From the newsroom to the mines

PHILIP Samar can always claim that his road to fame started at The National newspaper years ago. That road took another turn last month when he finished off as managing director of Mineral Resources Authority after four years in the position.
Samar, originally from Kairiru Island in East Sepik and Gulf, joined MRA 22 years ago, and slowly rose through the ranks until he got to the top of the ladder. But it was at The National, in Port Moresby, that he cut his teeth.
As a mining engineer, it is surprising that Samar ended up in a newsroom in the first place, even though he did own his space as a business reporter.
From The National, he joined MRA and stayed for more than two decades and for four of those years he ran the organisation.
Samar’s term as managing director ended on April 9.
He was first appointed acting managing director for the MRA in 2012.
Samar said he was privileged to have been of service to the government, the people of PNG – especially mining project stakeholders – and the exploration and mining industry.
As he recalled during a recent farewell event in Port Moresby, “When I finished from uni in 1995, there was no job for a mining engineer. I was without a job for six months.
“I ended up working with The National newspaper as a business reporter.
“When I was at Sogeri (National High School) I used to do the Sogeri magazine.”
Samar from Kairiru Island in East Sepik and Gulf is married to Joy and they have two young boys.
“The past years at MRA has been the best years of my life, I couldn’t ask for anything,” he says.
“The way I started, found a way to my purpose.
“I’m comfortable with my decision, six years as MD is enough.
“Our mines are more difficult to operate than elsewhere.
“Our mining industry is second to none.
“I ask that we continue to support the industry.
“The last six years no doubt have been the highlight of my career over the last 21 years as a public servant.
“I am satisfied that I have done my part in nation-building through managing the MRA and servicing the mining industry.
“The MRA was established in 2007, the statutory authority has performed exceptionally well in regulating and promoting the country’s mineral sector.
“I also thank the board, management and staff of the MRA for their support, commitment and cooperation during my term as the MD.
“The board’s support in recommending me to the minister then for NEC consideration and approval is acknowledged and I am indebted to you all for your trust and confidence.”
Samar said that for the past 10 years, the mining industry has been the single-largest contributor of revenue to the national purse, contributing more than 60 per cent of revenues every year.
“This makes the sector all too important and the government must continue to support the sector by creating a conducive environment whereby the industry is allowed to operate sustainably – safely, profitably and responsibly,” says Samar.
“At the same time, government must be able to realise the expected benefits to be derived from these projects such as employment, taxes/duties, royalties/dividends, compensation, training and business spinoffs.
“The government has to continue its support of the MRA by maintaining and improving its technical and financial resources.
This is to enable the authority to continue to service this very important sector that is underpinning our socio-economic prosperity.
“Looking back at the past 20 years as a regulator of the exploration and mining sector, I can confidently say that the government has come a long way in proactively prioritising the sector by firstly introducing the Mining Act 1992 and from there on putting in place organisational improvements by separating the petroleum and mining functions followed by further improvements to the mining functions separating its policy and regulatory roles through the creation of the MRA in 2005.”
Samar is calling on the Government to:
•Support the MRA’s ongoing regulatory roles by strengthening its governance, independence and resourcing;
•Revise the proposed amendments to the Mining Act to capture additional practical administrative improvements;
•Review and revise the Mining Safety Act 1977;
•Strengthen the regulation of the small-scale mining alluvial gold sector;
•Improve training, create awareness and provide capital and appropriate technology to the alluvial miners around the country;
•Change the current benefits-sharing arrangements to a more project-delivery model;
•Review and revise the government’s equity participation in major mining projects; and
•Better organise itself to optimise its participation in the Wafi and Frieda copper projects.
Q. What has been one of your biggest challenges?
Samar: Managing our people and their expectations for the industry.
Q. What is your advice on managing landowners?
Samar: Firstly, you pay them their royalty. And I think challenge for Government is to move away from that model. That model, unfortunately, is devised on a think-big system, based on cash flow, based on budget. We need to seriously move away from that. There are several models and can be done. Wafi and Frieda projects are coming up, that should be an opportunity to do something different, our people deserve better.
Q. What’s next for you?
Samar: I just need a break, two months break. By June I have to find a job.