Ramu NiCo’s Emergency Rescue Team appreciates Mineral Resources Authority ( MRA ) and PNG Chamber of Mines for hosting a very informative, skills-sharing, and team-building exercise during the 2026 ERT Challenge held in Lae, Morobe Province, from the 21 -23 of October 2026.

This year, the Ramu NiCo Emergency Response Team  includes only one team, combining ERT members from both of its Basamuk Refinery and Kurumbukari Mine sites, unlike in 2019 when the mine had two teams separately from  its two sites.

Ramu NiCo ERT Deputy Superintendent and Team Manager Mr. Channel Singan said the team has learned a lot from other resource industries that took part in the challenge. Ramu NiCo also appreciates the Rescue Group Trainers who delivered high-standard coaching in BA OPERATIONS, HAZMAT, ROPES, SEARCH AND RESCUE, and CONFINED SPACE.

“Prior to the event, the team also completed a 12-day Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue Training with RG Group at RG Warehouse in Lae,” the deputy ERT superintendent said.

He said their training ahead of the ERT challenge not only equipped and refreshed them with skills prior to the program, but also equipped them to pass that knowledge back to both of Ramu NiCo’s both sites after the ERT Challenge.

“Attending the 2026 ERT competition was not just to compete, but to represent Ramu NiCo, to learn from other mining companies, and to bring back knowledge to improve emergency preparedness at our two operational sites, KBK Mine and BSK Refinery,” the Deputy Superintendent Mr. Channel Singan said.

The ERT Deputy Superintendent said the experience was also an opportunity to meet and share ideas with other ERT teams from mines across PNG through the brotherhood, discipline, and sportsmanship shown during the three-day challenge.

“We would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the winning teams for this year’s event—you deserved the win! Well done to all participating teams, you all are champions in safety,” he said

This year, the now China Minmetals owned Nickel and Cobalt mine in Madang Province ( Ramu NiCo Mine )  sent 7 participants,(1 Team Captain, Robert Apelis, five participants, and 1 reserve).

The Challenge ended on the 23rd of October in Lae, Morobe Province, with different ERT Teams returning to their respective sites in Papua New Guinea.