Alexander Mining gets permit to explore

ALEXANDER Mining Ltd, a Papua New Guinea-registered Canadian-owned company, has been issued an exploration licence to work in the Prince Alexander range in the East Sepik province.
The exploration licence (ELA 1857) was approved by Mining Minister Byron Chan last month.
It was presented to James Das, company managing director and Gabriel Wara, one of the landowner group chairmen of the Asurum Sagum Landowner Association of East Sepik.
Chairman Martin Talisin of Imbiap village, Maprik, was unable to attend.
The company was to begin exploration in the licenced area extending from Wamaina in Yangoru to Nagipaim in Maprik.
The area was known for its activities in alluvial mining and holds the potential to host some high grade gold and other minerals.
The area also hosted an oil seep reported in the media in 2007 with the PPL held by LNG Energy Ltd.
The developer was ready to commence work once other administrative and technical errands are concluded.
The area on record had not been extensively explored but the company was confident there was potential for some surprises especially with the use of modern technology in the exploration of the ELA within the Prince Alexander range.
Wara was happy that finally, they were able to obtain a licence.
He thanked Port Moresby-based Yangoru citizens who assisted in cash and kind to make it a success.
They also urged the chairman to take the news back to the people in both Maprik and Yangoru sides so they were fully aware of the exploration that would be taking place over the next two years.
Proper awareness about the exploration was planned to be carried out in villages located within the license area so as to involve locals in the actual exploration.
There will be two stages of the exploration activities.
The first stage will involve technical assessment of the ELA from March to April 2012. Stage two will follow.
Wara appealed to the landowners to work with the company during the exploration phase.