Tuke ready to put mining dispute to rest

By ZACHERY PER

MINING Minister Johnson Tuke will meet with the parties affected in the standoff at the Bilimoia gold mine today in Lae.
Tuke told The National in Goroka yesterday before leaving for Lae that the meeting between the Bilimoia landowners, Eastern Highlands provincial government, operator K92 Mine and Mineral Resources Authority would be final.
He visited Bilimoia landowners and the management of K92 Mine this week and talked separately with them.
Tuke said reviewing the agreement and landowner identification were important and needed attention.
“The destruction has already taken place and it’s now time for parties to come together to address the core issues surrounding the mine,” he said.
Tuke said the extractive industries contributed immensely to the national economy and the state must not be denied revenue because of such destruction.
Disgruntled landowners raided the entrance of the gold mine on Thursday and burnt trucks, other vehicles, workshops, a powerhouse and mining equipment.
The mining site and the processing facilities at Kumian are being guarded by police.