Ok Tedi Mining Ltd : The Heart of Papua New Guinea

OK TEDI WOMEN’S NETWORK

In 2007, during the mine benefits stream negotiations for communities impacted by the OTML operations, each CMCA region was represented by one woman. The women were able to negotiate for 10 percent of the funds from the mine operations to be dedicated to the women and children programme. This was a significant achievement for women in PNG and reinforced women’s rights to representation at the highest levels of decision making on mine benefits for local communities.

The Memorandum of Agreement following the review specifically provided for recognition of women representatives on Village Planning Committee, the CMCA Association and the Board of the Ok Tedi Development Foundation.

In 2012, when the Mine Continuation Agreements came up for a five-year review, around 30 women leaders participated in the negotiation process. Each region was represented by three women negotiators with six from Mine Village CMCA. During the negotiations, the women increased the trust funding set-aside for women and children from 10 percent to 18 percent, dependent on the region. Support for the increase came from the male leaders as they recognised that the women leaders were facilitating programmes that benefit the whole village and the families.

Further, the Ok Tedi Women’s Network (OWN) was established to represent females in the Ok Tedi workforce and address issues including the identification of structural barriers to career progression, professional development needs, personal safety and health matters for its female personnel.

OWN provides a platform for women to have a voice and a support mechanism in which they can learn from other women who could have experienced similar issues.

The key objectives of OWN are:

• Creating a forum for exchanging ideas.
• Addressing safety and security matters of concern to female employees of OTML and resident spouses.
• Identify development pathways for female employees and impediments to progression.
• Encourage mentorship and training for female employees.
• Promote ways to improve the success of OTML in attracting and retaining female employees.

Inclusion Strategies

The Pasin Ok Tedi programme is an initiative of the OTML Executive Management Team and focuses on building an inclusive ‘One Team, Wan Pasin.’

The Pasin Ok Tedi Team consists of influential and renowned representatives from across the business who work with the Executive Leadership, Business Improvement and Safety Teams to transform the workplace culture of its business enabling Ok Tedi to uphold its values and achieve its vision.

The Pasin Ok Tedi Team’s goals are:

• To support Line Managers and everyone to develop a culture, where employees.
• Feel the sense of belonging and ownership.
• Give their best every day and continuously seek to improve.
• Are kept informed and involved.
• Enjoy the achievement of living up to their responsibilities.
• Realise their worth to the business.
• Help make Ok Tedi a leader of the pack.
• Help make Ok Tedi the employer of choice.

The people of the Star Mountains and the Fly River have traditionally learned their culture, language, knowledge and skills as part of village life. Now, since the mine has opened the area to outside influences, education is widely accepted by the Western Province communities as a way to improve their livelihood and contribute to the long-term economic and social development within the Western Province.

Ok Tedi has long supported local schools through the Tax Credit Scheme and has built and upgraded many new school classrooms across the Province. The transfer of the Community Education Service function to the Ok Tedi Development Foundation from Ok Tedi has consolidated community development initiatives for all mine associated communities. The OTDF has improved coordination of education and educational services with a number of partners including the Provincial Education Department and other development partners.