Tobias Kulang Thomas, CPA

Tobias Kulang Thomas graduated with a Bachelor in Accountancy from the Divine Word University in Madang in Papua New Guinea and is an Associated member of CPAPNG. He started his career with Ernst & Young (EY) in Port Moresby in 1995 before joining PricewaterCoopers (PWC) when EY left PNG in 1999. Tobias later started Star Business Consultants (www.sbc.com.pg) in 2000 and managed it as its Managing Partner until 2009 before being appointed as the Managing Director of PNG Microfinance Ltd. Tobias served as a Member of Parliament for seven years after winning the by-election and General Elections in Kundiawa Gembogl District in Simbu Province in 2010 and 2012 consecutively. Whilst in Parliament, Tobias also served as the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.

In January 2024 Tobias was appointed to PNG’s Mining Advisory Council, an independent committee established under PNG’s Mining Act comprised of representatives of the Mining Resources Authority PNG’s governing regulatory body, and senior representatives of the mining industry. The Mining Advisory Council reviews and deliberates on the Exploration License and Special Mining Lease application processes and makes final recommendations to the Minister for Mining. Tobias was nominated as a member of the Mining Advisory Council by the Honourable Muguwa Dilu, PNG’s new Minister for Mining.

During the last seven years commencing in 2018 Tobias worked in the Energy sector with the development of hydropower projects and Special Economic Zone projects in PNG. Tobias has accumulated extensive experience in both the private and public sectors combined with specific skills in local communities’ engagements with major resources and infrastructure development projects in PNG.

Tobias also specializes in Business Development which include, SME Start-Ups, Accounting & Taxation Advisory and Corporate Finance. Tobias’ public sector connections enable him to facilitate effectively with Government and Statutory bodies to obtain licenses, permits and statutory approvals for development projects.

Robert Weicker

Mr. Weicker is a professional geologist with more than thirty years of experience in all aspects of the minerals exploration and mining industry. Mr. Weicker has worked for both major (Asarco, Noranda, Lac Minerals) and junior mining companies and has his own independent consulting company specializing in exploration, management and administrative roles. His experience includes development and production of the largest gold mine in Canada, development and production of an open pit zinc operation, development of an underground gold mine, and numerous exploration projects for precious, base and industrial metals. He has authored or co-authored prefeasibility studies, feasibility studies, assessment reports, valuation studies, 43-101 reports (both domestically and internationally) and technical reports and reviews for the TSX-Venture and AIM exchanges.