Brisbane-based Pacific Lime and Cement (PLC) has secured its first long-term quicklime offtake agreement, striking a deal with gold and copper major Newmont to supply locally manufactured product from its Central Lime project in Papua New Guinea.

The multiyear agreement establishes Newmont as a cornerstone customer for the project, with contracted volumes representing about one-third of the Central Lime project’s nameplate production capacity. The quicklime will be supplied to Newmont’s Papua New Guinea gold operations following construction and commissioning of the project.

The offtake underpins the commercial development of what is set to become the country's first domestic quicklime manufacturing operation. It also marks the first large-scale commercial commitment to locally produced quicklime in the country.

PLC said the project was designed to replace quicklime imports currently shipped into Papua New Guinea from offshore suppliers, potentially substituting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of imports while supporting local employment, skills development and business opportunities.

The company also noted that the offtake enhanced supply-chain resilience for Newmont by reducing exposure to international logistics disruptions. It also aligned with environmental and social objectives through reduced transport emissions and increased local value creation.

"This agreement validates more than a decade of work to establish domestic quicklime production capable of meeting Tier-1 mining standards, while delivering strong economic, social and environmental outcomes for Papua New Guinea," said PLC MD Paul Mulder.

“With a foundation offtake in place, PLC is well positioned as the Central Lime project advances and shall progress further customer discussions as we move toward first production.”

Newmont Lihir GM Dawid Pretorius said the agreement underscored the miner’s commitment to long-term value creation in Papua New Guinea.

“This agreement was not about short-term cost savings. It required significant time and effort to achieve an outcome that delivers shared value for Newmont, our partners and the nation,” Pretorius said. “It demonstrates our commitment to supporting domestic industry and the broader social and economic benefits that flow from building local capability.”