Aerial view of the Porgera gold mine. (Image courtesy of Zijin Mining.)
The certification of 24 clans from the Special Mining Lease (SML) regions in Porgera was just completed, according to Mining Minister Johnson Tuke.
Tuke stated that all arrangements had come to an end.
Barrick Niugini Ltd (BNLinitial )'s lease ended on August 16, 2019.
Tuke emphasized the importance of the validation effort in reconfirming the several clans of landowners on the outskirts of the Porgera gold mine in Enga.
“Government is determined to reopen the mine.
“It has to tick off all the boxes since the first SML has expired,” Tuke said.
Clan agents would then designate their executives to a landowner organization, according to Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazard Management Secretary Harry Kore.
Kore emphasized the need of identifying landowners and the state knowing which group to engage with about the project.
Jerry Garry, managing director of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), highlighted that the mine's landowners have already received compensation.
Landowners would receive a part of the royalty and equity under the new Porgera contract, according to Garry.
Prime Minister James Marape expressed pleasure with the development of the Porgera Landowners Association's clan agents being confirmed (PLOA).
The ratification of the clan agents, he added, was the first step in reorganizing the PLOA, which is a key player in the Mining Development Forum.
“The state negotiating team is working hard to meet the required timeframe to ensure that the mine is reopened in September.
“Indeed, a mine reopening plan has been discussed by Barrick, the operator of the new joint venture, and while parts of the milestones proposed are slightly delayed, we believe it is still possible to achieve our timetable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marape issued a warning to illicit miners not to enter the Porgera mine.
Reference: The National (6 August 2021). “Validation of special mining leases complete: Minister”.
