Ok Tedi Mine Limited (OTML) for over 40 years continues to ensure Papua New Guinea’s next generation of mining engineers and administrators get the necessary training to further develop the country’s mining sector. Currently, nine (9) undergraduate students from the University of Technology and two (2) from the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) are undergoing their Industrial Training Program with Ok Tedi Mining Limited as part of the Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (USS). General Manager Strategic Business Development & Optimization, Alan Bong officially welcomed the undergraduates at the Dr. Weiss Training Centre in Tabubil on the 24th of November 2024. “We are committed to developing PNG’s human resource and have an excellent training program and while we are glad to be a part of your training, it will require your 100% input as well. If you contribute 100% of your efforts, commitment and discipline and ensure that you learn as much as you can, you will fulfil your purpose of being here,” Mr. Bong said. Of the 11 students, two (2) are from the disciplines of Mining Engineering, three (3) from Civil Engineering, 1 from Mineral Processing, 1 from Applied Physics & Electronics, 1 from Electrical & Communication, 1 from Surveying, 1 from Chemistry and 1 from Environmental Science. The students will spend 3 months of Industrial Training attached with various OTML departments for a unique opportunity to combine their academic studies with hands-on industry experience, ensuring they develop both the technical and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the global mining sector. The Undergraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is an initiative of OTML to help support high performing students attending tertiary institutions in PNG that offer disciplines relevant to OTML work areas. The Program aims to assist students with work exposures while ensuring OTML maintains an industry-institution relationship with respective universities that provide graduates into its training programs and career. The USS commenced in 2007 and reintroduced in 2023 following a hiatus after 2014, OTML has invested over K830, 000 in the USS program, sponsoring 60 undergraduate students so far. OTML is a 100% PNG owned mine and is committed to developing PNG’s human resource and further improving its industry-institution relations to ensure market-ready graduates are produced to enter the workforce across the country or globally.