Aerial view of the Porgera gold mine. (Image courtesy of Zijin Mining.)
The Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, MP will formally handover the Framework Agreement for the reopening of the Porgera Mine in Enga Province to the affected landowners.
PM Marape announced this today following reports that the affected landowners in the province have apparently protested against a planned visit this week to be called off.
“Since taking Office on May 30th 2019, I have advocated for greater share of the benefits from our resources to landowners and affected landowners and that stands.
“That is why we have amended existing resource laws including the Mining Act 2020 and the Oil and Gas Act 2020 to ensure landowners get a fair share under our ‘Take Back PNG’ slogan.
“My visit to the Porgera Mine in the Lagaip-Porgera District this week was to talk to the affected landowners, the mine management and other mine affected communities.
“One of the main reasons why I wanted to travel to Porgera was to formally hand over the Framework Agreement.
“The State is currently seeking Barracks concurrence to release the Framework Agreement,’’ said PM Marape.
He said that the National Government has no intention of leaving out the affected landowners and will be included in every step of the way towards reopening the mine.
“The landowners will be made known and will have a copy of the Framework Agreement before any awareness is carried out, which will include the Enga Provincial Government and their community leaders.
“Landowners and affected communities in Porgera are well versed with the impacts of the mine and the benefits they got as a province. We will give them a copy and spell out what is in it for them at our appropriate forums and meetings.
“That was the essence of my planned visit to Porgera this week and I know my good people of Porgera understand the Government’s position and allow the lawful processes to take its course towards reopening of the mine with their share of benefits intact,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Marape said landowners will not be left behind in pursuit for the extraction and development of our resources including Porgera which my Government is fully supportive of as long as my people get the value for their resources.
“I look forward to meeting the good people of Porgera and speaking to the affected landowner communities and the Enga Provincial Government with the developer Barrick soon.”
Further, the Prime Minister said after this visit, his Government will set a date for a proper development forum where all benefits will be heard and consulted for benefit split.
