Hidden Valley Mine strategy for safer community roads

FY23 marked the first delivery year of Hidden Valley’s four-year strategy to enhance the safety of community roads, improving them to a standard that can be more effectively maintained in future.

These roads, situated in rural Morobe Province, serve as vital links connecting landowner villages and neighbouring communities to essential services healthcare, education and markets. Improving these roads is also essential to future access or expansion of business opportunities for these communities, such as in agriculture.

Planning, including budgets and work schedules (capital and maintenance), for the four-year programme began in FY22. Over 60km of local roads were inspected, with each road given a condition ranking and repair works identified. In FY23, roadworks commenced, first in landowner villages, then extending to neighbouring villages.

Larger works packages included Nauti and Minava roads and Neranda bridge repair. Smaller works packages included maintenance to Winima, Kuembu and Akikanda roads.

Out of the R13 million (US$0.7 million/PGK2.5 million) budget for FY23, we spent R9 million (US$0.5 million/PGK1.8 million) during the financial year, with the remaining R4 million (US$0.2 million/PGK0.8 million) of works in progress at financial year end. In addition to the company’s direct contribution, in agreement with landowners, the Hidden Valley Mine Trust contributed R2 million (US$0.1 million/PGK0.4 million) to the Nauti roadworks package.

We were proud to support the capacity building of a Bulolo-based contractor during FY23 for the smaller works packages. This has bolstered local capacity, and enhanced responsiveness for weather-related and other minor repairs in future.

Planning for the FY24 programme is well advanced, including engagements with village residents about drainage system maintenance, which is fundamental to the longevity of unsealed roads in this high rainfall area. Work packages focusing on light vehicle bridges are prioritised for the first quarter, while the third and fourth quarters will focus on roads.