Orica to be in charge of explosives

EXPLOSIVES used by companies in  blasting operations will be distributed in PNG by Orica.
It follows the commissioning of its Amex Plate at Konekaru in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
Orica’s Area Business Manager for Pacific and PNG James Kirkpatrick said the idea of setting up the facility in PNG was to develop a safe place to store and distribute explosives for the mining, quarrying and construction industries.
“Previously, explosives were imported into PNG and distributed but for now, Orica will produce finished products at the Konekaru site,” he said.
Kirkpatrick said the Amex Plant would do the mixing of all the products which industries.
“All the mixing will be done on the Amex Plant site and stored on a safe location to be transported to the industries to used,” he said.
Kirkpatrick said the capital invested to set up the facility was more than A$1 million and Orica will continually invest with Konekaru Holdings Ltd (a landowner company) for the land to store and distribute explosives.
“Even though we have done a lot of capital investment, the investment will continue every year to make sure that the place is secure, local people have jobs and the land being utilised as revenue maker,” he said.
Orica’s Territory Manager Kevin Lot said the facility was set up because of the demand for explosives in PNG .
Department of Labour and Industrial Relation Senior Explosive Inspector Peter Vincent said dealing with explosive was a sensitive issue and the department had made sure Orica met all compliances.