By LINA KEAPU
THE national government is determined to reopen the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga province after the validations of 24 clans from the Special Mining Lease (SML) have been completed.
During a press conference on Thursday, August 5 comprising of Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Managing Director Jerry Garry, Mineral Policy and Geohazard Management Secretary Harry Kore and the Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, Minister Tuke highlighted that the validation exercise carried out in the SML area was important as it reconfirmed the different clans of landowners within the mine area.
Minister Tuke said, the first lease which was held by Barrick Nuigini Limited (BNL) had expired on August 16, 2019 with all the agreements ceased.
“If the government wants to reopen the mine, it has to tick off all the boxes since the first SML has expired.”
In addition to Minister Tuke’s sentiments, Secretary Kore said the landowner identification was important in order for the State to know which group to deal with concerning the project.
“After this exercise, clans can then appoint their executives to the landowner associations however the associations must be recognized by the state.”
MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry said under the new Porgera deal, landowners would receive portion of royalty and equity unlike the past where they received compensations.
Mr Garry said they will not entertain new associations instead deal with only the recognized association, he therefore urged the clan agents to comply with the State.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape is content with the progress of the landowner identification of the Porgera Landowners Association (PLOA) with the State Negotiating Team (SNT) work closely to meet the required timeframe.
The Porgera Mine is expected to reopen in September this year.