Delays in Nautilus permit requests

By LUTHER SCAT LAMANG
APPLICATIONS for mineral exploration licences in New Ireland Province are being held up due to a large backlog at the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).
Nautilus Minerals PNG country manager Mel Togolo said in Kavieng that their company was among others with outstanding applications for further mineral exploration tenements yet to be granted by MRA.
He said so far only 18 licences had been granted for full-scale explorations in the country out of the 72 exploration permits being applied for.
The company’s main focus for next year is the Solwara 1 project in New Ireland province.
Mr Togolo further said Nautilus had the money to spend as required by law to carry out exploration activities.
He said the company had so far spent K60 million in explorations alone but was being held back due to the large backlog of permit applications.
The explorer has applied for new tenements around the waters of New Ireland next to its proven Solwara 1 prospect and was confident of getting its permits processed and approved within the month.