73 remanded after clash

By GYNNIE KERO
POLICE say 73 of the 154 people who allegedly disrupted mining operations at the K92 mine in Eastern Highlands last week are being remanded at the Beon jail in Madang.
Madang police commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said 81 of those arrested had paid their fines and allowed to go home.
They included nine juveniles.
The fines included K2,000 for adults, or two years imprisonment, and K1,000 for those under 18 years old, or one year in jail.
He said the men had entered the mine operated by Canadian miner K92 Mining.

Porgera mine in Enga is under temporary suspension after the Government announced on Friday that it would not renew the special mining licence for Barrick (Niugini) Ltd, the operator of the Porgera gold mine. Pictured are trucks parked at the mine site. – Picture supplied

“The 73 who didn’t pay were taken to Madang yesterday from Ramu where they had been kept since Friday. Seventy are now in Beon. Three were being (medically) checked after their blood pressure shot up,” Rubiang said.
Police from Madang were sent to assist the 30 police officers at the Kainantu gold mine.
Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry confirmed the incident yesterday, saying the incident was caused by a disagreement between locals and the miner.
Locals entered the mine site forcing the company to shut down operations.
Garry said Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, who is also the Kainantu MP, visited the mine site on Friday.
“We (MRA) are yet to get an update from him (Tuke). All mines in the country are under extreme pressure from Covid-19. We want to find a peaceful solution for both aggrieved parties,” Garry said.
K92 Mining reportedly shut down its operation last Tuesday as a result of the locals’ grievances. The Kainantu property covers what was previously mined by Highlands Pacific and Barrick Gold from 2006 to 2009.
The 154 were charged with being unlawfully on premises and being in possession of offensive weapons.