Lihir folks bat for benefit package review dgasdsdgs

LANDOWNERS in Lihir, New Ireland province, are pushing for a review of the integrated benefits package (IBP) and the memorandum of agreement (MoA) that was reached between them and Lihir Gold Ltd in 1995.
The landowners, who form the Lihir Mining Area Landowners Association (LMALA), wanted the review on the IBP/MoA to be held in less than six months.
LMALA had proposed a three-month review period from March 20 to June 20.
Their position was contained in a letter presented to the independent review chairman Brown Bai and was later made known at a meeting held with Newcrest Mining Ltd (NML) and other stakeholders.
The position was presented by both LMALA and the Kavieng Catholic diocese  to Bai.
The association recently met with NML and representatives of various stakeholders including Nimamar rural local level government (NRLLG), New Ireland provincial government (NIPG) and the state, to present their stand on the benefits package review.
The IBP/MoA as a benefits package as set out by the Mining Action section 164 of 1992.
The negotiations were between the developer (NML), Lihir landowners, NIPG and LLG.
 The IBP was reviewed after every five years and covered five items: Lihir destiny, destruction, development, security and rehabilitation.
The first IBP review took place in 2007 and the second review is due this year.