multi-billions of kina. A significant investment to bring prosperity and opportunity to the region and the country as a whole.

FRL is committed to ensuring the safety of the local communities and the company’s employees as well as safeguarding the environment. FRL does this by working closely with multiple government agencies including the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) to secure various permits. FRL also ensures landowner leaders like Martina Aki are involved, ensuring the communities are engaged and included. By motivating their community to enhance their skills in literacy, numeracy, business development, agriculture and family welfare, everyone benefits.

As the women’s representative for Wabia, Martina works with FRL, the Telefomin District administration, and the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) to foster and enhance the development of skills the community. She participates in the Quarterly Community Leaders Forum, which involves community and government leaders from East and West Sepik provinces, as well as representatives from FRL, CEPA, and the MRA.

“The company has made us aware of both the positive and negative impacts of the mine. As women, we need to be prepared. We must educate ourselves to maximise the opportunities the mine presents,” Martina said.

After providing Adult Literacy Level 1 training to the women, FRL’s community affairs team is now working with other development partners to further support the women’s pursuit of financial literacy, including skills in governance, banking, and budgeting.

“We need to learn how to market our garden produce and manage our finances so we can take care of ourselves and our children, educate our children, and develop our community,” Martina said.

She added that while her community has eagerly waited for the Frieda River copper-gold project’s development into a mine, her people are aware of the broader Sepik Development Project, and its vast scale and scope. They acknowledge that the planned hydroelectric and power grid projects, along with the development of roads and air and seaports, together with the copper-gold mine, will significantly transform the economy of the region and the nation.

“We recognise that Frieda River is in a remote location. It needs a well-developed road network and a dam before mining can start. We are supportive of this major development,” Martina Aki concludes.