Crew of the Sara Lee, Lihir presented with NCS Golden Kina Award
July 24, 2009 by sue
The crew of the Sara Lee are presented their GKA by Catering Manager Craig Wilkins(L) and Group General Manager Marcus Gosling (R)
NCS presented a very special Golden Kina Award to the crew of the Lihir Island Ferry- Sara Lee – on deck !
The Golden Kina Award is a just one of the ways NCS acknowledges outstanding service to our company in helping us with “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day” – in spirit and in ACTION.
The Sara Lee is contracted by LGL to transport workers from Namatani Island six days a week to Lihir and also transporting the 1.5 tons of fresh produce that we buy from farmers on the neighbouring Island to feed the thousands in camp.
The crew of the Sara Lee is responsible for overseeing the loading, discharging, storing and safe handling of all the vegetable and fruit every day.
The journey takes nearly five hours each way, and the skipper and crew of 3 are always on alert. They have become the largest “rescue team” on Lihir, saving nearly 350 lives in the last 22 months. The majority of the rescues are of local banana boat operators who encounter rough seas, run out of fuel or encounter other kinds of difficulties.
“The crew that operates the Sara Lee is integral to our Lihir operations” said NCS Lihir Catering Manager, Craig Wilkins.
We congratulate the Crew of the Sara Lee and thank them for their service and contribution to NCS – it is greatly appreciated.
The Golden Kina Award is a new way for NCS to recognise outstanding service to our business. It’s not just for NCS people. If you know someone who shares the spirit of “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day” and would like to nominate them for a Golden Kina Award , please contact your HR Manager on site or send us an email via the Contact page
Commodore Presented NCS Golden Kina Award
July 24, 2009 by sue
Commodore Peter Ilau presented with his award by Marcus Gosling
Golden Kina Award – not just for NCS people!
The Golden Kina Award is a new way for NCS as an organisation to recognise outstanding service to the company – and it’s not just for NCS people, but also awarded to those who share the spirit of “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day”
NCS Executive Director Marcus Gosling recently presented Commodore Peter Ilau, Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force one of the first NCS Golden Kina Awards.
“The Commander’s presentation on Leadership to the NCS Annual Conference on Lihir in November 2008 was so appreciated by our NCS staff attending the Conference, we felt that it was only fitting that the Commander receive our highest award” said Mr Gosling.
The Golden Kina Award is a new way for NCS to recognise outstanding service to our business. It’s not just for NCS people. If you know someone who shares the spirit of “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day” and would like to nominate them for a Golden Kina Award , please contact your HR Manager on site or send us an email via the Contact page
NCS' "Navy" servicing Basamuk
July 24, 2009 by sue
The Basamuk site is the processing plant for Ramu Nico’s mine operations at Kurumbukari. It is only accessible by boat, and managed by our NCS office in Madang.
At Basamuk we feed in excess of 900 Chinese and National staff three meals each day.
NCS Assistant Operations Manager, Allan Atava said that in the early days at Basamuk, food delivery was done by stinger boats.
“When the weather is good, it takes approximately 3 hours to cross Astrolabe Bay to the Basamuk site from Madang, 5 hours during rough seas in the winter months.” Said Allan.
“We required at least two of these boats doing three trips a week. This turned out to be a very expensive exercise. It was a major challenge to deliver the volume of food needed to feed our customers every day – so decisions had to be made.” He said
An opportunity arose for NCS Raibus to purchase a local boat, The Waria, a 42 foot long stainless steel hulled fishing boat, to transport frozen, dry and fresh fruit and vegetables three times a week from Madang to the Basamuk site.
“We can carry 8 tonne of food a trip and is fitted with 4×750L chest freezers and a generator.” Said Allan. “Prior to having The Waria, the frozen food we took over had almost thawed out by the time we arrived on site 3 hours later, so having the right food storage on the boat has helped us overcome this major obstacle.” He continued.
Whilst NCS Waria solved the supply logistics requirements, a boat was still needed to transport staff to site. NCS purchased a second boat, The Half Moon is a 19 foot Stinger powered by 50HP outboard motor.
The Half Moon has made life much easier and safer for our hard working crew, who are happy that NCS now has a “navy” in operation.
NCS Hidden Valley Crew gets 'Fit for Work'
July 24, 2009 by sue
When one of the NCS Hidden Valley crew was told by his doctor that his weight was causing major health problems, the whole team took up the challenge to help him shape up.
The result is the ‘Fit for Work’ program, which commenced in early December and involves all NCS employees at Hidden Valley (unless they have a medical condition).
Every morning before work starts, the team walks for 15 minutes together. Whilst Sundays are an exercise free day, the team still gets together at lunchtime for a ‘healthy choice’ meal, involving education about portion sizes and dietary balance.
Hidden Valley staffs are leading the way with enthusiasm and commitment, and real results are being seen. Whilst the walk was originally difficult for some of the larger members of the team, it is becoming easier every day, and now everyone looks forward to the morning sessions.
An additional goal is that staff will pass their newfound learning to children in their villages, helping them to also practice a healthy lifestyle and address the growing childhood obesity problem in the area.
The ‘Fit for Work’ program has also resulted in some entertaining moments, like the day when passing cars slowed down near the walkers, who were asked if they were going on strike because they were all marching up the road together!
Well done to the NCS Hidden Valley Project Managers for showing great leadership, initiative and motivating their team toward a healthier lifestyle!
Celebrations to open of the Ramu NiCo Bridge
July 24, 2009 by sue
Madam Luo (Centre) offically opens the Ramu NiCo Bridge
The sound of kundu drums and song filled the air on 11 December 2008 when several thousand people joined together to celebrate the official opening of the Ramu NiCo Bridge.
