Medical Drone Deliveries - OK Tedi Mining

Niubalus Logistics plays a critical role in strengthening last-mile health service delivery and essential logistics across some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote and inaccessible regions. As a specialist drone logistics provider, Niubalus designs, deploys, and operates advanced unmanned aerial systems to deliver life-saving medical supplies, diagnostics, and emergency support where conventional transport is unreliable, slow, or unavailable.

Through its partnership with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), Niubalus is delivering a 24/7 drone-enabled medical logistics network based in Tabubil, servicing surrounding villages within a 160-kilometre radius. This operation is designed to dramatically improve healthcare outcomes by enabling rapid, on-demand delivery of critical medicines, vaccines, antivenoms, and blood products, as well as the secure transport of medical samples between aid posts and hospitals. Deliveries that previously took days by foot, boat, or helicopter can now be completed within hours, significantly reducing preventable deaths and medical evacuations.

Niubalus’ operations are underpinned by high-performance, long-range drones equipped with military-grade navigation systems, achieving flight accuracy of up to 30 millimetres. The fleet includes fixed-wing and hybrid drones with wingspans of 3 to 8 metres, capable of carrying payloads ranging from 5 to 50 kilograms over distances of up to 700 kilometres at cruising speeds of approximately 100 km/h. This capability enables consistent, reliable service in challenging terrain and weather conditions common in Papua New Guinea.

Beyond logistics, Niubalus integrates digital and community infrastructure into its deployments. Each serviced village benefits from solar-powered satellite communication systems that support safe drone operations while also enabling telemedicine consultations, education access, and tokenised community Wi-Fi. These systems provide phone charging facilities and digital connectivity for schools and communities, extending the impact of drone logistics into broader social and economic development outcomes.

Led by experienced aviation, engineering, and logistics professionals with deep personal and professional ties to Papua New Guinea, Niubalus Logistics combines technical excellence with a strong commitment to local impact. Its role extends beyond service delivery to building resilient, scalable systems that reduce long-term costs, strengthen rural health systems, and demonstrate how innovative technology can be deployed responsibly in fragile and hard-to-reach environments.