THE Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala has clarified that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Ramu Nickel Cobalt Project in Madang is not illegal
The Minister said this on Friday, when responding to the Governor for Madang Ramcy Pariwa’s series of questions regarding the project.
Governor Pariwa on Tuesday questioned the Minister on whether he was aware of the legality of the project as well as mining of Chromite at the mine.
He said the mine was operating without a memorandum of agreement (MOA) after its MOA with the Government expired in 2018.
“Mr deputy speaker, the MOA is reviewed every five years, the mining commenced in 2000, the last review was done in 2013 which expired in 2018,” Pariwa explained to the Parliament.
“Since being appointed as the Mining Minister in the Marape-Rosso Government, are you aware of the expiry of the MOA in 2018 and the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt mine has been operating for the last four years without the MOA,” he asked.
“Legally speaking the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt was and is unlawfully operating for four years. Can the Minister explain to the people of Madang and this house, if he had any plans to review the MOA before the end of this year,” he questioned.
Sir Ano then requested to put the question on notice so that it could be answered properly.
On Friday, the Minister asked leave to table the response by giving a detailed information on Pariwa’s questions
“My response is, an MOA is legally in effect until a new MOA is signed between the stakeholders to the Ramu Nickel Cobalt Project, therefore the MOA is not illegal.
He said in 2013 the MOA commenced and was delayed due to various varying factors which were outside of State’s control.
“In 2019 the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the State commenced the MOA review by first mobilising landowners through a conduct of landowner’s association elections of officials to engaged in the MOA review, the landowners disputed the election and instituted a court proceeding against MRA in Madang (MPG). The court took 10months and a decision was made in favor of MRA, election of landowner’s association was subsequently held in November. In 2020, Covid disturbed most of the MOA programme. In 2021, MRA issued notice to Madang Provincial Government, LLG and landowners to submit position papers for MOA review,” he said.
“MPG and LLG refused to provide position papers. Position papers contains key aspirations and commitment to be included in the MOA review. In 2022, MRA commence review process with a stakeholder meeting in April setting a way forward, in that meeting parties resolved to review Landowner association constitutions first before reviewing the MOA.”
He said it is anticipated that by the first quarter of next year the MOA view will be finalised.