The bridge is located approximately 75kms southwest of the Madang Province in the Usino-Bundi District and is the main access point to the Kurumbukai mine site. The bridge took 15 months to construct and spans 250 meters, crossing the mighty Ramu River.
The official celebrations started at 11am with the cutting of the ribbon by MCC President Madam Luo and a walk over the bridge.
Madam Luo congratulated everyone involved in the construction and completion of the bridge.
“The Ramu NiCo bridge is not only pivotal for the operation of the mine but is also an important access point for the local community,” President Luo said.
Many local clans put on traditional dress and reached for their kundu drums and spears, to forming groups that filled the air with welcoming song.
NCS-Raibus staff were proud to serve the refreshments to the VIP guests including: MCC Project President Madam Luo, Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation The Hon. Don Polye, Raibus General Manager Mr Peter Kembu and Raibus Chairman Mr Kevin Murray.
Achieving dreams through the Ginigoada program
July 24, 2009 by sue
A three-month training program with NCS PNGDF is helping Papua New Guineans to realise their dream of a career in hospitality.
The Ginigoada program is sponsored by Ausaid as part of the Yumi Lukautim Project for disadvantaged people.
Graduates from the Ginigoada Program with NCS Managers
Graduate Mahura Kauka, has just gained an apprentice chef position with NCS, and is one of the first apprentices to come from the Ginigoada program.
“I have a job now and my own money – I can help support my family,” Kauka said.
“I want to become a head chef. You have to work hard to become someone, you have to start at the bottom and work up. I am thankful for the opportunity”.
Mahura is one of three new apprentices who signed their contracts on Thursday, 29th January 2009, witnessed by NATTB representative, Mr John Maraga and NCS PNGDF Project Manager, Mick Pye and Administration Manager, Ms Alu Kila.
Fellow new apprentices Kelly Andrew and David Mokara were also selected from a total of 18 prospective employees who completed the training program. All three apprentices said they were excited, and looking forward to learning as much as possible to achieve their dream.
At the contract signing ceremony, Mr Maraga spoke of commitment and support between the new apprentices and their employer. Each apprentice was issued with a set of knives as the tools of their selected trade.
Graduates Vari Obaha and Vanama Kei also gained positions as Data Entry Clerk and Kitchen hand, respectively.
NCS is proud of our involvement with the program, which is delivering skilled professionals back to their communities and valued new people to NCS.
Our sincere congratulations and a very warm welcome to our new apprentices.
NCS Fresh Food Depots
July 24, 2009 by sue
Fresh is Best with WFP and KFF
Fresh produce for NCS Sites, from NCS Businesses
One of the benefits to the communities surrounding mining and development sites are the many spin-off business opportunities available to supply quality goods and support services to the sites.
NCS works closely with the Landowners and local communities to ensure that those who are prepared to work hard to make the best of these opportunities can earn a good income.
Two examples of successful Landowner businesses are Wau Fresh Produce (WFP) in Wau and Kumul Fresh Foods (KFF) in Kainantu. Both of these businesses supply fresh produce to NCS Projects all over PNG, and are managed as part of the NCS family of businesses for respective landowner groups in Hidden Valley and Kainantu.
The businesses provide a market link between the local farmers in the community and NCS projects. They mobilise local farmers to grow and sell back to the business, the fresh produce required. In effect, these businesses redistribute mining benefits to people in the community by providing an opportunity for work.
WFP team sources fresh fruit and vegetables from growers and farmers within the Wau area and the Bulolo District of Morobe Province. The project currently supplies 7 ton of fresh produce each week to NCS sites including Hidden Valley, Unitech campus in Bulolo and Wau National Small Scale Mining Training Center.
We grow: kaukau, taro, banana cooking, banana eating (ripe), pumpkin, potato, lettuce, cabbage English, cabbage Chinese, pak choy, (varieties) saladeer, beans french, beans snake, beans dwarf, carrot, capsicum, tomato, choko tips, choko fruit, egg plant, onion spring, parsley, cucumber, zucchini, leek, ginger, silver beet, lemon, passion fruit, sugar fruit, orange, mandarin, water melon, mango, pawpaw.
“Part of the satisfaction of working with NCS in this business is that we support NCS Projects and provide income earning opportunities for the local farming community.” Said WFP NCS Project Manager Lydia Waengo
“Our job at WFP is to make it all run smoothly.” she continued “Some of the challenges they face include the sheer logistics of getting produce to market. PNG’s roads are unpredictable at the best of times!” she said.
It’s a similar operational model with KFF who supply 17 ton of fresh produced weekly supplying NCS projects in the Kainantu region as Unitech in Lae and up to Lihir Island. KFF employs local people and purchase produce from Kainantu, Hagen, Goroka, Chimbu and the Markham Valley.
July 2009
NCS SECURES NEW PROJECT for EU & MRA
July 24, 2009 by sue
Sing Sing group celebrates opening of the new Mining Training Centre
NEW PROJECT! National Small Scale Mining Training Centre in Wau
On the 7th May NCS Hidden Valley completed a special inauguration function for 400 guests to celebrate the opening of the new National Small Scale Mining Training Centre (NSSMTC) located in Wau. The centre was completed with funding from the European Union (EU) and in conjunction with the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) PNG.
EU Project Manager Joe Seegers said “Everything went very well today, including the tasty finger foods provided by NCS”.
Special guests included PNG Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Dr. Puka Temu, the Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Mining, local Landowners and school children. Sing sing groups filled the air with song keeping everyone entertained.
Congratulations are due to NCS Operation Manager Brian Curran who worked diligently with EU and MRA to secure the contract. “NCS is proud to have the EU and MRA as a new client and we look forward to a long and successful relationship”. Said Mr Curran.
July 2009
