PNG Expo returns to Port Moresby in July with an expanded floorplan, major exhibitors, and conference sessions tackling the sector’s most pressing challenges.
Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) mining industry is facing a crossroads.
As the industry navigates workforce challenges, remote logistics, energy transition and evolving safety expectations, one event brings together the solutions, suppliers and strategic thinking needed to move forward. The PNG Mining and Industrial Resources Exhibition and Conference (PNG Expo) returns to Port Moresby on July 1–2, 2026.
The 2026 event is already shaping up to be the most significant edition yet, building on the record-breaking attendance achieved in 2025.
An expanded floorplan has been designed to enhance traffic flow, increase exhibitor exposure, and create more engaging showcase areas across the exhibition floor. This refreshed layout accommodates more exhibitors while supporting better networking opportunities and more strategic positioning for sponsors and suppliers.
Major industry players are already confirmed, with Sandvik, Metso, Blackwoods, TriCab, Lincom Group and others locked in to participate. The early commitment from these key suppliers signals strong industry confidence in PNG’s mining trajectory and the value of face-to-face engagement in this market.
Prime Creative Media show director – mining events Rebecca Todesco said the expansion reflects the growing momentum across PNG’s mining sector.
“We’re seeing strong early interest from both exhibitors and attendees,” she said.
“The industry recognises that PNG Expo is where the strongest partnerships form, deals close, and the sector moves forward together.”
A timely conference program
Complementing the exhibition floor, the free-to-attend conference program has been curated in collaboration with the editorial team at PNG Mining to deliver practical insights and actionable takeaways for mining professionals across all sectors. The program focuses on a range of critical themes that address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing PNG’s mining industry today.
From procurement in remote terrain to workforce development, energy transition and safety culture transformation, each session is designed to move beyond theory and into real-world application. Industry leaders will share case studies, proven strategies and emerging solutions that delegates can implement in their own operations.
“This is your opportunity to get your business in front of the right people, in the right market, at the right time,” Todesco said. “We’re not just hosting an event; we’re bringing the industry to you – the expertise, the innovation and the networks that drive success in PNG’s unique mining environment.”
Among the key themes for the 2026 conference are deep-dive studies on issues around workforce development, accessing necessary equipment, and energy transitions.
Procurement and logistics
Establishing and operating a mine in PNG’s rugged, isolated terrain presents extraordinary logistical challenges that few other mining jurisdictions can match. When the nearest port or serviceable road might be hundreds of kilometres away, conventional supply chain models simply don’t apply.
Conference sessions will explore how mining companies are adapting procurement strategies for PNG’s unique geography, managing complex supply chains across difficult terrain, and maintaining operations when delays can cascade into significant cost blowouts. Discussion will cover equipment availability and parts management in remote locations, risk mitigation strategies for supply chain disruptions, and the critical importance of forward planning in hostile environments.
The program will also examine localisation opportunities and the development of PNG’s domestic supply chain capabilities. As operations mature and infrastructure gradually improves, strategic partnerships with local providers are becoming increasingly viable, offering benefits in responsiveness, cost management and community engagement.
Industry leaders will share practical approaches to balancing international supplier relationships with growing local capacity.
Building PNG’s mining workforce
PNG’s young and growing population represents an enormous opportunity and a pressing challenge for the mining sector. While the country has the demographic foundation to build a sustainable local workforce, significant skills gaps and training barriers continue to limit the industry’s ability to transition from fly-in, fly-out operations, to locally staffed mines.
Conference sessions at PNG Expo 2026 will examine successful partnerships between mining operators, training providers, and government agencies to develop vocational programs and apprenticeship pathways. Discussion will cover retention strategies, career progression models and the critical role of mentorship in building capability. The program will also explore how companies
