Photo Credit: PorgeraJV
According to the Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State's awareness and validation exercise suggest the mine will reopen later this year.
The mine is expected to reopen on September 16, according to Chamber president Nickson Pakea.
He said the district and province were anticipating the launch after Prime Minister James Marape met with local stakeholders in Wabag last month.
The Porgera valley awareness campaign began on Monday and will conclude on Friday.
From July 26 to August 3, there will be a validation exercise.
The conclusion of the exercise, according to Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, would allow the appointed agents from the 25 sub-clans to participate in the mining development forum and other sanctioned forums.
The proprietors of SML 11's supplementary tenements for lease for mining purposes, mining easements, and mining leases would be involved in the screening process, according to Tuke.
Meanwhile, Pakea stated that all community leaders, businesses, and the general public backed the government's legislative exercises allowing beneficiaries to elect their representatives.
“People are delighted with Mineral Resources Authority’s tentative programmes and awareness to be carried out this week,” he said.
People's sole concern, according to Pakea, was the delay in electing their representatives due to law and order concerns.
“Otherwise, it is a good indication and we appeal to the prime minister (Marape) and Barrick CEO (Mark Bristow) to remain focused on opening the mine on the established date,” he added.
People, companies, and services in Porgera had been negatively impacted by the shutdown, according to Pakea, and the reopening would help to restore the district's economy and growth.
Reference:
The National (22 July 2021). “Chamber: Awareness indicates opening of Porgera mine in Sept”.
