Pacific Lime and Cement Limited has entered into a long-term quicklime offtake agreement with Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold producer, to supply its Papua New Guinea operations from PLC’s Central Lime Project in Central Province.
Under the agreement, Newmont becomes a cornerstone customer, with contracted volumes representing around one-third of the Central Lime Project’s nameplate production capacity. The arrangement materially underpins the commercial development of PNG’s first domestic quicklime manufacturing operation.
This offtake marks the first large-scale commitment to locally produced quicklime in the country, highlighting both Newmont’s support for PNG’s buy-local framework and the growing demand for reliable, domestically sourced industrial inputs that meet Tier‑1 global mining standards.
Strategic and ESG Significance
The Central Lime Project is designed to replace imported quicklime currently supplied from offshore. For Newmont, the offtake enhances supply-chain resilience, reduces exposure to international logistics disruptions, and aligns with environmental and social objectives through lower transport emissions and increased local value creation.
For Papua New Guinea, the agreement supports employment, skills development, and the establishment of a nationally significant industrial capability, in line with broader economic development and ESG goals.
Commercial Framework
The offtake agreement is structured as a multi-year arrangement, commencing following completion and commissioning of the Central Lime Project, subject to customary conditions. Supply will be delivered under standard commercial delivery terms from PLC’s integrated project precinct, part of a designated Special Economic Zone intended to support domestic manufacturing and downstream processing.
Details of pricing, escalation mechanisms, and volume scheduling remain confidential, in line with market-based arrangements for long-term industrial supply agreements.
Project Readiness and Outlook
Securing Newmont as a cornerstone customer materially de-risks the Central Lime Project and bolsters PLC’s ongoing discussions with other domestic and regional customers. The agreement demonstrates that PNG-based industrial processing projects can satisfy the technical, operational, and ESG requirements of Tier‑1 global mining companies when developed under disciplined commercial frameworks.
PLC continues to collaborate closely with Newmont on operational readiness, quality assurance, and logistics planning, with first supply targeted following achievement of construction and commissioning milestones.
PLC Managing Director Paul Mulder said securing Newmont as a cornerstone customer is a significant milestone for PLC and for PNG’s industrial development.
"This agreement validates more than a decade of work to establish domestic quicklime production capable of meeting Tier‑1 mining standards, while delivering strong economic, social and environmental outcomes for Papua New Guinea," Mulder said.
“With a foundation offtake in place, PLC is well positioned as the Central Lime Project advances and shall progress further customer discussions as we move toward first production," the executive added.
Newmont Lihir General Manager Dawid Pretorius added that the agreement reflects Newmont’s commitment to creating long-term social and economic value in Papua New Guinea.
"It required significant time and effort to achieve an outcome that delivers shared value for Newmont, our partners and the nation. It demonstrates our commitment to supporting domestic industry and the broader social and economic benefits that flow from building local capability," Pretorius said.
Pacific Lime and Cement Limited is advancing the development of Papua New Guinea’s lime and cement industry to supply essential building materials for the nation and the wider Asia–Pacific region. Anchored by its flagship Central Lime and Cement Projects, PLC is creating a fully integrated platform for local manufacturing, import substitution, and sustainable growth.
The company’s diversified portfolio also extends to industrial sands, nature-based forestry carbon credits, and renewable energy, supporting its commitment to delivering cleaner, long-term solutions that build enduring value for PNG and its communities. PLC also holds an approximately 16.6% interest in copper-gold explorer/developer Adyton Resources Corporation.
PLC’s strategy is to support Papua New Guinea and the broader Asia-Pacific region on their decarbonisation journey by developing projects that deliver higher-quality, lower-cost, and targeted “low-carbon” inputs for the mining, resources, and construction sectors. Where applicable, these projects are supported with a diversified renewable energy portfolio encompassing solar, wind, geothermal, nature-based forestry carbon credits, and battery storage initiatives.
The company is committed to engaging with host communities throughout the lifecycle of its projects, as well as incorporating internationally recognised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards into its strategy and business practices.
