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By BIBIAN BARRENG
LIHIR Gold Limited yesterday put its losses at US$10.98 million (K32
million) after a week’s closure of the mine, but this will continue to
rise as the mine remains shut.
And the use of the tradition gorrgorr to shut the mine has been slammed
by Labour and Industrial Relations chief David Tibu.
LGL said in a statement yesterday that a planned return to work of
employees initially scheduled for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning
was delayed to observe cultural requirements and to address additional
employee issues.
The observance of cultural requirements is in reference to the placing
of the gorrgorr (a traditional plant used to prevent trespassing) at the
mine pit entrance preventing workers or anyone else to enter.
Apparently the locals have become part of the negotiations that has
prolonged reaching a resolution.
An angry Tibu, who flew to the mine early this week, said gorrgorr had
no place on the mine site and this traditional taboo had stalled
commercial operations there causing losses to the company and the
Government.
Mr Tibu told The National that workers had not gone back to work since
last Thursday, while his officials on the ground are continuing with
negotiations with the company representatives, the workers union
representatives and the locals.
Mr Tibu added that within a drafted memorandum of understanding (MoU),
the workers had agreed in principle to return to work if the LGL chief
executive officer Arthur Hood availed himself to receive their petitions
but a last-minute decision by the chairman of the landowners had led to
the suspension of negotiations on Tuesday evening.
Mr Tibu said the situation had become complicated now with the
landowners mangling up their demands with the workers.
Mr Tibu added he was unable to provide a brief of the MoA to the media
until it was signed.
Mr Tibu further confirmed that the landowners had placed a sacred croton
“gorrgorr” which cannot be moved by the workers until a traditional
feast or celebration is performed.
He stressed that landowner issues should be kept separate from the
worker’s dispute and not handled together
Deputy Prime Minister and Mining Minister Puka Temu expressed concern
about the losses, and called for an amicable solution by all parties to
resolve the issue.
 
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