By GEORGINA MICHAEL
East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird has called on the Minister for Mining Hon Solen Loifa to deploy Mineral Resources Authority officers permanently to Maprik District to manage growing conflicts from alluvial mining operations in the area as well as other areas within the province.
Raising the matter in Parliament during question time today, Mr. Bird said alluvial mining is expanding across PNG, including along the Amaku River in Maprik District. He noted that one Mining Lease issued by MRA covers part of Maprik town, including the area where the district hospital is located.
“We are encountering a lot of challenges and conflicts arising from these mining areas,” Bird told Parliament.
He explained that while land belongs to customary landowners, mining licences are issued by the national government through MRA. This creates tension when mining operations overlap with communities and public infrastructure and the mining companies as well as landowners are running go the provincial government to address the issue.
“Under our mining law, licences are given by government but the land belongs to the people. We have a conflict where people reside over mining leases,” he said.
Bird said provincial governments have no authority over mining leases or operations, yet they are expected to resolve disputes when conflicts escalate. He pointed out that MRA, as the licensing authority based in Port Moresby, is not on the ground in Maprik to deal with issues as they arise.
The Governor asked the Minister to commit at least two MRA officers to be permanently based in Maprik. He said the officers should oversee not only Maprik operations but other alluvial mining areas across Sepik Province.
“As provincial governments we cannot monitor these issues because they are national government powers. Can MRA officers be committed to areas in East Sepik with mining leases already given out, so they can focus on managing security, issues arising there, and look after the companies you gave licences to? We do not have the ability to do that,” Bird said.
In response, Minister for Mining Solen Loifa acknowledged the concerns. He explained that Alluvial Mining Leases are restricted to Papua New Guinean nationals and landowners only.
Mr. Loifa said he would take Bird’s request to MRA to consider posting officers on the ground to work with mine wardens and inspect mining areas.
He added that MRA issued a public notice last month warning that illegal mining activities would be monitored and that machinery and tools used for illegal mining would be confiscated.
“I am assuring the Governor and the people of East Sepik that MRA has put this notice out and our officers will go out to implement it,” Loifa said.