Lihir Group

The Lihir Islands are an archipelago of five volcanic islands north of New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago, the, New Ireland province belonging to Papua New Guinea. They are part of the Tabar - Lihir - Tanga - Feni island chain.

Niolam or Aniolam is the official name of the largest island of the Lihir Islands. However, it is more commonly referred to Lihir. Alternatively, the islands and the main island were also used as: Lir, Gardenijs, Gerrit Denys, Gerrit de Nijs, Guard Neys, Gerard de Nys, Isle du Bouchage or day designated.

Besides islands of Niolam / Lihir are: Mali, also San Antonio; Mahur, and San Francisco; Masahet, also Massait or St. Joseph Island; and Sanambiet.

The archipelago was discovered in April 1643 by Abel Tasman. From 1885 to 1899 included the Lihir Islands to the so-called "German reserve" and 1899-1914 for the colony of German New Guinea. 1914, the islands were conquered by Australian troops, and managed after the First World War as a League of Nations mandate of Australia. Since 1975 they are part of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

In the five islands lived in October 2005, about 17,300 people, of which 13,600 Lihirianer and about 3,700 immigrants from other parts of Papua New Guinea.

The inhabitants of the Lihir Islands Lihir speak, Austronesian language which has four numbers: singular, dual, trial, and plural Paukal.

On Niolam is one of the largest gold deposits in the world.