For 29 year-old Samson Angula, standing in front of a large crowd of students in various schools in Bogia District, Madang Province was more than just an awareness talk. It was a defining moment in his young career.
As an Environment Officer based at Kurumbukari mine site, Angula joined the company’s Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) Awareness Program for the first time this year.
The week long program took the team to various schools across Bogia, engaging with students, parents, community leaders, and ordinary people.
“As the first time, it has been challenging yet very informative,” Angula said.
“I had the opportunity to engage directly with students, teachers, community leaders and ordinary people in the community to explain what we do for environment,” he said.
What struck him most was the reception.
“I feel satisfied to see how attentive they were. Their eagerness to learn something new is remarkable,” Angula said.
For many in the coastal district, this was the first time they had heard a detailed explanation of how the project manages its tailing through its DSTP pipeline, discharging at 150 metres depth after safe treatment and neutralization. Beyond the technical information, the awareness program became a personal journey for the young officer.
“The awareness helped to break personal barriers and ignite confidence in me to stand in public with pride representing the company,” Angula said.
“I had the opportunity to showcase my skills through this program, which helped me evaluate myself on how well I understood my work on site,” he stated further.
Every question from a student, every nod from a teacher, and every compliment from community elders has become fuel for his future.
“All the compliments made towards me are now used to fuel my career to achieve even greater things in the future, I look forward without hesitation to taking part in this program again with the company,” he said.
Angula’s journey with Ramu NiCo began in 2024, right after completing his industrial training as a final-year student from the University of Goroka. He was recruited immediately after graduation.
“Working for a mining company was a dream but only few achieve,” he said.
For Angula, Ramu NiCo has a special spot in his life and will remain with him wherever he goes.
Sharing his experiences and knowledge about Ramu NiCo with others through DSTP Awareness and other educational programs has become a bonus he never expected.
From monitoring environmental compliance at Kurumbukari to educating a child in a remote Bogia school about marine protection, Samson Angula represents a new generation of PNG mining professionals, young, confident, and proud to bridge the gap between mine and community.
