Mining company takes on Papua New Guinea’s Misima Airport

By Andrew Curran.

Misima Minerals Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Provincial Government to become the operator of Misima Airport (MIS). The parties signed the agreement in mid-June, but it was only disclosed late last week.

Misima Minerals Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ok Tedi Mining Limited, one of the country's largest mining and resources companies.

Misima Minerals is redeveloping a large open-pit mine on Misima Island, east of mainland Papua New Guinea in Milne Bay Province. When operating again, the mine will produce gold and silver. The site was acquired by Ok Tedi last year, and since then a five-year redevelopment plan has commenced. Part of that plan includes upgrading the airport to allow it to accommodate commercial flights.

Runway upgraded to handle commercial flights

Misima Airport has not hosted commercial flights since 2021, when PNG Air suspended services due to the deteriorating condition of the runway. Since then, the airport has only accommodated emergency and charter flights operated by small aircraft.

The MOU will see the 1,200-metre dirt runway rehabilitated and upgraded to bring it up to Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea standards.

"This work will be coordinated between Misima Minerals Limited, the Provincial Transport Authority, National Works Department and the local contractors undertaking the work, with a target completion date before the end of 2026," an Ok Tedi statement said.

"Reconnecting Misima to the mainland by air will support growth in economic activity, improve community mobility, and enhance the provision of health and other essential services on Misima and throughout the surrounding Samarai-Murua District."

Misima becomes the fourth Ok Tedi operated airport

Ok Tedi's acquisition of the mine will also see the company overhaul many of Misima Island's essential utilities and existing infrastructure, including the hospital and road network. The upgraded facilities will support both mining operations and the local community.

Once the airport upgrades are complete, Misima Minerals will operate the airport under a lease from the Milne Bay Provincial Government.

Misima will become the fourth airport in Papua New Guinea operated by Ok Tedi or one of its subsidiaries. The company already operates Tabubil (TBG), Kiunga (UNG) and Bige airports.

The airports are critical to Ok Tedi's fly-in-fly-out operations, as well as the transport of supplies. The company says it operates more than 20 fly-in-fly-out flights each day across Papua New Guinea to transport its workforce to where they are needed.

Photo: Ok Tedi Mining.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com