Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea

What Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea does

The Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea (MRA) is the statutory government regulatory authority for the mining sector in Papua New Guinea, established in 2005 and operational since 2007 under the Mining Act 1992 and the Mineral Resources Authority Act 2005. It operates from Mining Haus in Port Moresby as the sole legal regulator for all exploration licenses, mining leases, special mining leases, and alluvial mining permits, as well as the principal safety inspectorate. MRA serves four primary constituencies: mining and exploration companies (132+ firms holding 299 exploration licenses as of 2012), alluvial and artisanal miners, mining-affected communities and landowners, and government agencies involved in mining policy.

MRA's core technology platform is the Mining Cadastre eGov Portal, built on Trimble Landfolio (FlexiCadastre) and funded by the World Bank's Second Mining Sector Institutional Strengthening Technical Assistance Project. The portal enables tenement portfolio management, online fee payments, report submissions, withdrawal/surrender applications, and registration for alluvial exports and inspectorate interactions, with an interactive map layer aligned to EITI transparency standards. Complementary assets include a centralized Geoscience Data Repository, the bi-annual Mining & Exploration Bulletin, the biennial GEE Conference, and the PNG Alluvial Mining Convention & Trade Show.

MRA's revenue model is hybrid: principally funded by direct government appropriation, supplemented by statutory tenement and dealing fees under Section 146 of the Mining Act 1992 and Section 52 of the MRA Act 2005, plus Certificates of Competency examination fees. There is no private equity, venture capital, or institutional ownership involvement; MRA is wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Papua New Guinea and reports through the Ministry of Mining. The Managing Director, Jerry Garry, is appointed by the National Executive Council and is currently serving his second four-year term (reappointed June 2024).

Name

Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea

Legal name

Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea

Website

https://mra.gov.pg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MRA is the statutory government regulatory authority for Papua New Guinea's mining sector, regulating exploration licenses, mining leases, and alluvial mining permits under the Mining Act 1992. It serves mining companies, alluvial miners, landowners, and government agencies through its Cadastre Portal, geological surveys, and field inspectorate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Regulatory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (213)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Compliance Audit Support & Documentation (Emissions/Safety/Environmental) (TLAKANAO)

Keywords

• Mining regulatory services
• Mineral tenement management
• Geological survey services
• Mining safety inspection
• Mining investment facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Moresby

HQ country

Papua New Guinea

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriation: MRA is principally a government regulatory institution funded by the state to provide regulatory services to companies holding exploration and mining tenements in PNG.
2. Tenement and Dealing Fees: Fees for grant or extension of tenements and dealings pursuant to Section 146 of the Mining Act 1992 and Section 52 of the Mineral Resources Authority Act 2005, including application fees for Special Mining Leases.
3. Mineral Export Revenue: Mining sector accounts for approximately 60% of total exports; total mineral (oil & gas included) exports are 82.7% of total commodities exports (Bank of PNG, Sept 2020). MRA oversees the regulatory framework generating these revenues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MRA is a statutory government regulatory institution providing mining sector regulatory services to companies holding exploration and mining tenements in Papua New Guinea, including tenement licensing, permitting, compliance monitoring, safety inspection, and community benefit management under the Mining Act 1992. It also operates as a scientific institution conducting geological surveys and serving as custodian of all mineral and earth sciences data in PNG, with the Mining Cadastre eGov Portal as its core digital service delivery platform.

Product overview

MRA is a government regulatory institution (established 2005) providing a digital e-government platform for Papua New Guinea's mining sector. The core product is the Mining Cadastre Portal built on Trimble Landfolio (FlexiCadastre), which provides an interactive tenement map aligned with EITI transparency standards for stakeholders to manage tenement portfolios, pay fees, and submit reports. MRA also publishes the bi-annual Mining & Exploration Bulletin and organizes major conferences including the biennial GEE Conference (Geoscience, Exploration & Extraction) and the PNG Alluvial Mining Convention & Trade Show. Additionally, MRA developed the Resource Evaluation Code of Practice for Alluvial Mining (RECP) as a regulatory standard for the small-scale mining sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MRA Mining Cadastre Portal E-government platform enabling mining sector stakeholders in PNG to engage directly with MRA for tenement portfolio management, online fee payments, report submissions, and application withdrawals/surrenders. Built on Trimble Landfolio (FlexiCadastre by Spatial Dimension).
• Cadastre Portal & Mineral Tenement Map Interactive digital map displaying mineral tenement license and application boundaries in PNG, aligned with EITI transparency standards for public transparency on tenement boundaries and license data.
• Resource Evaluation Code of Practice for Alluvial Mining (RECP) Code of practice developed by MRA's Small Scale Mining Branch to support and improve PNG's alluvial mining sector, providing regulatory standards for small-scale mining operations.
• Geoscience, Exploration & Extraction (GEE) Conference Two-yearly conference organized by MRA bringing together academic scientists, researchers, geoscientists, and mining industry leaders to exchange experiences and share research results in geoscience, geological exploration, and mineral extraction.
• PNG Alluvial Mining Convention & Trade Show Initiative by MRA to promote and showcase the potential of alluvial gold mining in PNG, bringing together alluvial miners, regulatory agencies, SME agencies, financiers, investors, gold exporters, and equipment suppliers.
• Mining & Exploration Bulletin Bi-annual official publication providing information on performance and development of mineral exploration and mining projects in PNG, updates on government policies, and administrative functions of MRA.
• Tenement Licensing and Permitting Services Regulatory services for granting or extending mining tenements and dealings pursuant to Section 146 of the Mining Act 1992 and Section 52 of the Mineral Resources Authority Act 2005, including Special Mining Lease application processing and Certificates of Competency examination services.
• Geological Survey and Geoscience Services Geological surveys and exploration activities to understand the geology and mineralization of Papua New Guinea, with MRA serving as custodian of all mineral and earth sciences data in PNG, providing geoscience for mining, energy, and humanity.
• Mines Inspectorate Safety Services Mines Inspectorate provides safety inspection services for mining operations across PNG, including accident trending analysis, OHS notices, accident preventive awareness activities, and safety and health programs to ensure mining hazards and risks are managed to as low as reasonably practicable.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mining sector generates approximately 60% of PNG's total exports and over 60% of national revenue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core, supporting and exploratory.

