PanAust, Phu Bia Mining and government representatives gather for a group photo during the biannual meeting held at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane.

Phu Bia Mining hosts Lao central and provincial authorities’ biannual meeting

Phu Bia Mining (PBM) held the biannual meeting with Lao central and provincial authorities on June 5 at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane.
The meetings’ aims are to continue the successful two-way dialogue between PBM and the Government of Laos on matters of common interest. The meeting hosted 50 central and provincial government officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Energy and Mines, Finance, Natural Resources and Environment, Public Works and Transport, and National Defence.
Both the Xaysomboun and Xieng Khuang provincial authorities were also in attendance as well as the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Saynakhone Inthavong, and Phu Bia Mining Managing Director, Steve Gimpel.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr Thongphat Inthavong; PanAust Managing Director and Chief Executive Office, Daling Zheng; and Phu Bia Mining Chairman, Mr Chanpheng Bounnaphol provided a welcome to all of participants.
Over the course of the half-day meeting, the company shared a 20-minute video with participants showcasing PBM’s world-class and award-winning mining operations in Laos.
Participants were informed of PBM’s financial and economic contributions to Xaysomboun province and the central level of government, and the Company’s community development, and livelihoods projects that passed international evaluation benchmarks.
PBM representatives also presented evidence of strong operational excellence and safety and environmental care which contributed to the Company receiving A class certification for environmental management and monitoring from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2024. The meeting later enabled PBM and national and provincial authorities to discuss several issues needing to be resolved to help the Company achieve growth and development targets that stand to benefit the government and the people of Laos.   
PanAust Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Daling Zheng, reiterated PanAust shareholder’s long-term goals to continue their mining operations in Laos.
Mr Zheng said “On behalf of PanAust shareholder, Guangdong Rising Holding Group (GDRH), we stand ready to support Phu Bia Mining’s growth projects in Laos and partner with all levels of authorities.
“The GDRH delegation, led by Chairman Mr Lyu Yongzhong, visited Laos in April and met with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to build strong ties between China and Laos. The visit served as a testament to the ongoing collaboration and shared futures between two countries. PanAust and Phu Bia Mining reaffirmed GDRH’s goals to continue to foster social and economic development and contribute to the prosperity of Laos,” Mr Zheng said.
Phu Bia Mining Chairman, Mr Chanpheng Bounnaphol added “The meeting also enables PBM and all levels of authorities to prioritise key aspects of our strong partnership, accelerate new mine development, and achieve meaningful discussions on outstanding matters.”

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update June 11, 2024)