Board and senior management changes at PanAust, a new Managing Director at the Mineral Resources Authority, a new Tax Partner at KPMG, Ok Tedi’s first female Mine Manager and judicial appointments for the National and Supreme Courts.

There are reportedly major changes to the board and senior management ranks of Brisbane-based miner PanAust. Dr Fred Hess, who has been with the firm for 13 years, including four as Managing Director. According to the reports he will be replaced by Dr Qun Yang who will also serve as Executive Chairman. Also said to be leaving are CFO Andrew Price, General Counsel Paul Scarr, Support Services chief Adrian Bell, Tech Services head Dr Peter Trout, and external affairs boss Glen Connell. PanAust was taken over three years ago by the Chinese state-owned Guangdong Rising Assets Management.

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The Mineral Resources Authority has a new Managing Director. Economic geologist and mining consultant, Jerry Garry, has replaced acting MD Nathan Mosusu, who was acting in the position since Philip Samar’s contract finished last April. Garry is also the country’s first diamond expert.

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Karen McEntee has been appointed Tax Partner at professional services company KPMG PNG.

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Hillary Turnamur from Toma in East New Britain is the first female in the country to be awarded a certificate of competency as Mine Manager works. Turnamur is a manager at Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s, Kiunga operations.

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A new Deputy Chief Justice and six other judges have been sworn in. Ambeng Kandakasi will serve a term of 10 years as Deputy Chief Justice. Justice Nicholas Miviri will also serve a term of 10 years, Justice Derek Hartshorn will serve three years and Acting Judges John Numapo, John Kaumi, Sinclair Gora and David Susame will serve terms of 12 months each in the National and Supreme courts.