Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) has appointed several of its national employees to leadership positions within its organisation as part of its vision to develop national leaders.

OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Musje Werror said the appointments are in line with OTML’s Vision 2025, which was launched in late 2020.

A key part of the Vision is to nationalise all its senior and executive management roles by 2025 and these appointments will position the Company to meet this target.

Among the six nationals that have been appointment is Mr Isaac Kwetok, a trained Chemist from Telefomin in the Sandaun Province who is now the Deputy General Manager for Processing. Mr. Kwetok joined OTML in 2003 and has held several supervisory roles, including his most recent role as Manager Process Operations. In his new role, Mr. Kwetok will be responsible for the Company’s Kiunga Operations, Processing Operations, Processing Mechanical Maintenance, Process Reliability, and Electrical Maintenance – Technical Services.

Also appointed were two female leaders, Hillary Turnamur who assumes the role of Manager – Process Operations, and Beverly Pasen to Finance Manager. Ms Turnamur has been with OTML since 2005 and was previously managing OTML’s Kiunga Operations, while Ms. Pasen was the Company’s ICT Manager for the last 3 years.

The other appointments include Mr. David Laulau who has assumed the role of Manager Mine Technical Services, Mr. Rueben Lapin as Manager Business Continuity, and Mr. Dexter Wagambie as Manager Kiunga Operations.

Prior to their respective appointments, Mr. Laulau was OTML’s Bige Operations Manager, Mr. Lapin was Manager for Mine Support Services, and Mr. Wagambie was Manager Business Continuity.

“These are very important roles within OTML, and each of these individuals have had many years of management experience working at Ok Tedi, including other mines and industries within PNG and abroad. These changes will provide these leaders with exposure to other areas of the business which is part of our leadership development program,” Mr. Werror said.

“I congratulate all of them and look forward to their contribution to make Ok Tedi the leading mining company in PNG in the next 5 years as we continue to generate significant wealth for the people of Western Province and Papua New Guinea.”