The fuel behind the mines

PNG Expo 2026 will spotlight the supply chains and services that keep the mining industry running behind the scenes.

Before machinery roars to life, before a truck hauls any ore, and before a single shift begins deep in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) resources heartland, another operation is already underway, one that is built on supply chains, logistics and the daily task of keeping a workforce fed.

It is that broader mining ecosystem that will come together at the 2026 PNG Industrial and Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference (PNG Expo), a two-day meeting point designed to connect industry leaders, suppliers and decision-makers across PNG’s mining, resources and supporting infrastructure sectors. Just as importantly, it creates space for the conversations that turn connections into action.

And the appetite for those connections is growing.

Returning to the Stanley Hotel and Suites in Port Moresby from July 1–2, PNG Expo 2026 will bring together government representatives, business leaders and industry stakeholders for two days of networking, collaboration and innovation.

With a redesigned floorplan, an expanded conference program and exhibitor demand rising, the event marks a new chapter for as country’s premier mining and resources showcase.

The exhibition floor will feature products, services and technologies supporting PNG’s mining and industrial sectors, along with structured networking sessions designed to connect attendees directly with decision-makers, suppliers and service providers.

For Goodman Fielder PNG, the event’s official catering sponsor, those discussions are critical.

“The resources sector relies on robust supply chains,” Goodman Fielder PNG trade marketing and insights manager Benjamin Raepa said.

“Mining operations need consistent, high-quality food supplies for their workforce camps, and they need partners who understand scale and reliability.”

That demand for connection is reflected in the event’s growth.

Last year’s expo attracted more than 500 visitors, marking the highest attendance in the event’s history. Decision-makers made up 65 per cent of attendees, while 62 per cent came from within PNG, highlighting the expo’s role as a platform where local insight, practical conversations and real business opportunities take shape.

But PNG Expo’s real value lies in the conversations had between displays, outside conference sessions and long after delegates leave the exhibition floor.

From a welcome reception and official networking function to informal catch-ups, the event is designed to spark discussion, build relationships and create meaningful opportunities for connection.

That is so important because many of the industry’s most valuable conversations happen away from the boardroom, where operators and suppliers can speak candidly about the challenges facing projects on the ground.

That is where PNG Expo creates value.

“Events like the PNG Expo bring together industry leaders, suppliers and decision-makers under one roof,” Raepa said.

“It creates a space for real conversations about what works on the ground. For us, it’s a new chance to listen as much as to talk, to understand the challenges operators face and show how our product range and distribution can help solve them.”

For a company best known in PNG through household brands such as Flame rice, Twisties, Skel Rice, Arthur’s Pie and Bilas Bread, PNG Expo also offers direct access to the people shaping operations behind the scenes, from procurement managers securing large-scale supply contracts to camp caterers and hospitality operators responsible for feeding workforces in remote locations.

“It allows us to move from being a retail brand to being recognised as a complete food partner for industry,” Raepa said.

Supported through PNG Expo’s conferencing program, the exhibition floor acts as a genuine forum for opportunities to be sought and issues solved. Against this backdrop, Raepa’s message is straightforward.

“Come with your real-world problems,” he said.

“If you run a mess hall at a remote site, or you struggle with inconsistent supply, or you want to improve the quality of food for your workers – come and talk to us.”

That invitation speaks to what PNG Expo does best.

It is more than an exhibition; it is a place where operators, suppliers and industry leaders can sit down, share ideas and solve practical challenges in-person. PNG Expo is where connections are strengthened, ideas are tested, and practical solutions begin with a conversation.

Some of the most important work throughout the mining industry does not happen in the pit. It happens across the table, where partnerships are built, problems are solved, and the fuel behind the mines keeps moving. 

Secure your tickets now at pngexpo.com/attend

This feature appeared in the June 2026 edition of the Australian Mining magazine.