Photo: James Marape
James Marape has urged government regulatory agencies in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and commodity sectors to embrace accountability and monitor the resources being harvested in the country. This call comes after the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) launched its data repository recently, which will provide real-time data on minerals produced in the country's operating mines.
"I appeal to other sectors, National Fisheries Authority, National Forestry Authority and all the agriculture and commodity boards to step up your game to ensure that you are equally responsive to the desire for accountability of all our resources that are harvested in our country and harvested," said Mr Marape.
The MRA's data repository will receive live data from the country's three operating mines, which include Lihir Gold Mine, Ok Tedi, and Simberi. According to MRA's acting managing director, Jerry Garry, the live data is "the heart of the processing system in any mine." He added that "the application of this artificial intelligence is the first of its kind in any regulators have deployed across the globe."
In addition to the data repository, the MRA has also launched its 2022 to 2026 corporate plan. The plan includes initiatives to boost the mining industry, such as implementing a mining cadastre system, developing a mining engineering institute, and building an online portal for stakeholder engagement.
The launch of the MRA's data repository and corporate plan is a positive step towards greater transparency and accountability in Papua New Guinea's mining industry. As Mr Marape has emphasized, it is crucial for other regulatory agencies in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and commodity sectors to follow suit and take stock of the country's resources being harvested.
