Caption: Elias Keyiken cutting a cake during his farewell party with colleagues; inset is Porgera New Limited General Manager James McTiernan. Picture supplied.
New Porgera Limited (NPL) has announced that Elias Keyiken has accepted a permanent role with Barrick’s Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) project in Pakistan, just weeks into a six-month secondment.
According to NPL, Keyiken’s quick transition highlights how experience gained at Porgera prepares employees to take on leadership roles in major operations worldwide.
Keyiken, who has worked at Porgera for 19 years, initially moved to RDMC in November last year to support travel, aviation, and fleet logistics.
His ability to manage complex environments quickly earned him greater responsibility, including planning the mobilization of 10,000 contractors for the project’s construction phase starting in early 2026.
“I have been tasked with drafting the scope and sourcing a growing fleet of 48-seater buses and crew transport vehicles. As RDMC moves into the construction phase, meeting timelines depends on moving the right people from across the globe efficiently,” Keyiken said.
His departure from Porgera on March 6 was marked by a farewell from the NPL team, where Mine General Manager James McTiernan praised his contribution.
“Elias is someone you can rely on 100 percent of the time. Porgera has been through many challenges, and he has performed consistently. Barrick is a global company, and this is what it’s about—people gaining experience here and moving on to bigger opportunities,” McTiernan said.
Reflecting on his journey, Keyiken credited teamwork at Porgera for his growth, saying the challenging environment helped shape his career.
“I thank the Lord, my team, and NPL management. I never dreamed of this opportunity. It reflects the support behind me. While I am sad to leave, I am excited about the challenges ahead. Porgera will always be in my heart,” he said.
Keyiken’s story shows that NPL not only mines gold but also develops people ready to take on major global projects.
