As an engineer at Mipac, working on projects around the world is part of what makes life unique. Recently, we spoke with Camilo Bogota, one of our control systems engineers, about his time on site in Papua New Guinea working on K92 Mining’s Kainantu Gold Mine project.
Mipac: Hi Camilo, welcome back from site! How was Papua New Guinea?
Camilo: It was truly a fantastic experience! I feel incredibly grateful and fortunate to have been part of this project and to visit PNG – a country of strong contrasts but incredibly welcoming people, beautiful sunrises, amazing food and lush, green landscapes which reminded me of parts of home (Colombia).
Mipac: What was the project on which you were working?
Camilo: The project is officially known as the Kainantu Gold Mine, operated by K92 Mining. It is a high-grade underground gold-copper operation, and we were involved in the 1.2 Mtpa Stage 3 process-plant expansion, a development delivered by GR Engineering. The plant’s inauguration was held in October, attended by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, marking a major milestone that also coincided with the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
Mipac: Sounds significant. Was there a particular reason you were sent to site for this project?
Camilo: For me, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. This was a Siemens-based project, and whilst I had prior experience with Siemens, last year I took five different courses to further enhance my skills. So, when the opportunity came to apply these new skills on a real-life project, it was time to shine – and I believe I did just that.
I wish I could have stayed longer. The project itself was outstanding and the local team was incredibly welcoming. The Mipac and GR Engineering teams were exceptional – despite challenges and pressures, what seemed difficult at first became straightforward once completed. It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to work with multiple systems and gain even more technical expertise.
Mipac: How was your work received by the team on the ground?
Camilo: The feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive, and I had the chance to implement several improvements that made their processes more efficient. They didn’t want me to leave, and that meant a lot to me.
On my way back to the [Mipac Brisbane] office, I also received warm greetings from our Managing Director, senior leaders and colleagues, which made me feel like I had left Mipac with a strong, positive reputation.
The whole thing was an invaluable experience, and I’m proud of the contributions I made to the project.
Mipac: Did you have a chance to see anything else in Papua New Guinea while you were there?
Camilo: I did have the chance to spend a night in Port Moresby and found the city more dynamic than I expected. There is a clear effort underway to attract investment, with new hotels, residential developments and infrastructure projects emerging around the city.
I also visited Lae (by mistake!), which, like many growing towns, is still developing but plays a key role in the country’s logistics and industry.
Papua New Guinea in general is a country of strong contrasts. While some areas still face challenges such as limited infrastructure, small and densely populated settlements and rough living conditions, there is also visible small progress – particularly around major centres and regions benefiting from mining/energy-related development. Travelling between regions highlights PNG’s unique geography: because the terrain is mountainous and road networks are limited, air travel is the main way people move between cities. From the air, the coastline and islands around Port Moresby are stunning, with turquoise waters and reefs that resemble the Great Barrier Reef.
Mipac: How were the people?
Camilo: Throughout the trip, the resilience and resourcefulness of the local communities were evident, with markets and people sharing goods along the roadside.
The Kainantu Mine itself is set in a beautiful part of the highlands, and the team on site showed dedication, professionalism and pride in the project. Even with the country’s challenges, there is a sense of potential and progress, supported in part by major mining investments that contribute to improved roads, and regional infrastructure.
Mipac: Have you got any fun travel stories to share?
Camilo: Every great project has its stories, and I did have my fair share of adventures! But all of them made the experience richer and more memorable.
Mipac: Thanks for sharing!
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