According to Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, the Wafi-Golpu mining project is set to be licensed by end of July or August this year, adding that this project will take off by 2nd quarter of 2021.
He noted that there is already a framework agreement and there is no best time for the license to be granted than that of July or August of this year.
“I am very sure, adamant and optimistic that they will get the licence this year,” he said. “The environment permit has been granted and that supersedes all the agreements, but in the course of the activity, then we can be able to piggyback on what the government has issued and we can be able to mitigate through.”
Mr Tuke said that this project will still go on and that they have already been through all discussions with relevant parties.
“Now we are set to fast-track and move forward in the production of the license for Wafi,” he said. “All due diligence has been done, proponents are very happy and we are very happy, we are set to go…the environmental permit has been given so perhaps my sealing time is as I am not looking for more than August. At the end of July and August, I should grant the license and I am stubborn hearted to deliver that. I am perfectly sure that for Wafi I will deliver the license by the first week of August or last week of July.”
For Porgera, he said, that the issue is still before the courts but they are working on a clause in the development contract.
