The Porgera Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Prime Minister James Marape's announcement that the Porgera mine in Enga Province will reopen.
President of the Chamber, Nickson Pakea, praised the Prime Minister for announcing the reopening of the Porgera mine with a "far superior offer" than the previous 31 years from 1989 to 2021.
Pakea praised the PM's assurances of a much better deal for landowners, the Enga Provincial Government, and balance of equity by Kumul Minerals Holdings.
“More than 3000 micro small and medium enterprise (MSMEs and SMEs), 1000 local contractors and 3000 employees have suffered during the mine closure since April last year".
“Essential services such as electricity, road network, health and education facilities and law and order have deteriorated,” he said.
The closure has impacted more than 40,000 people in the Porgera valley who depend on the mine, according to Pakea.
Since last year, he said, the Porgera Chamber of Commerce has been urging the National Government to reopen the mine at all costs in order to save both people and local enterprises, as well as the economy.
“We are grateful that finally Mr Marape and KHL have invited Barrick to re-open the mine.
“Porgera valley is not what it used to be. All services have deteriorated and there is no cash flow,” Mr Pakea said.
He claimed that more than 80% of local businesses have closed, sending workers home, as residents struggle to put food on the table.
The president also urged landowners to put their disagreements aside and work cooperatively with the government to reopen the mine.
Pakea urged the Prime Minister to ensure those legacy problems for both SML and LMP landowners are resolved to support the local population.
