About 9,000 splitting K19.4mil

AROUND 9,000 people from 12 project impact villages in Western have received K19.4 million in dividend from the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML).
It is from the nine per cent equity the Mineral Resources Star Mountains Limited (MRMS) has in the OTML for 2020.
A statement from the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) said K19.4 million was paid to the 12 villages under the revised benefit sharing agreement decision of May 22, 2021.
The six mine villages are Aremkit, Kavorabip, Finalbin, Bultem, Wangbin and Migalsim.
The four villages from the lease for mining purpose area are Kumkit, Ok Tedi Tau, Ankit and Noiksikwi. The Korkit and Kawengtikin villages were also included in the payment.
The event was held at Migalsim village witnessed by the villagers, Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto and officials of OTML and MRDC.
MRDC chief operating officer John Tuaim was happy to see the MRSM board paying out money to its beneficiaries.
“I am pleased with the MRSM board for delivering this payment which belongs to the 12 villages,” Tuaim said.
MRSM chairman David Kaiankim said it was the largest dividend payment to be paid to the 12 villages.
“A large portion of MRSM’s income comes from revenue from the Ok Tedi mine,” he said.
A total of K49.5 million was received by MRSM from OTML as dividend in December 2020.
Of this, 60 per cent was retained for investments and education, while 40 per cent was distributed as dividend to the 12 villages.