• China Geological SurveysignificantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024MRA and China Geological Survey signed an MOU to cooperate in geoscience. The MOU was signed by MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry and witnessed by Dr Wang Tiangang of Nanjing Institute of Geology & Minerals. The framework covers exchange of scientific and technical knowledge, joint projects, research visits, training, workshops, and conferences. Activities depend on financial capability and human resources of both parties.
• Spatial DimensioncoreTechnology or IntegrationSpatial Dimension is the developer of FlexiCadastre (Landfolio platform), which powers the MRA Mining Cadastre eGov Portal. Portal copyright held by Spatial Dimension (2005-2015). They provide ongoing technical implementation and support for the online mining cadastre transactional portal.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre of the National CourtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerADR Centre of the National Courts of PNG delivered a seven-day Basic Mediation Skills Training (BMST) to MRA Mining Wardens and Senior Legal Counsel. Officers received Certificates of Competency under the National Mediation Accreditation Standards (NMAS). Training enables officers to resolve disputes through ADR process.
• PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPNGCJE collaborated with ADR Centre to deliver Basic Mediation Skills Training (BMST) to MRA officers under National Mediation Accreditation Standards (NMAS), providing foundational qualification for becoming accredited mediators in PNG and internationally.
• Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOTML became Major Gold Sponsor of GEE Conference 2024, contributing K100,000. OTML General Manager Social Performance and Sustainability Jesse Pile and Manager Corporate Affairs Dexter Wagambie presented the sponsorship. OTML has previously supported MRA events.
• Newmont CorporationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNewmont Corporation provided Bronze category sponsorship for GEE 2024 Conference. Newmont's Country Manager Stanley Komunt presented the sponsorship to MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry. Newmont is also a developer of the Wafi-Golpu project alongside Harmony.
• Prospectors & Developers' Association of Canada (PDAC)significantGTM or Marketing PartnerMRA and Ministry of Mining team attended PDAC 2025 convention in Toronto (March 2-5), the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention with 30,000 attendees from 130+ countries. PNG showcased advanced projects, airborne geophysics data, and financing opportunities.
• Department of Mines, BotswanaexploratoryStrategic or Co-development PartnerA delegation from the Department of Mines of Botswana visited MRA on March 22, 2024. MRA MD Jerry Garry presented an overview of PNG's mining industry and MRA functions. Botswana is a major diamond producer and sought to learn from PNG's mining regulatory framework.
• PNGEITI (PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMRA participates in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as part of its CSR initiatives. The Cadastre Portal displays tenement boundaries aligned with EITI standards for transparency in PNG's mining sector.
• Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited (KMHL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMHL represents the National Government's 36% equity stake in the new Porgera Mine. MRA works with KMHL on Wafi-Golpu project coordination. KMHL CEO Sarimu Kanu participates in MRA-led stakeholder meetings.
• Ministry of MiningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRA operates under the Ministry of Mining. The Ministry and MRA jointly attend international conferences (PDAC), conduct Development Forums for Special Mining Leases, and coordinate mining policy implementation.
• Department of Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management (DMPGM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMPGM Secretary Harry Kore participates in MRA-led state negotiating teams for mine projects. DMPGM works with MRA on geological surveys and mining policy.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Geoscience Australia: Australia's national geological survey, comparable to MRA's Geological Survey division in providing national geoscience data, mineral resource assessments, and exploration support.
• Department of Mines (Botswana): Botswana's mining regulatory authority, which MRA hosted for a benchmarking visit in March 2024. Comparable as a government mining regulator in a resource-dependent economy.
• Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Indonesia): Indonesian government authority overseeing mining regulation, licensing, and inspection in another major mining jurisdiction with significant artisanal and large-scale mining activity.
• Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (South Africa): South Africa's mining and energy regulator, comparable to MRA in administering mining rights, permits, and compliance oversight across a diverse mining sector.
• SERNAGEOMIN: Chile's National Geology and Mining Service combines geological survey and mining regulatory functions, closely mirroring MRA's hybrid regulator-scientific institution role in a major mining jurisdiction.
• INGEMMET: Peru's Geological, Mining, and Metallurgical Institute combines geological research with mining cadastre and regulatory functions, similar to MRA's dual mandate.
• Mines and Geosciences Bureau (Philippines): Philippine government agency responsible for regulating mining and conducting geoscientific surveys, with analogous functions in permitting, inspection, and geological data management.
• Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Western Australia): Western Australia's mining and resources regulator, comparable to MRA in administering mining tenements, safety inspection, and resource sector governance in a major mining jurisdiction.

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Canada: Canadian federal department overseeing natural resources including minerals and metals, with broader mandate than MRA but overlapping policy and regulatory functions for mining sector governance.

Others

• EITI International Secretariat: International transparency standard for extractive industries with which MRA is aligned via its Cadastre Portal. Not a direct peer but an enabling framework partner and ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mineral-resources-authority-papua-new-guinea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea