Key Components of Mining Safety Training at a Glance
Pacific Manpower & Institute for Safety Education and Training (ISET)
Program Overview
The training model developed by Pacific Manpower and ISET is structured around five core components. These ensure every person deployed to a mine site in PNG is well-prepared, safety-conscious, and operationally competent.
🔷 Mine Infrastructure & Physical Components
Foundations of a mine site: open-pit and underground areas, overburden dumps, TSFs, ore/waste stockpiles; processing (crushing, grinding, concentrators, CIL/CIP, flotation/smelters); support systems (power, water treatment, waste); accommodation camps and site services.
- • Understand pit areas (open-pit/underground)
- • Identify overburden dumps & TSFs
- • Know ROM/high-grade/low-grade stockpiles
- • Grasp crushing, grinding, recovery (CIL/CIP, flotation, smelter)
- • Recognise power, water, and waste systems
- • Camps & essential site services
🔷 Operational Systems & Logistics
Operations and flow: drilling & blasting, load/haul with trucks, loaders, excavators; grade control; sampling; mine planning and scheduling; site haul roads; conveyors and pipelines; export routes to Lae/Kiunga and FIFO airstrips.
- • Drilling/blasting procedures & safety
- • Load/haul operations & traffic rules
- • Grade control & ore sampling
- • Planning & shift scheduling
- • Conveyors/pipelines & export logistics
🔷 Workforce & Community Infrastructure
Life in camp (FIFO/local), catering, laundry, recreation, medical facilities; HR structures; training centres and inductions; community affairs; landowner associations; company programs in health, education, and local enterprise.
- • Navigate FIFO/local accommodation
- • Use camp/medical facilities responsibly
- • Understand workforce structures
- • Participate in training & inductions
- • Engage respectfully with communities & landowners
🔷 Regulatory & Compliance Structures
PNG mining licences (ML, SML, EL); CEPA environmental permits; MRA oversight; WHS-based safety systems; environmental monitoring (air/water/biodiversity); audits/inspections; statutory reporting.
- • Identify key licences & permits
- • Follow WHS policies & audits
- • Monitor compliance & report incidents
- • Meet quarterly/annual reporting duties
🔷 Support Services & Systems
Emergency response (ERT), first aid, hazard/near-miss reporting, incident management; communications (satellite/radios); SCADA/DCS; security & surveillance; warehousing & inventory; procurement and SME sourcing.
- • Respond with ERT & first aid
- • Use incident & hazard systems
- • Operate comms & control systems
- • Follow security protocols
- • Manage inventory & support local SMEs
🔶 Unique Considerations for PNG Mines
Remote access (helicopter/barge/long-haul), high rainfall, landslides, floods; cultural sensitivity across diverse tribal groups and customary land; respectful landowner engagement; managing relations in complex social settings.