Miner will open a new office in Singapore to help lead the push around the region.

Berzelius Stolberg is part of the Ecobat group and produces about 155,000 tonnes of lead and lead alloys annually.

Pedro Castillo, a teacher from the highlands with no previous experience of national politics, takes office July 28.

Businesses have collapsed in the Southeast Asian country ever since the military coup.

The Panguna mine was operated by BCL, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, for 17 years from 1972 until 1989, when operations were suspended due to an uprising against the mine and subsequent civil war.

Castillo says he wants to increase spending on healthcare and education by raising the funds from mining tax hikes.