On the sidelines of the 2026 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Investment Convention in Toronto, Canada, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Mining Solen Loifa, MP, announced a sweeping suite of regulatory and institutional reforms designed to transform PNG into the Asia-Pacific region’s most conducive destination for mining investment.
Under the government’s “Reset@50” agenda, Minister Loifa committed to a six- to nine-month implementation window to finalize a new regulatory framework.
This “New Deal” for the sector prioritizes the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks and the modernization of laws that have remained largely unchanged since 1992.
Key Pillars of the Reform Agenda
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Establishment of a “One-Stop Shop”
The government is realigning policy and institutions to create a streamlined, integrated service center for investors. This reform will centralize licensing, permitting and compliance, ensuring that explorers and miners no longer face fragmented departmental processes.
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Modernizing Exploration Rights
To support the high-risk pioneer stage of mining, the government will extend the tenure of exploration licenses (EL) from two years to five years. This provides the long-term stability required for modern, technology-driven exploration programs.
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Introduction of Retention Licenses
For the first time, a formal retention license category will be introduced, allowing companies to hold and protect discovered deposits during periods of unfavorable market conditions or technical feasibility studies.
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Bypassing the First-in-Time Requirement for Projects of Significance
The government is moving toward a more merit-based and strategic allocation of tenements to ensure genuine operators are prioritized for areas identified as highly prospective. This will not affect existing license areas or applicants seeking to conduct exploration in areas not reserved for the intended purpose. The government will use both first-in-time and merit-based approaches on a case-by-case basis.
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Removing Red Tape
The minister specifically targeted the “lengthy and cumbersome” process through increased staff capacity and a drive toward an electronically automated system. New regulations will mandate strict timelines for renewals to ensure that projects do not stall due to administrative delays.
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Inclusive Workforce
Reforms to mining safety laws will formally enable and encourage women to work in all aspects of mining, ensuring the industry reflects the talent and diversity of the entire population. This will enable women to work underground, unlike the current restriction in 1977 legislation.
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Realignment of Policy and Regulatory Framework Under a Single Entity — Reforming the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA)
The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) is the government agency responsible for regulating the mining industry in Papua New Guinea. It is currently undergoing a strategic realignment to serve as the primary gateway for the “One-Stop Shop” investment initiative.
Minister Loifa emphasized that these changes were not merely proposals but were a core mandate of his leadership.
“Our message to the global mining community is clear. We have heard your concerns regarding regulatory uncertainty and administrative delays,” said Minister Loifa.
“We are removing the hurdles that have historically slowed discovery, while ensuring that the people of Papua New Guinea benefit equitably from our resource wealth.”
The PDAC is the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention, which kicked off March 1 (Canada time) and will go on until March 4. This is an annual event that brings together more than 27,000 attendees from over 125 countries for educational programming, networking events and business opportunities.
Since it began in 1932, the convention has grown in size, stature and influence. The award-winning event is a gathering where familiar faces reunite, new connections are forged and the future of mineral exploration takes shape one conversation at a time. It is the event of choice for the industry, hosting more than 1,300 exhibitors and 700 presenters.
