Lihir Island

Lihir Island is in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, and is best known for the large gold deposit developed as the Lihir Gold Mine. The mine and its associated infrastructure have been a dominant feature of the island’s economy since commercial production began in 1997.

The island has volcanic origins and hosts both mining infrastructure and local villages; the mine comprises open-pit and processing facilities that employ a significant portion of the island workforce. Mining operations have brought major changes to transport, power and local services on Lihir.

Lihir has traditional villages and customary land tenure alongside industrial mining areas; the interaction between community life and the mine has been a central feature of the island’s recent history. Geothermal resources in the area have also been used to support on-site power needs.

Geographically Lihir lies off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea in the Bismarck Archipelago, within New Ireland Province. The main settlement of Londolovit and the island airstrip provide regular air links to other centres in Papua New Guinea.

• Mining start and significance: Commercial gold mining began on Lihir in 1997; the mine has been one of Papua New Guinea’s largest gold producers and has transformed the island economy.
• Air access: The island is served by a local airport at Londolovit with scheduled flights to other centres in Papua New Guinea, providing the main regular access for visitors and workers.

What to See#

• Lihir Gold Mine (mining complex): The open-pit and associated processing facilities that make up the Lihir Gold Mine, a major industrial operation on the island since the late 1990s.
• Londolovit and airstrip: Londolovit, the island’s main settlement and service centre that also accommodates the local airstrip and port facilities used for passenger and cargo access.

Lihir Island is served by Lihir Airport (LNV). Regular domestic flights connect Lihir with other Papua New Guinea hubs (for example Port Moresby and regional centres) operated by Papua New Guinea carriers; the airport is a short transfer from the island’s main settlement. Sea access is also used for industrial and cargo operations but scheduled passenger access is primarily by air.

• Arrange travel well ahead and confirm flights to Lihir's airstrip - commercial seats are limited and many arrivals are coordinated with mine operations, which can affect schedules.
• If you plan to visit areas near the Lihir gold‑mine, contact local operators or the mine company for access rules and safety briefings; much of the island's infrastructure and transit is influenced by the mine's presence.