Landowners want more from Ramu mine
LANDOWNERS of the multi-billion kina Ramu Nickel mine want more spin-off activities during the mines construction phase if the mine is to proceed.
By JASON SOM KAUT
They presented a list of 15 spin-off contracts to Madam Lu, head of developer China Metallurgical Company (MCC) last week.
The landowners want these contracts to be awarded before the signing of the memorandum of agreement.
They made their intentions known during last week’s mining review at the Madang Resort Hotel attended by Minister for Mining Dr Puka Temu, Governor Sir Arnold Amet and MCC representatives.
The review has been postponed for four weeks during which outstanding concerns including spin-off benefits and calls for an independent environmental assessment plan will be addressed.
Former chairman of Kurumbukari landowners and current executive David Tikabu claimed that 90% of spin-off businesses were going to Chinese companies and therefore most of the money was leaving PNG shores.
Kurumbukari are owners of the special mining lease (SML) area.
“Assurance after assurance has not seen any substantial spin-off businesses awarded to us to participate meaningfully in the construction phase,” he said.
Mr Tikabu said the company was unreliable and unresponsive to landowners’ concerns.
“The way she’s going, she can’t offer us anything; that is our concern,” he added.
There are an estimated 3,000 people residing in the SML area.
The landowners claimed that of the estimated K600 million construction budget, only K10 million was to be awarded to local companies.
On the directive from MCC, landowners had formed umbrella companies to undertake spin-off activities.
But to date, this has not been done, they said.
Mr Tikabu said there were a lot of small jobs that were being done by Chinese.
“Our rights are being denied and we want this to stop now,” he said.
It is understood MCC had only awarded a road contract for the construction of the southern road.
He said they had the manpower and skills and were ready to undertake major projects.
Discussions were still being held in view of the review expected in four weeks time.
Nation Stories