Kokoda Track to be rerouted

By FRANK ASAELI
PART of the Kokoda Track will have to be rerouted when landowners begin mining the Kodu hill and surrounding areas on Mount Bini at Koiari in Central province.
They told an exploration company, Frontier Resources, that they would close down the section of the track if the authorities try to stop them.
Frontier Resources managing director Peter McNeil said about 10% of the track passed through the area and the landowners maintain it was their right to improve the lives of the people through mining.
Mining Vice-Minister Ano Pala and Central Governor Alphonse Moroi have given assurance that the Government understood the landowners’ aspirations and would not stop their plans.
“This track does not serve the people of Koiari and does not serve the interest of the province and Papua New Guinea for that matter,” Mr Moroi said.
“Our people have been disadvantage for many years because of the track.
“It serves the interests of tour operators and other people who have interests on this track.”
Mr Moroi had earlier accompanied Mr Pala and the ministry’s first secretary, Veari Maha, to Kodu.
He said the Government would support Frontier exploration’s application to renew the exploration licence and other applications.
Mr Pala said the ministry also wanted the exploration work to be fast-tracked.
He was told by Frontier Resources that mining was targeted to start by 2015 but if its applications were processed faster, it could begin earlier.
“The possible future development of Kodu is an issue for the sovereign nation of Papua New Guinea to determine with all stakeholders’ legal rights, commercial aspirations and moral outcomes or desires taken into consideration,” Mr McNeil said.
“Frontier’s exploration has not and will not damage the Kokoda Track in any way. However, it is yet to be determined what impact mining of the huge deposit could have, which is likely to be less than 3%.”
The Kodu deposit is located about 400m east of the 96km-long Kokoda Track at its closest point.