Trending 
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape will hold talks this week with a Chinese state-owned company in Guangzhou as his government seeks major progress on the Frieda River copper and gold project.
Marape arrived in China on Monday for a visit centred on mineral development and agricultural trade.
He is scheduled to meet leaders of Guangdong province on Tuesday and hold discussions on Thursday with a key investor involved in the Frieda River project.
Speaking to reporters, Marape said Papua New Guinea’s relationship with China was focused on expanding trade and strengthening economic cooperation. He added that his government also wanted significant movement on the Frieda River development.
“Our relationship with China has a special focus on making sure trade grows, and our economic relationship prospers.
“We want to also progress Frieda River in a substantial manner,” he said.
The project, located in the remote and mountainous West Sepik Province, is believed to contain one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits, according to mining company PanAust.
PanAust is a subsidiary of Guangdong Rising Holding Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise.
Although the project has yet to secure a mining lease, authorities granted environmental permits in December covering the mine and planned supporting infrastructure, including an airport, port, power grid and hydroelectric facility.
Environmental groups have raised concerns with the United Nations Human Rights Council over the possible impact of the mine and proposed dam on downstream communities.
Papua New Guinea, rich in natural resources but still largely undeveloped, counts China as its biggest export market, even as it has strengthened defence and security ties with Australia and the United States in recent years.
